Hi All,

Went to Jug Bay Wildlife Sanctuary and had a wonderful, wonderful birding experience.  The species count was relatively high for me (abt. 40 ish), especially since we did not see much in the way of waterfowl or shore birds.   What was amazing, however, was the sheer number of birds, particularly flickers and sapsuckers.  In certain spots, birds were everywhere; it was nearly impossible to ID one that another more interesting wasn't flying between the bins and the first bird!

One of the sapsuckers was so very bright yellow that when I saw it I couldn't figure out what it was.  In my binoculars it was black and yellow with a brilliant red throat - it was SO bright I thought it must be some amazing warbler or something that wasn't real... but it was real, and it was a maginficent yellow bellied sapsucker.  NOW I can plainly see why it's called "yellow bellied".  Everything else was just a pale-sapsucker in comparison!  

The flock of cedar waxwings were spectacular, too.  They were lower and closer than normal (I'm used to tree top and far away), and in fresh feather, so all field marks were easily seen.  They seemed to like to turn their bellies to the sunlight, and would just glow in the trees.   Beautiful! 

I believe there was a cackling goose in the mix of Canadas, but I am not yet comfortable calling these birds, since apparently small Canadas can be the same size as cackling geese.  I'm waiting for confirmation of some sort; one day maybe, I can count one.  I need Cackling/Canada education. 

There is an eagle nest that was built on the sanctuary last year.  I did not see birds on it yet, but there is a fair amount of droppings in the general area, so I think that it will be viable this year.  

Another highlight was a towhee show.  I was making noises at a fluttering bevy of birds in the bush, then a little brown female towhee came out on the edge of a bush right next to me.  I could have sworn she looked at me and made a sweet little call to me.  She sat there for awhile, as I called to her, her bright eyes glowing, fluffing her head feathers and occaisionally sweet-ing back. No binoculars necessary or possible - she was that close.  I left her when Jon called to show me a spectacular male in a nearby bush.  It quickly became more plausible that my girl was calling to the male, not to me, as he was answering her.  And so were two other males.  The boys chased each other around a bit in their own bush, while our girl continued her sweet little calls from her view nearby.   Finally they all disappeared into the bushes.  They were all in fresh feather and were quite beautiful. 

Also, at a barn in an undisclosed location in AA County, I found my life Barn Owls.  Someone told us to go in and take a look to see if a bird might be there - what do you know, up in the rafters were two barn owls, wing to wing, leaned slightly against each other.  One was larger and browner, one was small and very white.  Both seemed to be fast asleep - eyes closed and motionless.  We took a long, quiet look and then left them to the rest of their lives - not even a camera with us!   

I would have never thought to peep in someone's barn - but I'm thinkin' I might be lookin' in barns more often ....

Joanne


Joanne Howl, DVM 
West River, MD 




-----Original Message-----
From: danny poet <>
To: 
Sent: Mon, Nov 23, 2009 6:00 pm
Subject: [MDOSPREY] Terriapin Park Kent Island 11 - 21 - 09


       Hi all a  morning vist  11 - 21- 09  to Terraipin Park on Kent Island  
roduced  many of the  regular winter birds plus the below highlights
Common Loon      1
Common Goldeneye     8     in  bay  first of season 
ufflehead     20
orthern Shoveler    2    one each  male / female   out in  bay an odd place I 
hought  
rown Thrasher       3
hite Throated Sparrows      eating  Japanese Honeysuckle berries and poison ivy 
                                        with
                                       Yellow -  rumped Warblers 
lso    Dan Small    1 
         Maren Gimpel   1

      After  arriving back to  my car  the top of it was covered in  pine cone 
cales  from the feeding  squirrels in the pine trees above  it  so be aware .

Happy Birding
anny Poet
ueenstown , Maryland 
 
                                              
                     
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