Sunday, November 18, 2012

Bombay Hook NWR

Bombay Hook NWR lies along the western shore of Delaware Bay, and has about 16,000 acres of tidal salt marsh, cordgrass meadows, rivers and creeks, upland woods, and freshwater pond impoundments.  Chesapeake Audubon members enjoyed a sunny day there Saturday on a field trip led by Kye Jenkins, and noted about 51 species.


Ducks spotted include Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Black Duck, Green-winged Teal, Bufflehead, Ruddy Ducks, along with a Red-breasted Merganser, Coots, Pied-billed Grebes.

Hundreds of Avocets were present as well as one Black-necked Stilt.  Canada Geese and Tundra Swans were plentiful, as well as a few Snow Geese. 

Stopped along one of the impoundments.
Shovelers and Avocets flying right!
There were many more female Pintails than male.

Bald Eagles and Harriers were hunting over the marshes scaring up the ducks.  Red-tailed Hawks, Turkey Vultures, Great Blue Herons, Greater Yellowlegs, Marbled Godwits, Dunlins, Forster's Terns, and clouds of Grackles and Red-winged Blackbirds were also seen.

Saturday, November 10, 2012

28th Annual Chili Dinner

Our 28th annual Chili Dinner featured a lecture by Dave Brinker on the "Future of Maryland's Marshbirds".   Sea level rise in the next 100 years will challenge the survival of these species, and Dave explained the research done on distribution and abundance of 10 species of marsh breeding birds in Maryland.

CAS Program Chair Kevin McCahill (left), and Master Chili Chef John Love.
 John drove all the way from New Mexico to cook for our members!
CAS information board with photos by Hugh Simmons
 
Members had a chance to support the preservation of Teshekpuk Lake in Alaska

John Love serving up his famous chili

Our annual Spaghetti Dinner is in the spring.  Please join us!