Re: Fw: RE: [Fwd: [Fwd: Birding in Southern Mary

Gary A. Griffith (brdnsum@dpnet.net)
Sat, 08 Nov 97 07:20:34 PST


Osprey Folks,

As birders I'm somewhat surprised that the majority of you don't take care to observe what's in the parking areas and along the roadsides.  I well recall a trip to Courthouse Point WMA in which, as we were exiting our vehicles, we had a nice selection of 5-6 warblers in an adjacent bush.

Let me offer the following, which should refresh memories and help make birding safer during the next few weeks.

"The deer hunter's vehicle is characterized, in particular, by several traits that are common among all in the gunnerii genus, but will often show additional field characters that allow for certain identification.

The general field marks of the group include, but are not limited to, the following:  A coating of mud tends to extend the entire length of the lower third of the body, becoming more dense near the wheel openings, particularly on the dorsal openings.  The ventral protuberance is often rust-colored, and occasionally absent entirely.  A careful observer will occasionally note the presence of a secondary support system comprized of heavy-guage wire not dissimilar to that found in the domestic garment hanging device.  When in motion the presence/absence of this ventral protuberance can be determined at great distance due to the distinct change in the quality of it's voice.

It is also quite common in this species for previous injuries to be incompletely healed, and these can often be noted as distinct areas of discoloration, generally of a gray or brown colour.  Though some observers have offered the degree of fading of the plumage as a means of determining age, this is not always reliable, since members of the group which rest in cavities seem to be less prone to this fading.

The forward portion of the species often exhibits a decorative pattern comprised of a shiny substance, though again most members exhibit signs of some damage here.

However, the most reliable field mark continues to be the presence/absence of a distinct pair of generally dark-coloured hooks at the rear of the mantle, within which the species often carries hunting tools.  Some observers now caution that this mark has become somewhat less reliable, since certain members of the race have been reported with the hook placement in the underside of the crown, making field observation of this mark less easy."

The species tends to appear in parking areas, along roadsides, and in farm fields in large concntrations toward the end of November, though they disperse rapidly afterward, a few remaining, however, virtually throughout the winter.

Birders noting these concentrations should be cautioned against entering these areas. :)

Cheers to all, hope this helps.  Anybody got any additional field characters to add ?

Gary A. Griffith  (BrdNSum@dpnet.net)
Elkton, Maryland




----------
> On 6 November 1997, Kyle Rambo wrote:
>
> > >Does Norm (or anyone else in MOS) realize that Saturday, November
> > >29th is
> > >the opening day of the firearm deer season in Maryland?  I would
> > >strongly
> > >urge him and others to avoid birding on state wildlife management
> > >areas,
> > >unknown private lands, or any other area that may be open to
> > >hunting that
> > >day.  Point Lookout State Park is a safe bet.  Allen's Fresh
> > >........ from
> > >the road, yes.  Otherwise, I don't know.
>
> Kyle, since I'm a birder, not a hunter (is that anything like being a 
> lover, not a fighter????), no, I was unaware of the starting date for 
> deer season.  However, I'm sure the fusillade of gunfire at first

> light will be adequate to warn us off from those state-subsidized
> hunting areas.  Thank you for the warning though!  I had best start
> shopping for my blaze orange field guide cover today!
>
> This reminds me of last year's Sugarloaf Mountain Christmas Count
> when Fran and I found ourselves in the middle of a field surrounded
> on all sides by dense brush.  It took us only a few minutes to
> realize that we were literally surrounded by hunters with ENORMOUS
> firearms...it was the first day of black powder muzzle-loader deer
> season and we had all unknowingly wandered into the line of fire.  I 
> guess this is "birding on the edge", eh?
>
> Cheers,
> Norm
>
> ===============
> Norm Saunders
> Colesville, MD
> osprey@ari.net