Hi all,

I spent a great day on the shore with Jim Brighton, Bill Hubick, Dan
Small, Mike Walsh, and by evening Ron Gutberlet joined us.  We started
at Bayside where the highlight came in the form of a CLAY-COLORED
SPARROW at the beginning of the west side of the campground loop  that
Jim and I got on, unfortunately Bill was taking pictures of Myrtle
Warblers eating Wax Myrtle berries (Bill got an amazing new camera and
some amazing shots!!) and missed all but the streak of a bird as it
flew past him. There was also a juvenile GAMBELL'S WHITE-CROWNED
SPARROW waiting to make the jump to the mainland at the point,
unfortunately it didn't pose long enough for photos. We saw 2
BALTIMORE ORIOLES between the point and campground, and found our
first BONAPARTE'S GULLS and HORNED GREBES of the season here.  On the
way back to the mainland we stopped at the State Park; on and over the
ocean there were large numbers of NORTHERN GANNETS, and RED-THROATED
LOONS, and one PIPING PLOVER on the beach.   We made a stop at Berlin
where we located a single SEDGE WREN and 2 WESTERN PALM WARBLERS.
From there we headed to the inlet where among the many birds, the
standouts were 4 COMMON EIDERS (2m, 2f (one female rescued from
fishing equipment by Jim Brighton)) 150 RED-THROATED LOONS flying
south, 1,000+/- scotors flying mostly north, 100 GREEN-WINGED TEAL 1
BLUE-WINGED TEAL and 5 AMERICAN WIGEON flying south over the ocean,
and the first PURPLE SANDPIPERS we have seen this fall.

All and all an excellent day to be out!

Good birding!
Mikey Lutmerding
Croom, MD