For what it's worth, I have to agree with Paul O'Brien on this. Like many
others I watched the swan from the bridge as it slept in the woods about 1/2 mile
away, but later, from a different vantage, found it swimming much closer,
about 300 yards. When I got back to my truck I made some sketches of the head and
bill. From the side it looked great for Trumpeter. But from the front, when
it dipped its head, the edge between the top of the bill and the forehead was a
definite broad U shape. My first thought was "Trumpling." I've never looked
closely at a Trumpling -- do they have certain consistent characteristics?
Also, there are definitely 2 Eared Grebes. Both were in one scope view
several times. Nice dark neck, peaked crown, dark cheek, white ear patch. They were
at the mouth of the second cove east of the parking area at the bridge around
12:30.
Joel Martin
Catonsville, MD
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