Hi Everyone,

I spent an enjoyable day birding Worcester Co. on Saturday (10/22) with fellow fall migration addicts. Throughout the day I birded with Jim Brighton, Jared Satchell, Mikey Lutmerding, Dan Small, Rob Ostrowski, Jim Stasz, Ed Boyd, Frode Jacobsen, Scott Housten, and Ron Gutberlet. It was a surprisingly slow morning flight for the rather ideal conditions, but there were plenty of nice birds throughout the day to keep us interested.

Here are some highlights:

Atlantic Brant--several small flocks in active migration (Assateague, OC Inlet)
Blue-winged Teal--3 at Bayside Development Pond
REDHEAD--Uncommon. October bird for a number of us. Bayside Development Pond.
Scoters--Distant flocks moving along the coast, the closest birds all Surf Scoters.
Horned Grebe--3 on the bay side on the north end of Assateague
Great Cormorant--2, Bayside
COMMON GALLINULE--1, found by Ron Gutberlet, West OC Pond
American Golden-Plover--3, north end of Assateague, spotted by Mikey
Semipalmated Sandpiper--1, Ocean City Inlet, north jetty
White-rumped Sandpiper--3 at Bayside Campground, 1 at 7.5km flats, most unusual was one on the north jetty at the Ocean City Inlet
Caspian Tern--4, Skimmer Island
Royal Tern--Still in good numbers. 75+ at Skimmer Island at dusk.
Parasitic Jaeger--1, Frode only, near Shell Road, Assateague
jaeger sp.--1, very distant, Assateague SP.
COMMON NIGHTHAWK--1, late!, Worcester late date in eBird. Actively ruled out other species such as Lesser Nighthawk. Photos. Hafner pointed out that Kiptopeke has had CONI over the last few days as well.
Red-headed Woodpecker--1 juvenile, Bayside Campground
Red-bellied Woodpecker--Migrants on Assateague, as expected
Swainson's Thrush--2, Bayside Campground, enjoyed via scope in perfect morning light
Orange-crowned Warbler--1, Shell Road, Frode only
Cape May Warbler--10 or so, Bayside, Bayside Campground, Shell Road (2 in the Seaside Goldenrod)
Magnolia Warbler--1, Bayside, seen only by Frode and Ed
Blackpoll Warbler--about 20 at various locations on Assateague
Black-throated Blue Warbler--5, Bayside Campground/Maintenance Yard
Pine Warbler--1, Bayside
Black-throated Green Warbler--1, Shell Road in the goldenrod
Nelson's Sparrow--3 near 7.5km flats, Jim B. only
Saltmarsh Sparrow--1 near 7.5km flats
SNOW BUNTING--2 near 7.5km flats, Jim B. only
GAMBEL'S WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW--1 adult on Shell Road, Assateague. Obvious pale lores and orange-yellow bill, many photos. Note that recent literature, including from David Sibley, suggest that immature WCSP subspecies are generally not safely identifiable. Intergrades occur and some immature Eastern birds might show plain lores. (See http://www.sibleyguides.com/bird-info/white-crowned-sparrow/)
Rose-breasted Grosbeak--1, immature male, Assateague maintenance yard
DICKCISSEL--1, flyby, calling in Bayside Campground
Eastern Meadowlarks--Migrants moving on Assateague

Good birding!

Bill

Bill Hubick
Pasadena, Maryland

http://www.billhubick.com

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