Here is a listing of American Avocet records for Worcester County currently
in my data base (below). It does seems early for migrants, which have been
historically hard to find in Worcester despite the species' abundance just
to the north in Delaware. However, the Birds of Delaware (Hess et al.,
2000) states that the "first arrival is about 20 February to 5 March", and
includes a record of 5 at Bombay Hook on 18 Feb 1996. The only comparable
Worcester record is the one from 03/27/2003 below. So it would be within
the realm of possibilities.
As for the id, avocets are quite striking in flight, so it seems like you
should have seen some of the very flashy upper wing pattern, or at least
noticed the entirely blackish primaries from below. I tend to be
conservative and follow Roger Tory Peterson's old axiom, "if in doubt, leave
it out". Sage advice seemingly oft forgot these days. :)
Best,
Mark L Hoffman
Sykesville, MD
American Avocet Records for Worcester County, MD
AMAV 01/25/1980 1 OC/4THFLAT, "from some time in Dec. to 01/25/1980".
(Rowlett, R. A.) (MB 36:62) "first winter record for state".
AMAV 03/27/2003 6 ENEST/CG, "a bit early". (John, P.) (NAB 57:330)
AMAV 04/06/1980 1 OC, (Mult. Obs.) AB cites RFR, RAR et al. for records.
(MB 36:124 AB 34:763) Observed 04/06-05/19/1980 (AB), MB to 05/10.
AMAV 05/07/1964 1 WESTOC, (Mult. Obs.) (MB 20:87) "obs. in flight, second
spring record for MD".
AMAV 05/10/1980 1 OC, (Mult. Obs.) (MB 36:124) Observed 04/06-05/19/1980
(AB), MB to 05/10.
AMAV 05/16/1994 1 AI/MI, FN "AI". (MLH) (MB 51:116 FN 48:285 Unpub. Obs.)
AMAV 05/19/1980 1 AI/NE, (Armistead, H. T., Cutler, D. A.) AB cites RFR,
RAR et al. for records. (MB 36:124 AB 34:763) "Same bird as observed
4/6-5/10/1980?". AB assumes same bird.
AMAV 05/31/1970 1 ASSACORISL, (Hacker, C. W.) (AFN 24:587)
AMAV 07/08/1984 1 AI, f. in breeding plumange (Blom, E., Ringler, R. F.)
(MB 40:97 AB 38:1006) AB "rare MD record".
AMAV 08/04/1988 1 BIGBAY, (Brinker, D. F., Vekasy, M.) AB cites D.
Walbeck & MV. (MB 45:27 AB 43:83)
AMAV 08/16/1980 5 AI, (Hayes, B., Hayes, F.) (MB 37:31 AB 35:811) AB in
Addenda.
AMAV 08/18/1986 2 OC, (Swift, C. E.) (MB 43:19 AB 41:70)
AMAV 08/31/1994 1 WOCPOND, Reported 1-3 during period. (MLH, O'Brien, M.)
MB cites MLH, Jett, Brodericks+ for period. (MB 52:60 Unpub. Obs.) Photos.
Observed 08/31-11/13/1994.
AMAV 09/02/1994 1 WOCPOND, (MLH, Farrell, J., O'Brien, M.) (Unpub. Obs.)
1330:1530.
AMAV 09/04/1955 1 WESTOC, (Kleen, R. L., Lord, T.) AFN cites RLK, TL,
Hoovers for period. (CSR MB 12:27 AFN 10:13 Stewart and Robbins 1958) MB/AFN
"observed 09/04-07/1955". MB "handful of MD records".
AMAV 09/05/1994 1 WOCPOND, (MLH, Farrell, J.) (Unpub. Obs.)
AMAV 09/07/1955 1 WESTOC, CSR "West OC and AI". (Hoover, C. M., Hoover,
I. C.) AFN cites RLK, TL, Hoovers for period. CSR cites ICH. (CSR MB 12:27
AFN 10:13 AN 11:81 Stewart and Robbins 1958) MB/AFN "observed
09/04-07/1955".
AMAV 09/09/1977 1 JENKPOND, AB "near Berlin". (Rowlett, R. A.) (MB 34:57
AB 32:191)
AMAV 09/09/1994 1 WOCPOND, (MLH) (Unpub. Obs.) 1230:1400.
AMAV 09/11/1994 1 WOCPOND, (MLH) (Unpub. Obs.) 1400:1430.
AMAV 09/16/1994 1 WOCPOND, (MLH) (Unpub. Obs.) Photos (w/Kowa 1200 mm
adapter on scope). 1430:1500.
