Hi Everyone,

I met up with Stan Arnold and Ed Carlson this afternoon to do some kayaking at Elkton Marsh in Cecil Co. Of course the plan involved starting at West Meadow Park to try for the SANDHILL CRANE. Stan and I arrived at 4:45 p.m. and the crane was visible before we even turned into the park. It was feeding in the large open area, but near the pines it's reported to favor. As we drove around the park, we heard it calling and looked up to see it flying off to the southeast. It appeared that someone walking their dog had approached too closely. Unfortunately, the timing was such that Ed missed the bird by just a few minutes.  We decided to kayak Elkton Marsh and return at dusk, when hopefully it would be returned and foraging in the open.

Kayaking was quiet, but very enjoyable. FORSTER'S and CASPIAN TERNs were fishing in the open areas of the marsh, and we were able to closely approach and photograph a group of three Caspian Terns that included a finely patterned juvenile bird. We weren't surprised to not detect Least Bittern, but I found it hard to believe that not a single Marsh Wren made a sound during our visit. As we were packing up, an immature LITTLE BLUE HERON flew by, followed by my first dense flock of Red-winged Blackbirds of the season (~400).

Here's the full eBird list for Elkton Marsh:

Elkton Marsh

Wood Duck--3
Mallard--3
Double-crested Cormorant--9
Great Blue Heron--3
Little Blue Heron--1 immature
Osprey--1
Spotted Sandpiper--1
Ring-billed Gull--2
Caspian Tern--5
Forster's Tern--11
Mourning Dove--2
Yellow-billed Cuckoo--1
Red-bellied Woodpecker--1
Downy Woodpecker--1
Eastern Wood-Pewee--1
Eastern Kingbird--3
Blue Jay--1
American Crow--1
Barn Swallow--5
Tufted Titmouse--1
Carolina Wren--4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher--1
Eastern Bluebird--1
American Robin--3
Gray Catbird--1
Northern Mockingbird--1
European Starling--18
Cedar Waxwing--1
Common Yellowthroat--3
Eastern Towhee--2
Chipping Sparrow--2
Scarlet Tanager--1
Northern Cardinal--3
Indigo Bunting--3
Red-winged Blackbird--400
House Finch--4
American Goldfinch--2
Non-avian: Many Eastern Tiger Swallowtails (including dark forms) (~50) and Spicebush Swallowtails (~20) nectaring on blooming Arrow Arum. Noted Silver-spotted Skippers (~8), Eastern Amberwings (~10), Common Green Darner (1), a Familiar-type Bluet (1), teneral forktails (5). Green Frogs calling west of the boat launch.

We returned to West Meadow Park at 7:30 p.m. and were disappointed to find it extremely busy, seemingly for some event. We tried Hatchery Park, but did not relocate the crane. That said, I suspect this was far from the first time it's left that small park and returned!

Good birding,

Bill

Bill Hubick
Pasadena, Maryland

http://www.billhubick.com