Since you didn't mention them, assume no sound of Black Rails? Does anyone know if they are there this year? Numbers have of course precipitously declined since the "olden days" -- e.g. 1980s and earlier -- and they seem to be barely hanging on now in what was once a stronghold. I have heard from a number of sources that burning of marshes in both Maryland and, especially, on their wintering grounds has been a major contributor to this decline, which is not limited to Maryland. Marsh burning is very destructive to the fragile soils of this habitat and contributes to incursion of invasive plants and loss of land to open water, as well as being harmful to native animals. (My marine biologist hat speaking).
Back in the 1980s and even early 90s it was not at all unusual to drive the Elliot Island Road after dark and hear perhaps 10-15 calling. Folks would sometimes tape them out but of course that is totally out of line today. One could also hear and often see Henslow's Sparrows at Savanna Lake (at the very start of the road) but they too are a thing of the past. In about 1985 Jay Sheppard and I went with Arnold Small to the Delaware Bay and stopped on the way back so Arnold could hear (and see in the fading light) a singing male at Savanna Lake, a species he had not seen in 20+ years.
We are fortunate that this species has a toehold still in some of the western MD sites, and I echo Bill Hubick's thoughts on sensitive species...
Gail Mackiernan
Colesville, MD
----- Original Message -----
From: "Lin Just" <ljustrn...>
To: <mdbirding...>
Sent: Monday, June 11, 2012 11:00:01 AM
Subject: [mdbirding] Night Birding -Elliott Island Rd
Sorry this is late, have been trying to catch up on sleep between birding and working! Sat. night, my husband Jim and I decided to go on our yearly trek to Elliott Island Rd. for some night birding. We started off at Blackwater NWR where best birds were RED HEADED WOODPECKERS at the beginning of the wildlife drive, SUMMER TANAGER, off Little Egypt Rd. by the Kiosk and GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS in the fields off Little Egypt Rd. Shorebirds included WHITE RUMPED SANPIPERS (5), SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS(9), GREATER and LESSER YELLOWLEGS and SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER. Elliott Island Rd., was fascinating as always. It's such a surreal place, one that I can't believe still exists in this, unfortunately, ever developing world. Highlights were a total of 16 (at least), VIRGINIA RAILS, a LEAST BITTERN in flight, PRAIRIE WARBLER, seen well. The sounds of the MARSH WRENS and SEASIDE SPARROWS filled the air. As the night fell, we were able to hear 3 CHUCK-WILLS-WIDOWS on Kraft Neck Rd., despite the deafening sounds of the frogs -( by the way, anyone know the name of those odd sounding frogs)? I remember it being much easier in years past to find the chucks as well as the whips-although I haven't heard whips here in several years. We did locate 4 WHIPS and 2 CHUCKS off North Tara Rd. south of Federalsburg (thanks to the postings on E-bird!) I listed all my bird sightings on e-bird, As always, have fun birding!
Lin Just
Colora, Md
(also at <crazy4wildbirds...>)
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