Cinnamon Teal at Eastern Neck

Miliff@aol.com
Fri, 27 Nov 1998 10:34:32 EST 

Hello all,

I just returned from a quick morning visit to Eastern Neck NWR, where the
Cinnamon Teal pair was cooperative and easy to view.  Eastern Neck appears on
all state maps and should be easy to find (go south from Rock Hall in Kent
County, Rock Hall is 10 mi west of Chestertown).  The ducks are being seen
right at the bridge to Eastern Neck Island (where the refuge begins).  I saw
them on the west side of the bridge, always right up against the shore, and
not in association with any other ducks.  I was able to get a few photos in
the low morning light.  

These birds are probably only the 5th for MD (previous reports being one in
Feb. at Blackwater (about 1980?), one many years ago (c. 1905?) in Cecil
County, one that nested with a female teal sp. at West Ocean City Pond during
June and July (about 1968?), and one at Horsehead/Wildfowl Trust, Queen Anne's
County, from mid-Sept. to mid-Nov. (1988 or 1989).  The Maryland Records
Committee looked fairly closely at the Horsehead bird and determined that it
occurred during an invasion year for the species which coincided with droughts
in the Midwest.  Whatever else has gone on this season (I don't know what
their weather has been), this has been an invasion year for the species in the
East.  In addition to the one or two in the DC area (Accotink and Mason Neck),
there have been reports from Hog Island, VA, SC, possibly West Ocean City, MD,
and other locations in the East this year.  It seems to me that this pair
(which was wary) should be easily defendable as wild individuals.  

Good luck to all who try!  The area right around the bridge (which I did not
have time to bird thoroughly) was chock full of ducks (mostly Pintail, Canada
Geese, Tundra Swans and Canvasbacks) of all stripe.  In past years this area
has been great for Eurasian Wigeon, and though I didn't see many wigeon at
all, I didn't try too hard (too busy with the teal).  There was one ad. Lesser
Black-backed Gull on the flats there, and about 40 Bonaparte's.

Good birding and hope the Thanksgiving week has been good for all!,

Marshall Iliff
miliff@aol.com