Hi Folks!
 
Last Saturday I took the cruise from Solomon's Island, Calvert County to  
Smith Island, Somerset County and back. My main interest was looking for  
Wilson's Storm Petrels.....I was not diappointed.  On the way to Smith  Island, 
in Dorchester County waters, there was a flock of 22 in a slick  behind a 
fishing boat. 13 more were seen in Dorchester waters on the southbound  trip, 
for a total of 35. An immature Black Tern was seen as well.
 
Smith Island had the usual species. Of note were 9 Yellow-crowned Night  
Heron, 4 Black-crowned Night Heron, 4 Little Blue Heron, 6 Tricolored Heron, 6 
 American Oystercatcher, 4 Clapper Rail  [one that was enticed into the 
open  for photos], and a dozen or so Seaside Sparrows.  
 
The return trip to Solomon's yielded 30 Wilson's Storm-Petrels in  
Dorchester waters and 5 more in St. Mary's County waters.
 
I plan to return again this coming Saturday, July 2,  and will lead an  
informal tour.  
 
The boat leaves Solomon's Island at 9:30 AM [but you should be at the dock  
by 9], takes about 2 hours 15 minutes to get to Smith Island and leaves 
Smith  for a return at 2:30. The cost is 50,00 for adults. If you recall some 
of Harry  Armistead's posts, Smith Island has Ruke's Store with nice crabcake 
sandwiches.  More information about Smith Island and the cruise can be 
found:
 
 _http://www.smithislandcruises.com/solomons-island-cruises_ 
(http://www.smithislandcruises.com/solomons-island-cruises) 
 
Good Birding@
 
Jim
 
Jim Stasz
North Beach MD
 (mailto:[log in to unmask]) 

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