Greetings,

This evening (1900-2030 hrs) I took a ride around post (Edgewood Area of
Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG EA), Harford County) today to see what was
about.  I was surprised to hear an Acadian Flycatcher still calling deep in
the woods behind building 2100. Back there I also found two Yellow-billed
Cuckoo, Carolina Wren, Towhee, Indigo Bunting, and Red-eyed vireos all
making some sort of noise or another. Also of note were HUGE numbers of
Purple Martins that seem to be staging. Ready for there long trip home I
guess?  I did a quick estimate count of the ones sitting on the wires near
the front gates to the base.  I counted around 775 martins perched on the
wires with scores more flying around the fields nearby!!!

Aqua-fauna and mammilla were well represented too. on the Gunpowder River
dozens of breaking snapper blues were seen in small schools scattered close
to shore.  A great Blue Heron was there taking advantage of the ones that
wandered to close to the shore. I was quite surprised, however to find nary
a gull, tern, or osprey taking advantage of this seafood buffet.  In fact
the total lack of Ospreys seen lately (or not seen) on post is quite
noticeable. Most of the nesting platforms seemed to have been vacated some-
what recently. Adversely the platforms on the North East River, where I
live in Cecil County, still seem to be holding onto birds. the mammals that
I spoke of where the scores of White-tailed Deer that the
government "raises" within their fenced-in compound that is APG EA.
Numerous LARGE bucks sporting racks of 10 to 16 points were seen tonight at
dusk.  Notably a nearly full albino doe was seen in the area known as the
old goat hut.

Other birds seen today included a Great Egret at the intersection of Route
24 and Edgewood Road in Edgewood (off post). As well as, 6 lesser
Yellowlegs that made a flyby at the Jarrettsville Volunteer Fire Department
in Northern Harford County (I was there training). These birds were a nice
find as I spent the day listening to Song Sparrows, Buntings, Mockingbirds,
etc. while attending a "Tanker truck roll-over class". Which BTW, was very
interesting.

The yellowlegs reminded me that I had seen 9 Yellowleg sp. fly-over the
Susquehanna Flats last Friday. these birds were seen while anchored on the
flats about a mile from shore. -Cecil County

Good Birding,
Chris Starling
North East, MD