This is quite disturbing to
me too because I usually go to HH by myself.? I usually feel pretty
safe because I stay on the dyke and keep an eye on whoever shows up;
more than 9 times out of 10 the only people I see there are other
birders.? I was at
Hughes Hollow during the week after the 4th of July and found evidence
that a LOT of fireworks had been shot off on the dyke, near the
billboard, I think.? I wonder if it was the same kids - they may think
they have found a wonderfully secluded spot for their mischief.?
Nothing will dampen their enthusiasm faster than seeing the DNR police
there on a regular basis.? Of course it also means they'll probably
just move on to some other spot.?Anyway, I'm going to take note of the phone numbers, thanks very much for providing them!

Sarah B. Anderson
Cabin John, MD
www.sarahanderson.net
  
 


 

-----Original Message-----
From: David Powell <>
To: 
Sent: Wed, Aug 12, 2009 12:26 pm
Subject: Re: [MDOSPREY] Hughes Hollow-few birds & a brief vent










To All,

On Maryland public lands (State Parks, Forests and WMA's),
the Maryland Natural Resources Police is the lead agency.
Call 1-800-635-6124 or 410-260-8888 to report details of
what has occurred or is ongoing. 

BTW, I have already forwarded Paul's information to NRP.

Regards,

Dave Powell
Germantown, MD


On Wed, 12 Aug 2009 12:09:57 -0400
 Michael Bowen <> wrote:
> Paul's description of trouble makers at Hughes Hollow is
> disturbing.  I noticed damage (vandalism?) to the notice
> board the last time I was there but had not seen any
> rogue shooters.
> 
> Does the Maryland DNR have a telephone number that could
> be called if birders notice any irresponsible or illegal
> activity in this WMA?  Presumably the DNR Natural
> Resources Police has policing jurisdiction at Hughes
> Hollow.  But I don't believe I've ever seen one of their
> vehicles here -- if so, it was a long while ago. Where is
> the nearest NRP police barracks, I wonder?
> 
> Mike Bowen
> Montgomery Bird Club, MOS
> 
> 
> At 11:15 AM 8/12/2009 -0400, Paul Woodward wrote:
> >10 August
> >     You would think that during the week in summer and
> on the hottest day
> >of the year you could bird at Hughes Hollow in peace and
> quiet, but that
> >wasn't the case today as I started the day in an
> unpleasant fashion.
> >As soon as I pulled into the parking lot I saw a car
> there that had trouble
> >makers on July 3- two kids with guns walking into the
> fields. I wasn't in a
> >position then to track them down, but today is was no
> problem since they
> >were on the dike firing their guns. Quickly caught up
> with them and saw
> >they had a high power rifle (illegal here). Ask them
> what they were doing.
> >Said they were shooting geese. Explained to them that
> that wasn't legal
> >either and told them to leave, which they did. This was
> the third time in
> >my last ten trips in the last month I have had
> unpleasant experiences here
> >and makes me wonder if it even worth birding here
> anymore.
> >      After following the shooters back to their car as
> they were mumbling
> >under their breath, I drove off to the middle parking
> lot and walked through
> >the fields to the towpath then west to the hiker-biker
> and then back through
> >the fields again. This is the time of year that there
> are more insects
> >calling than birds and also when the sunflower food
> plots start attracting
> >goldfinch and doves. The only plot I checked had 28 AM.
> GOLDFINCH and no
> >doves. The river was almost birdless and there was no
> sign of stargrass
> >mats.
> >   Returned to the impoundments which were quiet also
> although I did see 2
> >GREAT EGRETS , 5 WOOD DUCKS, 4 E. PHOEBES, and a family
> of E. BLUEBIRDS.
> >Heard a trilling song briefly which may have been a Pine
> Warbler. I found
> >no evidence that the shooters had killed any birds.
> >      At one time Rough-winged Swallows were common on
> the wires along
> >River Rd, but recently they have become very uncommon.
> Coming in I had one,
> >two hours later there were 8 and when I left there were
> all of 10.
> >
> >Paul Woodward
> >Fairfax City, VA
> >
> 
> D.H. Michael Bowen
> 8609 Ewing Drive
> Bethesda, MD  20817
> Telephone: (301) 530-5764
> e-mail:  dhmbowenATyahooDOTcom
> 
> -- I use GoodSearch to benefit the American Birding
> Association --
> http://www.goodsearch.com/