Hi all,
The Woodbinoculars had an outstanding day of "sitting", setting a new record for total species (45), a new record for new species seen (9), as well as a new late date for a county bird! I began at 5 AM, listening for owls, but had no luck, perhaps because of SW winds pre-dawn. The winds died down around sunrise, slowly building up throughout the day, till it got rather brisk, but warming, by early afternoon.
Just to wrap-up, new birds for our count were White-throated Sparrow (not common here),immature White-crowned Sparrow, a late (new late date for the county) Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Dark-eyed Junco (FOS), Golden-crowned Kinglet, Tree Swallows ( a flock of 11, and another of 4),Pine Siskins(30+),and Fish Crow (2). I finished the day as I began, alone, without seeing a new species for the last 2 hours until finally, 4 Black Vultures flew over just before 2 PM.
The team consisted of me and Alli(6AM-1PM), joined early by Bob Ringler(8:15-11:30AM), whose eyes and ears found us many new birds (thanks Bob!). Later we were joined by Stephanie Lovell (11AM-12:15PM) and Anna Urciolo (11:30AM-12:45PM) from Montgomery County.
Other birds of interest were Purple Finches (at least 3 females, and 1 male)at the feeders, Cedar Waxwings, many bluebirds, 2-3 YB Sapsuckers,3 Pileated WP's,3 Cooper's Hawks, at least 7 Sharp-shinned Hawks, 2 Northern Harriers (!), a single Yellow-rumped Warbler,RC Kinglets, E. Phoebes, both vultures, RT and RS Hawks (rather low numbers), and small numbers of Red-winged Blackbirds.
Thanks to all for the fun day! Without you all, the records would not have been broken!
Rick Sussman
Woodbine,MD
--
|