The Northern Shrike was well seen by several birders this morning from about 
9 am. till about 9:45, or maybe 10 am.  It was visible from the Sherwood Farm 
entrance road at 2002 Cromwell Bridge Rd. (along the white wooden fence) as 
it worked the fenceline about 40 yards to the east.  It occasionally flew to 
the utility pole mentioned in previous posts, one time leaving the pole to hotly 
pursue a Red-bellied Woodpecker across the field.

Bill Hubick took many pictures when the bird was perched quite low in close 
shrubs and/or saplings, and he said that he thinks they will be the best 
pictures he has ever had of a Northern Shrike.

After 10 or so, the bird seemed to disappear in the tall grass, and had not 
reappeared when I left about 11:30 am.

There was also an easy-to-see Merlin perched for extended periods, first in 
the big sycamore in front of the yellow house (visitor center?), and then in a 
small dead tree near the hawkwatch at the top of the hill.

Mark England
Damascus, Md.