[MDOsprey] Dealware Bay 7/29
GAIL@UMDD.UMD.EDU
Fri, 30 Jul 99 14:17:35 EDT
Hi all --
Barry and our Brit visitor decided that yesterday looked like the best time to
brave the Delaware Bay -- and in fact, it stayed cloudy there until noon.
On the way over to Delaware, 3 UPLAND SANDPIPERS in a field near Pearson's
Corner. As expected, most of the refuges were pretty (or bone-) dry, the
best conditions were at Little Creek (central area) and Woodlawn Beach. They
didn't see any real unusual species, no sign of the Curlew SP (and they met
some folks who had been looking since dawn), but there were thousands of
shorebirds at Little Creek. Bombay Hook was totally dry, even Bear Swamp.
I hate to admit it but they didn't look for the Little Egret -- Peter was
more interested in photographing Yank waders. There were also Uppies at
Dover AFB.
Probably the best sighting was a VIRGINIA RAIL with two babies at Little
Creek. A Peregrine put on a great show, almost catching a Dowitcher.
Otherwise it was fairly quiet.
A stop at John Brown Rd. turf farm found one Pectoral SP and many Killdeer,
but they were working the turf and the birds were disturbed.
Peter did get his life WILLOW FLYCATCHER at Port Mahon, and followed that
up by seeing his life BARRED OWL today in Virginia (Eakin Park). We are
limiting him to one lifer a day, not too much excitement, you know...
Gail Mackiernan