After doing some early Sunday morning birding in Frederick and Washington  
Counties, I also headed for eastern Allegany County and the previously 
reported  RED-HEADED WOODPECKER on Orleans-Oldtown Road SE. As Jim Green reported 
(I was  there from 10:45 to 11:15), there is a very active and vocal pair 
of adult  RHWO's at the location but no firm evidence of nesting. The birds 
moved back and  forth between the tall dead pine tree in the clearing and the 
edge of the woods  beyond; often one would spend several minutes inside a 
particular hole in the  tree. Twice I saw one bird land at the entrance hole 
and insert the forward  half of its body, with a lot of poking movements as 
if tending to young, but I  couldn't confirm that food was involved. A big 
thanks to Danny and other  observers for the chance to see one of my favorite 
birds in a new county -- just  3 more to go!
 
Nothing much to report from Frederick and Washington Counties. Manahan Road 
 in the Catoctins was pretty birdy in the early morning, including VEERY 
and  YELLOW-THROATED VIREO, but not the hoped-for Cerulean Warbler. I also 
looked for  the Dickcissels reported a couple of weeks ago by Brad Lanning on 
Chewsville  Road (Washington). I did not see any of those birds -- many of 
the fields had  been mowed -- but did have nice looks at a singing EASTERN  
MEADOWLARK.
 
Joel Martin
Catonsville, MD

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