Gail Frantz and I finally saw the Northern Lapwing today at the Graceham
Road location (off of Rt 550 about a half mile north of Creagerstown near
the far end of the big field on the east side of the road) between 2 and
3:15 PM. It was never very close, but close enough to appreciate well. We
heard that it stopped there for 3 minutes around noon but was not seen
earlier. It sometimes vocally fussed with Killdeer and Snipe. It did two or
three short flights showing its wonderful flight plumage. It was still there
when we left, staying mainly close to the fence. There were plenty of other
birders coming in who will no doubt report on how long it remained. Rumor
has it that a local lady has been seeing it there late every afternoon for
days. This may have been the same lady passing by who wisely suggested
keeping back from the main roadside puddle in order to have it come in
closer.
Steve Sanford
Randallstown MD (Baltimore County) |