Date: 4/14/26 6:33 pm From: 'SUE RICCIARDI' via Maryland & DC Birding <mdbirding...> Subject: [MDBirding] Fort Smallwood Park (14 Apr 2026) 141 Raptors
Fort Smallwood Park Pasadena, Maryland, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 14, 2026
Species
Day's Count
Month Total
Season Total
Black Vulture
2
38
97
Turkey Vulture
107
1857
7531
Osprey
2
80
196
Bald Eagle
1
22
68
Northern Harrier
3
30
36
Sharp-shinned Hawk
17
255
303
Cooper's Hawk
6
66
115
American Goshawk
0
0
0
Red-shouldered Hawk
0
18
256
Broad-winged Hawk
1
29
29
Red-tailed Hawk
2
21
79
Rough-legged Hawk
0
0
0
Golden Eagle
0
0
0
American Kestrel
0
50
85
Merlin
0
15
16
Peregrine Falcon
0
0
0
Unknown Accipitrine
0
2
4
Unknown Buteo
0
2
6
Unknown Falcon
0
6
7
Unknown Eagle
0
0
0
Unknown Raptor
0
7
8
Swallow-tailed Kite
0
1
1
Total:
141
2499
8837
Observation start time:
8:30 am Daylight Time
Observation end time:
2:30 pm
Total observation time:
6 hours
Official Counter
Chris Reed
Observers:
Hal Wierenga, Sue Ricciardi
Visitors: Andrew Estrin
Weather: Mostly cloudy becoming partly cloudy in the last two hours; a warm 65-86 degrees; good visibility with a little haze at times; winds from the WSW, SW or W, 0-13 mph gusting to 21 mph.
Raptor Observations: The flight didn't quite match what might be predicted from good winds and a good sky. Turkey Vultures and Sharp-shinned Hawks made up the bulk of the count. An Osprey had a brief scrap with a Bald Eagle.
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: 4/14/26 6:31 pm From: 'SUE RICCIARDI' via Maryland & DC Birding <mdbirding...> Subject: [MDBirding] Fort Smallwood Park (13 Apr 2026) 406 Raptors
Fort Smallwood Park Pasadena, Maryland, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 13, 2026
Species
Day's Count
Month Total
Season Total
Black Vulture
6
36
95
Turkey Vulture
173
1750
7424
Osprey
3
78
194
Bald Eagle
2
21
67
Northern Harrier
6
27
33
Sharp-shinned Hawk
139
238
286
Cooper's Hawk
27
60
109
American Goshawk
0
0
0
Red-shouldered Hawk
1
18
256
Broad-winged Hawk
24
28
28
Red-tailed Hawk
7
19
77
Rough-legged Hawk
0
0
0
Golden Eagle
0
0
0
American Kestrel
10
50
85
Merlin
2
15
16
Peregrine Falcon
0
0
0
Unknown Accipitrine
0
2
4
Unknown Buteo
0
2
6
Unknown Falcon
3
6
7
Unknown Eagle
0
0
0
Unknown Raptor
3
7
8
Swallow-tailed Kite
0
1
1
Total:
406
2358
8696
Observation start time:
9:00 am Daylight Time
Observation end time:
5:00 pm
Total observation time:
8 hours
Official Counter
Chris Reed, Sue Ricciardi
Observers:
Chris Reed, Cindy Godwin, Fred Shaffer, Hal Wierenga, Joe Hanfman, Lynn Davidson, Ralph Geuder, Steve Steimel, Sue Ricciardi
Weather: Mostly cloudy with a shower for about ten minutes around 1 pm daylight time; 66-80 degrees; fair visibility becoming good; winds moderately strong and southwesterly 9-17 mph gusting to 30 mph.
Raptor Observations: Great day with almost two-thirds of the flight coming after the shower, in the last three hours of the count. Twelve species with good showings of Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks. Finally, more Broad-wings. The sharpie flight almost doubled the seasonal count thus far and they were all over the sky. Many of the raptors were high, but adequate cloud cover gave us a chance to see them.
