First the Merlin- A merlin was photograpged by George and Kelly Bennish on 
Sunday near Dundee Falls at the railroad crossing on (I believe) CR 90. We 
searched for it today  but could not locate it.
   Quarry-After birding our way to the quarry we were greeted with a sign- 
no birders on company property. My fellow traveller asked if there was a 
designated area that was permitted that was not on active compnay 
property. They gave us three reasons that birding was disallowed: 
Trespassing afterhours and on weekends (ie:tracks in the snow),too many 
people at one time (he said cars were lined up at one point) and once 
granted permission some folks did not follow the rules. George apologized 
and thanked them for their time and we moved on.
So it goes.
   The reception at the Harris Sparrow site was considerably different. 
Although we saw no sparrow, in conversation we learned that young Andy 
Troyer has 280 Ohio sps and when asked what easy ones he was missing, he 
responded-grouse. Now that is a bird we here in Harrison County can help 
him with and for his family's gracious hosting of bird pilgrims, I offered 
up my farm for his 281st bird. I gave him my phone and address and a list 
of days I was off. On the way home I decided to send him a postcard and 
offer to pick up him and 5 friends and haul them to Cadiz for 281.
   It is obviously easier to repay a fellow birder than a corporation. 
However, the quarry is a repeat of what happened at the Harrison County 
Airport when Upland Sandpipers were reported there. It has taken me two 
years to smooth that one over and the airport is now at least birder 
tolerant and appreciates the rarity of its summer residents. That being 
said, I belive with a little common sense and respect both incidents were 
likely avoidable.

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