Greetings,

Late posting here concerning my foray into the pre-dawn chill at Turkey Point (Elk Neck State Park, Cecil County).

My target(s) were finches. All the recent talk of crossbills, siskins, etc has me excited for the Christmas Count season which begins in two weeks (Elkton Count on 12/14)! 

Unfortunately, finches (save Goldfinches) were not to be seen or heard at this peninsular outlook. Though I must admit that I have rather poor hearing when it comes to hearing flit nights especially ones which may be distant and muffled by the honking of approx. 500++ Tundra Swan from out on the bay.  I did have more than one loose flock unidentified finch-like birds attempt to cross the water only to return and disappear into the woods. A better ear may have been able to ID these as Purples and Siskins…

Still I had, in addition to the many many Tundra Swans a group of Shoveler flyover. Other highlights included a lone adult Laughing Gull (late for Cecil Co.)  flyby at the point proper, a singing Winter Wren as well as a SINGING Fox Sparrow. The Fox Sparrow song really through me; at first I though it was an oriole then it called again and again. Finally I found the bird. I am not sure that I have ever heard on sing before. Seeing it and comparing it to a CD I had in the car pretty much confirmed it however. 

All in all, it was a nice albeit cold morning with a total of 58 species in a little over three hours. 

Good birding,
-Chris Starling
North East, MD