ABA Field Notes letter - Please send us your Summer Sightings!
Miliff@aol.com
Tue, 4 Aug 1998 23:17:28 EDT
August 3, 1998
901 Crystal Spring Farm Rd.
Annapolis, MD 21403
Dear Friends, Area Birders, and Field Notes Contributors,
First, I would like to apologize for the inevitable cross-postings which
will occur. This mailing has been sent to Valley Birds, The Richmond Area
Listserv, and MDOsprey, as well as personal email accounts. I cannot
constantly monitor the changing subscription lists on all three of these
excellent listservs, and want to ensure that I reach all active birders in the
Region. If you are unfamiliar with Field Notes, please read on - information
on who we are and what the magazine includes is below. If not, please read on
as well - we NEED your reports! I hope everyone will read the section: "The
Local Staff". It details exactly what we hope for in our reports and how you
can help.
The Summer reporting season (June 1-July 31) for A.B.A. Field Notes has just
drawn to a close, so I urge anyone who has not yet reported their Spring
sightings to Field Notes, the Voice of the Naturalist, or email groups such as
Valley Birds, the Richmond area Listserv, or MDOsprey to please send in your
sightings for inclusion in my next Season Report for A.B.A. Field Notes. The
deadline is pretty tight so I would appreciate getting all reports by August
15 if possible. As always, the data are easiest to process if they come in
continuously through the season. Late reports (from spring 1997, or even
later) are always welcomed as well.
This is the third mailing that I have sent out almost entirely by email.
Email obviously has the opportunity to vastly improve the efficiency and speed
with which I communicate with observers in the Region, and will also save much
time, paper, and expenditure on the mailings. I ask anyone who wishes NOT to
receive this mailing in the future on email, to respond. Also, if you read
this mailing on one of the above mentioned listservs, or some where else, and
did not receive a personal copy in your e- mailbox, please let me know so I
can update my address list. I apologize again for any cross-postings. If you
received this letter via "snail mail" and have an email address that I may use
in the future, please drop me a note and say so!
Also the Fall Season is already upon us. Since it is the longest reporting
season (Aug. 1-Nov. 30), the data entry will be MUCH easier is reports are
received continuously rather than all at the end (in the height of Xmas
shopping season!). Please take good notes on your sightings, be they of
nesters or late/early migrants, and let us know of them. Photocopied field
cards are OK, computerized sightings are ideal, but even a quick note or email
will suffice as long as we get the information. As I've said before and will
say again, we are entirely dependant on YOUR reports to write a good column.
SPRING 1998
The Summer Season report for Field Notes typically focuses on nesting
species, but inevitably touches on both late spring migrants and early fall
migrants (which often nearly overlap!). We are interested in reports of ALL
species (see "The Local Staff" below), but especially those which are more
unusual: unusually early or late migrants, local rarities, unusual nesting
records, or even unusual nesting habitats or behaviors. This summer has seen
a continued increase in Brown Pelicans in the Bay, and Harry Armistead has
reported that, for the first time, the species has nested in the MD portion of
the Bay. He found 15 nests on Spring Island, Dorchester County, June 21. I
urge all Bay area observers to coninue to keep good counts on this species to
document its spread. We are also seeing many birds dispersing from farther
south - Harry also reports that banded birds WITHOUT color bands, have come
from at least as far as North Carolina. Such birds were seen around Shank's
Island, VA, last week, and such reports are some of the most valuable, as they
clarify much about these birds' movements. So please, check those pelicans
for bands! Other news of interest is an apparent continued spread of Willow
Flycatcher onto the Coastal Plain. This species has been expanding in the
East for many years, but has only recently been found occurring off the
Piedmont in the Region. Reports of this species are of particular interest.
Writing a comprehensive column that details avian events of significance for
the Summer is impossible without contributions from active birders in the
Region.
