Hi all,

I spent the afternoon working along the Critical Area Driving Tour from
Selby's Landing to Merkle.  The definite highlight was a juvenile BAIRD'S
SANDPIPER that dropped in with 7 SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERs on the extensive
low-tide mudflats as viewed from the overlook tower at the mouth of
Mattaponi Creek.   I was able to watch the birds for about 15 minutes and
get some very poor digiscoped shots before the rising water covered all the
mud, the birds were last seen heading south.  As noted by others this week,
the SORA numbers are impressive!   There were at least 7 birds, 2 of which
were foraging among the GREEN-WINGED TEAL, NORTHERN PINTAILs and MALLARDs.
I continued on to Merkle, where some of the passerine highlights were- 1
PHILADELPHIA VIREO, 1 BLACKPOLL, 1 CHESTNUT-SIDED, 1 NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH,
and 1 YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER.  The numbers of INDIGO BUNTINGS were also
impressive, there were large groups in each patch of weedy edge along the
drive.

Good Birding!

Mikey Lutmerding
Croom, MD