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14 May Bank Swallow, Rock Creek (DC) [Clive Harris ] 13 May Dunlin & Purple Finch - Finzel, Garrett, Co. [David Yeany II ] 13 May Lake Roland, 05/13/08 [Kevin Graff ] 13 May Franklin's Gull [Max Wilson ] 13 May Yellow-Crowned Night Herons [Lou DeMouy ] 13 May Hains Pt (and a MD sighting) [Paul Pisano ] 13 May Excellent migration continues in AA Co. [Stan Arnold ] 13 May Wood Sandpiper [Stephen Horvath ] 14 May Hains Point Franklin's Gull ["Gail B. Mackiernan ] 13 May Pasadena Morning [Dan haas ] 13 May migrants in parks within the Anacostia river watershed, Washington DC (May 13) [Dhananjaya Katju ] 13 May A Franklin's Gull at East Potomac Park [Rob Hilton ] 13 May FW: [MDOSPREY] Birding along the National Mall, correction [Kathy Reiser ] 13 May Philadelphia Vireo, warblers at Nat'l Arb, 5/13 ["Strobel, Warren" ] 13 May Common Yellowthroat [Paul Mackey ] 13 May Birding along the National Mall [Kathy Reiser ] 13 May Re: which Franklin's [Clive Harris ] 13 May Blk-bellied Plover, Summit Hall TF, MoCo 5-13-08 [Andy Martin ] 13 May Re: Chat a Nats fan? [Rob Hilton ] 13 May Re: Chat a Nats fan? [Rob Hilton ] 13 May Upper Watts Branch Park for 5/13/08 [Paul O'Brien ] 13 May Chat a Nats fan? [Paul Pisano ] 13 May FW: DC Area, 5/13/08 [Norm Saunders ] 13 May Willow Fly at Blue Mash; Hooded and Kentucky at Rachel Carson, May 13 [Michael Bowen ] 13 May Piney Orchard Nature Preserve - Cape May Warblers [Elaine Hendricks ] 13 May Very unexpected yard bird, post-storm [Janet Millenson ] 13 May Rock Creek Park, DC, Tue. 5/13 [Wallace Kornack ] 13 May A Franklin's Gull still present this morning, Hains Pt [Clive Harris ] 13 May A Cape May Warbler encounter ["Gail B. Mackiernan ] 13 May Cliff Swallow and Bank Swallow - Hughes Hollow M/B/ WMA [Eric Skrzypczak ] 13 May Seaside Sparrows continue at Sandy Point State Park [Matt Hafner ] 13 May Wilson's Warbler in Pasadena [Bill Hubick ] 12 May May Count, Irish Grove and Vicinity [Paul Bystrak ] 12 May Hart-Miller Island Seminar ["Eugene J. Scarpulla" ] 12 May Nighthawks in PG Co. [Denise Ryan ] 12 May Lower Eastern Shore, 5/10-11 (Chucks, Whips, Shorebirds) [John Hubbell ] 12 May White-rumped Sandpiper - North Branch C&O, Allegany, Co. [David Yeany II ] 12 May Re: West Annapolis [Dan haas ] 12 May West Annapolis [Dan haas ] 12 May Oxbow Lake: Black Tern, 5 species swallows [Marcy Stutzman ] 12 May Sora, Am Bittern, Hughes Hollow, 5/12/08 [Andy Martin ] 12 May Re: Southern St. Mary's Co., May Count totals [Patty Craig ] 12 May Re: World Series of Birding, Cape May 2008 [jim brighton ] 12 May Seneca Grasslands Project [Bonnie Coe ] 12 May Franklin's Gull III in DC, May 12, afternoon [Michael Bowen ] 12 May Hains Pt - 3rd Franklin's Gull & Bank Swallow [Gary Allport ] 12 May Re: 3rd Franklin's Gull at Hains Pt! ["Gail B. Mackiernan ] 12 May 82nd Dorchester County May Bird Count (in part) & Ferry Neck, May 8-11. [Henry Armistead ] 12 May Bob Mumford at PGAS/PBC Mtg tom'w [Lynette Fullerton ] 12 May White-crowned Sparrow in Pasadena [Scott Michaud ] 12 May 3rd Franklin's Gull at Hains Pt! [Paul Pisano ] 12 May Downtown Baltimore backyard birds [Joe Halloran ] Subject: Bank Swallow, Rock Creek (DC) From: Clive Harris <clivegharris AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Wed, 14 May 2008 06:55:14 -0700 A very pleasant morning at Rock Creek, though not many new migrants seemed to be in based on postings from yesterday. The biggest surprise was a flyover Bank Swallow that I saw just after getting out of my car on the Ridge. It was in the company of two Barn Swallows. The lower part of the Ridge near the horse field was best first thing; in contrast the Yard was rather quiet, though not helped by a worker firing up his cherr-picker when I got there. Warblers: Northern Parula (3, including a female) Nashville (1) Yellow-rumped (c. 30 or so, still the most numerous) Blackburnian (2 - one male in full sunlight by horse field) Chestnut-sided (at least 6) Blackpoll (c. 10) Magnolia (5) Possible Bay-breasted singing once on Ridge Black-throated Blue (1) Black-throated Green (5) American Redstart (4) Common Yellowthroat (2) Black-and-White (1) Canada (1, by stables) Others included good views of Scarlet Tanager; Rose-breasted Grosbeak; Baltimore Oriole; Yellow-throated and Red-eyed Vireos; Swainson's Thrush (4 - near Nature Center) and several flyover Eastern Kingbirds. Good birding Clive Harris Cabin John, MD --- On Tue, 5/13/08, Paul PisanoSubject: Dunlin & Purple Finch - Finzel, Garrett, Co. From: David Yeany II <dyeany2 AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 23:12:16 -0400 Tonight while on my way up Samson Rock Rd. going to Finzel Swamp, I saw two Dunlin in full breeding plumage right in the middle of the road. I'm not sure if this is unusual, but I know it's the first that I've seen Dunlin in Finzel, and it was especially odd to see these two and hear a male Purple Finch singing at the same time. It's times like these that you just scratch your head. Any enlightenment is welcome. Good birding, David -- David Yeany II 109.5 Pennsylvania Ave Cumberland, MD 21502 Cell: (814) 221-4361Subject: Lake Roland, 05/13/08 From: Kevin Graff <whitemarlin2001 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 20:08:32 -0700 Hi all,
Baltimore Bird Club's seventh in a series weekly walks
to follow the progress of Spring Migration, next walk
on May 20th at 830am.
05/13/08 - 8am-1235pm
Robert E. Lee Park "Lake Roland" Hollins Ave.,
Riderwood, Baltimore Co., MD
WEATHER: MC/PC, 52-67 degrees, NW 4 mph- NW 13 mph
LEADER: Paul Noell
OBSERVERS: 19
Canada Goose - 9
Mallard - 8
Great Blue Heron - 2
Great Egret - 1
Black-crowned Night Heron - 1
Black Vulture - 2
Turkey Vulture - 1
Osprey - 1
Cooper's Hawk - 1
Red-shouldered Hawk - 1 (on way out)
Red-tailed Hawk - 2
Solitary Sandpiper - 1
Spotted Sandpiper - 5
Least Sandpiper - 1
Mourning Dove - 8
Chimney Swift - 31
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 1
Belted Kingfisher - 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 6
Downy Woodpecker - 2
Northern Flicker - 1
Pileated Woodpecker - 2
Eastern Wood-Pewee - 1
Acadian Flycatcher - 2
Eastern Phoebe - 2
Great Crested Flycatcher - 1
Eastern Kingbird - 2
White-eyed Vireo - 1
Yellow-throated Vireo - 1
Warbling Vireo - 1
Red-eyed Vireo - 6
Blue Jay - 1
American Crow - 1
Fish Crow - 3
Tree Swallow - 1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow - 4
Barn Swallow - 29
Carolina Chickadee - 5
Tufted Titmouse - 6
White-breasted Nuthatch - 2
Carolina Wren - 2
House Wren - 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 9
Eastern Bluebird - 2
Veery - 1
Swainson's Thrush - 1
Wood Thrush - 3
American Robin - 30
Gray Catbird - 9
Northern Mockingbird - 2
European Starling - 7
Cedar Waxwing - 28
Yellow Warbler - 2
Magnolia Warbler - 2
Black-throated Blue Warbler - 6
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 1
Black-and-white Warbler - 3
American Redstart - 1
Prothonotary Warbler - 1 (seen by one, heard by few)
Ovenbird - 3
Northern Waterthrush - 1
Common Yellowthroat - 2
Wilson's Warbler - 1 (seen by one observer)
Canada Warbler - 4
Scarlet Tanager - 1 (seen b one observer)
Chipping Sparrow - 2
Song Sparrow - 3
White-throated Sparrow - 1 (seen/heard by one ob)
Northern Cardinal - 10
Red-winged Blackbird - 12
Common Grackle - 9
Brown-headed Cowbird - 2
Orchard Oriole - 1
Baltimore Oriole - 4
American Goldfinch - 7
House Sparrow - 1
SPECIES: 76
TOTAL BIRDS: 334
MAMMALS
Eastern Chipmunk - 1
Gray Squirrel - 11
REPTILES
Eastern Painted Turtle - 1
BUTTERFLIES
Cabbage White - 4
Question Mark - 1
***I left out one Earth-boring Beetle at Cylburn
Arboretum along stump dump trail on 5/11/08***
Kevin Graff
Jarrettsville, MD & West O.C., MD
WhiteMarlin2001 AT yahoo.com
Subject: Franklin's GullFrom: Max Wilson <jmwilson AT LAW.GWU.EDU> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 22:42:53 -0400 I walked down to Hains Point after work to look for the Franklin's Gull. I reached East Potomac Park a little after 6:00. On my circuit of the point I watched a Bald Eagle grab a fish out of the channel and get mobbed by several crows. I only saw a few gulls on my walk down the channel side. Working my way back up the Potomac side, I walked the grassy margin between the road and the golf course. Right about where the road was submerged, I spied through a break in the brush a large flock of gulls sitting on the golf course. After scanning the flock for a while and picking out four Bonaparte's Gulls and the Common Tern, I finally found the adult FRANKLIN'S GULL at 6:40. It was initially facing away from me giving me a good view of the dark back and the black and white wingtips. It would occasionally turn it's head, showing the very prominent broken eye ring and straight red bill. After studying if for five or ten minutes, the whole flock flushed and I noted the very light underside of the wings. I found the flock again further north on the golf course but could not refind the Franklin's despite two other birder's joining in the hunt. I did manage to find a GLOSSY IBIS on the golf course and WOODCOCK along the fence while searching and another birder reported seeing a WILSON'S WARBLER, but I couldn't relocate it. Thanks to all those that have been reporting these great DC rarities! Max Wilson Kensington, Montgomery County, MD mercretas AT hotmail.comSubject: Yellow-Crowned Night Herons From: Lou DeMouy <ldemouy AT STARPOWER.NET> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 22:35:25 -0400 Regarding the yellow-crowned night herons on the wet field close to Jones Mill Road -- these are quite possibly the same herons, which are nesting on Chevy Chase Lake Drive about 1/4 mile to the east of Connecticut Avenue. As the heron flies, this