Hi Everyone,

Like the rest of the stir-crazy birders in Maryland, I was forced to stay local by the impressive snowfall. Of course somewhere between my 27 hours of shoveling I had to find some sort of birding outlet. I kept a close eye on my feeders and did two long river watches on Rock Creek where it empties into the Patapsco near Fort Smallwood. 

The definite highlight was spotting multiple flocks of HORNED LARKs flying north and northwest away from Fort Smallwood. I first spotted them in the distance flying low over the water in rapid, undulating flight. Fortunately, they passed by close enough for obvious ID and to hear their call notes. As the next 30 minutes passed, many flocks of 30 to 70 Horned Larks passed by, certainly displaced by the deep snow. This is a scarce bird in the county, so a total of 246 is noteworthy.

Also of note was an adult female NORTHERN HARRIER that flew right up the middle of Rock Creek.

Back in the yard, I finally had an opportunity that I had been awaiting for a long time. The Fort Smallwood area hosts a wintering grackle flock, and I can usually find a Bronzed Grackle or two when they descend upon the feeders. In the heavy snow yesterday I picked out four at one time. I have wanted to capture a series of photos that really illustrate the plumage differences between Purple Grackle and Bronzed Grackle, particularly their iridescence, in ideal light. Today's clear skies made it a perfect opportunity. This was a lot of fun, and I hope you enjoy:

Photos: http://www.billhubick.com/photos/updates/20091220.php

Here's the full list from today:

Rockwood Beach, Anne Arundel Co.

Canada Goose--29
Mute Swan--2
Mallard--10
Bufflehead--51
Ruddy Duck--13
Double-crested Cormorant--4
Great Blue Heron--1
NORTHERN HARRIER--1
Ring-billed Gull--22
Herring Gull (American)--9
Great Black-backed Gull--3
Mourning Dove--6
Belted Kingfisher--1
Red-bellied Woodpecker--1
Downy Woodpecker--1
Blue Jay--7
American Crow--3
HORNED LARK--246 ** Locally exceptional, and certainly attributable to dislocation by the heavy snow. Group sizes were 63, 76, 1, 2, 34, 12, 40, 14, 6. I was really expecting to find a Snow Bunting or a longspur, but this was interesting enough.
Carolina Chickadee--2
Tufted Titmouse--2
White-breasted Nuthatch--1
Carolina Wren--2
American Robin--2
Northern Mockingbird--2
European Starling--8
Eastern Towhee--2
Song Sparrow--3
White-throated Sparrow--32
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored)--13
Northern Cardinal--4
Red-winged Blackbird--35
Common Grackle (Purple)--25
COMMON GRACKLE (BRONZED)--1
Brown-headed Cowbird--42
House Finch--8
American Goldfinch--5
House Sparrow--6

Good birding!

Bill

Bill Hubick
Pasadena, Maryland

http://www.billhubick.com