Hi Everyone,
Jim Brighton and I co-led a productive Montgomery Bird Club trip to Assateague Island and vicinity today (9/10). There was impressive fog before dawn, and when we arrived at Bayside we found that a nice flight of VEERY and BOBOLINK was underway, their calls intermixed with occasional warbler notes. Although the heron flight was largely masked by the fog, the morning featured fairly steady activity. The best bird of the morning was a CLAY-COLORED SPARROW that was viewed closely, but briefly, by about half of the group. We tallied around 12 species of warbler during the morning flight, with MAGNOLIA WARBLER, YELLOW WARBLER, and AMERICAN REDSTART most numerous. BALTIMORE ORIOLEs were also conspicuous. A TRAILL'S FLYCATCHER dropped in briefly as we headed to the campground. Life of the Forest was pretty active, with top bird honors going to a migrant WARBLING VIREO.
Murray Sod Farm hosted a nice collection of shorebirds in the large plowed area, including three BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERs, seven BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERs, six AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERs, and five RUDDY TURNSTONEs. One BUFF-BREASTED decided to wander practically to the edge of the road, certainly at least tying everyone's best-ever views of the species.
We visited Skimmer Island at low tide and enjoyed a good variety including 52 BLACK SKIMMERs (mostly juveniles resting with heads outstretched), two SANDWICH TERNs, a BLACK TERN, and a nice comparison of a WESTERN WILLET and a lingering EASTERN WILLET. (The latter was my latest in Maryland and my first in September). Jim B. picked out a CLAPPER RAIL feeding on the edge of the Phragmites on Skimmer Island proper.
Noting the low tide, the first actual low tide that Jim B. had seen since Irene, we decided to run to Castaway's. (Remember to always check in.) On the distant flats, Jim Moore spotted a MARBLED GODWIT just as I announced two PIPING PLOVERs. Decisions, decisions for which scope to view first. As we traded scopes, the godwit count increased by one, then another, then another, until we had an impressive total of five. There were also 12 WESTERN WILLETs nearby for good comparisons.
From there, we decided to work the Wicomico sod farms to Hurlock and end closer to home. Hampshire Road held a small collection that included the continuing STILT SANDPIPER, one WHITE-RUMPED, five PECTORAL, and seven SOLITARY SANDPIPERs (my highest count in Wicomico). Ron Gutberlet was doing some local birding and texted us about three BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERs on Log Cabin Road. As pre-payment to the Wicomico Herp Atlas coordinator, we stopped to assist a ROUGH GREEN SNAKE crossing the road and noted its location for the Atlas. We also stopped at an awesome puddle at the Atkins Road turf farm. There were few shorebirds, but I counted over 1,500 Laughing Gulls. This location should be checked often until it dries up, as it looks very promising.
At Log Cabin Road, we ran into Mike Burchett and Betsy Bangert, who were enjoying a small group of peeps that included two or three WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERs. Further down the road, Ron's three BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERs were cooperative and close to the road. (Thanks, Ron!) A MERLIN tore through our field of view, scattering literally dozens of Mourning Doves in its wake.
Old Bradley Road in western Wicomico held mostly expected species, including Summer Tanager (2), Wild Turkey (9), Black-and-white Warbler (1), and American Redstart. Jim Brighton introduced us to an excellent wildflower, Pine Sap (similar to Indian Pipe). Nearby Scott Bennet Road held only local birds, but a nice swarm of Fine-lined Emeralds (dragonflies).
A field adjoining Hurlock WWTP held yet another trio of BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERs. As we stepped out of ours cars, we spotted three COMMON NIGHTHAWKs feeding overhead. While a favorite anywhere, nighthawks are tough even as migrants on the Eastern Shore these days, now breeding only on Assateague Island as far as we know. The impoundments themselves held a RUDDY DUCK, NORTHERN SHOVELERs (8), and small numbers of expected shorebirds, including one WHITE-RUMPED. The southeast impoundment held an exceptional count of 23 (!) BLACK TERNs. After enjoying them at some length, we watched as first five, then the remaining 18 kettled up and headed southeast as the light faded. On our walk back to the car, we spotted our first SAVANNAH SPARROW of the fall scurrying down the path ahead of us.
A GREAT HORNED OWL was silhouetted against the last light as we approached Preston.
Thanks to everyone who came out for making it a fun and productive trip: Susan Bradfield, Janise Brose, Louis De Mouy, Tom Feild, Jared Fisher, Linda Friedland, Gail Joice, Jim Moore, Ruth Schrott, Anna Urciolo. Guest appearances by Scott Housten and Jessica Morgan.
Good birding!
Bill
Bill Hubick
Pasadena, Maryland
http://www.billhubick.com
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