This evening around 5:30pm, I observed an Eared Grebe near the Greenbury Point Nature Center.? On Greenbury Point Rd, take the left directly in front of the Nature Center, and another left at the T-intersection.? This will take you to a small boat ramp on Mill Creek.? There was also a basic-plumaged Red-throated Loon present today and yesterday.? 

The Eared Grebe is in a transitional plumage state right now and I wouldn't rely on plumage features to identify it.? However, the characteristic structure, givenby a thin pointed bill and peaked forehead, was obvious.? Overall it was a rather dark mottled bird with a bit of golden on the auriculars.? The rain kept any of my digiscopes from being identifiable, but I will try again tomorrow.? I would caution that are were also 3 Horned Grebes present today, only 1 yesterday, one in full winter plumage, one in the same type of transitional plumage as the Eared, and another that looks remarkably like a basic-plumaged Eared.? The latter bird has dark auriculars with a white patch at the back of the head and a white throat.? 

The numbers of Bufflehead greatly increased since yesterday afternoon, but I don't know if that is just birds moving around or new arrivals.

3/18
Red-throated Loon - 1
Horned Grebe - 1
Lesser Scaup - 30
Ring-necked Duck - 15
Bufflehead - 75
Common Goldeneye - 5
Ruddy Duck - 10

3/19
Red-throated Loon - 1
Horned Grebe - 3
Eared Grebe - 1
Lesser Scaup - 50
Ring-necked Duck - 15
Bufflehead - 200
Ruddy Duck - 15
Red-breasted Merganser - 3

Matt Hafner
Bel Air, MD
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