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Subject:

Long-time MD birders - RFI: Eastern Shore Ruddy Shelducks circa 1987 - 1992

From:

Phil Davis

Reply-To:

Phil Davis

Date:

Wed, 4 Apr 2007 20:40:48 -0400

MD Osprey:

Note that I addressed this to "long-time" birders and not "old-time" 
birders ... when asking for information, I know when to be PC ...

As many of you know, I am working on the historical database of MD/DC 
rarities. I recently was provided with some information on sightings 
of Ruddy Shelducks from the Ruthsburg, Queen Anne's County area of 
Maryland from December 1987 for as many as 3 or 4 years.

What really caught my attention is recent information (second-hand) 
from Jim Gruber that when these birds first showed up in Dec 1987, 
there may have been as many as 20-25 birds (!). Apparently over the 
next 3-4 years, the birds were seen mostly in late winter or early 
spring, not only in Queen Anne's County but also in Kent, Caroline, 
and Talbot Counties, and then by the end of the 3-4 year period there 
were no more sightings.

Here are the published references of this species on the Eastern 
Shore from Maryland Birdlife during this time frame:

         date - 03/04/1988 - five birds, Ruthsburg,  MB 44(3):91

         date - 02/19/1989 - one bird, Blackwater NWR, Dorchester Co, 
MB 45(2):69

         date - 03/16/1989 - two birds, Ruthsburg, MB 45(3):98

         date - 03/25-26/1989 - one at St. Michaels,  Talbot Co, MB 45(3):98

         date - 07/29/1990 - one bird, Courthouse Point, Cecil Co, MB 46(4):125


So, WITHOUT (please!) getting into the inevitable debate over captive 
vs. natural vagrants, what I am interested in learning about is any 
more information on sightings of these birds during this period. So, 
if anyone has any information or recollections on sightings of this 
species on the Eastern Shore during this period, please let me know. 
Any descriptions, field notes, dates-locations, and especially any 
photographs would be welcome.

Thanks in advance!

Phil


===================================================
Phil Davis, Secretary
MD/DC Records Committee
2549 Vale Court
Davidsonville, Maryland  21035     USA
301-261-0184
mailto:[log in to unmask]

MD/DCRC Web site:  http://www.MDBirds.org/mddcrc/rcindex.html
===================================================