Date: Thu, 17 May 2001 08:34:52 EDT Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: Mark Hoffman Subject: OC Inlet-5/16-Pacific Loon, Roseate Tern MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit WC Birders - Fortunately, I had to be on the Eastern Shore on business yesterday (Wed., 5/16) and was able to get to the Ocean City Inlet to look for the Pacific Loon found on Tuesday by George Armistead and Marshall Iliff. I got to the Inlet around 2 pm and the loon did not disappoint, as it was around steady from 2 pm to 4:30 pm, when I left. About 5 other birders saw it while I was there. It was actively feeding on the south side of the south jetty much of the time, which in the afternoon is almost directly into the sun, and hence viewing was somewhat difficult. However, by adjusting your position east or west along the north jetty, you can improve your light angle somewhat. At one point in swan around the tip of the south jetty and came into the Inlet proper, swimming as far west as the rock pile. This afforded the best views and I was able to take about 40 pictures, hopefully some will support the id. Remember this is a review species. There were 5 or so Red-throated Loons in the areas (still in basic plumage) and 1 breeding plumage Common Loon (at times within the same scope field as the Pacific). In looking for the Pacific, the light gray of the back of the head and nape stand out, as do the bold white markings on the mantle. The small size, tiny (compared to a Common), dagger-like bill, and distinctive neck/head profile as work in the bad light. There was a large (250+) flock of feeding Common Terns in the rips, including 10 or so Forester's Terns, and with considerable scanning I was able to locate a single Roseate Tern. I found this bird twice, using the scope, and watched it for a total of 10 minutes or so. After losing it, however, it was very difficult to relocate and I was frustrated in trying to get several other birders on it among the swirling mass of terns. A couple of quick id points on this species. Remember in breeding plumage, adult Commons are grayish below, and relatively dark gray on the back and underwings, with broad black trailing edges to the primaries, and a dark "wedge" extending along primary 4 or 5 on the underwing. With white underparts, a much paler white back and underwing, the Roseate is superficially more similar to the Forester's Tern. However, the Roseate lacks a dark trailing edge to the wing, and the outer 2 primaries contrast sharply with the rest of the wing, particularly from above. The bill on this bird was solid black was well. When scanning, one thing to look for is the very long tail of the Roseate, which often seems to "flap in the breeze" much more so than with the other species (but remember Forester's has a much longer tail than Common). Check Ken Kaufman's Advanced Birding for an excellent discussion of these species. Other brief stops in Worcester County on the way home included the following: Ocean Pines Ponds Snow Goose - 3 Berlin Sewage Ponds The Southeast corner of these ponds is dry and excellent shorebird habitat. A flock of 250 peep (mostly Least, some Semipalmated), 2 Semi Plovers and 1 Ruddy Turnstone. Looks like a good place for something to drop in. Cedartown Road Pond (this pond is 1.5 miles east of Route 113, on the South side of Cedartown Road) No Wilson's Phalarope (although it was seen earlier in the day). Good birding, Mark Hoffman Sykesville, MD Mhoff36100@aol.com ======================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= =========================================================================