Been too busy at work, not much birding last month.  While doing the trash run yesterday at the P.G. County recycle/trash station in Upper Marlboro (off Brown Station Rd), I took a quick scan with my scope at the pond and to my surprise saw a lot of Killdeer (21).  Hiding in with them were 2 Least Sandpipers, still in fresh breeding plumage.   I am there at least weekly and this is the first I have noticed a high number of shorebirds (normally there are only a few Killdeer at one time).  Althugh this may be an unimpressive shorebird observation in most areas, ANY congregation of shorebirds in this County is noteworthy, so could it be a signal for southerly migration?

I also saw a Great Egret and about 150 Black Vultures.  Since sometime last fall or winter, the BLVUs have taken up residence at the pond and stay there constantly now.  They were always present at the landfill (across the street), but now they spend a lot of time at the pond, mostly along the back edge next to the outlet structure.  I have seen over 200 there at one time.  They also hang out at the trash dumpsters next to the pond and I think they have become a nuisance due to their large numbers.  I wonder if it may have an affect on some of the migrant birds that may want to use the pond; there is such a large number of vultures I would think it is intimidating to waterfowl or shorebirds.  I don't know.

For what it's worth, due to the drought we have had since May the pond is really low on water, and its shoreline has much more mudflat then it normally does.  As a result, the habitat looks great for sahorebirds and may be worth your time for a quick scan over the next coule months.

We had a Bobwhite at our house this week.  Although we had several coveys breeding around here many years ago (10+), the last tiem I saw or heard one was 2005.  Moreover, it is the first I've had in the County this year.  I think the severe winter and heavy snow had a very negative impact on the few quail that were remaining in this County.  A neighbor (a couple farms up the road) told me he has had one around for a few weeks, and I think it may be the same bird he is seeing.  I don't know if there are more than one, I only heard one, and did not see it.  I think the bird is wild, and not from a release.  It is acting totally like a wild quail and I think with all the cats and foxes around here (there are many), a pen-raised bird that was released or escaped would have a life expectancy of no more than a few days, tops.

Regards-
Jeff Shenot
Croom MD