Hotline: Voice of the Naturalist
Date: 11/13/2007
Coverage: MD/DC/VA/DE
Telephone: 301-652-1088 option 1
Reports (voice): 301-652-1088 option 2
(email):
(deadline): midnight Mondays
Compiler: Helen Patton
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 $40; Family $50; Nature Steward $75; Audubon
Advocate $150). 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 report was completed Tuesday, November 13,
at 12:45 p.m.
Top birds this week are WHITE-FACED IBIS* and SWAINSON’S HAWK* in
VA, EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE* in MD, and CAVE SWALLOWS* in MD and VA.
Other birds of interest include geese, ducks, RED-THROATED LOON,
NORTHERN GOSHAWK, ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, GOLDEN EAGLE, falcons, AMERICAN
GOLDEN-PLOVER, MARBLED GODWIT, AMERICAN AVOCET, SHORT-EARED OWL,
OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER, WESTERN KINGBIRD, LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE,
sparrows, SNOW BUNTING, BREWER’S BLACKBIRD, finches, and EVENING
GROSBEAK.
A WHITE-FACED IBIS* was spotted at Ramp Pond at the Eastern Shore of
VA NWR, Northampton Co, VA on November 10 and 11.
A SWAINSON’S HAWK* was found sitting on the ground in a field along
Seaside Road (Rte 600), Northampton Co, on November 11.
A high count of four EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVES*, seen at South Point,
was one of the highlights of the Worcester Co, MD rarities roundup
on November 10 and 11.
CAVE SWALLOWS* were present between Kiptopeke SP and the Eastern
Shore of VA NWR, with a high count of six on November 10. More CAVE
SWALLOWS* were spotted at Rum Pointe Seaside Golf Links and near the
bridge to Assateague Island, Worcester Co, on November 11.
A CACKLING GOOSE was found at Schoolhouse Pond, Prince George’s Co,
MD on November 9. A RICHARDSON’S CACKLING GOOSE was at Chesapeake
Farms, Kent Co, MD on November 9. Great Oak Landing pond , Kent Co,
hosted ROSS’S GOOSE, CACKLING GOOSE, and BRANT over the weekend.
Two CANVASBACK and a drake REDHEAD were spotted at Piscataway Park,
Prince George’s Co, on November 8. A flock of 50 SURF SCOTERS, six
BLACK SCOTERS, and five LONG-TAILED DUCKS were seen at Eastern Neck
NWR, Kent Co, on November 8. Two BLACK SCOTERS were on the Potomac
River, seen from Violette’s Lock, Montgomery Co, MD on November 9.
Three WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS and six LONG-TAILED DUCKS were noted at
Fort Smallwood Park, Anne Arundel Co, MD on November 12.
A RED-THROATED LOON was in the Potomac River, seen from Piscataway
Park on November 8.
A NORTHERN GOSHAWK flew over Snicker’s Gap, VA on November 10. A
ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was reported from the Turkey Point Hawk Watch,
Cecil Co, MD on November 7. An immature GOLDEN EAGLE was seen flying
over Bombay Hook NWR, DE on November 8.
A MERLIN was spotted along Jennings Chapel Road in western Howard
Co, MD on November 12. A PEREGRINE FALCON was soaring in a thermal
southeast of Chestertown, Kent Co, on November 10. Three MERLINS and
a PEREGRINE FALCON were among the raptors spotted at Hains Point, SW
DC on November 12.
An AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER was moving about with KILLDEER in a large
field on the south side of Rte 642 (Seaview Road), Northampton Co,
on November 10.
Six MARBLED GODWITS were in Raymond Pool, Bombay Hook NWR, on
November 8. Another MARBLED GODWIT was noted at the Eagle’s Nest
Campground, Worcester Co, on November 10.
An AMERICAN AVOCET was seen on Ocean City’s Skimmer Island,
Worcester Co, on November 10.
A SHORT-EARED OWL was seen at the Fort McHenry NM, Baltimore Co, MD
on November 7. Another SHORT-EARED OWL was spotted at Rumbly Point,
Somerset Co, MD on November 8. The count increased to two on
November 9. Another SHORT-EARED OWL was perched near Rectortown,
Fauquier Co, VA on November 10.
A late OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER was reported from the Turkey Point
Hawk Watch on November 7.
Birders visiting the Eastern Shore of VA NWR on November 10 were
rewarded with other sightings from nearby roads, including a WESTERN
KINGBIRD, AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER and both NELSON’S and SALTMARSH
SHARP-TAILED SPARROWS.
A LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE continues to be seen at Sky Meadows SP, Fauquier
Co, generally near the fishing pond.
An AMERICAN TREE SPARROW was reported from Finzel Swamp, Garrett Co,
MD on November 9. A VESPER SPARROW was spotted near Cape Charles, VA
on November 8. FOX SPARROWS were noted at several locations during
the week including Layhill Park, Montgomery Co, on November 8;
Banshee Reeks, Loudoun Co, VA on November 10; and Violette’s Lock on
November 11. A walk in eastern Henrico Co, VA, produced 11 sparrow
species, including FOX, LINCOLN’S, and CLAY-COLORED on November 10.
Three SNOW BUNTINGS were spotted near Williamsport, Washington Co,
MD on November 10.
A BREWER’S BLACKBIRD visited a yard in the Jug Bay area, Prince
George’s Co, on November 9.
There was an explosion of winter finches reported throughout the
region, with numerous reports of PURPLE FINCHES and PINE SISKINS
from virtually every corner of the area.
An EVENING GROSBEAK flew over Cumberland, Allegany Co, MD on
November 6. Another flyover EVENING GROSBEAK was seen in Frostburg,
Allegany Co, on November 12.
Some of this week's reports have been gleaned from the MDOsprey,
Delaware Bird, and VA-Bird list servers.
Finding Birds in the National Capital Area by Claudia Wilds is an
excellent source for 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
or call 301-652-1088 and select menu
option 2. Please post reports before midnight Monday, identify the
county as well as state, and include your name and a Tuesday morning
contact, either e-mail or phone.
Thank you for calling, and GOOD BIRDING.
*Of interest to the records committee. |