Date: 12/11/12 5:49 pm
From: Jon Corcoran <nvjxc11...>
Subject: [MDBirding] Good birds at Fort Howard Park




Hi Everyone,

I was able to stop by Fort Howard this afternoon towards dusk, and had a few notable sightings while scoping. Unfortunately, there were no loons present at all, despite thorough scanning. The first notable sightings were three LONG-TAILED DUCKS (2 hen 1 drake) flying south bound, scoped well out over the bay. The birds were not together, but randomly spotted while scanning 10 to 15 minutes between each sighting, so there may have been more heading south. One hen hitched a hard right and landed just south of the North Point SP pier, allowing distant videoscoping.

The next (possibly the best sighting of the outing) were 2 WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS scoped flying north up the bay with a flock of Buffleheads. The stuck out like a sore-thumb with the buffleheads.

The last treat was an adult drake SURF SCOTER flying south bound out over the bay. I thought the bird would have to go "undocumentable" again�but he turned a hard right, and settled right in the area of the hen Long-tail, allowing for videoscoping.

Also observed were several Lesser Scaup, and a flock of 3 hen Common Goldeneyes flying up the bay. Two cooporative Fox Sparrows on the way to the water was a bonus.

A few videos of the scoter and long-tail, Fox Sarrow photos�are loaded here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thrasher72/

Take care,
Jon Corcoran
Catonsville, MD

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