Greetings,
 
I waterfowl hunter, with whom I share my office, sent me a link for an online bulletin board. The link (posted below) explains (with photos) that a Paradise Shelduck was shot in either lower Delaware or possible MD (Salisbury area) recently. If you read through the threads there are also many mentions of recent shootings of Mandarin Ducks.  Each mention seems to indicate that the ducks have no bands and possess all of their toes. 
 
It would seem obvious that these are escaped/released birds but still rather interesting. I guess my point here is to keep an eye out for exotics while birding the ponds of the area. 
Here is the link:  
http://refugeforums.com/refuge/showthread.php?t=591995
 
Also, I had 6 Yellow-rumped Warblers in my yard two days ago (North East, Cecil County). While not terribly rare here, winter Yellow-rumpeds are not nearly common here in northern Cecil County as they are in other parts of the state... There are at least two Red-breasted Nuthatches in the yard at all times as well...
 
Good birding,
Chris Starling
North East, Cecil County, MD
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