Sunday, November 27, 2011

Patuxent MOS held its annual early-winter field trip to Piscataway this
morning.  We arrived at the end of Wharf Road a little after 8AM.  The
first bird was the highlight of the trip.  While I was still setting up
my scope and tripod, Lynette Fullerton pointed out a swallow flying
toward us along the south shore of Piscataway Creek.  It passed almost
overhead and continued upstream toward the marsh.  It was not seen again
despite our 90-minute vigil at this location. 

This swallow lacked strong contrast between white underparts and dark
upperparts eliminating the most-likely species, Tree Swallow.  It also
had a square tail and it gave me the impression of shape I often get
from Cliff/Cave swallows -- broad, stubby wings.  I don't know if this
impression is due to a real shape difference or is an illusion due to
the way these species hold and flap their wings.  Sadly, by the time I
got on the bird, it was heading into poor light so I cannot comment on
plumage details.  Lynette had a better look at the bird and adds that
it had a light throat.

As far as I'm aware, this is only the second report of CAVE SWALLOW
from Prince George's County.  The first report was also from Piscataway
and also during a Patuxent MOS field trip.

At 8:15 we discussed calling it a day.  Instead, we carried on and saw
little else of note.  Perhaps the best of the day was a flight of
Laughing Gulls heading east and numbering around 400 birds.

Because Piscataway is known for its waterfowl, I should comment on
numbers.  I didn't count but numbers and variety seem to be pretty
low this year.  I was also there on Friday, November 25, and I did
count.  These numbers are (mostly) from Friday

Pied-Billed Grebe  4
Horned Grebe       2
Canada Goose     300
Tundra Swan       55
GadWall          120
Am Black Duck     10
Mallard           57
Wigeon             2
Pintail            1
Lesser Scaup      50
Ring-necked Duck 100
Canvasback         8
Ruddy Duck      1500
Bufflehead        25
Hooded Merg        1
Great Egret       10
Killdeer          14
Coot               1
Bald Eagle        11

David Mozurkewich
Seabrook MD

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