Thanks to great directions from Bob Ringler, I was able to enjoy some good
shorebird action this morning on the Carroll County side of the lake near
Finksburg. There was also some excitement both on the walk in and out. The
shorebird flock was pretty much as Bob described it yesterday, but the molting
AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER was on the Baltimore County side today, on a spit littered
with logs where it was often concealed. At this point I was almost hoping
for a hawk to come along and stir things up for a county two-fer, but no luck.
That's OK, I'll take it for Baltimore County bird #250.
Eventually I located what I believe to be the juvenile DUNLIN found
yesterday by Bob. After many scans through the numerous PECTORALS I noticed one that
was very chunky, hunch-backed and less "attenuated", classic Dunlin structure
except that the bill seemed very small. Maybe this is due to its age. It had
the gray-brown hooded appearance with some streaking extending a bit onto
the sides, and the legs were black. The upperparts were light-fringed. I've
never seen this plumage at all but I don't know what else it could have been.
On the walk in I encountered a nice pocket of migrants along a powerline
cut, including NASHVILLE (2), CHESTNUT-SIDED, MAGNOLIA, BLACK-THROATED GREEN
(3), PINE, and BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLERS. A ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK was calling
nearby. RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES were seen and heard at numerous places in the
pine stands.
On the way out through the pines, screaming Blue Jays indicated there was
some species-harrassment going on. The object of their attention was a
young-looking GREAT HORNED OWL that was trying to shield itself in the crotch of a
pine tree, while chickadees, Pine Warblers and even Cedar Waxwings joined in
the sport.
Another beautiful morning and some very nice birds.
Joel Martin
Catonsville, MD
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