I dropped by Swan Creek Dredged Materials Facility this afternoon just prior to closing. There were 23 Caspian Tern with a dozen Laughing Gulls in the North cell. A few Pectorals and at least three White-rumped Sands were among the herd in the North cell as well. Also present, two Greater and three Lesser Yellowlegs, at least one Western Sand, three Semi Plover, as well as loads of Semi Sand and Least Sands. But the big numbers belonged to the Killdeer. There were at least 30 on the spit in North Cell, and dozens more mingling nearby. ONE BIRD in particular was striking.
At first I thought Black Tern!
But it was too big, and the shape was all wrong. By some coincidence, it was the same overall size and shape as the dozens of Killdeer that it was with on that spit of land in the North cell. I tried to grab some iPhone video and a few shots from my camera. The plover had whitish underwings (albeit dirty) when it stretched it's wings, along with a faint cinnamon-tinged wash on it's upper parts / wings. What's more, it seemed to behave like a Killdeer. The bird flew and I couldn't relocate it before the gates were closing. Here are some photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nervousbird/sets/72157630960173052/
*** NOTE: Swan Creek/Cox Creek is an active industrial site and mitigation project in northern Anne Arundel Co. Access is at the end of Kembo Road off Fort Smallwood Road near 695. The site is open ONLY Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Please be in your car and leaving at 3:30 p.m. Remember to always sign in at the office, to be on your best behavior (people have worked hard to coordinate this access), and to stick to permitted areas. This Swan Creek map linked here details where you are and aren't allowed to walk. http://www.billhubick.com/docs/swan_creek_map.jpg. ***
Hey, anyone want to start a MD Birding facebook site? Hah! I crack myself up. I would do it, but I've got other fish to fry. Thanks for the fun discussion though...
Good Birding,
Dan Haas St. Margaret's, MD nervousbirdsatgmail.com
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