Non-raptor Observations: Over 750 Blue Jays; over 230 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: 4/13/26 8:51 am From: Cintia Cabib <cintia...> Subject: [MDBirding] "Bird Walk" Film Screening at MLK Library on April 18
Hi, everyone
Celebrate Earth Month and join me for a free screening and discussion of my documentary “Bird Walk” on Saturday, April 18 at 2 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library Auditorium. The film takes viewers on a visual and aural excursion through an abandoned golf course in Rockville, Maryland, where birders discover more than 160 bird species and mount a grassroots campaign to preserve this avian oasis as a public park and critical bird habitat. The screening will be followed by a discussion and audience Q & A with me and DC Bird Alliance President María-Elena Montero. No registration - just come on in and take a seat! Learn more at https://dclibrary.libnet.info/event/15837812 <https://dclibrary.libnet.info/event/15837812>
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Date: 4/12/26 7:41 pm From: 'SUE RICCIARDI' via Maryland & DC Birding <mdbirding...> Subject: [MDBirding] Fort Smallwood Park (12 Apr 2026) 125 Raptors
Fort Smallwood Park Pasadena, Maryland, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 12, 2026
Species
Day's Count
Month Total
Season Total
Black Vulture
6
30
89
Turkey Vulture
83
1577
7251
Osprey
2
75
191
Bald Eagle
3
19
65
Northern Harrier
6
21
27
Sharp-shinned Hawk
8
99
147
Cooper's Hawk
1
33
82
American Goshawk
0
0
0
Red-shouldered Hawk
0
17
255
Broad-winged Hawk
0
4
4
Red-tailed Hawk
4
12
70
Rough-legged Hawk
0
0
0
Golden Eagle
0
0
0
American Kestrel
5
40
75
Merlin
5
13
14
Peregrine Falcon
0
0
0
Unknown Accipitrine
0
2
4
Unknown Buteo
0
2
6
Unknown Falcon
2
3
4
Unknown Eagle
0
0
0
Unknown Raptor
0
4
5
Swallow-tailed Kite
0
1
1
Total:
125
1952
8290
Observation start time:
9:00 am Daylight Time
Observation end time:
3:oo pm
Total observation time:
6 hours
Official Counter
Chris Reed
Observers:
Cristians Rivas, Sue Ricciardi
Weather: Sunny becoming partly cloudy; 55-65 degrees; good visibility; winds mostly with a SE component 5-14 mph gusting to 23 mph
Raptor Observations: Surprisingly good flight on usually unfavorable winds. Perhaps the winds were more southerly rather than easterly south of us and kept the flight overhead. The flight got very high in the pm, but we managed to snare 5 kestrels and 5 Merlins, with 2 small falcons unidentified. The six harriers were a treat.
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: 4/11/26 7:36 pm From: 'SUE RICCIARDI' via Maryland & DC Birding <mdbirding...> Subject: [MDBirding] Fort Smallwood Park (11 Apr 2026) 209 Raptors
Fort Smallwood Park Pasadena, Maryland, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 11, 2026
Species
Day's Count
Month Total
Season Total
Black Vulture
0
24
83
Turkey Vulture
158
1494
7168
Osprey
9
73
189
Bald Eagle
2
16
62
Northern Harrier
3
15
21
Sharp-shinned Hawk
21
91
139
Cooper's Hawk
8
32
81
American Goshawk
0
0
0
Red-shouldered Hawk
0
17
255
Broad-winged Hawk
0
4
4
Red-tailed Hawk
2
8
66
Rough-legged Hawk
0
0
0
Golden Eagle
0
0
0
American Kestrel
6
35
70
Merlin
0
8
9
Peregrine Falcon
0
0
0
Unknown Accipitrine
0
2
4
Unknown Buteo
0
2
6
Unknown Falcon
0
1
2
Unknown Eagle
0
0
0
Unknown Raptor
0
4
5
Swallow-tailed Kite
0
1
1
Total:
209
1827
8165
Observation start time:
9:00 am Daylight Time
Observation end time:
3:45 pm
Total observation time:
6.75 hours
Official Counter
Chris Reed
Observers:
Hal Wierenga, Hugh Hoffman, Lynn Davidson, Sue Ricciardi
Visitors: Wild Birds birding group visited a short time
Weather: Partly cloudy becoming sunny; 63-68 degrees; good visibility with some haze early; winds northerly, often with a northwest component, 8-16 mph gusting to 25 mph
Raptor Observations: An enjoyable day of hawkwatching with the flight staying on the low side due to the NW in the winds. Ospreys, accipitrines and kestrels the more numerous species besides Turkey Vultures. All three harriers were male gray ghosts and gave good looks.
Non-raptor Observations: First Chimney Swifts (3) of the season, Surf Scoter 9. Bugs, seemingly flies and bees, flying north past us, maybe at one per second.