is a short distance to Jones Mill Road. Lou DeMouy Chevy Chase, MDSubject: Hains Pt (and a MD sighting) From: Paul Pisano <cheep AT STARPOWER.NET> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 20:55:40 -0500 I drove around Hains Pt on my way home from work today (5/13, about an hour after Sandy & Dave). I did not see any gulls on the golf course at all. There were a number of Ring-billeds riding the flotsam on the river, but I couldn't find any other gull species. However, I did find a COMMON TERN - seen sitting on a log on the river, and briefly in flight. Unfortunately I have been unable to get any pictures of these Franklin's Gulls. Clearly there have been at least 2 individuals (an adult and a 1st summer). Whether the individual seen these past 2 days is the same as the adult bird seen on 5/3 is the big question. And here's a belated MD report - there's a YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON hanging out along Jones Mill Rd. Both my sister and I saw it on Saturday, 5/10. When it's wet, it seems to favor the grassy field opposite Farmington St. (were Farmington intersects with Jones Mill). This is just north of the intersection of Jones Mill/Beach Dr & East-West Highway. My sister saw the bird in the morning, and I saw it at about 6:15pm. I know it was reported from this spot last year, which suggests to me that there is a pair somewhere along Rock Creek in that area. Good birding, Paul Pisano Arlington, VASubject: Excellent migration continues in AA Co. From: Stan Arnold <dy.dx AT EARTHLINK.NET> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 21:53:18 -0700 Hi Folks, Not only is this the wettest Spring I've ever experienced in Maryland, but it has been the best migration I've encountered here in Ferndale. We had our first SWAINSON'S THRUSH in the yard last Thursday (5/8), and a female ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK has been dining at our feeders since the day prior--the first time we've ever had one for more than a day. She was one of the last birds to leave the feeders at dusk this evening. Yesterday (5/12), following several days absence, four WHITE-THROATED SPARROWs visited our yard, and as the rain was turning into a light drizzle, Elaine called me to the north side of the house. She said she had a warbler with a green back. A parula, I asked? No, it's all pale underneath. I was excited at the prospect, and even more so when my binoculars landed on a TENNESSEE WARBLER, not only a new yard bird (#127), but also a new county bird, and yard bird #99 for the year. This morning (5/13) began with several singing warblers in the yard before I had to go to work, including Black-throated Blue, Blackpoll, and Redstart. While I was at work, Elaine sighted a CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER, and our yard's first COMMON YELLOWTHROAT this year (#100 for year). After I got home from work and while working in the back yard this afternoon an adult BALD EAGLE flew over, and later while I was on the phone with Bill Hubick (congratulating him on the World Series win), a late MERLIN zipped by heading north, our sixth sighting of this species from the yard this year. The day ended with our first COMMON NIGHTHAWK, species #101 for the year. On two different days last week we had ten species of warbler in the yard, and typically we've had six or seven each day this month. Never before have we experienced a migration like this. Is it the weather? Stan Arnold Ferndale (AA Co.) dy.dx AT earthlink.netSubject: Wood Sandpiper From: Stephen Horvath <falcon85 AT PRODIGY.NET> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 21:39:00 -0400 Is there anybody going to see the Wood Sandpiper this weedkend that wouldn't mind giving a ride to a college student. I will gladly help pay for gas.Subject: Hains Point Franklin's Gull From: "Gail B. Mackiernan <katahdinss AT comcast.net>" Date: Wed, 14 May 2008 01:26:48 +0000 Hi all -- We both think that the Franklin's gull we found in the rain yesterday is the same one seen by others -- viewing conditions yesterday and today were quite different and color and detail was not as easily made out yesterday, thanks to the downpour. Barry visited some of the literature and writes this: "The Franklin’s Gull Gail and I saw yesterday at Hains Point looked to us to be an adult, or pretty close to it – As far as we could see it had a complete black hood and bold white eye crescents. The white panel or bar separating the black on the primaries from the grey wing and mantle, as well as the white primary tips, were obvious both when the bird was in flight and on the ground. The bill and soft parts looked more dark than red but that was undoubtedly the light. There is a nice photo of adult and second summer Franklin's Gulls together in flight in "Gulls of North America, Europe and Asia." The bird we saw looked closer to the adult in the photo than the second summer bird. Also looking at the various photos in this book, there seems to be a fair degree of variation amongst adults in summer plumage. Having said this, the bird yesterday did not look as "pristine" as the bird found by Paul over a week ago, and it lacked the pale pinkish shade to the underparts that bird had. This maybe simply the result of timing as some birds take longer than others to reach full breeding plumage." Gail Mackiernan and Barry Cooper Colesville, MDSubject: Pasadena Morning From: Dan haas <nervousbirds AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 20:35:45 -0400 Before visiting schools in the Northern section of Anne Arundel County this morning, I dropped by Bill Hubick's home to see my lifer WILSON'S WARBLER. Thanks Bill and Becky!!! Wilson was a very cooperative bird. I purposely didn't bring the camera so that the bird would be there in perfect light. As soon as I left, the pull of doing some additional morning birding magically pulled my car into the lot at Weinberg Park. It was a lot of fun and a fantastic way to start the day. Here are the results. Location: Weinberg Park Observation date: 5/13/08 Number of species: 39 Canada Goose 2 Great Blue Heron 1 Little Blue Heron 1 Black Vulture 1 Osprey 1 Bald Eagle 1 Spotted Sandpiper 2 American Woodcock 1 FANTASTIC LOOK RIGHT ON THE PATH Mourning Dove 2 Chimney Swift 1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1 Eastern Kingbird 1 Red-eyed Vireo 5 Blue Jay 1 American Crow 2 Fish Crow 3 Barn Swallow 2 Carolina Chickadee 8 Tufted Titmouse 5 House Wren 1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2 Eastern Bluebird 1 American Robin 7 Gray Catbird 9 Northern Mockingbird 1 European Starling 1 Northern Parula 5 Chestnut-sided Warbler 1 MAGNOLIA WARBLER 1 TAUNTING ME AT EYE LEVEL IN PERFECT LIGHT WITH NO CAMERA Black-throaTed Blue Warbler 1 Black-and-white Warbler 1 American Redstart 5 Common Yellowthroat 6 Eastern Towhee 2 Northern Cardinal 7 Red-winged Blackbird 2 Common Grackle (Purple) 3 Baltimore Oriole 1 American Goldfinch 2 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org) Good Birding (and thank you again Bill & Becky!), Dan Haas West Annapolis, MD nervousbirds AT gmail.comSubject: migrants in parks within the Anacostia river watershed, Washington DC (May 13) From: Dhananjaya Katju <onebiteonesip AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 18:25:15 -0400 It was a hopping 'migrant' day within the Anacostia river watershed in the District of Columbia. I had spectacular views of a male Scarlet Tanager, a singing Great Crested Flycatcher and a Wild Turkey foraging along the Oxon Run (near the intersection of Southern Avenue and S. Capitol St. SE). On a non-avian note, a gorgeous Gray Fox stepped out from the gallery forest along Oxon creek and provided very clear looks right down to the black streak running dorsally on its tail. *Migrants & miscellaneous highlights:* *Barnard Hill Park* House Wren N. Parula Magnolia Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Black-throated Green Warbler American Redstart Ovenbird Common Yellowthroat *National Arboretum* Ruby-throated Hummingbird Acadian Flycatcher Great Crested Flycatcher E. Wood-Peewee Red-eyed Vireo Yellow-throated Vireo Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Wood Thrush Swainson's Thrush N. Parula Magnolia Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Black-throated Blue Warbler Black-and-white Warbler American Redstart Blackpoll Warbler Ovenbird Common Yellowthroat Scarlet Tanager *Kenilworth Park* Barn Swallow N. Rough-winged Swallow E. Kingbird Red-eyed Vireo Blue-gray Gnatcatcher N. Parula Yellow-rumped Warbler Black-throated Blue Warbler Blackpoll Warbler Common Yellowthroat Indigo Bunting *Fort Dupont Park* Acadian Flycatcher Great Crested Flycatcher E. Wood-Peewee Red-eyed Vireo Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Wood Thrush Veery N. Parula Magnolia Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Black-throated Blue Warbler Chestnut-sided Warbler Black-and-white Warbler American Redstart Ovenbird Scarlet Tanager *Bald Eagle Hill Park + Oxon Run* Wild Turkey Barn Swallow N. Rough-winged Swallow Warbling Vireo Red-eyed Vireo Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Wood Thrush Swainson's Thrush N. Parula Chestnut-sided Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Black-throated Blue Warbler Blackpoll Warbler Common Yellowthroat Rose-breasted Grosbeak *Dhananjaya Katju* *Washington DC*Subject: A Franklin's Gull at East Potomac Park From: Rob Hilton <aimophila10 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 14:17:52 -0700 Hello MDOsprey,
At about 4 pm, David Sperling and Sandy Farkas were looking at a Franklin's
Gull, I presume an adult. The gull was on the golf course and they were on the
river side of Ohio Drive "opposite Gravelly Point".
