Common Loon at Lake Artemesia.

Posted on May 21, 2018 by Hugh

The unsettled weather seems to be ending. We’ve had rain,clouds and serious winds for several days, which kept me almost completely out of action.

I decided on Artemesia as it was a weekend and traffic is considerably lighter as a rule. As I get older, I dislike traffic even more.

Artemesia was good to me, if not a bonanza. The Loon was a nice surprise, and a friend pointed out a couple of snakes, which I seem to miss most of the time. A few other cooperative birds made for a decent morning.

I stopped at Truxtun Park in the afternoon and found a couple of birds as well.

I don’t often pay much time attention to House Sparrows, but this brightly colored Spring male caught my eye.

Canada Goslings are numerous at this time of year.

Several Canada Geese were bathing at Truxtun Park.

This Eastern Kingbird was flycatching at Lake Artemesia.

Wood Ducks with chicks will soon be numerous at Artemesia.

This Eastern Kingbird was flycatching at Lake Artemesia.

A Blue Gray Gnatcatcher was singing loudly.

When you picture a MD marsh, you have to include numerous Red Winged Blackbirds.

A Mallard has temporarily left her nest.

Canada Goslings are numerous at this time of year.

There’s a few Mallards at every lake.

When I find a Common Loon I always spent too much time trying to get the best look.

I found this Eastern Box Turtle crossing the road and gave him a hand.

This Painted Turtle was sunning at Lake Artemesia.

This Black Rat Snake stayed in the same spot for an hour or more.

I don’t see Rough Green Snakes often.

Mandarin Duck at a Friend’s House.

Posted on May 19, 2018 by Hugh

A friend posted some photos of a Mandarin Duck she found in her yard, and I was so intrigued I drove over in the rain and commuter traffic to try to get a look.

It paid off. One of these beautiful birds was in Edgewater a few years ago, and I didn’t get a look at the time, so this was a good day.

A couple of other birds made the trip very worthwhile.

I was lucky to find this Spotted Sandpiper in the rocks near shore.

I don’t recall seeing a duckling eat a worm before.

A Mandarin Duck, often called the most beautiful of the ducks. Probably an escapee from a zoo, or a pet, as they are natives of Asia.

Dunlin at Bombay Hook NWR.

Posted on May 15, 2018 by Hugh

It’s been slow birding for nearly a week. We had some rain as well, so I’m getting behind. I managed to get out a little bit, so I’m including a compilation of my trip to Bombay Hook and a few lecent local images.

I’m still not finding warblers like I want to, but at least I’m seeing a few migrants.

Indigo Buntings are reliable at Greenbury Point.

I’ve always liked Great Crested Flycatchers.

This Osprey was at CBEC.

Great Egrets are also here in numbers.

I found these Semi-Palmated Plovers at Terrapin.

I used to see many more Eastern Bluebirds than I’m finding recently.

I would have liked better lighting for this Yellow Warbler.

Snowy Egrets are plentiful now.

Treer Swallows are thriving everywhere I go.

I don’t often see Least Sandpipers on the road.

A few Black Necked Stilts were feeding on the flats.

You can usually find a few Bald Eagles at Bombay Hook.

Mute Swans are considered pests, and I don’t see many near the bay any more.

It wouldn’t be a marsh without Red Winged Blackbirds.

You’ll often find Common Yellowthroats near the water’s edge.

This Marsh Wren is a first for me.

I used to see many more Eastern Bluebirds than I’m finding recently.

I’ve seen Dunlins before, but not this close.

I saw this Eastern Box Turtle crossing the road, and gave him a hand.

Blackpoll Warbler at Wooton’s Landing.

Posted on May 9, 2018 by Hugh

After yesterday’s good luck, it made sense to try Wooton again. It wasn’t as good, but I found a few good birds that made it worthwhile.

As is often true during migration, I found a couple of other birders at Wooton, and both Dave and Brad were very helpful. They can hear warblers much better than I can.

I made a short stop at Sands Road, as I often do when visiting Wooton.

I’m already wondering where to go tomorrow.

I found this Indigo Bunting at Sands Road Park.

This Yellow Warbler led me a merry chase before I got a decent image.

There seem to be fewer Blue Gray Gnatcatchers than in previous years.

This Orc hard Oriole was also at Sands Road.

This Yellow Billed Cuckoo was the first bird I found this morning.

I seldom see Blackpoll Warblers, even during migration.

Little Blue Heron at Wooton’s landing.

Posted on May 8, 2018 by Hugh

I heard a good report about Wooton, so I made the trek and got there around sunrise. I saw a Fox run into the bushes, and a quick look around suggested there were some birds to be found.

