Date: Wed, 16 Jul 2003 21:14:17 -0400 Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: Fred Shaffer Subject: Flyover Whimbrels I visited a few sites near the Ocean today (7/16). One was the marshes just outside of Assateague State Park on both sides of the Route 611 bridge. Little Blue Herons, both Egrets, Glossy Ibis, and Willets were numerous. Also present was a small group of Short Billed Dowitchers, some Killdeer, and a few peeps. But the highlight for me was when a flock of 5 Whimbrels flew from north to south across the marsh and directly overhead (at about 30 or 40 feet up) from where I was standing next to the road. I hoped that the Whimbrels would land, but they continue as a group to the south over the marsh and water before disappearing behind some trees. Skimmer Island was less productive than it could have been due to the consistent wind, which made using a scope difficult. A large group of Royal Terns was present, as well as a group of Skimmers (mostly out of my field of view). I couldn't make out any Sandwich Terns. Willets, Cormorants, Common Terns, Pelicans, and, of course, large numbers of gulls were also present. Fred Shaffer Patuxent Bird Club Crofton, Anne Arundel ======================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= =========================================================================