Hi --

Quite a few years ago, during an outbreak of Gypsy Moths, B-B Cuckoos bred at Higbee Beach, New Jersey -- this as most know is secondary old field/scrub and some mature woods habitat similar to Blue Mash. And of course actually on the coastal plain. I recall seeing the two adults and two recently- fledged young that summer on a visit to Cape May. 

There is a Gypsy Moth outbreak in parts of Carroll, Howard and Mongomery counties and of course, lots of spring webworm about so perhaps these birds are attempting to breed.

I feel Tom is correct, everyone should try to reduce disturbance so probably that includes refraining from playing recorded calls.

Gail Mackiernan
Colseville, MD

-------------- Original message ----------------------
From: "Feild, Thomas C. (GSFC-599.0)" <>
> I was at Blue Mash last Friday.  I missed the Black-billed Cuckoo, but I
> ran into a couple who said they had seen 2 at day break.  Most
> interesting was that they said that one (presumably a male) was on top
> of the other (presumably a female) and that the female was holding the
> male's bill in her own.  If this wasn't copulation it was at least some
> serious bonding, so I wonder if there is a possibility that they are
> thinking of breeding in the area.  I know that there are records for
> most/all of the piedmont counties.  I don't know if Cuckoos regularly
> engage in behavior like this away from the breeding ground.  How likely
> is this?
> 
> If it is a possibility then we will want to be particularly careful not
> to disturb the birds.  
> 
> Tom 
> Laurel, Maryland
> 
> Tom Feild/599
> GOES N-P Mission Systems Engineer
> 301.286.6686
>