I spent two days birding locally this weekend, working on a “big weekend”.   I’m pleased with 58 species.  I know it’s not so big for some of you mega birders, but very nice for me.  Especially since I am not confident birding by ear, so each of these was actually seen and IDed by field marks.  
 
The best birds of the weekend were about 4 rusty blackbirds at Jug Bay, AA County side.  They were on a board walk into the scrub.  The head of the boardwalk was underwater, but by taking off shoes and wading in ankle-deep coooold water, it was possible to make it to the end.   There were lots of red wing blackbirds, but one flock of about 10 birds kept to itself most of the time.  I’m 99.9% certain of calling at least 2 of these birds rusty blackbirds.  Two others are about 80%.  The rest didn’t look exactly like RW blackbirds, but I just couldn’t get a positive ID.  This is a life bird for me – and yes, I had a companion who also verified.  As it was a life bird for him as well, we went to the books (2 of them) – and came away satisfied with the ID.  
 
We also saw the underbelly of a nice Cooper’s Hawk, talons out, as it made a half-hearted feint on a flock of Redwings in a tree above us.  I would think that we surprised the bird as much as he did us, as he pulled up a bit, giving the redwings time to scatter. 
It’s pretty impressive, seeing the underbelly of a hawk like that, even if it last just for a moment! 
 
We saw our first of season Ruddy Ducks at Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center.  There were 3 in the lake and two rafts of about 200 or more total in the river.   
 
There was a frustrating group of ducks – mallard females with what must be a mallard cross male.  Poking around the internet, pictures of “Brewer’s duck” are the closest I can see (I think that’s mallard x gadwall).  Bugged me all day until I saw the internet photo – now I can proudly claim the rare Brewers Duck! (yes, I’m aware it’s not really a species … but it’s fun!)
 
We were surprised by the presence of an osprey at CBEC as well.  I thought they had all gone.  This one was successfully fishing and seemed in no hurry to go to warmer climates. 
 
Lastly, there was a group of mute swans at CBEC.  The volunteer said he thought they had just arrived Saturday or early Sunday AM.  



Joanne Howl, DVM 
West River, MD