An interesting addendum to the Black-necked Stilt nests is that there were also two additional eggs in the mud next to the nest with three eggs. Further, all the eggs appeared to be unmarked and of a uniform beige coloration. These additional observations suggest that the nests had been covered with a thin coating of mud produced by the dredge spoil. Recent rains and/or dredge spoil dumping probably raised the water/mud level in the impoundment, coating the eggs and washing two from the nest, but not permanently covering the nests. The nests appeared to be on slightly elevated mounds of spoil with no vegetation nearby. Spoil dumping has ceased at this site and the water level will probably continue to recede. The nests should be watched to see if they succeed. 

Bob Ringler 
Eldersburg MD 
 



----- Original Message ----- 
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To:  
Sent: Saturday, May 30, 2009 10:33:41 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern 
Subject: [MDOSPREY] Hart-Miller Island, May 30, 2009 

Observation at Hart-Miller Island (Posted for Gene while he's away) 
May 30, 2009 
0705 - 1450 
Weather: AM: MC, 60 degrees, W 5 K; PM: Fair, 77 degrees, SSE 8 K 
Observers: Terry Crowe, Kevin Graff, Bob Ringler, Gene Scarpulla 

*SPECIES OF NOTES 

*BLACK-NECKED STILT - 8 (2 nests, 1 w/ 2 eggs and 1 w/ 3 eggs)