Warren Strobel and I decided to end the birding year in style, on the
coast at the Ocean City Inlet.

The birds were having the party of all parties today... only it was on
the OTHER side of the jetty and without renting a small motor boat, we
weren't invited.  Occasionally, something interesting would pop out
from behind the rocks on today's very calm seas and reveal itself.

I tallied two HARLEQUIN DUCKS, one WHITE-WINGED SCOTER and scores of
Black and Surf Scoters.  15 (most seen at one time) COMMON EIDERS kept
company with a suspicious smaller, all dark bird with a rounder head,
thick neck, etc... but really the QUEEN, err, I mean KING EIDER did
not really present itself clearly enough for it to be counted. The
raft of Eiders stayed far off behind the jetty from our arrival
(10:30) until our departure (1:30).

The RED KNOT showed very well, but the GREAT CORMORANT did not.

Other highlights: a MERLIN perched just off of Route 50, South of
Pittsville, a Wicomico County tick for both of us.  An AMERICAN
KESTREL hovered and hunted in a field, just West of the Royal Farms
outside of Salisbury on Rt 50.  Finally, a PEREGRINE FALCON perched on
the Chesapeake Bay Bridge this afternoon as we made our way home.
Warren and I both dipped on Gyrfalcon, Aplomado Falcon and Prairie
Falcon today. Oh how we would've liked to have closed out that
category out for the day...  ; )

Happy New Year everyone!  May your 2011 be even better... magnificent
and bird-filled,

Dan Haas
West Annapolis, MD
nervousbirdsatgmail.com