Headed to Piney Run yesterday in hopes of finding Bob Ringlers Common Loon . Believe ths was my first place to ever see the Loon  and was looking forward to seeing it again at this spot . On the way i encountered many Hawk sightings. Firstly route 70 . I ebirded these two hawks as Buteo but would guess they were RedTails . Its hard to get i.d. when going 50 mph on hwy . I know the speed limit is 65 ...but why hurry ?  The Redtails were somewhere between Marriotsville and 32 . Then I saw a very small hawk sitting on small tree in sort of open area before the Weigh station . I reported this as Accipter but am wondering if someone knows what small hawk shows a very bright white tail tip from frontal view. I was thinking more like Kestrel or Merlin but have never seen a white tail tip as this before . The bird was also pale chested . 
So in my foray to go back and see the bird again i got on Rt 97 north . took a right onto Old Frederick road and got sidetracked watching the many Redshouldereds on this road so by the time i got back to rt 70 i only found another Redshouldered . 
I found Four Redshoulders on Old Frederick . Firstly stopped at the first sharp left curve and pulled into a gated driveway . Redshouldered in island of trees in the field across the street. After a few minutes it dove to the ground for prey but came up empty . Down the road a bit Redshouldered in tree on corner of intersection . Stopped for i.d. and looked like the powerpoles in the field across the street were decorated with Hawks . I thought noway there hawks on both those poles but they were . 
Anyway after the 8 Hawk sightings and also an A. Kestrel in field on right side of rt 97  i finally made it to Piney Run . 
Scanned the lake from the middle . Then headed to the left for closer view of ducks concentrated at that end. Was able to i.d. some even though very far views. Kept trying to turn the Horned Grebes into the Loon . Was heading back to leave after an hour of search and finally saw the Loon heading to the center of the lake from the right side .I havent figured out access to that end yet. It only stayed in the center for a minute then flew down  the left end of the lake. I watched and photographed  for few minutes before leaving . 
 Fun day 
 
Piney Run Park, Carroll, US-MD
Dec 11, 2011 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Protocol: Stationary
19 species

Canada Goose  50
Gadwall  5
American Wigeon  2
Mallard  15
Ring-necked Duck  5
Bufflehead  15
Hooded Merganser  10
Ruddy Duck  5
Common Loon  1
Horned Grebe  3
Great Blue Heron  2
Bald Eagle  2    Adult 1 Juvenile 1 circling together over the parking area. 
American Kestrel  1   in field on rt 97
Ring-billed Gull  50
Belted Kingfisher  1
Downy Woodpecker  1
American Crow  2
Tufted Titmouse  2
Northern Cardinal  1

rt 70 and Old Frederick road 
 
 Red shouldered Hawk   5
 Buteo sp.      2
 Accip. sp.     1
 A Kestrel      1
 E Bluebird     5
 A Crow      6
 Blue Jay       1

Saundra Byrd

South Baltimore 

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