Date: 3/31/26 6:17 pm From: 'SUE RICCIARDI' via Maryland & DC Birding <mdbirding...> Subject: [MDBirding] Fort Smallwood Park (31 Mar 2026) 162 Raptors
Fort Smallwood Park Pasadena, Maryland, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 31, 2026
Species
Day's Count
Month Total
Season Total
Black Vulture
9
59
59
Turkey Vulture
135
5631
5674
Osprey
6
116
116
Bald Eagle
1
46
46
Northern Harrier
0
6
6
Sharp-shinned Hawk
2
48
48
Cooper's Hawk
2
49
49
American Goshawk
0
0
0
Red-shouldered Hawk
1
237
238
Broad-winged Hawk
0
0
0
Red-tailed Hawk
3
58
58
Rough-legged Hawk
0
0
0
Golden Eagle
0
0
0
American Kestrel
2
35
35
Merlin
0
1
1
Peregrine Falcon
0
0
0
Unknown Accipitrine
1
2
2
Unknown Buteo
0
4
4
Unknown Falcon
0
1
1
Unknown Eagle
0
0
0
Unknown Raptor
0
1
1
Total:
162
6294
6338
Observation start time:
9:00 am Daylight Time
Observation end time:
3:00 pm
Total observation time:
6 hours
Official Counter
Chris Reed
Observers:
Cindy Godwin, Steve Steimel, Sue Ricciardi
Visitors: Andrew Estrin, Emily Hauny
Weather: Partly cloudy; 63-80 degrees; good visibility; winds southwesterly 12-15 mph gusting to 25 mph
Raptor Observations: Vultures and a smattering of other species. Lots of interaction chirping local and migrant Ospreys
Site Description Fort Smallwood Park is located on the western shore of Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Patapsco River, 11 miles south of Baltimore, MD. Best winds are from the southwest.
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Date: 3/30/26 6:51 pm From: 'SUE RICCIARDI' via Maryland & DC Birding <mdbirding...> Subject: [MDBirding] Fort Smallwood Park (30 Mar 2026) 608 Raptors
Fort Smallwood Park Pasadena, Maryland, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 30, 2026
Species
Day's Count
Month Total
Season Total
Black Vulture
3
50
50
Turkey Vulture
571
5496
5539
Osprey
7
110
110
Bald Eagle
1
45
45
Northern Harrier
0
6
6
Sharp-shinned Hawk
8
46
46
Cooper's Hawk
1
47
47
American Goshawk
0
0
0
Red-shouldered Hawk
9
236
237
Broad-winged Hawk
0
0
0
Red-tailed Hawk
5
55
55
Rough-legged Hawk
0
0
0
Golden Eagle
0
0
0
American Kestrel
2
33
33
Merlin
0
1
1
Peregrine Falcon
0
0
0
Unknown Accipitrine
0
1
1
Unknown Buteo
1
4
4
Unknown Falcon
0
1
1
Unknown Eagle
0
0
0
Unknown Raptor
0
1
1
Total:
608
6132
6176
Observation start time:
8:45 am Daylight Time
Observation end time:
4:00 pm
Total observation time:
7.25 hours
Official Counter
Chris Reed
Observers:
Andy Francis, Cindy Godwin, Steve Steimel, Sue Ricciardi
Weather: Rain, drizzle at the start, then cloudy to mostly cloudy; 55-68 degrees; fair to good visibility; winds southwesterly, 10-16 mph gusting to 25 mph
Raptor Observations: Southwesterly winds brought us another nice flight. In the afternoon, kettles of Turkey Vultures rose up from Bodkin Point, sometimes going straight north and sometimes coming into shore before heading north.
Non-raptor Observations: A Little Gull was located among the 100+ Bonaparte's Gulls at the marina.
Site Description Fort Smallwood Park is located on the western shore of Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Patapsco River, 11 miles south of Baltimore, MD. Best winds are from the southwest.
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Date: 3/29/26 6:56 pm From: 'SUE RICCIARDI' via Maryland & DC Birding <mdbirding...> Subject: [MDBirding] Fort Smallwood Park (29 Mar 2026) 367 Raptors
Fort Smallwood Park Pasadena, Maryland, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 29, 2026
Species
Day's Count
Month Total
Season Total
Black Vulture
2
47
47
Turkey Vulture
331
4925
4968
Osprey
9
103
103
Bald Eagle
6
44
44
Northern Harrier
1
6
6
Sharp-shinned Hawk
6
38
38
Cooper's Hawk
1
46
46
American Goshawk
0
0
0
Red-shouldered Hawk
2
227
228
Broad-winged Hawk
0
0
0
Red-tailed Hawk
7
50
50
Rough-legged Hawk
0
0
0
Golden Eagle
0
0
0
American Kestrel
2
31
31
Merlin
0
1
1
Peregrine Falcon
0
0
0
Unknown Accipitrine
0
1
1
Unknown Buteo
0
3
3
Unknown Falcon
0
1
1
Unknown Eagle
0
0
0
Unknown Raptor
0
1
1
Total:
367
5524
5568
Observation start time:
9 am Daylight Time
Observation end time:
3 pm
Total observation time:
6 hours
Official Counter
Chris Reed
Observers:
Cindy Godwin, Hal Wierenga, Jenny Isaacs, Lynn Davidson, Sue Ricciardi
Visitors: Steph and Dave
Weather: Partly cloudy; 47-57 degrees; good visibility; winds southwesterly, 0-12 mph gusting to 26 mph
Raptor Observations: With the southwesterly winds on the strong side, the flight was high and fast moving. A nice assortment of raptors with Turkey Vultures dominating. Ospreys everywhere.
Non-raptor Observations: 750 Bonaparte's Gulls at the marina. Migrant Common Loon.
Site Description Fort Smallwood Park is located on the western shore of Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Patapsco River, 11 miles south of Baltimore, MD. Best winds are from the southwest.
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Date: 3/28/26 7:55 pm From: 'SUE RICCIARDI' via Maryland & DC Birding <mdbirding...> Subject: [MDBirding] Fort Smallwood Park (28 Mar 2026) 416 Raptors
Fort Smallwood Park Pasadena, Maryland, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 28, 2026
Species
Day's Count
Month Total
Season Total
Black Vulture
3
45
45
Turkey Vulture
382
4594
4637
Osprey
11
94
94
Bald Eagle
5
38
38
Northern Harrier
1
5
5
Sharp-shinned Hawk
1
32
32
Cooper's Hawk
2
45
45
American Goshawk
0
0
0
Red-shouldered Hawk
1
225
226
Broad-winged Hawk
0
0
0
Red-tailed Hawk
3
43
43
Rough-legged Hawk
0
0
0
Golden Eagle
0
0
0
American Kestrel
7
29
29
Merlin
0
1
1
Peregrine Falcon
0
0
0
Unknown Accipitrine
0
1
1
Unknown Buteo
0
3
3
Unknown Falcon
0
1
1
Unknown Eagle
0
0
0
Unknown Raptor
0
1
1
Total:
416
5157
5201
Observation start time:
9:00 am Daylight Time
Observation end time:
5:00 pm
Total observation time:
8 hours
Official Counter
Chris Reed, Lynn Davidson
Observers:
Dan Walker, Hal Wierenga, Hugh Hoffman, Lynn Davidson, Sue Ricciardi
Visitors: Chris
Weather: Partly cloudy to sunny; 37-49 degrees; good visibility; winds northwesterly and strong, 10-17mph gusting to 24 mph
Raptor Observations: Nice flight today in the northwesterly winds. Ten raptor species. Ospreys and American Kestrels besides Turkey Vultures. Local or migrant Ospreys always in the air. Local courting Cooper's Hawk.
Non-raptor Observations: Barred Owl calling; 160 Bonaparte's Gulls; Great Egret
Site Description Fort Smallwood Park is located on the western shore of Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Patapsco River, 11 miles south of Baltimore, MD. Best winds are from the southwest.
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Date: 3/26/26 9:42 pm From: 'SUE RICCIARDI' via Maryland & DC Birding <mdbirding...> Subject: [MDBirding] Fort Smallwood Park (26 Mar 2026) 745 Raptors
Fort Smallwood Park Pasadena, Maryland, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 26, 2026
Species
Day's Count
Month Total
Season Total
Black Vulture
2
42
42
Turkey Vulture
686
4212
4255
Osprey
17
83
83
Bald Eagle
4
33
33
Northern Harrier
2
4
4
Sharp-shinned Hawk
8
31
31
Cooper's Hawk
3
43
43
American Goshawk
0
0
0
Red-shouldered Hawk
10
224
225
Broad-winged Hawk
0
0
0
Red-tailed Hawk
7
40
40
Rough-legged Hawk
0
0
0
Golden Eagle
0
0
0
American Kestrel
6
22
22
Merlin
0
1
1
Peregrine Falcon
0
0
0
Unknown Accipitrine
0
1
1
Unknown Buteo
0
3
3
Unknown Falcon
0
1
1
Unknown Eagle
0
0
0
Unknown Raptor
0
1
1
Total:
745
4741
4785
Observation start time:
9:00 am Daylight Time
Observation end time:
3:00 pm
Total observation time:
6 hours
Official Counter
Chris Reed, Sue Ricciardi
Observers:
Cindy Godwin, Fred Shaffer, Hal Wierenga, Lynn Davidson, Ralph Geuder, Steve Steimel, Sue Ricciardi
Visitors: Elizabeth
Weather: Partly cloudy; 58 to 78 degrees; fair to good visibility with early haze; winds southwesterly, 9-12 mph gusting to 20 mph.
