Date: 3/14/13 8:32 pm
From: Josh Emm <apistopanchax...>
Subject: [MDBirding] Tree Swallows & FOY Osprey


Hey all,
I've been spending most of my time at Susquehanna State Park lately, trying to get myself into better shape. On the way up I stopped off at Lapidum and took a quick scan of the Bonaparte's Gulls, who were very active due to the unusually high water which has probably stirred up plenty of tasty morsels for them. Hopefully I can pick out a Little Gull and/or a Black-headed Gull before they move on north. While I was walking the trail that runs along the river from the mouth of Deer Creek, I noticed hundreds of Tree Swallows skimming the river for their aquatic feast. On eBird I estimated 150, but there were probably at least 2-300. At one point there was a swarm overhead that to my mind looked like an aggregation of very large sphingid moths flitting about. On my way back to the car, I stopped to observe (for no less than 5 minutes) my first-of-the-year Osprey as it was flying above the Susquehanna searching for its next meal. There was a mature Bald Eagle sitting high in a tree on the island behind the Osprey watching, no doubt hoping to steal an easy meal.

Josh Emm,
HdG, MD

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