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Re: Dunlin - Blue Mash Nature Trail

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Rick Sussman

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Sun, 22 May 2005 07:01:37 EDT

 
In a message dated 5/20/2005 4:32:15 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
 writes:

As  
godfather of Blue Mash, you need to come up with nicknames for the 2  
ponds to make it easier to refer to them.

If you get over to Blue  Mash today or tomorrow and see any Blue 
Grosbeaks will you let me know or  post to the Osprey?


Hi Andy,
 I thought of two very clever names for the ponds at Blue Mash and  
henceforth they shall be called the "Big Pond" and the "Small Pond" P:-). The  big pond 
is the one inside the fence and the small pond is the one inside the  park 
(how's that?).
 
Anyway, I spent a good 5 hours over there yesterday morning with Ed Patten  
and Mark England and Mike Moffatt who joined us late. Came up with a 
respectable  65 species including one new to my list (Common Nighthawk flew over the  
settlement pond mid-day) which makes #150. I went over Friday about 5 PM and by  
then the ponds were very full and holding no shorebirds (except a few 
Spotteds),  but I did find (finally) a Great-crested Flycatcher right by the edge of 
the big  pond, catching insects and "wheeping"). There is a BG Gnatcatcher 
nest right  over the parking lot, above the white sign on the fence. No Blue 
Grosbeaks  yesterday though.
 
Also very few warblers passing through now, only Blackpolls were seen/heard  
by us. Most of the birds we saw were breeders, except nighthawk, Osprey, and  
Purple Martins (though if they put up a house...). The Barred Owls of the far  
woods were calling up a storm, with one being seen, both being heard. Wood 
Duck  female with 7 young in tow. Still haven't gone far enough into the woods 
this  season to hear Acadian Flycatcher, but they must be there.
 
Rick Sussman
Ashton,MD