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: 4/11/26 9:45 am From: Harry Armistead <harryarmistead...> Subject: [MDBirding] Ferry Neck, March 28 - April 6, 2026.
FERRY NECK, MARCH 28 - APRIL 6, 2026, mostly at Rigby’s Folly.
MARCH 28, SATURDAY. Between Royal Oak and Rigby’s Folly groups of 4 and 15 deer. Arrive 5:15 P.M., clear, near calm, 47 degrees F. Not as much standing groundwater as I had hoped. Ponds c. 1/2 full.
MARCH 29, SUNDAY. 35-54, clear, south winds 20-25, rather cool. tidal water clarity as good as it gets. Adult male pine warbler at 30 feet, drinking from the bird bath, later singing. 9 of the 29 brush piles in the fields, consisting of bradford pears cut weeks ago as part of the Conservation Reserve Program, all cut and then moved, nevertheless have blooming segments. 4 gray squirrels.
A distant immature bald eagle. 3 spring azures. A common loon in full breeding plumage. Mostly did chores around the yard. Not much to see. A male cardinal and a white-throated sparrow drinking at the bird bath as late as 7:36 P.M. Canada goose 0: winter birds continue to depart earlier than usual. One year on April 30 I saw c. 1,000 Canada geese at Blackwater N.W.R.
MARCH 30, MONDAY. Fair, 50-65, SW 15. osprey 2 (overdue), bald eagle 1 adult, common loon 1, ruddy duck 3, black vulture 8, flicker 3 (probing for ants in the yard and driveway start), downy woodpecker 1, fish crow 1, brown-headed nuthatch 2, bluebird 2 (at the yard nest box, she entering it w/ nest material), cowbird 3, hermit thrush 1 (in yard), 6 white-throated sparrows (as with past visit, with clean, bright white areas on their heads; migrants from father south?).
3 spring azures. Looking out from yard to Lucy Point, 10 deer. 2 gray squirrels. 0 warblers. 1 wasp in the Bermuda Room. 4 robins working the yard. 0 gulls, terns.
Visit from Rob Berg, who has done good work on our outdoor shower. Continue to deal with the MANY fallen branches in the yard.
MARCH 31, TUESDAY. 59-76, fair, 15-20 NW. a gem. northern water snake 1, muskrat 1, bald eagle 1 immature (perches across the cove, then flies right overhead), osprey only 1, wood duck 5, ring-billed gull 4, Forster’s tern 1, Bonaparte’s gull 1, turkey vulture 12, 4 red-breasted mergansers, Canada goose 2 (in Field 1). Liz hears a pileated woodpecker in Woods 1. Anne, Derek and Alexis arrive along with their very lively Boston terrier Tallulah.
I learn of the passing of Dr. Mitchell A. Byrd, one of the great naturalists, ornithologists, and gentleman of our time.
APRIL 1, WEDNESDAY. another gem, 62-80, WSW 5-12, fair or clear but light rains developing late in the day with a little thunder and lightning. Some firsts of the year: 3 Cope’s gray tree frogs calling, 2 barn swallows, a 4” skink. We all did a lot of yard maintenance (mostly) just in time for the 1st mowing of the year.
bald eagle 1 immature, great blue heron 1, fish crow 2, brown-headed nuthatch 1, pine warbler 1. All of the skink photos here that George has sent to iNaturalist have been IDd as broad-headed skinks. Bluebird nest in the yard nest box seems completed but no eggs yet. Again, only 1 osprey. Gray squirrel 2.
APRIL 2, THURSDAY. Cool verging on cold, overcast, windy, 48-63, E 15, a good day to do chores, some of them indoors paperwork (beef up the bibliography/references for my book). 3 house finches at the feed, first ones this visit.
Considerable rain last night, evident in the ditches, but ponds not to the rim, vernal pools still look mostly dry, but the new “wetlands” in our fields quite full, some standing water in the yard. Bellevue dead at 1 P.M., a ring-billed gull, 2 gray squirrels, and 4 deer nearby. Derek, Anne & Alexis go to Hurlock so Alexis can go horseback riding.
APRIL 3, GOOD FRIDAY. 43-70, overcast and foggy to begin, early, then becoming fair and clear, 4-10 m.p.h. A beauty. Mary, David and Lucas arrive so there are 8 of us now. diamondback terrapin, first of the year, up to 28 snouts in sight at the mouth of Poplar Cove. gray squirrel 7 (5 Liz sees going out the driveway). bald eagle, 1 immature, 2 adults.
