Greetings,

I had an attractive Vesper Sparrow today on Elk Landing Road on the Elk Neck 
Peninsula in Cecil County today around 3:30. I was showing my daughter the 
horses when a small bird with white outer tail-bands flew by... It didn’t give 
me that Junco GISS so I followed it (it was VERY skittish). Well, it turned out 
to be a VESP! This road is off of Turkey Point Road at its intersection with Old 
Elk Neck Road.

Additionally, I spent an hour this evening scanning the bay from the most 
southern tip of Hances Point. This is a 270 degree point of view of the 
Susquehanna Flats and North East River. I estimate that there were at 25,000 
(maybe DOUBLE THAT) bird on the flats; most appeared to be ducks. From my 
distance (2-3 miles) I could only make out Lesser and Greater Scaup as well 
as Ring-neckeds. With the shear number present there has to be scoters, long-
taileds, etc... there. I did not see the White Pelican which seems to be flying 
around the upper bay (seen in North East and Havre de Grace as recently as 
today). 

Other birds of interest on the water included, 15 Common Loon, 3-500 
Bonaparte’s Gulls –many sporting partial hoods, 50 or so Red-breasted 
Mergansers, a Pied-billed Grebe, 5 Hooded Mergs, and a lone Horned Grebe 
singing (if you call it that –calling?) at dusk. ...oh, and there were at least 100 
Double-crested Corms, and 12-15 Osprey... no terns!

Other passerines of notes included Pine Warblers singing and at least three 
Phoebes; one of which was also singing... 

That about does it...

Have a great weekend –spring is springing!!!!!
Good Birding,
Chris Starling
North East, MD