[MDOsprey] Irruptive species

GAIL@UMDD.UMD.EDU
Tue, 9 Nov 99 10:17:03 EST


Hi all --

As I posted last week, Barry and I spent the weekend at Cape Charles, VA.
Since this is a Maryland list, I will only post that irruptive species were
prominent down there, esp. large numbers of Pine Siskins passing over (maybe
this is where everyone's local siskins have gone), numerous Purple Finches,
Red-breasted Nuthatches. The Hawk Watch has had Red Crossbills (but not when
we were there, sigh) and we heard a distant Evening Grosbeak.

Oh yes, there *was* a Cave Swallow Saturday morning, so everyone should still
keep looking for these birds.

Sunday we had a flight of perhaps 50,000 Robins which was amazing to see. You

have already heard about the Saw-whets. These are also irruptive, according
to Brian Sullivan, and the large numbers at Cape Charles should mean a good
year for us as well -- keep checking those pine clumps!

Next weekend we shall be good Maryland birders and stay in-state!

Cheers, Gail Mackiernan and Barry Cooper