Common Raven

Some of the common breeders like Tree Swallows, Yellow Warbler, White-eyed Vireo and Prairie Warblers are back on territory at Blue Mash now. Still a few lingerers like White-throated Sparrows and Green-winged Teal remain but will depart in the next couple of weeks. Plenty of stuff moving through at the moment, the highlights of the past two weeks being a Caspian Tern and Common Raven, the latter being patch bird #155. A very confiding Barred Owl did not seem bothered by my presence at all and allowed for close views. American Bitterns have been sighted by several observers in the last week but have eluded me thus far and seemed to have moved on quickly. What I need next week is a warbler fallout, it's probably not gonna happen.

Saturday, March 21, 2015

Blue Mash Double

Blue Mash sure did not look or feel like anything you would expect for the end of march. A thin layer of snow covered the rain soaked ground and temperatures were pretty darn low. Not low enough for a freeze though, and both ponds were ice-free and provided perfect conditions for migrating waterfowl. Sure enough plenty of ducks were around; in particular Ring-necked Ducks were abundant and I counted a staggering 57 combining both ponds. An unexpected single Northern Shoveler was on the smaller of the two ponds, patch bird number 152. Number 151 was Wood Cock by the way that I scored Saturday of last week during an evening visit. Continuing with waterfowl from today though; other ducks included American Black Ducks, Mallard, Green-winged Teal and Hooded Mergansers. Another excellent bird came in the shape of a Eastern Meadowlark that was calling from across the fence, patch bird #153. Other spring arrivals included my FOY Eastern Phoebes, Tree Swallows and Wilson's Snipes. On my way home I stopped by the Agricultural History Park where I had two stunning Horned Larks and fly-over Pipits. The next few weeks will no doubt provide a lot of fun and new year birds.

Rough-legged Hawk

I remember almost exactly 4 years ago chasing and dipping on a Rough-legged Hawk at Blue Mash. Last week, after coming back from Puerto Rico word got out of another RLH at the Mash. After the bird was seen again on Saturday, I rushed out on Sunday morning to see it. It took a lot of patience before the bird showed up hunting in the distance over the landfill. Patch bird #150, one that was overdue.

Puerto Rico

A science conference in Puerto Rico provided a welcome escape from the Maryland freeze and ample opportunities to see some Puerto Rico endemics. Two birding trips took me to the El Yunque National Forest, the biggest rainforest on American territory and the Humacao Nature Reserve, a fantastic place on the coast with fresh-water lagoons. Below are some of the PR specialities (and not not so special birds) I got to see: Puerto Rican Flycatcher, PR Spindalis, PR Emerald, PR Tanager, PR Tody, Caribbean Coot, White-cheeked Pintail, Bananaquit, Loggerhead Kingbird, Grey Kingbird, Red-legged Thrush, Pearly-eyed Thrasher, Scaly-naped Pigeon, Monk Parakeet, Ruddy Duck, Common Moorhen, PR Woodpecker, White-winged Dove.