The Talbot Bird Club visited some of the habitats around the Easton
Waste Water Treatment Plant between 7:30 and 10:30 a.m. on Sunday.  Eight
enthusiastic birders were treated to fantastic early morning views of spider
webs highlighted by sunlight on the moisture droplets from the fog of the
night.  In the emerging sunlight each web practically glowed, providing a
truly magnificent scene throughout the grassy field near where we parked.
    As we stepped out of the cars along Barker's Landing Road we were
greeted by great views of a Northern Harrier and then a Red-tailed Hawk.
This was the start of a fine birding day even though the morning was a bit
foggy.  Our leader, Terry Allen, had tipped us off to be watching carefully
as we approached the smaller settling pond.  Sure enough, as we got near the
closest berm a large bird flew up and disappeared into the fog above the
water.  Great Blue Heron!!?  No, not big enough - this was a glimpse of an
American Bittern.  Not terribly fulfilling, but at least a glimpse.
    We stayed near the pond for quite awhile, studying details of nearby
sparrows, some Coots on the water and quite a few duck species disguised in
the fog.  A small bird on the power lines amongst some Bluebirds and some
Goldfinches caught our attention - a Warbler - perhaps a Cape May - but not
to be - we eventually resolved our little bird to be a brightly-colored Pine
Warbler - but very far from any pine trees.  And then the American Bittern
came out again.  This time it flew from right to left in front of us but
still somewhat hidden in the fog - then made a turn, came out of the fog,
and flew gracefully past us at close range for our full birding enjoyment.
County bird and State bird for several of the viewers!
    Other highlights:
Northern Shovelers - 20+
Ruddy Ducks    - 20+
Lesser Scaup - 4
Bald Eagle - 2
Black Ducks
American Pipits - many (both on the ground and as fly-overs)
Horned Larks - several
Eastern Meadowlark - flock of 8 seen several times
Sparrows:  Savannah (many), Song, Swamp, White-throated, Junco.
- and the rest were merely the usual suspects.
Total Species count was 52.
 
A fly-over flock of Canada Geese contained one very small bird - probably a
Cackling Goose but no field marks other than size could be seen.
 
Following the birding the group went to the home of Cathy Cooper for a
delicious breakfast.
 
 
Les Roslund
Talbot County
Easton MD 21601
 

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