Two days back we took Fran's dad for a ride down the beach along the Assateague Island ORV zone.  Lots of adult RING-BILLED GULLS are apparent again--we tallied about 35 or so--along with the usual summer gulls.  Fran had a ROSEATE TERN loafing on the beach with three Common Terns, and we saw 8 WHIMBREL mixing in with large flocks of Willet.  In the distance I saw what appeared to be a godwit but the bird flew as we approached and we were unable to relocate it.

A large additional area of the beach, about half-way to the state line, has been closed off, presumably for nesting Piping Plovers.  We saw no birds but we did see several chicken-wire exclosures around nests in the sand.

Yesterday, at our feeders in West Ocean City, Fran had a RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH.

Best,
Norm Saunders
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Norm Saunders
Colesville & West Ocean City, MD