Fall Migration is Here!

Migration is treating me somewhat better than in past years. I’m basically setting up my tripod in some likely spots (From experience) and most days I’m seeing some good birds. I usually stop at Woolchurch Pond around dawn to check on the Trumpeters and the other denizens of the pond, them head to Greenbury Point and Jonas Green Park to see what else I can find. Greenbury Pointy has been very productive. I’ve been to CBEC a couple of times, and once to Sandy Point, but neither was very productive.
Currently, the Trumpeters are in Woolchurch Cove, adjacent to Woolchurch Pond. I don’t know why. Maybe food related? It’s a smaller area, and there’s quite a few Herons and the occasional egret sharing it.
I’m posting my favorites from the past few weeks.

The male American Redstart has always been a favorite.


This is a Common Yellowthroat.

The Black Throated Blue Warbler is another favorite. I don’t see many.

I see Cape May Warblers regularly at Greenbury Point.

Blue Gray Gnatcatchers are are also regular visitors.

Red Eyed Vireos are prolific singers.

This juvenile Black Crowned Night Heron was at Woolchurch Pond.

I usually see several Magnolia Warblers each migration.

Eastern Wood Peewees are heading south for the winter.

I don’t see many Bay Breasted Warblers.

Greenbury Point is the only lace I’ve seen Yellow Bellied Flycatchers.

This is my second Wilson’s Warbler of the Fall.

Northern Parulas are passing through right now.

Roseate Spoonbill at CBEC.

I was finding the usual suspects in Lake Knapp, scanning the multitude of egrets, when I saw a flash of pink. I had heard there were Spoonbills in MD, but nothing about birds on the Eastern Shore. I’ve seen a few of these lovely birds, but it was still s startling find. I did manage to see it again a couple of days later along with a Glossy Ibis and a White Ibis.

Here’s a few image’s. Enjoy.

I made a video in imperfect light.

A bizarre yet beautiful sight.

Tricolored Herons have become regulars at CBEC.

It’s unusual to see a Glossy Ibis at CBEC.

A Glossy Ibis feeding alongside a White Ibis (Right).

50 or more Snowy Egrets were present.

Roseate Spoonbill at CBEC.

The Trumpeters picked a lovely spot when they selected Woolchurch Pond.[/caption]Yesterday I went to CBEC looking for Egrets, and I found a Tricolored Heron and a Roseate Spoonbill! I had heard that spoonbills were in the area, but it was a very nice surprise. A big blob of pink against a sea of white egret feathers.
I’ve been staying close to the Trumpeter Swans and their single cygnet, who appears to be thriving. I expect him to be flying in September.
I’ve been staying pretty close to home to save gas money and tolls. I mainly visit Greenbury Point, Jonas Green Park, Woolchurch Pond and Quiet Waters.
I’ve been seeing a few migrants, but no great influx as yet.

I’m going to post a few of my recent favorite images also.

The cygnet is about 1 months old in this image

The Trumpeters picked a lovely spot when they selected Woolchurch Pond.

I usually see Orchard Orioles every year at Greenbury Point.

This Green Heron and some of his friends were at CBEC.

I saw 40 ,or more Snowy Egrets at CBERC.

Several Great Yellowlegs were feeding in the shallows.

This is a Semi-palmated Plover.

Least Sandpipers visit CBEC often.

I found this female Blue Grosbeak at Greenbury Point.

A lone Roseate Spoonbill was foraging with the egrets.

A Morning at Bombay Hook.

Graeme and I visited Bombay Hook a few days ago, and it was a decent enough day, but we missed all the cool birds.

Our last visit was marred by high winds, but the weather was just right this time.

Blue Grosbeak 2023-2

Bombay Hook is reliable for Blue Grosbeaks.

Tree Swallow 2023-1

Dozens of Tree Swallows nest at Bombay Hook.

Black Crowned Night Heron 2023-10

This Black Crowned Night Heron was probably hatched at Bombay Hook.

Eastern Kingbird 2023-4

Eastern Kingbirds are easy to find at this time of year.

Black Necked Stilt 2023-9

We saw a dozen or more Black Necked Stilts.

Black Necked Stilt 2023-8 Blue Grosbeak 2023-1

Bald Eagle 2023-23

We found only a single Bald Eagle.

