The biggest problem with access to the Potomac, at least in St. Mary's County, is whether you can get there. Sometimes roads are blocked from trees or flooding. In the case of Isabel, Pt. Lookout was closed and the State Police were turning people away. That's the best place to catch stuff coming down the Bay and the Potomac. St. George's Island sticks out well into the Potomac but floods with almost every strong blow from the east. Assuming that this storm isn't as powerful as Isabel, and Pt. Lookout isn't closed, the best locations will be along the causeway, providing viewing of the Bay, and the point itself. The biggest problem there, beyond access, is that the Potomac mouth there is huge. You can see Virginia to the south but it's about 7 miles wide so birds returning to the ocean could be anywhere. The advantage there is that all of the visible water is in Maryland. Being turned away from Pt. Lookout during Isabel, Jane and I went to Elms Beach
 and walked in. No view of anything there but the Bay.
 
Another excellent vantage point, but of the Patuxent River, is Patuxent River NAS but you need base access to get there. There is a tremendous amount of shoreline there on both the Patuxent River and the Bay. Places further upriver such as Town Creek, just north of the Solomons Bridge (Thomas Johnson Bridge to be precise) is good as is the fishing pier on the Calvert side of the bridge. Anywhere in Solomons has good viewing of the Patuxent. You can play off the St. Mary's or Calvert side for better viewing conditions depending on the wind direction. Sandgates, in St. Mary's County provides good viewing of the Patuxent but floods with strong east or southeast winds. We went there during Floyd and there was a good 6 inches of water in the parking lot. The Calvert/St. Mary's County line runs down the middle of the Patuxent so meandering birds can often be counted for both counties. At the Solomons Bridge, the middle of the three lights at the top of the
 bridge marks the line.
 
Basically, wherever you can get down to the water will give you a good chance to find some storm-blown birds. You can get skunked or come up with something really exciting. Have a camera/videocamera ready!

Tyler Bell

California, Maryland 



----- Original Message ----
From: Benjamin Kenyon <>
To: 
Sent: Tuesday, September 2, 2008 1:18:33 PM
Subject: [MDOSPREY] Hurricane Hannah Question

With the looming Hurricane Hannah on it's way towards us, I was just wondering where the best places were to find any species that the storm may force inland, as well as when it is best to search for them? I know that the Potomac was mentioned a number of times - anywhere in particular? Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance! A Hopeful Birder -

Ben