Hi Everyone,

After birding at Swan Creek with Matt Grey, Dave Powell and I headed over to a couple nightjar locations in Anne Arundel Co. On the way to our first location, we were surprised to spot 7 CATTLE EGRETs in a small yard on Solley Road in Anne Arundel Co. These birds are unpredictable, but still fairly easy to run into in the northern part of the county. Continuing on, we had one WHIP-POOR-WILL and one CHUCK-WILL'S-WIDOW from the powerline cut on Solley Road. This location is south of Fort Smallwood Road and just north of Nabbs Creek Road. There is a pull-off here, but keep in mind that the powerline cut itself is posted with "No Trespassing" signs. Dave and I also heard one distant CHUCK-WILL'S-WIDOW off the same powerline cut on Marley Neck Blvd. (next road west) on Tuesday night, but traffic noise can be terrible along this road. John Hubbell heard at least one WHIP at this location on 5/17. This powerline cut has been fairly reliable for both CHUCKs and WHIPs in season
 since at least 2004, when Stan Arnold and I found them in this area (T-coded) for the breeding bird atlas. Please be careful if stopping to listen at either location. 

Heading home, Dave and I stopped at Weinberg Park and had one CHUCK-WILL'S-WIDOW calling on the south side of Fairview Beach Road, just south of the first gate on the right (~9:00 p.m.). 

Rounding out the nightjars, I have had COMMON NIGHTHAWKS every night that I've been out at dusk for a couple weeks. They seem especially easy at Fort Smallwood and along Fort Smallwood Road south of the fort.

Here are a couple photos from Swan Creek today:

Marsh Wren: http://billhubick.com/images/marsh_wren_aa_co_md_20070524.jpg

Glossy Ibis: http://billhubick.com/images/glossy_ibis_aa_co_md_20070524.jpg

Almost to the weekend,

Bill
 
Bill Hubick
Pasadena, Maryland

http://www.billhubick.com