I led a Sunday am. trip to the now-closed Oaks Landfill on Rt. 108 in Laytonsville for the Montgomery Bird Club, our first-ever trip there.  14 birders attended, eager to see what was on the "other side of the fence" from the Blue Mash Nature Trail.  Just as we started walking west on the gravel road around the landfill, (now 90% melted and very decent walking) a Cooper's Hawk flew by  to get us off to a great start.  Songbirds were sparse due to the remnant deep snow, but at the top of the landfill we had close Savannah Sparrow on the gravel road, 2 Horned Larks,  a flyover female Pileated Woopecker, and a high-up adult Bald Eagle.  We thought we heard pipits, but did not see any.

The best bird was a probable Rough-legged Hawk, seen briefly about 150 yards off, flying low and away from us.  It looked long-winged with dark primary tips, and very noticeable dark carpal spots when its wings were raised.  It never hovered or vocalized in the 20 seconds or so that we observed it, which would have helped simplify the i.d., but two of our group, Ed Patten and Brad Beukema went "off-road"  some distance to get a better look, and were convinced it was a Rough-leg when they rejoined us.

Total species were only 25, but the Rough-leg was a life-bird for several, and everyone enjoyed seeing some different type habitat and a respite from "cabin-fever".

Mark England
Damascus, Md.