Hello MD-birders,

I checked out Greenbury Pt. for the first time today (12/6). Highlights include large flocks of Cedar Waxwings (~ 150 - 200 altogether), ~ 20 Bluebirds maybe more, and a good mix of sparrows: White-throated (abundant), Song (many), Swamp (2), Fox (1), White-crowned (2, 1st winter birds), and my first of the season Am. Tree Sparrow (1). Large flocks of Blackbirds and Cowbirds around as well. Also had an adult Cooper's Hawk perched. We were amazed to see a Peregrine Falcon fly in and go into a stoop dive only to disappear behind some trees. When it emerged it was clutching a still flapping Rock Pigeon and had started to pick it apart in flight! It perched on one of the towers and we were able to get the scope on it and watch it for a while. 

Sandy Point had decent numbers of sparrows, lots of Juncos, Goldfinches, Chickadees, Titmice, House Finches, Yellow-rumps, Robins, and several Downy and Red-bellied Woodpeckers. Also had 1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, 1 Hermit Thrush, 1 Golden-crowned Kinglet, and 1 Gray Catbird. The Bay had a couple hundred Bufflehead, ~ 20 Ring-billed and a few Herring Gulls, a few Double-crested Cormorants, a couple Northern Gannets (1 on the water, 1 in flight), 1 Common Loon (flying), 1 Red-throated Loon, 2 Long-tailed Ducks, 7 Hooded Mergansers, and my first of the season Common Goldeneye (1 female). 

Also saw at least 30 deer between the two places, including three 8-point bucks, and a pair of 4-points sparing, although somewhat half-heartedly. 

All in all a great day to be out birding. 

Frank Marenghi
Annapolis, MD
 		 	   		  
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