Enjoy the report and pictures from the HRBC annual fall field trip to the Eastern Shore.

The weather and birds could not have been more cooperative for our annual field trip to the Eastern Shore on October 13. We had a record 24 participants, with many new faces, and Ben Copeland as our expert trip leader. We tallied 88 species, counting species from the time we crossed the CBBT at dawn until we stopped at Island 1 on the way back at sunset.

Sunrise from CBBT	Sunrise at Fisherman's Island

AT THE BANDING STATION

We started at the banding station and spent more than two hours there. We saw many species that we rarely get to see up-close such as Swainson’s Thrush and Gray-cheeked Thrush. Warblers included Cape May, Black-throated Green, Black-throat Blue, Yellow-breasted Chat, Pine, Common Yellow-throat, Western Palm, Ovenbird, American Redstart and Yellow-rumped. Jethro Runco, head bander, did an excellent job pointing out field marks of each species.

Jerri Howe records while Jethro explains	HRBC members watch, listen and learn

Swainson's Thrush	Gray-cheeked Thrush

Gray Catbird	Indigo Bunting

Photo opp. with Gray-cheeked Thrush	Waiting to see the next banded bird

Winter Wren	Pine Warbler (immature female)

Ruby-crowned Kinglet	Field Sparrow

Getting close-up views was a treat	Nick checking out Meredith's field guide

Jethro showing us the field sparrow	Jethro has reached his limit...

Swamp Sparrow	Black-throated Green Warbler

Cape May Warlber	Common Yellow-throat (female)

Yellow-breasted Chat	Ovenbird

Getting a close look at a Palm Warbler	Nick, his dad Alan, Nancy and Hayes

Other Parts of Kiptopeke

Yellow-rumped Warbler and Palm Warbler were abundant in all locations, and Northern Flicker was the most common bird seen flying over at Kiptopeke.

We watched Red-breasted Nuthatches visit the feeders near the Hawk Watch station and had great looks at Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Yellow-billed Cuckoo and two Northern Parula in the nearby trees. Exploring the trails yielded Black & White Warbler, Red-eyed Vireo, Hairy Woodpecker and Downy Woodpecker.

When an immature Cooper’s Hawk was caught, we all gathered at the Hawk Watch station to see it up-close. A beautiful bird!

Immature Cooper's Hawk	Cooper's Hawk - side view

Leader Ben Copeland checking the field guide with Nick and Jane	Enjoying lunch together after a busy morning of birding at Kiptopeke

The Landfill and Oyster

From Kiptopeke, we traveled to the Landfill near Oyster. Waterfowl included Ruddy Duck, Black Duck, Pied-billed Grebe and Mallard. Other highlights included Snowy Egret, Greater Yellowlegs, Palm Warbler and an immature Bald Eagle.

In Oyster there were Ruddy Turnstone, Kildeer, Lesser Yellowlegs and Spotted Sandpiper close in. Using scopes, we found Oyster Catcher, Willet, Black-bellied Plover, Caspian Tern and a possible Marbled Godwit.

Organizing to explore the Landfill	Checking out birds in all directions

Traveling south on Rte 600, we found two American Kestrel and Eastern Bluebird but far fewer raptors than we’re used to seeing along that road.

On Ramp Road, there were only six Black Ducks on the pond. Osprey and Great Blue Herons were seen at the end of the road, which is now open for parking ($10 fee for every vehicle).

A few of us were reluctant to “call it a day” and explored Magotha Road. We were excited to hear two owls – Great Horned and Eastern Screech. In the swampy area we saw Pileated Woodpecker, Swamp Sparrow, Gray Catbird and Common Yellowthroat.

At the pullover after the southbound toll plaza, there were Sanderling, Brown Pelican, Royal Tern and Willet. Nothing new was seen on Island 1, but by that point it didn’t matter. We had lots of wonderful bird memories to take home.

Sunset over the Chesapeake Bay	Just after sunset