I had an enjoyable three hours or so at Jug Bay this afternoon after work.  I arrived around 4:30 at the observation platform just south of Jackson Landing.  While I couldn't find any phalaropes or Baird's Sandpipers, there was a lot of activity and several rare birds showed up.  Highlights included the three Black Terns that flew and hunted almost continuously over the water and mudflats the entire time I was there, occasionally giving great views.  When I first arrived, a sizable flock of Laughing Gulls was present, along with a few Ring-billed and Herring Gulls.  Forster's Terns were also very active, flying up and down the river and diving from time to time.

As I scanned the river looking at the terns and gulls, I heard a close Greater Yellowlegs calling stridently as it landed on the near mudflats.  I looked up and three Short-billed Dowitchers were with the yellowlegs and also landed close to the platform on the mudflats.  I watched the three juvenile dowitchers feed for the next 15 minutes.  They flew around the area a few times as well, but always landed back at the near mudflats.  Apparently, these birds flew off for good while I was looking at or for other birds.

Rob Ostrowski then arrived and we continued to scan the river.  The mudflats were shrinking as the tide continued to come in.  The only other shorebirds we saw were a Least Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Spotted Sandpiper, and a Killdeer (heard only).  However, Rob spotted the juvenile White Ibis on the far side of the river (Anne Arundel side).  It perched in a low tree by the river.  Gradually, more and more Great Egrets flew into the same area as the ibis, and all the birds seemed intent on roosting there for the night.  At last count, I had 31 Great Egrets.  

Other highlights included one Common Nighthawk, flyover flocks of Bobolinks, calling Barred Owls, and two Blue-winged Teal.  This weekend might be a good time to go kayaking.....    Good birding.

Fred Shaffer

Crofton, Anne Arundel

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