Fred,
I was wondering if avocets ever stray over this way. Now I know it's a possibility. I've see a glossy ibis at schoolhouse pond in the spring once.

Harry Lotis


Fred Shaffer <> wrote:

>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
>
>