White Ibis at Liberty Lake
Robert Ringler (ringler@cct.infi.net)
Sat, 08 Aug 1998 19:39:59 -0700
Saturday afternoon, August 8, 1998
While birding the mud flats at the north end of Liberty Lake,
Baltimore/Carroll counties, Debbie Terry ansd I found an immature White
Ibis. Other birds present were 5 Great Egrets, 1 immature Little Blue
Heron, Green Herons, Canada Geese, Wood Ducks, Mallards, Killdeer, 2
Solitary Sandpipers, and about 35 peeps including Least and Western
sandpipers. The Kirschbaums came by as we returned to the car and they
also saw the ibis.
The White Ibis was immediately north of the Rt.140 bridge which
crosses Liberty Lake at the county line. Coming from the Baltimore
Beltway use I-795 and Rt. 140. The ibis could be seen from the bridge,
but this is a busy four-lane highway and the bridge vibrates with the
traffic. Another viewing spot is reached by turning north on Glen Falls
Road which is on the Baltimore County side of the bridge. Go about 50
feet and park on the left next to the guard rail that blocks the roadbed
of the Old Westminster Pike. Walk down the path that follows the
roadbed. This requires going over and under some trees that are in the
way. You can 'scope a large area of the flats from the point where the
roadbed disappears into the lake.
Another White Ibis was at this site in August of 1993. It was
seen for nearly two weeks. Be advised that as the lake level goes down
the shoreline recedes and the north end of the lake will be south of the
bridge, and the flats north of the bridge will dry quickly.
Good luck.
Bob Ringler