This is a quick version of the weekend highlights by (mostly) Stasz, Boyd, Brighton, and Hafner.? After some rare bird showed up, a lot people started following us around ;)

White-faced Ibis info: The bird was found around 2:45pm on Saturday on the center dike of the Berlin Sewage Treatment Plant.? If the birds are on the dike, they can be easily viewed from the southbound shoulder of Rt. 113, just south Rt. 50.? The moved around several times while we were there, but had a strong preference for the center dike.? At about 5:30pm or so the whole flock of 16 birds picked up and headed East.? About 20 minutes later we watched 14 ibis drop into Skimmer Island from Hooper's Restaurant on the mainland.? The White-faced was seen among the flock.? There is no way to see the ibis when the are roosting on the island.? At one point they got up and flew around again and landed on the sandbar.? We refound the White-faced in flight and watched it feed for a couple minutes before they took off again and went back to the center of the island (cue the arrival of George and Gwen!). The bird was not seen leaving the island in the morning.

If you're searching for this bird, look at Mark's pictures (previously posted) beforehand.? The main marks that jump out are the red face and pink legs.? There is a well marked white border in front of the eye, but not behind.? The eye is also red.? 

Other birds to think about while ibis searching (all sightings Saturday):

OC Inlet:
2 Common Eiders - 1 imm male, 1 female

33rd St and the Bay, OC:
Eared Grebe still present

Skimmer Island:
Adult Kumlien's Iceland Gull - see Mark's photos
3 Ipswich Sparrows seen by walking the grass slope between Hooper's the bridge on the side of Rt. 50

ORV Zone, Assateague:
Lesser Black-backed Gull - 90, new high count for MD, 45 adults, 9 3rd cycle, 13 2nd cycle, 23 1st cycle

Sunday:? There was a Whimbrel on the small grassy area on the north end of Deal Island.? Cross the large bridge south of Chance and take the first right and head a gravel parking area to view the bay.? The small grassy area on the left is where the bird was for 5+ hours today.? Found by Hubbell, Lutmerding, Brighton, Stasz, Boyd, and Hafner.? Seen later by other observers. 


I know I'm forgetting something, but hopefully notekeeper/ebird superuser Jim Stasz will post further details.


It was a great weekend to be out.? Even if the weather was less than desirable today.

Matt Hafner
Bel Air, MD