Sugarloaf CBC -- some results
GAIL@UMDD.UMD.EDU
Mon, 4 Jan 99 08:23:01 EST
Hi all --
We did the Sugarloaf CBC yesterday, certainly had a lot better weather than
we had expected -- it was actually one of the more pleasant days I recall out
there. Barry and I do the Lilypons area, and I am a sector leader for a lot
of the surrounding terrain. Folks were somewhat late getting out into the
field and we had fewer folks in the field as well, so the species total and
numbers are a bit low -- also, very few owls as no predawn owling was done.
Nevertheless, some good birds were tallied. Best for us was an American Bittern
at Lilypons, looking very fit and active! Sparrow numbers were quite good,
with the exception of Whitecrowns -- we had over 70 American Tree Sparrows at
Lilypons alone, and about 150 Swamps. Other good birds in our sector were
Redheaded WP, Rusty Blackbird (flock of 17) and a single Purple Finch.
Not all sectors reported at the Tally rally, but other highlights included
Redheaded WPs at several locations, Northern Harrier, good numbers of waterfowl
including Tundra Swan, Snow Goose, Hooded Merg and Canvasback, Meadowlark,
good numbers of Fox Sparrows & good numbers of Horned Larks (but NO Lapland
Longspurs this year), and a few Phoebes. Almost no other "half-hardies" --
although not all reports are in yet.
Conspicious by their absence were Bobwhite, Pheasant and Loggerhead Shrike.
In fact, as best we can tell from numerous trips, the Loggerhead Shrikes have
disappeared from their previous stronghold at Lilypons. The last one we saw
was in spring 1997. None were reported this year from Lucketts, VA, either
(part of our count circle). If anyone sees any Loggerhead Shrikes in the
Frederick-Lucketts valley, let us know. (We might hope they have moved to
another area, although this is unlikely...)
Gail Mackiernan
Silver Spring, MD
gail@umdd.umd.edu