The Kent County Bird Club's hawk watch at Eastern Neck Narrows (north 
end of Eastern Neck Island) was well-attended, although raptor migrants 
seemed to be put off a bit by the cloudier-than-expected weather. 
Eighteen clearly migrating hawks were seen between 9:00 and 12:50, 
including 5 Northern Harriers, 8 Sharp-shinned Hawks, 2 Cooper's Hawks, 
and 3 PEREGRINE FALCONS. The harriers typically cruised over the 
west-side marshes and crossed the narrows headed toward Tubby Cove; the 
peregrines started similarly but took a somewhat higher course toward 
the Ingleside area; and many of the accipiters flew directly overhead at 
moderate height. Numerous Bald Eagles of various ages and a few Ospreys 
also made regular appearances.

The most numerous migrants of the morning were Blue Jays, which crossed 
to the island in flocks of 15 to 75 over most of the morning - the final 
tally was 867. Only one was seen heading back north, so they may have 
found the light opposing wind not too daunting and continued across the 
Chester River to Queen Anne's County at the south end of the island. 
Less numerous migrants included Red-bellied Woodpecker, Northern 
Flicker, Chimney Swift, Tree, Barn and N. Rough-winged Swallows, 
Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) Warbler, Bobolink, and Red-winged Blackbird. A 
lone Cattle Egret winging southward rewarded the early-observers, while 
the GREAT WHITE HERON put in regular appearances along the far shore of 
Tubby Cove. Rounding out the water birds were three yellowlegs, four 
Pectoral Sandpipers, and Forster's, Caspian, and Royal Terns amongst the 
expected gulls.

Good Birding,

Nancy Martin & Walter Ellison