Siskins are continuing here in good numbers, but no sign of WWCBs although i have some nice looking pine cones in the yard.  I guess they can't be everywhere, but i'll continue to keep an eye out for them.

Among the usu feeder birds yesterday may have been a Rusty BB.  I tend to lump all BB into the generic "grackle" category, but i've decided they deserve a better look with all the interest in Rusty's on Osprey lately.

Yesterday i paid a spur-of-the-moment visit to the Middletown FD's carnival grounds as i noticed the gate was partially open although the closed gate did feature a "No trespassing" sign.  Inside was nothing much until i scanned the fence surrounding the pond.  There sat two brownish-red hawks side by side on what was the day AFTER Valentine's day.  As always i have a great deal of trouble with these Sharpie/Cooper siftings in imm/ birds as do many others.  At home scanning Sibley's Eastern guide (1st edition, purchased 2nd hand) page 98, i found the perfect match at least as far as two features: a red/orange breast and dark head in one of the birds.  The other was similar except with a light head.  The beak of the dark-headed bird struck me as quite light, the other's not so much.  Could they have been a pair of N Harrier's?  Any help would be appreciated.

The Middletown FD's carnival grounds are accessed off of (according to my 1990 ADC map of FRED CO: BTW if the economy goes into the tank totally, i will share much of the blame, i fear) Franklin St then a spur called Fireman's Lane or Rd.  I'd also appreciate knowing if it is accessible to the public.

Jim (Michael) Speicher
jugornought—at—yahoo-dot-com
Bethesda @work :(
Broad Run_S. FRED Co @home :)