Hi All, 

A few weeks ago I asked about where to go on a short?birder's vacation.? I had many wonderful answers.? The consensus was "go East", with Ocean City and some points in Delaware being the most often recommended. 

One birder sent me a wonderfully detailed itinerary, enough for the 2 - 3 days I requested.? This plan looked good, so I decided to do that trip as far as I could with the time I had available.? 

Turns out I only had one long day for the trip.? So yesterday I went to Woodland Beach, Delaware, Bombay Hook and Port Mahon, with a few stops in between as well as some hiking time at Bombay Hook.? I didn't get very far, but it was a wonderful and memorable trip.? 

The highlight for the day was a gorgeous peregrine falcon in a tree, surveying his domain, on Bear Swamp loop.? He was just within range of my scope and the light was just right - I could see his chest feathers moving in the breeze.? Very wonderful - and a big life bird for me.? 

Almost equally memorable was seeing a Northern Harrier at Port Mahon, quickly followed by my first Short-Eared Owl.? Both birds were observable together for several good long wing beats, so I got a real lesson in compare and contrast on the two species.? The Harrier was a female and colored similarly to the owl, too, so it was a real lesson in body shape, wing shape, tail length and wing beat differences. Fabulous.? 

I also drove up on a flock of Snow Geese - probably about 5000 - at Kitts Hummock road and Rt. 9.? I pulled over to watch them and was immediately struck by a bird that appeared to be a Ross' Goose.? After parking, I got out to confirm the Ross' (I drove by it too fast to be sure), but could not find it. While I was scanning the flock, a police car pulled up in front of my car - which was when I noticed the "no stopping, no standing, no parking sign".? I sighed and figured I was in for a ticket, and went back to goose-watching to wait for the inevitable.? My friend stole a glance at the policeman and said "I think he's just watching the geese, too".?? When the police drove away, I sheepishly went to the car and left, too, grateful for the kindess of that policeman and the wonder of a huge flock of snow geese.?? And no, I could not confirm that silly Ross's!!!!? 

I did return by the flock at sunset.? The birds were beginning to rise off the field in the gorgeous colors of sundown.? As I pulled up to the - lucky - red light (I wasn't going to stop, stand or park there again!) I rolled down my window to hear them - and the whole flock went up just then and milled about with the colors behind them.? As the light turned green, they were settling back on the grass again.? 

Did you ever feel like a flock put on a show, just for you, personally?? What a joy!

Anyway - I can post a list here, but it's not a great one.? I missed a lot of species, I'm sure, due to optics, poor lighting and inexperience.? But I did want to share my highlights - and to say "thank you" for those who were willing to help me have a good experience.? It was a great experience! 

Best,

Joanne

Joanne Howl, DVM
West River, MD