Some rarities are of particular interest for the Field Notes column, and I
welcome any documentation that can be provided (perhaps a copy of what you
sent to the Maryland or Virginia Records Committees?). Photos are of special
interest, and a high percentage of quality photos are likely to make it into
print. The Middle Atlantic Coast column is usually lacking in good
photographic material (few of my own photos are worth publishing!) so any
pictures you can send would be FANTASTIC. Among some of the notable rarities
reported for which documentation and photos would be particularly welcome are:
Pacific Loon in D.C., June 1-10 (is this the last date seen?)
White Ibis in several MD and VA locations
Virginia Rail in D.C., July 27-August
Curlew Sandpiper at Hart-Miller Island, MD, June 6
Curlew Sandpiper at Hart-Miller Island, MD, July 25
Mississippi Kites in several MD and northern VA locations
Many of you may have already sent your documentation on to us, and if so, many
sincere thanks! If not, whatever you can provide (even if only the date you
saw the bird(s) - the range of dates here may not be complete or accurate).
There may be rarities I've omitted or not yet heard about, so please send info
on those as well!
PERSONAL HIGHLIGHTS
I spent the entire Summer Season in absentia, having defected for the
duration of June and July to Nevada. Brain Sullivan (Kiptopeke hawkwatcher of
the past three years) and I have continued our atlas work for Great Basin Bird
Observatory that we began in May, and are coming through the home stretch as
we speak. Some of our summer blocks have been in spectacular areas, and we
are almost taking for granted the incredible mountaintop vistas. Particularly
interesting recent blocks have been in the Carson Range (part of the Sierra
Nevada) and the Jarbidge area (reportedly the MOST remote area in the lower
48). Some of the more interesting birds we've run across have been: nesting
Sandhill Cranes, Bobolinks, and Short-eared Owls in meadows in the north;
canyons full of Cordilleran Flycatchers, Swainson's Thrushes, and American
Dippers around Jarbidge; Sierra specialties (for NV) such as Cassin's Vireo,
Pine Grosbeak, Black-backed Woodpecker, Hammond's Flycatcher, and Band-tailed
Pigeon; a dead Rough-legged Hawk in central NV, perhaps one of the only mid-
summer records for the species; discovery of several populations of Black-
capped Chickadees nesting in the Northeast part of the state (NV has only ONE
previous breeding record, from June 1998!); a rare pair of Willow Flycatchers
breeding in the Northeast; breeding Virginia's Warblers. One of the greatest
moments must have been a few nights ago when Brian squeaked in a Long-eared
Owl at dusk. It flew out from the aspens and circled us several times,
turning its head to look at us with every squeak. There are so many similar
incredible and rare moments, that to even attempt a list would be futile.
Nevada has some beautiful areas once one looks beyond the interstate and
casinos.
All Nevada's rare beauty, however, didn't keep us from bolting to California
at the first available opportunity. First in mid-June, and again in mid-July,
we used our stockpiled days off towards a week or so of relaxation in the
Pacific air. The recent July trip was certainly the highlight bird-wise. We
kicked our vacation off with a Cordell Bank pelagic trip with Rich Stallcup
July 11. On my first West Coast pelagic trip, I netted 10 lifers (Black-
footed and Laysan albatross, Buller's Shearwater, Cassin's Auklet, Fork-tailed
and Ashy storm-petrels, Sabine's Gull, Dall's Porpoise, Northern Fur Seal, and
Steller's Sea Lion). However, the highlight of the trip was a Manx Shearwater
(that Brian and I found) which made one pass close to the boat and furnished
Marin County's first record. After watching the World Cup final (go France!),
I went on to meet a friend in Los Angeles and bird the Salton Sea. Despite
the 105+ temperatures, we managed to find some birds still alive, including 4
Magnificent Frigatebirds, 2 Fulvous Whistling-Ducks, and a handful or two of
Yellow-footed Gulls. I spent the rest of my week AVOIDING birds, except for
one great exception. I took a full day Friday, July 17, to track down some
California birds I don't see often. After a pleasant late morning enjoying
Hutton's Vireo, Oak Titmouse, California Gnatcatcher and Thrasher, and a few
other goodies, I pressed on to Bolsa Chica to study Elegant Terns and
Belding's Savannah Sparrows. After good looks at them, as well as returning
shorebirds like Red Knots and a single Black Turnstone, I was about to leave,
when I spotted a Bridled Tern. After watching it for a good 45 minutes more,
and taking notes (I had no camera) I spread the word as best I could, but only
three other birders made it out to see it that evening. It has not returned,
which is especially unfortunate, since it may have been the first ever seen in
the state! August 9 Brian and I are departing again for Cordell Bank, and
hope his California trip can live up to the last!
