-------------- Forwarded Message: --------------
From: "Steve Cordle" <>
To:
Subject: DC Area, 7/5/05
Date: Tue, 5 Jul 2005 20:52:32 +0000
Hotline: Voice of the Naturalist
Date: 7/5/05
Coverage: MD/DC/VA/DE
Telephone: 301-652-1088 option 1
Reports (voice): 301-652-1088 option 2
(email):
(deadline): midnight Mondays
Compiler: Lydia Schindler
Sponsor: Audubon Naturalist Society of the Central
Atlantic States (independent of NAS!)
Transcriber: Steve Cordle ()
Please consider joining ANS, especially if you are a regular user of
the Voice (Individual $30; Family $40; Nature Steward $60; Audubon
Advocate $100). The membership number is 301-652-9188 option 12, the
address is 8940 Jones Mill Road, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, and the web
site is http://www.AudubonNaturalist.org.
This is the Voice of the Naturalist, a service of the Audubon
Naturalist Society. This tape was made Tuesday, July 5, at 4 pm.
Top birds this week are BARNACLE GOOSE and MISSISSIPPI KITE, both in
VA.
Other birds of interest include ducks, RUFFED GROUSE, NORTHERN
BOBWHITE, CORY'S SHEARWATER, WILSON'S STORM-PETREL, NORTHERN GANNET,
LEAST BITTERN, raptors, shorebirds, BLACK TERN, CHUCK-WILL'S-WIDOW,
KENTUCKY WARBLER, sparrows, ROSE-BREASTED and BLUE GROSBEAKS, INDIGO
BUNTING, and DICKCISSEL.
A BARNACLE GOOSE is frequenting a private campground in Augusta Co,
VA. It was photographed and seen as recently as July 3.
MISSISSIPPI KITES continue to soar over the Waynewood subdivision in
southeastern Fairfax Co, VA, with sightings June 30 and July 1, 3, and
4. In southern VA, a pair of MISSISSIPPI KITES observed July 4 in the
vicinity of Emporia, Greensville Co, appeared to be feeding young,
repeatedly carrying insects to the same treed area.
A molting CANVASBACK was noted July 2 on Pohick Bay, Fairfax Co. That
same day 2 COMMON MERGANSERS were scoped on Belmont Bay from Mason
Neck SP.
A pair of SURF SCOTERS was seen July 3 from the bridge leading to
Assateague Island, Worcester Co, MD, sitting at the edge of the marsh.
In Augusta Co, Hite Hollow Rd (FSR 82), and the trail off of it to
Elliott's Knob, held 7 adult RUFFED GROUSE and 11 half-grown young on
July 1.
NORTHERN BOBWHITES were calling at the Blue Mash Nature Trail,
Montgomery Co, MD, on July 2, near the smaller pond. BOBWHITES are
also in good voice at many Eastern Shore locations. And on July 4, a
NORTHERN BOBWHITE called for about 10 minutes along Ebenezer Church Rd
in western Loudoun Co, VA.
A CORY'S SHEARWATER was spotted July 3 from the public beach at
Assateague Island SP, Worcester Co, as were 2 or 3 NORTHERN GANNETS
and a STORM-PETREL, likely WILSON'S.
A LEAST BITTERN was spotted June 30 at the Chesapeake Bay Env Center,
Queen Anne's Co, MD, and one was heard July 4 at McKee-Beshers WMA,
Montgomery Co.
Accipiter activities included a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK pursued by "irate
Eastern Kingbirds" in Fairfax City June 30; a COOPER'S HAWK carrying
food and being chased by crows July 4 at Blue Mash; and a COOPER'S
HAWK carrying off a Blue Jay, in Charles Co, MD, also on July 4.
On July 2, a PEREGRINE FALCON was observed at the Hunting Creek
mudflats, Fairfax Co. In late June, PEREGRINE FALCONS were feeding
young at a nest on N Capitol St, NE DC. In Shenandoah NP, VA,
PEREGRINE FALCONS are believed to have hatched young near Little
Hawksbill Mt.
This summer PIPING PLOVERS have built several nests along the DE
seacoast, both near the Point at Cape Henlopen SP and in the area of
Gordon's Pond. One PIPING PLOVER fledged as early as June 21.
A WHIMBREL was present along Oyster Rocks Rd, DE, on July 4.
A LEAST SANDPIPER was discovered at Blue Mash July 2.
This week shorebirds visiting the ponds at the Mason-Dixon farm in
northern Frederick Co, MD, included SOLITARY and SPOTTED SANDPIPERS.
On June 28, a BLACK TERN was discovered at Poplar Island, Talbot Co,
MD.
Also in Talbot Co, west of St. Michaels, CHUCK-WILL'S-WIDOWS were
calling along New Rd off Rte 33 June 30, and along May Port Rd off Rte
579 July 2.
Two MARSH WRENS were found June 29 at the Langston Golf Course, NE DC;
they were in a newly constructed marsh alongside the second hole.
On July 1, the back roads of southern Cecil Co, MD, again hosted a
fine array of field birds; areas off of Old Telegraph, Middle Neck,
and Bohemia Mill roads produced many pairs of FIELD, VESPER, and
GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS, plus BLUE GROSBEAKS and INDIGO BUNTINGS. Most of
the VESPER SPARROWS were along Middle Neck Road 1.5 miles from Old
Telegraph Rd. The intersection of Middle Neck and Old Telegraph also
held a vigorously singing KENTUCKY WARBLER.
A WHITE-THROATED SPARROW and a ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK--both unexpected
in summer--turned up near Clinton, Prince George's Co, MD, July 3. The
sparrow was along a park trail just northwest of the intersection of
Brandywine and Surratts roads; the grosbeak was along the pedestrian
trail just west of the intersection of Surratts Rd with Stuart Lane.
BLUE GROSBEAKS--2 singing males and 3 females--were in evidence at
Kenilworth Park, NE DC, June 29. A BLUE GROSBEAK was seen at Blue Mash
July 2.
In Talbot Co, the DICKCISSEL pair just north of Trappe, on Landing
Neck Rd, appeared to be bringing food to a nest on June 30.
See Life Paulagics is running a trip out of Lewes, DE, on Saturday,
August 27. For more information, call them at 215-896-6405, or check
their web site at paulagics.com.
Some of this week's reports have been gleaned from the MDOSPREY and
VA-Bird list servers.
Finding Birds in the National Capital Area by Claudia Wilds is an
excellent source of directions to many birding sites. The ANS
Bookstore (301-652-3606 or
www.audubonnaturalist.org/cgi-bin/mesh/store) is an excellent source
for this and many other nature-related titles.
To report bird sightings, e-mail your report to
You may also report by calling
301-652-1088 and selecting menu option 2. Please post e-mail reports
before midnight Monday, identify the county as well as state, and
include your name and a Tuesday morning phone number.
Thank you for calling, and GOOD BIRDING.
* Of interest to the MD/DC Records Committee. For more information,
visit www.MDBirds.org/mddcrc/rcindex.html. |