I found myself in Scarborough Marsh early Tuesday morning, once again. And once again, I was with a client in search of Nelson’s and Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrows. Maxine, who was visiting us all the way from Sacramento, California, was making her first trip to the northeast, so we had a number of species to find.

We began on the Eastern Road Trail, which is always productive for both sharp-tailed, but also because we were after a Seaside Sparrow that Ed found here about a week ago. In addition to many long, scope views of both species of sharp-tailed sparrows, we found the Seaside – and heard and saw it very well from the road. Tough to beat this start to the day!

We had 10 target birds today, and our first stop produced three of them. Swamp Sparrow soon followed. After a short stop at Pine Point to check on the activity (2 lingering Black-bellied Plovers and terns – Common and two Roseate – were finally active in the channel) and to use the bathrooms, we headed north to Freeport. Much like my clients last week, we got our marsh birds, and then moved inland to utilize my local patches to pick up the other target species.

Canada Warbler, Chimney Swift, Scarlet Tanager, Alder Flycatcher, and Prairie Warbler - got ‘em all! Plus, a Great Horned Owl perched in the open, being mobbed by crows, at Florida Lake Park provided an extra bonus! Unfortunately, I failed on my attempt at going 10 for 10, when we were unable to locate the Orchard Orioles at Capisic Pond Park.

Meanwhile, on a dark and drippy morning of dense fog, my usual Wednesday morning walk at Hedgehog Mountain Park was fairly quiet, but I did enjoy seeing fledgling Brown Creepers and a raucous family group of Common Ravens.

So, our unsettled weather continues, with weak disturbances continuing to rotate around the stubborn upper-level low. The next couple of days could be interesting – unsettled weather and a chance of strong thunderstorms each afternoon could make my next mission a bit more challenging. I’ll be taking a client up to the mountains to camp overnight for Bicknell’s Thrush. Rain (especially thunderstorms!) can make camping, let alone bird-finding, a bit challenging, so here’s to hoping for a break in the weathah!