This morning I led the Baltimore Bird Club's field trip to Halethorpe
Ponds. Two birders joined me for a walk that produced generally low numbers and
virtually no migrant passerines. But there were a few very nice sightings
and several new species for my Halethorpe list. 60 species were seen or
heard.
As we walked around to the back side of the small pond, we were more than a
little surprised to see the extent of a major sewer pipe replacement
project extending from the ponds eastward to I-695. A broad swath has been cut
through the usually birdy woods along the river, and a wooden boardwalk
about 10 feet wide has been built as a roadway to handle the movement of heavy
equipment. Only a few workers were on hand today, and they were very
friendly and accommodating, but it's clear that birding opportunities are going
to be limited for some time to come. We saw none of the usually resident
Black-crowned Night-Herons.
Thanks to Clare and Ben for coming out on this soggy morning. Some of the
highlights are below.
Wood Duck - 2
Gadwall - 2
COMMON LOON - 6 migrants headed north
Pied-billed Grebe - 1
Double-crested Cormorant - 6
Great Blue Heron - 5
Great Egret - 1
LITTLE BLUE HERON - 1 adult
Green Heron - 1
Osprey - 2
Bald Eagle - 1
Solitary Sandpiper - 1
Spotted Sandpiper - 1
Caspian Tern - 1
Great Crested Flycatcher - 1
Eastern Kingbird - 2
White-eyed Vireo - 1
Warbling Vireo - 5
Red-eyed Vireo - 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 12
Gray Catbird - 3
Northern Parula - 3
Yellow Warbler - 12
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 15
American Redstart - 3
Prothonotary Warbler - 2
Common Yellowthroat - 4
LINCOLN'S SPARROW - 1
Rose-breasted Grosbeak - 1
Indigo Bunting - 1
Joel Martin
Catonsville, MD
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