Don,

I was in O.C. over the weekend myself. On Sunday I had 107 skimmers at 
the Boardwalk and the pier and another 57 at the boardwalk and 1st 
Street for a total of 164 skimmers. I could see both flocks at the same 
time so this was a good number. Most I've ever seen at once in MD.

Ed Boyd
Westminster, MD

On 10/20/2010 3:33 PM, Don Burggraf wrote:
> Hi all
>
> I sent this message yesterday but for some reason it didn't arrive on the listserve. I'll try again
>
> With a meeting in Ocean City, I got a little time to explore nearby bird sites
>
> Highlights:
>
> Skimmer
>   Island - Monday afternoon - a flock of basic-plumage black skimmers.
> I've not often seen them in basic plumage and I was surprised how motley
>   they looked.
>                         - Tuesday noon - three Marbled
> Godwits were flying back and forth between the island and the flats on
> the west side of the bay.
>
> All further notes are from Monday afternoon -
> Assateague
>   - I was happy to spot at least ten Northern Gannets feeding off the
> coast (way off - almost to the limits of my scope to see clearly). Also I
>   saw two Brown Pelicans (again a good distance off shore). Scoters were
> flying. Most were too far out to identify. Once, though I saw a large
> flock of Black Scoters flying in formation - all males, it seemed! -
> each with the bright yellow-orange knob gleaming. (Later I saw a flock
> of what appeared to be female Scoters. Do they often separate for
> migration?)
>
> Eagles' Nest Camping Grounds (Or whatever it's called these days...) I saw a (late?) Osprey flying and then a Northern Harrier.
>
> West
>   Ocean City Pond - among the regulars I spotted a Wood Duck skulking in
> the grasses, and wondered whether it was a bit late to be seeing him.
>
> O C Inlet - over thirty Sanderlings and (only) two Dunlin on the rocks across the water.
>
>
> Don Burggraf
> Baltimore
> 
>
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