After the MOS Conference in Ocean City I ventured to Deal Island
Wildlife Management Area to look for the White Pelican which has been seen
regularly there since Feb. 2 from the small parking area on the west
(right) side of the Riley Roberts Road access after entering the WMA. The
pelican was present but difficult to see amongst the swans because it kept
its head tucked in most of the time.
   Before I even had a chance to look for the pelican the excitement began
as I drove into the the parking area and immediately flushed three white
tall waders from the trees near the south end of the parking area as they
flew off to the south. I expected to be pleased to see some egrets but
immediately two of the birds turned and I was stunned to see that both were
adult White Ibis. The third bird continued out of sight to the south and I
was not able to identify it. One of the ibis broke off to the left, flying
over the road and out of sight to the east. I never saw it again. The other
broke to the right, over the marsh, flaunting its long red decurved bill
and black wing tips, circling and landing near the treeline just south of
the parking area. I got on the phone immediately but had difficulty
contacting anyone. Just then Jared Satchell pulled in and spotted the ibis
near one of the many guts through the marsh. He got some photos before the
bird dropped out of sight into the gut. In the meantime I finally reached
someone by phone who could start spreading the word. Ironically it was Jim
Stasz who was on a mountaintop in Garrett County. Mike Burchett picked up
the message and he and Betsy Bangert arrived a little while later, as did
Bill Ellis who was travelling independently from Ocean City also. We had
fleeting glimpses of the ibis as it occasionally rose from the gut, but got
no more photos. There were about a dozen Great Egrets and several Snowy
Egrets at this gut at the time. I believe White Ibis have increased
significantly as breeders in coastal Virginia. In recent hundreds have been
seen at Chincoteague after the breeding season and flocks of 30-40 have
been seen in Maryland on Assateague in the fall. It has been anticipated as
a breeder in Maryland but no evidence has been found yet (see page 439 of
the 2nd Breeding Bird Atlas). Maybe it will happen this year with these
early migrants being the forerunners of more to come. Let's hope so.
   Shorebirds were also present in the impoundments and moved around a
great deal. Bill and I saw at least 15 yellowlegs (mostly Greater), a
hundred or more Dunlin (mostly flying over), and two or three dowitchers
which appeared to be Long-billed (by breast plumage and humpbacked
appearance when feeding).
   Jane and Fred Fallon arrived just before sunset and with Bill and myself
the four of us stayed until dark to watch the evening flight of waterfowl
from there. There were hundreds of ducks in this part of the marsh and they
departed after sunset for other parts of the area to roost for the night.
Interestingly each species left en masse separate from the other species.
First to go were the Hooded Mergansers shortly after sunset. This is the
only diving duck in substantial numbers in the impoundments. Their rapid
flight with heads held low made them easy to pick out. Next came the
Gren-winged Teals with their thin chattering calls barely audible. Hundreds
of them went over in flocks of dozens. Three Shovelers tried to sneak by
with them but their big bodies and spatulate bills made them look
gargantuan next to the teal and we spotted them easily. Then came the
Pintails. The long tail feathers of the males were invisible in the failing
light but the attenuated rear ends still made them identifiable. They went
over silently in a few larger flocks. Finally the Wigeon made their dash
with many of the males giving their familiar whistling calls. They were
also in large flocks. All of these birds headed generally to the southeast
toward the center of the impoundments. The Tundra Swans stayed put and
small flocks of Canada Geese flew in from the east. Meanwhile a Great
Horned Owl was calling from the nearest woods and Clapper Rails sounded off
in the marsh. A Woodcock started displaying nearby and landing in the road
between flights. I saw it dash off once and Bill saw it on the ground once.
It was cold but windless as the final hint of orange on the western horizon
finally disappeared from view. Deal Island Wildlife Management Area - a
wonderful place to spend an evening with the birds.

-- 
Bob Ringler
Eldersburg MD

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