I'm off all this week, so yesterday I cleaned the house and wrote a
song. But today I thought it'd be best to bird the day away.
I started off at Sandy Point before sunrise. Highlights included:
-Blue-headed Vireo
-Yellow-throated Warbler
-Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (a good view, full clean yellow on the
belly and a relatively short tail projection. Non-contrasty throat
and dirtier yellow towards the upper parts). Since I was unable to
obtain a photo, and I've botched two YBFL ID's this year already, I
doubt eBird will accept the sighting, but I'm mentioning it here
anyway.
-10 Scarlet Tanagers; seemingly everywhere, an underestimated count.
Certainly the most I've ever seen in one spot. I didn't bird too much
of the park, but had I taken the time, I suspect my count would have
easily doubled.
-Swainson's Thrush, Gray-cheeked Thrush, Veery and a 'potential'
Bicknell's. Smaller thrush that briefly perched below a Swainson's,
offering a limited view, therefore I did not enter it into eBird.
-Wilson's Warbler
-4 Red-breasted Nuthatches
-5 Sanderling
Later, I drove out to meet Jay Sheppard and his AMERICAN BITTERN. Jay
got me on the bird in no time at all. Awesome find, especially in
such an interesting habitat:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nervousbird/8025000653/
Thanks Jay (and Marcy for the notification)!
Marcy soon joined us, and we all birded Annapolis Junction Business
Park. The American Kestrel show was as impressive as ever! We found
a Rose-breasted Grosbeak, a couple of Palm Warblers, but it was
relatively quiet, save for the Kestrels. We did look diligently for
sparrows, turning up at least one GRASSHOPPER (likely more), one Song,
one Swamp and about 4 _____ sparrows that we flushed when we walked
the field. It was mid-day and warm, so perhaps the birds were laying
low and taking a respite? Though, if I were a small songbird in a
weedy filled loaded with small falcons overhead, I think I might find
a new place to spend my time.
On the way home my wife called and gave me some extra birding time, so
I quickly ducked into Kinder Farm Park. Not too much stirring and I
didn't want to be late getting home, so I only birded the park for a
short bit. I photographed a yet-to-be-eBirded flycatcher. You're
welcome to have a look and offer an opinion:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nervousbird/8024999418/
When I got home, I found that my wife and kids were still out, so....
I quickly birded my neighborhood. A PHILLY VIREO appeared near the
entrance to my neighborhood! One Ruby-throat was there too, still
hanging around the wild flowers. There were two more Ruby-throats in
my yard as well. One male has an interestingly-short bill, of good
size, but wasn't coming to the plants or the feeders while the light
was still good. Here's hoping for some photos tomorrow.
Good Birding,
Dan Haas
St. Margaret's, MD
<nervousbirds...>
--
-- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Group 'Maryland & DC Birding'.
To view group guidelines or change email preferences, visit this group on the web at http://www.mdbirding.com
Posts can be sent to the group by sending an email to <mdbirding...>
|