Sandwich Terns/Lark Sparrow/Ocean CityMD
Dma3@aol.com
Sun, 23 Aug 1998 16:04:45 EDT
On 23AUG a Lark Sparrow was briefly seen at Bayside Campground, on
Assateague, at the second gate, at the entrance to the big parking lot on the
bay. It flew into the thicket by the gate.
AUG 21-23 morning flights at Bayside were slow with lots of Redstarts, 5
hummers, kingbirds, orioles, Bobolinks, etc.
The above messages are especially for Mark, Jane and Michael, sent with the
most terrific memories of 1994.
On AUG21-22 there were 12 Sandwich Terns on the Fourth Street flats, all on
the west side. At least four of the Sandwiches were in juvenal-basic one
plumage. One of the juveniles had a mostly brownish-yellow bill, with a darker
tip and cutting edges, and yellowish-brown legs. It was begging from an adult
Sandwich. Bill and legs a duller yellow than shown by many of the young
Royals. Fourth street is a good spot to get a feel for the variations in young
tern plumages. The baby Royals, right from their downiest, youngest, stage,
show variation in bill and leg color. Some are orange-billed with dark legs.
Some are yellow-billed with brownish-yellow legs. Some are intermediate. These
differences persist into the winter, long after they have fledged. It seems
likely that parallel variation exists in Sandwich Tern young.
Also at Fourth Street was a 1st summer Lesser Black-backed Gull
On 21-23AUG an Upland Sandpiper was at OCean City Airport, seen from the main
highway.
Offshore were an adult Northern Gannet, 3 Black Terns, and 6 fly-by Whimbrels.
Mary Ann Todd & Dave Czaplak