I drove down to OC in hopes of seeing the Eiders reported yesterday. Though the Eiders weren't present, there was a very interesting mix of birds. The highlight was a RED THROATED LOON diving close to the jetty. There were 2 Common Loons present as well. There was a raft of 1,000 Surf Scoters about 25 Long Tailed Ducks and 5 Brant. The brant were feeding so close to the jetty that I couldn't use my binoculars. There were a variety of peeps and 6 Ruddy Turnstones feeding on the rocks of the jetty.

I stopped by Blackwater on the way back, there is more open water than last week so birds were closer. There were 500 Tundra Swans, several large flocks of Canada Geese; ducks included Northern Shoveler, Widgeon, Pintail and Mallard. I saw 15 Bald Eagles, both juvenile and adults.

Chris Barnard
Rockville, MD