Hi Folks,

Brian Sykes and I arrived at Lost Lake in the Glen Artney section of
Patapsco Valley State Park (Baltimore Co.) a little before 7 p.m. this
evening.  There were three night herons perched on the dead snags at this
small fishing pond, initially identified as Black-crowns, but upon closer
inspection of the thick dark bills, fine speckling on the backs, and
relatively fine streaking on the breasts we realized they were immature
YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERONs.  As we walked around the pond a GREEN HERON
flew to the snags, and then while we were chatting on the far side, the
immature WHITE IBIS flew in from the direction of the river to join the
other herons.  Neither the herons nor the ibis were the least bit wary,
which makes sense, as this little fishing pond gets a lot of human traffic.
Sykes was able to approach to within about 30 feet for some photos, without
the birds becoming the least bit alarmed.  I took a bunch of digiscoped
images, and then Matt Tillett showed up and took a bunch of photos.  We all
stayed till about 8:15 when darkness set in, and it appears that all the
mentioned birds roost here.

Dave Brinker saw the ibis here on Monday evening, and then Sykes
photographed the bird at the Halethorpe Farms Pond (Pond #4) on Wednesday
morning.  The bird has likely traversed both Anne Arundel and Howard
Counties during its wanderings.  Lost Lake is only about 100-150 feet from
the Howard Co. line.

Other birds at the pond included scores of CHIMNEY SWIFTs swirling about
overhead, a pair of BLACK VULTUREs, a BARRED OWL that called spontaneously
when we arrived, and again as we were leaving, and a GREAT-CRESTED
FLYCATCHER heard weeping as we were leaving.  I haven't heard this latter
bird vocalize since June.


Stan Arnold
Glen Burnie







----- Original Message -----
From: "Bill Hubick" <>
To: <>
Sent: Friday, August 17, 2007 7:04 PM
Subject: [MDOSPREY] White Ibis at Lost Lake


I just got a call from Stan Arnold, who is looking at an
Hi Everyone,

I just got a call from Stan Arnold, who is looking at an immature White Ibis
at Lost Lake in the Glen Arney section of Patapsco Valley State Park.

Directions (off the DNR page): "From Howard County, follow Route 1 through
Elkridge and into Baltimore County. Turn left onto South Street. Park
entrance is on the left, or take I-95 to I-195 East (as if going to BWI
Airport) From I-695, take Exit #12 Washington Blvd (Route 1) south towards
Elkridge. Just past the traffic light at the entrance ramps to I-195, turn
right into South Street and the park entrance is on the left. From I-195
take Route 1 south (Exit 3) and turn right on Route 1 (Washington Blvd)
towards Elkridge. Make the very first right into South Street and the park
entrance is on the left."

In the park, take a right at the T intersection and follow around to the
small pond. It is roosting with BCNHs and a GRHE in the trees around the
pond. Man, I could've walked there from my last place! :)

Good luck!

Bill

Bill Hubick
Pasadena, Maryland

http://www.billhubick.com