I was able to do some atlasing in my blocks in Worcester County from noon on
Thursday (4/7) through noon on Saturday (4/9). Although the early arriving
nesters were not my target species, I was prime time to look for them and
add such records to the data base. Total of 8 species of warbler and 1
vireo. Definitely some opportunities to better or fill-in records during the
short window in early to mid-April when the breeder arrive. Rough areas
covered were 4/7: Ninepin/CW, SW, and SE; 4/8: Dividing Creek/NE, CE, Snow
Hill/NW, CW, SW and SE; and 4/9: Dividing Creek/SE, Snow Hill/NE and
Wango/SE.
Number per day April 7-8-9
Whip-poor-will 0-1-0
Third earliest Worcester record (two prior 4/4/1955 and 2004). From Old
Furnace Rd @ Pusey Branch at dawn.
Eastern Kingbird 1-0-0
Ties second earliest date. Record 4/6 (1991, Assateague), two prior records
from 4/7. Next to farm field on Patty Woods roads. Photos.
White-eyed Vireo 1-1-0
4/7 bird was in Wicomico County (the things one must do when atlasing!!).
4/8 bird was fifth earliest for Worcester (record 3/26), along Greenbrier
Swamp Road.
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 16-11-8
Northern Parula 0-1-2
Worcester record is 4/7 (1946, Robbins and Stewart), here to try for, two
prior records for 4/8. A personal best. 4/8 at Old Furnace Road and
Nassawango Creek, 4/8 birds at Mt. Olive Church Road and Nassawango Creek.
Yellow-throated Warbler 1-16-6
Pine Warbler 12-27-18
Black-and-White Warbler 0-9-3
Records a real outlier (3/18, 1972, Pocomoke State Forest, Rowlett), many
records from 4/1 on.
American Redstart 0-0-1
Third earliest record. One late-March record and then a 4/7/1946 record.
Personal best. At Mt. Olive Church Road and Nassawango Creek. Photos.
Ovenbird 0-18-4
The 4/8 records tie the fourth earliest record (best 4/5), the count of 18
on this date is not matched until April 12.
Louisiana Waterthrush 1-6-3
Common Yellowthroat 0-5-1
Fourth best (on 4/8), record 3/25. Count not matched until 4/12.
Mark L Hoffman
Sykesville, MD
wcbirding @
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