Hi Everyone,

Matt Hafner and I spent most of yesterday afternoon (4/30) birding North Point State Park in Baltimore Co. After an enjoyable hike around the park, we grabbed dinner locally and stuck around the area to try for night birds. Noteworthy birds at North Point SP included the following:

Wood Duck--1
Gadwall--2
Osprey--3
Bald Eagle--1
Virginia Rail--3
Lesser Yellowlegs--17
Semipalmated Sandpiper--1; first of the year
Least Sandpiper--11
Herring Gull (American)--1
Eastern Kingbird--1
Purple Martin--2
Barn Swallow--35
House Wren--2
Marsh Wren--3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet--1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher--1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)--16
Palm Warbler (Yellow)--2
Black-and-white Warbler--1
Common Yellowthroat--4
Swamp Sparrow--2
White-throated Sparrow--10
Non-avian: Bullfrog, Cope's Gray Treefrog, Southern Leopard Frog, Spring Peeper. 

Since first hearing CHUCK-WILL'S-WIDOWs from my place near Fort Smallwood last year, I've thought that they must also at least pass through Black Marsh and the North Point SP area in Baltimore Co. Recently while we were discussing the idea, Jim Stasz confirmed that he's had them there in the past. Having heard my first of the year Saturday morning (Weinberg Park, AA Co.), Matt and I decided to try Black Marsh yesterday. Between 9:15 and 9:45 we were able to hear one CHUCK-WILL'S-WIDOW calling. It was fairly distant, but clearly heard south of Miller Island Road. We were stopped at the first state park gate on the left after heading east on Miller Island Road from North Point Road. Matt also heard a GREAT HORNED OWL that I missed due to the unfortunate white noise of a passing airplane.

Please note: This road is surprisingly busy even at 10:00 p.m. and many people drive fast. Please take great care if you try for these birds, being careful to be safely off the road. I recommend the above referenced gate on the north side of the road, especially since there are no-parking signs on the south side. The north side has several areas that are OK to pull off, but other sections of the shoulder are soft. For best chance of success, I would recommend visiting on a Saturday or Sunday, either very late or very early. Please let me know if you hear any Chucks, as I'd like to know how long they stick around--was this bird a migrant or will it try to nest?

We then tried the power line cut between Marley Neck and Solley Roads in northern Anne Arundel, a surprisingly reliable stronghold for nightjars in this fairly developed area. Traffic noise is usually an issue here as well, and no night birds were detected during last night's short watch... ugh... listen.

Returning home at 10:30, there was a CHUCK-WILL'S-WIDOW calling loudly and clearly from Weinberg Park south of White Pond. This location will have them all season, but they will get quieter as the season progresses. The best way to listen for them is to park at the first gate on the right after turning left (west) onto Fairview Beach Road from Fort Smallwood Road. Tape use at this small breeding area is unnecessary and not appropriate. Thanks!

Good birding!

Bill

Bill Hubick
Pasadena, Maryland

http://www.billhubick.com