Sightings, Thursday 9 April
Jlstasz (Jlstasz@aol.com)
Thu, 9 Apr 1998 19:35:22 EDT
Hi Folks!
The rain was miserable, but the birding was good from my desk. Arrivals at
Schoolhouse Pond In Upper Marlboro included one each of Snowy Egret, Great
Egret, and Caspian Tern. The storm was over when I left work, so I went to
Chespeake Beach before heading home.
The Chesapeake Beach Dredge Ponds had 8 Greater Yellowlegs, 8 Pectoral
Sandpipers, and 2 Least Sandpipers. The adjacent marsh was being cruised by a
Northern Harrier...which flushed 14 Common Snipe. To reach these ponds, head
south on 261 from the traffic light at Rt.260, go less than .5 mile and trun
right just before the Water Park. Follow the paved road and park near the Red
Caboose. The dredge ponds are behind the Caboose, marina and ballfields. In
1992 when these ponds were created they hosted over the year: American Avocet,
Black-necked Stilt, Wilson's Phalarope, Long-billed Dowitcher ,,,and all of
the more common shorebirds. The marsh edge regularly produces Nelson's Sharp-
tailed Sparrows in Spring and Fall. The marsh has nesting Clapper and Virginia
Rails, Seaside Sparrows and Coastal Swamp Sparrow (subspecies nigrescens).
I got home and decided to watch a bit from my deck. 50 Surf Scoters, 1 Black
Scoter, 9 Northern Gannets, 14 Tree Swallows passing by, 50+ Bonaparte's Gull
and 2 winter plumage adult Little Gulls. I regularly see Little Gulls in the
Bay this time of year, but recommend that anyone who wants to see one up close
go to Back River Waste Water Treatment Plant this weekend.....it is the
traditional time for them to be there.
Good Birding!
Jim
Jim Stasz
North Beach MD
jlstasz@aol.com