Hi Folks,

I've birded almost every day at Swan Creek during the past week, and the
last three days have been outstanding.  A midday survey on Saturday produced
a vocalizing flyover COMMON RAVEN, heading north over the building complex.
This seems an odd time of the year, but then again, they are pretty much
done nesting, so why not wander about?  This is my fourth in AA County, and
a first for this property.  In addition to the raven, I had a host of other
nice birds, including SANDERLING, AVOCET, four BLACK TERNs, three ROYAL
TERNs, three SHOVELERS, and two YELLOW WARBLERs.  Also, the first
Pied-billed Grebes for the property this season.

On Sunday afternoon (9/11), following the first afternoon thunderstorm with
hail, I headed to Swan Creek as the sky turned blue.  I did the back  areas
of the property, and things were slow until I hit a pocket of activity in
the back woods, and there hit the jackpot with a resplendent male
GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER, with nice face pattern, yellow cap and yellow wing
patches--definitely not a hybrid.  Also in the group was a male HOODED
WARBLER, if not new for the property, it was new for my property list.  A
VEERY in this group was also a nice find.  The other warblers were Parula,
Black-and-white, Redstart, and Magnolia.

This afternoon I was able to visit the property once again.  I was running
late, and there wasn't a lot of overall activity, but there was a nice
collection of about 35 waders down in the wetlands--all common stuff.  After
I left the wetlands I was looking south toward the river from the south
dredge cell, and there were three snowy egrets flying east over the river
with a larger bird--an immature WHITE IBIS, my second for the property.  For
anyone needing this bird in northern AA Co., I don't see any reason it won't
be around in the early morning, either from Fort Armistead or Swan Creek.
The only other bird of note was a MARSH WREN in the mitigated wetland, the
first since May (they did not stay the summer as they have in years past).

For anyone visiting this property, please heed the following note, and enjoy
the birds.

*** NOTE: Swan Creek/Cox Creek is an active industrial site and mitigation
project in northern Anne Arundel Co. Access is at the end of Kembo Road off
Fort Smallwood Road near 695. The site is open ONLY Monday through Friday,
7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Please be in your car and leaving at 3:30 p.m..
Remember to always sign in at the office, to be on your best behavior
(people have worked hard to coordinate this access), and to stick to
permitted areas. This Swan Creek map linked here details where you are and
aren't allowed to walk. http://www.billhubick.com/docs/swan_creek_map.jpg.
***

Stan Arnold
Ferndale


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