Bob Boxwell led a trip for SMAS to the Cove Point Marsh. This is a restricted access trip due to the security risk associated with the liquid natural gas facility post-9/11. Jane and I had been on this trip several years ago when the Cove Point Natural Heritage Trust had only started working with the LNG owners to improve habitat. And have they! The beach grass restoration project is a great success. Unfortunately, due to restricted access, most people will not be able to enjoy the fruits of their labors. Best bird of the day was found here, a Nelson's Sparrow, one of my most sought after Calvert County birds. It teed up in the beach grass as we scoped it for a couple of minutes. It always was face on but this appeared to be a very bright individual with strong buff/orange on the face. I'd like opinions of my crappy pix on if this might be on the nelsoni subspecies.
Probably the second best bird du jour was a flock of 4 Northern Shovelers, the largest group I've ever seen in Calvert.
Yellow-rumped Warblers were practically dripping from the trees. They were almost annoying in their ubiquitousness. We did manage to find a couple of yellow Palm Warblers. Two Mute Swans were a bit of a shock. I suspect they won't be there long.
Here's a link to my pix:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8671193@N08/8088563174
Tyler Bell
<jtylerbell...>
California, Maryland
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