Rob Hilton
Bethesda
Subject: FW: [MDOSPREY] Birding along the National Mall, correctionFrom: Kathy Reiser <kathyreiser AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 16:07:36 -0500 Sorry, I meant to say Great Crested Flycatcher. Kathy Reiser Washington, D.C. > Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 15:29:46 -0500 > From: kathyreiser AT HOTMAIL.COM > Subject: [MDOSPREY] Birding along the National Mall > To: MDOSPREY AT HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM > > It is surprising what interesting birds show up alongside the National Mall during migration. > This morning, at about 7:15 to 7:30, my husband and I walked through the grounds of the National Academy of > Sciences, where the statue of Albert Einstein is located, between 21st and 22nd Sts. along Constitution Ave. > We heard an Ovenbird, Crested Flycatcher and House Wren, and flushed a roosting Red-tailed Hawk. > These were in addition to the usual residents. > > Kathy Reiser > Washington, D.C. > > _________________________________________________________________ > Make Windows Vista more reliable and secure with Windows Vista Service Pack 1. > http://www.windowsvista.com/SP1?WT.mc_id=hotmailvistasp1banner _________________________________________________________________ Windows Live SkyDrive lets you share files with faraway friends. http://www.windowslive.com/skydrive/overview.html?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_Refresh_skydrive_052008Subject: Philadelphia Vireo, warblers at Nat'l Arb, 5/13 From: "Strobel, Warren" <wstrobel AT MCCLATCHYDC.COM> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 17:04:12 -0400 Very birdy this morning at the National Arboretum Azalea Collection. There was
also some serious damage to the area, with several large trees down and parts
of the paths blocked for repair.
Highlight was a PHILADELPHIA VIREO, feeding in a tall tree by one of the
paths. First mistook it for a Blue-Headed, but got good looks at dark cap,
strong white supercilium, dark eyeline, dark lores, whitish underparts and
darkish tail. Size was right for Philadelphia, rather than Red-Eyed...
Other treats included:
_ American Redstart
_ N Parula
_ Common Yellowthroat (both m and f)
_ Black and White Warbler
_ BT Blue Warbler (heard)
_ Ovenbird (heard)
_ Scarlet Tanager (m and f)
_ Red-Eyed Vireo
_ GC Flycatcher (heard)
_ E Wood Peewee (heard)
_ Wood Thrush (heard)
_ Eastern Towhee (m)
Warren & Lisa Strobel
Annapolis, MD
birdingcouple AT yahoo.com
www.birdcouple.com
Subject: Common YellowthroatFrom: Paul Mackey <paul.mackey AT MYACTV.NET> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 16:53:36 -0400 I had a big surprise this afternoon at my home in Hagerstown when I saw my first ever yard bird/warbler. A male Common Yellowthroat flew into a small shrub where I was able to get a good look, albeit very briefly.Subject: Birding along the National Mall From: Kathy Reiser <kathyreiser AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 15:29:46 -0500 It is surprising what interesting birds show up alongside the National Mall during migration. This morning, at about 7:15 to 7:30, my husband and I walked through the grounds of the National Academy of Sciences, where the statue of Albert Einstein is located, between 21st and 22nd Sts. along Constitution Ave. We heard an Ovenbird, Crested Flycatcher and House Wren, and flushed a roosting Red-tailed Hawk. These were in addition to the usual residents. Kathy Reiser Washington, D.C. _________________________________________________________________ Make Windows Vista more reliable and secure with Windows Vista Service Pack 1. http://www.windowsvista.com/SP1?WT.mc_id=hotmailvistasp1bannerSubject: Re: which Franklin's From: Clive Harris <clivegharris AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 12:47:37 -0700 Paul I couldn't see any trace of brown or other signs of immaturity on the bird I saw today. It looked very clean and with a lot of white on the primaries, i.e. an adult or near-adult that had completed its last molt. But my views were brief and birds can look different when soaking wet, as yesterday. I assumed it was either gull #1 or #2 (or conceivably its another one.....). Did anyone managed to get a picture of any of this remarkable influx? Regards Clive --- On Tue, 5/13/08, Paul PisanoSubject: Blk-bellied Plover, Summit Hall TF, MoCo 5-13-08 From: Andy Martin <apmartin2 AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 15:27:42 -0500 Dave Czaplak alerted me to a BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER at the Summit Hall Turf Farm. I walked up (maybe 3/4 mile) along canal from the Sycamore Landing parking lot and was able to "peek" between foliage with 'scope across the canal to puddles on turf farm. I actually could not find the bird at first, and desperate for a new addition to my county list, I started to wade across a very full C&O Canal. I'm "wimped" out however part way across when I ended up in neck deep water holding my scope above me military style. Back on dry land, I finally found it in a puddle visible between a break in foliage. Warblers along canal included: American Redstart Northern Parula 3 Prothonotary 2 Black-and-White Northern Waterthrush 2 Black-throated Blue Black-throated Green Yellow-rumped Magnolia Common Yellowthroat 2 Good and "safe" birding, Andy Martin GaithersburgSubject: Re: Chat a Nats fan? From: Rob Hilton <aimophila10 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 12:22:29 -0700 Oops, I didn't mean for my last reply to go to MDOsprey.
Back to work I go.
Rob Hilton
Silver Spring
Subject: Re: Chat a Nats fan?From: Rob Hilton <aimophila10 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 12:21:38 -0700 Something long-winged, gray, erm, grey, and slender with red legs just flew by ... just kidding. Paul PisanoSubject: Upper Watts Branch Park for 5/13/08 From: Paul O'Brien <PObrien776 AT AOL.COM> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 15:08:08 EDT It seems that nothing left during the deluge, but today we could actually see
birds!
Red-eyed Vireo 5
Veery 2
Swainson's Thrush
Wood Thrush 2
Nashville Warbler 3
Northern Parula 4
Chestnut-sided Warbler 4 (1 female)
Magnolia Warbler 4
Cape May Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler 3 (1 female)
Yellow-rumped Warbler 3
Black-throated Green Warbler 2
Blackburnian Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Black and White Warbler 2
American Redstart 3
Ovenbird 2
Northern Waterthrush
Common Yellowthroat 3
Scarlet Tanager 3
Indigo Bunting
Baltimore Oriole 1 female
Paul O'Brien
Rockville, Mont. Co., MD
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Subject: Chat a Nats fan?From: Paul Pisano <cheep AT STARPOWER.NET> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 13:36:15 -0400 Today at lunchtime I took a walk around my office (US Dept of Transportation HQ in SE DC). The only access to the Anacostia in the immediate vicinity is at the intersection of Frist St. & Potomac Ave. (by the Earth Conservation Corp bldg). This is in the shadow of the new Nationals stadium. There's a small green patch there, and in that patch today was a YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT. Obviously a migrant on it's way north. Also present was at least 1 COMMON YELLOWTHROAT. And for what it's worth, this morning, on my way to work I stopped by Hains Pt. The road was closed at Buckeye & Ohio Drs at first, and later it was opened to the clubhouse but not beyond (this was between 6:45 and 7:30am). In any case, I did not see *any* Franklin's Gulls (he says, in a voice dripping with incredulity). I only saw 1 BONAPARTE'S GULL, plus the usual suspects, either at the pond opposite the tennis court parking lot or from the clubhouse parking lot. I wonder if the bird that Clive saw is the same as the one that Gail, Barry & Gary saw yesterday. It sounds like that one had a fair amount of brown in the tertials and coverts and minimal white in the primaries. The crisp adult I saw on May 3rd didn't have any brown, had a prominent white band between the gray and black of the primaries, and a pale pink wash to the breast. Good birding, Paul Pisano Arlington, VASubject: FW: DC Area, 5/13/08 From: Norm Saunders <marshhawk AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 13:31:23 -0400 -----Original Message-----
From: Steve Cordle [mailto:scordle AT capaccess.org]
Sent: Tuesday, May 13, 2008 11:47 AM
To: birdeast AT listserv.arizona.edu
Subject: DC Area, 5/13/08
Hotline: Voice of the Naturalist
Date: 5/13/2008
Coverage: MD/DC/VA/DE
Telephone: 301-652-1088 option 1
Reports (voice): 301-652-1088 option 2
(email): voice AT AudubonNaturalist.org
(deadline): midnight Mondays
Compiler: John Bjerke
Sponsor: Audubon Naturalist Society of the Central
Atlantic States (independent of NAS!)
Transcriber: Steve Cordle (scordle AT capaccess.org)
Please consider joining ANS, especially if you are a regular user of
the Voice (Individual $40; Family $50; Nature Steward $75; Audubon
Advocate $150). The membership number is 301-652-9188, option 12; the
address is 8940 Jones Mill Road, Chevy Chase, MD 20815; and the web
site is http://www.AudubonNaturalist.org.
