Thank you as always Bill for reminding folks about sensitive species issues. I am wondering why there has been no mention of another important aspect of this site. It really applies to any other privately owned site as well, but to my knowledge no one has mentioned anything regarding it's ownership. A couple points:
Do they permit birding there without permission? We (MOS and MD birders in general) are very good and careful about asking/letting owners know, with some great examples for access to private areas that come to mind - Castaways and Skimmer Island. I haven't read every recent post on Old Legislative Rd so maybe I missed if someone mentioned it. I have no idea who owns it or if the owner has given open permission for all to be there. Both times I birded there (prior years) I stayed on the road since I don't know who owns the land and assumed it was inappropriate to walk around/bird there without consent. There are some limited exceptions that are usually obvious to that principle, but given the sensitivity of these species, this site is definitely not one of them.
What is the status of ownership and permission to bird on the land there?
More importantly, does anyone know if the owner is favorable to helping rare birds by sustaining the habitat needed, and if appropriate - limiting known disturbances during nesting season (tape use; whatever)? Is this site sustainable? Seems like it has been like this for a long time, but at this point in the status of MD's Golden-wing and Henlow's populations - maybe a new focus on this site is needed. Any thoughts? Has anyone from MD's DNR, or MOS or Audubon approached the owner recently? Seems like these species' populations are in BIG trouble if they are disappearing as fast as it seems, especially the warbler.
Until last year, I had never looked for GWWAs during nesting season. Last year prior to doing an unrelated mini-route in mid June as part of an IBA assessment, I spent some time reviewing site records for GWWAs where they formerly bred or at least were observed in breeding season throughout Garrett and Allegany, and after completing my breeding bird survey I spent two days searching. I struck out everywhere I looked. I felt like there was a complete lack of breeding GWWAs in Maryland, but obviously a more thorough assessment than my one studious search effort would be needed to justify that quick assumption.
Jeff Shenot
Croom Md
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