The report that follows is provided on behalf of Talbot County Birder Wayne
Bell.
Les Roslund
Talbot County


Sunday morning, 6 April, dawned -- sort of -- with moderate rain, 
occasionally driven by immoderate N winds, and spiked with 
temperatures in the mid-40's.  No matter.  Seven intrepid members of 
the Talbot Bird Club, led by Wayne Bell and accompanied by a new 
guest, braved the forecast as well as the actual conditions to visit 
two of the wetland restoration projects on the property of Chip and 
Sally Akridge along Oxford Road.  They were rewarded with a total of 
53 species including 9 waterfowl (after all, it was a great day for 
ducks).  Most looks were not great; the cold rain kept spotting 
scopes in the cars and fogged many binoculars at critical 
moments.  But no one cared, for the morning ended in front of a warm 
fireplace with a delicious breakfast at the beautiful Duvall Lodge 
overlooking one of the waterfowl ponds.  Incidentally, Linda Makosky 
won the compilation by guessing the number of species exactly.  She 
was rewarded with a seat right in front of the fire.  As if on cue, 3 
Purple Martins (heard earlier) emerged from their gourd houses after 
breakfast to become the TBC's first of the spring -- too late to make 
the morning compilation, but very welcome harbingers nonetheless.  On 
the cusp of spring migration, this was a warm and wonderful way to 
bid winter a final good-bye.  Special thanks to habitat manager Clay 
Robinson for putting together a rewarding itinerary and providing 
great and informative company.

Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Wood Duck
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Green-winged Teal
Ring-necked Duck
Bufflehead
Ring-necked Pheasant
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Northern Harrier
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Killdeer
Greater Yellowlegs
Wilson's Snipe (10 in flight)
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Blue Jay
American Crow
Fish Crow
Tree Swallow (becoming abundant)
Barn Swallow (just one)
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Carolina Wren
Eastern Bluebird
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird
Brown Thrasher
European Starling
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow (cooperative and singing)
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

While scouting the trip on Thursday, 3 April, Bell also found a pair 
of Hooded Merganser (Duvall Lodge pond) and a single Glossy Ibis 
(along Spring Road).

Good birding everyone  --  wayne bell


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