AMAV 09/18/1994 1 WOCPOND, (MLH, Czaplak, D., O'Brien, M., Todd, M. A.)
(Unpub. Obs.) Photos.
AMAV 09/27/1965 1 AI/NE, (Armistead, H. T., Russell, W. C.) (MB 21:114)
"w/daily obs. prob. find annually".
AMAV 10/02/1994 1 WOCPOND, (MLH, O'Brien, M.) (Unpub. Obs.) 1200:1230.
AMAV 10/03/1965 1 OC/7TH, C66 "Oct 1965". C66 "9th St. Flats". (Carlson,
C. W., et al.) (MB 22:9 Carlson 1966) Montgomery Chapter trip.
AMAV 10/09/1994 1 WOCPOND, (MLH, Farrell, J.) (Unpub. Obs.)
AMAV 10/10/1994 1 WOCPOND, (MLH, Farrell, J., O'Brien, M.) (Unpub. Obs.)
AMAV 10/11/1998 1 OC, (Ecker, D.) (MB 55:96)
AMAV 10/15/1994 1 WOCPOND, (MLH, Czaplak, D., O'Brien, M., Todd, M. A.)
(Unpub. Obs.)
AMAV 10/18/1994 1 WOCPOND, (MLH) (Unpub. Obs.)
AMAV 10/19/1977 1 WESTOC, (Slaughter, E.) (MB 34:57)
AMAV 10/23/1994 2 WOCPOND, (MLH) (Unpub. Obs.)
AMAV 10/27/1994 2 WOCPOND, (MLH) (Unpub. Obs.) 1515:1530.
AMAV 10/30/1994 2 WOCPOND, (MLH, Farrell, J.) (Unpub. Obs.) 0650:0730.
AMAV 11/06/1994 1 WOCPOND, (MLH) (Unpub. Obs.)
AMAV 11/12/1994 1 WOCPOND, (MLH, Farrell, J.) (Unpub. Obs.)
AMAV 11/13/1994 1 WOCPOND, MB "1-3 reported during period". (MLH,
Farrell, J.) MB cites MLH, GJ, Brodericks, + for period. (MB 52:60 Unpub.
Obs.) MB "observed 08/31-11/13/1994".
AMAV 11/19/1994 1 WOCPOND, (MLH, O'Brien, M.) (Unpub. Obs.) 1030:1100.
AMAV 11/26/1995 1 OC/SKIMMER, MB "OC". (Saunders, N.) (NAB MB 53:13)
AMAV 11/29/1985 1 WESTOC, AB "OC". (O'Brien, M.) (MB 42:50 AB 40:93) MB
Observed 11/29-12/01/1985.
AMAV 12/01/1985 1 WESTOC, (Yokel, B.) (MB 42:50) Observed
11/29-12/01/1985.
AMAV 12/28/1979 1 OCCBC, (OC CBC, Armistead, H. T., Perry, C., Sheppard,
J. M.) Julie Cristol & Jim Hecht also cited. (AB 34:445) SPNAME in bold,
"first MD winter record".
AMAV 12/29/2000 1 VAUGHWMA/C, NAB "late". (Chincoteague CBC, Hafner, M.,
Stasz, J. L.) Group totals, 1-2 parties. Not seen by D. Powell. (NAB 55:157
Unpub. Obs. (M. L. Hoffman files).) 0630:1230.
AMAV 12/??/1979 1 OC/4THFLAT, MB "from some time in Dec. to 01/25/1980".
(Rowlett, R. A.) (MB 36:62 AB 34:261) MB "first winter record for state". AB
implies on CBC.
-----Original Message-----
From: Maryland Birds & Birding [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Kurt Schwarz
Sent: Tuesday, February 27, 2007 6:44 PM
To:
Subject: [MDOSPREY] Avocets at O.C.?
I forgot to add, yesterday, around 11:00 a.m., while haunting Shantytown in
search of the murre, a flock of about a dozen long-legged shorebirds flew
over,
headed north, crossing rt. 50. The underside of the birds was white, with
no
discernable marks. Bills were dark. The legs extended well beyond the
tail. I
did not note leg color. The only thing I can figure that fits this
description is
American Avocet in basic/winter plumage. I did not notice if there were
black
wing tips. Is avocet likely there this time of year? Could it have been
something
else I just haven't thought of. They did appear largish, but I have no
ready frame
of reference. They flew over at about 30 feet.
Kurt Schwarz
HowCo
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