This weekend Walter Ellison and I were running mini-routes for the Breeding Bird Atlas in Wicomico and Somerset counties. Afternoons were spent shorebirding.

Saturday, May 26 - Fairmnount WMA, Somerset Co.
Semipalmated Plover  6
Oystercatcher  2 flew around but did not stop
Black-necked Stilt  1
Greater Yellowlegs  4
Semipalmated Sandpiper  150
Dunlin  10
Short-billed Dowitcher  20
Both Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow (1) and Seaside Sparrow (many) perched for 'scope views, the latter carrying food for young.

Sunday, May 27 - all sites in Worcester Co.
Ocean City flats:
Oystercatcher  6
Ruddy Turnstone  8
Red Knot  8 in near breeding plumage
Dunlin  1
Great Black-back  3 downy young

West Ocean City Pond:
Coot  1

Harmon Landing:
Willet  1
Semipalmated Sandpiper  18
Least Sandpiper  3

Public Landing:
Royal Tern  2 in breeding plumage flew by

Figgs Landing:
Gadwall  2
Semipalmated Sandpiper  25
Short-billed Dowitcher  2

Scotts Landing:
Black-bellied Plover  1 + 7 flying over with a flock of smaller birds
Semipalmated Sandpiper  9

Truitts Landing:
Gadwall  2
Moorhen  1 heard
Black-bellied Plover  150
Semipalmated Plover  25
Willet  10
Ruddy Turnstone  15
Semipalmated Sandpiper  3,000
White-rumped Sandpiper  1
Dunlin  40

Also, at a stop on my miniroute on Sunday, May 27 at the Windsor Creek bridge on Route 349 near Nanticoke, Wicomico Co. were 24 Semi Plovers and 12 Semi Sands.

--
Bob Ringler 
Eldersburg MD