Glad the shrike was found--you know, I was quite certain it was a loggerhead, but if others say it's a northern, fine. I doubt that BOTH would be there--but who knows? I do recall one thing that bothered me a bit: the bird did look kind of large, seemed bigger than the ones I'd seen recently in OR (both perched and in flight). And it kept bothering me. But the mask seemed so deeply black and wide... I discounted the size factor. Now I know better. Perhaps I exaggerated in my own mind the size/blackness of that mask with the help of the brilliant light. Who would think that good light would screw up an ID (like yellow on empids or on warbling vireo)--if I was wrong, I'm sorry. Oh well. 

Coincidentally, just last week, I ran into a photographer at Cromwell named Mark, the fellow who found a nothern shrike there in the past. I have to laugh b/c I recall telling him that I hadn't seen northerns in a few years (not since I was living in MN) and that I guessed I might have some trouble separating them if I saw one. Turns out I may have been right! I do get upset at myself.........

Looking forward to the definitive word!

Tim

________________________________________
From: Maryland Birds & Birding [] On Behalf Of Keith Costley []
Sent: Thursday, November 11, 2010 10:26 AM
To: 
Subject: Re: [MDOSPREY] Baltimore County Shrike

The shrike was located in the line of trees between the open fields (as seen
from the overlook). It appears to be Northern Shrike. Let's hope both
shrikes are there...

Keith Eric Costley

Randallstown, Baltimore County


On Thu, Nov 11, 2010 at 9:47 AM, Joel Martin <> wrote:

> Keith Costley reports that the shrike sighted yesterday at the Irvine
> Nature Center by Tim Houghton is still present this morning, singing and
> actively working the treeline deparating the back field from the other
> fields.
>
> Joel Martin
> Catonsville, MD
>