On Friday after work I headed to Southern Anne Arundel County to do a little birding before resting for Saturday's Charles County Big Day.? I will let George Jett comment on that as he organized it for the Southern Maryland Audubon Birdathon.? 



Friday afternoon I birded Dent Rd near Shady Side, AA.? This is small property of state land that includes some marsh and an abandoned runway.? The birding was rather slow, but I was pleasantly surprised to find a Northern Bobwhite and a Marsh Wren.? Blue Grosbeaks were abundant.



Next came and incredible stroke of good luck.? I was on my way to Columbia Beach to scan the Bay when I received a call from Jim Stasz.? He said a Black Skimmer just flew north past his house and I should keep an eye for it.? I thought my chances were slim, but 20 minutes later a Black Skimmer came flying about 100 yards offshore!? When it was about a little south of me, it turned east and began flying into the strong easterly wind.? I don't know where it was headed, but was glad it came as far north as it did!

At Herrington Harbor, there was a flooded field just west of the Harbor with lots of shorebirds.? 
Greater Yellowlegs - 1
Lesser Yellowlegs - 8
Solitary Sandpiper - 6
Least Sandpiper - 22
Semipalmated Sandpiper - 3
Semipalmated Plover - 2
Short-billed Dowitcher - 2

Saturday - Charles Big Day with George Jett, Gwen Brewer, and Jim Stasz

Sunday - St. Mary's and Calvert with Bill Hubick and John Hubbell.? I'll let eBird superuser Bill post the lists (and his great photos!) from the day, but it was fantastic.? 

John and I decided to try for the Beltsville Common Ravens on the way home.? We parked within view of the water tower mentioned in Marcy's posts, but no ravens were to be seen.? We then spent the next 20 minutes scanning the skies and found 2 playing in the wind to the east.? It would be great to know if they are nesting/have nested in the area.? This recent raven expansion has been amazing.? How long before they make it to the Eastern Shore!!

This evening at dusk 2 Chuck-will's-widows and a Whip-poor-will were calling from the Solley Road powerline cut in northern Anne Arundel County.? This area was found to have these birds during the Atlas by Stan Arnold and Bill Hubick.? 

Another amazing weekend in Maryland!

Matt Hafner
Bel Air, MD