A measly 1 osprey. Beautiful breeding plumage Forster’s tern in the cove, then a winter plumaged one. Canada goose 1. black vulture 3. Mary kelps me, gathering some oysters for a photograph in 365+ days… common loon 2, horned grebe 1.
APRIL 4, SATURDAY. 61-78, sunny, 5-15 mph, close to calm early on. Millions (yes, millions) of small, white petals adorn the north lawn, from the bradford pears remaining around the yard. The willow oak has developed catkins. 42 diamondback terrapin.
We see 4 winter jellyfish. Lucas and Alexis go for a dip. bald eagle, 2 adults, 1 immature. A northbound adult male northern harrier, definitely in migration. Liz sees 4 killdeer descend into the Field 1 north wetland and a pileated woodpecker goes over. common loon 2, Forster’s tern 2, horned grebe 1.
A Cope’s gray tree frog calls. gray squirrel 4. mourning dove 4. 3 house finches. John Swaine visits and we’re happy to have him take some of the bradford pear cuttings (logs). Still have not driven across Feld 1 to Lucy Point what with the new berms and wetlands partially blocking that access. Maybe tomorrow before the rains come. white-throated sparrow 7.
Mary photos a mud turtle out aways on Ferry Neck Road. Rather spectacular BIG chorus of Cope’s gray tree frogs at 8:30 P.M. with a few spring peepers, temperature drops from 72-70. Jupiter nicely visible to the SW. George home today after leading 2 tours in India for the past 5 weeks or so.
See 1st of the year (get out the champagne) sea roaches (Ligia exotica; 12 of them) on an exposed riprap rock, “… a common but rather unpleasant sight, for they look too much like obnoxious cockroaches.” Lippson, Alice Jane & Robert L. Lippson, Life in Chesapeake Bay, Johns Hopkins U. Pr. 2006, 3rd ed., p. 98.
APRIL 5, EASTER SUNDAY. 59-70-50, clear at start, S - SW - W - NW, overcast w/ 0.85” rain noon - 4:30, then partial clearing and cooler. Our visitors all leave at noon, do so much for us WE feel as if we’re guests.
killdeer 1, deer 6 (traveling from F5-F4), an eastern cottontail (the Easter bunny indeed), 6 gray squirrels. The rain nicely enhances the new CRP wetland areas, most already burgeoning from previous rains. A mud turtle on the driveway X Field 4.
Highlight: white-eyed vireo near the back porch, close, sings 11 times, a record early date (old early arrival was April 17). This is when I sit on the back porch from noon - 4:30 during the rain, but the weather boosts feeder attendance: white-throated sparrow 22, Carolina chickadee 6, tufted titmouse 4, cardinal 6, cowbird 5, grackle 2, goldfinch, 1 house finch 4 (1 male sings a lot), gray squirrel 3. No nuthatches. Lovely Forster’s tern in full breeding plumage actively hunting during the rain.
BELLEVUE, 6:30 P.M., 6 common loons, 2 gray squirrels. Liz sees groups of 10 and 5 small ducks leaving for the mouth of the Tred Avon River mouth (ruddies?).A red phase screech-owl in one of the Frog Hollow wood duck boxes; been weeks since I’ve seen one there.
APRIL 6, MONDAY. clear (REALLY clear), 47-57, 7-12 NW. 1st egg in the lawn bluebird nest box; previous early egg date 4.9.98. Christopher Seymour, a friend of John Swaine, gathers some more braford pear logs from along the driveway. He was a Ranger for many years at Assateague Nat’l. Seashore.
common loon 1, bald eagle 2 adults, osprey 2 (on our osprey platform; be fruitful and multiply you 2, but that seems unlikely because of the continuing decline and apparent over harvest of menhaden), goldfinch 1, blue-gray gnatcatcher 1 (a bit overdue), barn swallow 2, flicker 1, nuthatches 0, cowbird 6, chipping sparrow 2, pine warbler 1. Because our property is surrounded by water for about 270+ degrees, landbirds are often scarce.
Ospreys also have to contend with Canada geese usurping their nesting sites on poles as well as increased kleptoparasitism by the greatly increased bald eagle population.
BELLEVUE, 7 P.M. muskrat 1, eastern cottontail 1, gray squirrel 2, ruddy duck 20, common loon 6. On the way back home a good chorus of spring peepers near the junction of Bellevue & Ferry Neck Roads, and another in Field 4.
