Pied Billed Grebe at Quiet Waters.

Posted on March 23, 2016 by Hugh

After another good sunrise at Sandy Point, I went to Possum Point. There’s an erosion control project going on, so access may be limited. It’s necessary, but I’m going to miss the place.

Quiet Waters was slower than yesterday, but I managed a couple of decent images. I would have done better, but some dog walkers let their animal off the leash, and he scared off a lot of birds.

Sunrise at Sandy Point.

I tried out this camp stool today and found it quite useful.

It was odd to see this Greater Scaup hanging out with 50 Ruddy Ducks.

This Horned Grebe is nearly in full breeding plumage.

This Crow is carrying some white nesting material, which makes it look as though he has a beard.

Many Dark Eyed Juncos were foraging in the field.

This Osprey is hovering as he searches for a fish.

I saw this Pied Billed Grebe yesterday, and found him in the same place today.

Ring Necked Duck at Terrapin Nature Park.

Posted on March 22, 2016 by Hugh

Yet another superb day. The sunrise at Sandy Point was quite good. I headed right for Terrapin, as the local park is closed on Tuesdays. Friends have seen some good birds on the Eastern Shore recently and I found them as well.

Terrapin was well populated with ducks and a few passerines are trickling in also.

I stopped at Kent Narrows, which continues to be disappointing.

CBEC had hundreds of distant ducks, but I got close enough to a few for some decent images.

Sunrise at Sandy Point.

View from the blind at Terrapin.

The Marsh Pond at Terrapin.

Tundra Swans will also be heading North soon.

This Canada Goose will be nesting soon.

CBEC is a good spot for Northern Harriers.

Northern Pintails will be heading North to breed soon.

Eastern Phoebes are just arriving from the southern US and Central America.

I think this is the first Northern Shoveler I’ve seen at Terrapin.

I was in just the right spot when this Wood Duck flew over.

Not a great shot of these Wood Ducks, but I’ll get better ones soon.

Red Winged Blackbirds are very active now.

Not perfect, but Tree Swallows in flight are tough to get.

Dozens of Yellow Rumped Warblers were feeding near the marsh pond.

This female Ring Necked Duck had me stumped for a few minutes.

Yellow Bellied Sapsucker at Quiet Waters.

Posted on March 21, 2016 by Hugh

It was so cloudy this morning that I didn’t get started until after 8:00. I decided to stay at Quiet Waters for a while, and it was a good choice. There were more birds and more variety than in a long while.

The Ruddy Ducks that have been missing all Winter were there, as well as Ospreys, Eagles and Grebes.

Things are looking up!

I didn’t have quite enough shutter speed for this White Breasted Nuthatch in the shade.

Bald Eagles were numerous today.

Ruddy Ducks are usually numerous at Quiet Waters in the Winter, but not this year.

This Osprey was almost directly overhead.

Yet another Eagle/Osprey dispute.

Horned Grebes seem to be everywhere this week. They’ll be leaving to breed in Canada soon.

You can often find Double Crested Cormorants at Quiet Waters, but not in large numbers.

I found this Robin in my front yard when I got home.

This is the first Yellow Bellied Sapsucker I’ve seen in quite a while.

Osprey at Quiet Waters.

Posted on March 17, 2016 by Hugh

A beautiful day, with good light and good birds.

I started at Sandy Point, which was so foggy that I didn’t stay long.

Possum Point was next, and it was much better. The fog had almost cleared, and there were more birds than usual, including some Red Breasted Mergansers, who have been in short supply this year.

Jonas Green Park was deserted. Quiet Waters had a little activity and may get better soon.

I just barely caught this Mallard as he landed.

This Mourning Dove didn’t mind my presence at all.

This Double Crested Cormorant was feeding at Quiet Waters.

I was lucky to catch this Northern Flicker as he flew by.

This Song Sparrow was foraging right at my feet.

There are lots of Cardinals singing now.

Not a great shot, but this Tundra Swan is migrating later than most.

A small flock of Red Breasted Mergansers was feeding near the point.

Horned Grebes are very abundant now.

2-3 Bald Eagles are regulars at Possum Point.

The Osprey was very annoyed that this Bald Eagle was roosting near his nest.

The return of the Ospreys is in full swing.

Carolina Chickadee at Quiet Waters.

Posted on March 12, 2016 by Hugh

Graeme and I went to Possum Point this morning, with a brief stop on the new Severn River bridge to catch the sunrise. Possum Point was a bit slow, so we headed to Beach Road, which was busier, but the light was lousy.

Quiet Waters remains quiet. There should be more ducks at this time of year.

Sunrise at Possum Point.

Morning at the new Severn River bridge.

Red Winged Blackbirds are enthusiasitc singers.

This is the time of year to see Horned Grebes.

Greater Black Backed Seagulls are fairly common on the bay.

This Osprey was fishing at Possum Point.

This Carolina Chickadee was foraging at Quiet Waters.

Horned Grebe at Beach Road.

Posted on March 10, 2016 by Hugh

I started at Sandy Point this morning, and saw a decent sunrise, but very few birds.

Possum Point was next, and the Osprey numbers are increasing, but there wasn’t much else of interest.

I spent more time at Beach Road this morning, without much success, but I see future possibilities.

Quiet Waters was Quiet once again.

Sunrise at Sandy Point.

This Osprey pair will soon be mating and nest building.

Yet another Red Winged Blackbird seeking a mate.

These Buffleheads were the only ducks I saw at Quiet Waters.

This Horned Grebe is in breeding plumage.

Wood Duck at Quiet Waters

Posted on March 9, 2016 by Hugh

I started out at Possum Point this morning, but the sunrise was just so-so. There were plenty of birds, though, including my first Ospreys of the year. Hundreds of Canada Geese were flying North.

I stopped at Beach Road nest, and was surprised to find 14 Horned Grebes, a record for me. This area has been opened up, and looks like it will have future possibilities.

Quiet Waters was better than usual, with a few more ducks, including several Wood Ducks. A good day.

Sunrise at Possum Point.

These Buffleheads were also at Quiet Waters.

This Double Crested Cormorant was sunning himself at Quiet Waters.

These Mallards were in the marina.

I probably saw 500 Canada Geese flying North this morning.

This Red Shouldered Hawk is nesting at Quiet Waters. I’ll try to keep an eye on it.

First Ospreys of the year. There will be many more soon.

14 Horned Grebes were foraging along the shore.

Quiet Waters has always been a good spot for Wood Ducks.

Red Winged Blackbird at Terrapin Nature Park.

Posted on March 8, 2016 by Hugh

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.

Ring Necked Duck at Lake Artemesia.

Posted on March 7, 2016 by Hugh

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.

American Crow at Thomas Point.

Posted on March 5, 2016 by Hugh

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. The Crow was a fortuitous find and a nice change.

Previous Marches have been productive, so I expect more variety soon.