[MDOsprey] Southern Maryland - and RHWO query
Charlie Muise (cmmbirds@yahoo.com)
Mon, 1 Nov 1999 16:16:05 -0800 (PST)
Hi folks,
First, the question. Have there been any red-headed
Woodpeckers at Calvert Cliffs of late? I heard several
years ago that that was a decent place for finding them.
Didn't get any today. Is there a spot within about 2 hours
drive of North Beach that is reliable?
I'm going to be hosting an out-of-towner on wed (hopefully
not in rain) and went out scouting today, mostly in calvert
County. Started at County Line Beach, where I was VERY
happy to find a fine adult male Cape May Warbler! Thought
I'd missed those this year. Also at least 2 Blackpolls
(couldn't turn one into Bay-breasted, which is quickly
becoming a nemesis bird) and hordes of Myrtles. Had 3
Dunlin, which is down from last week, and not Pectorals.
The Killdeer were down to about 25 and there were no
waders.
At Hunting Creek there was a Snow Goose mixed in with the
ferals that hang by the naval pier. At least I think it
was. All pure white except black wing tips. Pink bill
witht the customary black line. Dark (I thought black)
eye. Forgot to look at leg color. Sound right? I
couldn't find the Coots that have been there the last 2
weeks.
Flag Ponds was very nice, with a woodpecker fiesta.
Everything we typically get in the county except Redheaded.
Several looks at eagles - 5 looks at adults (at least 2
individuals) and one subadult, which I would guesstimate to
be about 3, as it was nearly complete, with just a bit of
white in the wings and a bit of dusky in the head.
Battlecreek was nice and busy, but nothing of note - lots
of white-throats, Juncos and Myrtles.
Calvert Cliffs was dead. I had a hard time finding much of
anything. Even the swamp along the red trail lacked ANY
blackbirds.
Hit Point Lookout briefly, and saw loads of loons, mostly
common, with 2 or 3 Red-throated. One red-breasted Merg,
and one Great Cormorant. This one I picked out with the
naked eye. It was first in line with 4 DC's, and it just
dwarfed them. Impressive. Then I got the bins on it.
Adult, I think. had 4 Brown Pelicans - I'd expected them
gone by now. I don't have the book with me right now, so I
guess I'll have to go read it. One Common, and 20
Forster's Terns. 2 Mute Swans. 20+ Bluebirds, which I'd
been missing all day. Guess I know where they went!
Take care, and please do a backwards rain dance for
Wednesday, for Elizabeth's sake!
Charlie
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Charlie Muise, Naturalist
Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary
Maryland, USA
cmmbirds@yahoo.com
"Leave the gun; take the cannoli"
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