En route back to Montgomery County, MD, from Sussex County, DE, on 
the morning of Thursday, July 29, we visited a few good birding areas 
in Worcester County and Queen Anne's Counties in Maryland. (Our 
earlier sightings in Delaware were reported to DE-Birds.)

Skimmer Island in Ocean City, MD, had lots of "peeps" (probably 
Semipalmated Sandpipers, Least Sandpipers, Sanderlings and Ruddy 
Turnstones, for the most part).  There were numerous terns, both 
fishing and sitting about on the island -- most were Royal Terns (at 
least 70-80), with two Sandwich Terns seen very well from the vantage 
point by Hooper's Restaurant..  At least 14 American Oystercatchers 
seen here as well.  The number of fishing and pleasure boats out in 
the bay was frankly stupendous.  Fortunately no boaters challenged 
the "No Entry" signs and actually stopped to land on Skimmer 
Island.  Lots of smallish peeps there, but no Godwits that we could find.

The West Ocean City Pond was full of egrets.  Of particular note were 
15 Little Blue Heron, with many adults, a few juveniles, and some 
intermediately aged birds sporting a nice mixture of white and blue 
feathers.  Also at least 4 Glossy Ibis and a lot of shorebirds, 
mostly, alas, unidentified.

At Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center (aka Horsehead) in QA County 
in the the early afternoon we spotted the previously reported 
American White Pelican in the large pond by the parking lot at about 
1:00 p.m.  Lots of shorebirds in this pond, also, including 
Yellowlegs (mostly Lesser), peep (Semipalmated and Least Sandpipers), 
and at least 2 Stilt Sandpipers.  Also an adult Bald Eagle.

Thanks to Lydia ("The Voice") Schindler for earlier posting about our 
midday sighting of the White Pelican.

Mike and Joy Bowen
Bethesda, MD

D.H. Michael Bowen
8609 Ewing Drive
Bethesda, MD  20817
Telephone: (301) 530-5764
e-mail:  dhmbowenATyahooDOTcom

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