Bald Eagle at Terrapin Nature Park

The snow has melted enough to get around better, so I expect to have a better week. I did the old routine today, Sandy Point, then the Eastern Shore.

The waterfowl numbers are still very low, but perhaps that will change soon. Today was a disappointment in that I didn’t find much, but it was good to get out again.

Sandy Point 173

Sandy Point 174

Sunrise at Sandy Point.

White Throated Sparrow 2016-3

White Throated Sparrows were abundant.

Bald Eagle 2016-11

Bald Eagle 2016-10

I saw this Bald Eagle from a distance, and was lucky to find him as I approached his last location.

 

 

Where are the Ducks?

The snow has kept me at home for a few days. Many places are only accessible on skis or by marathon athletes. Ice is also a problem.

I did manage to get to Sandy Point for the sunrise this morning, and noted that the beaches are clear. My other favorite spots remain inaccessible or closed.

Sandy Point 173

Sunrise at Sandy Point.

Sunrise at Sandy Point

Good bird photos have been hard to get for a couple of days. We still don’t have many ducks, and the weather isn’t helping much-cold and windy.

Here’s a couple of sunrises and some miscellany.

Sandy Point 171

Sandy Point 172

Sunrise at Sandy Point.

The Mansion

The Mansion, a private residence at Sandy Point.

Tundra Swan 2016-8

Tundra Swan at Thomas Point.

Ring Billed Gull 2016-3

Ring Billed Gull 2016-2

Ring Billed Gull at route 450.

 

Bald Eagle 2016-9

Bald Eagle, in poor light.

 

Red Fox at Possum Point

I usually check out the beach and the waterfront at Sandy Point after the sunrise, and I’m not seeing the ducks that are usually there. Same with Possum Point, Jonas Green Park and Thomas Point. Now that the warm weather seems to have passed, maybe we’ll see some soon.

Three foxes, playing in the reeds, rescued me today.

Sandy Point 170

 

Sandy Point 169

Sunrise at Sandy Point.

Fox 34 Fox 35

Fox 36

Three foxes were foraging in the reeds.

 

 

Bald Eagle at Possum Point.

It was a dark and cloudy morning…

Again at Sandy Point for sunrise, then on to Possum Point and Thomas Point.

The sunrise was a bit bland, and there weren’t any significant numbers of ducks. Possum Point was better, with waxwings and a nice eagle, and a few other birds.

I didn’t see anything at Jonas Green as I drove past, and Thomas Point continues to be nearly devoid of waterfowl.

Sandy Point 167

Sandy Point 166

Sunrise at Sandy Point.

Sandy Point 168

Sometimes the sky looks briefly like lava.

Mockingbird 2016-1

This Mockingbird was the first bird I saw this morning.

Blue Jay 2016-1

This Blue Jay seemed to be observing the proceedings.

Cardinal 2016-1

This Cardinal was eating berries alongside the Waxwings.

Cedar Waxwing 2016-4

Cedar Waxwing 2016-2

Cedar Waxwing 2016-3

There were 40 or more Cedar Waxwings zooming from tree to tree and eating berries.

Bald Eagle 2016-8

I’ve seen Bald Eagles in this tree before, but they usually fly away quickly. Today I was able to sneak a bit closer.

 

Ring Billed Gull at Terrapin Nature Park

I stuck to the usual routine today: Sandy Point, Terrapin, Kent Narrows and CBEC. Only CBEC had much to offer, but the best birds ere too far off for decent images.

I’ve now looked for the Snowy Owl three separate times to no avail.

Sandy Point 165

Sunrise at Sandy Point.

Red Winged Blackbird 2016-1

Red Winged Blackbirds are still active at Terrapin.

Tundra Swan 2016-7

These Tundra Swans flew overhead at CBEC.

Bufflehead 2016-5

I found this Bufflehead at Kent Narrows.

Ring Billed Gull 2016-1

There were dozens of Ring Billed Gulls at Terrapin.

Tundra Swan at Possum Point

I started with the Sandy Point sunrise again, then headed to Possum Point, Thomas Point and Quiet Waters.

I’m still looking for overdue ducks, but I didn’t see any significant numbers anywhere.

This was the first time I recall seeing a Tundra Swan at Possum Point. The image I’m posting was taken at my friend’s house, along Thomas Point Road.

I’m also posting an image of a friendly family who braved the cold to see the sunrise.

Sandy Point 164

Sunrise at Sandy Point.

Family

A brave family who shared the Sandy Point sunrise.

Double Crested Cormorant 2016-3

Double Crested Cormorants are still feeding at Possum Point.

Mallard 2016-5

This Mallard flew right over my head.

White Throated Sparrow 2016-2

White Throated Sparrows are easy to find now.

Downy Woodpecker 2016-2

This Downy Woodpecker was at Possum Point.

Tundra Swan 2016-5

Tundra Swan 2016-6

Tundra Swans are still numerous.

 

Northern Pintail at Chesapeake Bay Environmental Centerr

A Snowy Owl was reported at Kent Narrows, so I started there and wasted an hour and a half searching for him. Someone did see it later, so I’ll try again tomorrow.

CBEC had a large number of ducks and other waterfowl, but I managed to spook most of them. They were out of sight in the weeds as I approached, and a hundred or so flew all at once. Quite spectacular.

Double Crested Cormorant 2016-2

This Double Crested Cormorant was perched on a piling at Kent Narrows.

Tundra Swan 2016-4

There were many Tundra Swans at CBEC.

Northern Pintail 2016-1

This is the first Northern Pintail I’ve seen at CBEC.

Cedar Waxwing at Possum Point

After another dismal sunrise at Sandy Point, I went to Possum Point to see what was happening. I was very surprised to see 200+ Cormorants near the marina, accompanied by many gulls. A large flock of Cedar Waxwings was feeding in the field, so I ahd plenty to look at.

I then went to Quiet Waters, which was dismally empty.

Sandy Point 162

Sunrise at Sandy Point.

Black Backed Seagull 2016-1

Black Backed Seagulls were also present in large numbers.

Mallard 2016-4

These Mallards were feeding at Quiet Waters.

Double Crested Cormorant 2016-1

I almost always see Double Crested Cormorants at the point, but there were many more than usual today.

Dark Eyed Junco 2016-1

This Dark Eyed Junco was feeding alongside the Waxwings.

Cedar Waxwing 2016-1

There were at least 50 Cedar Waxwings flying around the field.

 

 

 

Red Shouldered Hawk at Quiet Waters

I got up early, as usual, only to find a misty rain. I did a few chores, then set out for the park when the sun began shining, around 10:00.

There’s still only a few ducks around, but an Eagle and a Hawk passed overhead.

I then went to Thomas Point, which was totally devoid of interesting birds. This has been a very different winter.

Bald Eagle 2016-7

This juvenile Bald Eagle passed overhead three times.

Red Shouldered Hawk 2016-1

I only got a brief look at this Red Shouldered Hawk.