APRIL 7, TUESDAY. While putting away the feeders a brown-headed nuthatch, the first in several days, I swear is giving me “what for” for so doing. Sassy little guy. Leave by 10:30, clear, 55, NW 20-25.
South of Ruthsburg, Route 481, a pileated woodpecker, high up, flying to the west, and 1 horned lark the only other bird along that route, but typically we just motor through and do not stop. We’re up high on the Delaware-Chesapeake Bay canal bridge, DE, and fun to look DOWN on an adult bald eagle, carrying something. At the Philadelphia Naval Yard there is an osprey flying east carrying a fish.
Best to all. - Harry Armistead, Bellevue and Philadelphia.
1,572 words. April 9, 2026.
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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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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: 4/8/26 6:49 pm From: 'SUE RICCIARDI' via Maryland & DC Birding <mdbirding...> Subject: [MDBirding] Fort Smallwood Park (08 Apr 2026) 73 Raptors
Fort Smallwood Park Pasadena, Maryland, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 08, 2026
Species
Day's Count
Month Total
Season Total
Black Vulture
6
19
78
Turkey Vulture
59
1237
6911
Osprey
5
59
175
Bald Eagle
1
11
57
Northern Harrier
0
12
18
Sharp-shinned Hawk
0
69
117
Cooper's Hawk
1
23
72
American Goshawk
0
0
0
Red-shouldered Hawk
0
17
255
Broad-winged Hawk
0
4
4
Red-tailed Hawk
1
6
64
Rough-legged Hawk
0
0
0
Golden Eagle
0
0
0
American Kestrel
0
29
64
Merlin
0
7
8
Peregrine Falcon
0
0
0
Unknown Accipitrine
0
2
4
Unknown Buteo
0
2
6
Unknown Falcon
0
1
2
Unknown Eagle
0
0
0
Unknown Raptor
0
4
5
Swallow-tailed Kite
0
1
1
Total:
73
1503
7841
Observation start time:
9:00 am Daylight Time
Observation end time:
2:30 pm
Official Counter
Chris Reed
Observers:
Sue Ricciardi
Visitors: Andrew Estrin
Weather: Sunny with a bit of cloudiness as the end of the count; a chilly 37-47 degrees; good visibility; winds light and easterly 3-10 mph
Raptor Observations: Modest number of migrants today, perhaps due to the light and unfavorable easterly winds. Courting Cooper's Hawk doing his "floppy-winged" 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: 4/8/26 8:09 am From: Steve Long <steve.long4...> Subject: [MDBirding] Talbot County Breeding Survey?
Who is doing the Talbot County breeding survey this year?
Steve Long, Oxford
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Date: 4/7/26 6:07 pm From: 'SUE RICCIARDI' via Maryland & DC Birding <mdbirding...> Subject: [MDBirding] Fort Smallwood Park (07 Apr 2026) 185 Raptors
Fort Smallwood Park Pasadena, Maryland, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 07, 2026
Species
Day's Count
Month Total
Season Total
Black Vulture
2
13
72
Turkey Vulture
155
1169
6843
Osprey
2
54
170
Bald Eagle
5
10
56
Northern Harrier
4
12
18
Sharp-shinned Hawk
8
69
117
Cooper's Hawk
2
22
71
American Goshawk
0
0
0
Red-shouldered Hawk
0
17
255
Broad-winged Hawk
1
4
4
Red-tailed Hawk
0
5
63
Rough-legged Hawk
0
0
0
Golden Eagle
0
0
0
American Kestrel
4
29
64
Merlin
1
7
8
Peregrine Falcon
0
0
0
Unknown Accipitrine
0
2
4
Unknown Buteo
0
2
6
Unknown Falcon
0
1
2
Unknown Eagle
0
0
0
Unknown Raptor
1
4
5
Swallow-tailed Kite
0
1
1
Total:
185
1421
7759
Observation start time:
8:15 am Daylight Time
Observation end time:
3:00 pm
Total observation time:
6.75 hours
Official Counter
Chris Reed
Observers:
Hal Wierenga, Lynn Davidson, Steve Steimel, Sue Ricciardi
Weather: Mostly sunny; 48-55 degrees; good visibility; winds strong out of the WNW 12-22 mph gusting to 31 mph
Raptor Observations: Good variety of species today. Fun to watch the falcons and harriers coming in low and contending with the strong winds. Nine Bald Eagles, a mix of locals and migrants.
