I took advantage of the beautiful weather by going over to Milltown Landing WMA after work today.  I birded the fields and down by the river, before listening for woodcocks at dusk.  I began hearing the American Woodcock's distinctive call note around 6:15 or 6:20 pm, and soon started catching brief glimpses of the birds as they flew over the fields.  Based on the various call notes I was hearing, I estimated that there were at least three or four birds present.  One literally flew right by my position as I stood on the farm road leading down to the river, passing within several feet of me.  Woodcock were calling on both sides of the farm road just uphill from the main hedgerow that cuts through the field (where all the sparrows are typically found).  I enjoyed listening to and looking for the birds for 20 minutes or so.

Other birds seen during my time at Milltown Landing included Black Ducks and Mallards flying over and into the marsh, three Wilson's Snipe that flushed from the marsh, lots of cormorants and Ring-billed Gulls flying down the river, and a pair of Red-breasted Mergansers that flew up the river close to shore.  Also of note was a lone Wood Duck, one Bald Eagle, and numerous Great Blue Herons flying overhead, one of which was carrying nesting material.  I saw no harriers or owls hunting over the marsh.  Good birding,

Fred Shaffer

Crofton, Anne Arundel

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