On Sunday morning, I birded Aquasco Farm in southern Prince George's County. It was a beautiful fall morning and the bird activity was high. Driving in the park, between soy and corn fields, I spotted many Savannah Sparrows feeding in almost complete darkness, but perfectly well-lit by my car's headlights. A short while later, I came across a group of 20 Yellow-rumped Warblers moving through the southern tip of the property - before that point, I had not seen any this season. Also in that group was a Summer Tanager, perhaps my last of the year.
A large blackbird flock in the marsh was quite loud at sunrise. I estimated that it was 80% Red-winged Blackbirds and 20% Bobolinks. A flock of a 500 Grackles was also nearby. Other marsh bird activity included many Sora (eight in a very small area - the number in the actual marsh must be in the dozens), Northern Harriers, and Common Yellowthroats. My first-of-the-season Swamp Sparrow was present too.
The most unusual bird was a Black-bellied Plover which flew high above the marshes and river, calling repeatedly. This species is fairly rare inland. Of the two, American Golden Plover is the more expected pluvialis on the western shore, so this was a nice surprise.
Rob Ostrowski Bowie, MD
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