Raptor Observations: A great spring day for hawkwatching! The weather favored us today, except for causing the flight to be high at times. Ten species with vultures leading the way, supplemented by 17 Ospreys and smaller numbers of Bald Eagles, Northern Harriers, Sharp-shinned, Cooper's, Red-shouldered and Red-tailed Hawks and American Kestrels.
Non-raptor Observations: 3 Green-winged Teals and turtles basking everywhere. 4 Northern Rough-winged Swallows, first of the season.
Site Description Fort Smallwood Park is located on the western shore of Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Patapsco River, 11 miles south of Baltimore, MD. Best winds are from the southwest.
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Date: 3/25/26 6:44 pm From: 'SUE RICCIARDI' via Maryland & DC Birding <mdbirding...> Subject: [MDBirding] Fort Smallwood Park (25 Mar 2026) 167 Raptors
Fort Smallwood Park Pasadena, Maryland, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 25, 2026
Species
Day's Count
Month Total
Season Total
Black Vulture
0
40
40
Turkey Vulture
149
3526
3569
Osprey
1
66
66
Bald Eagle
0
29
29
Northern Harrier
0
2
2
Sharp-shinned Hawk
2
23
23
Cooper's Hawk
0
40
40
American Goshawk
0
0
0
Red-shouldered Hawk
9
214
215
Broad-winged Hawk
0
0
0
Red-tailed Hawk
6
33
33
Rough-legged Hawk
0
0
0
Golden Eagle
0
0
0
American Kestrel
0
16
16
Merlin
0
1
1
Peregrine Falcon
0
0
0
Unknown Accipitrine
0
1
1
Unknown Buteo
0
3
3
Unknown Falcon
0
1
1
Unknown Eagle
0
0
0
Unknown Raptor
0
1
1
Total:
167
3996
4040
Observation start time:
9:00 am Daylight Time
Observation end time:
3:00 pm
Visitors: Andrew Estrin
Weather: Mostly cloudy with periods of overcast; 41-54 degrees; good visibility; winds southerly 3-10 mph
Raptor Observations: A nice flight of buteos to complement the Turkey Vultures. One of the Bald Eagles from March 20 was a juvenile, presumably born in Florida and making its way north.
Non-raptor Observations: Double-crested Cormorants starting to move north, flying in formation
Site Description Fort Smallwood Park is located on the western shore of Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Patapsco River, 11 miles south of Baltimore, MD. Best winds are from the southwest.
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Date: 3/24/26 5:42 pm From: 'SUE RICCIARDI' via Maryland & DC Birding <mdbirding...> Subject: [MDBirding] Fort Smallwood Park (24 Mar 2026) 232 Raptors
Fort Smallwood Park Pasadena, Maryland, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 24, 2026
Species
Day's Count
Month Total
Season Total
Black Vulture
3
40
40
Turkey Vulture
210
3377
3420
Osprey
10
65
65
Bald Eagle
2
29
29
Northern Harrier
0
2
2
Sharp-shinned Hawk
1
21
21
Cooper's Hawk
3
40
40
American Goshawk
0
0
0
Red-shouldered Hawk
1
205
206
Broad-winged Hawk
0
0
0
Red-tailed Hawk
1
27
27
Rough-legged Hawk
0
0
0
Golden Eagle
0
0
0
American Kestrel
1
16
16
Merlin
0
1
1
Peregrine Falcon
0
0
0
Unknown Accipitrine
0
1
1
Unknown Buteo
0
3
3
Unknown Falcon
0
1
1
Unknown Eagle
0
0
0
Unknown Raptor
0
1
1
Total:
232
3829
3873
Observation start time:
9:00 am Daylight Time
Observation end time:
2:00 pm
Total observation time:
5 hours
Official Counter
Chris Reed
Observers:
Joe Hanfman, Ralph Geuder, Sue Ricciardi
Weather: Mostly sunny; 38-44 degrees; good visibility; winds northerly and light 3-10 mph
Raptor Observations: Besides 210 Turkey Vultures, 10 Ospreys went north, with several carrying a fish.
Non-raptor Observations: Red-throated Loon, 24 Horned Grebes with many transitioning into breeding plumage
Site Description Fort Smallwood Park is located on the western shore of Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Patapsco River, 11 miles south of Baltimore, MD. Best winds are from the southwest.
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Date: 3/23/26 10:48 pm From: Phil Davis <pdavis...> Subject: Re: [MDBirding] Previous Maryland sighting of Yellow-Billed Loon
MD Birders:
There have been three previous reports of Yellow-billed Loon (YBLO) from Maryland:
MD/DCRC#: 1998-018 Species: Yellow-billed Loon Location: MD, Saint Mary's, St. George Island, Piney Point, Evan's Seafood Restaurant Date(s): 03/12/1998-03/27/1998 Number/Age/Sex: One bird reported. Observer(s): Craig_P [finder], Wiegant_L, Lynch_L, Schooley_C, et al. Documentation: Three color prints by P Craig. Sketches by L Weigant. Decision: Not Accepted Findings: The committee found that the various observer reports provided conflicting details on bill shape and coloration, as well as details of the head and neck pattern that did not conclusively support identification of Yellow-billed Loon. Since this species would be new not just to MD, but to the mid-Atlantic area, and the fact that early spring Common Loons are often mistaken for Yellow-billeds in Europe, a very high standard must be applied to this species. The committee also considered that the observations may be of different birds, but it still could not make a conclusive case. In the end, the committee could not find unequivocal evidence for a Yellow-billed Loon.
MD/DCRC#: 1999-200 Species: Yellow-billed Loon Location: MD, Saint Mary's, Mechanicsville, Sandgates Date(s): 11/03/1999-11/05/1999 Number/Age/Sex: One bird on three separate days, perhaps different birds? Documentation: Sight report. Sketch. Not previously published. Observer(s): Muise_C [finder] (Reported on 11/03/1999), Winter_E [finder] (Reported on 11/03/1999), Gatchet_JF (Reported on 11/04/1999), O'Brien_PJ (Sketch of bill, reported on 11/04/1999), Mulligan_M (Reported on 11/05/1999) Decision: Not Accepted Findings: Three sets of five observers reported single birds on three different days. The committee could not be certain if these were the same or different birds. Unfortunately, the reports from the first day (the closest view) did not capture critical detailed field marks necessary to eliminate Common Loon, such as extent of dark on the culmen, the straightness of the culmen, and presence/absence of an auriculal patch. Non-alternate Common Loons overlap with Yellow-billed in terms of bill coloration and also in the back plumage cross-barring that was noted. The reports from the second day were more detailed but the bird was at quite a distance (1 to 1.5 miles). While bill shape and color descriptions are intriguing, no auricular patch or back pattern was described to eliminate Common Loon. The third day report was brief and was not supported by other observers at this same location on the same day. In the end, the committee found that there were just not enough unequivocal details to eliminate Common Loon and support a first state record.
MD/DCRC#: 2008-165 Species: Yellow-billed Loon Location: MD, Worcester, Assateague Island, Berlin, Assateague Island National Seashore, ORV zone - north end Date(s): 12/14/2008 Number/Age/Sex: One bird. Observer(s): Bucknam_J [finder], et al. Documentation: Sight report. Written notes. Not published. Decision: Not Accepted Findings: If accepted, this would have been not just the first record for Maryland but also the first for the Mid-Atlantic region. Separation of winter loons is very challenging and must be based on more than bill color. Although details were provided that are suggestive of Yellow-billed Loon, the committee found that some details were equivocal and that this report did not provide additional details that would have made the identification less equivocal, such as a more precise description of the shape of bill, head shape, the presence of a dark auricular patch, neck thickness, eye size and placement, and overall size. Some members also felt that other similar species, such as Red-throated Loon, could just not be totally eliminated from consideration. Even though this report was not accepted, committee members applauded the observer efforts to document this sighting.
Comments on reopening of previous YBLO reports: Even though I have stepped down as Secretary of the MD/DCRC for "new records" (from 1 Jan 2025, on), my intent is to still be involved with the historical records until we clean up the backlog and make most of the historical records "publishable." There has been no movement yet to form a new MD, DC, or MD/DC committee to deal with new records in this eBird era.
