Came across a strange colored bird flying low over a corn stubble field
near 15315 Mt. Nebo Rd (Twin Pond Farms). The bird was kinda brownish gray
similar in color to the brown tone of a juvenile Herring Gull. I at first
mistook it for some sort of raptor but after getting bins on it, realized
it was a Common Raven, the brown head contrasting nicely with the black
bill. It began calling which further confirmed ID and was subsequently
joined by a typical plumage Common Raven.

I talked with Dave Czaplak on phone, it seems he saw same bird back in
November at Summitt Hall Turf Farm. He also photographed it (
http://www.flickr.com/photos/39566052@N06/6316010602/in/photostream/).
Also, talked with Jim Nelson as this bird was in his Seneca CBC area and
his teams had reported as many as 4 Common Ravens on last Sunday's count.
However, none of his folks noted an aberrant plumaged bird. There may be as
many as 5 ravens hanging around western Mont Co this winter season. A bird
indeed starting to live up to its name!

Tried to turn it into a vagrant Brown-necked Raven (all the way from
Africa), but Dave would not entertain that idea!  :)

My best to everyone during the holidays!

Andy Martin
Gaithersburg, MD

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