Hi Everyone,

I arrived at Assateague on Sunday morning around 9:30 to find that the early birders (Mike Burchett, Tom Feild, Bill Hubick, and Mikey Lutmerding) had already plucked a few worms:

Great Cormorant--1 juvenile fly-by at Bayside
Brant--3 fly-bys at Bayside
Philadelphia Vireo--1 spotted by Mikey near the parking lot for the Life of the Marsh Trail  (Mike Walsh and Chris Dominick also enjoyed this one)

After I joined the group, we came across a perched Peregrine Falcon along the shell road at Assateague Island State Park.  Extensive pink coloration was present on the bird's head.  We speculated that perhaps the bird had been dyed for individual identification as part of a study, but I'd be curious to hear any thoughts on this.  Photos were taken by Bill and also by Mikey.  Bill posted one photo of the Peregrine in flight at

http://www.billhubick.com/new_set.html 

Mikey may post photos of this bird as well.

After brief stops at Skimmer Island and West OC Pond, Mike B. headed back to Salisbury, while the rest of us moved onto E. A. Vaughn WMA (the unit just south of Taylor Landing Rd--"Vaughn Central").

Marsh walking/stumbling for rails and other birds was on the agenda.  While we did not flush any rails, we did encounter:

Seaside Sparrow--2
Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow--8
Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow--1

Raptors seen at Vaughn (most of which were southbound) included:

Peregrine Falcon--6
Merlin--1
Bald Eagle-1
Osprey--4
Northern Harrier--2
Sharp-shinned Hawk--9
Cooper's Hawk--1

Good birds and good company--you've gotta like this MD birding!

Have fun,

Ron Gutberlet
Salisbury, MD