With regard to reopening of previous MD YBLO reports, the "old" committee standard was to entertain a reopening only if "new" information comes to light. The new information could relate to previously unknown observer documentation or newly published information on identification or distribution. The committee would not reopen previous report just because the current members did not agree with a previous decision.
There are cases where new information on species patterns of distribution was cited as the rationale for a reopening, but this generally is only used in cases where the previous not accepted record identification is not in question, but rather the issue was basically just one of provenance. For example, there is the famous case of the first North American Black-tailed Gull (BTGU): 1. In 1954, a dead BTGU specimen (First for North America) was found in San Diego on the beach but the CA Records Committee "Not Accepts" it due to no pattern of vagrancy ("ship assisted"?). 2. MD has an unequivocal 1984 Assateague photo but Not Accepts it based on lack of vagrancy patterns (second report for North America), 3. CA reopens their 1954 record and accepts it, citing the 1984 MD bird, 4. MD reopens our 1984 record and accepts it, citing the now-Accepted 1954 CA bird. Crazy, eh? But, remember that there was no question re the ID of the MD 1984 bird.
Good birding!
Phil Davis
At 22:00 03/23/2026, 'James Tyler Bell' via Maryland & DC Birding wrote:
It would be interesting to get some input from anyone who was on the RC at the time. It's almost a given that birders will have some sort of camera now but not so much in 1999. Their details on eBird are pretty sparse so it would be insightful to know if they provided significantly more details in their RC submission. Their notes on Shrimpy were equally sparse but at that time, it was pretty reliable so almost a "continuing" status.
Tyler Bell <jtylerbell...> California, Maryland
On Monday, March 23, 2026 at 01:04:06 PM EDT, Scott Young <wsyacy...> wrote:
Now that we have photographic proof of a Yellow-Billed Loon visiting Maryland, perhaps it would be appropriate to reconsider an earlier sighting in November, 1999. It was spotted by three birders with experience with that loon from the west. They had no photographs so that's why they think their sighting was not accepted by the records committee. What's fascinating to me is the that 1999 sighting at Sandgates in St. Mary's County along the Patuxent River is quite close to the present day sighting along that river! Thoughts?
=================================================== Phil Davis, Secretary Emeritus MD/DC Records Committee 2549 Vale Court Davidsonville, Maryland 21035 USA web: https://mdbirds.org/records-committee/ email: <pdavis...> phone: 301-261-0184 ===================================================
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Date: 3/23/26 7:01 pm From: 'James Tyler Bell' via Maryland & DC Birding <mdbirding...> Subject: Re: [MDBirding] Previous Maryland sighting of Yellow-Billed Loon
It would be interesting to get some input from anyone who was on the RC at the time. It's almost a given that birders will have some sort of camera now but not so much in 1999. Their details on eBird are pretty sparse so it would be insightful to know if they provided significantly more details in their RC submission. Their notes on Shrimpy were equally sparse but at that time, it was pretty reliable so almost a "continuing" status.
Tyler Bell
<jtylerbell...>
California, Maryland
On Monday, March 23, 2026 at 01:04:06 PM EDT, Scott Young <wsyacy...> wrote:
Now that we have photographic proof of a Yellow-Billed Loon visiting Maryland, perhaps it would be appropriate to reconsider an earlier sighting in November, 1999. It was spotted by three birders with experience with that loon from the west. They had no photographs so that’s why they think their sighting was not accepted by the records committee. What’s fascinating to me is the that 1999 sighting at Sandgates in St. Mary’s County along the Patuxent River is quite close to the present day sighting along that river! Thoughts?
--
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Date: 3/23/26 6:55 pm From: 'SUE RICCIARDI' via Maryland & DC Birding <mdbirding...> Subject: [MDBirding] Fort Smallwood Park (23 Mar 2026) 145 Raptors
Fort Smallwood Park Pasadena, Maryland, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 23, 2026
Species
Day's Count
Month Total
Season Total
Black Vulture
0
37
37
Turkey Vulture
141
3167
3210
Osprey
0
55
55
Bald Eagle
1
27
27
Northern Harrier
0
2
2
Sharp-shinned Hawk
0
20
20
Cooper's Hawk
0
37
37
American Goshawk
0
0
0
Red-shouldered Hawk
0
204
205
Broad-winged Hawk
0
0
0
Red-tailed Hawk
0
26
26
Rough-legged Hawk
0
0
0
Golden Eagle
0
0
0
American Kestrel
3
15
15
Merlin
0
1
1
Peregrine Falcon
0
0
0
Unknown Accipitrine
0
1
1
Unknown Buteo
0
3
3
Unknown Falcon
0
1
1
Unknown Eagle
0
0
0
Unknown Raptor
0
1
1
Total:
145
3597
3641
Observation start time:
9:00 am Daylight Time
Observation end time:
300 pm
Total observation time:
6 hours
Official Counter
Chris Reed
Observers:
Sue Ricciardi
Weather: Some residual fog after the overnight rain. Temperature started out at 59 degrees, rose to 64 degrees, then declined to 52 degrees as the cold front passed by. Dense dark cloud layer brightened with some sunny breaks by the end of the count. Poor to good visibility; winds westerly at first 3-9 mph, becoming northerly often with a NW component, 13-21 mph gusting to 37 mph
Raptor Observations: Over 100 Turkey Vultures stacked up and swirled around repeatedly until they finally migrated out of the area. Three American Kestrels bouncing around as they made their way north in the strong winds.
Site Description Fort Smallwood Park is located on the western shore of Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Patapsco River, 11 miles south of Baltimore, MD. Best winds are from the southwest.
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Date: 3/23/26 12:42 pm From: 'Clive Harris' via Maryland & DC Birding <mdbirding...> Subject: Re: [MDBirding] Previous Maryland sighting of Yellow-Billed Loon
Hi Scott
Yellow-billed Loon is exceptionally rare anywhere along the East Coast. Most states along the eastern seaboard don't have any sightings on eBird. I don't know the details of the 1999 sighting or why it wasn't accepted but I don't think a confirmed sighting now in Maryland makes a 1999 record any more likely.
In NW Europe this species is now known to be more regular than once thought - it has offshore wintering grounds that are not visited by birders much (eg the Dogger Bank in the North Sea) - and it is a regular migrant in spring off NW Scotland. But there are plenty of pelagics offshore in winter along the E coast so it seems less likely there is an unknown population wintering in the general area.
What you are saying might make more sense in situations where there is no doubt as to the ID but some concern over provenance - was it an escape or not - and where more records might suggest that it is naturally occurring. But that doesn't apply in this case.
Best,
Clive
On Monday, March 23, 2026 at 01:04:04 PM EDT, Scott Young <wsyacy...> wrote:
Now that we have photographic proof of a Yellow-Billed Loon visiting Maryland, perhaps it would be appropriate to reconsider an earlier sighting in November, 1999. It was spotted by three birders with experience with that loon from the west. They had no photographs so that’s why they think their sighting was not accepted by the records committee. What’s fascinating to me is the that 1999 sighting at Sandgates in St. Mary’s County along the Patuxent River is quite close to the present day sighting along that river! Thoughts?
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Date: 3/23/26 12:16 pm From: 'Marcia Watson' via Maryland & DC Birding <mdbirding...> Subject: Re: [MDBirding] Previous Maryland sighting of Yellow-Billed Loon
Scott,
Re: “appropriate to reconsider an earlier sighting.” Right now, there is no one to “consider” it, as the Records Committee is on hiatus pending development of a new process for reviewing records.
Marcia
_____________
Marcia Watson
Phoenix, MD
From: Maryland & DC Birding <mdbirding...> on behalf of Scott Young <wsyacy...>
Date: Monday, March 23, 2026 at 1:04 PM
To: Maryland & DC Birding <mdbirding...>
Subject: [MDBirding] Previous Maryland sighting of Yellow-Billed Loon
Now that we have photographic proof of a Yellow-Billed Loon visiting Maryland, perhaps it would be appropriate to reconsider an earlier sighting in November, 1999. It was spotted by three birders with experience with that loon from the west. They had no photographs so that’s why they think their sighting was not accepted by the records committee. What’s fascinating to me is the that 1999 sighting at Sandgates in St. Mary’s County along the Patuxent River is quite close to the present day sighting along that river! Thoughts?
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Date: 3/23/26 10:04 am From: Scott Young <wsyacy...> Subject: [MDBirding] Previous Maryland sighting of Yellow-Billed Loon
Now that we have photographic proof of a Yellow-Billed Loon visiting
Maryland, perhaps it would be appropriate to reconsider an earlier sighting
in November, 1999. It was spotted by three birders with experience with
that loon from the west. They had no photographs so that’s why they think
their sighting was not accepted by the records committee. What’s
fascinating to me is the that 1999 sighting at Sandgates in St. Mary’s
County along the Patuxent River is quite close to the present day sighting
along that river! Thoughts?
