Hi Folks,

Ed Carlson and I did our routine survey of the Swan Creek/Cox Creek
property near the Key Bridge today and found a breeding plumaged
BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER in the north dredge cell.  Our other good find
was getting reasonable looks at a NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH which turned
out to be a life bird for Ed, and one that I had not seen in AA Co. in
several years.

On Saturday Ed and I were joined by Matt Grey for the May Count at
Swan Creek, where we spent five hours and tallied 73 species.  Best
find was a LINCOLN'S SPARROW, and other good finds included the usual
GLOSSY IBIS, LITTLE BLUE HERON, SNOWY EGRET, CATTLE EGRET, and
VIRGINIA RAIL.  Matt had a pre-dawn flyover BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON
calling.

After covering Swan Creek on Saturday, Ed and I visited the Bachman
Sports Complex off Ordnance Rd. in Glen Burnie, and here found EASTERN
MEADOWLARK, an adult WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW and 12 SAVANNAH SPARROWs.

In the afternoon I visited some of the Patapsco ponds, finding a
couple WARBLING VIREOs and finished the day at Severn Run
Environmental Area where I tallied a few common warblers and my first
of year in AA Co. ACADIAN FLYCATCHER.

Elaine and I had a female ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK at our feeders
(Ferndale) for a few days before the May Count, had a BLACK-THROATED
GREEN and male BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER last Wednesday, and our first
COMMON NIGHTHAWK last Friday (7 May).  Yesterday (Sunday 9 May) we
tallied our yard high count for the year of 37 species, including many
hawks riding the strong winds.  Today our yard hosted its first
MAGNOLIA WARBLER of the year.  The BLACKPOLLs have been singing
incessantly for a week.

Stan Arnold
Ferndale (AA Co.)