Hi all,

Continuing this weekend on the lower shore, the Talbot County Bird Club joined us to enjoy sunday's beautiful weather and birds. We located many of the target species for the trip, most with stellar views. Some of the highlights included: 

35 Common Eiders, 5 White-winged Scoters, a pair of Harlequin Ducks, and 2 imm. Great Cormorants at the OC inlet. Lots of Purps and Turnstones  showed on the rocks and boardwalk, but no knot to be seen.

Boat-tailed Grackle and 6 Harbor Seals hauled out on flats viewed from 3rd St. in OC

5 Tree Swallows and an Orange-crowned Warbler at Hooper's Restaurant. The OCWA was found in the bushes off the NW end of the restaurant's main parking lot. I was particularly excited to find this bird after several failed attempts on Saturday. First recognized it's distinctive chip and waited a few seconds until the bird popped out and showed itself nicely for almost a minute, enough time to call over a few other birders, one of whom got a quick photo.

A pair of Redheads amongst the Canvasback, and an imm. Black-crowned Night-Heron at West OC pond. An impressive number of Hooded Mergs, 40, mostly males…can't recall a time I've seen so many in just one spot.

2 Am. Coots and 15 Redheads at the Ocean Pines pond.

1 Willet (west.) and a Greater Yellowlegs at Castaways.

6 Redheads (1m, 5f) among the many Gadwall, RN Ducks, Am. Wigeon, and Mallards (including 1 Mall. X Am. Black Duck hybrid) at the Bayside Devel. Pond.

Continuing Clay-colored Sparrow at Mason and Rt 113. Observed in same bush near blue and white house as Saturday, however was not as cooperative. Dissapeared for a few minutes before it reappeared near bushes bordering the property, feeding behind the dog houses. Seems like late afternoon (3-5) is a good time to view this bird. Also present was an ad. Red-shouldered Hawk.

At Vaughn, a female Bobwhite flushed Saturday was present again Sunday, this time running out of bushes, calling, between field and house. Lots of sparrows in there as well (Swamp, Song, Field, Savannah)…scanned thoroughly with nothing unusual, but definitely has the potential.

50 Tundra Swans in field north of Girdletree.

And to conclude the day, a flyby Merlin at Taylor's Landing.


Amanda Spears,
Chestertown

Sent from my iPhone