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Date: 3/22/26 7:51 pm From: 'SUE RICCIARDI' via Maryland & DC Birding <mdbirding...> Subject: [MDBirding] Fort Smallwood Park (22 Mar 2026) 242 Raptors
Fort Smallwood Park Pasadena, Maryland, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 22, 2026
Species
Day's Count
Month Total
Season Total
Black Vulture
2
37
37
Turkey Vulture
205
3026
3069
Osprey
15
55
55
Bald Eagle
0
26
26
Northern Harrier
1
2
2
Sharp-shinned Hawk
7
20
20
Cooper's Hawk
5
37
37
American Goshawk
0
0
0
Red-shouldered Hawk
2
204
205
Broad-winged Hawk
0
0
0
Red-tailed Hawk
2
26
26
Rough-legged Hawk
0
0
0
Golden Eagle
0
0
0
American Kestrel
2
12
12
Merlin
0
1
1
Peregrine Falcon
0
0
0
Unknown Accipitrine
0
1
1
Unknown Buteo
1
3
3
Unknown Falcon
0
1
1
Unknown Eagle
0
0
0
Unknown Raptor
0
1
1
Total:
242
3452
3496
Observation start time:
9:00 am Daylight Time
Observation end time:
4:30 pm
Total observation time:
7.5 hours
Official Counter
Chris Reed, Lynn Davidson
Observers:
Cindy Godwin, Hal Wierenga, Lynn Davidson, Sue Ricciardi
Visitors: Ed Pease, Jeff Anderson
Weather: Partly cloudy; 50-79 degrees; fair visibility with some light fog and haze; winds light until late in the day, often with a S or SW component 3-7 mph, ending ESE at 13 mph.
Raptor Observations: Nine migrant raptor species today with 15 Ospreys, and Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks starting to build. Local adult Peregrine Falcon.
Non-raptor Observations: 200 Bonaparte's Gulls, 120 Tree Swallows, Eastern Phoebe
Site Description Fort Smallwood Park is located on the western shore of Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Patapsco River, 11 miles south of Baltimore, MD. Best winds are from the southwest.
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Date: 3/21/26 7:03 pm From: 'SUE RICCIARDI' via Maryland & DC Birding <mdbirding...> Subject: [MDBirding] Fort Smallwood Park (21 Mar 2026) 123 Raptors
Fort Smallwood Park Pasadena, Maryland, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 21, 2026
Species
Day's Count
Month Total
Season Total
Black Vulture
0
35
35
Turkey Vulture
112
2821
2864
Osprey
7
40
40
Bald Eagle
0
26
26
Northern Harrier
0
1
1
Sharp-shinned Hawk
1
13
13
Cooper's Hawk
1
32
32
American Goshawk
0
0
0
Red-shouldered Hawk
0
202
203
Broad-winged Hawk
0
0
0
Red-tailed Hawk
0
24
24
Rough-legged Hawk
0
0
0
Golden Eagle
0
0
0
American Kestrel
2
10
10
Merlin
0
1
1
Peregrine Falcon
0
0
0
Unknown Accipitrine
0
1
1
Unknown Buteo
0
2
2
Unknown Falcon
0
1
1
Unknown Eagle
0
0
0
Unknown Raptor
0
1
1
Total:
123
3210
3254
Observation start time:
8:30 am Daylight Time
Observation end time:
3:00 pm
Total observation time:
6.5 hours
Official Counter
Chris Reed
Observers:
Sue Ricciardi
Weather: Sunny to mostly sunny; 50-66 degrees; fair to good visibility with haze; winds westerly then northerly, 5-10 mph
Raptor Observations: Mostly Turkey Vultures and Ospreys
Non-raptor Observations: Pair of Ring-necked Ducks, Eastern Phoebe
Site Description Fort Smallwood Park is located on the western shore of Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Patapsco River, 11 miles south of Baltimore, MD. Best winds are from the southwest.
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Just a half hour after reading your email, I was having dinner on our porch
when I noticed a small yellow bird briefly checking out the suet. I
thought it was funny that a goldfinch would be interested in suet, but when
I got binoculars on it I saw that I also had a pine warbler! Happy Spring!
Paul
Ellicott City, MD
On Sat, Mar 21, 2026 at 4:28 PM Pat <pvaldata1...> wrote:
>
> Tree Swallows returned yesterday, and this afternoon we had a Pine Warbler
> singing in the front yard. Happy Spring!
>
>
> Pat Valdata
> Crisfield, MD
>
> Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
>
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> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mdbirding/<69beff7a.050a0220.28680d.a7d7...> > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mdbirding/<69beff7a.050a0220.28680d.a7d7...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > .
>
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Date: 3/21/26 1:47 pm From: David Gibson <20cabot...> Subject: [MDBirding] Recording gear for sale
Fellow birders, (and with permission from the moderator), Last weekend I
sent out the following to another listserv: "I've lost interest in
recording birds to concentrate more on bird photography, so am planning on
selling my recording gear, which includes among other things a Tascam
recorder, Wildtronics parabolic mic, and Wildtronics parabolic reflector
(or parabola)." I've received a lot of interest, but the gear is still
available. Let me provide more detail, which may help.
I live in Chesapeake, VA.
The gear is basically like-new and has always been carefully stored when
not in use. It is also light, portable, and easy to carry into the field.
I have a Wildtronics Pro Mini Parabolic Kit, which among other things
includes an 11.5" clear polycarbonate (very important—so you can see your
target through it) parabolic reflector, and an omnidirectional w/built in
preamp Wildtronics Amplified Omni Microphone and windscreen. I also have
(and use with the above) a Tascam DR-05 handheld digital audio recorder, a
DigitalFoto extension pole to place the gear higher and closer when
needed, and new, professional headphones (to replace the ones you'll see in
the blog photo).
Some of you have read my bird blogs. I no longer blog but may restart. I
miss writing as well as teaching. Please take a look at this older blog post
<https://birdpartner.com/2019/03/20/meanwhile-the-wild-geese/>, as well as this
one
<https://birdpartner.com/2019/06/28/bird-photos-and-photo-tips-at-midyear/> and this one
<https://birdpartner.com/2019/07/05/more-midyear-bird-photos-and-photo-tips/>.
I bring up my gear toward the end of each. There's also a photo of me using
it and several recordings. Talk about a clear signal and one you'd be hard
pressed to get using a shotgun mic or smartphone.
Incidentally, Wildtronics LLC recommends the kit I use, and the Cornell Lab
of Ornithology has put its stamp of approval on Wildtronics gear. You'll
learn about that in one of the posts.
I'm asking $499 for everything, but the price is negotiable. As I told
someone else, I want to find the equipment a good home and in hopes that
someone else will enjoy using it to make contributions to our
knowledge about birds. Best,
Dave Gibson
https://birdpartner.com/
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Tree Swallows returned yesterday, and this afternoon we had a Pine Warbler singing in the front yard. Happy Spring!Pat ValdataCrisfield, MDSent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
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Date: 3/21/26 12:47 pm From: Joe Harber <joeharber714...> Subject: [MDBirding] Diamond Point Road hotspot
Hi all,
I was told awhile ago about the birding hot spot on Diamond Point Rd but
never been. I drove by there the other day and the hotspot location on
eBird looked like a grassy lawn just at the bend in the road, but I didn’t
get out because I didn’t want to trespass.
Then i saw on Google Maps the Backriver Restoration Boom site about 75
yards from the hotspot, closer to the freeway. Maybe that’s the spot?
I was told not to go anywhere trucks are parked because that’s private
property.
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Date: 3/21/26 4:58 am From: 'SUE RICCIARDI' via Maryland & DC Birding <mdbirding...> Subject: [MDBirding] Fort Smallwood Park (20 Mar 2026) 283 Raptors
Fort Smallwood Park Pasadena, Maryland, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 20, 2026
Species
Day's Count
Month Total
Season Total
Black Vulture
5
35
35
Turkey Vulture
246
2709
2752
Osprey
5
33
33
Bald Eagle
5
26
26
Northern Harrier
0
1
1
Sharp-shinned Hawk
2
12
12
Cooper's Hawk
6
31
31
American Goshawk
0
0
0
Red-shouldered Hawk
5
202
203
Broad-winged Hawk
0
0
0
Red-tailed Hawk
7
24
24
Rough-legged Hawk
0
0
0
Golden Eagle
0
0
0
American Kestrel
2
8
8
Merlin
0
1
1
Peregrine Falcon
0
0
0
Unknown Accipitrine
0
1
1
Unknown Buteo
0
2
2
Unknown Falcon
0
1
1
Unknown Eagle
0
0
0
Unknown Raptor
0
1
1
Total:
283
3087
3131
Observation start time:
9:00 am Daylight Time
Observation end time:
4:45 pm
Total observation time:
7.75 hours
Official Counter
Chris Reed, Lynn Davidson
Observers:
Cindy Godwin, Hal Wierenga, Steve Steimel, Sue Ricciardi
Visitors: Mike Woronowicz, John Missing
Weather: Sunny slowly becoming partly cloudy, then becoming cloudy as showers approached; 44-69 degrees; good visibility; winds from the S, SW or SSW 3-12 mph
Raptor Observations: Favorable winds brought a nice flight with 9 raptor species and pushing us over 3,000 total raptors for the season. Local activity was busy with Ospreys, Bald Eagles, Red-shouldered and Red-tailed Hawks and Black Vultures.
