Good evening all.

 This is a bit out of area, but with the MOS conference this weekend I thought perhaps it might be of interest, as well as just a note of caution. My daughter Alli, who works at Patuxent Research Refuge, invited me to go atlasing with her in Delaware today (her and her boss are covering some areas in DE for their new atlas and around Harpers Ferry for the VA Atlas). The block we covered included Little Creek WMA, and also Pickering Beach, and a bit of Port Mahon Rd. (though we didn't have time to bird these two areas today). Anyway,  near the end of the gravel road which goes past the observation tower at Little Creek WMA, we watched a pair of Black-necked Stilts foraging in the muddy marsh. Eventually, one settled onto a nest, and we were able to get some decent documentary photos for the DE atlas. This is a new breeder for the block we were in, and only 6 observations were made in the last atlas (3 confirmed breeding pairs) for the whole state. If anyone is leading a field trip there this weekend for the conference, be aware of the birds and try not to bother them. They were in the marshy area opposite the new photo blind along the gravel road, near its end where it intersects with the cross dikes. We didn't see any sign of feeding young, so presumably she is still sitting on eggs. The blind will only comfortably hold about 5 or 6 people, and from there the birds were a fairly safe distance away (we used my scope and Alli's camera to get photos via digiscoping). 

Along this same area we heard 2 Virginia Rails and 3 Clapper Rails (one seen). We also had a fly-by American Bittern seen from the ob. tower, another good sighting for the block. Really a lovely day to be out!

Have a great weekend,
Rick Sussman
Woodbine,MD