I spent about 2 hours on the lower trail and searching the pond near the river, and got some good results. I suspect there were many more interesting birds than I found, but the foliage gets thick in places, and the birds are quick. I’ll probably go back very soon.

Several Prothonotary Warblers were feeding near the marsh ponds.

I found this Indigo Bunting at Sands Road.

This Orchard Oriole was also at Sands Road.

Wooton is a good place to find Common Yellowthroats.

A few Yellow Rumped Warblers are still lingering.

Two Solitary Sandpipers were feeding in the pond near the river.

These Tree Swallows are preparing to mate.

This is a female Yellow Warbler.

Today’s prize: I have seen only a few Little Blue Herons, and most of them were juveniles. This is my second adult.

Black Billed Cuckoo at Governor Bridge Natural Area.

Posted on May 7, 2018 by Hugh

Migration is well under way, but the warblers continue to evade me. I’ve been lucky enough to find a few interesting migrants, but others are finding pockets of warblers that I’m not.

I got out to some old spots in the last few days, and birds were relatively scarce in general. It’s still relatively early, though, so I may get lucky soon. In the meantime I’ll settle for the few good birds that came my way.

I found this Tricolored Heron at CBEC this morning. It’s rare for this time of year.

Green Herons are noisy birds who will announce their presence if alarmed.

A small flock of Least Sandpipers was foraging at Terrapin.

I found this Veery at Truxtun Park. A rare bird for me.

I didn’t see many Red Eyed Vireos last year.

This Swamp Sparrow was at Governor Bridge.

My only good warbler so far this year, a male Magnolia Warbler.

The Black Billed Cuckoo is somewhat threatened. They nest north of here. I’ve only seen two of these birds, and the other was at Governor Bridge, a hundred yards from this one.

Baltimore Oriole at Buddy Attick Lake Park.

Posted on May 5, 2018 by Hugh

The dearth of migrants has continued for several days, now, along with so-so weather. Today was a big improvement, but warblers are still among the missing, so far.

I’ve managed a few outings, recently, but haven’t had enough good material for a post. I’m including several days of photos today.

The Chat, the Oriole and the Gadwall were all good finds and may bode well for the future.

Lake Artemesia.

There’s always a few Mallards around.

This Wood Duck has 8-9 chicks.

This is only the second Eastern Kingbird I’ve seen this year.

It’s quite unusual to see a Gadwall around here at this time of year.

This Pied Billed Grebe seems to be a little late to migrate.

I’ve seen several Canada Geese with goslings.

I found this Yellow Breasted Chat at Greenbury point.

This Tree Swallow was gathering nesting material at CBEC.

A Brown Thrasher at CBEC.

My FOS Gray Catbird.

The CBEC Ospreys are still nest-building.

This Purple Martin is at Blackwater.

An Orchard Oriole singing for a mate.

Red Winged Blackbirds are singing in every marsh.

These Bald Eagles were enjoying the morning Sun.

Yellow Rumped Warblers have mostly left the area.

Palm Warblers were everywhere for a few days.

I don’t often post House Sparrows.

Cardinals seem to be singing from every tree.

This Fox has found a Muskrat for breakfast.

Canada Geese at Lake Artemesia.

Posted on April 29, 2018 by Hugh

It’s been a cold, wet Spring, and we’re not getting the numbers of migrants we expect. I’m getting out most days, but searching, mostly in vain, for warblers and other species who should be here by now. This has happened before, and it’s disappointing, but the show will go on.

I went to Artemesia this morning, after trying some disappointing local spots in recent days, and did OK. No great birds, but a couple of good enough shots.

The weather is getting warmer, and I expect things to pick up soon.

Lake Artemesia.

This Wood Duck has been guarding his nest box.

White Throated Sparrows often linger well into Spring.

Downy Woodpeckers have been very conspicuous lately.

Many Blue Gray Gnatcatchers were feeding near the water.

I found this Prothonotary Warbler at Wooton’s Landing.

This White Eyed Vireo was singing loudly at Wooton.

These Canada Goslings followed their parents very closely.

Eastern Towhee at Lake Artemesia.

Posted on April 23, 2018 by Audubon

Yesterday I checked out Terrapin and CBEC, which was a total waste of time. I know it’s still a bit early in migration, but I thought I’d at least see a few birds.

I did see a couple of Fox kits, but no interesting birds.

Today was better. Artemesia almost always pays off, and I went to the butterfly exhibit at Brookside Gardens. I’m not at all fond of navigating city traffic, even for such a nice show, and I won’t do it again anytime soon.