Hi Joe, and Bob,
 Last Friday, July 2, my daughter Alli and I were doing some Breeding Bird Atlas work in the small state east of ours,  where we watched a very early male BOBOLINK in the dry marsh at Pickering Beach! We were hopeful for a female to show up, but no luck. They may breed in very small numbers in the northern part of that state but more likely it was just a very early fall migrant, perhaps an unattached male. It still had all of its breeding plumage.Let the migration begin!

Rick Sussman
Woodbine,MD


-----Original Message-----
From: Bob Ringler <>
To: 
Sent: Mon, Jul 5, 2010 8:56 am
Subject: Re: [MDOSPREY] start of fall migration


Jeff, 
   Definitely signs of fall migration. The return of Least Sandpipers, flocking 
illdeer, and flocking swallows are often the first sightings to indicate 
ost-breeding dispersal or migration. My own fall migrant sightings so far are a 
ing-billed Gull soaring over Eldersburg on June 30 and a Spotted Sandpiper at 
iney Run Park on July 3. 
Bob Ringler 
ldersburg MD 
 

----- Original Message ----- 
rom: "Jeff Shenot" <> 
o:  
ent: Saturday, July 3, 2010 8:53:06 AM 
ubject: [MDOSPREY] start of fall migration (shorebirds)?; plus a Bobwhite! 
Been too busy at work, not much birding last month.  While doing the trash run 
esterday at the P.G. County recycle/trash station in Upper Marlboro (off Brown 
tation Rd), I took a quick scan with my scope at the pond and to my surprise 
aw a lot of Killdeer (21).  Hiding in with them were 2 Least Sandpipers, still 
n fresh breeding plumage.   I am there at least weekly and this is the first I 
ave noticed a high number of shorebirds (normally there are only a few Killdeer 
t one time).  Althugh this may be an unimpressive shorebird observation in most 
reas, ANY congregation of shorebirds in this County is noteworthy, so could it 
e a signal for southerly migration? 
I also saw a Great Egret and about 150 Black Vultures.  Since sometime last fall 
r winter, the BLVUs have taken up residence at the pond and stay there 
onstantly now.  They were always present at the landfill (across the street), 
ut now they spend a lot of time at the pond, mostly along the back edge next to 
he outlet structure.  I have seen over 200 there at one time.  They also hang 
ut at the trash dumpsters next to the pond and I think they have become a 
uisance due to their large numbers.  I wonder if it may have an affect on some 
f the migrant birds that may want to use the pond; there is such a large number 
f vultures I would think it is intimidating to waterfowl or shorebirds.  I 
on't know. 
For what it's worth, due to the drought we have had since May the pond is really 
ow on water, and its shoreline has much more mudflat then it normally does.  As 
 result, the habitat looks great for sahorebirds and may be worth your time for 
 quick scan over the next coule months. 
We had a Bobwhite at our house this week.  Although we had several coveys 
reeding around here many years ago (10+), the last tiem I saw or heard one was 
005.  Moreover, it is the first I've had in the County this year.  I think the 
evere winter and heavy snow had a very negative impact on the few quail that 
ere remaining in this County.  A neighbor (a couple farms up the road) told me 
e has had one around for a few weeks, and I think it may be the same bird he is 
eeing.  I don't know if there are more than one, I only heard one, and did not 
ee it.  I think the bird is wild, and not from a release.  It is acting totally 
ike a wild quail and I think with all the cats and foxes around here (there are 
any), a pen-raised bird that was released or escaped would have a life 
xpectancy of no more than a few days, tops. 
Regards- 
eff Shenot 
room MD