The birds of autumn are arriving at Pickering Creek!  It has been
awhile since I have managed to spend a leisurely morning birding over at
Pickering Creek, so today I went there to do exactly that.  I was pleased to
find a total of 44 species, including some very enjoyable ones.  In
addition, it was just nice to be in a place where there were birds around me
all the time.
        Highlights included lots of Sparrows - White-throated (numerous),
White-crowned (1), Song (~12), Swamp (6), Savannah (4), Field (3), Dark-eyed
Junco (1), and Towhee (4).  Also - Indigo Bunting (2), Golden-crowned
Kinglet (4), Ruby-crowned Kinglet (16), Palm Warbler (2), Pine Warbler (2),
Yellow-rumped Warbler (12), Common Yellowthroat (2), Cooper's Hawk (1), Bald
Eagle (1), Kestrel (2), Wood Duck (2), Black Duck (2), many migrating
Flickers (16+), Pileated Woodpecker (4), Tree Swallow (1), and Eastern
Phoebe (2).
        Birders visiting Pickering Creek might want to check out a new
wood-chip trail that goes behind the old small pond that is north of the
parking area.  An Eagle Scout project last summer led to the installation of
this new trail, which takes one beside the little pond and the wooded stream
that feeds it.  A weedy field is on the north side of this path.  That trail
was replete with sparrows this morning - I found all of the above mentioned
ones there except the Savannahs.

Les Roslund

Talbot County
Easton MD 21601