Hi Everyone,
I set out Friday evening to do a Maryland Big Day with Jim Brighton, Matt Hafner, and Marshall Iliff. The night treated us pretty well, but it seems the birding gods intended to keep us in Garrett all day. We started in Cumberland at midnight, but the recent cold front and light fog kept the nighthawks silent. (They were vocal and conspicuous on Saturday evening.) We kept an aggressive pace, locating many of our targets right on schedule. Highlights included calling NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL and UPLAND SANDPIPER at traditional locations. As expected at this time of year, HENSLOW'S and GRASSHOPPER SPARROWs were singing all night in appropriate habitat. Henslow's were present at all known locations that we visited over the weekend. Check the archives for the many locations previously posted for the species, or just find good habitat. Other nice night birds included Barred Owl, Eastern Screech-Owl, and a stakeout Spotted Sandpiper. We dipped on SORA and VIRGINIA RAIL at Finzel
because we weren't using tapes for this big day, but Jim Stasz and Hans Holbrook had them later.
Our fates changed in the pre-dawn twilight when Marshall's sedan bottomed out on a rocky road and the leaking translucent liquid was identified as fuel. We were forced to abort our mission. Jim Brighton and I met up with Hans and Stasz while Matt and Marshall tried not to explode on their way to Oakland.
We spent most of Saturday exploring remote areas for interesting fauna. Hans will post a full list of odes and butterflies to the VA-MD-DE bug listserve <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VA-MD-DE-Bugs/>. Here are some avian highlights. Date is 6/9/2007 except where noted.
Wood Ducks--flybys at Mt. Nebo
Hooded Merganser--flyby at Mt. Nebo
GREAT EGRET--very unexpected flyby at Mt. Nebo (Hans only)
Green Heron--flyby on Rte. 213
Osprey--Piney Reservoir
Northern Harrier--1 along Russell Road
MISSISSIPPI KITE--1 spotted by Hans and Stasz on the way home (6/10); sighted at mile marker 14 near Licking Creek in Washington Co. I technically saw the bird, but not well enough to count it as my first in state. Besides I want my state MIKI from my yard. (I live just south of Fort Smallwood.)
American Kestrel--1 harrying a Red-tail on Russell Road; also scouted in the Pleasant Valley area
Spotted Sandpiper--found during scouting and ticked at night in Oakland area
Black-billed Cuckoo--widespread
Red-headed Woodpecker--stakeout in Pleasant Valley
Alder Flycatcher--seem particular common and conspicuous this year; always pretty easy at Finzel
Willow and Least Flycatcher--around in appropriate habitat
WARBLING VIREO--2 south of intersection of Foxtown Road and Legger Road
Common Raven--Roth Rock, Mt. Nebo
Purple Martin--2 martin houses on Jasper Riley Road
Cliff Swallow--Rte. 219 bridge over Deep Creek
Brown Creeper--singing at Piney Reservoir
Veery and Hermit Thrush--so enjoyable to hear their singing so consistently
Northern Mockingbird--1 along Russell Road
Brown Thrasher--1-2 along Russell Road
Golden-winged Warbler--1 heard at Mt. Nebo (should be seen to rule out hybrids here)
PRAIRIE WARBLER--1 heard on Russell Road
Kentucky Warbler--1-2 near parking lot at Finzel
Canada Warbler--Carey Run, several other stops
Yellow-breasted Chat--2-3 along Russell Road
Vesper Sparrow--several singing along Russell Road
Purple Finch--1-2 singing males at Finzel
Some non-avian highlights: Striped Skunk (4:30 a.m. near Pleasant Valley), Red Squirrel (south of Finzel), Slimy Salamander, Ring-necked Snakes, Northern Leopard Frog, and some incredible odes and butterflies. See VA-MD-De Bugs listserve for Hans's report.
Here's part of the photo haul:
http://www.billhubick.com/new_set.html
Have a great week!
Bill
Bill Hubick
Pasadena, Maryland
http://www.billhubick.com |