Date: Fri, 3 Nov 2000 20:48:18 EST Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: Joel Martin Subject: Assateague and Ocean City, 11/1/2000 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Took off on Wednesday to spend a day in the Assateague/OC area. I managed to get my primary target, Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow, in the course of a very enjoyable day, but there were some hitches. Unbeknownst to me, the state park CLOSED for the season as of Nov. 1, though I managed to bird for a few hours before the signs went up. After being evicted I went down to the National Seashore, only to find that all of the bay side roads were closed till noon because of a deer hunt that was in progress. The ranger explained that this was a first time hunt in the developed area and would continue through next week. I didn't press him for the exact dates but it might be worth a call if you're planning a trip. Hunting is OK by me but the timing was unexpected. Maybe they should have a hunt for those four-legged poop machines -- aka "ponies" (just kidding). Other than the one sharp-tail there were relatively few sparrows to be found, certainly not any of the hoped-for Nelson's or Clay-coloreds. A few pleasant surprises did turn up, including Peregrine Falcon, Royal Tern, and Marsh and Winter Wren. The afternoon at OC inlet provided a great spectacle as a mass of 50 or more Northern Gannets kettled and fed just beyond the jetties. The birds would swirl in a huge formation, then groups of 5 ot 6 would break off and plunge-dive, one after the other, like synchronized swimmers diving into a pool. Two Brown Pelicans joined the frenzy, as did many gulls, and a Bald Eagle even sailed through the scene. Two Great Cormorants were present, but still no Purple Sandpipers. Below are the best of the day's highlights. Thanks to everyone who provided advice. Northern Gannet - 50+ - mostly 1st & 2nd year Great Cormorant - 2 imm. Brant - 20+ Scoter sp. - 40+ Bald Eagle - 1 ad. Peregrine Falcon - 1 adult coursing over bay shoreline just N. of causeway Royal Tern - 1 - Assateague Forster's Tern - 2 - OC Common Tern - 1 - OC - seems late but I'm pretty sure about this - had a solidly black nape Tree Swallow - ~10 Winter Wren - 1 - State Park Marsh Wren - 1 - Ferry Landing Myrtle Warbler - hundreds, still chipping in my sleep SALTMARSH SHARP-TAILED SPARROW - State Park marshes just north of causeway - flushed & then spished up nicely at close range Joel Martin Catonsville ======================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= =========================================================================