Today was BROWN PELICAN day at Flag Ponds park. I counted at least 8 which is more than I've seen this far up the bay in several years. BUFFLEHEADS have returned to (28) as well as Common Loons (2). Not much in the way of gulls but I could see many far out over the water actively feeding behind a fishing boat. There must have been a run of fish there because that's where most of the Brown Pelicans were coming from.

Not much in the way of passerines except too many YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, and a single WINTER WREN among the other common winter residents. SAVANNAH, SONG and SWAMP SPARROWS at the beach but not the hoped-for Snow Buntings.

The fresh water ponds held a rare treat -- a COMMON MOORHEN was observed swimming in with 175 GREEN-WING TEALS, 55 GADWALLS, 25 MALLARDS, 2 AMERICAN WIGEONS, 28 AMERICAN BLACK DUCKS and 2 WOOD DUCKS.

Three Common Buckeyes and one Orange Sulphur butterfly at the beach.

On the homefront here in northern Calvert, I've had a flock of 5 PURPLE FINCHES for over a week and on Monday, 11/8, three PINE SISKINS joined the goldfinches at the thistle feeder.


Arlene Ripley
Calvert County, MD

piwa AT comcast.net
http://nestbox.com