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: 4/6/26 6:38 pm From: 'SUE RICCIARDI' via Maryland & DC Birding <mdbirding...> Subject: [MDBirding] Fort Smallwood Park (06 Apr 2026) 183 Raptors
Fort Smallwood Park Pasadena, Maryland, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 06, 2026
Species
Day's Count
Month Total
Season Total
Black Vulture
2
11
70
Turkey Vulture
159
1014
6688
Osprey
5
52
168
Bald Eagle
2
5
51
Northern Harrier
1
8
14
Sharp-shinned Hawk
5
61
109
Cooper's Hawk
2
20
69
American Goshawk
0
0
0
Red-shouldered Hawk
1
17
255
Broad-winged Hawk
3
3
3
Red-tailed Hawk
1
5
63
Rough-legged Hawk
0
0
0
Golden Eagle
0
0
0
American Kestrel
0
25
60
Merlin
0
6
7
Peregrine Falcon
0
0
0
Unknown Accipitrine
2
2
4
Unknown Buteo
0
2
6
Unknown Falcon
0
1
2
Unknown Eagle
0
0
0
Unknown Raptor
0
3
4
Swallow-tailed Kite
0
1
1
Total:
183
1236
7574
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:
Dan Walker, Fred Shaffer, Hal Wierenga, Ralph Geuder, Steve Steimel, Sue Ricciardi
Visitors: Andrew Estrin, Elizabeth
Weather: Sunny most of the day becoming partly cloudy in the last few hours; 46=58 degrees; good to excellent visibility; winds mostly northwesterly 10-16 mph gusting to 23 mph
Raptor Observations: Good variety and our first Broad-winged Hawks of the season.
Non-raptor Observations: Little Blue Heron and Barn 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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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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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: 4/3/26 8:27 pm From: 'SUE RICCIARDI' via Maryland & DC Birding <mdbirding...> Subject: [MDBirding] Fort Smallwood Park (03 Apr 2026) 450 Raptors
Fort Smallwood Park Pasadena, Maryland, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 03, 2026
Species
Day's Count
Month Total
Season Total
Black Vulture
2
5
64
Turkey Vulture
340
533
6207
Osprey
29
31
147
Bald Eagle
2
2
48
Northern Harrier
6
6
12
Sharp-shinned Hawk
24
25
73
Cooper's Hawk
9
12
61
American Goshawk
0
0
0
Red-shouldered Hawk
5
5
243
Broad-winged Hawk
0
0
0
Red-tailed Hawk
1
1
59
Rough-legged Hawk
0
0
0
Golden Eagle
0
0
0
American Kestrel
24
24
59
Merlin
4
4
5
Peregrine Falcon
0
0
0
Unknown Accipitrine
0
0
2
Unknown Buteo
0
0
4
Unknown Falcon
1
1
2
Unknown Eagle
0
0
0
Unknown Raptor
2
3
4
Swallow-tailed Kite
1
1
1
Total:
450
653
6991
Observation start time:
9:30 am Daylight Time
Observation end time:
4:30 pm
Total observation time:
7 hours
Official Counter
Chris Reed, Lynn Davidson
Observers:
Alan Young, Cindy Godwin, Fred Shaffer, Hal Wierenga, Lynn Davidson, Steve Steimel, Sue Ricciardi, Sue Young
Visitors: Al Hafner, 2
Weather: Drizzle and fog to start, becoming mostly cloudy, still with light fog; 49-74 degrees; poor to fair visibility; winds light at first becoming stronger and with a SW component.
Raptor Observations: Memorable day! The flight started before the fog lifted appreciably with several falcons and Ospreys. The two hours from 1 to 3 pm daylight time provided 391 individuals of nine species, with 24 Ospreys, 6 Northern Harriers, 22 Sharp-shinned Hawks, and 13 American Kestrels. But the prize appeared earlier at 12:16 pm: a Swallow-tailed Kite! A probable adult, it came in from the waterside behind us, glided SW to the back of the pond, circled a few times and then continued SW, never flapping its wings. We managed a few photos, but with the poor visibility, they were not of good quality; nor was the view crisp as it flew. However, the swallow tails and black and white pattern underneath made the ID unmistakable. Interestingly, we also had two Ospreys of the aircraft kind, which encouraged us to be more specific when a migrant Osprey or harrier of the avian kind was called out. :)
Non-raptor Observations: First Purple Martin of the season, Lesser Yellowlegs 3, Cedar Waxwing 160, Horned Grebe 41, almost 600 scaup, mostly Greater of those that were id'd.
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: 3/31/26 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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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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