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 ______________________________________________________________________ Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society. Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list. Additional discussions can be found in our forums, at www.ohiobirds.org/forum/. You can join or leave the list, or change your options, at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=OHIO-BIRDS Send questions or comments about the list to: [log in to unmask]