Glad to see another post from Jug Bay!

I was out just as Dan left (5-6:00), but did not see anyone there (I always 
look to see if anyone is on the JBWS deck).  I was viewing the same area, but 
from the PG side (Mt Calvert), and saw most of the same birds you reported.  
A notable miss was the Bonie flock, which must have moved before I arrived.  
I wonder if you saw the group which Fred S reportred (14) from Schoolhouse 
Pond, which he sugggested may have been heading toward Jug Bay (around 
mid day)?  The only noteworthy additions I should add to your posted list 
were a single Great Egret (came in late), 7-8 Red-B Mergansers (1 female 
looked more like a Common with molting issues), and ~12 Wood Ducks.

My guess is that you saw a flock of W. Snipe but did not get a good enough 
look at them.  There have been a large number of snipe moving through here 
for the last two weeks.  I have been fooled several times into thinking what 
passed very quickly through my scope view was something else (peep), and 
when I zeroed in on the subject it turned out to be (another) snipe.

If you are certain they were not snipe, then I agree with Matt.  However, it 
seems extremely early, even if there are reports from the eastern shore - the 
eastern shore normally gets shorebirds much earlier than the western shore of 
the coastal plain.  I normally haven't seen any peeps here before the end of 
April, (my early date is 4-25) although my records are not as long as Danny or 
Greg, I have been watching here about ten years now.

No Dunlins over wintered here this winter (did we have a winter?), the last I 
saw them here was in late December.  There may have been some over winter 
further down in Charles or St. Marys County.  Dunlin and Black-bellied Plover 
are occasionally seen here in fall, with Dunlin being far more likely to be seen 
here in a flock, and tending to stay much longer.  I can't remember ever 
seeing either of them here in Spring but I'd bet someone has.  Sanderling are 
exceptionally rare here, anytime.  I have never seen one here but Danny B or 
Greg K may have.  Pectoral and Least Sandpipers are the most likely flocking 
peeps to be seen here, and both could be seen passing thru in fall or spring!

Cheers-
Jeff Shenot
Croom MD