This is the Voice of the Naturalist, a service of the Audubon
Naturalist Society. This report was completed Tuesday, May 13, at 8:00
a.m.
Top bird this week is WOOD SANDPIPER* in DE.
Other birds of interest include NEOTROPIC CORMORANT*, AMERICAN
BITTERN, MISSISSIPPI and SWALLOW-TAILED KITES, GOLDEN EAGLE, SORA,
RED-NECKED PHALAROPE, FRANKLIN'S GULL, COMMON RAVEN,
LE CONTE'S SPARROW, LINCOLN'S SPARROW, WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW,
BOBOLINK, PURPLE FINCH, and RED CROSSBILL.
A WOOD SANDPIPER* first found on May 5 along the Broadkill Road in
Prime Hook NWR, Sussex Co, DE was seen every day in the last week. The
bird has been in the pools on the north side of the road approximately
2.2 miles past the entrance to Prime Hook.
Migrants continue their annual passage to and through the area. A DE
Big Day on May 7 recorded 26 species of warblers and 25 species of
shorebirds. Other hot spots included Rock Creek Park, Washington DC
with 16 warblers on May 6 and May 8, Rock Run Mill, Harford Co, MD
with 20 warblers on May 6, multiple locations in Harford Co with 19
warblers on May 8, Flag Ponds SP, Calvert Co, MD with 19 warblers on
May 10, Jug Bay section of Patuxent River Park, Prince Georges Co, MD
with 18 warblers on May 11, Compton Mt., Buchanan Co, VA with 18
warblers on May 10 and Highland and Bath Cos, VA with 20 warblers on
May 10.
A possible NEOTROPIC CORMORANT* was reported from the Potomac River
near Harper's Ferry on May 9.
An AMERICAN BITTERN was seen at the Hughes Hollow impoundments,
Montgomery Co, MD, on May 12. LEAST BITTERN is again being heard in
the Jug Bay section of Patuxent River Park, Prince Georges Co, MD.
A SWALLOW-TAILED KITE flew over the hawkwatch at Cape Henlopen SP,
Sussex Co, DE on May 7. Three MISSISSIPPI KITES were seen near
Petersburg, VA on May 8. MISSISSIPPI KITES were reported to have
returned to Halifax Co, VA on May 10. A single MISSISSIPPI KITE was
spotted at the Jug Bay section of Patuxent River Park on May 11.
A GOLDEN EAGLE in the roadway near Linden, Warren Co, VA surprised a
birder on May 7.
SORAS were heard at the Jug Bay section of Patuxent River Park this
week and one was seen at the Hughes Hollow impoundments on May 12.
A RED-NECKED PHALAROPE was found near Fishersville, Augusta Co, VA on
May 12.
The golf course at Hains Point, Washington DC has apparently become a
haven for FRANKLIN'S GULL. Two additional birds were seen after the
bird of May 3. One described as a first summer bird was seen on May 9
and May 10. A molting adult was found on May 12.
Two COMMON RAVENS were seen at the Beltsville Agricultural Research
Station, Prince Georges Co, MD on May 7.
A LE CONTE'S SPARROW* was found at Greenbury Point, near Annapolis,
Anne Arundel Co, MD on May 7. A LINCOLN'S SPARROW was seen on the Blue
Mash Nature Trail, Montgomery Co, MD on May 11.
WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS decided to postpone migration a bit showing up
in a yards in Bethesda, MD, Havre de Grace, MD, Eldersburg, MD, and
Baltimore, MD.
BOBOLINKS made welcome news at several spots including Gravelly Point
at National Airport, Washington, DC and several hundred in a field on
Harrison Road, Fauquier Co, VA on May 11.
A lingering PURPLE FINCH was in Cylburn Arboretum, Baltimore, MD on
May 7.
Up to 15 RED CROSSBILLS are visiting a feeder in Rockingham Co, VA.
Some of this week's reports have been gleaned from the MDOsprey,
VA-Bird, and DE-bird list servers.
Finding Birds in the National Capital Area by Claudia Wilds is an
excellent source for directions to many birding sites. The ANS
Bookstore (301-652-3606 or
www.audubonnaturalist.org/cgi-bin/mesh/store) is an excellent source
for this and many other nature-related titles.
To report bird sightings, e-mail your report to
voice AT AudubonNaturalist.org or call 301-652-1088 and select menu
option 2. Please post reports before midnight Monday, identify the
county as well as state, and include your name and a Tuesday morning
contact, either e-mail or phone.
Thank you for calling, and GOOD BIRDING.
*Of interest to the records committee.
Subject: Willow Fly at Blue Mash; Hooded and Kentucky at Rachel Carson, May 13From: Michael Bowen <dhmbowen AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 13:28:11 -0400 I birded Blue Mash Nature Trail in Montgomery County this morning, starting late at about 9 a.m. -- too late to hear or see any Black-billed Cuckoos, which have been a fixture there for the last couple of weeks. But I did hear dueting Barred Owls from the wood over Zion Rd. at about 10:30 a.m. Best sighting today was of two singing WILLOW FLYCATCHERs. The Trail continues to be good for Yellow Warblers, Common Yellowthroats and Yellow-breasted Chats. Anyone going there for the next few days needs to wear waterproof boots -- it's really wet. I then moved on to seriously underbirded Rachel Carson Conservation Park. Having not been there in a good while, I was pleased to see that the trails are now marked and it is somewhat less easy to get lost. I was even more please to hear and see singing HOODED and KENTUCKY WARBLER. Both birds were along the Rachel Carson Trail in areas where there is substantial understory, with the Hooded being at a higher elevation. Good Birding. Mike Bowen Montgomery Bird Club Bethesda, MD D.H. Michael Bowen 8609 Ewing Drive Bethesda, MD 20817 Telephone: (301) 530-5764 e-mail: dhmbowenATyahooDOTcomSubject: Piney Orchard Nature Preserve - Cape May Warblers From: Elaine Hendricks <ehendric AT VERIZONMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 12:06:46 -0500 This morning the dog and I decided to do a little birding in Anne Arundel County. First we tried Patuxent North Tract but found that it was closed "until further notice due to flooding," according to the sign on the gate. So, we went to Piney Orchard Nature Preserve in Odenton instead. There the highlight of our walk was not one but TWO beautiful male Cape May Warbers, engaged in a bit of a singing duel, alongside the paved pathway before the first bridge. I got decent looks at both, which more than made up for my frustration last Friday, when I was unable to see the Cape May reported by Jeff Shenot at Jug Bay the day before (I heard it sing several times, in the same area where Jeff saw it, but couldn't locate it). Although the bird activity was somewhat subdued, I managed to see or hear (mostly hear) nine additional species of warblers (including Northern Parula, Pine, Prairie, Prothonotary, and Hooded) and both orioles. Elaine Hendricks Greenbelt, MD (PG County) ehendric AT verizonmail.com -- -- you AT usa.com is available and 170 other free domains. Sign up at www.mail.comSubject: Very unexpected yard bird, post-storm From: Janet Millenson <janet AT TWOCROWS.COM> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 12:35:21 -0400 After sufficiently heavy rains (notice any lately?) a "lake" usually forms, 100 feet long but only a few inches deep, around the willow in the old field alongside our driveway. On several occasions we've even had a pair of mallards show up and paddle around until the water gets absorbed. However, just now I was amazed to find a SOLITARY SANDPIPER out there -- definitely a new species for my yard list! Janet Millenson Potomac, MD (Montgomery County) janet AT twocrows.com ---------------------------------------------------------------- "Look at the birds!" -- Pascal the parrotSubject: Rock Creek Park, DC, Tue. 5/13 From: Wallace Kornack <wallace AT KORNACK.COM> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 11:01:28 -0400 A very good day for warblers on a beautiful morning at Rock Creek Park. Scarlet Tanagers and Baltimore Orioles put on beautiful displays in the bright sunlight. Highlights: Tennessee Warbler (heard) Nashville Warbler Northern Parula 5 Yellow Warbler 2 Chestnut-sided Warbler 2 Magnolia Warbler 5 Black-throated Blue Warbler 3 Yellow-rumped Warbler 30 Black-throated Green Warbler Bay-breasted Warbler (Sheila) Blackpoll Warbler (Jim) Black-and-white Warbler 4 American Redstart 3 Ovenbird (2 heard) Common Yellowthroat Canada Warbler 2 (Marjorie and Daniel) Red-shouldered Hawk Chimney Swift 2 Eastern Phoebe Great Crested Flycatcher Eastern Kingbird 2 White-eyed Vireo Red-eyed Vireo 8 Barn Swallow Veery (heard) Swainson's Thrush Scarlet Tanager 8 Chipping Sparrow Swamp Sparrow Rose-breasted Grosbeak 3 Baltimore Oriole 8 Observers: Lou, Jim, Marjorie, Dave B., David, Wallace, Sheila, Daniel Have Fun Birding! Wallace Kornack Washington DCSubject: A Franklin's Gull still present this morning, Hains Pt From: Clive Harris <clivegharris AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 07:43:53 -0700 At least one of the Franklin's Gulls is still around at Hains Pt. I saw what seemed to be a full adult at about 9AM this morning. I did not have prolonged views but it seemed to have very extensive white in the outer primaries at least. This and the gulls it was with dispersed when a groundsman came by in a golf cart soon after I'd found it. The location was on the Potomac river side of the golf course, in a pool seen south from near the first toilet block. I came across another large group of gulls about 1/4 mile loafing round a pool further up but could not refind the Franklin's. This did seem to be a good spot to look though. As well as the Ring-billed there were about 5 Bonaparte's and a couple of Herring and Great black-backed, and a single Caspian Tern. Shorebirds included both Yellowlegs, and Solitary, Spotted and Least Sandpipers. Regards Clive Harris Cabin John, MDSubject: A Cape May Warbler encounter From: "Gail B. Mackiernan <katahdinss AT comcast.net>" Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 14:25:08 +0000 Hi all -- I had an early doctor's appointment on Shady Grove Rd. in Rockville this morning so couldn't get out birding. But I still had a nice bird -- leaving the office & walking back to my car I heard a Cape May Warbler singing in a small maple beside the parking lot. I squeaked at him and he flew very close to me, so I could enjoy all the details of his brilliant plumage without binoculars. We looked at each other for a few moments and then he flew off. I heard him singing away as I continued to my car. Gail Mackiernan Colesville, MDSubject: Cliff Swallow and Bank Swallow - Hughes Hollow M/B/ WMA From: Eric Skrzypczak <ericskrz AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 09:31:12 -0400 Today, Cliff Swallow and Bank Swallow were grouped with all of the Tree Swallows perched over the water this AM (about 7:30 am). I had initially ID'ed the Cliff Swallow as the elusive California Surfer Swallow due to the white patch above the beak. But . . . According to Sibley . . . . well . . . he feels that no such bird as the "California Surfer Swallow" actually exists. Yea right . . . what does he know anyways. If anyone wants to take up a petition to rename this species, I'll sign.Subject: Seaside Sparrows continue at Sandy Point State Park From: Matt Hafner <mh1920 AT AOL.COM> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 09:08:07 -0400 This morning Bill Schreitz and I saw 3 Seaside Sparrows at Sandy Point State Park.? These birds have been present in this same area since at least May 3rd.? Bill described the area in his previous post as: "near the fishing jetty that divides the reserved beach area from the beach with the small craft launch ramp." If you walk the trail north along the beach from the parking lot at the point, look for the row of phragmites and watch for the sparrows feeding along the edge. The only migrants I saw were 2 Red-eyed Vireos, a Yellow Warbler, and a Black-and-white Warbler. Things were much more lively at my grandfather's house in Glen Burnie. Red-eyed Vireo - 2 Northern Parula - 1 Magnolia Warbler - 1 Black-throated Blue Warbler - 1 Northern Waterthrush - 2 Matt Hafner Bel Air, MDSubject: Wilson's Warbler in Pasadena From: Bill Hubick <bill_hubick AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 03:39:19 -0700 Hi Everyone, While the Maryland Yellowthroats were taking the Cape May-Lewes ferry home from the World Series, my fiancee Becky described to me a bird she'd just seen in our yard. It was an all yellow warbler with a roundish black cap. Having repeatedly learned to trust her sightings, I had my coffee outside this morning, and soon I heard several harsh chips from one of our hollies. An adult male WILSON'S WARBLER then hopped out and foraged in the open for a couple minutes. I'm going to let it get a little lighter outside and then try for some photos. Yesterday afternoon the yard held a Ruby-throated Hummingbird, a male Magnolia, a male Black-throated Blue, and two Common Yellowthroats. For anyone interested, I've posted some photos of the Wood Sandpiper (how could we resist?) and a handful of photos from scouting for the World Series. That's better than sleeping, right? Maybe? A real highlight of the week for me was finding a Curlew Sandpiper on the mudflats north of Nummy Island--talk about a rush! It was an incredible week, and I'd like to thank everyone for their support before and during the event. A special thanks to Matt Hafner for his intense logistical support before the event. He wasn't physically there, but he was certainly a part of the team. Thanks to the rest of the team--captain Jim Brighton, Mikey Lutmerding, and Zach Baer--for making it one of the most intense and memorable days of birding I've had. And of course, a big CONGRATULATIONS to the Centreville teams! Awesome job! Photos: http://www.billhubick.com/new_set.html Good birding! Bill Bill Hubick Pasadena, Maryland bill_hubick AT yahoo.com http://www.billhubick.comSubject: May Count, Irish Grove and Vicinity From: Paul Bystrak <shrike AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Mon, 12 May 2008 23:12:28 -0400 Marylee Ross and I covered Irish Grove and surroundings on the May Count. As everyone knows, it was a rather miserable day, with steady rain and high winds most of the day. There were no real shorelines or tidal flats due to the heavy rains and the high tides, so shorebird counts were very low. We drove into Crisfield to get some supplies around noon, and picked up a few species that we would have missed otherwise. However, about 2:30 the clouds cleared out and we were able to launch the canoe and travel many of the tidal creeks on the property. Sunset was actually spectacular - dead calm and blazingly beautiful. Location: Irish Grove Sanctuary Observation date: 5/10/08 Number of species: 88 Canada Goose 5 American Black Duck 17 Mallard 4 Wild Turkey 4 Double-crested Cormorant 2 Great Blue Heron 7 Great Egret 6 Snowy Egret 3 Black Vulture 1 (sitting on the roof of the sanctuary house) Turkey Vulture 13 Osprey 1 Bald Eagle 2 Northern Harrier 4 (including 1 male doing a spectacular sky dance) Red-tailed Hawk 1 Clapper Rail 62 Virginia Rail 12 Killdeer 1 (in town) Spotted Sandpiper 1 Greater Yellowlegs 6 Willet (Eastern) 28 Lesser Yellowlegs 7 Least Sandpiper 2 Dunlin 18 Laughing Gull 192 Ring-billed Gull 3 (in town) Herring Gull 1 Forster's Tern 4 Rock Pigeon 3 (in town) Mourning Dove 9 Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1 Barn Owl 1 (same location as 2 years ago) Eastern Screech-Owl 2 Great Horned Owl 5 Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2 Red-bellied Woodpecker 2 Downy Woodpecker 2 Hairy Woodpecker 2 Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 3 Pileated Woodpecker 1 Eastern Wood-Pewee 1 Acadian Flycatcher 1 Least Flycatcher 1? (small, grayish, silent Empidonax in yard at Irish Grove) Great Crested Flycatcher 14 Eastern Kingbird 8 White-eyed Vireo 6 Red-eyed Vireo 3 Blue Jay 1 American Crow 11 Fish Crow 1 Tree Swallow 20 Barn Swallow 15 Carolina Chickadee 13 Brown-headed Nuthatch 8 Carolina Wren 37 House Wren 16 Sedge Wren 2 (unlike previous years, these were in good breeding habitat. It would be worth checking the place again, but it's nearly impossible to get to) Marsh Wren 65 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 9 Eastern Bluebird 6 American Robin 8 (in town) Gray Catbird 4 Northern Mockingbird 3 (in town) European Starling 21 (in town) Yellow Warbler 1 Pine Warbler 13 Prairie Warbler 3 Ovenbird 6 Common Yellowthroat 61 Yellow-breasted Chat 6 Eastern Towhee 11 Chipping Sparrow 2 Field Sparrow 2 Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow 1 Seaside Sparrow 92 Song Sparrow 16 White-throated Sparrow 1 Northern Cardinal 30 Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1 Blue Grosbeak 4 Indigo Bunting 16 Red-winged Blackbird 77 Eastern Meadowlark 9 Common Grackle 46 (in town) Boat-tailed Grackle 11 Brown-headed Cowbird 8 Orchard Oriole 3 American Goldfinch 1 House Sparrow 6 (in town) This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 3709 Devonshire Drive Salisbury, MD 21804 410-572-9950 443-783-1268 (cell) shrike AT intercom.netSubject: Hart-Miller Island Seminar From: "Eugene J. Scarpulla" <ejscarp AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Mon, 12 May 2008 22:58:46 -0400 If anyone happens to be wandering around Annapolis on Thursday, May 15 at noon, and you are interested in learning about Hart-Miller Island, I would like to invite you to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources MANTA (Monitoring and Non-Tidal Assessment) Noon Seminar. DATE: May 15, 2008 TIME: Noon LOCATION: Tawes State Office Building, C-1 Conference Room, 580 Taylor Avenue SPEAKER: Gene Scarpulla, Maryland Ornithological Society & Maryland Entomological Society TITLE: HART-MILLER ISLAND - PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE: the transformation of dredged material into beneficial wildlife habitat SYNOPSIS: Hart-Miller Island is located in the northern Chesapeake Bay, approximately 6.5 miles east of Baltimore. Hart-Miller was created in the early 1980s by connecting the rapidly eroding Hart and Miller Islands with a 6-mile perimeter dike and thereby creating a 1100-acre impoundment. The impoundment was then subdivided by a cross dike into the 300-acre South Cell and the 800-acre North Cell. These two cells received dredged material from Baltimore Harbor and the Chesapeake Bay shipping channels. Members of the Maryland Ornithological Society began weekly monitoring of avian usage of the facility in 1983. The placement of dredged material into the cells created mudflat and pool habitats that are a mecca for waterbirds. Migrating shorebirds use these habitats as feeding sites during spring and fall on their way to and from breeding grounds in the Arctic. Gulls and terns have historically nested on the island dikes, and both regularly use the cells for feeding and resting from spring through fall, with a large influx of birds during post-breeding dispersal. Wintering waterfowl are attracted to the cells for feeding and resting from fall through spring. Additionally, insect monitoring began in the late 1990s. Dredged material was no longer added to the South Cell after 1990. A restoration effort began there in the early 2000s that created open water, wetlands, upland habitat, and a 1-acre nesting island. The restored South Cell has unexpectedly attracted breeding populations of several of Maryland's Rare, Threatened, and Endangered breeding birds. Additionally, some of Maryland's rarest insects have been observed on Hart-Miller Island. After the North Cell ceases receiving dredged material in 2009, a similar restoration project will follow. Gene Scarpulla Millers Island, Maryland ejscarp AT comcast.netSubject: Nighthawks in PG Co. From: Denise Ryan <screechowl AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 12 May 2008 22:01:29 -0400 Who said refilling your bird feeders at night can't be fun. Around 9:30 tonight I had 1 nighthawk called repeatedly from the trees in my yard. Then a second joined, and then a third. Thought I heard a fourth calling back in the distance. They must have been perched as I didn't see them flying around and they sounded very close. I haven't been paying close attention to see if they have been seen in good numbers yet this year. Makes me think of Frank Powers. Frank and I used to trade notes on nighthawks in downtown DC. Denise Ryan Cheverly, MD screechowl AT gmail.comSubject: Lower Eastern Shore, 5/10-11 (Chucks, Whips, Shorebirds) From: John Hubbell <johngilhub AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Mon, 12 May 2008 21:53:23 -0400 Dave Powell and I spent the weekend on the lower Eastern Shore, primarily in
Somerset and Wicomico Counties. Despite the lack of migrant songbirds (2
total), the night birding and shorebirds made for a productive outing.
