Hi Everyone,
Thanks for posting, Tyler!
That was an unexpectedly exciting morning walk at the park. The Boat-tailed Grackle was extremely cool. I almost fell over from the shock of looking up and seeing it just 30' away on the rocks. I've included my notes in-line in the full eBird list below. Hopefully with the continuing east winds it will be seen at the park again later today!
Fort Smallwood Park (8/14)
Canada Goose--21
Mallard--1
Double-crested Cormorant--2
Great Blue Heron--2
Osprey--4
Killdeer--4
Spotted Sandpiper--1
Laughing Gull--5
Ring-billed Gull--3
Herring Gull (American)--6
Great Black-backed Gull--4
gull sp.--15
Rock Pigeon--9
Mourning Dove--6
Belted Kingfisher--1. Uncommon here.
Red-bellied Woodpecker--1
Downy Woodpecker--1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)--1
Eastern Wood-Pewee--2
Eastern Kingbird--15. Numbers increasing.
Red-eyed Vireo--1. In a small mixed flock with AMRE, BGGN.
Blue Jay--6
American Crow--6
Purple Martin--3
Carolina Chickadee--1
Tufted Titmouse--2
Carolina Wren--3
House Wren--1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher--2
Eastern Bluebird--6. Three young juveniles.
American Robin--8
Gray Catbird--1
Northern Mockingbird--12. Several juveniles.
European Starling--16
American Redstart--1. Migrant. Immature male like female with bright orange coming in.
Chipping Sparrow--4
Northern Cardinal--3
Red-winged Blackbird--3
Common Grackle--2
BOAT-TAILED GRACKLE (Yellow-eyed)--1. ** Vagrant. Female spotted very unexpectedly on the shoreline rocks just across from White Rocks (two rocky islands). Seen from the road, just 30 feet away, in perfect morning light. I was shocked. Immediately recognized as female Boat-tailed Grackle, but considered field marks to rule out Great-tailed Grackle, a species of which I saw 100s of individuals in the last month. All inland records of BTGR should seriously consider GTGR. However, the strong east winds persisting since yesterday afternoon should be seriously considered regarding this bird's origin. Size was much larger and longer than Common Grackle with very long tail and massive dark bill, creating distinctive BTGR impression. Light yellow irises. Plumage the distinctive warm brown expected in BTGR. GTGR would have different proportions, darker plumage, lighter eyes, etc. Flew out over the Bay to the east, into strong easterly winds. I ran after it,
watching it as it got further out, hoping to see it turn back toward the park. Unfortunately I lost it while viewing through the trees. I did not relocate it despite much walking of the perimeter of the park. My first on the western shore of Maryland.
House Finch--9
Non-avian: Common Buckeyes, Monarch (over Bay), Red-spotted Admiral, E. Painted Turtles.
Good birding!
b
Bill Hubick
Pasadena, Maryland
http://www.billhubick.com
--- On Sat, 8/14/10, James Tyler Bell <> wrote:
> From: James Tyler Bell <>
> Subject: [MDOSPREY] Boat-tailed Grackle at Ft. Smallwood!
> To:
> Date: Saturday, August 14, 2010, 8:25 AM
> Bill Hubick just texted me about a
> female Boat-tailed Grackle at Ft. Smallwood
> in northern Anne Arundel. He ruled out Great-tailed
> Grackle. Strong east winds.
> The bird just flew out over the Bay. He's hoping it comes
> back. Hopefully more
> later...
>
> Tyler Bell
>
> California, Maryland
>
>
>
> |