Hi Everyone,
I couldn't resist a quick stop at Swan Creek before work this morning. I started with a scan of the impoundments, which is always a little challenging just after sunrise. Shorebird numbers seemed extremely low in the early morning.� Duck diversity was as noted in recent visits, though in smaller numbers. Just three BLUE-WINGED TEAL were conspicuous, along with the RING-NECKED DUCK, LESSER SCAUP, and RUDDY DUCKs. I did not see the other scaup sp. noted since the weekend. I was mostly hoping for passerine migrants this morning and was disappointed to find sunny edges extremely quiet. On my walk back up from the wetlands, however, I encountered two small flocks. The first flock held a LEAST FLYCATCHER and the second held a brightly plumaged WARBLING VIREO, both reasonably nice finds in northern Anne Arundel.
While I'm writing, the Maryland Biodiversity Project (http://www.marylandbiodiversity.com/) continues to rapidly expand. We have cataloged more than 6,000 Maryland species, and have gathered photos for nearly 1,600 species!� For today's treat, check out Mikey Lutmerding's newly posted photos of the first state record Herald Petrel: http://www.marylandbiodiversity.com/viewSpecies.php?species=6223
(You can follow the link to his site for more pelagic photos.)
If interested, Jim Brighton and I have also been posting daily Maryland natural history subjects on the Maryland Biodiversity Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/MarylandBiodiversity
*** 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, 7:30 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. ***
Good birding!
Bill
�
Bill Hubick
Pasadena, Maryland
<bill_hubick...>
http://www.billhubick.com
http://www.marylandbiodiversity.com
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