Non-raptor Observations: Common Raven, about 60 Tree Swallows
Site Description Fort Smallwood Park is located on the western shore of Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Patapsco River, 11 miles south of Baltimore, MD. Best winds are from the southwest.
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Date: 3/19/26 7:35 pm From: 'SUE RICCIARDI' via Maryland & DC Birding <mdbirding...> Subject: [MDBirding] Fort Smallwood Park (19 Mar 2026) 162 Raptors
Fort Smallwood Park Pasadena, Maryland, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 19, 2026
Species
Day's Count
Month Total
Season Total
Black Vulture
4
30
30
Turkey Vulture
137
2463
2506
Osprey
3
28
28
Bald Eagle
8
21
21
Northern Harrier
1
1
1
Sharp-shinned Hawk
1
10
10
Cooper's Hawk
3
25
25
American Goshawk
0
0
0
Red-shouldered Hawk
1
197
198
Broad-winged Hawk
0
0
0
Red-tailed Hawk
1
17
17
Rough-legged Hawk
0
0
0
Golden Eagle
0
0
0
American Kestrel
2
6
6
Merlin
0
1
1
Peregrine Falcon
0
0
0
Unknown Accipitrine
0
1
1
Unknown Buteo
1
2
2
Unknown Falcon
0
1
1
Unknown Eagle
0
0
0
Unknown Raptor
0
1
1
Total:
162
2804
2848
Observation start time:
9:00 am Daylight Time
Observation end time:
3:00 pm
Total observation time:
6 hours
Official Counter
Chris Reed
Observers:
Cristians Rivas, Steve Steimel, Sue Ricciardi
Visitors: Andrew Estrin
Weather: Dense cloud cover to start gradually becoming partly cloudy in the last hour; 37-49 degrees; good visibility; winds light, often with a south component, 0-6 mph
Raptor Observations: The southerly winds brought 10 raptor species, with the count picking up as the skies brightened. Bald Eagles were in the air all day, both local and migrant. A nice day to be at the watch, and warmer than yesterday!
Site Description Fort Smallwood Park is located on the western shore of Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Patapsco River, 11 miles south of Baltimore, MD. Best winds are from the southwest.
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Date: 3/19/26 3:29 pm From: 'James Tyler Bell' via Maryland & DC Birding <mdbirding...> Subject: [MDBirding] Loon viewing location
Please disregard if you haven't chased the Yellow-billed Loon in Solomons.
The private access from the St. Mary's County side has been shut down. Please don't attempt to access it anymore. If you submitted a checklist from the St. Mary's County side, please use the newly created eBird Hotspot!
Tyler BellCalifornia, Maryland
Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer
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Date: 3/18/26 6:30 pm From: 'SUE RICCIARDI' via Maryland & DC Birding <mdbirding...> Subject: [MDBirding] Fort Smallwood Park (18 Mar 2026) 59 Raptors
Fort Smallwood Park Pasadena, Maryland, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 18, 2026
Species
Day's Count
Month Total
Season Total
Black Vulture
0
26
26
Turkey Vulture
47
2326
2369
Osprey
5
25
25
Bald Eagle
3
13
13
Northern Harrier
0
0
0
Sharp-shinned Hawk
0
9
9
Cooper's Hawk
0
22
22
American Goshawk
0
0
0
Red-shouldered Hawk
0
196
197
Broad-winged Hawk
0
0
0
Red-tailed Hawk
2
16
16
Rough-legged Hawk
0
0
0
Golden Eagle
0
0
0
American Kestrel
0
4
4
Merlin
0
1
1
Peregrine Falcon
0
0
0
Unknown Accipitrine
0
1
1
Unknown Buteo
0
1
1
Unknown Falcon
1
1
1
Unknown Eagle
0
0
0
Unknown Raptor
1
1
1
Total:
59
2642
2686
Observation start time:
08:30 am Daylight Time
Observation end time:
2:00 pm
Total observation time:
5.5 hours
Official Counter
Chris Reed
Observers:
Sue Ricciardi
Weather: Cloudy becoming partly cloudy; a very chilly 26-35 degrees; good to excellent visibility; winds light and northerly becoming variable 0-7 mph, with low-level winds easterly, coming off the water. We're still waiting for consecutive days of westerly winds.
Raptor Observations: A slow flight today, but Ospreys are becoming more numerous. Twp adult Bald Eagles flying in tandem and dancing across the sky.
Non-raptor Observations: 25 Horned Grebes. A flock of Cedar Waxwings has been hanging around the Park for over a week, providing good views and photo opportunities
Site Description Fort Smallwood Park is located on the western shore of Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Patapsco River, 11 miles south of Baltimore, MD. Best winds are from the southwest.
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Oops, didn't reply all. Heron is fine, details below.Pat
-------- Original message --------From: Pat <pvaldata1...> Date: 3/18/26 3:31 PM (GMT-05:00) To: Dana Best <db3492...> Subject: Re: [MDBirding] Sick heron? False alarm! Happy to report the bird is fine. I was on the phone with DNR when my husband said that it stood up. We watched it preen and stretch and then it took off across the creek to perch on top of a cedar. I guess it just thought our yard was a safe place for a nap.PatPat ValdataCrisfield, MDSent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone-------- Original message --------From: Dana Best <db3492...> Date: 3/18/26 3:10 PM (GMT-05:00) To: Pat <pvaldata1...> Subject: Re: [MDBirding] Sick heron? Definitely. Be very careful. They’re mean.DanaOn Mar 18, 2026, at 3:03 PM, Pat <pvaldata1...> wrote:This morning around 11 a.m. a great blue heron strolled across our backyard looking perfectly fine. It stood for a while next to a red cedar and now is lying down in the same spot. It's head is up and it looks alert, but it's been like this for three hours, and it didn't budge when I walked around the back of our house. Most hero s that visit are much more wary and I've never seen a heron lying down.Is this something to report to DNR?Pat ValdataCrisfield, MDSent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
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This morning around 11 a.m. a great blue heron strolled across our backyard looking perfectly fine. It stood for a while next to a red cedar and now is lying down in the same spot. It's head is up and it looks alert, but it's been like this for three hours, and it didn't budge when I walked around the back of our house. Most hero s that visit are much more wary and I've never seen a heron lying down.Is this something to report to DNR?Pat ValdataCrisfield, MDSent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
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Date: 3/17/26 7:38 pm From: 'SUE RICCIARDI' via Maryland & DC Birding <mdbirding...> Subject: [MDBirding] Fort Smallwood Park (17 Mar 2026) 107 Raptors
Fort Smallwood Park Pasadena, Maryland, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 17, 2026
Species
Day's Count
Month Total
Season Total
Black Vulture
0
26
26
Turkey Vulture
93
2279
2322
Osprey
3
20
20
Bald Eagle
6
10
10
Northern Harrier
0
0
0
Sharp-shinned Hawk
0
9
9
Cooper's Hawk
0
22
22
American Goshawk
0
0
0
Red-shouldered Hawk
0
196
197
Broad-winged Hawk
0
0
0
Red-tailed Hawk
1
14
14
Rough-legged Hawk
0
0
0
Golden Eagle
0
0
0
American Kestrel
4
4
4
Merlin
0
1
1
Peregrine Falcon
0
0
0
Unknown Accipitrine
0
1
1
Unknown Buteo
0
1
1
Unknown Falcon
0
0
0
Unknown Eagle
0
0
0
Unknown Raptor
0
0
0
Total:
107
2583
2627
Observation start time
9:00 am Daylight Time
Observation end time:
3:00 pm
Total observation time:
6 hours
Official Counter
Chris Reed
Observers:
Steve Steimel, Sue Ricciardi
Weather: Partly cloudy with big billowy cumulus clouds; 33-42 degrees; good visibility; winds strong, mostly out of the WNW, 16-20 mph gusting to 31 mph
Raptor Observations: First American Kestrels of the season and we had 4. A welcome sight! Pipeline likely somewhat depleted due to the strong storms throughout yesterday.
Non-raptor Observations: Common Raven, 14 Bonaparte's Gulls in a flock sitting on the water close to shore.
Site Description Fort Smallwood Park is located on the western shore of Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Patapsco River, 11 miles south of Baltimore, MD. Best winds are from the southwest.
