Date: 6/20/12 8:08 am
From: Matthew Grey <mattgrey7575...>
Subject: [MDBirding] N. Arundel: Least Tern colony, etc.


Hello all.

As I write this, I'm observing Least Terns foraging (and finding) food at the Brandon Woods Business Park. This is at least the ninth year of activity for thus nesting location. Today, I've observed about 20 birds, which is fewer than in the previous give years at this time. Stan mentioned that Least Tern is less common at Swan Creek this year, and indeed, they smaller numbers are showing here. I've been seeing decent numbers of them at Smallwood lately, though I suspect there is another colony closer to that site. The Brandon Woods colony is off of Gambrills Cove road and Energy Parkway. The nest on the far end of the FILA warehouse across from a nice drainage pond.

Also this morning:
Hairy Woodpecker, Wood Thrush, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Ovenbird, Yellowthroat, Hooded Warbler all found on territory at Stoney Creek Park.

Eastern Meadowlark and Field Sparrow were on territory at Brandon Woods fields.

Matt Grey
Pasadena