Hi,
 I have several corrections to make regarding this post. First, my daugter works at Patuxent Wildlife Research Refuge. Second, Port Mahon Rd. is not part of her atlas block, and third, the block she is covering in Harper's Ferry is part of the Loudon County atlas, not a Virginia atlas. Sorry for any confusion.

Rick Sussman
Woodbine,MD





-----Original Message-----
From: Rick Sussman <>
To: 
Sent: Fri, Jun 11, 2010 9:08 pm
Subject: [MDOSPREY] OT Black-necked Stilt on nest


Good evening all.
 This is a bit out of area, but with the MOS conference this weekend I thought 
erhaps it might be of interest, as well as just a note of caution. My daughter 
lli, who works at Patuxent Research Refuge, invited me to go atlasing with her 
n Delaware today (her and her boss are covering some areas in DE for their new 
tlas and around Harpers Ferry for the VA Atlas). The block we covered included 
ittle Creek WMA, and also Pickering Beach, and a bit of Port Mahon Rd. (though 
e didn't have time to bird these two areas today). Anyway,  near the end of the 
ravel road which goes past the observation tower at Little Creek WMA, we 
atched a pair of Black-necked Stilts foraging in the muddy marsh. Eventually, 
ne settled onto a nest, and we were able to get some decent documentary photos 
or the DE atlas. This is a new breeder for the block we were in, and only 6 
bservations were made in the last atlas (3 confirmed breeding pairs) for the 
hole state. If anyone is leading a field trip there this weekend for the 
onference, be aware of the birds and try not to bother them. They were in the 
arshy area opposite the new photo blind along the gravel road, near its end 
here it intersects with the cross dikes. We didn't see any sign of feeding 
oung, so presumably she is still sitting on eggs. The blind will only 
omfortably hold about 5 or 6 people, and from there the birds were a fairly 
afe distance away (we used my scope and Alli's camera to get photos via 
igiscoping). 
Along this same area we heard 2 Virginia Rails and 3 Clapper Rails (one seen). 
e also had a fly-by American Bittern seen from the ob. tower, another good 
ighting for the block. Really a lovely day to be out!
Have a great weekend,
ick Sussman
oodbine,MD