Hi everybody:
I participated in the Port Tobacco CBC (Charles County) on Sunday. I was
given several areas to cover that were in different sectors (but not
covering entire multiple sectors). I started on the PRIVATE farm fields
(where permission had been prearranged for the count) adjacent to the
Allens Fresh (off Rt. 234) area before daylight. There apparently has been
an interesting phenomenen ongoing since shortly after Sandy came up the
coast in this area. There was an apparent surge of water pushed up through
that area and along with it pushed up alot of carp (and possibly other
fish?) which when low tide occurs has trapped them there (one local said
they may have spawn as well). Regardless there is an over abundance of live
and dead fish in the area which has attracted a huge number of eagles.
When I was on private property I received second hand knowledge that
another counter had stopped by the road (Rt. 234) and as the eagles were
coming off their roost he found two Golden Eagles. My interior vantage of
the marsh produced no candidates so I decided to head out to Rt. 234 and
scan. Too give you an idea I counted a total of 88 Bald Eagles for the
count and I feel that this is a conservative number by as much as 20-25%.
with alot of them moving around and not in view from the same location it
is hard to get a very accurate number. After 30 minutes of scanning with
binoculars and scope I found one immature GOLDEN EAGLE. I then went back
into the PRIVATE area to finish my count there.
I was under the impression that his sightings had been reported yesterday
and now realize that they apparently had not been. As long as this food
supply is there the large quantity of eagles should remain. For anybody
trying for the Golden(s) I did hear that being along the road (Rt. 234) at
first daylight when all of the eagles come off their roost would be your
best chance. Alot of them, especially at low tide (like yesterday morning)
then sit down in the marsh and are out of sight if they are behind
vegetation.
Other interesting sightings that I had yeasterday included a late LAUGHING
GULL at the Port Tobacco Marina among the Ring-billed Gulls.
I also was very surprised to find a female COMMON GOLDENEYE on the pond at
Myrtle Grove WMA later in the day.
Jim Green
Gaithersburg, MD
work in moderation, BIRD IN EXCESS!!!
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