My morning walking was very productive and a lot of birds were moving
through.  I walked from about 7 until 7:35, and birds were active even
before the sun rose.  However, the big surprise for the walk was when an
American Avocet flew overhead.  The bird was about 150 or so feet up
flying from the southeast to the northwest. I got good views of the bird
from below in flight and saw the white body, black at the ends of the
wings, the silvery neck (appearing slightly darker then the body) and
upturned bill. The neck was fully extended the entire time. The bird was
flying in the general direction that the gulls fly in the morning, heading
approximately from the direction of Jug Bay and east towards the landfill
and the ponds/wetlands along Brown Station Road.  The bird was followed by
a group of four Yellowlegs.

Other highlights were a 3rd year Bald Eagle (one of the first birds of the
day), a Red-tailed Hawk, a Cooper's Hawk, 15+ Mrytle Warblers, a Ruby-
crowned Kinglet, and the first Shoveler at the Pond this season.  Also
present were 20+ Wood Ducks, many Canada Geese, Carolina Wrens, Cardinals,
and a Down Woodpecker.

Fred Shaffer
Patuxent MOS