Four members of PVAS just completed a fantastic 3 day trip to the Eastern Shore starting at Bombay Hook NWR (BH) and working south to Fowler Beach (FB), Silver Lake (SL), Indian River Inlet (IRI), Ocean City Inlet (OCI), Chincoteague NWR (CH), Cambridge (CA) and finishing at Blackwater NWR (BW). The weather may have been cold but the birding was hot. The trip resulted in 108 species. This included 24 duck species, 13 shore bird species, 5 Gull species, 6 woodpecker species, 20,000+ Snow Geese and 40+ Bald Eagles. We had 84 species on the first day. Every stop had something new to offer. We almost gave up on the Redhead duck, #24, until Sandy yelled “REDHEAD” at the entrance ponds to BW. Typically 20 duck species on this trip is achievable, but 24 is normally out of the question. This was a trip we’ll never forget. One member of the team logged over 30 lifers.

Below are other notables:

American Bittern: BH 2
Cackling Goose: BH 1
Harlequin Duck: OCI 3
Common Eider: IRI 1 (First year male)
All 3 Scoter species: IRI
Razorbill: IRI 1 (20 ft from our initial entrance to the jetty)
Great Cormorant: IRI 6 (on the tower)
Redhead Duck: BW 1
Greater Scaup: CA 1
Willet: CH 65
Marbled Godwit: CH 15
American Avocet: BH and CH 2
Boat-tailed Grackle: CH 1
Lesser Black-backed Gull: FB 2
American Oystercatcher: FB 3
Red-headed Woodpecker: BW
Eastern Meadowlark: BW
White Pelican: BW

Good Birding!
Dave, Sandy, Steve and Matt

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