Roughly 10 intrepid birders showed up for the annual HowCo Bird Club Blackwater Trip.  We enjoyed rain, sometimes heavy throughout the day.   Highlights:

Rt. 50 north of Easton
Snow Geese - 50+

Choptank Fishing Pier (Talbot)
Common Loon - 1
Surf Scoter (1 female)
Long-tailed Duck - maybe half a dozen
Common Goldeneye - likewise
Bufflehead - several dozen

Oakley St.
Am. Wigeon - 4 
no Canvasback!
Surf Scoter - dozen
Ruddy Duck - 4-5

Egypt Rd.
N. Harrier -1 (male)
Red-tailed Hawk (a rather dark one)
Kestrel - 1

Blackwater NWR
White Pelican - 1 (usual spot)
Tundra Swan - 120
N. Shoveler - didnt' count
Greater Yellowlegs - 7
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 2
Brown-headed Nuthatch
Brown Creep er - 1

Maple Dam Rd through the swamp
Osprey - 1
N. Harrier - 1 (male)
Kestrel - 1

Cedar Creek Rd.
no owls, no rough-legs,
E. Meadowlark - 3
Sika - 2

On the way out we briefly encountered a mixed flock of nuthatches and myrtle warblers.

As the rain and wind increased, we packed it about 1:30.  Thanks to Stephanie for finding the last flock of the day, Jeff for co-leading, and all of those crazy enough to come on out.  We hit snow in the way home in Talbot County.  

The snow appears to tapering off here in Ellicott City.

Kurt Schwarz
HowCo
goawaybird at comcast dot net