Date: Fri, 26 Jul 2002 12:36:07 -0400 Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: "Zucker, Paul A." Subject: Summary comments for Howard County May count MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain Copied below is the article that will appear in the Howard county newsletter (along with the numerical tally) summarizing the results of this year's May count. Paul Zucker Howard county May count compiler The 2002 Howard County May Count was held on May 11, 2002 from 5:00 AM to 9:05 PM. The total species count of 144 was an average result, but the party hours (especially 245.5 on foot) were at near record levels. The total number of birds seen (over 21200) was likewise a near record. There were a remarkable 30 species that had high counts (over a span of 15 years). Several of these high counts were for species that migrate through our area. It appears that the count date was close to a peak in the migration (especially for Black-throated Blue Warblers, which were everywhere). In contrast to the high number of party hours, the total number of participants was 64, down several from the last couple of years. Two years ago the high temperature was an unbearable 95. Last year it reached only 85, and this year it struggled to reach 75. So much for global warming. The weather was quite pleasant except for the first couple of hours, which hovered around a very chilly 40 degrees. We did have a number of unusual sightings (recorded fewer than five times in the last 15 counts, including this one). These included Pied-billed Grebe (2nd time in the 15 year interval), Canvasback (2nd time), Whip-poor-will (4th time), Olive-sided Flycatcher (3rd time), and Horned Lark (4th time). Two other species previously considered unusual were seen again this year: Gray-cheeked Thrush (7th time in the 15 year interval!) and Mourning Warbler (5th time). There were also some interesting misses. This was the first of the last 15 counts to miss Ring-billed Gull. Now we have gone five straight years without the Ring-necked Pheasant, and the Northern Bobwhite has been missed five out of the last six years. Both of these species were regularly seen before 1997. Another notable miss was the Bank Swallow. Record low counts for the 15 year period occurred for Mourning Dove and for Eastern Meadowlark (only two were sighted). Very special thanks go to the Randles for hosting yet another great tally rally and to Chuck Stirrat for helping with the numerical tabulations and for producing special checklists for use in the field and for the tallies. The efforts of the participants and area coordinators are also appreciated: Stan Arnold, Mary Jo Betts, Karan and Bill Blum, Joe Byrnes, Marty Chestem, Lisa Colangelo, Jane and Dennis Coskren, Ralph Cullison, Karen Darcy, Joan DeCarli, Ward Ebert, Erin and Tracy Eve, Jeff Friedhoffer, Maureen and Dave Harvey, Kevin Heffernan, Emy Holdridge, Dave Holyoke, Dave Kubitsky, Mike Leumas, Brigitte Lund, John Maloney, Joel Martin, Grazina and Mike McClure (area 4), Diane Mecham, Elayne and Jeff Metter, Sue Neri, Carol Newman, Jeanne and Doug Odermatt (area 5), Daryl Olson, Peter Osenton, Bonnie Ott (area 6), Susan Polniaszek, Suzanne Probst, Tim Ray, Nanine Rhinelander, Chan Robbins, Clyde Robinette, Kurt Schwarz, Jay Sheppard, Romayne Smith, Jo and Bob Solem (area 7), Hank Stanton, Chuck Stirrat (area 3), Ralph Stokes, Tom Strikwerda, Eva Sunell, Robin Todd, Kate Tufts, June Tveekrem, Marilyn Veek, Mark Wallace, Carol and Jim Wilkenson, Michelle Wright, Helen Zeichner, and Paul Zucker (area 2 and county compiler). ======================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= =========================================================================