I had a meeting in Baltimore today so afterwards I swung down to where the
Black-bellied Whistling Ducks had been. Thank you to everyone who provided
such detailed directions to both the Giant and the Catholic school. I
observed from both locations but saw nothing except Mallards and Canada
Geese, plus a singing Goldfinch. There is a large area of the pond not
visible from those sites, so perhaps the ducks were hidden, but since they
weren't spotted yesterday, either, they may have moved on. I also checked
the drainage pond where Wilkens Ave. meets up with the Beltway, but that was
all Canadas.

However, I am glad I went because I ate lunch at the Ledo Pizzeria in the
shopping mall where the Giant is located, and that was my first time at this
chain. I could actually taste the yeast in the pizza crust, and the
margherita pizza was delicious. The staff was really nice, too, especially
the young woman who is studying to be an 8th-grade teacher, bless her heart.
So if anyone goes birding there, I recommend the Ledo for lunch or dinner.

I seriously do not understand how those of you who live around there deal
with that traffic all the time.

Pat Valdata
Elkton