Mute Swan 2023-2

We got a good look at this Mute Swan.

Great Blue Heron 2023-72

Great Blue Herons were present in numbers.

Black Crowned Night Heron 2023-1

Common Yellowthroat 0223-1

This Common Yellowthroat Warbler posed nicely.

Trumpeter Swan Cygnet, Annapolis, MD.

I’ve been following a pair of Trumpeter Swans for about 4 years, and they’ve just accomplished their second successful nesting, a single cygnet probably 1-2 days old now. I\ve been checking the nest almost daily, so it was a big deal for me to fimally see this little guy.

I could tell you a lot about Trumpeter Swans, but The Trumpeter  Swan Society has been protecting them for years and they have a lot of info.: https://www.trumpeterswansociety.org/

This site is about the images I got, and here they are.

This cygnet is 1-2 days old.

Harriet and James announce the hatching of Louis.

 

Trumpeter Swan 2023-132229 Trumpeter Swan 2023-1319 Trumpeter Swan 2023-132226

Trumpeter Swan 2023-132224

Trumpeter Swans need about 200 meters to take off, a noisy and dramatic affair.

Trumpeter Swan 2023-13221

When this Canada Goose got too close to the nest, he was quickly run off by the male (Called “Cob”, the female is called “Pen'”.

Trumpeter Swan 2023-13218 Trumpeter Swan 2023-13220

When Swans Attack!

Image

White Eyed Vireo 2023-1

This White Eyed Vireo posed nicely.


Northern Rough Winged Swallow 2023-1

I saw a few Northern Rough Winged Swallows at Jonas Green PAtk.


Mockingbird 2023-1

Mockingbirds haven't been common this season.

Chipping Sparrow 2023-4

Eastern Bluebird 2023-21

Red Winged Blackbird 2023- 5

Red Winged Blackbirds provide the background music for the marsh.

Green Heron 2023-4

Green Heron 2023-2

Eastern Bluebird 2023-20

Eastern Bluebirds are active everywhere I go.

Great Blue Heron 2023-45

Goldfinch 2023-5

This female Goldfinch will be nesting soon.

Carolina Wren 2023-3

Cardinal 2023-4

Female Cardinals are more subdued than their mates.

Trumpeter Swan 2023-109

Trumpeter Swan 2023-107

Trumpeter Swan 2023-111

Trumpeter Swan 2023-110

Trumpeter Swan 2023-110

Trumpeter Swan 2023-107

Trumpeter Swan 2023-102

When the swans get territorial, there's a lot of noise; the pattering of big swan feet and the frightened honking of the fleeing geese. The swans rarely make any sounds..

Trumpeter Swan 2023-101

Bald Eagle at Thomas Point.

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

Morning at Thomas Point.

It’s been a while since I published anything. I’ve been getting out, but good birds have been scarce, and I’ve been a bit lazy.
The Trumpeter Swans are around, and they may nest again this year, so I’ll stay on top of that.
Great Blue Herons are checking out the heronry, and that may be fruitful again this year.
There’s a real shortage of good ducks, but it’s been so warm, who can blame them?

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

Trumpeter Swan 2023-5

Last year's Trumpeter Swans have returned.

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

Black Ducks have long favored Thomas Point.

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

Buffleheads have been the most common duck by far at Thomas Point.

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

This pair of Canvasbacks was at Thomas Point.

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

Chickadees are always fun to watch.

Dark Eyed Juco 2023-1

I found this Dark Eyed Junco at Quiet Waters.

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

Large flocks of Double Crested Cormorants often fly past Thomas Point.

Gadwall 2023-4

A small flock of Gadwalls is staying at the pond near Jonas Green.

Goldfinch 2023-2

Hooded Merganser 2022-25

These Hooded Mergansers are hanging out at the pond near Jonas Green.

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

Long Tailed Ducks have been in short supply this year.

Northern Flicker 2023-2

This Northern Flicker posed nicely.

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

I've seen very few Ruddy Ducks this year.

Song Sparrow 2023-1

Many Song Sparrows hangout in the rocks at Thomas Point.

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

This Surf Scoter hen was eating mussels at Thomas Point.

Trumpeter Swans at Jonas Green Park.