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Date: 3/16/26 11:10 am From: 'SUE RICCIARDI' via Maryland & DC Birding <mdbirding...> Subject: [MDBirding] Fort Smallwood Park (15 Mar 2026) Raptors
Fort Smallwood Park Pasadena, Maryland, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 15, 2026
Species
Day's Count
Month Total
Season Total
Black Vulture
0
26
26
Turkey Vulture
0
2186
2229
Osprey
0
17
17
Bald Eagle
0
4
4
Northern Harrier
0
0
0
Sharp-shinned Hawk
0
9
9
Cooper's Hawk
0
22
22
American Goshawk
0
0
0
Red-shouldered Hawk
0
196
197
Broad-winged Hawk
0
0
0
Red-tailed Hawk
0
13
13
Rough-legged Hawk
0
0
0
Golden Eagle
0
0
0
American Kestrel
0
0
0
Merlin
0
1
1
Peregrine Falcon
0
0
0
Unknown Accipitrine
0
1
1
Unknown Buteo
0
1
1
Unknown Falcon
0
0
0
Unknown Eagle
0
0
0
Unknown Raptor
0
0
0
Total:
0
2476
2520
Observation start time:
9:15 am Daylight Time
Observation end time:
12:00 pm
Total observation time:
2.75 hours
Official Counter
Chris Reed
Observers:
Sue Ricciardi
Weather: Cloudy with low dense clouds and a few blue holes from time to time; 44-47 degrees; good visibility; winds from the east 10-12 mph; rising humidity.
Raptor Observations: With the cloud cover and east winds, no raptors took the northward trip at this hawkwatch.
Report submitted by Sue Ricciardi (<susiericc...>) More information at hawkcount.org: [Site Profile] [Day Summary] [Month Summary]
Site Description Fort Smallwood Park is located on the western shore of Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Patapsco River, 11 miles south of Baltimore, MD. Best winds are from the southwest.
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Date: 3/14/26 8:19 pm From: 'SUE RICCIARDI' via Maryland & DC Birding <mdbirding...> Subject: [MDBirding] Fort Smallwood Park (14 Mar 2026) 533 Raptors
Fort Smallwood Park Pasadena, Maryland, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 14, 2026
Species
Day's Count
Month Total
Season Total
Black Vulture
2
26
26
Turkey Vulture
526
2186
2229
Osprey
3
17
17
Bald Eagle
1
4
4
Northern Harrier
0
0
0
Sharp-shinned Hawk
0
9
9
Cooper's Hawk
0
22
22
American Goshawk
0
0
0
Red-shouldered Hawk
1
196
197
Broad-winged Hawk
0
0
0
Red-tailed Hawk
0
13
13
Rough-legged Hawk
0
0
0
Golden Eagle
0
0
0
American Kestrel
0
0
0
Merlin
0
1
1
Peregrine Falcon
0
0
0
Unknown Accipitrine
0
1
1
Unknown Buteo
0
1
1
Unknown Falcon
0
0
0
Unknown Eagle
0
0
0
Unknown Raptor
0
0
0
Total:
533
2476
2520
Observation start time:
8:30 am Daylight Time
Observation end time:
4:00 pm
Total observation time:
7.5 hours
Official Counter
Chris Reed, Lynn Davidson
Observers:
Hal Wierenga, Lynn Davidson, Sue Ricciardi
Visitors: Mike
Weather: Partly to mostly cloudy; 49-56 degrees; good visibility; winds strong out of the west sometimes with a NW component 13-21 mph gusting to 32 mph
Raptor Observations: Definitely a Turkey Vulture day. Seems like there should have been more species based on the strength of the vulture flight.
Site Description Fort Smallwood Park is located on the western shore of Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Patapsco River, 11 miles south of Baltimore, MD. Best winds are from the southwest.
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Date: 3/13/26 7:32 pm From: 'SUE RICCIARDI' via Maryland & DC Birding <mdbirding...> Subject: [MDBirding] Fort Smallwood Park (13 Mar 2026) 61 Raptors
Fort Smallwood Park Pasadena, Maryland, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 13, 2026
Species
Day's Count
Month Total
Season Total
Black Vulture
1
24
24
Turkey Vulture
54
1660
1703
Osprey
2
14
14
Bald Eagle
1
3
3
Northern Harrier
0
0
0
Sharp-shinned Hawk
0
9
9
Cooper's Hawk
0
22
22
American Goshawk
0
0
0
Red-shouldered Hawk
2
195
196
Broad-winged Hawk
0
0
0
Red-tailed Hawk
1
13
13
Rough-legged Hawk
0
0
0
Golden Eagle
0
0
0
American Kestrel
0
0
0
Merlin
0
1
1
Peregrine Falcon
0
0
0
Unknown Accipitrine
0
1
1
Unknown Buteo
0
1
1
Unknown Falcon
0
0
0
Unknown Eagle
0
0
0
Unknown Raptor
0
0
0
Total:
61
1943
1987
Observation start time:
9:00 am Daylight Time
Observation end time:
2:00 pm
Total observation time:
5 hours
Official Counter
Chris Reed
Observers:
Dan Walker, Steve Steimel, Sue Ricciardi
Visitors: Joe Kramer. Please come visit!
Weather: Variable cloudiness; 35-48 degrees; good visibility; winds southerly, 5-13 mph gusting to 40 mph
Raptor Observations: A modest flight that seemed hindered by the high winds, as if the raptors were hesitant to cross the water with too strong of a south tail wind.
Non-raptor Observations: 19 Song Sparrows, Swamp Sparrow
Site Description Fort Smallwood Park is located on the western shore of Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Patapsco River, 11 miles south of Baltimore, MD. Best winds are from the southwest.
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Date: 3/11/26 8:12 pm From: 'SUE RICCIARDI' via Maryland & DC Birding <mdbirding...> Subject: [MDBirding] Fort Smallwood Park (11 Mar 2026) 127 Raptors
Fort Smallwood Park Pasadena, Maryland, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 11, 2026
Species
Day's Count
Month Total
Season Total
Black Vulture
0
23
23
Turkey Vulture
98
1606
1649
Osprey
4
12
12
Bald Eagle
0
2
2
Northern Harrier
0
0
0
Sharp-shinned Hawk
2
9
9
Cooper's Hawk
8
22
22
American Goshawk
0
0
0
Red-shouldered Hawk
11
193
194
Broad-winged Hawk
0
0
0
Red-tailed Hawk
2
12
12
Rough-legged Hawk
0
0
0
Golden Eagle
0
0
0
American Kestrel
0
0
0
Merlin
0
1
1
Peregrine Falcon
0
0
0
Unknown Accipitrine
1
1
1
Unknown Buteo
1
1
1
Unknown Falcon
0
0
0
Unknown Eagle
0
0
0
Unknown Raptor
0
0
0
Total:
127
1882
1926
Observation start time:
9:00 am Daylight Time
Observation end time:
2:30 pm
Total observation time:
5.5 hours
Official Counter
Chris Reed
Observers:
Cindy Godwin, Steve Steimel, Sue Ricciardi
Weather: Cloudy becoming mostly cloudy after some sprinkles passed by; 58-76 degrees; Fair to good visibility; winds light and variable 0-7 mph. Usually in the early part of the season, we have an abundance of brisk northwest winds. Not so this season. We have had instead an abundance of fog, rain and light winds often with an easterly component. Westerly winds, where are you?
Raptor Observations: Once the showers exited, the skies brightened, temperatures warmed, and the raptors responded, although they were still hesitant to make a direct flight north. Lots of back-and-forth movement. Flight slowed again in the afternoon.
Site Description Fort Smallwood Park is located on the western shore of Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Patapsco River, 11 miles south of Baltimore, MD. Best winds are from the southwest.
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Just heard some tundra swans overhead, heading north. Haven't had that pleasure in a while...
Paul Ellicott City
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Date: 3/10/26 5:50 pm From: 'SUE RICCIARDI' via Maryland & DC Birding <mdbirding...> Subject: [MDBirding] Fort Smallwood Park (10 Mar 2026) 15 Raptors
Fort Smallwood Park Pasadena, Maryland, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 10, 2026
Species
Day's Count
Month Total
Season Total
Black Vulture
2
23
23
Turkey Vulture
7
1508
1551
Osprey
3
8
8
Bald Eagle
0
2
2
Northern Harrier
0
0
0
Sharp-shinned Hawk
0
7
7
Cooper's Hawk
1
14
14
American Goshawk
0
0
0
Red-shouldered Hawk
2
182
183
Broad-winged Hawk
0
0
0
Red-tailed Hawk
0
10
10
Rough-legged Hawk
0
0
0
Golden Eagle
0
0
0
American Kestrel
0
0
0
Merlin
0
1
1
Peregrine Falcon
0
0
0
Unknown Accipitrine
0
0
0
Unknown Buteo
0
0
0
Unknown Falcon
0
0
0
Unknown Eagle
0
0
0
Unknown Raptor
0
0
0
Total:
15
1755
1799
Observation start time:
10:00 am Daylight Time
Observation end time:
2:30 pm
Total observation time:
4.5 hours
Official Counter
Chris Reed
Observers:
Cindy Godwin, Steve Steimel, Sue Ricciardi
Weather: Fog delayed the count; partly cloudy becoming sunny afterwards; 59 to 83 degrees; fair to good visibility; winds light with a SW component, 0-6 mph
Raptor Observations: Few raptors today; maybe the lack of wind or a depleted pipeline.
