I spent all day Friday on a bit of a Delmarva whirlwind, starting at Prime
Hook NWR in Sussex Co, DE, working south to OC, and ending my day in the
Elliott Island marshes. My goal in Worcester was to add some state birds,
and at Elliott Island I was of course looking for Black Rail...with no luck.
A short summary...

Ocean City Inlet:
Several Common Terns were fishing in the inlet. 2 Least Terns joined the
Commons for a bit, and 1 Royal flew over to the bayside. An Osprey ate a
fish on a light pole in the parking lot.

Hoopers Restaurant:
From the back lot I scanned the bay and Skimmer Island, and had some of my
best sightings of the day. I added Black Skimmer (5) and Brown Pelican (7)
to my state list. The skimmers were flying right over my head at some
points. Two American Oystercatchers fed along the shoreline. I also had VERY
close-up looks (~10ft) at three or four Black-Crowned Night Herons in a
shrubby area, and a Yellow-Breasted Chat joined them.

Public Landing:
I went down to Public Landing to try for the Dickcissel that was reported
there last week. I didn't find the Dickcissel, but saw more Grasshopper
Sparrows than I've ever seen in my life. They were very vocal and very
visibly perched, and singing along the roadside. There were also a few Field
Sparrows, Meadowlarks, and at least three Bobwhite calling.

Truitt's Landing:
Was just curious to see what I could find...and what I found was...flies.
Lots, and lots, of flies...so many that I couldn't even open the windows to
bird by ear. So all I got were a few Great and Snowy Egrets, Barn Swallows,
and a single flyover Glossy Ibis.

Elliott Island Rd:
I'd never been here before, and I am so glad I went, even though I didn't
get the Black Rail. It was just spectacular...reminded me of the Everglades.
The roadside was crawling with Seaside Sparrows and Marsh Wrens. Every stand
of pines had Brown-Headed Nuthatches galore, and a few Pine Warblers. One
stand of trees had an adult and subadult Bald Eagle no more than 20 feet
away just above eye level. I was hoping for Chuck-wills-widows but after
dusk, driving up and down the road, I was never able to hear any. Finally,
after dark I pulled off just south of the yellow house and waited,
listening. I saw a Barn Owl in the bright moonlight as it perched on a power
pole, and heard Virginia and Clapper Rails after about 10pm. By 1130 I still
hadn't heard a Black Rail and had to call it a (very long) day. I was
disappointed, but know that it'll make it that much more gratifying when I
finally do hear one.


This morning I made a run to Patuxent Ponds Park and was greeted by the
songs of Hooded and Kentucky Warblers and Summer Tanager the very instant I
got out of my car. That was easy! I tried in vain to see either of the
warblers, but they never showed. I heard only one Kentucky, but am certain I
heard at least two different Hooded. I was able to get excellent looks at a
pair of Summer Tanagers. Also observed a few White-Eyed Vireos, Blue-Gray
Gnatcatchers, two Eastern Bluebirds, and one each of Ovenbird and Acadian
Flycatcher. A decent morning!

-Jake Hall
 Berwyn Heights, MD