Peep Watching and the Best Restaurants

To say today was hot and humid would be an understatement. The only cooling breeze occured while walking (moving). No matter. Andy Sprenger, the skilled Caffee Pronto coffee roaster and one superb birder, and I visited two spots on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. It was a rewarding, fun and like I said before... toasty.

Yet again, I have found that Willow Oaks are preferred by 3 out of 4 birds looking for a bite to eat. I learned this trick from a guide Emery and I had on a birding excursion last January in Costa Rica. It's simple really; if you want to see the birds, go to the trees that have all the food. This guide earned his tip (and then some) by taking us to one large tree, which I think was a Wild Avocado, that was dripping with birds. In it were FOUR species of Toucan, a Toucanette, a Trogon, Flycatchers, a large Woodpecker and hundreds of other birds. Not only was it easy birding, it was literally one lifer after another! In some cases, these amazing birds were perched on the same branch. Ok, so it was our first visit to Costa Rica. Still, that same strategy works well here in Maryland too.

Please enjoy some photos from our Costa Rica trip (along with some of the birds that were in that tree I mentioned).

Mot Mot... Why Not?

Well, the closest thing here in Maryland (that I've found) is the Willow. I've got no idea why, or any actual proof, but what can I say? It's been a lucky tree species for me.

So, without further ado, today's results:

Terrapin Park on Kent Island: 9:30am - 12:45pm

Wood Duck
Belted Kingfisher
Eastern Kingbird
Great Blue Heron
Mallard
Forsters Tern
American Robin
Gray Catbird
Blue Gray Gnatcather
Northern Cardinal
Carolina Wren
Tufted Titmouse
Hairy Woodpecker
Carolina Chickadee
Prarie Warbler
Downy Woodpecker
Red Eyed Vireo
Tree Swallow
Barn Swallow
American Goldfinch
Red Winged Blackbird
Willow Flycatcher (*heard)
European Starling
Royal Tern
Ring Billed Gull
Herring Gull
Snowy Egret
Great Black Backed Gull
Double Crested Cormorant
Ruby Throated Hummingbird
Northern Mockingbird
American Crow
Common Grackle
Blue Jay
Lesser Yellow Legs
Solitary Sandpiper
Short Billed Dowitcher
Least Sandpiper
Red Shouldered Hawk
Purple Martin
House Finch
Coopers Hawk
Broad Winged Hawk
Bald Eagle

Here are some photos of the PEEPS! They are a tricky ID indeed...

Queen Anne's Sod Farm: 2:00pm-2:30pm

Buff Breasted Sandpiper
Eastern Bluebird
Killdeer
Horned Lark
Chipping Sparrow
Northern Mockingbird
Hummingbird
Barn Swallow
Blue Grosbeak
Chimney Swift

And then we spotted a chicken at Chesapeake Chicken. It was delicious.

Enjoy your week.

Dan