Hi Everyone,
My wife Becky and I enjoyed starting off 2012 driving around the Eastern Shore in the ridiculously pleasant weather.
Here are some initial sightings, a bit more inclusive than usual in honor of zeroed out year spreadsheet tabs.
Tundra Swan--1036 at Hurlock
Northern Pintail--4 at West OC Pond
Green-winged Teal--11 at West OC Pond
Canvasback--12 at West OC POnd
Redhead--17 at Bayside Development Pond, 2 at West OC Pond
Common Eider--16 visible south of south jetty at the Inlet
Scoters--Small numbers of Surf and Black at the Inlet
Wild Turkey--1 along Route 50 west of Walston Switch (Wicomico), 12 along Porfin Dr (Worcester)
Red-throated Loon--8 southbound at the Inlet
Common Loon--3 at the Inlet
Horned Grebe--17 at South Point
Northern Gannet--88 during brief sea watch at the inlet, most heading south with purpose. Seemed like a big movement was underway.
Black-crowned Night-Heron--3 at West Ocean City Pond
Northern Harrier--Assateague SP
Peregrine Falcon--Water tower near the Inlet
American Oystercatcher--5 at Skimmer Island
Greater Yellowlegs--15 on small patch south of Castaways
Lesser Yellowlegs--1 at same location
Ruddy Turnstone--1 on Skimmer Island
RED KNOT--4 on Skimmer Island
Purple Sandpiper--just 1 visible at the Inlet
Dunlin--240 near Castaways, 45 at Skimmer Island
Wilson's Snipe--37 at Tanyard, 1 at Assateague SP
Bonaparte's Gull--28 at the Inlet, 3 on Skimmer Island
Forster's Tern--1 roosting on Skimmer Island
Belted Kingfisher--Including one showing off at Ayres Creek
(http://www.billhubick.com/images/201201/belted_kingfisher_ayres_creek_wo_md_20120101_01.jpg)
WESTERN KINGBIRD - *** Mega, especially in January. Continuing since found on 12/25/11 by Levin Willey and Gordon Jennings. Well-chosen location is producing abundant tiny insects, especially in this unseasonably mild weather. The bird was regularly sallying forth and successfully capturing insect prey. Visitors should check in and request permission to access the WWTP on Jones Village Road off Skeet Club Road. However, the bird has often been visible from Ennals Road to the south (no check-in required, just be mindful of local traffic).
(http://www.billhubick.com/images/201201/western_kingbird_hurlock_md_20120101_01.jpg) Full checklist: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S9466355
Horned Lark--4 at Hurlock
Brown-headed Nuthatch--1 at South Point
Gray Catbird--Bayside Assateague, South Point
Brown Thrasher--Bayside Assateague
Chipping Sparrow--2 at South Point
LARK SPARROW - ** Rare, especially continuing into January. Found on 11/24 by Rob Ostrowski and continuing, including becoming the first record for the Ocean City CBC (Hafner, Collins). Observed with Dave Palmer. Skulking today after it was flushed from an open area near Pumphouse 2. We snapped a couple documentation photos and left it alone (http://www.billhubick.com/images/201201/lark_sparrow_ai_md_20120101_01.jpg). Better photos from early December: http://www.billhubick.com/photos/updates/20111203.php.
Fox Sparrow--2 at Bayside Assateague
Happy New Year!
Bill
Bill Hubick
Pasadena, Maryland
http://www.billhubick.com
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