My sister (visiting from western PA) and I spent Thursday 
and Friday touring some of my favorite birding "hot spots" 
on the Western Shore.  We had a great time and saw many 
great birds, in spite of the often chilly conditions.  (My sister 
also added 12 birds to her lifelist.)  We didn't keep detailed 
lists of our sightings, but here are some of the more 
noteworthy ones: 

April 12, late morning, Piney Run Park, Carroll Co:

Common Loon - 2
DC Cormorant - many
Bonapart's Gull - 7
Tree Swallow - many
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 1
Pine Warbler - 2

April 12, mid-afternoon, National Wildlife Visitor Center, PG Co:

Caspian Tern - 2 (my FOY)
American Coot - 1
Belted Kingfisher - 1
Fish Crow - several
Tree Swallow - many
Eastern Bluebird - several

April 13, early morning, Lake Artemesia, PG Co
(a quick stop, since the wind was brutal):

Pied-billed Grebe - 1
DC Cormorant - many
Wood Duck - 1 male, 1 female
Ruddy Duck - 1 male, 1 female  (probably more)
BLUE-WINGED TEAL - 4 males, 2 females
American Coot - many
Caspian Tern - 3
Belted Kingfisher - 1
Tree Swallow - many

April 13, late morning, Black Hill RP, Montgomery Co:

COMMON LOON - 7  (from Rte. 121)
Black Vulture - 3  (Rte. 121)
DC Cormorant - 10+  (boat ramp)
Osprey - 1  (boat ramp)
Bald Eagle - 1 adult  (boat ramp)
Caspian Tern - many (all over the lake)
Tree Swallow - many (everywhere)

April 13, mid-day, Sligo Creek Park, Montgomery Co:

Yellow-crowned Night Heron - 2 (1 on nest, 1 along the creek)

April 13, afternoon, Patuxent River Park, PG Co:

Red-breasted Merganser - 20+ (only 1 male)
American Wigeon - 4 or 5
Gadwall - a few
Osprey - many (on nests)
Bald Eagle - 2 juveniles 
Tree Swallow - many
Barn Swallow - at least 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 3  (my FOY)

Good Birding!

Elaine Hendricks
Greenbelt, MD  (PG County)



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