As previously reported, a Dovkie was found today during the Ocean City
Christmas Bird Count. It was very cooperative sitting on the rocks just across
from the old life saving station (just as you reach the parking lot).
I think the story behind the find is interesting, too. I was late arriving this
morning and went to the tip of the jetty to find Jay Sheppard. He wasn't
there, but Doug Gill told me where I could find him. As I was left to go in
search of him, I spoke to a local OC woman who had come to the inlet to
watch the beautiful red sunrise. She had just finished talking to Doug and Jim
Jehl who were manning the jetty. She had read about the CBC in the paper
and after talking to them, she went home to put on warmer clothes. She
thought it sound like fun and planned to return - which she did. She is the one
who found the Dovkie! Two papers were there taking pictures so there should
be news coverage from both. One of them comes out tomorrow, I think.
Phone calls went out to all the people who were helping with the CBC and
many were able to see the Dovkie. I watched it for about 1/2 hour from only a
few feet away. The teams on Assateague even got the opportunity to see it
from across the inlet!
In addition to the Dovkie being a life bird, the two Harlequin Ducks also made
my life list. They were easily seen from the balcony of the brick motel (closed
for the winter) on the inlet.
Marcy Stutzman
Russett, MD
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