John Hubbell and I birded the shore today.  On Assateague the
Ash-throated Flycatcher and Northern Shrike allowed us great views.
It was nice to run into and bird with Marcia Balestri on Assateague.
Tree Swallows were seen at most stops but no Cave Swallows were
observed.  The inlet was extremely rough with the hard southeast
winds.  Although no eiders were seen the two Harlequin Ducks were
viewed along with many Black and White-winged Scoters that were inside
the inlet.  Fourteen Black Skimmers were also observed sitting in the
inlet parking lot.  West Ocean City Pond held a single male Redhead
and a few Canvasback.  At the Vienna Barrow Pit in Dorchester County a
single Glossy Ibis was feeding along the edge of the phragmites on the
southwest corner of the pond.  Also in the pond were American Wigeon,
Gadwall, and Ruddy Ducks.  In the fields along Indiantown Road there
was a major gull flock feeding which held two Lesser Black-backed
Gulls.  Hurlock WWTP was fairly empty as was the Choptank River viewed
from Choptank, Caroline County.

Jim Brighton
Easton, MD