I birded a few spots in southern Prince George's County this afternoon.  Stops included Merkle WMA, Jug Bay (Jackson Landing to the observation platform), and Mount Calvert.  Some spring arrivals included a calling Eastern Kingbird near the observation platform at Jug Bay and four or five Purple Martins at the Merkle Visitor Center.  Also of note was a flock of 75 Bonaparte's Gulls on Jug Bay (seen from the platform).  The gulls were floating on the water in a tight group with four Ring-billed and one Laughing Gull mixed in.  Other highlights included:

Merkle WMA:  The Chipping Sparrows have returned in big numbers.  Also present was one White-crowned Sparrow at the feeder behind the Visitors Center.  The pond held Canada Geese and a Coot, but no shorebirds were around.  Singing from the woods was a Louisiana Waterthrush.  

Jug Bay:  In addition to the Bonies, there were lots of Osprey, 5 Greater Yellowlegs, several Double-crested Cormorants, and 7 Forster's Terns visible from the observation platform.  

Mount Calvert:  20 or so Green-winged Teal were on the water.  A group of 36 Bonaparte's Gulls flew by.  Also present was a noisy group of Laughing Gulls.  Two Caspian Terns were on the mudflats and another three Forster's Terns were present.  Lots of Chipping Sparrows were present here also, as well as one Field Sparrow feeding on the ground.  8 Great Egrets were visible in the marsh.  A Common Yellowthroat sang from the marsh near the historic house.

Good birding,

Fred Shaffer

Crofton, Anne Arundel

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