Worcester County Birds

MHoff36100 (MHoff36100@aol.com)
Tue, 7 Apr 1998 19:50:06 EDT


Worcester County aficionados:

I  made a one-day trip to Worcester County today (4/7).

I observed the imm. m. White-winged Crossbill in Berlin mentioned in my post
from yesterday. It took a 1.5 hr wait, but was well worth it for this hard-to-
come-by county bird (#344). There are only a handful of prior Worcester
records. Again, it is at a private residence, so give me a call if you are
interested (H:410-549-3598; W:410-260-8449). I suspect most everyone got their
fill this past winter, but I know there are some die-hard county listers out
there.

Other birds:

Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Louisiana Waterthrushes and Yellow-throated Warblers
numerous along the Pocomoke and Nassawango. I had a semi-early Ovenbird  (1)
at Massey Crossing. Barn Swallow at several places.

The ponds at Vaughn had quite a few ducks (Gadwalls, Ruddies, etc.), but no
Common Teal.

Two flooded-field situations are must visits if you are in the Snow Hill area.
The first is on the west side of Rt. 113, just N of the intersection of 113
and business 113 just N of Snow Hill (between the car dealership and the
McDonalds if you are headed S on 113 from Berlin). This semi-permanent pond
had 180 Glossy Ibis today, and 5 Greater Yellowlegs. It frequently has large
numbers of ibis in spring (although 180 may be the most I have seen here - no
ibis were here over the weekend). This would be a perfect place for a White-
faced Ibis, although I couldn't come up with one. If you are in the area,
check it out. Park on the W side of 113 and scope from the road. Don't go into
the field.

The second pond is on the E side of Rt. 12, just S of the intersection with
Cherrix Road (about half-way between Snow Hill and Girdletree). This pond is
more distant, but had 300 Laughing Gulls, 40 Herrings, 40 Ring-billeds and 22
Glossy Ibis. Again, another spot to scan ibis.

Good birding,

Mark Hoffman
Mhoff36100@aol.com
Sykesville, MD