I went out to Assateague early this morning with Jeff Shenot and we saw both the previously reported Ash-throated Flycatcher and Northern Shrike in very close proximity to each other near the Life of the Marsh trailhead.  We arrived right around dawn, and Mikey Lutermdering and Jim Brighton were already there.  It was already pretty active in the area, with lots of Mrytle Warblers working the trees and shrubs.  Shortly after the light started hitting the trees, Jim (I believe) located the Ash-throated Flycatcher, which provided great views low in the trees along the road running between the Life of the Marsh trail parking lot and the campground.  This is the road which runs to the main bayside parking area (between the life of the marsh trailhead and campground).  At least when I was there, the bird was always seen in the area immediately between the parking lot and the nearby campground.

While we watched the flycatcher, Jeff had located the Northern Shrike low on a snag along the marsh boardwalk.  Shortly thereafter, Jeff also saw the flycatcher.  Other birders were present by this point and I suspect that many people got wonderful photographs of the flycatcher, which continued to be cooperative by perching low and in the open.  Later, Paul Pisano relocated the Northern Shrike, which I also saw perched high atop a snag near the edge of the campground.  Also present during our stay (from a little after 7 until almost 9 am) was one or possibly two low Orange-crowned Warblers which gave splendid views.

Our other stops in the morning were much less eventful.  The inlet was quite slow, with no waterfowl in view other than a large group of Brant.  And, several of the local Ocean City ponds (Bayside, Eagle's Nest, and West Ocean City) had decent numbers of waterfowl, but nothing too unusual.

Fred Shaffer
Crofton, Anne Arundel