The previously reported RED-HEADED WOODPECKER was present and very  
accommodating on Sunday morning at the Bar Neck Road location in Talbot County.  
Within minutes of arriving I heard the rattle call, then saw it fly to a  tree 
trunk facing the road. It spent a great deal of time probing cavities where 
 branches had broken off but was not seen storing or retrieving any acorns. 
All  of the activity was in the trees next to the road, where it was sunny 
and  out of the wind, between Feather Lane (unmarked and unpaved) and the 
first  telephone pole to the west. Thanks to all who found this bird and have 
posted  updates.
 
Black Walnut Cove to the south of Bar Neck was mostly frozen but there were 
 2 MUTE SWANS and about a dozen TUNDRA SWANS near the mouth. Scoping the 
bay from  Black Walnut Point was challenging but there were large flocks of 
SURF SCOTERS -  probably over 100 birds - and about 30 BLACK SCOTERS that 
could be  identified. Also 11 COMMON GOLDENEYE fairly close, many small flocks 
of  BUFFLEHEAD and distant LONG-TAILED DUCKS in flight.
 
I'd started the day before sunrise along quiet roads near Ridgely, hoping  
for some Caroline County owls. There were two distinct pairs of dueting 
GREAT  HORNED OWLS and one EASTERN SCREECH-OWL that called for many minutes. A 
flock of  WILD TURKEY was heard clucking in some woods off Cherry Lane. Like 
Danny Poet's  group (hey Danny, I think we passed each other on Sparks 
Road!)  I'd hoped for some good field bird activity but got only 7 HORNED LARK 
and 1  flyover AMERICAN PIPIT.
 
After the run to Tilghman I stopped at Pickering Creek on the way home.  
There was a good showing of 8-10 WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS and 2 FIELD SPARROWS  
among the many SONGS and W-T's in the brushy area north of the viewing 
ponds.  The creek itself was frozen, with a flock of perhaps 500 CANADA GEESE  
roosting a half mile or more downstream, too far to scope for rarities. The  
woods were quiet but produced 3 SAPSUCKERS and a WINTER WREN.
 
It was a tough day for just about everything, but I picked up a few county  
ticks and 48 species overall. Maybe a closeout of Red-headed Woodpecker 
really  is possible.
 
Joel Martin
Catonsville, MD
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