Pat and I just returned from a long day at Assateague Island, Maryland.  We
went specifically for the curlew sandpiper and we were not disappointed.  We
didn't arrive until 11:15 am about an hour before high tide.  Following Stan
Arnold's directions we preceded north and at about the 9.0 km marker we met
up with Dave and Maureen Harvey who were heading south to their vehicle.
Dave provided us with detailed instructions as they had observed the curlew
sandpiper for some time.  Pat and I then turned to the NW at 8.5 km maker to
the bay side and observed the curlew sandpiper for approximately 25 minutes.
The bird was located on a small spit of land just past a small tidal pond.
As we were watched the curlew sandpiper, Rob Anderson arrived and the curlew
sandpiper and several other shore birds flew off before Rob got the chance
to see them.  We all three continued to observe shore birds that came back
to the immediate area but the curlew sandpiper was not to return while we
were there.  As we were leaving Rob continued his search on the other side
of the sand spit where we had observed the curlew sandpiper disappearing
into the marsh grass.  We hope Rob was able to locate the curlew sandpiper
as this was his second trek out to try to observe it.  We had a fantastic
day observing 49 different species of birds, 12 of them were shore birds and
Pat was fortunate to add 7 new species to her life list.  The following list
is some of the highlights of our day:
curlew sandpiper, ruddy turnstone, black-bellied plover, least sandpiper,
semi-palmated sandpiper, semi-palmated plover, black tern, least tern,
willets, American oystercatcher, marbled godwit, sanderlings, pectoral
sandpiper and Dunlin.  Pat took some digital photos of the curlew sandpiper
which she will make available to the MD/DC records committee if needed.
Marty also got a new bird which is new to all of us also, he located a Great
Black-backed Trashbag.....can you believe it, I am sure we have all
misidentified trashbags for birds....hehe!!!!

Good birding to all,
Pat Rose and Marty Cribb
Callaway, St Mary's, Maryland



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