Date: Sat, 21 Dec 2002 19:58:38 -0500 Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: Kurt Schwarz Subject: Great Spot to View the Choptank I opted out of the holiday madness today for a bit of Dorchester County birding. In the process I found a wonderful spot for viewing the Choptank, totally devoid of the, um, ambience of the fishing pier. On the south shore is Sail Winds Park. A very pleasant spot, excellent views to the west, which you don't get from the fishing pier. From rt. 50 eastbound, turn right onto Maryland Ave, then right again on Dorchester. Follow the signs to the visitor center. There is ample parking, and clean restrooms that are open 9-5 7 days a week. Plus a gracious staff in the information building. I had excellent looks at Scaup and Oldsquaw (sorry, I'm unreformed!), and C. Goldeneye. Earlier in the morning from 7-8:30 saw all the above, plus 3 Surf Scoters and 1 Merlin. Blackwater was pretty devoid of interest, except some Pintails, Shovelers, and abundant Bald Eagles, and a single Yellow-rumped Warbler. The Hooper Island drive only yielded a little clump of Bufflehead. The drive out Elliot Island Rd. was uninspired, but was redeemed on the way back when I found an adult Bald Eagle, and a mixed shorebird flock consisting of 200 or so Dunlin and a single Greater Yellowlegs. Nothing outstanding, but refreshing to leave all the holday bussle behind for a few hours. Happy Holidays to all! Kurt Schwarz Howard County goawaybird@comcast.net ======================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= =========================================================================