I went to Bayside Point on Assateague early Sunday morning hoping to see
some evidence of a morning flight. I was a little surprised that the first
bird that I saw and heard as I got out of the car was a male Prothonotary
Warbler. It was by far the best flight I've seen out there in July, also
only the second time I've tried in July.
Passerines that I saw engaged in morning flight:
Yellow Warbler - 8
Prothonotary Warbler - 1
American Redstart - 1
Prairie Warbler - 1
Eastern Kingbird - 1
Orchard Oriole - 11 (never saw any of these make the jump to South Point,
but they were hanging around the point all morning)
Purple Martins and Barn Swallows were also showing signs of movement as
well.
I checked Skimmer Island on both Saturday and Sunday and did not see any
Gull-billed Terns. I did see Sandwich Terns both days, and a juvenile
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron on Saturday morning. There were lots of birds
out there.
Good birding!
Matt Hafner
Forest Hill, MD
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