Re: [MDOsprey] Comp List Update -Reply
Hoffman, Mark (MHOFFMAN@dnr.state.md.us)
Thu, 23 Sep 1999 11:11:16 -0400
George/Fran --
George's comments are correct, save there were only two organized pelagic
trips in 1994 (3/12 and 8/27), and this made doing a state big year much
more difficult. Although the two trips were very successful, nonetheless I
missed Great Skua, Red Phalarope and Manx Shearwater, species regular off
the Maryland coast at the right time of year. I did a large number (around
10) fishing/head boat trips, but these 1/2 day ventures generally do not go
very far offshore and the one overnight tuna trip I was on had to come back
during the middle of the night due to bad weather (after catching a Wilson's
Storm-Petrel that landed next to me on the upper deck of the OC Princess).
This compares with 1992, when there where 5 pelagic trips and the total
"pelagic species" for my Worcester County year list was 17 (versus 15 in
'94).
Looking at the species not seen yet, it seems the comp list should easily go
over 330.
Mark Hoffman
George Jett wrote:
>>Fran - Some history as I remember it.
I think the all time individual record is 329 in 1994 and it was Mark
Hoffman. Mark had about five pelagics that year. Six others Maryland
birders were over 300 in 94. Dave Czaplak, Jim Stasz, myself,
Michael O'Brien, Mary Ann Todd, and Jane Farrell (changed her name since) in
descending order. It was an exciting and interesting year. Rich Rowlett
maybe did 326 decades ago. Paul's best year, and Paul can correct me if I
am wrong, was 300 maybe around 91.
Jim Stasz is at 309 for 1999 without a pelagic as of September 18. That's
impressive. He plans to do a big butterfly year in 2000. Greg Miller is
probably dreaming of taking on Mark's record but he now has a day job.
Marshall has never stayed in the state long enough to do 300 in a single
year.
Anyone that have corrections to this note or other information (Phil Davis -
record keeper), please chime
in.
Good birding.
George
>>> Fran Saunders>>> 09/23/99 04:44am >>>
Marshall's post reminded me to do another update. Actually,
we are doing quite well, picking up an additional six species
over the last two weeks.
Pomarine Jaeger Miller and Stasz 9/8 Pt. Lookout
Sooty Tern Rambo 9/16 Pax
Leach's SP ?
Long-tailed Jaeger Patteson 9/19 Off OC
Manx Shearwater Reported to Marshall ? OC
Bicknell's Thrush Hershberger Frederick
That almost made up for the lost pelagic. Sightings of YH
Blackbird and Bridled Tern had already been reported.
This gives us 323 of 414 (genus only not counted) and 78% of
our list!!! Mississippi still stands at 299 or 75.7%, but I think
that is a bit out of date. Mind you, we are still collectively
short of the all time big year record (by an individual, mind
you), which, if I recall correctly is Paul O'Brien's 326.
Excellent birding folks!
Fran
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Fran Saunders
Web Site Director
Maryland Ornithological Society
Silver Spring, Maryland