MEETING - January 18 (Wednesday), 7:30 p.m., “On a Clear Day, You Can See L.A. — Birding Opportunities near the Los Angeles Airports.” You are flying into the metropolitan Los Angeles region for business, pleasure, or to catch another plane, and you have some time to go birding. Jeff will tell us about some bird-watching opportunities relatively close to each of the metropolitan airports (except for Ontario).

TRIP - FEBRUARY 5 (Sunday) WINTER WATERFOWL ON THE POTOMAC. Half day. We’ll plan to check the river for wintering ducks in a portion of the Urban Zone (a no-firearms discharge area) between the mouth of Watt’s Branch and Great Falls. Expect some winter passerines along the C&O Canal as well. Meet at 8 a.m. in the Swain’s Lock parking lot at the end of Swain’s Lock Road. Bring a scope if you have one. Trip will be canceled if icy conditions along the canal towpath make walking treacherous. Reservations required. For reservations and more info, contact LEADER: Andy Martin, martinap2@verizon.net or 301-529-2066.

MEETING -February 8 (Wednesday), 7:30 p.m., “A Snapshot of the Lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas — Going Digital.” Note meeting date on second Wednesday. George Jett switched to digital photography in January 2005. Shortly afterwards he took his new toys to one of the best birding/photography spots during peak migration — the lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas. Over 190 species were identified in a 10-day vacation, and many neotropical migrants were captured (digitally speaking). Butterflies, mammals, reptiles, plants, and other unique natural resources of the region will also be shown in the program. Come share this photographic experience, including George’s thoughts on the pros and cons of digital photography.

TRIP - FEBRUARY 11 (Saturday) SOMERSET MARSHES. Full day (to dusk). Bring food, water, warm clothing. Visit the amazingly under-explored wilderness of Somerset County’s marshes. Emphasis will be waterfowl and uncommon wintering species such as Short-eared Owl, Rough-legged Hawk, and American Bittern. LEADERS: Bill Hubick and Jim Brighton. Reservations required. Limit: 14 participants. For reservations and directions, contact Bill Hubick at bill_hubick@yahoo.com.

TRIP - FEBRUARY 19 (Sunday) OAKS LANDFILL, LAYTONSVILLE. Bundle up to explore this now-closed landfill adjacent to the Blue Mash Nature Trail. Mostly open terrain with some ponds. Possible wintering sparrows, raptors, and waterfowl. Leader will have scope for distant birds. We have special permission to enter this “closed to the public” landfill so reservations are essential. Limit 16. Meet at 8 a.m. Contact leader for reservations and more information. LEADER: Mark England, 240-207-3132 (home), 240-375-4500 (cell), or markengland@canamcontractors.com.

MEETING - FEBRUARY 24–26 (Friday–Sunday) MOS ANNUAL CONFERENCE, OCEAN CITY, MD.

TRIP - MARCH 6 (Tuesday), MARCH 8 (Thursday), MARCH 13 (Tuesday), and MARCH 20 (Tuesday) INFORMAL LATE AFTERNOON WALKS UNTIL DUSK. Joint trip with ANS. Meet promptly at 5 p.m. at the end of Seneca Rd at Riley’s Lock “on the bridge.” After checking out the river, we will proceed to Hughes Hollow. Highlights here will include waterfowl flying into roost. We will try for displaying woodcock if they are in the vicinity. Bring scope and flashlight, and wear “muddy conditions” footwear. Reservations not required — all are welcome. For more info, contact LEADER: Jim Green, 301-742-0036 (cell).

Trip - MARCH 10 (Saturday) JUG BAY, PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY. Half day. Joint trip with ANS. Possible Rusty Blackbirds, migrating Wilson's Snipe, and courtship display of Osprey. Wear footwear for muddy conditions. Meet 8 am. Call leader for details and driving instructions. Check ANS News for more info. Reservations required.limit:15. LEADER: John Bjerke, (240) 401-1643.

MEETING -March 16 (Friday), 6:30 p.m., Annual Montgomery Bird Club Social, Woodend, Chevy Chase.

Trip - APRIL 14 (Saturday) IZAAK WALTON LEAGUE, B-CC CHAPTER. Half Day. The Club’s second official field trip to this large private property south of Poolesville. Woods, hedgerows, streams, fields, and ponds provide a wide range of bird habitats, and migration should be on its way by this date. Trip will start at 7 a.m. at the League’s chapterhouse. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED, but no attendee number limit. Driving directions will be provided to those who make reservations. For reservations and more information, please contact LEADER Mike Bowen, 301-530-5764 or dhmbowen@yahoo.com. B-CC Chapter Treasurer and MBC member Jim Tate will co-lead.

MEETING - April 18 (Wednesday), 7:30 p.m., “Revised Workshop on Warblers.” Mike Bowen, Linda Friedland, and Jim Nelson (MBC’s answer to the Three Tenors — or two tenors and a soprano) will remind us once again how much fun warbler ID is!

