Cromwell Valley Park

A really fun day for the 14 people who lent their good eyes and ears to the Chesapeake Audubon trip at Cromwell Valley State Park this morning. Good and consistent activity throughout the area, and we were fortunate to obtain some excellent views of many birds.

We got a lot, but a good deal got away. Highlights below--some particularly nice birds

Black Vulture  4
Osprey  2
Northern Harrier  1
BALD EAGLE  1
YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO  3
YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER  1
Pileated Woodpecker  1
LEAST FLYCATCHER  1
WARBLING VIREO  1
PHILADELPHIA VIREO  1
RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH  3
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET  2
Brown Thrasher  1
Cedar Waxwing  6
Ovenbird  1
Black-and-white Warbler  3
Tennessee Warbler  1
Common Yellowthroat  13
American Redstart  9
Northern Parula  2
Magnolia Warbler  15
Chestnut-sided Warbler  11
Black-throated Blue Warbler  1
Palm Warbler  1
Black-throated Green Warbler  9
Scarlet Tanager  2
ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK  2

Cromwell Valley has their own Hawk Watch with expert counters.

Oregon Ridge Nature Center

While waiting in the parking lot, we could tell it was going to be a good morning for birding.  Catbirds were everywhere and very active, a Pileated Woodpecker called from the woods, and Pewees were "flycatching" overhead. 

This was a beginner bird walk, and we were treated to some nice migrants and resident birds.

The Black Walnut Tree we're looking toward held Baltimore Orioles, Cedar Waxwings, American Goldfinches, and Eastern Wood Pewees.  In the meadow we also saw Mourning Doves,  a Hairy Woodpecker, Red-eyed Vireo, and Red-winged Blackbirds.

Near the Nature Center were White-breasted Nuthatches, a Veery, Black-throated Blue Warbler, and  Downy Woodpecker.  A total of 26 species were seen or heard. 

Kayak Trip at Bosely Conservancy

Bosely Conservancy is a component of Otter Point Creek, located in Edgewood, and is owned by the Izaac Walton League of America.  Sixteen paddlers joined the field trip through this beautiful freshwater tidal marsh.  This time of  year wildflowers are blooming profusely, and we weren't disappointed.

Here's a nice mixture of Marsh Hibiscus, Cardinal Flower, Green-headed Coneflower, and fruit from an Elderberry.

George was our leader, and is a naturalist at the Anita Leight Nature Center.

Paddling was easy and slow through the branches of Otter Point Creek.

One of two Great Egrets spotted.

Birds seen or heard include:
Bald Eagle
Osprey
Red-shouldered Hawk
Forster's Tern
Ring-billed Gull
Great Egret
Great Blue Heron
Juv. Black-crowned Night Heron
Wood Duck
White-eyed Vireo
Acadian  Flycatcher
Cedar Waxwing
Goldfinch
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Tree Swallow
Cardinal
Common Yellow-throated Warbler
Carolina Wren

We're watching some terns here, this is our turnaround point.

Ironweed

Other plants noted were Pickerelweed, Cattail, Wild Celery, Wild Rice, Jewelweed, Joe-pye Weed, Spatterdock, Swamp Milkweed, and Arrowwood Viburnum.

You can find more information about Otter Point Creek and the Anita Leight Estuary on their website, www.otterpointcreek.org.  Thanks for an informative and fun morning on the creek!

Swan Harbor Farm - Harford Cnty.

A very friendly group of 8 people--representing a large range of birding experience--had a great time this morning at Swan Harbor Farm in Harford County. 2 bobolinks in the middle of the new/right/vegetation-covered impoundment were the highlight. Some other particular favorites included many bald eagles (of varied plumage), 4 shorebird species (least sandpiper, killdeer, lesser yellowlegs, solitary sandpiper), a green heron, a double-crested cormorant, and indigo buntings. Bees, wasps, and butterflies were active. We saw a cicada killer with a cicada drop down and go into a tunnel, and we had 4 species of swallowtail: tiger, spicebush, zebra, and black. A good time!

At the pier spotting Canada Goose, Great Blue Heron, DC Cormorant, Bald Eagle, and Forster's Terns.

We observed most of the shorebirds and the Mallards in this impoundment.

The flower garden along the barn was filled with butterflies.

Patterson Park Audubon Bird Walk

Patterson Park Audubon led their monthly "Urban Birding" walk this morning led by Maryland/DC Audubon's Director of Bird Conservation Dave Curson.

The group meets at the fountain and then winds its way around the community gardens and down to the pond.  Here we're looking at Great Crested Flycatchers which nested in the park this season.  Chimney Swifts were plentiful, and we also spotted a juv. Carolina Wren.

At the duck pond, we noticed the mallards were going through their yearly molt, and the males look very similar to the females except for their bill color.  They are flightless during this time.

Black-crowned Night Herons call the park home - this one is preening itself on the island.

A few Canada Geese were mixed in with the Mallards.  One Black Duck had recently arrived.

Marsh Hibiscus was blooming.

A migrant Northern Parula was in the trees by the boardwalk - a nice surprise.  Other birds noted were Flicker, Osprey, Red-winged Blackbird, Goldfinch, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Robin, and House Finch.  The next scheduled walk is Saturday, August 25th - binoculars are available to borrow if you don't have any.  Early migrants should be passing through then - please join in!

Pickering Creek Audubon Center

Our Saturday canoe trip was cancelled due to rain, but here are some highlights from the previous week.  We will reschedule the trip in the fall - there should be plenty of ducks in the wetlands to view.

Our first stop was the platform overlooking the wetlands.  It was already filling up with shorebirds - Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs, Least Tern, Least Sandpipers, and Short-billed Dowitchers. 

The Pickering Creek dock has a classroom area for students.

This Osprey may have fledged by now.

Barn Swallows were on every dock.

There were many shoreline scenes like this one.

Nice birds spotted were Bald Eagle, Black Vultures, Kingfisher, Green Heron, and many  Great Blue Herons.  See you in the fall!

Patapsco Valley - McKeldin Area

Located along Marriottsville Rd., the McKeldin area is where the Main Branch and South Branch of the Patapsco meet, and is a designated IBA (Important Bird Area) according to Maryland/DC Audubon.  Bryan MacKay led us along wooded trails and it wasn't long before we had a long, close look at a Yellow-throated Vireo.

We soon added Wood Thrush, Eastern Bluebird, Black and White Warbler, Acadian Flycatcher, Ovenbird, Scarlet Tanager, Batimore Oriole, Wood Duck, and Chipping Sparrow.  A Norther Parula and Cerulean Warbler were heard but not seen. 

Some plants noted were Long-leaved Bluets, Virginia Rye, Witch Hazel, Hawkweed, Mugwort, and Lyre-leaved Sage.