Date: 12/16/12 3:02 pm
From: <jcdlmartin...> <jcdlmartin...>
Subject: [MDBirding] Calvert and Talbot, 12/15


Inspired by Dave Powell's recent post, I started Saturday morning at first light on the Chesapeake Beach Railroad Trail. One of the first birds I saw was an immature BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON skulking in the grass just feet away from the boardwalk. At the T intersection I played some rail recordings and got a whinnying SORA in response. Farther on at the second bridge a large rail gave a single grunting series -sounded like Clapper. Seemed strange that no Virginia Rails called.

I made a quick visit to the Rod & Reel docks and saw 3 PURPLE SANDPIPERS on the south jetty. From there I stopped at Jim Stasz's place where the immature male RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD showed well, announcing its arrival with constant chipping. The North Beach waterfront had a huge scaup flock just off shore, easily several thousand birds. Also 1 NORTHERN GANNET far off shore.

I left Calvert and headed straight for the Choptank River fishing pier, where the female BARROW'S GOLDENEYE put on a great showing, often quite near the pier. A final stop at Pickering Creek was uneventful, but there were good numbers of sparrows including quite a few WHITE-CROWNED.

Joel Martin
<jcdlmartin...>

Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Smartphone

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