Hi Everybody: I spent most of Sunday in Washington County with mixed results.The lake at Greenbrier State park was mostly frozen over and had 3 Common Mergansers on it. 

I then ventured up White Hall Rd. and had a wet area with 18 Killdeer. On the NW corner of White Hall and Mt. Aetna Rds. there was a small flock of 17 AMERICAN PIPITS walking and hopping around in the edges of a wet field. At the northern end of White Hall Rd. about 1/4 mile soth of the intersection of Chewsville Rd. I found another pocket of field birds. They were actively flying around on both sides of the road. I counted 35  HORNED LARKS and another 45 AMERICAN PIPITS. There could have easily been more of both species.

The LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE is still in the same field off of Hagers Crossing Rd. It was observed perched on a small sapling at about 11:40 AM for 5 minutes and then dropped to the ground. I waited another 10 minutes and then left before seeing it again.

I checked the area behind the Hagerstown Airport and the only species there was Dark-eyed Juncos ((54). I then drove west on Broadfording road. There were 3 WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS at a front yard feeder. In the field on the NW side of the intersection of Broadfording & Spickler Rds. there was a small flock of 19 HORNED LARKS. I also found 1 EASTERN MEADOWLARK in the same field, which looked stunningly beautiful with its contrasting yellow breast and black "V" on the white snow.

Blairs Valley Lake was completely frozen over as expected. The access to the C & O Canal and the south end of Big Pool was closed from the Fort Washington St. Pk. access. I scoped Big Pool from the southern end (accessing from the Rail Trail parking lot Rt. 56). From my vantage point Big Pool was about 70% frozen over. There were absolutely no waterfowl or geese visible. Three mallards flew in while I was there.

I drove to the turnaround area towards the top of Park Head Rd. and in a small sparrow/junco flock I saw 3 AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS, one of which sang once while I was there. My last stop was to check the Potomac River at Williamsport. Once again no ducks or geese. In the wooded area to the south I heard first chipping and then the intricate song of a WINTER WREN.

On the way home I quickly checked the sod farm on New Design Rd. and Oland Rd. in Frederick County but did not find any evidence of field birds.

jim Green
Gaithersburg, MD

work in moderation, BIRD IN EXCESS!!!

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