[MDOsprey] Even I can't believe this one

Dave Mozurkewich (dm@fornax.usno.navy.mil)
Sat, 25 Sep 1999 12:58:54 -0400 (EDT)


Saturday, 25 September, 1999

Since I slept in this morning, I decided to try for my warbler fix at the
local park.  I arrived at Lake Artemesia (northern PG county) a little
after 7 AM.  It's quiet.  The first thing I did was look up (a bad habit I
learned at Fort Smallwood).  Two Starlings.  It's still quiet.  I think,
"This is going to be a slow day."  Then I watch a flock of gulls fly past
a -- BROWN PELICAN.  The Pelican circled once, then flew north toward
Howard county paralleling Indian Creek.  Bonnie, I hope you pick the right
minute to look up from your sparrows.

This first county record was expected, but along the Potomac, not this far
inland. 

Anyway, I was out birding two minutes and I already knew that the rest of
the day was going to be anti-climatic.  On a normal day, contenders for
the highlight would have included a southbound immature Red-headed
Woodpecker, a late morning Common Nighthawk, three species of swallows
including Barn and Rough-winged, and 10 species of warblers: Parula (3!),
Chestnut-sided, Cape May, Blackburnian (3 times in the last week), Black
Throated Green, Black Throated Blue, Redstart, Bay Breasted, Blackpoll,
and Nashville.

The area surrounding Lake Artemesia, including the Indian Creek flood
plane from the Beltway south to the College Park Airport provides
consistently good birding.  It does not always have the numbers of
migrants I've grown to expect at some locations, but the variety is
excellent. Unfortunately, there are only 2 or 3 half-way serious birders
who regularly patrol the trails.  I would love to know what the "Rock
Creek Gang" could pull out of this area. 

Dave

David Mozurkewich
Seabrook, MD  USA
dm@fornax.usno.navy.mil