St. Mary's County, 20 MAR 99
BlkVulture@aol.com
Tue, 23 Mar 1999 10:34:33 EST
Hello all,
Kurt Gaskill and I traveled to Point Lookout and a couple other spots in St.
Mary's County this past Saturday, 20 MAR 99, for a final salute to Winter.
Winter was not quite ready to go yet, however. When we arrived at the state
park around 7:30 am, we were greeted with temps still in the low 40's, and a
nice little wind to keep us bundled up. Included below is a couple lesser
known areas within the county (perhaps not so lesser known to the locals and
the heavy county listing types...).
The first birds of the day (almost) were BH Nuthatches on the main road, just
before the road turns south toward the Point. The State Park offered little
in terms of surprises, although the 2 Purple Martins were nice. Laughing Gull
was a new arrival for both of us as well, with one hanging out on the Potomac
side. Common Loons, Horned Grebes, Oldsquaw, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye and
RB Mergansers were well represented on both sides of the Point. A large raft
of Scoters were on the Bay side, perhaps 75 Surf, 50 Black, and 5 White-
winged. A few Greater Scaup were mixed in as well. There was a lone Boney
hanging out near the Marina on the Potomac side as well as a couple thrashers.
Tree swallows overhead in pretty good numbers, with 36 for the Point.
After viewing the water we went into the woods. The picnic area was unusually
quiet, very little activity. We wandered toward the pavilion, which is where
we picked up the martins. Near the scrap metal and wood piles we found a
bunch of Song Sparrows, perhaps 50. There were a few juncos and cardinals
mixed in, but nothing else. We continued into the woods, picking up Red-
bellied and Downy Woodpeckers. Flickers were flying around and calling
everywhere. A couple Eastern Phoebes were around Ft. Lincoln. The woods
yielded nothing unexpected, Chicks, Carolina Wrens (lots), GC Kinglet, a
couple more thrashers, lots of Butterbutts, Pine Warblers singing, a couple of
Towhees, a few White-throats, and a couple of finches. There was another
cluster of BH Nuthatches near the house where I suspect the ranger lives.
After leaving the State Park, we went to Cornfield Harbor Road to look in the
more mature woods for a couple species. Here we picked up Red-tailed Hawk,
Hairy Woodpecker, Titmouse, Hermit Thrush, all new for the day.
After lunch we drove to the end of Long Neck Road. We passed a small flock of
10 Meadowlarks. Red-winged Blackbirds, Grackles, Cowbirds and Starlings were
present, and all except the Cowbirds being abundant. The buildings on the
abandoned property at the end of Long Neck Road were covered in Vultures.
Mostly Black, with 35 on one of the buildings. There were good numbers of
both Vultures present all day, with a total of 150 turkey, and 75 Black. Bald
Eagles put on a show overhead, with a pair of adults circling around, and the
male dispatched to fend off another rival male. After a quick pursuit there
was a brief interval of talon locking with both birds falling to the Earth,
and disengaging before impact. There were also 3 immature birds. Neither
Deep Creek or Long Neck Creek had much in the way of water fowl. There were
Blue- and Green-Winged Teal, Greater Yellowlegs, and a couple of Mute Swans.
We then drove Camp Brown Road, and picked up 37 Common Snipe on the north
side. There was little else on this road. But the snipe were close to the
side of the road and afforded great looks.
At lunch I had bought an ADC St. Mary's County map, as well as some Mac and
Cheese. I decided not to eat the map. So when we had finished with the usual
stops, we decided to do a little exploring. The first spot we wanted to check
out was someplace described on the map as Southern Prong. It is a bay with
lots of streets leading to it. Or so it would seem on the map. Most of the
streets turn private before they reach the water, offering no views in most
cases. Eventually we found a defunct boat landing at the very end of Fresh
Pond Neck Road. This was a nice spot for viewing a portion of the bay, as
well as a small edge of junipers, holly, pine, and some marsh grass that is
rather sharp on the top. Ask Kurt.
This edge is well protected from wind, and it was very active. There were
Pine Warblers singing, RC Kinglets, Butterbutts, Chicks, Tits, and the first
of year Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. On the water we were able to find a couple
Lesser Scaup. This is a nice little spot, and as far as I can tell it is
public.
Our next spot was the Elms Wildlife Management Area. This is a nice spot that
is mostly wooded, with a trail around a small pond. There was another RC
Kinglet here, as well as a few more Pine Warblers, Chicks, Tits, Downy's and a
Red-bellied. Here we added Field Sparrow on the ride in, as well as a Brown
Creeper.
Our final stop for the day was a couple of man made ponds near Medleys Neck
Road and Bretton Beach Road. There was a harrier, Ring-necked Ducks, Am.
Wigeon, and 58 Tundra Swans. Also another pair of Bald Eagles, a few more
meadowlarks, and more blackbirds.
All told for the day we had 85 species. Many not listed above. A couple new
arrivals. It was also nice finding new spots to bird down there, what is in
this Virginia birder's opinion, the best county in Maryland.
Cheers,
Todd Day
Jeffersonton, VA
BlkVulture@aol.com