Hi Monroe, et al.

Our regular east coast subspecies of Brant, the Atlantic (or 
"Light-bellied") Brant (B. bernicla hrota) is expected and is not 
reviewable; however, any other subspecies is reviewable. This includes:

The Pacific (or "Black") Brant (B. b. nigricans) - one accepted MD record.

The unlikely Puget Sound Mellville Island population of 
"Gray-bellied" Brant (B. b. [unnamed]).

The Eurasian subspecies, the Dark-bellied (B. b. bernicla) is a 
candidate to be found in North America, but has not yet been 
described here; however, the plumage differences are subtle.

And to complicate matters, intergrades apparently may occur.

The following will challenge you and tell you more than you (n)ever 
wanted to know ...

         http://www.oceanwanderers.com/IntrmBrantNY.html

Hope this helps!

Phil


At 10:46 02/20/2008, Monroe Harden wrote:
>When my wife and I were in Ocean City over New Years, we saw a 
>fairly large group of Brant land in the bay west of the inlet.  We 
>were near the pay fishing pier and Oceanic Motel looking west, with 
>Assateague to the left and Rte 50 to our right.  I did not realize 
>these birds were rare or reviewable, so I did not make a report.  I 
>do not think I got any photos, but I will check later on.
>
>-----Original Message-----
> >From: Jennifer Elmer <>
> >Sent: Feb 20, 2008 10:23 AM
> >To: 
> >Subject: [MDOSPREY] Black Brant and Palm Warblers
> >
> >The Black Brant ( All had a very noticeable dark belly and a  thick white
> >band on the neck. )   where seen near the Harlequin  Duck toward the bridge
> >looking from Shanty Town. I found the Palm  Warblers in the trees 
> near the portage
> >at South Point.
> > 
>

===================================================
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
===================================================