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Weekend at the Shore

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Bob Ringler

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Tue, 19 Feb 2008 14:34:31 +0000

   The Carroll County Bird Club visited the Eastern Shore this weekend enjoying the always-great birding for three days. Here are a few of the highlights of the trip.

Saturday (2/16/08) - all day in Delaware

Sunday (2/17/08) - almost all day in Somerset Co. MD - We started the day at the Berlin WWTP ponds where there were about 500 Green-winged Teal with Baldpate, Shovelers, and Pintail among others. We drove on to Pocomoke Sound WMA spending part of the time with Jennifer Elmer and her father who showed us some of the better spots there and calling up some of the birds. Brown-headed Nuthatches were enjoyed by all and other interesting sightings included Phoebe, Hermit Thrush, Catbird, and huge numbers of sparrows (estimated 30 Savannah Sparrows and 80 Swamp Sparrows) including one Fox Sparrow. Two or three Virginia Rails were also heard. On the water (with Irish Grove Sanctuary and Rumbly Point in the background) were a mixed flock of 60 Canvasbacks, Buffleheads, Goldeneye, and 400 Ruddy Ducks. Our next stop was Fairmount WMA where the highlights were a pond with 250 Gadwall, 35 Baldpate, a pair of Blue-winged Teal, and a second-winter Lesser Black-back. Flying around were 5 Greater Y
ellowlegs and a Snipe. Two Wild Turkeys were walking along the Deal Island Road as we drove through St. Stephen. We finished the day at Deal Island WMA where a Short-eared Owl was seen by two thirds of the group as it flew behind the first car on the road. There were also 2 Great Yellowlegs and about 20 Dunlin and a very obliging Clapper Rail that showed itself for everyone. At the Messick Road boat launch the 2 Peregrines were perched on the old hacking tower and later one was seen chasing crows; a number of Tree Swallows were also here. Sitting on Great Shoals Lighthouse in Monie Bay (actually Wicomico Co.) were about 75 Double-crested Cormorants. The last hour of the day was spent watching the heron and merganser spectacle at dusk. This evening we saw about 115 Hooded Mergansers in small groups heading to roost. Astounding were the 10 American Bitterns including 7 that flew past us in ones and twos within about two minutes shortly before sunset. Joining them were 1 Great Egret, 
6 Snowy Egrets, and 31 Tricolored Herons (including one flock of 15 Trikes and 5 Snowies). Finally came the 72 Black-crowned Night-Herons leaving their roost for the night's feeding.

Monday (2/18/08) - morning in Worcester Co. and afternoon in Dorchester Co. With intermittent brief rain squalls and high winds it was not easy on Monday morning. Oystercatchers and Purple Sandpipers, a few Gannets, 2 Double-crested Cormorants, a Bonaparte's Gull, some Long-tailed Ducks, and other common species were seen in Ocean City. At the West Ocean City pond was the large flock of Canvasbacks with other ducks. A pair of Collared Doves was seen at South Point where there were also 11 Horned Grebes, some at point blank range for Dave Harvey's camera. In Dorchester Co. we began on Egypt Road near Cambridge. In the huge flock of Canada Geese were a Cackling Goose and the two White-fronted Geese previously reported. At Blackwater refuge were 16 White Pelicans, 2 Tree Swallows, a Pipit, and a Red-breasted Nuthatch. A stop at Oakley Street in Cambridge produced the final addition to our weekend's list, a Redhead in the big flock of Canvasbacks and Baldpate.
   I probably overlooked somebody else's highlights but I can't list everything. Thanks to everyone on the trip for contributing to the group effort.

--
Bob Ringler 
Eldersburg MD