[MDOsprey] Re: Dowitchers, etc.
Robert Ringler (ringler@cct.infi.net)
Tue, 27 Jul 1999 07:50:04 -0700
Thanks to everyone who has added their comments about White-rumped Sand,
LB Dow, and Least Fly. We need more exchange of information like this to better
understand the local seasonal distribution of birds in Maryland. I was able to
make some additions to my database of bird records.
Concerning White-rumped Sand, Rob Hilton's bird on July 3 was likely a
spring migrant. Marshall's doesn't fit any classification, but may also be a
spring straggler. Small flocks typically begin to arrive in August.
Concerning Long-biiled Dowitcher, they are still rare this time of year.
Though call seems to be the best way to identify them there are some sources that
describe identical calls for the two dows. That's why we need more info.
Concerning Least Fly, the last breeding record I have in the database for
Prince George's County was in 1949 at PWRC. This site was the only confirmed
nesting area in the coastal plain. The earliest banded migrants I have listed are
Woodward's on 7-27-72 and one by the Melvilles at Annapolis on 7-16-83. Any
singing birds in the summer have probably been on territory.
Please feel free to contribute any comments you may have.
Bob Ringler