I've been in Snow Hill, MD, on the Eastern Shore for the past week and
yesterday headed to Janes Island State Park near Crisfield, MD, intrigued by
Jennifer Elmer's recent report. (Mabye I should have headed to Assateague
Island yesterday based on Jim Stasz's report.)
In Somerset County, just after turning onto Rt 677 South from Rt 13 North
from Pocomoke City in the morning, I looked to my right and noticed about 12
Cattle Egrets along with a smaller number of cattle. When I returned there
around noon, neither the cattle nor egrets were in the front field.
At Janes Island State Park, I arrived after a small fallout of the warblers had
already left. I spoke with two other birders who had a good list. Most of the
trees in the park are pitch pine (needles are in bundles of three), I believe. A
good amount of birding was done right from the parking lot where I was
treated to a small flock of Red-breasted Nuthatches. The other birders
reported finding warblers also in the pines around the same area. There was an
immature Little Blue Heron in Daughtery Creek across from the park's nature
center and store. And the Sharp-shinned Hawk that scared the warblers away,
also made an appearance for me.
I continued to check out the park and walked the fitness trail. Thousands of
Common Grackles streamed into the trees from the east to the west. It was
chilling and awesome at the same time.
If you venture to Janes Island, be sure to check out the pine trees on the
right just after turning onto Alfred Lawson Drive as you enter the park. I heard
some activity while driving in (but didn't stop). While leaving, I did, and a Pine
Warbler showed himself and I heard more Red-breasted Nuthaches.
Marcy Stutzman
Russett, MD (Anne Arundel County)
Snow Hill, MD (Worcester County for the next week, too)
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