Hello all. I have had Chippings periodically thru out this winter season in some mixed flocks thru out Cecil. I haven't seen any for some time. I finally had my first for the season for my yard, feeding in the feeders. I have been listening for them every morning with no luck. I would bet I will hear them tomorrow morning.
North East Town Park was a bit slow. Only about 40 or so Bonaparte's Gulls spread out. There was a flock of 12 Green-winged Teal flying about. Way out I had 4 Common Mergansers. Also, a flock of 30 Double-crested Cormorants flew up river and continued North.
I witnessed a Osprey plunge down and pick up a large shad. As he/she, flew up and away with it, a mob of 4 Greater Black-backed Gulls took after the Osprey. One gull hit the Osprey so hard that it dropped the fish, and with a large puff of feathers pulled from its back, it regained altitude. As the Osprey headed back to its buoy nest, the gulls continued to follow. As he/she started to land on the platform, the gulls still continually swooped at the Osprey and it didn't even have the fish anymore. At that point, I believe the Osprey had enough and turned on the gulls. I brief display of talons and egression seemed to straighten them right up. Real neat to see.
Sean McCandless
Elkton, MD