Eastern Shore Weekend
Jlstasz@aol.com
Sun, 22 Feb 1998 21:31:19 EST
Hi Folks!
Ryan Lesh & I camped Friday night near Hickory Point, south of Pocomoke City[
DeLorme 26, C1]. Shortly after dawn we were met by George Jett and had a
fruitless search for Blue-headed Vireo. Mark Hoffman has found Blue-headed
Vireo in this area during the Crisfield CBC and we wanted to see of they
wintered here. I must admit the conditions were not very good...with sustained
wind of 15mph. 3 Gray Catbirds and a group of 8 Chipping Sparrows apparently
overwintered. We did find out first Mourning Cloak of the year [a butterfly,
not a bird].
After that we headed over to E.A.Vaughn WMA near Girdletree [DeLorme 27, B4]
to search for Nelson's Sparrows. They almost certainly overwinter here, but we
had no luck, High wind, low tide, and perhaps prior flooding from the 2
Nor'easterns worked against us.
West Ocean City Pond had a variety of ducks, but no Eurasian Wigeon. The inlet
had the usual cast... Red-throated Loons, Purple Sandpipers, Ruddy Turnstones,
a few Northern Gannets, 3 species of scoters, 7 Harlequin Ducks, and 4 Common
Eider [no Kings]. At least 1 Red Knot is still there.
Ryan & I left George and headed to Elliot Island Road in Dorchester [ DeLorme
32, C3] for sunset. At about the same location described by Norm & Fran
Saunders....past the first heavily secured building on the left and before the
broken into structure on the left...we saw one American Bittern one Tricolored
Heron, 8 Blue-winged Teal, 11 Northern Pintail, 3 Common Snipe, 7 Bald Eagles,
1 dark Rough-legged Hawk and 4 Short-eared Owls.
Sunday morning starrted at Blackwalnut Point in Talbot [DeLorme 39, B5]. 7
Great Cormorants were sitting on Sharp's Island Lighthouse [very glad I have a
60x telescope]. Just east of the point were lots of Canvasback, both scaup,
all 3 scoter, Common Goldeneyes, Buffleheads, and both swans. The rest of the
day was slow..with one exception...and we ended the day at dusk by Pemberton
Farm, just north of the intersection (and between) Rt.309 and Ruthsburg Rd.
[DeLorme 50, C3]
The oddest find of the day was about 2:15 in the afternoon, near Bruceville in
Talbot County [DeLorme 42, B3]. Ryan looked up at a kettle of vultures to
count them and check the species.....he said "There is a hawk in the kettle".
I glassed the kettle with my binoculars...it was almost overhead...and was
amazed to see a HARRIS' HAWK! Before I could get my camera, the kettle broke
and streamed northnorthwest and out of view behind tall trees. We looked at
the map and took the chance that this was a migrating group and headed to the
bend on Deep Branch Road, near Lloyd's Landing. About 5 mintues later, the
group reappeared and we were able to get distant views [perhaps at .75 miles]
through telescopes of the bird again....topside and bottom. I took 2 photos
for size comparison...maybe the tail pattern will also show. The group veered
more to the east and crossed into Caroline County just south of Lloyd's
Landing. I know that this species is commonly held by falconers, but have no
idea if it is at all migratory. Stay tuned.
Good Birding,
Jim
Jim Stasz
North Beach MD
jlstasz@aol.com