Greetings all, here is a reminder of this Saturdays Cecil Bird Club trip.

A classic trip to THE prime Maryland winter birding hotspot.  Click here for a taste of what Ocean City has to offer.  The Ocean City inlet hosts a unequaled variety of wintering ducks, possibly including all three scoters, Long-tailed (formerly known as Oldsquaw), Harlequin, mergansers, and maybe even an eider or two.  Add to that Red-throated and Common Loons, a grebe or two, Great Cormorant, Northern Gannet, Purple Sandpiper, Ruddy Turnstone, and possibilities of rare gulls or a Razorbill or Murre.  Over at the 4th St mudflats, there could be some lingering shorebirds, and Brant should be about.  If they are not froze completely over, the ponds in the vicinity should hold an assortment of Canvasback, Redhead, Widgeon, Gadwall, Bufflehead, Ruddy, Teal, Shoveler - a great chance for good views to study the plumages at the time of year when their colors are brightest.  Depending on locations visited, there could also be good opportunities for wintering sparrows.
Meet near Dunkin' Donuts in Big Elk Mall, intersection of Rt 40 and Rt 213 in Elkton at 6:00 am for a Full Day trip.  Bring breakfast, lunch and snack, or money to buy take-out food on the way.  

Dress for extreme cold and wind.  Bring scope if you have one.  Easy walking on level ground. My truck is already full so prepare to drive or carpool with others. 

Remember to help out with gas if possible and if you were only planning on a half day, you might have to drive separately because we usually don't get back until after dark.

Trip Leader:  Sean "Bird Dog" McCandless 

Sean McCandless
Cecil  Bird Club Field Trip Coordinator
Elkton, MD