Hi Folks,

I spent the entire day yesterday (Sat., 2 May) with George Jett and Gwen Brewer, doing essentially a Charles Co. big day, which is normally part of the So. MD Birdathon, which event didn't really take place this year, but we pretended it did.  We finished the day with a little more than 120 species, way down from last years event which yeilded about 140.  Reasons: (1) virtually NO MIGRANTS!  Veery and Black-throated Green Warbler (Gwen only)and a few shorebirds were the only migrants I recall; (2) almost no waterfowl:  time and priorities kept us from visiting the WWTP near Cobb Island, and most ducks seem to have been pushed out by last weekend's heat wave; and (3) only five species of shorebird, despite what appeared to be ideal conditions.  Nevertheless, we did have some nice birds, with the unmitigated highlight being MISSISSIPPI KITE at Port Tobacco, which George thought was a 4th county record, his second, and a county bird for Gwen and of course for me.  Oh, I guess this was a migrant, too.

Here are the highlights of the day:

Red-breasted Merganser--2 hens at Goose Bay and a pair at Allen's Fresh
Common Loon-1 in basic plumage, Cobb Island
Black-crowned Night Heron--1 heard calling (Kwop!) twice from Bolling Farm (pvt) near Allen's Fresh
Wild Turkey--3 locations, one of which was Nanjemoy Env. Center; other two crossing highways
N. Bobwhite--pair (George photograhed the female) at the Bolling Farm by Allen's Fresh
Mississippi Kite--1, Port Tobacco (photographed by George)
Red-shouldered Hawk--1, Port Tobacco
Virginia Rail--1 calling incessantly (30 minutes or more?), Bolling Farm near Allen's Fresh
Greater Legs--4 at Allen's Fresh; another one on pond along Middletown Rd.
Lesser Legs--16 at Allen's Fresh
Solitary Sandpiper--2 at Friendship Park; 4 at Allen's Fresh
Least Sandpiper--5 at pond along Middletown Rd.
Bonaparte's Gull--one in basic plumage at Morgantown
Caspian Tern--1 at Morgantown
Royal Tern--10 at Morgantown
Chuck-will's-widow--2, Smith Point Rd.
Whip-poor-will-3, Smith Point Rd. and Maryland Point Rd.
Red-headed Woodpecker--2 along Hwy 224 at wetland a mile s. of Purse St. Pk
Yellow-throated Vireo--1, Purse St. Park
Veery--1, Purse St. Park
La. Waterthrush--all over! Normally restricted to Nanjemoy Creek at Rte 6, we found them in many locations throughout the day
Bobolink--1 along Rte 6 near Rte 425
E. Meadowlark--several at E. end of Hancock Run Rd.; others on hwy 425

What a terrific day of birding, and thanks to Gwen and George for their usual hospitality, and letting me tag along for some great birding.

On Friday (5/1), I visited Swan Creek (AA Co.) with Matt Grey, with our highlight being two SEASIDE SPARROWs, perched side-by-side in one of the wetland areas.  We also had two Virginia Rails, a Sora, a Savannah Sparrow, and a couple of Marsh Wrens.  While Matt and I were there, I got a call from Bill Hubick about a WILLET at Fort Smallwood.  After working our way through the marshes, Matt and I eventually made our way back to the vehicles, and headed to Smallwood, where we easily refound the Willet.  THANKS, BILL, for this great county bird!

Also on Friday, Elaine and I saw our first AM. REDSTART in the yard (#80 for the year), and as of this morning (5/3) we are still getting two ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKs at our feeders, and the LINCOLN'S SPARROW continues with us for the sixth day.  This morning, in the rain, we got a new, and long-expected yard bird:  WHITE-EYED VIREO singing in one of our oak trees, yard bird #139 and #81 for the year.

Stan Arnold
Ferndale (AA Co.)