Non-raptor Observations: Northern Shoveler, Red-throated Loon. Lots of turtles out, plus Spring Peepers and Southern Leopard Frogs. Mourning Cloak butterfly.
Site Description Fort Smallwood Park is located on the western shore of Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Patapsco River, 11 miles south of Baltimore, MD. Best winds are from the southwest.
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Date: 3/9/26 6:54 pm From: 'SUE RICCIARDI' via Maryland & DC Birding <mdbirding...> Subject: [MDBirding] Fort Smallwood Park (09 Mar 2026) 129 Raptors
Fort Smallwood Park Pasadena, Maryland, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 09, 2026
Species
Day's Count
Month Total
Season Total
Black Vulture
9
21
21
Turkey Vulture
99
1501
1544
Osprey
2
5
5
Bald Eagle
0
2
2
Northern Harrier
0
0
0
Sharp-shinned Hawk
1
7
7
Cooper's Hawk
8
13
13
American Goshawk
0
0
0
Red-shouldered Hawk
10
180
181
Broad-winged Hawk
0
0
0
Red-tailed Hawk
0
10
10
Rough-legged Hawk
0
0
0
Golden Eagle
0
0
0
American Kestrel
0
0
0
Merlin
0
1
1
Peregrine Falcon
0
0
0
Unknown Accipitrine
0
0
0
Unknown Buteo
0
0
0
Unknown Falcon
0
0
0
Unknown Eagle
0
0
0
Unknown Raptor
0
0
0
Total:
129
1740
1784
Observation start time:
9:00 am Daylight Time
Observation end
2:30 pm
Total observation time:
5.5 hours
Official Counter
Chris Reed
Observers:
Cindy Godwin, Ralph Geuder, Steve Steimel, Sue Ricciardi
Visitors: Andrew Estrin and Kinnon
Weather: Sunny; 51-74 degrees; fair to good visibility; winds light and variable, 0-8 mph
Raptor Observations: A more typical early season flight today after yesterday's bonanza. Sunny skies, though, made detection more difficult as the flight got higher with the rising temperatures.
Non-raptor Observations: Red-necked Grebe. Geese and swans continue to be on the move, with two flocks of Tundra Swans totaling 270 birds. Also, a Broad-headed Skink with no tail out and about.
Site Description Fort Smallwood Park is located on the western shore of Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Patapsco River, 11 miles south of Baltimore, MD. Best winds are from the southwest.
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Date: 3/8/26 7:00 pm From: 'SUE RICCIARDI' via Maryland & DC Birding <mdbirding...> Subject: [MDBirding] Fort Smallwood Park (08 Mar 2026) 1493 Raptors
Fort Smallwood Park Pasadena, Maryland, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 08, 2026
Species
Day's Count
Month Total
Season Total
Black Vulture
8
12
12
Turkey Vulture
1293
1402
1445
Osprey
1
3
3
Bald Eagle
2
2
2
Northern Harrier
0
0
0
Sharp-shinned Hawk
6
6
6
Cooper's Hawk
5
5
5
American Goshawk
0
0
0
Red-shouldered Hawk
167
170
171
Broad-winged Hawk
0
0
0
Red-tailed Hawk
10
10
10
Rough-legged Hawk
0
0
0
Golden Eagle
0
0
0
American Kestrel
0
0
0
Merlin
1
1
1
Peregrine Falcon
0
0
0
Unknown Accipitrine
0
0
0
Unknown Buteo
0
0
0
Unknown Falcon
0
0
0
Unknown Eagle
0
0
0
Unknown Raptor
0
0
0
Total:
1493
1611
1655
Observation start time:
9:30 am
Observation end time:
3:00 pm Daylight Saving Time
Total observation time:
5.5 hours
Official Counter
Chris Reed
Observers:
Cindy Godwin, Cristians Rivas, Sue Ricciardi
Visitors: Joe Kramer, Pete and Betty Bengston
Weather: Cloudy with unsettled skies; 55 to 72 degrees; fair visibility becoming poor when some fog moved in, in the afternoon; winds starting out calm turning to from the south, then WSW, then W, 0-10 mph.
Raptor Observations: We knew there was likely a pent-up flight coming after days of fog and rain, but we didn't quite expect what ensued: 1493 migrant raptors of 9 species, including 1293 Turkey Vultures with one kettle of 220, plus 168 Red-shouldered Hawks. This is the earliest day in a season ever for a 1,000 plus migrant raptor day. Interesting too because there was never a break in the cloud cover; instead there was a high overcast at times during which the flight got high. The Red-shoulders started early, but there was some swirling going on, so at first we didn't realize that such a large flight would develop. Later in the afternoon, dense clouds moved in and stifled the flight.
Non-raptor Observations: Icing on the cake were two Common Ravens. Also, 12 American Wigeons, 64 Red-breasted Mergansers, 14 Horned Grebes, 1 Red-throated Loon - could have been more, obscured by the fog, 1 Wilson's Snipe, 16 Tree Swallows. Spring peepers calling the whole day, also some yesterday.
Site Description Fort Smallwood Park is located on the western shore of Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Patapsco River, 11 miles south of Baltimore, MD. Best winds are from the southwest.
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Date: 3/7/26 7:17 pm From: 'SUE RICCIARDI' via Maryland & DC Birding <mdbirding...> Subject: [MDBirding] Fort Smallwood Park (07 Mar 2026) 51 Raptors
Fort Smallwood Park Pasadena, Maryland, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 07, 2026
Species
Day's Count
Month Total
Season Total
Black Vulture
4
4
4
Turkey Vulture
44
109
152
Osprey
1
2
2
Bald Eagle
0
0
0
Northern Harrier
0
0
0
Sharp-shinned Hawk
0
0
0
Cooper's Hawk
0
0
0
American Goshawk
0
0
0
Red-shouldered Hawk
2
3
4
Broad-winged Hawk
0
0
0
Red-tailed Hawk
0
0
0
Rough-legged Hawk
0
0
0
Golden Eagle
0
0
0
American Kestrel
0
0
0
Merlin
0
0
0
Peregrine Falcon
0
0
0
Unknown Accipitrine
0
0
0
Unknown Buteo
0
0
0
Unknown Falcon
0
0
0
Unknown Eagle
0
0
0
Unknown Raptor
0
0
0
Total:
51
118
162
Observation start time:
11:45:00
Observation end time:
15:00:00
Total observation time:
3.25 hours
Official Counter
Chris Reed, Sue Ricciardi
Observers:
Chris Reed, Cristians Rivas
Weather: Foggy, then cloudy; 45-50 degrees; poor to fair visibility; winds light and variable
Raptor Observations: We outlasted the fog and were rewarded with a modest flight including an Osprey and 2 Red-shouldered Hawks. I suspect there was a decent flight west of us where the skies were brighter or partly cloudy.
Non-raptor Observations: Canada Geese, over 1500, and Tundra Swans, around 700, were on the move, some barely visible in the fog. Canvasback 150, Gadwall 12, Northern Shoveler 1, Common Goldeneye 9, Red-breasted Merganser 34, Great Blue Heron 6.
Site Description Fort Smallwood Park is located on the western shore of Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Patapsco River, 11 miles south of Baltimore, MD. Best winds are from the southwest.
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Date: 3/5/26 8:33 pm From: 'SUE RICCIARDI' via Maryland & DC Birding <mdbirding...> Subject: [MDBirding] Fort Smallwood Park (05 Mar 2026) 0 Raptors
Fort Smallwood Park Pasadena, Maryland, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 05, 2026
Species
Day's Count
Month Total
Season Total
Black Vulture
0
0
0
Turkey Vulture
0
65
108
Osprey
0
1
1
Bald Eagle
0
0
0
Northern Harrier
0
0
0
Sharp-shinned Hawk
0
0
0
Cooper's Hawk
0
0
0
American Goshawk
0
0
0
Red-shouldered Hawk
0
1
2
Broad-winged Hawk
0
0
0
Red-tailed Hawk
0
0
0
Rough-legged Hawk
0
0
0
Golden Eagle
0
0
0
American Kestrel
0
0
0
Merlin
0
0
0
Peregrine Falcon
0
0
0
Unknown Accipitrine
0
0
0
Unknown Buteo
0
0
0
Unknown Falcon
0
0
0
Unknown Eagle
0
0
0
Unknown Raptor
0
0
0
Total:
0
67
111
Observation start time:
10:30:00
Observation end time:
14:30:00
Total observation time:
4 hours
Official Counter
Sue Ricciardi
Observers:
Steve Steimel
Weather: Foggy the whole day, dense until the afternoon when it lightened some; 45-52 degrees; winds easterly 0-7 mph
Raptor Observations: No migrants. Local Bald Eagle and a Sharp-shinned Hawk that seems to have been around for three days.
