-----Original Message-----
From: Steve Cordle [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2008 12:41 PM
To: 
Subject: DC Area, 10/28/08

Hotline:            Voice of the Naturalist 
Date:               10/28/2008 
Coverage:           MD/DC/VA/DE 
Telephone:          301-652-1088 option 1 
Reports (voice):    301-652-1088 option 2 
      (email):      
   (deadline):     midnight Mondays 
Compiler:           John Bjerke
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, October 28, at 8:00 a.m.

Top birds this week are BROWN BOOBY* in VA and COMMON REDPOLL in MD.

Other birds of interest include BAR-HEADED GOOSE and arriving waterfowl,
AMERICAN BITTERN, OSPREY, GOLDEN EAGLE, SELASPHORUS hummingbird, COMMON
RAVEN, SEDGE WREN, GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH, warblers, sparrows including
LINCOLN'S, SNOW BUNTING, DICKCISSEL, PURPLE FINCH and PINE SISKIN.

A BROWN BOOBY* continues at Claytor Lake State Park in Pulaski Co, VA.
It was seen on Oct 22, 24, and 26. The bird shows at various locations
including cross-water views from the park marina. In addition, a Selasphorus
species hummingbird believed to be either an immature female Rufous or
Allen's was reported from a feeder at the lake from Oct 23 through 26.

A male COMMON REDPOLL was seen on Oct 23 at Druid Ridge Cemetery,
Pikesville, Baltimore Co, MD.

Waterfowl are slowly returning to the area. Especially notable among the
usual species were rafts of RUDDY DUCKS. A BAR-HEADED GOOSE was seen on
Copperville Road, near Easton, Talbot Co, MD on Oct 23 and another was in
the Potomac River above Great Falls on Oct 26. The WHITE-CHEEKED PINTAIL*
being seen in a pond at the Huntfield subdivision south of Charles Town,
Jefferson Co, WV is now believed to be an escaped bird from a waterfowl
collection. The right hind toe or hallux has been trimmed which is common
among captive waterfowl. 

An AMERICAN BITTERN was a highlight at Occoquan Bay NWR, Prince William Co,
VA on Oct 27.

Raptors continue to migrate through our area. A few late departing OSPREY
were observed this past week; especially along the Potomac River.

A GOLDEN EAGLE flew over the Cape Henlopen Hawk Watch in Sussex Co, DE on
Oct 26. Another GOLDEN EAGLE was seen there on Oct 27.

A COMMON RAVEN was seen on upper Connecticut Av in Washington, DC on Oct 25.
Another RAVEN was spotted at the North Tract of the Patuxent Research
Refuge, Anne Arundel Co, MD on Oct 26.

A SEDGE WREN was found near the farm pond in Layhill Park, Montgomery Co, MD
on Oct 23.

Among the migrants in the Maintenance yard area of Rock Creek Park,
Washington, DC on Oct 22 were a GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH and two SWAINSON'S
THRUSHES. Also noted were more than 21 HERMIT THRUSHES and 9 WINTER WRENS. 

Warbler migration has slowed throughout the area except for large numbers of
incoming YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS. But Roosevelt Island, Washington, DC
produced BLACKPOLL, BLACK-THROATED GREEN, and YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER on Oct
24. 

A LINCOLN'S SPARROW  was in Cromwell Valley Park, Baltimore Co, MD on Oct
21. WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS were widely reported. A search for sparrows in DE
on Oct 26 produced 14 species; highlights include NELSON'S SHARP-TAILED,
SALTMARSH SHARP-TAILED and SEASIDE SPARROWS at Indian River Inlet, Sussex Co
and HARRIS'S and LINCOLN'S SPARROWS in Brandywine Creek SP, 3 miles north of
Wilmington.

A SNOW BUNTING was seen on the Broad Creek Memorial Scout Reservation,
Harford Co, MD on Oct 24 and another was found at Kiptopeke SP, Northampton
Co, VA on Oct 26. Six SNOW BUNTINGS were on Hart-Miller Island, Baltimore
Co, MD on Oct 27.

A female DICKCISSEL was spotted at Milltown Landing, Prince George's Co, MD
on Oct 24. 

Two PURPLE FINCHES were seen at Claude Moore Park, Sterling, Loudoun Co, VA
on Oct 24. 

PINE SISKIN reports were widespread this week. Nine birds were seen at the
Broad Creek Memorial Scout Reservation on Oct 24, up to 35 were in Druid
Ridge Cemetery, Baltimore Co, MD on Oct 22 and 23 and 2 were in
Davidsonville, Anne Arundel Co on Oct 21.

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.