-----Original Message-----
From: Steve Cordle [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Tuesday, September 02, 2008 6:25 PM
To:
Subject: DC Area, 9/2/08
Hotline: Voice of the Naturalist
Date: 9/02/2008
Coverage: MD/DC/VA/DE
Telephone: 301-652-1088 option 1
Reports (voice): 301-652-1088 option 2
(email):
(deadline): midnight Mondays
Compiler: Lydia Schindler
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, September 2, at
2 p.m.
Top bird this week is WESTERN MEADOWLARK* in MD.
Other birds of interest include WHITE-WINGED SCOTER, COMMON LOON,
herons and night-herons, GLOSSY and WHITE IBIS, MISSISSIPPI KITE,
shorebirds, BLACK-HEADED GULL, SANDWICH and BLACK TERNS, CHIMNEY
SWIFT, flycatchers including OLIVE-SIDED, YELLOW-BELLIED, and LEAST,
warblers, BOBOLINK, and YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD.
A WESTERN MEADOWLARK--only once before recorded in MD--was observed,
heard, and photographed Aug 31 in Dorchester Co, south of Hurlock. It
was with other meadowlarks in the southernmost field of a turf farm on
the west side of Rte 381, just north of Rte 14. It could not be
relocated the following day.
Triadelphia Reservoir, Howard Co, MD, hosted a WHITE-WINGED SCOTER on
Aug 30 and a COMMON LOON on Aug 28.
An immature LITTLE BLUE HERON was discovered Aug 29 along Lake
Needwood Rd, Montgomery Co, MD. Ten LITTLE BLUE HERONS were tallied at
Huntley Meadows Park, Fairfax Co, VA, on Aug 30--along with numerous
other herons and egrets.
Two TRICOLORED HERONS were present Aug 29 at Crewe's Channel, Henrico
Co, VA.
Two BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS were reported from Cameron Run,
Alexandria, VA, on Sept 1. A BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON was found along
the banks of Weems Creek, Annapolis, MD, on Aug 29, and one was found
at Schoolhouse Pond, Upper Marlboro, Prince George's Co, MD, Aug 27.
Two adult YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS were seen at a pond at the
Grosvenor Park apartments in Rockville, Montgomery Co, on Aug 30.
Two GLOSSY IBISES were again seen at Piney Run Park, Carroll Co, MD on
Aug 27; the birds were best observed from White Rock Rd. A GLOSSY IBIS
was seen Aug 30 at Leesylvania SP, Prince William Co, VA.
An immature WHITE IBIS found last week at Hughes Hollow, Montgomery
Co, was seen again throughout the week, with the most recent report
from Aug 31. An adult and an immature WHITE IBIS were found Aug 31 at
Prime Hook NWR, DE.
MISSISSIPPI KITES were again floating over Northern Virginia, with
reports of one adult and one juvenile from West Springfield on Aug 30;
4 kites at the Kings Park subdivision of Fairfax Co on Aug 30; and 3
there on Aug 31.
Shorebird migration accelerated. RED-NECKED PHALAROPES put on a good
show, appearing at both ends of MD and also in VA. On Aug 27 and 28, a
juvenile RED-NECKED PHALAROPE showed up at North Branch, Allegany Co,
MD; Aug 28-30, a RED-NECKED PHALAROPE visited the marsh at North
Beach, Calvert Co, MD, as did an AMERICAN AVOCET; and Aug 29, a
RED-NECKED PHALAROPE was discovered at Trout Run WWTP, Garrett Co, MD.
In VA, on Aug 31 a RED-NECKED PHALAROPE was one of 18 species of
shorebird at Craney Island, a dredge facility in Portsmouth; others
included a HUDSONIAN GODWIT and 8 WILSON'S PHALAROPES.
An AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER was again found Aug 29 west of Salisbury,
Wicomico Co, MD, at a turf farm next to Wright's Market on Rte 50.
Four UPLAND SANDPIPERS paid a brief visit to the Polo Grounds on
Hughes Rd in western Montgomery Co on Aug 26. Two UPLAND SANDPIPERS
were found at the Hagerstown Airport, Washington Co, MD, Aug 31.
