I found this on the old internet this morning.  To borrow a sentence
from the article, "For forensic ornithologists, it just doesn’t get
any better than this."  It deals with bird identification when there
is not much left of the bird, in hopes of preventing accidents like
the recent NY Hudson River landing.
Link is here: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/25/science/25birds.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

Locally, it relates to MD Birding in that yesterday, I posted an
incorrectly identification of a bird carcass in Annapolis.  On the way
to do some afternoon birding off of Forest Drive in Annapolis, I had
to drive on that same stretch of road where I'd originally seen the
bird.  I pulled over safely for a moment on Spa Road and took a
second, much closer look with my bins.  Examining the feathers from
what was left of the bird, I determined that it was a Red-morph
Eastern Screech Owl.

In yet another way, that NY Times article relates to MD birding:
finding out what birds might be living near airports might provide
insight as to how best protect against bird strikes.
Locally, a Bald Eagle nest near Baltimore's Martin State Airport had
to be relocated.  A very brief news report can be found here:
http://wjz.com/local/eagle.nest.airport.2.941743.html

Finally, I saw a live American Kestrel yesterday evening at Greenbury
Point, along with 26 Surf Scoters heading in from the Bay towards Mill
Creek (Northern part of the point).  No White-Winged or Black Scoters
yet, but I'll keep looking.

Good Birding,

Dan Haas
West Annapolis, MD