We left DC after dinner Friday, arriving a little later than planned at Tanyard
due to Bay Bridge traffic. In the area between Hog Island Rd and Skeleton
Creek Rd, we had 4 Whips and a Chuck.
Next stop was Dorchester County for Whips. We missed them on Puckham Rd,
but found one at the entrance of Camp ESPA on 313 between Eldorado and
Sharptown. That was our last nightjar of the evening despite a few more
stops in Wicomico and Somerset Counties. We heard a King Rail on Rumbly Pt
Rd north of Irish Grove, but nothing interesting out in the marsh.
Shorebirds were the highlight of Saturday's birding. There were a number of
good puddles in fields in Somerset County.
- Pond at north end of Rumbly Pt Road - 2 Spotted Sandpipers
- Flooded field on Rt 667 (Hudson Corner Rd) between Burnettsville Rd and
Lovers Lane:
- 1 Solitary Sandpiper
- 4 Least Sandpipers
- 2 Spotted sandpipers
- 1 Killdeer
- 1 Greater Yellowlegs
- 1 Blackpoll Warbler
- Flooded field on Rt 413 between Rt 361 and Kingston - 10 Semipalmated
Plover
- Flooded field on Dublin Rd between Follow Ditch Rd and Cokesbury Rd (near
Wellington WMA)
- 8 Greater Yellowlegs
- 3 Lesser Yellowlegs
- 1 Short-billed Dowitcher
- 18 Bald Eagles
- Messick Rd pond near Deal Island
- 14 Semipalmated Plover
- 1 Semipalmated Sandpiper
- 6 Least Sandpipers
For county listers, another notable stop was the pond on Clyde Ford Rd south
of the landfill on Rt 361, which had 2 Northern Rough-winged Swallows.
Our second migrant warbler of the day was another Blackpoll at the Salisbury
Zoo.
Our Saturday night birding started shortly after dusk on Laws Rd in Worcester
County. Driving west from the intersection of Shockley Rd, we had 4 Chucks
and 1 Whip. We then zipped across the county line into Wicomico, where we
had 1 Chuck at the intersection of Spearin and Mt Olive Church Rd.
Continuing west, we had 3 more Chucks on the Worcester side of Meadow
Bridge Rd between McGrath Rd and Sea Tick Rd. Finally, we drove WNW on
Sea Tick Rd in Somerset, getting 4 Chucks and a Whip. We again heard the
King Rail on Rumbly Pt Rd driving back to Irish Grove.
Sunday was a bit on the slow side with 0 migrant song birds. We had 3 good
stops on the way back. At the end of the road (rt 349) in Waterview,
Wicomico, we had 2 Boat-tailed Grackles, 1 Seaside Sparrow, 5 flyby
Sanderlings, and 3 Semipalmated Plover.
The trail along Puckham Branch off of Puckham Rd in Dorchester County had 1
Kentucky Warbler, 2 Louisiana Waterthrush, a 1 Tom Feild. The three of us
then headed up to a trail off of North Tara Rd that had 1 Yellow-throated
Vireo, 3 Louisiana Waterthrushes, 2 Prothonotary Warblers, and 4 Worm-
eating Warblers. The vireo was close-out #100 for Dave.
John Hubbell
Washington DC
Subject: White-rumped Sandpiper - North Branch C&O, Allegany, Co.From: David Yeany II <dyeany2 AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 12 May 2008 20:52:42 -0400 I just wanted to report that amid a group of shorebirds at the North Branch just this evening (8:20PM) was one WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER. Other shorebirds included: Lesser Yellowlegs Solitary Sandpiper Spotted Sandpiper - most abundant shorebird present Least Sandpiper Killdeer No plovers were seen which were present earlier this past weekend. Also, a good many Barn Swallows were busy hawking insects and I heard one Yellow-throated Vireo. Good birding, David -- David Yeany II 109.5 Pennsylvania Ave Cumberland, MD 21502 Cell: (814) 221-4361Subject: Re: West Annapolis From: Dan haas <nervousbirds AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 12 May 2008 20:39:52 -0400 Whoops. My apologies. I had an error in my description. There were more than just three bird sightings that interested me these past few days here at the house. In addition, I forgot to mention the Baltimore Oriole that dropped by Sunday morning. Still wishing you Good Birding, still Dan Haas still from West Annapolis still at nervousbirds AT gmail.com On Mon, May 12, 2008 at 8:27 PM, Dan haasSubject: West Annapolis From: Dan haas <nervousbirds AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 12 May 2008 20:27:00 -0400 I wanted to make a trip out to Sandy Point this afternoon, but the park was closed due to no electricity. I tried to find a ranger to let them know that my birding needn't the use of anything electrical, but they were no where to be found. So, I'll tell you about the only three interesting things I've noticed in the last two days. 1 Yellow-Billed Cuckoo in the tree above my house both yesterday and this afternoon. 1 Green Heron flushed out of the tree tops and down the street (a nearby neighbor's pond originally, I suspect) yesterday afternoon... being chased by two Crows (Fish). 3 Blackpoll Warblers in the trees out front for the past three days. Well, today I only had time to locate one... but they've remained here during the rains, which I've rather enjoyed. 1 Great-Crested Flycatcher has returned to our neighborhood. 1 fledged Common Grackle. Two parents feeding it a hot dog from the street. Oh, the joys of suburban living. 1 dead Mockingbird (hit by a car) and it's mate above it perched on a nearby tree limb. Lots of Yellow-Rumps, two Yellows Warblers, two Northern Parulas and an American Redstart. Aside from that, I'm just waiting for the new pond in my back yard to attract some shorebirds. Good Birding, Dan Haas West Annapolis, MD nervousbirds AT gmail.com http://wahzoh.blogspot.com/Subject: Oxbow Lake: Black Tern, 5 species swallows From: Marcy Stutzman <marciastutzman AT NETSCAPE.NET> Date: Mon, 12 May 2008 19:10:20 -0400 Location Location name: Oxbow Lake Observation type: Casual Observation Observation date: 5/12/08 Start time: 5:30 PM Duration: 0 hour(s) 30 minute(s) Number of people in party: 2 Comments: Rain poured down for about 24 hours starting Sunday 5/11/08 around 4:30 p.m. The Little Patuxent River peaked at about 11 feet around 6:00 a.m. Monday morning, 5/12/08, pushing water back into Oxbow Lake. At 5:30 p.m. Monday afternoon, most of the vegetation in the lake was underwater, except for a little part of the peninsula extending from the northern shore. 2 Canada Goose 4 Great Blue Heron 5 Great Egret 1 Osprey 1 Red-tailed Hawk 1 Greater Yellowlegs 6 Black Tern 10+ Chimney Swift 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 Great Crested Flycatcher 20+ Tree Swallow 20+ Northern Rough-winged Swallow 10+ Bank Swallow 10+ Cliff Swallow 50+ Barn Swallow 5 Carolina Chickadee 1 Tufted Titmouse 1 Gray Catbird 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 2 Red-winged Blackbird Total species reported: 20Subject: Sora, Am Bittern, Hughes Hollow, 5/12/08 From: Andy Martin <apmartin2 AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Mon, 12 May 2008 18:33:47 -0500 Got out in the rain today between 1:30 and 3 pm. The impoundments at Hughes Hollow were quite full. Most of the spatterdock was submerged. Spooked a SORA off the right side of dike along Buttonbush Swamp just before you cross the concrete culvert. Heading down the cross dike also flushed an AMERICAN BITTERN. Other birds of interest included 3 Lesser Scaup in large impoundment and 2 or 3 Solitary SP. There are some nice puddles near the intersection of Sugarland and Montevideo Rds which held Least and Solitary SP. They should last a week or so after this rain and might be worth checking again for shorebirds for anybody out that way. I could not get down to Riley's because Seneca Crk has come up over the road. Tried Violette's but it was tough to get a good look at the river. Dave Czaplak had both Common and Forster's Terns there earlier today. On the night recording front, its been tough to keep up with the data on recent recordings but have added some new species to my list including Spotted and Least SP and Greater Yellowlegs, Blue Grosbeak, and Black-and-white Warbler. I was very impressed with Matt Hafner's recent post on night migration and his ability to id night calls in real time. Unfortunately, at this point I must still substitute technology for ability. Good birding, Andy Martin GaithersburgSubject: Re: Southern St. Mary's Co., May Count totals From: Patty Craig <eyrie AT HUGHES.NET> Date: Mon, 12 May 2008 18:06:35 -0400 Matt, Could you check the list again? I can't seem to find some species that we had. It is probably me, but I don't see things like Mallard, Northern Gannet and Brown Pelican. Thanks, Patty Craig Dameron, St. Mary's County, MDSubject: Re: World Series of Birding, Cape May 2008 From: jim brighton <jdbrighton3 AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 12 May 2008 21:29:03 +0000 Jim Wilson wrote, And the girls want to give a special thanks to Jim Brighton for the spot for Red-headed Woodpecker and Blue Winged Warbler. They also want to apologize for waking him up in Belleplain Forest while they were scouting on Thursday morning. No wait, I probably should not have written that he was sleeping. He was probably just sitting there reviewing the birds he needed to find, but he did have his eyes closed while doing so. He probably thinks better that way. Jim, Your going to get me trouble with my team. I was going over our route -- trying to get all the locations and times straight in my head :)! The Centreville teams are the real stars of this years WSB. The Maryland youth teams and their teachers/parents should all get standing ovations. I have to admit I was a little shocked to open my eyes and find myself and my car surrounded by elementry school kids in one of the most secluded spots in all of Belle Plain State Forest (I thought it was a safe place for a quick nap). When I got out of the car they informed me that they had just heard what they thought was a Golden-winged Warbler, which is a bird we have never seen/heard during the WSB. As Jim Wilson Sr. said, "How many elementry school kids know what a Golden-winged Warbler sounds like?" That's why the Centreville teams rock! Can't wait to see you guys next year. Hopefully we will all be on the awards podium once again. Jim Brighton > > _________________________________________________________________ Stay in touch when you're away with Windows Live Messenger. http://www.windowslive.com/messenger/overview.html?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_Refresh_messenger_052008Subject: Seneca Grasslands Project From: Bonnie Coe <bcoe1 AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Mon, 12 May 2008 16:37:23 -0400 I volunteer at Woodend on Mondays and this morning, had a conversation with Randy Phoebus of the Native Grassland Conservancy. He has recently signed a 7 year lease with Montgomery County to restore a 27 acre field in Seneca Park to its original state - i.e., remove the invasive plants and let it revert to its original condition. He needs help with establishing a baseline survey of birds present in the field's current degraded state so that he can hopefully show the return of grassland dependent species over time. Would anyone on this list be willing to help? He can be reached at nativegrasslands AT aol.com 301-440-8915. Thanks! Bonnie Coe, A.U. Park DC bcoe1 AT verizon.netSubject: Franklin's Gull III in DC, May 12, afternoon From: Michael Bowen <dhmbowen AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Mon, 12 May 2008 16:15:30 -0400 Thanks to Paul Pisano's posting of Gary Allport's sighting of a
FRANKLIN'S GULL on the Hains Point (East Potomac Park) golf course
just after 1 p.m. today, I was motivated to make a swift trip from
Bethesda into DC. And thanks to timely help from Gary and Frank
Hawkins, who were just finishing their "short lunch break" when I
arrived on the scene, I knew where to go to look -- on the golf
course a short distance south of the clubhouse.
