In case anyone is interested in attempting to relocate the Townsend's Solitaire that was reported on eBird, here's a response from the observer. Good luck and post your results, please!
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Here's a direct link to the checklist and map:
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http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13209649
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http://www.ba.ars.usda.gov/std/all/map-barc.html
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Tyler Bell
<jtylerbell...>
California, Maryland
----- Forwarded Message -----
From: "Broadhurst, Leigh" <Leigh.Broadhurst...>
To: "<jtylerbell...>" <jtylerbell...>
Sent: Thursday, February 28, 2013 3:46 PM
Subject: RE: Question about your Townsend's Solitaire observation in eBird
Below is what I told my USDA colleague. Anyone can find the pond on ARS North Farm I spoke of and Little Paint Branch Creek flowing under I-495, and Beltsville Ikea/Home Depot on a map; I am east of the creek walking along approximately south.� A map of USDA Beltsville will show bldg 007 and 50.
The exact location is unfortunately on USDA property and I cannot tell you to access it directly, but it is not difficult to get close, especially during working hours.
I would encourage anyone interested birds that may be shopping at Home Depot on Cherry Hill Rd. to look right down below the lot and observe the waterfowl.
Also although I have been birding my whole life I have not thought about going online until recently.� The USDA-ARS Beltsville undoubtedly has many more surprises in 14,000 acres.
"I work in 007, 010 and also the range 2 greenhouse, west side.� I had transplants to take care of so I came over last� Sunday.� I walked in the brush down behind the decommissioned building 50, and then eventually alongside Little Paint Branch Creek.� A decade or so they mowed a strip down parallel to the creek; this has grown into heavy brush that birds love.
In case you have not been over there the combination of the Cherry Hill Rd. Ikea/Home Depot project drainage work and mature tree death from the tornado has turned a large area over there into a wetland.� Although the Beltway and parking lots are nearby there aren't actually many people that actually go in the area.� You can get there from Cherry Hill Park by traversing the culvert� under the Beltway but luckily not too many folks do that.� There are ducks, geese, herons, hawks and songbirds galore along� the mowed strip and in the wetland.� Also north farm� is very quiet� and there are a lot of birds over there.
I will go back with a camera perhaps tomorrow.� However I was very lucky that the bird became tangled in the vine, and also seemed tired and very intent on eating every last berry it could find.� When it got free it flew away, and could not really be told from a mockingbird at a distance.� I know the bird because I spend a lot of time out west skiing and hiking each year, and used to live in AZ, so I have seen them before."
Dr. C. Leigh Broadhurst, Ph.D.
Environmental Management and By-Products Utilization
Blgd. 007,� Rm. 015
USDA Agricultural Research Service
Henry A. Wallace Center
10300 Baltimore Blvd.
Beltsville, MD� 20705
301-504-6550
-----Original Message-----
From: <jtylerbell...> [mailto:<jtylerbell...>]
Sent: Wednesday, February 27, 2013 3:58 PM
To: Broadhurst, Leigh
Cc: <jtylerbell...>
Subject: Question about your Townsend's Solitaire observation in eBird
Leigh:
This report is generating a lot of buzz on the MDBirding Facebook and email discussion groups. Can you provide a more specific location where you saw the bird and perhaps suggest a vantage point available to the public, if such a thing exists? There is only one record of Townsend's Solitaire in MD and it was not open to the public so lots of people missed it.
Did you get any photos?
Tyler Bell
MD eBird Review Team
Dear Leigh� Broadhurst ,
I am a regional data reviewer for eBird. My goal is to keep up with data submissions and try to ensure the accuracy of reports of rare and unusual species, as well as unusually high counts of common species.
Can you please provide additional details on the following observation? It is unusual either because it is a species that does not normally occur in this region on this date, or the count you've reported is above expected levels of occurrence.
Species: Townsend's Solitaire
Count: 1
Observation date: Feb 24, 2013
Location: USDA ARS West, Beltsville, Prince George's, US-MD Submission ID: S13209649
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13209649
In your description, it is often very helpful to include how similar species were eliminated. If you saw and remember relevant field marks please take note of those and tell me about them. If you identified the bird by voice, a description of this is often helpful. The best supporting evidence for any bird record is a photograph, which you can simply attach in an email response to me, or embed directly into your eBird checklist (click http://ebird.org/content/ebird/about/embedding_richmedia for details on that process). If you do embed a photo, please drop me a note to let me know that you did.
If you were not sure about the identification, please let me know.� I can set the record as a "possible sighting", which will keep it out of the public data output tools, but your personal records and lists will be kept intact. If you do wish to edit the observation, you can do so from the Checklist link above (just click "edit species" on that page and change it as needed.)
We strive for a high level of data quality at eBird not only because eBird is a scientific database, but also because we want to provide the best resources for the birding community. Birders use eBird every day to learn about bird distribution and occurrence, and your data are a valuable part of that process. If you'd like to learn more about the eBird data quality process click here: (http://ebird.org/content/ebird/about/ebird-data-quality)
Thanks for your understanding and for any help that you can provide. And most importantly, thank you for using eBird. Your participation is valued, and the observations you submit are an important part of helping us better understand birds and biodiversity in your area and around the world.
Tyler Bell
<jtylerbell...>
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