Our group of six gathered at 8:00 a.m. at Aquia Landing Park for a crisp but beautiful outing under clear skies, with temperatures in the upper 20’s and a light breeze. The sunny conditions made for excellent viewing, starting with a large flock of gulls resting along the far shore and several grebes tucked into the sheltered bay around the bend. A few dozen Bufflehead kept us entertained with their diving, while several Killdeer worked the shoreline, including a couple along the beach that were remarkably close. Ring-billed Gulls were abundant, with a couple hundred spread across the area. A Northern Harrier offered one of the day’s highlights as it glided low over the marsh, giving everyone extended views. We also enjoyed the loud, clear songs of three Hermit Thrush along the entrance road that were easy to spot, along with a scattering of Yellow-rumped Warblers flitting through the brush. The outing lasted about two and a half hours and made for a refreshing winter morning with 38 total species observed.
