Date:         Thu, 25 Dec 2003 15:12:57 -0500
Reply-To:     Maryland Birds & Birding <MDOSPREY@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM>
Sender:       Maryland Birds & Birding <MDOSPREY@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM>
From:         Norm Saunders <marshhawk@ATT.NET>
Subject:      Christmas on Assateague
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Fran and I decided to do the ORV section of Assateague Island this morning, hoping that most sane people would be home opening presents, enjoying the warmth of family, etc.  We were right!  We saw only 3 other vehicles during the 26-mile round trip.

Best bird of the morning was without a doubt a young SNOWY OWL seen first at mile 2.2 and, on the return trip, just at the northernmost entrance to the Bullpen, about mile 3.1 or so.  Mileages on the ORV are measured from the pavement-to-sand transition.

Second best were 1 to 3 flocks of SNOW BUNTINGS, each 30-40 birds strong. We saw the flock at mile 7.2, mile 9.4, and mile 11.3.  Could have been the same flock or it could have been three separate flocks.  Whichever, it was a treat to see them!

Here=92s our list, more or less in the order of first sighting of the day:

SANDERLING =96 103
RING-BILLED GULL =96 65
GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL =96 23
HERRING GULL =96 88
crow sp. =96 2
NORTHERN HARRIER =96 2
CANADA GOOSE =96 8
BALD EAGLE =96 1 adult
scoter sp. =96 56
SNOWY OWL =96 1 (between mile 2.2 and 3.1)
RED-THROATED LOON =96 1
COMMON LOON =96 8
SNOW BUNTING =96 35, or 70, or 105
TURKEY VULTURE =96 3
BRANT =96 50
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER =96 37
AMERICAN CROW =96 1
DUNLIN =96 37

At the Eagle=92s Landing Golf Course pond we had a young GREAT CORMORANT drying its wings in the sun along with ten species of waterfowl.

I hope all of you had as wonderful a Christmas morning!

Best,
Norm

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Norm Saunders
Colesville & West Ocean City, MD

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