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Subject:

Assateague Island Friday

From:

Norm Saunders

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Date:

Sat, 6 May 2006 00:32:22 +0000

Fran and I took a ride down the Over Sand Zone this morning, the twelve southernmost miles of Assateague Island beach, dunes, and bayside marshes before the Virginia state line.

We had a single Piping Plover feeding on the beach, about 75 Willet, and 60 Whimbrel.  The Whimbrel were all on the beach, while the Willet were both on the beach and in the marshes on the bay-side of Assateague.  Both were concentrated over the last six miles or so before the state line.

Other shorebirds seen included both yellowlegs, Black-bellied Plover in full breeding plumage, a flock of about 50-60 Dunlin approaching full breeding plumage, Semipalmated and Least Sandpiper, and a flock of about 65 Sanderlings near the Virginia line.

We saw numerous flocks of Double-crested Cormorant flying north--well in excess of 500 birds, and a relatively late flock of 9 Brant feeding in the marsh at Fox Levels.

Most of the gulls on the beach were sub-adult, including one 2nd year Lesser Black-backed Gull.

Additionally we saw 2 Caspian Tern, 1 Royal Tern, 6 American Oystercatcher, 3 Eastern Kingbirds, and floods of Gray Catbirds.  We had a few warblers, as well...ho, hum.

Best,
Norm & Fran
West Ocean City, MD