Hi Everyone,

I decided to spend a couple hours at Fort Smallwood after work today and
see if I could re-find the redpolls or turn up something else of interest.
The wind significantly compounded the cold, and land birds were few and
far between. During my second pass around the perimeter road, I decided to
park and listen by the stand of Virginia Pines across from "White Rocks,"
the small islands seen from Fort Smallwood. Driving the loop, this is the
main stand of pines past the old stone barracks (left side of the road).
As I watched, I quickly noticed a decent amount of bird activity on the
ground, presumably enjoying the slight shelter. I watched and listened for
about 5 minutes, during which a COMMON REDPOLL flew through the area,
calling. It sounded like it either flew from the ground to the pines or
from pine to pine. Either way, it gave its "chit, chit" vocalization a
couple times, and I'm confident it was a redpoll. I spent a few minutes
trying to find the bird(s), but I wasn't really dressed for the cold, and
I soon found myself miserably cold and ran away. The park opens at 7:00
a.m. tomorrow. If you're coming out, plan for some seriously cold wind!

Also of note were 11 GADWALL (my new high count for the park) and my first
two AMERICAN COOTs at the park for the year. Bay ducks continue, but the
bulk of the usual flock was not present. Two KILLDEER were feeding along
the beach. I didn't find any concentrations of juncos or goldfinches.

Thanks for posting for me, Jim.  

Good birding,

Bill

Bill Hubick
Pasadena, Maryland

http://www.billhubick.com/


--- jim brighton <> wrote:

> Bill Hubick just called and wanted me to post that he just had a redpoll
> in the pines opposite White Rocks at Fort Smallwood.  At least one is
> still present...