Having missed the Hammonds Flycatcher by five minutes on the 29th (Tripod, where are you when we need you?), Ruth and I headed for the Eastern Shore the next day. This was our first visit since last spring. 

We began our birding south of Chesapeake City on Route 9. No sooner had we turned on to it than a Bald Eagle flew over. We drove south to Bombay Hook checking ponds and open water as we went only to find a dearth of birds. We found similar conditions at Bombay Hook with a variety of ducks but very few in number. Pintails were prominent and the Avocets were very nice. We continued south skipping Port Mahon Road and Little Creek driving to Broadkill Beach. Again we saw almost empty ponds and the Bay was very quiet at the beach. 

A quick stop at Cape Henlopen reinforced what we had already experienced. We did stop at the nature center and picked up some feeder birds and one magnificent gray squirrel. I mentioned this to the Ranger who said that no wonder as he ate up all of their bird seed. I mentioned the paucity of birds and he speculated that the warm weather was the cause saying that the northern ponds had not yet frozen and the ducks had not moved to the shore in any numbers. 

Silver Lake at Rehoboth did not disappoint. The Canvasbacks were there, not in large numbers but very gratifying, also Ruddies and a lone Bonaparte Gull. A large number of Canada Geese were present as well. In fact, this was the dominate bird of our trip wherever we went. We checked out two beach areas on the Bay side south of Rehoboth and picked up Buffleheads and Serf Scoters. 

I don't know what is happening at Indian River Inlet but there is major construction going on. In fact, it is almost frightening driving to the jetty through the work area. When we got to the parking lot, Ruth said, "I hate this place. It is always cold, the wind is always strong, sand gets into your teeth and eyes, and it is hard to walk. I told her not to hold back but to tell me what she really didn't like about it. We did a very quick look around. The Cormorants on the tower had been replaced by a Great Black-backed Gull, a flock of Sanderlings flew by, and we did watch Gannets off shore.  Lots of boats were in the Inlet and fishermen on the rocks.

We overnighted in Ocean City and as we approached, the sky was full of Snow Geese. The next morning we drove to 4th Street. It was high tide. As we were setting up our scope a Ruddy Turnstone landed right at our feet. There were very few birds on Skinner Island but there was a large number of Brant.

WE also found Brant at the OC Jetty,  a lone, female Serf Scoter along with Purple Sandpipers. 

West Ocean City Pond had a variety of ducks and several Tundra Swans. At Hawk Nest Golf Course we excellent looks at Widgeon. A Gallinule had been reported but we did not see it. 

On the way home we drove through Blackwater NWR. Again very few birds but one can't argue with watching two mature Bald Eagles on a snag at close range. We stopped at the Visitor's Center where the volunteers were getting ready for Saturday's open house. We were very impressed with the new Center. . This was our last birding stop and as we left a Bald Eagle flew overhead and the trees were full of Cedar Waxwings. Not a bad way to bring closure to our trip.

We did 90 percent of our birding from the car and tallied 58 species. 



Ben and Ruth Poscover

Towson  MD