Mark Taylor

Mark Taylor's Outdoors column and notebook appears regularly in The Roanoke Times.

Recent columns

• Hunter's diet takes heavy planning
• Amateur Freeman returns to Classic
• Several factors affect deer moves

• Column archive

Birding The Roanoke Valley Bird Club will take a field trip to Highland County on Jan.8 in search of golden eagles, rough-legged hawks and winter sparrows. The all-day trip will involve limited walking. In the event of bad weather, the trip will be held Jan.15. As always, guests are welcome. Call Tad Finnell at 473-1271 for more information.

The 105th annual Christmas Bird Count is under way, running through Jan.5. The information collected by the volunteer birders helps scientists track bird populations and migrations. Birders of all levels are encouraged to help. For more information see audubon.org/bird/cbc.

Fishing The mid-Atlantic region's busy winter fishing and boating show season gets under way Jan.13, with the Fishing Expo and Boat Show at the Maryland State Fair Grounds in Timonium. The show features hordes of tackle vendors, and will have at least 400 boats on display. For more information see fishingexpo.com or call (410)838-8687. For ear: Whitetail Gallery