Bob's post reminded me I was out yesterday in western MD and on my way back
somewhere near Union Bridge I had a rather dark kestrel fly by and decided
it was more likely a MERLIN. I was unable to get binocs on it to confirm my
suspicion. However, shortly after that I had 2 bucks run across the road. It
was one with a little rack being followed rather hotly by one with a nice
rack. I think the first one was being "asked" to leave. I was sitting there
watching them go and wondering how either one has managed to elude the
hunting brigade this long. The second buck would have been a marginal
trophy. So the moral of this: if you can't confirm a Merlin maybe you'll get
2 bucks.

Prior to this I was out near Shepherdstown and walked the C&O for a while.
Little out there but the usal White-throat, Song, Junco, Cardinal bunch. The
most unusual siting was a group of BLUEBIRDS in a wooded area. Didn't see
nothin' out on the mighty river. You know - the one that GW supposedly threw
a buck across. Trust me it wasn't a white tail. And he musta done it out in
Garrett County. Not as long of a toss there.

Jerry Tarbell
Counting my 2 bucks worth in Carroll County