GODWITS--1 HUDSONIAN and 3 MARBLED--were found at DE's Thousand-Acre
Marsh (along Rte 9 below Delaware City) on Aug 28 and 29 but not Sept
1.
Two MARBLED GODWITS and a BLACK SKIMMER graced Skimmer Island, Ocean
City, Worcester Co, MD, on Aug 31.
Three BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS were found Aug 31 near Wayside, Charles
Co, MD; they were at a turf farm on the north side of Morgantown Rd
(with best viewing at the end of the road, from Beach Haven Rd); one
was found there Sept 1. One BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER was seen at the
North Beach Marsh Aug 29, and one was seen at North Branch that same
day. On Aug 31, 2 BAIRD'S SANDPIPERS visited North Branch. In
Worcester Co, the West Ocean City horse track hosted a BUFF-BREASTED
SANDPIPER and 3 UPLAND SANDPIPERS Aug 31 and a BAIRD'S SANDPIPER was
discovered at Assateague Island's Bayside campground.
A RUDDY TURNSTONE made a surprise appearance in Anne Arundel Co, MD,
on Aug 28, when one showed up at Fort Smallwood Park. Four RUDDY
TURNSTONES, and a STILT SANDPIPER, were found at North Branch Aug 28.
The BLACK-HEADED GULL in non-breeding plumage continues to visit
Trueman Point, Prince George's Co; however, the most recent
sightings--on Aug 31 and Sept 1--have been limited to the late
afternoon. The bird frequents pilings on the north side of Eagle
Harbor, south of Cedar River Park, on the Patuxent River. Birders
should note that Trueman Point is private property; searches for the
bird should be by scope from public land such as Trueman Point Road.
Nine SANDWICH TERNS were seen on Skimmer Island Aug 29, while 2 BLACK
TERNS were found at the West Ocean City pond. As many as 12 BLACK
TERNS were noted at Prime Hook Aug 31.
CHIMNEY SWIFTS can be seen most nights descending into the chimney at
Luther Jackson Middle School, Fairfax Co; the most recent report is
from Aug 30.
Flycatchers were on the move this week. OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHERS were
sighted Aug 30 along Cockpit Rd, Prince William Co (along with a
PHILADELPHIA VIREO and 11 warbler species); Milford Mill Park,
Randallstown, Baltimore Co, Aug 31 (plus 15 warbler species); Sept 1
at Finzel Swamp, Garrett Co; and Sept 2 at Hughes Hollow, Montgomery
Co.
Reports of YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER came from Milford Mill Park Aug
27; North Branch Aug 29; Leesylvania SP Aug 30; Cylburn Arboretum,
Baltimore, Aug 31; the airport in Salisbury, Wicomico Co, Aug 31; and
Riley's Lock, Montgomery Co, Sept 2.
A LEAST FLYCATCHER was seen at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, NE DC, Aug
30 (along with 9 BOBOLINKS); at Leesylvania Aug 30; and at Hashawa
Environmental Center, Carroll Co, Aug 31. Six LEAST FLYCTCHERS were
reported from Cromwell Valley Park, Baltimore Co, Aug 31.
PHILADELPHIA VIREOS were observed at Elk Neck SP, Cecil Co, MD, Aug
31, and at the Middle Patuxent Environmental Area, Howard Co, Sept 1.
Warbler migration has picked up, with double-digits reported from some
of the usual hotspots, including Rock Creek Park, NW DC. A BREWSTER'S
WARBLER was reported from Little Bennett RP, Montgomery Co, Aug 30 and
31. A CONNECTICUT WARBLER was reported Aug 26 from the Daniel's Run
section of Patapsco Valley SP, Howard Co. MOURNING WARBLER was noted
Aug 27 at Americana Park, Fairfax Co, and Aug 29 at Hains Point, SW
DC.
A YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD was spotted in a large blackbird flock at
the Berlin WWTP, Worcester Co, on Aug 29.
Some of this week's reports have been gleaned from the MDOsprey,
VA-Bird, and DE-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. |