Date:         Mon, 23 Feb 2004 19:15:46 -0800
Reply-To:     Maryland Birds & Birding <MDOSPREY@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM>
Sender:       Maryland Birds & Birding <MDOSPREY@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM>
From:         Kevin Graff <ocean_city2001@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      More notes from Sat trip to O.C. Inlet
In-Reply-To:  <000201c3fa5a$2be192f0$6400a8c0@NORM>
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Hi all,


   Sorry for the delay.  I may have the same
Thick-billed Murre as other seen them on fri and Sun
by same description. Clear whiter cheek, very dark,
darker than Common Murre on upper body and short bill.

I was surprised to see four alcid species on same day.
Before Zach Baer arrive on Sat afternoon, I had a
unidentified alcid flying in from the southeast and
took a dive for a long time and never reappear all
afternoon. During my 9 seconds of observing the alicd.
It has a white head with some mottled black on its
head and nape, heavy mottled black on upper body and
white patch on its wing. It was well describing Black
Guillemot in winter plumage. I had seen this guillemot
in summer plumage back in 1997 at Maine and was
familiar with flight pattern.


   After leaving Hooper's to stop at WaWa to get my
dinner on the road. Before returned to my truck, I
noticed numberous white spots over the ocean headed
west and quickly headed back to Hooper's.  About half
hour later, about 11,222 Snow Geese "Greater", 15
"Lesser" including 6 Blue Goose and one Ross's Goose
headed west over 25th St area from the ocean, in same
direction as other 2000 Snow Geese on my previous
email with Zach Baer at Hooper's.

  Few minutes later on Rt 50 west, between Rt 610 and
Shepards Crossing Rd. two hen Wild Turkey scattered
into the woods from roadside field.
   Farther down the road in Wicomico County before and
after Woodyard Rd.  Roughly about 300,000 blackbirds
sp. in several flocks. Some in fields.   Many drivers
slowed down as massive flocks flew just few feet above
Rt 50 headed N. That was awesome!!!  I didn't get a
chance to grab my camera to take a picture as I was
studied the flocks for different species.  I also took
some pictures
of Dovekie from Sat trip as it swam about 10 feet from
us. Excellent view.

 300,000 blackbirds sp.
Broken into section: 256,000 Common Grackle
                      41,000 Red-winged Blackbird
                       4,000 Brown-headed Cowbird
                           2 Brewers Blackbird
                           2 Yellow-headed Blackbird
                     301,004 estimate/almost actual #

             no Rusty Blackbirds in any flocks

It is impossible to do any actual counting birds in
this kind of massive flocks.


    Kevin Graff
    Jarrettsville, MD & Ocean City, MD
    ocean_city2001@yahoo.com




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