Hi Everybody: I had to run a work-related errand early afternoon today in Montgomery County near the Airpark. After being told I had an hour to wait for my order I drove the short 5 minutes to the Lois Y. Green Conservation Park (off of Snouffer School Rd.). It was cold and windy but during the 35 minutes I was there along the lower trail off of the parking lot there was quite a bit of sparrow activity. I saw the following:

Cooper's Hawk     1 male   saw it take a close up successful strike at a white-throated  sparrow and fly off with its bounty.
American Crow     32
Fish Crow             5
Song Sparrow      22
White-throated Sparrow    34 (not counting the Cooper's haul)
Swamp Sparrow     1
AMERICAN TREE SPARROW    1


After returning to and finishing the work day I hustled out to Violette's Lock and spent 20 minutes there before dusk. The Potomac River is almost completely frozen north of the rapids. I saw Bufflehead and Pied-billed Grebe (one each) above the rapids and below the rapids were 45 Canada Geese and 22 Mallards.

I am impatiently waiting for both the end of duck hunting season and warmer weather to bring the waterfowl back to the River!

Jim Green
Gaithersburg, MD

work in moderation, BIRD IN EXCESS!!!