Trip - April 22 (Sunday) HUGH MAHANES PRESIDENTS' WALK AT HUGHES: HUGHES HOLLOW AND VICINITY Half day.  Participation of all former Chapter Presidents is encouraged, and everyone is welcome. This is a wonderful chance for newer birders to be in the field with “old hands” who enjoy sharing what they know. With a variety of habitats, Hughes Hollow is always interesting in spring.  Depending on where interesting birds have been seen, we may also visit nearby areas.  We will look for water birds on the move and early songbird migrants.  Possible birds include purple finches, blue-winged teal, swallows, and maybe even an American Bittern. Meet at 7:00 a.m. at the Hughes Hollow parking lot in the McKee-Beshers WMA.  Reservations required. For more information, directions, and reservations contact the leader.  LEADER:  Steve Pretl, stevep@takomavillage.org

Trip - APRIL 28 (Saturday) BLUE MASH NATURE TRAIL. Half day. Interesting walk at this relatively new and surprisingly birdy site in Montgomery County. Waterproof boots helpful. Meet at 7:30 a.m. at Zion Road parking lot. Call leader for reservations and directions. Trip is limited to 8-10 participants. LEADER: Mark England 240-207-3132, cell: (240) 375-4500.

Trip - APRIL 29 (Sunday). OCCOQUAN BAY NWR. Half day. Explore the diverse habitats in this one-square mile refuge at the confluence of the Potomac and Occoquan Rivers in Woodbridge, Virginia. A variety of raptors and migratory warblers, vireos, thrushes and flycatchers should be present, and rails and bitterns are possibilities. Meet at the parking lot in the center of the refuge at 8 a. m. LEADER: Gerry Hawkins, 571-277-8406 or maineusa@comcast.net. Directions: From Maryland, take Rt. 495 south to I-95 south to Exit 161 (Woodbridge), follow Rt. 1 south, cross the Occoquan River, turn left at the light onto Dawson Beach Rd. and follow this road to the end.

Trip - MAY 5 (Saturday) PIGTAIL – TRIADELPHIA
Joint trip with Howard Bird Club in conjunction with WSSC. Meet 8 a.m.at the Green Bridge Rd parking lot off Triadelphia Mill Rd. The cove is bordered on three sides by deciduous and coniferous woods. Extensive mudflats may exist with the possibility of shorebirds. 2-3 hour trip. Facilities available (rustic) For more information contact the LEADER: Michael O’Sullivan, fr84wrdr@yahoo.com

Trip - May 6 (Sunday) LITTLE BENNETT RP. Joint trip with Talbot Bird Club. Half day. Near peak migration for warblers and vireos, including those breeding in this varied habitat. Contact the leader for time and directions. Reservations required. LEADER: Gemma Radko (301) 514-2894

Trip - May 8 (Tuesday)- ROCK CREEK PARK, DC. One third day. Early migrant warblers, vireos, etc. Meet at 7:00 a.m. at Picnic Area #18, one-half mile below the Nature Center on Ridge Road. Reservations required. Call the leader for more information or specific directions. LEADER: Wallace Kornack  (202) 338-7859

Trip - MAY 11 (Friday) BIRDING BY EAR ALONG THE C&O. The emphasis is on listening so tune up your ears for this half-day canal walk. We’ll be on the lookout for nesting and migrant landbirds. Meet at 7 am at the end of Pennyfield Lock Rd. Reservations required. For more information and reservations call the leaders: Cyndie Loeper (301) 530-8226 or Ann Lucy (301) 229-8810.

Trip - MAY 20 (Sunday) ROCK CREEK PARK, DC. One third day. Migrant warblers, vireos, etc. Meet at 7:00 a.m. at Picnic Area #18, one-half mile below the Nature Center on Ridge Road. Limit:6. Reservations required. Call the leader for more information or specific directions. LEADER: Wallace Kornack  (202) 338-7859

Trip - MAY 23 (Wednesday) WASHINGTON COUNTY: SEEKING BREEDERS AND LATE MIGRANTS. 3/4- full day. Explore some of Washington County's underbirded treasures. Expect some birding from the road mixed in with some moderate hikes (nothing overly strenuous). Walking conditions could be wet in some areas. We will visit several parts of Indian Springs Wildlife Management Area, look for grassland birds in the farm country west of Hagerstown and finish with some stops at potential shorebird habitats. Bring snacks, drinks, lunch, insect repellent, etc. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. Limit:10. Carpooling strongly suggested. For reservations and directions to meeting place call the leader Jim Green: 301-742-0036. (cell)

Trip - MAY 26 (Saturday) HOT SPOTS FOR RED KNOTS.  Full day.  Joint trip with Howard County. We will start at 8:30 a.m. at the visitor center for Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge and work our way north along the Bay.  We will also visit the handsome and informative nature center at Mispillion Lighthouse which offers great views of Red Knots and other shorebirds. We will go until dark or exhaustion, whichever comes first. Bring binoculars, scopes, food, water, sunscreen, loads of insect repellent. Trip is limited to 12 persons/3 vehicles per chapter.  Reservations required. Kurt Schwarz will co-lead for Howard Co. krschwa1@verizon.net (410) 461-1643. For reservations and information contact co-leader Cyndie Loeper  cyndieloeper@comcast.net  (240) 535- 8584.