Hi all,
I led a small group (3+myself) of relatively new birders around Blue Mash
yesterday morning. Though still a bit slow, things were better than 2 weeks
ago, and we saw or heard 49 species. Best birds were the excellent looks we got
at 3-4 Caspian Terns as they hunted over both ponds, at times coming right
in front or over us. They were really beautiful! We also had killer views of
3-4 Palm Warblers, some at extremely close range, just perched in the fence
around the small pond.
Other birds of interest were at least 36 flyover Common Loons in varying
size groups of from 1 to 18 birds, throughout the morning, 3 Bonaparte's Gulls
flying over, Brown Thrashers, a single Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Yellow-rumped
Warblers, still in basic plumage, DC Cormorants, Buffleheads, Great Blue Heron,
Cooper's Hawk, Red-shouldered and Red-tailed Hawks (one of which we watched
go into a stoop and land on something beyond the shrubs-outstanding as it
plumetted downward!), lots of singing towhees, Swamp Sparrow, Field, Chipping,
Song, White-throated Sparrows, Dark-eyed Juncos.
We also watched a male American Kestrel as it was chased off its (first)
perch by a defensive male Red-winged Blackbird then was knocked off its second
perch by a territorial Mockingbird! Like Rodney Dangerfield, it "don't get no
respect" :--)
As with most trips to Blue Mash, this one produced a wide variety of bird
species, one of the many reasons I love the place. By the way, the Caspian Terns
and the Bonies were 2 new species for my Blue Mash list, which now stands at
169!
Enjoy the storm...
Rick Sussman
Ashton,MD
(mailto:[log in to unmask])
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