-----Original Message-----
From: Steve Cordle [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
Sent: Tuesday, June 08, 2010 5:37 PM
To: 
Subject: DC Area, 6/8/10

Hotline:            Voice of the Naturalist 
Date:               6/8/2010
Coverage:           MD/DC/VA/DE 
Telephone:          301-652-1088 option 1 
Reports (voice):    301-652-1088 option 2 
        (email):     
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, June 8, at 1 PM. 

Top birds this week were a GREAT WHITE HERON in MD and a possible BULLOCK'S
ORIOLE in DC.
 
Other birds of interest include NORTHERN BOBWHITE, LEAST BITTERN, CATTLE
EGRET, GREEN HERON, BLACK- and YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS, MISSISSIPPI
KITE, KING and VIRGINIA RAILS, COMMON MOORHEN, shorebirds, GULL-BILLED and
other TERNS, BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO, warblers, HENSLOW'S SPARROW, BLUE
GROSBEAK, DICKCISSEL, BOBOLINK, and PINE SISKIN.
 
A GREAT WHITE HERON was observed June 4 at the wetlands at Ft McHenry,
Baltimore, before it flew off in the direction of Fells Point.

A possible BULLOCK'S ORIOLE was seen June 6 at Bolling AFB, Washington DC.
The bird was observed at close range--10 feet--perched on a branch
overhanging the bleachers at the running track; it showed a black eye line
and a prominent white wing patch. Anyone who has access to the base should
keep an eye out for such a bird.

On June 5, a NORTHERN BOBWHITE could be heard calling at Blandy Experimental
Farm, Clarke Co, VA. On June 6, BOBWHITES were calling at several areas of
southern Campbell Co, VA. 

On June 5, a LEAST BITTERN was found along the shoreline in Franklin Point
SP in southern Anne Arundel Co, MD. Two or three LEAST BITTERNS were flying
about the pond at Swan Harbor Farm, Harford Co, MD, on June 5. The pond also
hosted a calling KING RAIL. On June 3, a VIRGINIA RAIL flew across Rte 9 at
Taylor's Bridge in DE. 

Eight CATTLE EGRETS were found in Anne Arundel Co June 5, in a pond behind
the Lowe's at Quarterfield Crossing mall. On June 7, a CATTLE EGRET was seen
at the Navy Dairy Farm, Anne Arundel Co.

This week GREEN HERONS were observed nest-building at Brookside Garden in
Wheaton Regional Park, Montgomery Co--apparently a first for this area.

Near dusk on June 3, a YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON foraged on the lawn at
Woodend, the ANS headquarters in Chevy Chase, Montgomery Co, MD--its yellow
crown at times "flashing like a firefly." A BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON was
found June 7 at the Sunshine Valley wetland in Reston, Fairfax Co, VA. 
 
MISSISSIPPI KITES continue to appear. On June 1, the Ft Smallwood hawk
watch, Anne Arundel, tallied its fifth of the season. On June 5, a
MISSISSIPPI KITE flew over a yard in Anne Arundel Co, MD.

Two COMMON MOORHENS were seen June 3 at Bombay Hook NWR, DE; they were
across from the pullout at Shearness Pool.

On June 5, 2 BLACK-NECKED STILTS were found at Truitt's Landing, Worcester
Co, MD. On June 7, 2 BLACK-NECKED STILTS were found at Hart-Miller Island,
Baltimore Co, MD.

The hordes of RED KNOTS have departed Delaware Bay. By June 6, a mere 10
were noted at Cape Henlopen SP, DE.

On June 7, 4 WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS and 2 SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS were
reported from Blue Mash Nature Trail, Montgomery Co. On June 8 at least 1
WHITE-RUMPED remained.

An adult GULL-BILLED TERN was seen June 1 at Hart-Miller. On June 6, six
species of TERN, including GULL-BILLED and SANDWICH, enlivened Lynnhaven
Inlet, Virginia Beach. On June 1, 2 BLACK TERNS flew along the Potomac
between Violette's and Riley's Locks, Montgomery Co. On June 7, a BLACK TERN
was observed at Hart-Miller.

A BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO was found at Blue Mash June 6.

On June 6, the Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship, Loudoun Co,
VA, hosted a variety of WARBLERS, including BLUE-WINGED, CERULEAN, and
KENTUCKY. An orange variant of the YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT was seen at Blue
Mash June 6.

HENSLOW'S SPARROWS were singing June 1 along Old Legislative Rd, Allegany
Co, MD, and Pea Ridge Rd in Garrett Co, MD.

BLUE GROSBEAK was noted June 7 at Ft C F Smith Park, Arlington, VA, and June
8 at Blue Mash.

DICKCISSELS continue to sing out. In Augusta Co, VA, a DICKCISSEL was found
in the vicinity of Rte 75 on June 3 and again on June 6; on June
4 one was found in Fauquier Co, VA, along Grassdale Rd just off Sumerduck
Rd. In Frederick Co, MD, a pair of DICKCISSELS was reported June 4 in fields
along Sixes Bridge Road one-quarter mile east of South Keysville Rd.

On June 1, BOBOLINKS were found at Sands Road Park, Anne Arundel Co, and, in
Caroline Co, MD, at the northern end of White's Lane. On June 4, BOBOLINKS
were found in fields along Walnut Grove Rd, Carroll Co, MD.

On June 7, a juvenile PINE SISKIN visited a feeder in Blue Grass, Highland
Co, VA.

Some of this week's reports have been gleaned from the MDOsprey, VA-Bird,
and DE-Birds list servers. 

The Audubon Sanctuary Shop (301-652-3606,
http://www.audubonnaturalist.org/default.asp?page=511) is an excellent
source for guidebooks 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