[MDOsprey] Lapwing update (12/29)
Greg Miller (hawk-owl@yahoo.com)
Thu, 30 Dec 1999 06:11:34 -0800 (PST)
Howdy All!
I was at Bombay Hook yesterday (8:15am to dusk) and
kept meeting Maryland birders. :-) For any other
twitchers, the Northern Lapwing was seen many times
between 11:00am and 4:00pm. The bird frequents 3
fields near the Allee House:
1) the mowed soybean field near Tour Stop 12, just to
the east of the Allee House; it seems to prefer the
back of the field furthest from the road. This is the
bird's favorite hangout.
2) a mowed soybean field near the woods about 1/4 mile
northwest of the Allee House (access from Day Site
parking area).
3) the lower field across from #1 soybean field.
Notes: The Lapwing seems to appear with Killdeer. If
you hike into any of the fields, please be aware that
if the Killdeer are spooked, the Lapwing will probably
take flight with them. The birds seemed to me to be
vary wary and skittish yesterday. Please be mindful
of others who may still be anxious over their *FIRST*
sighting before you hike after it for a *closer* view.
In flight, the Lapwing is very showy and is one of the
most handsome birds I have ever seen. It's long,
broad, rounded wings and slow, floppy flight are more
reminiscent of a raptor (also makes it look much
larger). On the ground, this crested bird stands
erect, runs, and feeds, much like the smaller Killdeer
it associates with. On the ground, it does not seem
as large a bird as when it takes flight. The
irridescent, dark golden-green greater coverts flash
beautifully in good light. It is a strikingly
gorgeous bird.
Good birding!
Greg Miller,
Hollywood, MD
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