A.B.A. FIELD NOTES: WHAT IT IS
To those not familiar with Field Notes, below is a quick summary of the
magazine and what it includes. A.B.A. Field Notes is published quarterly
(Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter) and is meant to summarize the significant
observations of field birders throughout the United States and Canada. The
two countries (as well as the West Indies) are divided into 26 Regions, each
of which has one-several Regional Editors. The Regional Editors collect
information from birders in their Region and, at the end of each reporting
season, compile the sightings into a Season Report. The deadline is 1 ½
months after the end of the season, so reports are asked for two weeks from
the end of the season, but email reports can be received up to a month after
the end of the season. The reporting seasons are:
Spring: March 1-May 31
Summer: June 1 - July 31
Fall: August 1-November 30
Winter: December 1-February 28(29)
The Season Reports always include information on rarities, early and late
migration dates, high counts etc... but also usually include significant other
news relating to birds in the Region. For anyone interested in birds and
birding in the U.S.A. and Canada the magazine is invaluable - no other
publication summarizes birding news from across the country so completely.
Recently, feature articles have returned to Field Notes: recent articles have
featured the first U.S.A. records for Stygian Owl (in TX) and Chinese Pond-
Heron (in AK), and the hurricanes of 1996 and the birds associated with them.
Pictorial Highlights have returned, and in addition to the black-and-white
photos shown throughout the magazine, feature from 15-25 full color photos of
(usually) rarities from around the country. Each issue also features a
Changing Season column, which is a summary of all the Season Reports from
different Regions, and attempts to identify some of the more noticeable trends
of the season (i.e. Winter Finches were scarce south of Canada, Rufous
Hummingbirds were found in unusual numbers on the East Coast, and most fall
migrants lingered unusually late). Recently, different expert authors from
around the country have been chosen to write the Changing Seasons column -
depending on what trends need special highlighting and where the individual's
expertise lies. Many state publications (Maryland Birdlife for example)
publish similar summaries for their states and Regions, which are typically
more detailed than the Audubon Field Notes season report, but the advantage of
Field Notes is that it assimilates national trends. If you want to track the
spread of Eurasian Collared-Doves across the U.S., find out how the Attwater's
Prairie- Chickens and Whooping Cranes are faring in Texas, or what rarities
the latest trip to Attu turned up, Field Notes is for you.
FIELD NOTES: HISTORY
The magazine has undergone a number of changes in its lifetime, with the most
major change occurring last summer (1997). In the early years of its
existence, Audubon Field Notes was a small publication which included only the
Season Reports. Eventually, the magazine was beefed up with color photos and
feature articles (on everything from identification, to conservation, to out
of range records) and assumed the new name, American Birds. In the early
1990's National Audubon fell on hard times, and the magazine was cut back to a
bare minimum with only the Season Reports and Changing Season columns
persisting. Last summer, it was agreed that Field Notes would be turned over
to the American Birding Association (A.B.A.). Recently revived sections and a
new management promise continued improvement in the quality of the
publication. The first few issues look drastically better than ever. If you
let your subscription slide I urge you to sign back on!
