Hi Everybody:
 
     I met Gemma Radko And Helen Horrocks this morning (Sun.) and we headed up to northern Frederick County to look for mostly grassland species until noonish.. We had a great time and saw some good birds as well (but given the choice I would have rather been on Assateague squinting away for a glimpse of a new MD Sulid (no offense Gemma & Helen). Below is  a very abridged synopsis of our sightings: (Indigo Buntings were numerous and vocal in many locations throughout our travels and so were Eastern Kingbirds & Field Sparrows to a lesser degree)

FREDERICK COUNTY

     Harney Road: 
        E. Kingbird   i
        Grasshopper Sparrow   3
        Blue Grosbeak   1

     Shriver Rd.
        Wilow Flycatcher   2
        Grasshopper Sparrow   1

     Bullfrog Road
        Purple Martin   10+
        Vesper Sparrow (singing from a roadside tree)      Nice scoped views

CARROLL COUNTY

     Bullfrog Road
        Black Vulture   3 (1 adult and 2 young birds)
        Grasshopper Sparrow   2

     Keysville Road
        Red-tailed Hawk   1
        A. Kestrel   1
        Phoebe   1
        Vesper Sparrow   1
        Grasshopper Sparrow   3
        E. Meadowlark   1
        Orchard Oriole   2
      
     Sixes Bridge Road
       Red-tailed Hawk   1
       Phoebe   1
       Wood Pewee   4    3 juv. birds sitting very tight together on a branch and being fed by an adult
       Warbling Vireo   1 (singing)


BACK IN FREDERICK COUNTY

     Sixes Bridge Road
        Orchard Oriole   2  ( a pair)

     Toms Creek Churches Road
        Phoebe   1
        Red-headed Woodpecker   2   (both adults but poss. young around also based on begging-like call we initially heard

     Bridgeport Road (never been on this road before and seems like it has lots of potential, esp. in the spring)
        Red-headed Woodpecker   1
        Wood Thrush   3
        Scarlet Tanager   1

     Creamery Road
        A. Kestrel   2
        Grasshopper Sparrow    4


   Jim Green
  Gaithersburg, Maryland

work in Moderation, BIRD IN EXCESS!