I saw Great Egrets in two locations today-- North Point State Park (1) and Fort Howard Park (2). At North Point the Egret was viewed standing at the end of the peninsula. When you walk out to the end, standing at 4 o'clock there is a cove down the bank, this is where the Egret scoped at. I think this is the only spot in the park you can get a view of this cove without walking down to it.

At Fort Howard Park, pulling off before hitting the parking lot at the backwater area revealed two GREAT EGRETS, one flew out of view and one was content on the opposite bank, allowing for a documentation photo. It seems pretty early for this arrival, and eBird only shows one sighting at Hart-Miller that is earlier than this date in historical data for the county (3/15).

Also of note was a MERLIN on North Point Rd, between Fort Howard Park and North Point SP, and two RED-THROATED LOONS at North Point (not detected originally, seen after around an hour of scanning). Those numbers were down from what Bill, John and some others had last week-- maybe I just wasn't looking hard enough or some more will be moving through. An adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL scoped well flying north up the bay at North Point SP still showing non-breeding markings in head and neck. Also at Fort Howard was a KESTRAL flying around the field near the building and 2 BONAPARTE'S GULLS flying north at the main bay.

I posted a doc shot of the one Egret at Fort Howard. It's not a quality shot but I posted it as it seems to be an early sighting.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thrasher72/5541311359/

Take care,
Jon Corcoran
Catonsville, MD

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