I forgot to mention the time - we were at Blue Mash approximately 2:30 - 4:30, and viewing the hawk from about 3:30 - 4:30, maybe even a little earlier.   Harriers were seen later - about 4 PM. 

Joanne






-----Original Message-----
From: Joanne Howl <>
To: 
Sent: Sat, Jan 29, 2011 11:54 pm
Subject: [MDOSPREY] Blue Mash Rough Legged Hawk Continues


This afternoon Jon Ranson and myself visited Blue Mash for the first time - 
hanks to all of those on the list who sent such great directions!  We entered 
n the Mt. Zion Road side. The parking lot had been somewhat cleared - just 
nough for 3 cars to park.  The snow appears to be at least 10 inches on the 
rails, maybe even a foot or more.  When we went off-trail, I sunk almost to my 
nees.  The trails are passable, but not easy at the moment. 
As soon as we got out of the car, a hawk flew over head, followed by a few 
rows, and landed in a nearby tree.  The light was bad, but I believe this was 
ur first encounter with the Rough Legged Hawk.  It didn't look like any bird I 
as familiar with, but for the Rough legged I was looking for a light tail with 
 dark terminal band as well as the black "wrist" marks, and it had neither.  
he small, hooked bill with a yellow cere and yellow upper bill, plus the 
mallish head made me think this was not a bird I had seen before.  The bird 
oved from tree to tree, followed by the crows, then flew up the road and we 
ost sight of it.  
We went to the fence, turned right and walked up the path.  We went to the path 
here it circles back to the parking lot through the woods, without seeing any 
aptors other than a nice sharpshin hawk.  Rather than go through the woods, we 
anted to keep an eye on the old landfil site, so retraced our steps.  When we 
eached the area where we could see the tops of the lightpoles in the parking 
ot, Jon spotted a hawk perched on one.  It was pretty distant, and we had left 
he scope in the car, so no hope of a good look.  Finally it flew, without an 
D, and we moved on.  
Not long afterward, we passed a spot near the small brown building, where all 
our lights could be seen.  The hawk was once again on the light.  We got a 
etter look, and were pretty sure of the Rough Legged by this point.  We watched 
or a long time, then Jon retreived the scope and got a good look.   
When the bird flew, it flashed white on the end of the upper wings, on the 
rimaries - and this was a very clear field mark.  It was quite light 
nderneath, with no black wrist patch.  There was a dark tail, with some 
anding, but especially a dark terminal band.  It landed in a tree close much 
loser, and we got an excellent view.  Jeff Shenot came along and confirmed our 
D.   The bird then flew back to the woods, close to where we had seen it 
efore, and we packed up the scope and began to leave.  It came back to the area 
ear the building, however, and landed in a tree as we were leaving. 
Jon and I watched the bird for nearly an hour.  Very good views.  
Also saw 2 beautiful NORTHERN HARRIERS - one female, one "grey ghost" male 
unting.  The hawk flew also at times, while they flew - but also the female 
ept crossing in front of the hawk as he sat perched on a tree for a short time.  

oanne
Joanne Howl, DVM
est River, MD