Re: [MDOsprey] Assateague Help...
MHoff36100@aol.com
Sat, 4 Dec 1999 00:05:21 EST
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Mr. Wilkerson --
In response to your inquire regarding birding locations on Assateague, being
"Mr. Worcester County", I feel compelled to reply. For starters, read the
section in Claudia Wilds book (Bird Finding in the National Capital Area)
regarding the "North End of Assateague Island". This has a good description
of the main birding areas, from the North End (just south of Ocean City),
through the developed State Park and National Seashore areas, south to the
Hungerford flats which are in the ORV zone. Pardon me if I'm a little biased
here, as I wrote this section.
Based on the description of your camping location (3-4 miles south of the
start of the ORV zone), this would put you right opposite (or a little south)
of the Hungerford flats. Birding this area is described in the book and I
recommend it highly. If you are hiking to your campsite, you might not want
to walk the additional 4-5 miles to the Fox Hill Levels, but if you feel
adventurous, try this as well. From the park service ranger station, ask for
the set of maps that shows the location of all the waterfowl blinds. This is
very useful map for navigating in the ORV zone, as it shows all the spur
roads that lead toward the bay. The topo (quad) maps are also available at
the visitor's center.
Closer to Hungerford is the Little Levels, a large short marsh area between
the ORV road and the bay. This would be a good place to look for rarities
like LeConte's Sparrow or Yellow Rail this time of year, not to mention
sorting through the Sharp-tailed Sparrows. The Tingle's Island area (where
camping is permitted, but it is only 1-2 miles south of the end of the paved
road) is also an interesting landbird area, but more so in migration. Be
prepared for a lot of Yellow-rumped Warblers. If you are lucky, you might
find an Orange-crowned or two, while the pines should be hosting Northern
Saw-whet Owls. Focus on dense stands of relatively young trees, 12-15 feet
tall.
I am currently working on a publication on the birds of Worcester County,
including birding sites, but completion of the that is several years off. I
have attached an updated draft guide to the Hungerford area.
Regards and please send me a detailed copy of your observations if possible,
Mark Hoffman
Mhoff36100@aol.com
In a message dated 12/2/99 10:35:02 AM Eastern Standard Time,
Jordan.Wilkerson@jhuapl.edu writes:
> MDOsprey,
>
> We are headed to Assateague Island for a camping trip this weekend. While
> we always have fun where ever we happen to be with binoculars, it is a
large
> place to cover and I'd like some suggestions on where we should focus our
> birding efforts. We will be packing into one of the first few campsites
> (3-5 miles South of the ORV entrance), and more exercise than that is
> certainly welcome. We'll have a scope and patience, but could use some
> directional advice from someone who knows the area better than we do.
>
> Thanks in advance.
> Jordan,
> Cloverly, MD
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Hungerford
Description: A vast tidal flat on the bayside of Assateague, boarded on the =
east by pine forest and scrub and on the west by salt marsh and pine islands=
. The Hungerford flats are one of the best shorebirding areas on Assateague,=
although the quality of the area varies greatly with the waterlevel. Genera=
lly, there is too much water, which limits shorebird habitat. Hungerford is =
host to a large mixed flock of herons/egrets/ibis in late summer as well.
Logistics: The flats are accessible from three locations. The northern most =
is to take the road to the former High Winds Gun Club (which is on a pine is=
land that is an interesting place to bird in its own right). In the first st=
retch of very thick and swamp bayberry, listen for Willow Flycatchers, which=
have nested is this area. From the High Winds Road the flats will be to the=
south. Usually you will be looking into the sun and it makes better birding=
sense to go to the southern most access point. The middle access point is f=
rom the area around the Hungerford house, which is located on a large pine h=
ammock. This hammock can be a good landbirding location as well. This pine i=
sland is the site of the Assateague Northern Saw-whet Owl banding effort in =
November. The southern most access is to go west on the sand road at dune cr=
ossing #5. This leads to a small parking area (you can drive to the lot duri=
ng the waterfowl hunting seasons). Beyond the parking lot is a gated road. T=
ake the road west until you run into the main channel which drains the flats=
(it is only a couple hundred yards). Turning left (south) here will take yo=
u to the Little Levels (described below), while turning right will lead you =
to the Hungerford flats. You will need to cross the channel; generally the s=
hallowest spot is were the vegetation ends on the opposite side of the chann=
el. It is usually possible to get across in knee boots, although during time=
s of high water it will be wet up to your calves. During summer, you might w=
ant to wear old sneakers for the entire trip and not worry about the water. =
The water does provide some respite from the mosquitoes, which are much less=
of a nuisance when standing in water.
After crossing the channel, the south end of the flats are in front of you. =
This generally dry area usually has a flock of gulls and terns in summer, al=
ong with Black-bellied Plovers. The suggested strategy is to walk to the wes=
t side of the flats and from here proceed north. The location of birds depen=
ds on the waterlevel and is somewhat unpredictable. Beyond the Hungerford wo=
ods, the flats open up considerably to the east. At times this area (just so=
uth of the High Winds Road) is the best shorebird area. Exit via the High Wi=
nds Road, back to the ORV road. Walking time from the High Winds Road to Sou=
th Beach is about one hour. [map, more details on birds] [landbirding in woo=
ds, high winds]
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