A very good day of birding our favorite spot! 

Jon Ranson and I visited Jug Bay today.  The best birds were an American Bittern (life bird for each of us!), and Golden Eagle. 

The Bittern kicked up very close to us, off the Railroad Bed Trail.  Tide was very high, probably bringing the bird closer to the road rather than out in the marsh.  It was not a long, but was very clear view of a fabulous bird.  We were told that an American Bittern was heard and photographed not far from that spot not long ago, from the platform overlooking the marsh near Otter Point Trail and Railroad Bed Trail. 

Another really fabulous bird was an adult Golden Eagle.  Balds are so very common, and Goldens so very unusual here that we worked VERY hard to turn this bird into a juvenile Bald, but really cannot do so.  

The bird was sitting in a tree, feeding from something it held in its feet.  Jon saw it fly in, and was sure there was no white on the bird, especially underwing.  The bird was stockier than a Bald, and the head seemed larger.  The bill was black tipped, with a light yellow base and a yellow cere.  The coloration was basically brown with a clearly golden neck and golden blush on the top of its head.  Also, there was golden on the shoulder areas seen when the light hit the bird.  Totally not the color of any juvenile bald I've ever seen.  The legs were feathered almost all the way down to the yellow feet.  We did not get a very good look at the tail.  It was held closed as the bird fed.  Could not see if it was completely dark or had any type of coloration at all.  It was clearly lacking ANY white, however. 

As the bird fed, three turkey vultures came and sat in the trees nearby, apparently interested in the meal.  We decided to try to get closer, but the bird flew as we walked down the trail - probably annoyed by the vultures. 

A third good bird was a Red Headed Woodpecker at the Beaver Pond.  Also, three Green Wing Teal, two Wood Duck - walking on the bank - were there.  A lone Wilson's Snipe and a single Greater Yellowlegs were also there, in good sunlight, and giving us a leisurely, excellent view.  

Other birders said they had a Yellow Warbler, Pine Warbler and Louisiana Waterthrush - we did not get these, but did see a total of 49 species for the afternoon.  We may well go back, Sunday, to try to refind and document the Golden and to find the warblers.  

Joanne

Joanne Howl, DVM

West River, MD


 

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