Leo Weigant & Karen Caruso birded the Eastern Shore this AM, a few  
hours
	at the Nassawango Creek Nature Conservancy Area on Mt. Olive Church  
Rd.,
	then to Truitt's landing (about 10:00 AM).

	We'd met with Scott Housten & Jessica when entering and they were a bit
	discouraged, but after an hour spent going out to the coast then  
back to the
	main ponds just east of the woods, we paused for some lunch and  
scanning.

	Looking toward the Northwest across the pond we scanned through a 32X
	scope a tree at the far edge filled with 15 or so white birds,  
apparently
	snowy egrets.     The "golden slippered" feet were easy to pick out  
of most,
	but the highest bird was definitely different.

	About the same size as the snowy egrets, it was all white, also, but  
clearly had
	a long, decurved red bill and facial parts.    The legs were not so  
bright red
	but were definitely neither black nor yellow either, perhaps a medium,
	pale orange color.

	We checked off the sighting data (weather, wind, sun, etc.) and I  
was able to
	keep the scope on it for 15 minutes or so when the flock (apparently  
spooked
	by a much larger flock of glossy ibises) took off circled a few  
times then dropped
	behind the grove of trees due east at the same edge of the pond.    
The final
	detail shown during flight was the black tip or "notch" at the end  
of the wings,
	both upper and lower surfaces.

	I have birded in Florida and Texas every year for the last twenty,  
and am very
	familiar with this species, but was not able to get any photos of  
it.    We certainly
	hope others might be able to do so.

	After making a few phone calls to alert others (thanks, Dan) we  
waited for a long
	time, but neither the ibises nor other birders appeared.    We  
finally decide to
	gamble and headed over toward Fairmount WMA to try for the red-faced  
ibis
	reported previously there. . . . hoping to try for a 3-IBIS DAY in  
Maryland.
	After all, how often does such a chance present itself?

	No luck there, however, we found the "West Impoundment" off Upper  
Ford Rd.
	but after much searching could not find the "Eastern Impoundment."

	Still a great birding day no matter the gamble's outcome.

		Leo Weigant / Karen Caruso

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