Hi Folks,

I was rather surprised when I did an early morning survey at Swan
Creek Wetland (end of Kembo Rd. near Key Bridge) in N. AA Co. this
morning and found an AMERICAN BITTERN fly up from the large
impoundment on the west side of the road.  I had one in June in QA Co.
during the atlas and one in August last year at Dent Rd., but this is
my first ever in July in MD.  Post-breeding dispersal, I guess.  Other
finds there included 19 LITTLE BLUE HERONs, 5 CATTLE EGRETs, and a
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON flying over near the entry gate at dawn.  A
first migrant shorebird came in the form of a solitary SOLITARY
SANDPIPER.  Also of interest was a family of three AM. KESTRELS all
snuggly perched together atop a utility pole in the area of the
buildings.  I tallied 49 species during the three-hour survey, which
is one of my better summer counts.

Stan Arnold
Ferndale (AA Co.)
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