This afternoon around 3 PM I saw an adult male Harlequin Duck from the
North Beach Fishing Pier in Calvert county. It was a ways out, but
viewable with a scope just to the left of the pier as you face the bay.
The unique facial pattern was clearly evident. I went to my car after I
saw the bird, and was unable to relocate it when I returned.
Last eBird report of a Harlequin in Calvert was 1990, though I see Jeff
Shenot reported an adult male just north of there in Anne Arundel waters
at the end of last year. Possibly the same bird.
There were many other ducks out there as well, including Long-tailed
Ducks, Common Goldeneye, Red-breasted Mergansers, Surf Scoters, and a
huge raft visible through the heat haze that was probably mostly scaup �
I'd guess 10,000. Also Horned Grebes and a Common Loon.
Earlier in the day, I tried in the morning for the Common Redpoll at
Kings Landing Park without success. Tried again in the afternoon with
Ron Gutberlet and lucked out with two birds at the feeders. Ron and I
also found the Sandhill Crane on someone's lawn right at the
intersection of Hunting Creek Road and what I think is called Deep Creek
Road.
Good birding!
Jim Moore
Rockville, Maryland
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