Greetings,

First, a couple of corrections concerning my follow-up to Pat Valdata's post 
concerning yesterday's Turkey Point Migrant Trip. Last night, I mentioned that 
we had all five of MD’s vireo species.  While we did have five vireo species, MD 
has SIX species, not five (We missed Blue-headed)...  As well, I mentioned 
that we had 17 species of Warbler. This too, was in error. The group actually 
recorded 18 species of warbler! With a grand total of 70 species for the five 
hour outing. As I mentioned, I’ll let Sean McCandless post the list, once I get 
it to him.

Following yesterday’s successful Turkey Point trip, I spent the afternoon 
boating on the Susquehanna Flats in Cecil County. While there I had VERY 
surprising bird lighting with some more expected birds on a dead tree. Among 
three Caspian Terns, two Forster’s Terns, and three Ring-billed Gulls on the 
tree was a juvenile ROYAL TERN! I have never seen a royal tern north of the 
Chesapeake Bay Bridge; which is 40 miles to the south.  The bird was 
obviously whiter from fifty yards away. As I approached the tree on foot, (in 
waist deep water), I was able to get a good look at it through my binos. It 
was slightly smaller than the Capians. As well, it had NO visible darkness on its 
primaries which extended well beyond its tail. The bill was the expected lemon 
yellow color of a juvenile royal and its forehead was white.

The excitement did not stop there however. As I was viewing the Royal Tern a 
group of 8 peeps flew through my bino view. I followed them was elated to 
see that at least three of them sported white rumps!  Cool, White-rumped 
Sandpiper is a county bird. The other birds were rather reddish brown 
(westerns???)...  They flew out of range rather quickly and my attention was 
put back on the terns after that. 

Other notables on the flats yesterday were 5 Pied-billed Grebes, 3 BLACK 
TERNS, and at least 3 Laughing Gulls.

Good Birding,
Chris Starling
North East, MD