Hi Everyone,

Following an exceptional pelagic trip out of Ocean City yesterday, many of us worked our way home today by scenic routes. I'll let Mark Hoffman summarize the excellent outing yesterday (many thanks to Mark for arranging the trip!) and hit on the post-pelagic highlights.

Yesterday evening (2/26), the Inlet held expected numbers of most species, but no eiders or Harlequin Ducks. Some counts: Surf Scoter (132), Black Scoter (30), Purple Sandpiper (33), Bonaparte's Gull (37). An adult GREAT CORMORANT was feeding near the mouth of the inlet when our boat returned. A solitary DOLPHIN was leaving the inlet in the late afternoon, and it or another was seen north of the large pier to the north 20 minutes later. Some documentation photos might permit ID to species, but it looked more like an Atlantic Bottlenose than a Common, though this very much the off-season. I recently started my non-avian month lists and have records from Assateague for Bottlenose Dolphin every month from 5/31 to 10/11. I'll put a p.s. in a future message if we're able to get a conclusive ID. 

Skimmer Island hosted nine HARBOR SEALs, two BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERs among the Dunlin and Sanderlings, and a cooperative MERLIN. At dusk, we watched a total of 15 AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHERs pass by. This seems higher than any total I've seen or heard about this winter.

Many of us started today (2/27) at Bayside Assateague, hoping for redpolls and any other interesting winter species. It was me, Jim Stasz, Mark Hoffman, Mikey Lutmerding, Tom Feild, Mike Burchett, and Betsy Bangert. The morning flight was limited, as expected, but Bayside sightings included 2,700+ Bufflehead and small movements of migrant COMMON GRACKLEs (uncommon here), RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDs, and AMERICAN ROBINs. As we headed toward the state park, I spotted out the continuing NORTHERN SHRIKE at an exposed perch near Life of the Marsh. Unlike most previous observations, it posed cooperatively for photos and everyone enjoyed nice, long views. I love those moments when you realize a cool winter bird has, in fact, successful wintered. 

We decided to split up and cover more of the island. Mikey, Tom Feild, and I were going to park at the S-Curve and walk north into the state park, hoping for redpolls. As we turned left from Bayside drive, about even with the maintenance yard, I spotted a large raptor flying south along the road. I slammed on my brakes and pointed out the window and before I could complete the thought, Mikey was screaming "GOSHAWK!" from two cars back. (Awesome spotting!) It was an immature bird, but truly massive. We later found ourselves discussing how many times we've started to get excited about large Cooper's, but this, this was a nearly unmistakable beast. Obvious in flight was the extensive, dense streaking on the belly. Mikey had the best view and clearly saw that the streaking extended onto the undertail coverts, as well as the obvious supercilium. We spent a lot of time trying to relocate the bird. Jim Stasz later found it at the Life of the Dunes Trail, near
 the overlook at Stop 7, and had two different nice studies of the bird. Very exciting--one of my few sightings in the state, and my first on the Eastern Shore.

An EASTERN PHOEBE fed along the roadside in the national park. Leaving Assateague, I had an EASTERN MEADOWLARK feeding along the grassy margin of the causeway. Interesting to consider where these birds spent the winter.

On my way home, I received a text from Mikey Lutmerding, who had found the first LAUGHING GULL of the year among 1,600 Ring-billed Gulls at the pig farm on Indiantown Road, Dorchester Co (thanks, Mikey!). I couldn't resist a quick visit for this coveted February bird. It was cooperatively feeding near the front of the field, allowing some close photos to commemorate the return. This is the same day as the first sighting of the year last year.

Good birding!

Bill

Bill Hubick
Pasadena, Maryland

http://www.billhubick.com

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