I apologize for this delayed report but I have been immersed in running a
conference at work for the last week and unable to do much personal e-mail.
Last Tuesday morning (8/3/10), while approaching the Key Bridge on my way to
work at about 7:00 am, I had a flyover Anhinga. The bird flew across the
bridge ahead of my car. It was only about 100 feet ahead of me and maybe 50
feet off the ground. I had an excellent view. It was flying north into
Baltimore Harbor and could have ended up anywhere in the vast harbor, so I
didn't consider it chase-able. I've kept my eye out for it on my daily
commutes since then but have not seen it again.
There are many cormorants in the area, including some flying about and on
the water at the time, but the bird was immediately distinguished as an
Anhinga by the long tail, long pointed, yellowish bill, long skinny neck,
and long pointed wings. (My English teachers would not be pleased with four
repetitions of the word "long," but how else can you say it?) It had the
classic "flying cross" shape with tail as long as head and neck, which were
dark, indicating an adult male. The flight style was quite different than
the nearby cormorants: the cormorants have a somewhat choppy flight style
and always seem to me to be somewhat out of balance with their short tails
and heavy necks. The Anhinga flight, in contrast, was strong and smooth. I
have seen Anhingas often in Florida and elsewhere over the last 30-some
years.
Phil, am I correct that Anhinga is no longer reportable anywhere in MD?
Marcia
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Marcia Watson
Millers Island, MD
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