Worcester County-Mini-Day
MHoff36100 (MHoff36100@aol.com)
Fri, 27 Mar 1998 21:48:29 EST
Ospreyers--
Those of you who know me, know my passion for birding in Worcester County.
Combine that with "warblers in March" and I couldn't resist, but venture to
the promised land for a one-day blitz, a "mini-day" on Thursday, 3/26. I'm
still recovering so pardon the late post. My real goal was to shatter the
Worcester County arrival record for Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, that being 3/27.
Nothing like having a goal in life!
Absent night birding, I hit the key spots, starting at 5:45 in the Pocomoke
State Forest, with later stops at Blades Rd., Stockton, George's Island
Landing, Vaughn, and the traditional OC locations. Total species count for
the day was 110, not bad, but I've done considerable better in January.
As for the gnatcatcher, it was a no-show. If fact, all the "expect" early
arrivals (Louisiana Waterthrush, Yellow-throated Warbler and the BGGN) were
not to be found. The one goodie was a White-eyed Vireo at Dividing Creek,
apparently a full week ahead of the record state (and Worcester) arrival
record. (Marshall -- I also had Wild Turkeys in 3 locations, along Millville
Road and at Furance Road and Nassawango Creek).
I also saw the "Common" Teal at Vaughn. The bird was in the south pond, off of
Taylor's Landing Road.
The strong winds made the Inlet tough, but the 12 Harlequins were all sitting
on the rocks in the little cove behind the hotel.
The only other new arrival that comes to mind is Cattle Egret at the 23rd St.
heroney.
Regards,
Mark Hoffman
Sykesville, MD
MHoff36100@aol.com