Now i just caught up on emails and see that i missed the posted Conowingo Eagle outing this morning .  . Hope i didnt delete the results of this morning trip . Sorry not to get to   meet Pat . I had planned this week before last as i had been going thru old notes to gather ebird info and had realized i was due for a Eagle Party . 
Mom enjoys these ride only trips . Well we first went to Harford Creamery road to try for a Cackling Goose. Lucky for us fellow birder Dennis (original poster of the goose ) was in the area and came in to help us find it . He got the scope on one within a minute .Thanks Dennis !.  We watched the Goose for about 15  minutes then headed up to the Dam . We arrived at Fishermans park around 2 oclock . And soon remembered why late in the day was always full of excitement. Not sure if morning is more or less exciting but do enjoy the evenings. Counted 120 Eagle . At first only had a count of 37 from powertowers on the island and the ones in the trees near the parking area .. Then walked all the way down to the dam and found the ones across the river in the trees where most were concentrated . 
Surely missed alot in the trees as it hard to count in very overcast day and all the trees had blobs in them already . Not sure if these are nests or if these trees just have blobs . 
Was cool to see the many plummages of Juvenile Eagles . I dont recall seeing ones with so much white on the chest . 
Other birds counted were Great Blue Heron 23 , Black Vulture 148 , Turkey Vulture 1 , Rock Pigeon 220 
Had another visit from the Sharp Shinned hawk this morning. As i was walking to the car in the back yard he swooped down and fluttered around the same bush i photographed him in . Then flew up the park high up in a tree. I threw stuff in the car and grabbed the camera but he disappeared. 
Had an interesting Red shouldered hawk encounter Thursday at the Pond here by house in Brooklyn . Was looking out at the pond from the house and saw a duck with alot of white so headed over to check it out . It was my first Hooded Merganser at the pond. Hanging out with the Coot that had been there since the weekend . While i was videoing and photoing the Merganser a large bird flew in the the trees on the opposite side of the poind . Saw it was a Redshouldered sitting in the tree. Couple minutes later he was wrestling around in the weeds next to the fence that surrounds the pond . I thought maybe he got himself a bird. He flew out with a 3-4 foot long  SNAKE  !!  Flew a little ways and landed in a fairly open area but i could not find him .. Then i see a Juvenile Redshouldered sitting on the fence in the same area. Maybe hoping to get some free food.  . The hawk came up from the ground a few minutes later with his snake and disappeared in the
 trees. Believe that was my first Hawk Snake sighting . And would never have thought id see a snake that size in this neighborhood. 
The most interesting thing from Oxbow lake yesterday was the two Winter Wrens that hung out with me along the edge of the marsh . Was able to get my first photos . They are so cute. 
 
Saundra Byrd 
 
south baltimore 
 

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