Hi Folks,

I visited Sandy Point State Park yesterday afternoon (Wed., 1/12) until
dark, and found the ICELAND GULL almost immediately off the shore with
several hundred other gulls.  It later landed on one of the jetties to the
north, and I was able to get a load of digiscopes, along with several video
clips.

This afternoon I did a routine survey of Swan Creek, and from the
northernmost part of the property along the dyke of the north dredge cell
(not open to public) I was able to scope the HARLEQUIN DUCK under the
concrete pier that is also visible from Fort Armistead.  This was between
3:30 and 4:00 p.m., and I see from other posts that birders at Fort
Armistead were viewing the bird at about the same time.  Also, in the river
on a piling was a LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (3d cycle?) and below the rim of
the north dredge cell were two AMERICAN PIPITs.

Elaine had RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH in the yard today, following a week's
absence.

Stan Arnold
Ferndale
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