Emil Bacik and I explored the northern reaches of the Amish Country region today 
in search of some reported rarities and others.  After a blast last month, and 
Tom Bartlett's inspiration to carry century listing though the remainder of the 
year, we thought we'd give it a shot in February, at least - arguably, the most 
difficult month.  Emil ended the day at 87, picking up six new species.

Today's notables:

Tundra Swan  8  Prairie Lane - from road (not recomended!)

Wood Duck  male consorting with Muscovys, mutt "eiders," and barnyard geese in 
the aerated waters outside The Barn restaurant on S.R. 585 in Smithsburg

Sharp-shinned Hawk  1  Killbuck Marsh W.A.

Merlin  male & female  about 1/2 mile apart along Prairie Lane; male perched up 
nicely atop a snag at Prairie Lane Lake Park (the RV park) & the female passed 
directly over the gravel parking lot from which birders are now BANNED!!

Red-headed Woodpecker  two ad. along Messner Rd. - Killbuck Marsh W.A.

Harris's Sparrow  still present at the original Bear Hollow Rd. location; 
literally present from the moment we arrived - very satisfying looks!

Perhaps the most interesting bird of the day was an apparently leucistic 
Red-winged Blackbird - VERY reminiscent of a male Bobolink.  Emil and I shared 
great views of this bird as it passed with a flock of blackbirds and had the 
same reaction, too - "What the ****, shouldn't they be in Argentina?!"  Those 
checking out the blackbirds at Secrest and Apple Creek Rds. (where the 
Yellow-headed has been hanging out) should keep an eye out for this bird - it is 
very cool-looking.  In flight it showed more white above than a male Bobolink 
- encompassing the entire mantle and coverts, and of course, lacks any buff 
coloration on the head.  Just down Secrest, we discovered a grove of cedars with 
numerous signs of recent owl activity (pretty obviously saw-whet), but none were 
present.

Best birding -
Gabe Leidy
Cleveland




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