The bird was quickly spotted just off the edge of the 2nd green
("Whatcha think, Johnny, should he chip it or putt it?") in the
company of many immature Ring-billed Gulls. The much smaller size
and black hood stood out like a beacon.
I watched the gull for 30 minutes, between 2 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.,
mostly from a covered bench area midway between the 2nd and 3rd
greens, which afforded some shelter from the steady rain. Most of
the time it snoozed with its head tucked in and only occasionally
looking around. The front half of the bird certainly looked like a
full adult - the hood was solid black with no lighter flecks, the
white eye crescents sensational, the bill all dark red, and the
breast and belly very bright white (with however no hint of pinkish
flush, which would be characteristic of breeding). The legs were, as
far as I could tell, black (as opposed to dark red). The back half
of the bird looked a bit less like an adult (I agree with Gary that
there was quite a bit of brown in the tertials and some, not much, in
the coverts.) Looked like quite a few wing feathers were missing.
I later moved around to view the bird from the other side of the
chain link fence, by the road down to the point. The gull suddenly
took off once and flew very briefly before landing again by the
shelter I'd just been standing under! I did not note much dark below
the primary tips. I don't have enough experience with Franklin's
Gull to be sure, and perhaps it's a 2nd cycle bird (I can't find a
suitable photo in my various gull books), but I would guess that
this bird is in its 3rd year and just undergoing its pre-alternate
moult before becoming a gorgeous looking (snazzy was Gail's
description and a good one) adult up there somewhere in the upper
midwest or Canadian prairies. Let's hope it gets there safely - it's
a long way east of the normal migration route.
Nearby were 2 BONAPARTE'S GULLS still in basic plumage. I had a
SPOTTED and a SOLITARY SANDPIPER in a rain pool and I am sure there
were more around, but beat a hasty retreat before pneumonia set in.
Mike Bowen
Bethesda, MD
D.H. Michael Bowen
8609 Ewing Drive
Bethesda, MD 20817
Telephone: (301) 530-5764
e-mail: dhmbowenATyahooDOTcom
Subject: Hains Pt - 3rd Franklin's Gull & Bank SwallowFrom: Gary Allport <gallport AT AUDUBON.ORG> Date: Mon, 12 May 2008 15:26:24 -0400 Dear All
Frank Hawkins and I thought we would do a quick whip round Hains Pt DC in
our lunch hour so headed down there at 12.30 in our office clothing only to
find that, as Gail mentioned, the roads were closed with lots of standing
water. Slightly disappointed we hopped out of the car for 'just a quick' look.
One and half hours later we returned to the car two very soggy but happy
birders.
As Gail said there was a single Blownaparts Gull in with the ringers on the
pool
before the club house but we cut in through the golf course and tacked round
the back of the car park and immediately picked up the Franklin's Gull where
Gail and Barry had left it (not that we knew that at the time...). At a
distance
we concluded that it was a 2nd summer based on the apparent lack of white
tertial crescents, brownish looking tertials and a very ragged set of
primaries.
But closer up we concluded that it was just a funny moulting adult - which
certainly tallied with the nice hood, white eye lids, bright soft part colours
etc. Close up it did show very thin worn white, wet and ragged tertial
crescents and the other unmoulted wet tertials looked a dirty blackish brown.
The primaries were heavily work with a lots of dirty white tips and much
reduced black sections, with a single moulted-in fresh outermost primary. I am
not sure of the moult sequence of Franklin's Gull but this seems a bit odd.
Anyway it looked quite different from the first bird that Paul found (although
I
only saw that in flight).
There were lots of other birds around with the following of note:
Solitary Sand (6), Spotted Sand (3), Orchard Oriole (2), Baltimore Oriole (4),
Yellow Warbler (1), Blackpoll (1), White-crowned Sparrow (1), Savannah
Sparrow (2), Chipping Sparrow (1).
We bumped in to Mike Bowen on the way out so he may well give an update
on the Franklin's Gull III later today.
We left via the river side of the point and were pleased to find two Bank
Swallows feeding with the many hirundines around the railway bridge (incl 3+
Rough wings).
Excellent.
Gary Allport
GAllport AT Audubon.org
Subject: Re: 3rd Franklin's Gull at Hains Pt!From: "Gail B. Mackiernan <katahdinss AT comcast.net>" Date: Mon, 12 May 2008 18:28:51 +0000 Hi all -- We also saw this second-summer Franklin's at about 11:00 am, it was first with a lot of other gulls at the large pool between Buckeye Dr. and the golf course clubhouse. It then flew south past the club house, and we walked up along Ohio Drive (the road was flooded about a foot deep!) to find the gull just beyond the parking lot sitting on a green quite close to the fence. It is in very fresh plumage and looks pretty snazzy! There was also a first-summer Bonaparte's Gull on the big pool amongst Ringbills and a few Herring and GBB Gulls. We had rather stupidly forgotten our cell phone so couldn't call Paul (or anyone else) It was heaving with rain so we opted not to walk much further, there was a scattering of Lesser Yellowlegs, Solitary and Spotted SPs on the many small pools. Alas, the clubhouse grill was closed as no one could access the clubhouse parking lots -- sure could have used a cup of hot coffee at that point! We also checked out the Tidal Basin, Constitution Gardens and Georgetown Reservoir and didn't see anything of interest. (Barry notes that he had seen just one Franklin's Gull in DC in 25 years and now has seen three in 9 days! ) Gail Mackiernan and Barry Cooper Colesville, MD -------------- Original message ---------------------- From: Paul PisanoSubject: 82nd Dorchester County May Bird Count (in part) & Ferry Neck, May 8-11. From: Henry Armistead <74077.3176 AT COMPUSERVE.COM> Date: Mon, 12 May 2008 13:41:10 -0400 SUNDAY, MAY 11. 2 Wild Turkeys in John Swaine's field.
Rt. 481 wet area: just 2 Great Blue Herons and 1 Lesser Yellowlegs today.
82nd DORCHESTER COUNTY MAY BIRD COUNT, Saturday, May 10, 2008.
Herewith is the report of, only, my own day. There are 4 other parties
with participants Bob Abrams, Joan Boudreau, Diane Cole, Dave Curson, and
Jared Sparks. As soon as their totals come in I'll do an overarching
report on all of our efforts, with a complete list of all species.
3:30 A.M. - 10 P.M. 186.3 miles by car. 2 on foot.
131 species, 101 of them by noon, very poor.
WEATHER: highly variable. Crystal clear starlight with no wind 3:30-4:30
A.M. Light rain and little wind most of the morning, oppressive and
totally overcast with some fog and much mist. Low ceiling but lifts, a
lot, after noon. Fair becoming clear in the afternoon with (mostly) NW
winds ranging from <5 to >25 m.p.h., diminishing late. Clear and calm
after sunset. Cool, with temps from 50-62 degrees F. Water levels
disadvantageous, above normal tides and water in impounded areas high.