A.B.A. FIELD NOTES AND RECENT CHANGES
By now those of you that do subscribe to Field Notes should have received
your first couple issues that A.B.A. has put out (Volume 51 #4 and #5). Some
substantial format changes ave been made, feature articles have returned (see
the article by Brinkley et al. on the Hurricanes of 1996 in #4 and the article
on the discovery of two A.B.A. area firsts in #5) and color photos have been
brought back in the back section (Pictorial Highlights). Some more changes
are in the planning (such as revision of the maps) and I have confidence that
the magazine will continue to improve. Delivery of issues, erratic at best
under National Audubon, has showed marked improvement and should be timely
from here on out (you will note that the last National Audubon issue, Summer
1997) still hasn't appeared. My latest letter from the Field Notes staff
reports that the subscription has DOUBLED since A.B.A. has taken over. If
anyone would like information on how to subscribe please contact the American
Birding Association at (800/850-2473). Subscription is $20 per year.
THE LOCAL STAFF
Starting in the fall of 1995, I have been the Middle Atlantic Coast Regional
Editor. During that time I have had enormous assistance from Jim Stasz of
North Beach, MD. His guidance and local knowledge has been invaluable over
the past several years. Most importantly, he has helped by computerizing the
reports so that their value may extend beyond the skeleton produced in the
Field Notes report. All sightings of all species reported to us are included
(yes, every starling and every House Sparro). We now have three years' worth
of Field Notes report in the working database, which is available to any
interested parties. Recently we were able to provide a complete summary of
all crossbill sightings to Julie Simard of McGill University, PQ, who is
looking in depth at this year's invasion. Reports should continue to go to
Jim at P.O. Box 71, North Beach, MD 20714 jlstasz@aol.com.
The Middle Atlantic Coast Region includes all of Maryland and Virginia east
of the mountains. Essentially, in Maryland I cover all reports from Frederick
County east, and in Virginia I cover all areas east of the Blue Ridge
Mountains. The majority of reports I receive are from Maryland birders
(calling all Virginians!), and a huge volume of reports also comes from the
Voice of the Naturalist, Virginia Birdline, and Baltimore Birdline (which each
send me ALL their reports), as well as from monitoring such email discussion
groups as Valley Birds, the Richmond Listserv, and MDOsprey. Individual
reports are most valuable though, so I urge anyone willing to send me a
separate report for each season, even if you regularly call your sightings
into the Voice or Virginia Birdline. A large number of sub- regional editors
help with the assimilation and computerization of the data. If you actively
bird any of their regions, I ask that you submit reports directly to them
rather than to me. If you are willing to serve as a sub-regional editor for
any of the uncovered counties or Regions of Maryland, please let me know
promptly. It would be a GREAT help! Currently, the sub-regional editors are:
Patty Craig: Saint Mary's County s (P.O. Box 84, Lexington Park, MD 20653)
Elizabeth Pitney: Wicomico County (7218 Walston Switch Rd., Parsonsburg, MD
21849)
Jo Solem: Howard County (10617 Graeloch Rd., Laurel, MD 20723)
George M. Jett: Charles County (9505 Bland Street, Waldorf MD 20603)
JETT.GEORGE@epamail.epa.gov
Ethel Engle: Caroline County (20789 Dover Bridge Rd., Preston, MD 21655)
Sam Freiberg: Montgomery County (8733 Susanna Lane, Chevy Chase, MD
20815-4713)
Al Haury: Anne Arundel County (852 Redwood Trail, Crownsville, MD 21032)
cactuswren@erols.com
Sincerely,
Marshall Iliff
Mid-Atlantic Coast Regional Editor
A.B.A. Field Notes
901 Crystal Spring Farm Rd.
Annapolis, MD 21403
miliff@aol.com
(410) 269-1589
Please send reports to:
Jim Stasz
Secretary, A.B.A. Field Notes
P.O. Box 71
North Beach, MD 20714
jlstasz@aol.com