Hi Everyone,
Below are some highlights from a great Sunday of late fall birding with John Hubbell and Mike Ostrowski.
First and foremost - Many thanks to Rick Borchelt for the invitation to view his Selasphorus hummingbird. I'd appreciate confirmation from those fully qualified to rule out Allen's, but it looks like a good Rufous to me. (Also present: Rick Borchelt, Mikey Lutmerding, Jim Moore, Jared Fisher, Dan Haas had just left)
http://www.billhubick.com/images2/rufous_hummingbird_college_park_md_20101121_01.jpg
http://www.billhubick.com/images2/rufous_hummingbird_college_park_md_20101121_02.jpg
Smoky Road, Calvert Co.
Good numbers of expected species, headlined by a total of 33 HERMIT THRUSHes, easily becoming my new high count (previously 18 at a single site). At one point we had seven in a single tree. The berry crop here is excellent right now, but the fields are tidy with winter wheat and poor for sparrows except along hedgerows. Five Red-breasted Nuthatches. A Cooper's Hawk made an attack run on a flying flock of Cedar Waxwings.
Cattle Egrets in Charles
We visited Indian Creek WMA for sparrows/rarities, and enjoyed the continuing four CATTLE EGRETs originally found by the Ostrowski brothers.
North Beach Pelicans
Waiting to turn left at the light on Route 260, John picked out six BROWN PELICANs headed north. Good birds already, we quickly realized these would probably continue north past the Anne Arundel line. Minutes later we were at North Beach Marsh and had moments to spare before they crossed into Anne Arundel. My third record, and doubling my previous high count of three from 11/26 of last year. Surf and Black Scoters present.
Chesapeake Beach Marina
Laughing Gull--191
Ring-billed Gull--5
Herring Gulls--139
Great Black-backed Gull--84
Good duck numbers at Herrington, but we didn't have enough time to get careful counts of scaup and Bufflehead. All three scoters present, with about 25 Black Scoters, 4 Surf Scoters, and a single White-winged Scoter.
Good birding!
Bill
Bill Hubick
Pasadena, Maryland
http://www.billhubick.com |