Folks

Yesterday I was bemoaning to Gwen the fact that both turf farms I checked recently had very little in the way of shorebirds.  The highlight was an immature Black-bellied Plover on the Rt. 228 farm on 9/8 and 9/9.  Gwen mentioned that our friend, Bob Eppley, told here that there were lots of Killdeer at the Morgantown Rd. turf farm.  I had forgotten about this new location.  

The turf farm is on Morgantown Rd., off Rt. 257 in Wayside, Charles Co.  Being September and with some heavy rains down here late last week, I decided to check it out for American Golden Plover (AGPL).  I arrived around 2 PM and the first shorebird I found was an immature AGPL.  It is not often I go looking for a county bird and find it.   I will be looking for Buff-breasted and Baird's Sandpipers in the next few weeks.  

Gwen was working at home and I called her.  Then I called Jim Stasz, the big county lister (I am still 20 species ahead of Jim), and both arrived within the hour.  We all had fine looks, and I got identifiable images from the distant bird in harsh, overhead light.  I also brought Bob and his wife,Carol, up to see the bird.

Other shorebirds in this plowed field included:

Semipalmated Plover
Killdeer
Pectoral Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
Semiplamated  Sandpiper 

There is very little roadside space to park along this part of Morgantown Rd., so be respectful of the neighbors if you go looking for this bird.

When I arrived home at 5+ PM, I startled an immature Cooper's Hawk (female based on size) chasing a Mourning Dove.

Also of Maryland Birdlife and staying in a raptor mood, on September 5 Gwen and I had two Merlins chasing two American Kestrels on private property near Allen's Fresh.  We also had an Osprey, three Bald Eagle, Red-shouldered and Red-tail Hawk in the vicinity.  Along the way we had a Sharp-shinned Hawk.  No Broadwings but not really looking for them.  Maybe tomorrow.

Go birding.

George