Hi Everyone,

I joined Stan Arnold and Ed Carlson for a weekly survey of Swan Creek Wetland in northern Anne Arundel Co. This site remains a major success story in maintaining access to a sensitive location, in large part to the continued efforts of Stan, Sue Ricciardi, Matt Grey, and others in the county. Tonight was a scheduled after-hours survey. Thanks to Stan, Sue, Matt and others for building and maintaining this relationship.

Highlights of tonight's survey were LINCOLN'S SPARROW, an adult male PRAIRIE WARBLER (with interesting bright orange wash to face and throat), SORA, and high counts of LITTLE BLUE HERON (12) and CASPIAN TERN (158). The latter is a new eBird high count for Anne Arundel by 90. 

Here's the full eBird list.

Swan Creek Wetland--Cox Creek DMCF
* Please see MDOsprey archives for information on access.
Number of species: 50

Canada Goose--119
Mute Swan--1. Flew in to the mitigated wetland from the Bay.
Wood Duck--9. Extremely active and vocal at dusk. Could have been many more back there, but this was the highest in sight at one time.
American Black Duck--2
Mallard--26
Ruddy Duck--2. Continuing.
Double-crested Cormorant--15
Great Blue Heron--7
Little Blue Heron--12. Five adults and seven juveniles. Best place in the county for this species, so this high number isn't unexpected here. Went to roost together at 6:22 p.m.
Black Vulture--3
Turkey Vulture--2
Osprey--1
Bald Eagle--2 adults
Peregrine Falcon--1. Roosting on the Key Bridge.
SORA--1
Killdeer--2
Laughing Gull--5
Ring-billed Gull--25
Herring Gull (American)--36
Great Black-backed Gull--89
Caspian Tern--158 * New county high count in eBird. Counted twice with clicker, as I was impressed by the size of the flock. All roosting together in the south cell. Noted that at this late date, many more birds showed extensive white on the forehead than I've previously noted.
Mourning Dove--4
Chimney Swift--55
Red-bellied Woodpecker--4
Downy Woodpecker--2
Eastern Phoebe--2
Blue Jay--14
American Crow--4
Tree Swallow--2
Carolina Chickadee--5
Carolina Wren--1
House Wren--2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet--1
American Robin--3
Gray Catbird--14
Northern Mockingbird--1
European Starling--140
Northern Parula--1
PRAIRIE WARBLER--1. * Seems late for an adult male. Interestingly, this bright adult male had a bright suffusion of orange in the throat and face, perhaps from diet. 
Common Yellowthroat--7
Eastern Towhee--2
Song Sparrow--11
LINCOLN'S SPARROW--1
Swamp Sparrow--13. 9 at the wetland alone. At dusk, there was much chipping and chatter. One sang a couple times.
White-throated Sparrow--4
White-crowned Sparrow--1 juvenile
Scarlet Tanager--1
Northern Cardinal--11
Indigo Bunting--3
Red-winged Blackbird--18
American Goldfinch--2
Non-avian: Green Frog (called once), White-tailed Deer (3), Eastern Gray Squirrel (1), one more calling katydid.

Good birding,

Bill

Bill Hubick
Pasadena, Maryland

http://www.billhubick.com