Folks

Retirement is much busier than I thought it would be.  This note is an effort in catching up on my big year fund raising efforts for the atlas, plus a few other nice sightings.

On Wednesday, May 19 a non-singing Trail's type Flycatcher (Alder/Willow) got me to #201 for the year in Charles County.  They are much tougher when they don't sing.  

On Monday, May 23 I had another non-singing bird, this time a Warbling Vireo briefly visiting the yard.  This represents life yard bird #155 and # 112 for the 04 year list.  Why do Warbling Vireo sing and nest just 10 miles north and not hear?  We have lots of river frontage.  There is only one possible nest during the last atlas, yet there is a confirmed nest just up river near Harmony Hall.  I have only had a handful of singing Warbling Vireos in Charles County all the time I have birded here.  Half are silent and that makes it harder to find them.  

On May 29 a female Cooper's Hawk made an attempt to catch a Downy Woodpecker in the back yard.  She is in safe date for the atlas project as of May 20.  Also on May 29 around the yard was a singing Yellow-throated Vireo (safe date 5/25), Great-crested Flycatcher (safe date 5/25) and a Summer Tanager (safe date 6/05).    The tanager and flycatcher were singing again today.

On June 3 the highlight house bird was a Hooded Warbler (#113) singing vociferously for a few moments.  I guess it moved along since I have not heard or seen it since.

Yesterday (June 4) morning I was delighted to hear a singing Northern Bob-white Quail (#114) to the southwest of the house.  It was at a distance and may have been along the power line I atlased on May 26.  My highlight on the atlas effort was a female Wild Turkey and at least four Yellow-breasted Chat on territory.  Other birds on the atlas walk were White-eyed, Yellow-throated and Red-eyed Vireo, Black & White Warbler, Orchard Oriole, and Scarlet Tanager.

The trip to Sean McCanndless yesterday was very successful (Thanks Sean).  Within 15 minutes two Mississippi Kites (state bird #357) flew over.  Within an hour the first of three sightings of Swallow-tailed Kite (state bird #358) flew by.  Also around Sean's house were several Broad-winged Hawks, at least a pair of Red-shouldered Hawk, and a single Cooper's Hawk.  A Sharp-shinned was reported before I arrived.  

The kite sightings seemed too easy.  By contrast, I have tried three times unsuccessfully for that darn Purple Gallinule at McKee Bescher's.   My third attempt was last night, but the best Bob Augustine (was there when I arrived at 5 PM) and I came up with was an adult Yellow-crowned Night-heron (fly by), and one Common Moorhen before I left at 7 PM.  Bob was still on the watch for the gallinule.  

Maybe MOS should give Sean some kind of an award for sharing the two kites species to the birding community.  Walter might also consider a trip to Sean's house during the convention if the birds are still around, and Sean agrees.  The high count of Mississippi Kites was reported to be twelve but before I arrived at 11:45 AM.  Also the three listing leaders, (Jim Stasz, Mark Hoffman, and Paul O'Brien) all ticked #382 state bird with the Swallow-tailed yesterday.  

Good atlasing.

George