Subject: Poplar Island Sightings from June 21, 2012
This report is submitted on behalf of Jan Reese of Talbot County, who
continues to periodically survey the flora and fauna of the Paul Sarbanes
Ecosystem Restoration Project at Poplar Island.
The summary of bird observations that follows was taken by permission
from the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers and MD Port Administration, June
2012, Fauna Monitoring Report for the Paul S. Sarbanes Ecosystem Restoration
Project at Poplar Island.
In this census note the influx of "vagrants" (Caspian Tern,
Common Tern, Laughing Gull, Ruddy Duck) that are expected to be arriving
now, and the appearance of the first fledglings (Great Blue Heron, Snowy
Egret, DC Cormorant, Purple Martin, Tree Swallow and Bank Swallow).
Appearance of the latter is particularly rewarding in view of the tenuous
existence at the construction site of suitable habitat from year to year.
Nesting pair numbers this season are over three times that of any previous
year at the site.
Also of note were 6 fledgling Black-crowned Night Heron,
signaling a new nesting species for the site. Wilson's Phalarope in the
exact spot found two weeks ago were interesting, as were three offshore
White-winged Scoter. Most exciting for me was a 6/21 Spotted Sandpiper
frequenting a weedy area. They nest at this latitude, but I have not
detected their nesting for several decades. This sighting looks very
promising. - Jan Reese
Weather: Hazy, clear am & pm Temp: 88-104 degrees F
SPECIES Number of birds
Double-crested Cormorant (3936)
Great Blue Heron (61)
Great Egret (3)
Snowy Egret (59)
Cattle Egret (21)
Black-crowned Night Heron (8)
Canada Goose (20)
American Black Duck (17)
Mallard (1358)
Canvasback (1)
Lesser Scaup (1)
White-winged Scoter (3)
Ruddy Duck (14)
Osprey (45)
Bald Eagle (1)
Virginia Rail (1)
Killdeer (33)
Black-necked Stilt (7)
American Avocet (13)
Lesser Yellowlegs (2)
Willet (58)
Spotted Sandpiper (1)
Wilson's Phalarope (3)
Laughing Gull (246)
Herring Gull (579)
Great Black-backed Gull (125)
Caspian Tern (36)
Common Tern (406)
Least Tern (132)
Fish Crow (2)
Purple Martin (29)
Tree Swallow (48)
BANK SWALLOW (167)
Barn Swallow (14)
European Starling (3)
Seaside Sparrow (3)
Red-winged Blackbird (377)
Common Grackle (2)
Les Roslund
Talbot County
Easton MD 21601
--
|