In "Beautiful swimmers" William W. Warner writes of rising at 1:30 A.M. to
go out on a crabber's boat, saying this is less like getting up this
morning, more like last night. I'd agree. Today I rise at 1:50 A.M. Bob
Ringler spends last night at Rigby, rises early to help out in
birder-starved Somerset County.
Run into Bob Abrams and Joan Boudreau - the rascals are poaching - at 4:30
P.M. They join me for the rest of the day. Bob does the most astounding
imitations. They are SOMETHING. Virginia Rails answer his utterances as
readily as they do my CDs. He also does a remarkable Sora.
MY ROUTE: Sewards and central BNWR area plus Tranquaking River, all in the
pre-dawn. Greater central BNWR area including Shorter's Wharf Road and
Robbins. Cambridge. Moneystump Swamp. Hooper's Island. Elliott Island
Road.
ABBREVIATIONS: BNWR, Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. EI, Elliott
Island Road. HI, Hooper's Island. SH, Swan Harbor.
OF (some) INTEREST:
2 Blue-winged & 7 Green-winged teal. 7 Northern Bobwhite. 1 Horned Grebe
at Sailwinds Visitor Center in Cambridge. 4 Brown Pelicans (HI). 1 Cattle
Egret (BNWR). 4 Glossy Ibis (EI). 40 Bald Eagles. 5 harriers. 1
Red-shouldered Hawk (Old Field Road, a lot of calling, and at close range -
nice).
RAILS: 1 BLACK (calling, unsolicited), 1 Clapper, 1 King & 26 Virginias
plus 2 Common Moorhens.
SHOREBIRDS. 15 species, incl. 1 oystercatcher (HI), only 6 Willets, 275
Dunlin & 3 American Woodcock (EI). Due to the high waters, rain and tide,
shorebirds are hard to find today. 5 Black-necked Stilts (2 BNWR, 3 EI).
Bonaparte's Gull 1 (SH). 5 TERNS: 1 Caspian (BNWR), 8 Leasts (Best Value
Inn rooftop), 18 Royals, 2 Commons & only 18 Forster's.
OWLS: 1 Barn, 1 screech, 1 Barred & 3 horneds.
14 Chuck-will's-widows, coming on strong in the calm, clear dusk. 4
hummers. 2 Red-headed Woodpeckers (Robbins & Moneystump Swamp). 1 ea. of
wood pewee & Acadian Flycatcher. 20 Bank Swallows (BNWR). 5 Brown-headed
nuts. 8 Ovenbirds. 6 Yellow-breasted Chats. 1 Scarlet Tanager.
SPARROWS. 8 species: 1 Savannah, 20 chippies, 4 Fields, 1 Grasshopper, 8
Saltmarsh Sharp-taileds, 50 Seasides, 3 Songs, and a Swamp.
5 Boat-tailed Grackles, 1 a male at the junction of Andrews Road X Rt. 336,
an unusual location for the species. 9 meadowlarks (Egypt Road remains a
good place for them, in spite of all the cultivation there).
THANKS TO the staff of Blackwater N.W.R. for permitting access to
Moneystump Swamp, where I found first-of-the-day: Scarlet Tanager, Acadian
Flycatcher, Eastern Wood Pewee, and catbird. Thanks to Neil and Kate
Birchmeier for letting me scope Tar & Chesapeake bays from their nifty
dock, resulting in first-of-the-day Sanderling, Ruddy Turnstone, Brown
Pelican, Royal Tern, Bonaparte's & Great Black-backed gulls.
DIMINUENDO: It used to be on these counts that the following species were
a given: Whip-poor-will, Common Nighthawk, Black Rail, Henslow's Sparrow,
Sedge Wren, Yellow Warbler (of all species!), Sora, King Rail, and
woodcock. Nowadays almost all of these are missed, almost every time. I
made about a dozen stops at traditional whip places at dusk, to no avail.
AU CONTRAIRE: some birds seem (or actually are) commoner: Bald Eagle and
bluebird (especially), Swamp Sparrow, Clapper Rail, Common Moorhen, House
Finch, and Mute Swan (formerly absent, although lately has been for the
most part deliberately extirpated; used to see hundreds, now only a few).
THE MISSING: Somewhat strange, on both of these counts, to have missed:
Yellow-billed Cuckoo (especially), Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, White-throated
Sparrow, and Baltimore Oriole.
PRESUMED FATAL IMPACT. At 4 A.M. as I rolled gently across the causeway at
Seward's at c. 20 m.p.h. a shorebird thumped into the windshield. I
stopped and found the bird behind the car, a Spotted Sadnpiper, bopping up
and down as they do, on the pavement. I took that as a sign it was O.K,
captured it with my left hand, raised and released it into the air, because
stunned birds when suddenly airborne often "find" themselves. It flew,
pretty well, but then, unfortunately, landed in the Little Blackwater
River.
AMPHIBIANS. Too cold for their tastes, but did hear Southern Leopard Frogs
at 7 spots, 2 Carpenter Frogs at one place (EI north of Savanna Lake), and
2 Fowler's Toads. REPTILES. A couple of Mud Turtles on the roads, a few
Painted Turtles on the pond's edges, and, that's it.
MAMMALS. 9 species, more than usual: 5 Red Foxes (2 of them kits), 2 Gray
Squirrels, 1 Eastern Skunk, 1 Raccoon, 1 Virginia Opossum, 15 Sika Elk, 4
White-tailed Deer, 1 Eastern Cottontail, and 2 Woodchucks. Missed Muskrat,
Fox Squirrel, bat, mouse, which would have put me well into double digits.
I have not seen or heard a Nutria in several years, their extermination
program probably more successful than that directed at Mute Swans (Sky
Carp).
BUTTERFLIES. Almost non-existent. See several that looked liked ladies,
Painted or American?
Best to all.-Henry ("Harry") T. Armistead, 523 E. Durham St., Philadelphia,
PA 19119-1225. 215-248-4120. Please, any off-list replies to:
harryarmistead at hotmail dot com (never, please, to 74077.3176 ....)
GRASSHOPPERS. A recently-received catalog from Princeton University Press
lists a guide to grasshoppers, katydids, and their ilk. I can't find it
now but one review excerpt says - I think I remember this verbatim - that
some grasshoppers are "as richly panoplied as a medieval knight," a
splendid way of describing their appearance. The accompanying color
painting certainly bears this out, showing a grasshopper of many colors
with its sporty antennae and heavily-plated thorax and head.
Subject: Bob Mumford at PGAS/PBC Mtg tom'wFrom: Lynette Fullerton <l_fullerton_1999 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Mon, 12 May 2008 10:38:17 -0700 Hi all! The Prince George's Audubon Society and the Patuxent Bird Club would like to invite you to our monthly meeting, tomorrow, Tuesday 5/13 at 7:30 for a talk by Bob Mumford. He's drawn good crowds in the past couple years and this year's talk promises to be every bit as exciting. The meeting is at the College Park Airport Annex and is, as always, free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, please read the following or see our website: http://www.pgaudubon.org . Hope to see you there! Lynette Fullerton President, PG Audubon >>>> "Exquisite Ecuador: A Taste of the Andes" Maryland photographer Bob Mumford will present images from three recent visits to this South American birder's hotspot. These trips included time in the wet season and the dry season, although in the mountains, it can rain any day of the year and often does! With over 1,600 species of birds spotted there, Ecuador has become one of the most coveted travel locations in the world for naturalists. We will see images of more than 20 of Ecuador's 125 glittering hummingbird species, many glorious tanagers, big-billed toucans and toucanets, colorful trogons, the elusive giant antpitta and the amazing torrent duck. Birds in Ecuador, as elsewhere, are often separated by elevation, with sometimes just 1000 feet determining which species can be seen. Elevations covered in the ten major locations of this show range from 4000 humid rainforest to the windswept and very chilly slopes of Volcan Antisana at over 14,000 feet. Mr. Mumford will be bringing copies of his book, "Spring Comes to Washington," for sale. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJSubject: White-crowned Sparrow in Pasadena From: Scott Michaud <mazhude AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 12 May 2008 13:24:09 -0400 Just had a white-crowned sparrow in the cherry tree in my front yard. This is a new yard bird for me. Very cool. -- Scott Michaud Riviera Beach, MD _________________________________________________________________ With Windows Live for mobile, your contacts travel with you. http://www.windowslive.com/mobile/overview.html?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_Refresh_mobile_052008Subject: 3rd Franklin's Gull at Hains Pt! From: Paul Pisano <cheep AT STARPOWER.NET> Date: Mon, 12 May 2008 13:12:11 -0400 I just got a call from Gary Allport who is looking at a yet another Franklin's Gull on the Hains Pt. Golf Course! He said it is in 2nd summer plumage - fully hooded but with some brown feathers in the coverts or tertials (can't remember which). This means it's the 3rd Franklin's to show up in DC since May 3rd. He said the bird is about 5 minutes walk down the golf course on the Washington channel side. The gate is closed but you can walk the roads. Good birding, Paul Pisano Arlington VA (& SE DC)Subject: Downtown Baltimore backyard birds From: Joe Halloran <lowkey AT SPEAKEASY.NET> Date: Mon, 12 May 2008 11:36:12 -0400 On my annual visit to my row house backyard this weekend: Fun and unusual (for my house) transients: White-throated sparrow Ovenbird Common Yellowthroat ( a first) Our regulars: Gray Catbird couple Cardinal couple (last year we had Carolina Wren, I think with a nest - but have not seen them this year so far) And the usual city suspects: American Robin Mourning Dove Starling House Sparrow Pigeon Common Grackle American Crow (lurking for eggs) Joe Halloran lowkey AT speakeasy.net 410 889 9307 |