I saw the Lapwing on Saturday at the spot reported by others. Quite a
striking bird -- especially when it took flight. On the ground it appears
about 1/3 bigger than a Killdeer, but in the air, it appears at least twice
the size of a Killdeer. It was very far away in a field -- glad I brought
my scope -- and there was some heat shimmer. It looks to be in full
breeding plumage, but I was unable to take any clear photographs.
If folks head up there to see the bird, consider driving up to PA to see a
bunch of Short-eared Owls that are staying in a hay field (probably 20 miles
away from the Lapwing). An albino Red-tailed Hawk was also seen in the area
by some folks. I saw a white hawk flying, but lost sight of it. The owls
can be reached as follows: take Hwy 15 north out of Thurman, MD; exit Hwy 15
at the first exit in PA (road name ends in "wehr") and turn left at the stop
sign; turn left onto Bullfrog Road; turn right onto Pumping Station Road;
and finally turn left onto Bigham Road (a gravel road with a red barn at the
end). The owls are in the fields on both sides of Bigham Road and around
the intersection with Pumping Station Road. I saw at least 12 owls, as well
as 4 Harriers and a few Red-tailed Hawks. The owls must not mind the
daylight because I saw them between 3 and 4 pm. They would sometimes
vocalize as well. The owl spot is about 5 miles from Hwy 15.
I visited Craney Island (Portsmouth, VA) yesterday. All impoundments, at
their western ends, have water. There were no waterfowl on the
impoundments. A pair of Osprey was checking the nesting platform on the
west side of Craney. There were also a two American Kestrels, each alone
(one on the east side and one on the north side of Craney). There was a
flock of approximately 40 Western Sandpipers in a pool on the northern side
of the north impoundment. There were a few Gadwall, Black Ducks, and
American Wigeon along the western shoreline. A Glaucous Gull flew by the
north side of Craney, toward I-664. I was unable to locate it later. I was
concerned that the sunlight caused the bird to appear more white than it
actually was, but I could not find any dark color on the bird. It was the
size of a Herring Gull and I saw the pink bill (with black tip). I checked
the Portsmouth campus of Tidewater Community College by the water. There
were a few Surf Scoters along there.
I trying to keep my hopes alive that the CBBT will remain open to
birdwatchers. It is one of the main reasons I was happy to move to this
area (not much of a city person). I faxed a letter to the CBBT office
Friday, but won't be able to attend the meeting tomorrow.
Elisa Enders
Portsmouth, VA
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