[MDOsprey] NW Branch, Layhill Park and Cape May
Joseph J. Halpin (halpinj@juno.com)
Wed, 6 Oct 1999 13:41:14 -0700
Birded the Layhill Park today. It was quite birdy but not that many
species. No warblers but the sparrows were moving (White-throated,
Field, House and Swamp); lots of Flickers and Red-bellied WPs and a
Coppers Hawk. Among others were the Towhees, Goldfinches, Phoebe, Peewee
and Belted Kingfisher.
Yesterday I tried the NE Branch, starting from Randolph Rd. The first
problem was figuring where to park and where to access the area. I
parked on the gated old Randolph Rd, off the new Randolph. I came in on
the east side of the stream and had to cross several small branches and
downed trees. How do you do this Ric; do you start on the west side? I
would be interested in following you or Gail around when you do this area
to learn of your approach and favorite areas.
The area was not very birdy but I did find a small group of passing
warblers (BT Blue, BT Green, an Ovenbird and some I was unable to
identify). There was a group of 7 Wood Ducks on the stream, 4 males, 2
females and a juvenile. A raptor flew among the trees, but there was not
enough of a view for me to ID it.
I was in Cape May all day last Friday and Saturday mourning (met with Bob
Augustine's group). A front moved through on Wednesday night, making
the raptor flight the best in several days on Thursday. On Friday at
Higbee Beach it was a super day for the warblers, with lots of activity.
I was on the dike and Michael O'Brian was nearby; what a fantastic
birder. I left this area about 11:30 and the activity was still good.
The State Park, the Meadows and Brigantine were slow. On Thursday
several people had seen a Hudsonian Godwit but no one was reporting it on
Friday. On Saturday it was not as good but still birdy; on this day the
people outnumbered the birds. Bob's group was going to Brigantine Sat.
PM, maybe they saw the Godwit. I hope so! Some of the best birds for
the 2 days-Philadelphia Vireo, Great Crested FC and a Yellow-billed
Cuckoo.
Joe Halpin
Silver Spring, MD
halpinj @juno.com
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