Non-raptor Observations: Nice assortment of ducks when we were able to see them: Mallard 4, Gadwall 17, Green-winged Teal 4 - probably more, American Black Duck 2, Northern Shoveler 10, Bufflehead 4. Killdeers 9. American Pipits 3. Cedar Waxwings 40. Belted Kingfisher 1. Eastern Towhee 3.
Site Description Fort Smallwood Park is located on the western shore of Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Patapsco River, 11 miles south of Baltimore, MD. Best winds are from the southwest.
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Date: 3/5/26 8:40 am From: Harry Armistead <harryarmistead...> Subject: [MDBirding] Ferry Neck, Feb. 26 - March 2, 2026.
RIGBY’S FOLLY (FERRY NECK), FEBRUARY 26 - MARCH 2, 2026. Some song from cardinals, tufted titmice and Carolina wrens. Too wet, soft, and sloppy to be able to drive to Lucy Point across Field 1. But all of the lawn is O.K. for driving.
SIGNS of spring. Big piles of manure on the fields of area farms. The arrival of grackles. Some bird song.
FEBRUARY 26, known to those in the know as Thursday. 47-48, calm, overcast, some very light sprinkles. Arrive 5:30 P.M. Snow and ice are gone. Ponds and ditches are full.
ROUTE 301 300 Canada geese at milepost 113. 7 deer at milepost 104. 70 common grackles, a sign of spring (get out the champagne), near Routes 301 X 481. south of Ruthsburg 200 Canada geese & 80 horned larks (a single flock). Near Routes 309 X 481 1,100 ring-billed gulls (getting plenty of worms, or something), 1 herring gull, 6 tundra swans. At Routes 309 X 404, 400 ring-billed gulls, 400 Canada geese. Somewhere along Route 481 a blackbird flock, c. 1,000, mostly of starlings, grackles, and redwings in that order, 3 kestrels. Mourning doves widespread but in low numbers. No bald eagles.
FEBRUARY 27, FRIDAY. Rob Berg finishes the “floor” of the developing outdoor shower. 31-51, near calm, sunny. Nice one. 8 gray squirrels (5 on the driveway), 1 fox squirrel. Liz sees an impressive red fox. 210 Canada geese in the cove. northern flicker 1, sharp-shinned hawk in the yard. Derek and Anne arrive, 9:28 P.M., along with new pet ‘Tallulah’, a very lively Boston terrier. VERY lively.
Heard only: brown-headed nuthatch. The CRP large work vehicles, after several weeks, are gone. They have done good and big work with our driveway hedgerows, cutting Bradford pears and placing the cuttings in 29 large brush piles, up to 10’ high, in the fields. Low, wide berms are in place, resulting in some substantial “wetlands”, already nearly full, but of remaining ice and snow. A hermit thrush in the yard also. Lots of water in the fields. Lots of red-breasted nuthatches. Rumor has it that nuthatches have necks, but I have seen little evidence of that.
FEBRUARY 28, SATURDAY. Feb. 12 totals shown in parentheses. No flight due to lack of wind. I had wanted to do, putting in a good effort, bird lists both at the peak of the big freeze with snow and ice covering the ground (Feb. 12), and the contrast afterwards with the welcome advent of warmish weather and no snow or ice left over, and bare ground today. Those were done Feb. 12 and 28 respectively, 2 days that also filled in gaps of my book-in-progress, 366+ days, wildlife of greater Chesapeake Bay, 1949-2026, a personal celebration Derek and I both see a (the?) red fox but at different times.
I don’t have any official details on local Maryland weather this winter, but in Philadelphia there is this (I don’t think the MD Eastern Shore situation is any less severe): “… Philadelphia has logged 36 days of snow cover of at least one inch including 23 consecutive days after the Jan. 25 snow-and-ice fest.” (the emphasis is mine). In the ‘Philadelphia Inquirer’, March 5, 2026, p. C1 by Anthony R. Wood, who writes so entertainingly and expertly on weather. This sort of situation can be murder for wrens, bluebirds, and birds of the big, open fields.
MARCH 1, SUNDAY. Just take it easy today. 34-50, fair or clear, NW 15-20. 5 gray squirrels at the feed. 2 pileated woodpeckers calling next to the right-of-way. Inching forward, I drive to within 10 feet of a perched adult male Cooper’s hawk, up about 6 feet, watched at leisure via my 10X, driveway X Field 2. Since I have trouble walking and very poor balance I do almost all of my birding from our car or sitting in a chair somewhere.
A bluebird at the lawn nesting box. At BELLEVUE: 2 buffleheads, 4 ring-billed gulls, and … that’s it. To the East a rising, waxing, gibbous moon in the afternoon.
MARCH 2, MONDAY. calm, 36, overcast. bald eagle 1 heard only. 260 Canada geese in the cove, 80 in Field 7, 55 in Field 4. Leave for PA at 9:50. Sign agreement with MD Dept. Agriculture for CRP, after breakfasting at the Easton Diner. Route 481, nothing.
VERMIN UPDATE. No mice or wasps the last few visits. We put around some little white bags, peppermint mouse repellant, that apparently works to repel mice. Pudgy, black flies, dead, win the vermin sweepstakes. Coming in 2nd are ladybugs, more each time, that are attractively-marked, and harmless, often alive, alive-oh. After that, occasional stink bugs, that don’t stink as far as I have ever noticed, even when I put the squeeze on them.
the GREAT OYSTER HARVEST of 2026. Every winter for the past few years someone takes all of the oysters growing along our shoreline, on the rip rap, the intertidal zone, or its whereabouts, and elsewhere along the cove’s shores. I don’t know if that is legal. Doesn’t bother me much either way.
This is a harvest in cold weather, cold water, involving a LOT of stooping and bending over. Perhaps he sells them to Kool Ice in Cambridge. But the arsters grow back and regenerate every year. Look at these areas and they are spangled bright white where the remaining shell remains fastened to the rocks. Water clarity: nice and clear.
Now if I gathered and ate them I’d feel differently. My father did and he’d eat them frequently, even in months that don’t have the letter R.
Best to all. - Harry Armistead, Bellevue & Philadelphia.
1,120 words, 3.5.26.
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Date: 3/3/26 5:17 am From: 'SUE RICCIARDI' via Maryland & DC Birding <mdbirding...> Subject: [MDBirding] Fort Smallwood Park (02 Mar 2026) 13 Raptors
Fort Smallwood Park Pasadena, Maryland, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 02, 2026
Species
Day's Count
Month Total
Season Total
Black Vulture
0
0
0
Turkey Vulture
12
65
108
Osprey
1
1
1
Bald Eagle
0
0
0
Northern Harrier
0
0
0
Sharp-shinned Hawk
0
0
0
Cooper's Hawk
0
0
0
American Goshawk
0
0
0
Red-shouldered Hawk
0
1
2
Broad-winged Hawk
0
0
0
Red-tailed Hawk
0
0
0
Rough-legged Hawk
0
0
0
Golden Eagle
0
0
0
American Kestrel
0
0
0
Merlin
0
0
0
Peregrine Falcon
0
0
0
Unknown Accipitrine
0
0
0
Unknown Buteo
0
0
0
Unknown Falcon
0
0
0
Unknown Eagle
0
0
0
Unknown Raptor
0
0
0
Total:
13
67
111
Observation start time:
09:00:00
Observation end time:
12:00:00
Total observation time:
3 hours
Official Counter
Chris Reed
Observers:
Weather: Cloudy with snow due to move in; 1-6 degrees; good visibility; winds westerly 5-14 mph
Raptor Observations: Our first Osprey of the season! Although, one was seen on February 26 after the observers had left for the day. :(
Non-raptor Observations: The spring hawkwatch has started up again for the season. Please join us as we can always use more eyes on the skies! Lots of waterfowl bayside and ducks on the pond.
Site Description Fort Smallwood Park is located on the western shore of Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Patapsco River, 11 miles south of Baltimore, MD. Best winds are from the southwest.
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Date: 3/1/26 6:48 pm From: 'Wayne Bell' via Maryland & DC Birding <mdbirding...> Subject: [MDBirding] 2026 YMOS Birdathon
One-time message: The annual YMOS Birdathon takes place across the Eastern Shore on Saturday and Sunday, 21 and 22 March 2026. This is the sole fund raiser for the Youth of the MD Ornithological Society. Funds raised this year will support elementary, middle, and carbon-free high school teams at the World Series of Birding competition in May. We invite pledges of $0.25, $0.50, or $1.00 per species seen by the young birders during the Birdathon. Submit your pledge to George Radcliffe <radclifg...>. Donors will be contacted after the Birdathon about how to pay the amount owed. Thanks! George Radcliffe and Wayne Bell.
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