Re: Palm Warbles

Gregory Gough (Gregory_Gough@usgs.gov)
Tue, 17 Mar 1998 14:37:10 -0700 

     Dear Jim,
     
     Here is my winter season report:
     
     I believe I already told you about my highlights for the winter 
     season, the crossbills that everyone has seen and also a Sandhill 
     Crane here at Patuxent (I sent in a description to Mary Gustafson that 
     was forwarded to Phil Davis only to find that the species is no longer 
     rare enough to warrent committee review, alas).
     
     I did the Triadelphia Count and had lots (12) of RBNUs in a very 
     residential area indicating to me that they were very common.  Oddly, 
     here at Patuxent, they were a couple wintering near the kestrel pens 
     that disappeared in midwinter.  The ponds at patuxent never froze so 
     there were ducks around all winter (RNDU, HOME, especially) although 
     not in particularly large numbers.  Fox Sparrows have been obvious all 
     winter around the feeders in the pear orchard (Deanna feeds them 
     there).  No siskins, purple finches or rbnus around the feeders here.  
     Also, I didn't see tree sparrow around here this winter although I've 
     had them in past winters (especially when there is snow cover).  
     Golden-crowned Kinglets seemed less common than usual.
     
     Backyard birding has been sloooow without snow to drive the birds to 
     the feeders.  I didn't even get cowbird or grackle.  Juncos were not 
     found nor were white-throats although I don't often get them anyway.  
     I missed White-breasted Nuthatch.  The only consolation has been a 
     Hairy Woodpecker coming to the feeder.  I've observed them in previous 
     years a few times but never coming to the feeder.
     
     Sincerely,
     
     Greg
     
     P.S.-My phals look really nice this year!


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Palm Warbles
Author:  mdosprey@ARI.Net at NBS-Internet-Gateway
Date:    3/5/98 6:38 PM


Hi Folks!
     
Just a quick reminder that the Winter Reporting Season for ABA Field Notes 
just ended. Please get your sightings for December-January-February in as soon 
as possible. If you reported something already to the Voice of the Naturalist, 
or posted it on MDOsprey of Valley Birds, we already have it  :-). Anything 
else is welcome!
     
But what about PALM WARBLERS?  The Spring Season will have them in greater 
abundance than the Winter Season. A reliable source has indicated that Yellow 
Palm Warblers and Western Palm Warbelrs have be studied in a preliminary way. 
They have different breeding areas, different songs, different habitat 
preferences, different migration timing.....and no apparent intergrades!  If 
something is due for a split.......
     
 When you see a Palm Warbler this Spring..take the time to note which kind. We
need as much information as we can get.
     
Good Birding!
     
Jim
     
Jim Stasz
North Beach MD
jlstasz@aol.com