Re: Maryland Coastal Birding
MHoff36100@aol.com
Wed, 30 Sep 1998 14:59:27 EDT
Darius --
I'm home sick today so I've got time to pen some suggestions. You said you
want to work on your MD list (good for you -- who'd want to go to Chincoteague
or Cape May anyway?!?), so it really depends on what species you need (which I
don't know).
If a cold front goes through while you are there, you want to be at the end of
Bayside Rd. (on Assateague) at dawn. This is the best spot for migrant (e.g.,
fly-over) warblers, finches, etc. Trying to i.d. a warbler as it gives its
flight note and heads off across Sinepuxent Bay can be a little frustrating,
but is a real change from woodland birding. See Claudia's book. After things
hopefully quite down at the point, walk all the Bayside camping loops, the
life of the marsh trail, and any scrub areas. This is all prime habitat for
Clay-colored and Lark Sparrows, Philadelphia Vireo, Orange-crowned Warbler,
Western Kingbird, Dickcissel, etc. Remember the Columbus Day weekend was when
I found the Rock Wren in '93 (it was around the NPS storage area between the
camping loops and the main road).
The areas around the State Park loops (as Gail described) are good as well,
and they could be done in the PM. This is were the Vermillion Flycatcher was
in late-Sep '92 and the Sage Thrasher in late-Oct '71. The Life of the Forest
trail is often productive, as are the "South Beach" woods (directions in
Claudia's book).
As for other less known coastal MD areas, one that comes to mind is E. A.
Vaughn WMA. Recently two impoundments have been built here and the a number of
good birds have been found. Take Rt. 12 E from Snow Hill, to Girdletree, turn
left on Taylor's Landing Road. After you pass Bayview Rd. on the left, turn
right on the first dirt road (with sign for WMA). The impoundments are to the
E. You can walk around them and they should have some waterfowl. Another good
part of Vaughn is to return to Rt. 12 and continue S from Girdletree. A couple
miles after leaving town, a dirt road and sign on the left (E) marks another
entrance to the WMA. Drive to the end and then walk the road to the Bay (if
you have time, its a couple miles). The weedy/seedy stuff in the first 1/2 m
(N of the road) can be great for migrants, sparrows, etc.
A lot of other areas come to mind (I could type on this subject all day... ),
but you'll have to wait for the book!!
Good birding,
Mark Hoffman
Sykesville, MD
Mhoff36100@aol.com
In a message dated 9/30/98 1:08:50 AM Eastern Daylight Time, dariuse@abs.net
writes:
> I'm going to be in Ocean City, Maryland for the week of Columbus Day. Does
> anyone have any ideas of some good spots to hit. I have Claudia's book and
> know the standard spots (the OC Inlet, 4th street flats, West Ocean City
> Pond, Assateague Island). I may even drive up to Cape May or to Chincoteage
> for the day, but what I'm looking for are some out of the way spots I might
> not be aware of to work on my Maryland list.
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> Darius Ecker (dariuse@abs,net)
>
> Columbia, Maryland.
>