Western Maryland Birds: Feb.19-21
Jlstasz@aol.com
Mon, 22 Mar 1999 19:08:26 EST
Hi Folks!
I did a little birding this weekend in western Maryland. Spring is arriving
even there. I heard American Woodcock at Blair's Valley WMA, Washington Co.,
Finzel Swamp, Garrett Co., and Pinto Marsh, Allegany Co. Common Grackles and
American Robins were everywhere. Song Sparrows, Northern Cardinals, and
Mourning Doves were all singing and setting up territories.
On the 20th, most of the lakes and ponds in Garrett were completely frozen.
There were a few holes near McHenry with one Wood Duck, a Lesser Scaup and a
few Ring-necked Ducks. The Oakland WWTP had 48 Lesser Scaup, 2 Greater Scaup,
one male Redhead, and 14 Ring-necked Ducks. Broadford Res. had a large
opening, with 9 Tundra Swan, 17 Ring-necked Ducks, 3 Greater Scaup, 3 Lesser
Scaup, 4 pairs of Hooded Merganser, 4 Bufflehead, and 2 Ruddy Ducks. 23 adult
Ring-billed Gulls were sitting on the ice. I visited some of the locations
where Marshall Iliff, Greg Miller and I did a Big Day on January 30, but spent
part of the afternoon looking for new areas.
Part of the time was spent sitting at the ridge top of Backbone Mt., in hope
of getting some migrating raptors. Apparently Saturday was not the day, with a
few hours of watching yielding 1 migrant American Kestrel and 2 migrating
Turkey Vultures. There were local Red-tailed Hawks and Common Ravens to add
interest and 3 Purple Finches at Table Rock.
Last month I heard from Ray Kiddy that Short-eared Owls had been found
somewhere near Westernport. Exploring new roads is always fun. A loop down
Russell Rd. and back up Michael Rd. [Delorme 66C3] had a variety of habitats
with: 150+ American Pipit, 1 Lapland Longspur in that flock; a singing Horned
Lark, 2 Common Raven, a Pileated Woodpecker, and a Ruffed Grouse (sitting on
the side of the road). Just to the south a bit, Aaron Run Rd. passes downhill
from Westernport Rd. through reclaimed strip mines. The area looked worth a
study, so I sat for an hour waiting for the day to end. Eastern Meadowlarks
were singing, 85 White-tailed Deer grazed, an Eastern Phoebe wandered along
the ridge, and a female Northern Harrier cruised the fields. Finally at about
5:45 a Short-eared Owl popped up and took a perch on one of the fence posts. A
nice end to a pleasant day.
Sunday, the 21st was dreary with light drizzle before dawn. This did not stop
a couple American Woodcock from displaying at Pinto Marsh. Red-winged
Blackbirds were busy claiming territories. A single Green-winged Teal and a
few Mallards, Canada Geese, and Wood Ducks were the only waterfowl. Pinto Pond
had only Wood Ducks along with the usual barnyard fare. Rocky Gap had the
best variety in Allegany County that day: 1 breeding plumage Common Loon, 2
winter plumage Horned Grebes, Greater & Lesser Scaup, Ring-necked Duck, Ruddy
Duck, American Wigeon, and all 3 mergansers. One Ring-billed Gull and 2
Bonaparte's Gull added to the waterbirds. By 9 AM it was a steady downpour,
so I decided to start heading East towards home.
Big Pool at Ft. Frederick SP on Washington Co. had Ring-necked Duck,
Bufflehead, a single Tundra Swan, a single Canada Goose, and a pair of
Northern Shoveler. An Osprey was carrying a fish and doing a display flight,
but it seemed that I was the only one watching. 6 species of woodpecker
[missed Red-headed] added to the daylist. Greenbier SP is almost drained, and
I expect that some great shorebirding will be available in April and May.
There was enough water for 2 male Red-breasted Merganser and an American Coot.
Stops later at Beaver Creek pond, Edgemont Res. and Ft.Ritchie Lake were
rather unproductive. The field at Mt.Aetna Rd. and Rt.66 had 5 Common Snipe, 3
Killdeer, 50 Canada Geese [probably locals], and a bunch of American Robins.
With the rain a steady downpour, wind gusts over 30 mph., and the temperature
34 degrees, I decided to call it quits and head for home.
Good Birding!
Jim
Jim Stasz
North Beach MD