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Jug Bay Sunday 25 April

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Joanne Howl

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Sun, 25 Apr 2010 23:27:22 -0400

This morning Jon and I took off for a "brief" walk at Jug Bay, hoping to get a short one in before the rains came.  The rains didn't come, and it turned out to be a long day of walking and birding!  

Between Jug Bay and Discovery Village, we found 54 birds we could ID, some sandpipers we could not ID, a blue-wing teal was found by others but we could not re-find, possible cliff swallows (but could NOT confirm), rumor of bank swallows which we could not confirm, and a host of singing birds that were not within my repetoire.  And a big tern, possibly a Caspian or Royal, that was too far away to securely ID.  So I'm sure there were at least 60 species we crossed paths with - possibly more.  And it seemed like a pretty quiet day out there!  I love Jug Bay! 

The highlights were: 

Three bald eagles over the River Farm.  Apparently a juvenile got top close to a nesting pair and they both took off after it.  The adults seemed pretty upset - talons out and flying down on the juvenile.  It did a few rolls, then flew away quickly , out of sight.  It was pursued by one adult bird, while the other circled the nesting area.  

Turkey vultures were parked on a barn, wings outstretched.  As we apprroached the barn to see what might be inside, they scurried around, wings spread, making spooky sounds with their feet on the tin roof.  They left as we entered the barn.  In the dark of the barn, we saw a single turkey vulture perched on a rafter.  It promptly turned towards us and started regurgitating.  I doubt it was trying to feed us, so for the sake of not disturbing the bird - and for the sake of our clothing - we left it alone. 

While looking for the elusive Blue Winged Teal, we found three coots.  Haven't seen a coot in awhile. 

Lots and lots of swallows.  Some looked a bit unusual (probably not tree, northern rough winged, or barn), but too far away for secure IDs

Amazing amounts of osprey.  One caught a fish in front of us, while we were on the observation platform, and then did a bit of a "fish dance" right in front of us.  We congratulated him on his catch, and he sat in a tree very near us, then took off and flew around us again.  I expect he was showing off for his female on the nest, not us, but we certainly got a great, close show. 

Chimney swifts were flying on the RR Bed trail.  A great view of a Pileated WP.  Chipping sparrows everywhere.  FOY Wood Thrush and FOY ovenbird (thrush seen, ovenbird heard). 

FOY Common Yellowthroats, a few Palm Warblers and still some Yellow rumps - but no other warblers or vireos seen (probably heard some). Also, no Red Headed WP.  

The beavers have been very active, and lots and lots of turtles at the beaver pond. 

Joanne


Joanne Howl, DVM

West River, MD