Hi Everybody,

Yesterday mid-afternoon we braved the oppostion of the low sun in the southwest to check Great Oak Pond. The predominant waterfowl there were Canada Geese that we did not fine-tooth comb enough to reveal Cackling, and 120 or more Ruddy Ducks. Also present were Mallard, pintail, Green-winged Teal, and Lesser Scaup. There were a few shorebirds including our first WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER of the season, a juvenile; a lingering Lesser Yellowlegs; and about 6 Killdeer. There was a swallow flock composed of 20 Tree Swallows and three BARN SWALLOWS who are getting ever more tardy here. 

Nancy and I have also been hosting an array of late fall and winter visitors in our yard at Chesapeake Landing including Brown Creeper, a sneaky Winter Wren, both kinglets, Hermit Thrush in the dogwood berries, and PURPLE FINCHES at the feeder. These peaked at 12 on Wednesday (26 Oct) with five pink and seven brown. Today (30 Oct) we have 11 finches with only one pink male.

Good Birding,

Walter Ellison

23460 Clarissa Road
Chestertown, MD 21620
phone: 410-778-9568
e-mail: 

"A person who is looking for something doesn't travel very fast" - E. B. White (in "Stuart Little")

"Are there *ever* enough birds?" - Connie Hagar as quoted by Edwin Way Teale in "Wandering through Winter"