Date: Thu, 8 Feb 2001 22:13:36 -0500 Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: Henry Armistead <74077.3176@COMPUSERVE.COM> Subject: Blackwater 2/8/01 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Blackwater N.W.R., Thursday, Feb. 8, 2001, 12:30-5 P.M. I actually spent much of this time talking with John M. Morton of the refuge staff and learning about the numerous bird initiatives Blackwater is involved with. This is a refuge on the move and I encourage all to try to be aware of what Blackwater is doing, join the Friends, write in your sightings (which they have plans for) at the Visitors Center, and so on. Blackwater is actively acquiring land and is eager to manage several big blocks of woodlands 400 acres or more for forest interior birds, among other programs. John Morton has done research with Sanderlings, black ducks, and with several birds in the Marianas, including Guam. Highlight today were 415 Common Mergansers seen from Wildlife Drive but far out on the Blackwater River. I couldn't believe this. A minimal count since one flock extended around behind an island and I couldn't see them all. Also c. 1,100 Snow Geese with only a few Blues mixed in. In the early 1960's one hardly saw ANY Snows or Blues on this refuge. Nice mixed species foraging guild on the spur road that goes to the observation site (marsh overlook by the "Nutria bulletin board"): both kinglets, a Fox Sparrow, myrtles, chickadees, a Hairy, and 4 Brown-headed Nuthatches. 2 Fox Squirrels nearby. 20 Painted Turtles in the little pond there next to where there were 2 or 3 great blue nests last year. In Pool 1 15 or so shovelers, 11 Ring-necked Ducks, 2 hoodies. The impoundment in front of the Visitors Center is loaded, mostly Mallards and CG's, true, but also nice numbers of pintails plus some shovelers, Green-winged Teal, a few wigeon, black ducks. Waterfowl really do look sprucy this time of year ... in full fig. In one field on the west side of Egypt Road there were 640 Tundra Swans, many less than 100 feet from that road, a nice spectacle. 15 or so Bald Eagles seen today. You lucky dogs who get out Friday or Saturday. After this warmth Swami predicts more arrival pintails and swans, maybe an Osprey or two. Perhaps the love song of the froggy will be heard throughout the land. Blockbuster birding to y'all.-Harry Armistead, 523 E. Durham St., Philadelphia, PA 19119. 215-248-4120. 74077.3176@compuserve.com. ======================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= =========================================================================