Date: Mon, 7 Oct 2002 18:06:49 -0400 Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: Kurt Schwarz Subject: Blue-winged Teal in HowCo A small flock of 8 Blue-winged Teal was present at Howard County's Centennial Park at 16:30 today. They were all female or in eclipse, so initially I was unsure what flavor of teal they were. The bills seemed long, inclining me toward Blue-winged, when I observed a diffuse whitish area behind the bill on one bird. Fortunately, they briefly flushed, a flew a short distance, revealing the light blue wing patch. The birds were last seen in the cove with the bridge on the north side, opposite the boat ramp. Other waterfowl were sparse, a dozen or so Canadas, and only 2-3 mallards, not counting the mongrels by the boat ramp. Other species of note were: Great Egret - 1, in the cove, on the far shore Killdeer - 3, kideeing all over the wildlife area at the west end Yellow-rumped Warbler - at least 2, probably more, south shore between concession stand and wildlife area. First year birds, my first for the season. At my workplace this morning, in Anne Arundel, there were several dead birds, victims of collision, and a real mix of summer and winter, one each: Ruby-throated Hummingbird, apparently collided a day or two ago, given the condition. Could not judge gender due to work by the ants. Pine Warbler, apparently collided on Sunday, given condition of body, a first winter bird, female, I think. White-throated Sparrow, adult male, fresh. My first WTSP for the season. Kurt Schwarz Howard County goawaybird@comcast.net ======================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= =========================================================================