Bill Hubick and I thought that this AMAZING record could use a little more context and overall fanfare. So first, congratulations to Jim for finding a great bird!
The previous Maryland early date for Louisiana Waterthrush (LOWA) in Maryland was February 28th. Perhaps Bob Ringler can give us an exact location on this one, but I suspect somewhere in the Pocomoke River drainage. Typically the first LOWA of the year are found in that area in the second half of March. During the last few days of March and early April, they appear at scattered other breeding areas around the state.
Last year, you may remember that there was an influx of early LOWA around the state. This was notable, not because the first ones were especially early (they were a bit early; it was 18 March), but because there were many more of them than usually arrive in March. Check out the ebird data for the Spring 2008-2012: http://tinyurl.com/bymfmmu
What makes Jim's record even more amazing is that I cannot find any other reports of migrant LOWA in the United States so far this year. There have been a few wintering birds in extreme S Florida and SE Arizona, but those are normal. Mid-February records in Florida are considered early, but not unexpected. As I said though, none so far this year. In this context, I think Jim's LOWA is one of the rarest birds recorded in MD this year and it's been a GREAT year so far!
As a general rule, "early" migrants are MUCH rarer than "late" migrants. So if you believe you have an early migrant this Spring, please try to document it as Jim has. Small point and shoot cameras and cell phones take much better pictures than you might think. Also, many spring migrants are identified "heard only". These can be documented with recording devices on many cell phones as well as the video setting on most cameras.
Good birding and thanks again to Jim!
Matt Hafner
Forest Hill, MD
On Sat, Feb 16, 2013 at 2:37 PM, Jim Wilkinson <lakekoshare...> wrote:
There was a Louisiana Waterthrush at Font Hill Park around 1 PM. I first saw it near the footbridge over the creek, then it flew downstream to a point about 75 yards southeast of Font Hill Drive along the creek near some large boulders. It called several times with a loud chip call. The eye line was bright white and slightly flared towards its rear end. Some distant photos are here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/92602377@N06/8478859225/in/photostream/
Jim Wilkinson
Columbia, MD
--
-- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Group 'Maryland & DC Birding'.
To view group guidelines or change email preferences, visit this group on the web athttp://www.mdbirding.com
Posts can be sent to the group by sending an email to <mdbirding...>
On Feb 16, 2013, at 2:37 PM, Jim Wilkinson <lakekoshare...> wrote:
> There was a Louisiana Waterthrush at Font Hill Park around 1 PM. I first saw it near the footbridge over the creek, then it flew downstream to a point about 75 yards southeast of Font Hill Drive along the creek near some large boulders. It called several times with a loud chip call. The eye line was bright white and slightly flared towards its rear end. Some distant photos are here:
>
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/92602377@N06/8478859225/in/photostream/
>
> Jim Wilkinson
> Columbia, MD
>
> --
> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Group 'Maryland & DC Birding'.
> To view group guidelines or change email preferences, visit this group on the web at http://www.mdbirding.com
> Posts can be sent to the group by sending an email to <mdbirding...>
>
>
--
|