I birded with Kathy Brown in Anne Arrundel and Baltimore Counties today.  At least 7 Common Loons flew low over Swan Creek early this morning where there were also 2 Virginia Rails, both a Merlin and an American Kestrel, a Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher, and many other species that have been recently reported at that location.

At Southwest Area Park, we couldn't find any Vesper Sparrows, but did hear a Ring-Necked Pheasant as we first drove into the park along the power line fields to the left.  We also missed the Eastern Meadowlarks that have been seen there today and recently.

Our highlight was a White-winged Scoter at North Point State Park.  At 4:20 PM the bird was sleeping with 3 female Red-breasted Mergansers on the other side of the long point near the fishing pier, but woke up to show the white "comma" behind its eye, and then kindly flew to show off its white wing patches.  Earlier in the day we saw a single Northern Gannet from the pier, as well as at least five Bonaparte's Gulls.  On the Black Marsh Trail we found 2 Blue-winged Teal, 6 Gadwall, and two Wood Ducks.  

Kathy Calvert
Adamstown

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