Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2002 18:38:13 -0500 Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: "Kurt R. Schwarz" Subject: Dusky In Delaware The Dusky Flycatcher at Cedar Swamp Wildlife Area in Delaware was present today, 21 Jan. I found it at 12:45. Find the intersections of Thoroughfare Neck Rd. and Collins Beach Rd. (I THINK it's Collin's, but at least it begins with a C). Park in one of two lots, then walk down the gravel road that continues Thoroughfare Neck. The bird was alternating between both sides of the road, about 2/3 of the way down to the large evergreen on the left. Haunt the sumac, and you should find it. Shortly after I found a couple from New Jersey came by, and we relocated it after I had lost track of it for 15 minutes. Luckily for them it reappeared, and we all had excellent looks. The best part was watching it try to subdue an earthworm longer than itself. How it FOUND the earthworm among the snow I cannot imagine. It ultimately abandoned the struggle. Restrict youself to the gravel road, do not stray off. Birders have been given special dispensation to traipse this road, it's suppossed to be hunters' turf. I did not find the Western Kingbird. Likewise, I struck out at Eastern Neck this morning. By the way, the road to Ingleside where it has been seen is gated, and posted "closed to the public." So watch yourselves. Nice variety of waterfowl at Eastern Neck, with the best variety right as you enter the refuge. Tundras, Black Duck, Common Goldeneye, Pintail, Bufflehead, Red-breasted Merganser, and Mallards. Bombay Hook this late afternoon was kind of dull. Lots of Pintail, with a suprise, to me at least, of 51 Common Mergs, 22 Hooded Mergs in Bear Swamp. 150+ Dunlin was neat, but not too unexpected. As I left at 4 pm several thousand Snow Geese flew in, quite awesome. The Snowy Owl was not present at Bear Swamp, and has not been logged since 13 Jan. Thanks to Paul Pisano for his precise directions to the Dusky! Kurt Schwarz Howard County white-crown@home.com ======================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= =========================================================================