I started at Terrapin this morning, in hopes of finding some reported ducks. I located a pair of Wood Ducks, but nothing else.
CBEC was well populated, but all the good birds were too distant for decent photos. I hate when that happens.
Terrapin had plenty of Mallards, as usual.
Tree Swallows have just arrived from Central America and the Bahamas.
I only got one look at this Wood Duck pair before they flew off.
This Red Winged Blackbird was singing for a mate.
I met Graeme at Lake Artemesia this morning, and we went hunting for a few good birds that have been reported recently.
We circled the lake three times and walked some of the paths and did fairly well, though we didn’t find all the good stuff-I really wanted a Tree Sparrow, but it wasn’t to be.
Lake Artemesia in the morning.
Entrance to the lake.
I wrecked my truck on the way home. Not my fault, but a real pain in the ass.
If you’re near the water in this part of MD, you’ll find a Canada Goose or two.
A small flock of Redheads was feeding in the lake.
This Swamp Sparrow was a mild surprise.
This Bald Eagle flew over the lake.
This Swamp Sparrow was a mild surprise.
I haven’t seen as many Hooded Mergansers as in previous years.
Mallards were foraging alongside the other ducks.
This is only my second Ring Necked Duck sighting of the year.
I tried Wooton’s Landing this morning for a change. It didn’t pan out, even though there were a few good birds. They spooked and ran rapidly.
Quiet Waters continues to be very slow, and Thomas Point was only a little better, with basically the same varieties. Â The Crow was a fortuitous find and a nice change.
Previous Marches have been productive, so I expect more variety soon.
This Robin was hunting worms in my front yard.
These Canvasbacks will be leaving soon.
About 50 Tundra Swans are still hanging around.
This very noisy Crow was unusually cooperative.
After another blah sunrise at Sandy Point, I tried Possum Point, Beach Road, Jonas Green Park, Quiet Waters and Thomas Point.
Possum Point had a few ducks, but I was striking out until I got to Thomas Point. I think things will pick up as the ducks start moving North, but this has been different from previous years.
Sunrise at Sandy Point.
This Canvasback pair was also at Thomas Point.
This Goldfinch was feeding at Thomas Point.
I’ve only seen a few Red Breasted Mergansers this year.
Lesser Scaup at Cambridge.
Greater Scaup at Sandy Point.
First Horned Grebe of the year.
I met Graeme early this morning and we headed to Blackwater for the morning.
We saw Eagles right away, as well as a thousand or more Snow Geese, Pelicans, Ducks and miscellaneous passerines.
Afterward, we stopped at Oakley street for some cool duck closeups.
A day at Blackwater is always worthwhile.
Graeme Simpson and I at Oakley Street.
Mallards were plentiful.
You can almost always find American Wigeons at Blackwater in the winter.
This Greater Scaup posed in perfect light.
This Canvasback was at Oakley Street.
Bald Eagles are always prolific at Blackwater.
We got quite close to this Great Blue Heron, who didn’t move at all.
I found this Field Sparrow by the side of the road.
There were several hundred Tundra Swans.
Snow Geese flew right over our heads.
Thousands of Snow Geese and Tundra Swans spend the Winter months at Blackwater.
We found only one flock of Northern Pintails.
Of the hundred or so ducks, we saw only one Redhead.
There were only 6-8 Northern Shovelers.