It’s that time of year when good birds are few and far between, but each day brings the promise of new arrivals from the north.

I started out  at Jonas Green Park, in the pond adjacent to the entrance. After spotting a few Gadwalls and Hoodies, I suddenly realized there two huge Trumpeter Swans in the rear of the pond. They haven’t been in this pond since Spring, as far as I know. They had three cygnets up in Woolchurch Pond, so I wonder if they’re preparing to leave for the season.

In any event, I’ve been here before, so I suspected what was coming. In just a few minutes they had gathered on the West end of the pond to get the most room, then they pattered noisily across the water until they were airborne, and I was in position to get most of it. A great way to start the day.

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

Several Mallards were foraging the pond also.

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

A small flock of Hooded Mergansers was feeding early this morning.

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

Gadwalls often forage in this pond.

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

This is part of the takeoff sequence, A noisy and dramatic affair.

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

Gadwalls at Jonas Green Park.

It’s been a pretty birdy three weeks since I posted. Warblers have continued in decent numbers, and kinglets, cuckoos, hawks and waterfowl have added to the numbers.  We did have a three day spell of rain, which seems to have irritated my mild arthritis greatly. Most unpleasant for a day or so.

I got to CBEC a few times, and it’s starting to pick up, with the arrival of a few nice ducks. I may have seen some high flying Tundra Swans, but it was only a quick glance at some high flying birds and I haven’t logged the sighting.

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

We only get to see the Tennessee Warbler during migration.

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

I usually see Hermit Thrushes in the Fall.

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

This White Eyed Vireo was flagged as “Rare” by Ebird due to the late date.

 

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

This Yellow Billed Cuckoo was a surprise.

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

Kinglets took over the area for several days. This one is a Ruby Crowned.

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

Many Eastern Bluebirds were feeding on berries at CCBEC.

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

A few Green Winged Teal usually show up at CBEC at this time of year.

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

Pintails often stop at Lake Knapp, CBEC.

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

Several Northern Pintails are in the area.

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

Northern Flickers were migrating through CBEC.

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

I saw more Magnolia Warblers this year than usual.

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

Mockingbirds are usually resident at Greenbury Point.

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

A Yellow Bellied Sapsucker stopped briefly on his journey South.

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

Dozens, maybe hundreds of Yellow Rumped Warblers were buzzing through the treetops at CBEC.

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

Palm Warblers are always a colorful treat.

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

There are Gadwall in the Jonas Green pond every year.

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

 

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

A few Wood Ducks are still in the pond.

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

A single Blackpoll Warbler posed at Greenbury Point.

Cape May Warbler at Greenbury Point.

I’ve been spending more time at Greenbury Point this year than previously. I’ve done reasonably well, and I think I’ve underestimated the potential of this area. Even at its busiest, this government nature preserve is relatively serene and peaceful. There’s still far too many dog walkers with dogs off leash, but that may be improving.

I’m doing well with warblers and other migrants, and several people seem to have stopped by based on my MD Birding posts.  There will be migrant traffic well into October, so I may see some more interesting birds.

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

Common Yellowthroats are quite common at Greenbury Point.

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

I’ve seen more Black and White Warblers than usual this year.

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

I’ve captured this Carolina Wren exuberant singing pose many times.

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

Red Eyed Vireos are migrating through in numbers.

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

Eastern Phoebes have been present daily.

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

This Eastern Phoebe has found a nutritious snack.

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

This is a Swainson’s Thrush, which I’ve seen only once before.

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

Greenbury Point was overrun with Catbirds this year. Their soft mewing can be heard everywhere.

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

Carolina Chickadees are year ’round residents.

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

I don’t often get such a good look at Black Throated Blue Warblers.

Wood Duck 2022-270

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

This Wood Duck is greeting the day near Jonas Green Park.

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

This Cardinal has found a nice stash.

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

This Great Blue Heron may have been born in this pond near Jonas Green Park.

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

I didn’t recognized this Pectoral Sandpiper which I found at CBEC.

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

Several Greater Yellowlegs were foraging at CBEC.

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

Several Northern Flickers were feeding together.

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

Several Killdeer were searching the mud at CBEC .

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

This Cape May Warbler is headed to the Bahamas for the Winter.