-----Original Message-----
From: Steve Cordle [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Tuesday, September 07, 2010 7:32 PM
To:
Subject: DC Area, 9/7/10
Hotline: Voice of the Naturalist
Date: 9/7/2010
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, September 7, at
2 PM.
Top birds this week are WHITE-CHEEKED PINTAIL* and GARGANY* in VA and
RED-NECKED PHALAROPE* and SOOTY TERN* in MD.
Other birds of interest include BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCK, WHITE
IBIS, raptors, SORA, shorebirds including AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER and
WHIMBREL, gulls, PARASITIC JAEGER, terns, OLIVE-SIDED and
YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHERS, PHILADELPHIA and other VIREOS, COMMON
RAVEN, RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, SEDGE WREN, RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET,
warblers, and LARK SPARROW.
Chincoteague NWR, Accomack Co, VA, produced reports of two amazing
ducks--a WHITE-CHEEKED PINTAIL* on Sept 4 and a GARGANY* on Sept 6.
These birds were among some 1,500 ducks at Snow Goose pool.
A RED-NECKED PHALAROPE* found Sept 6 at Perryman Park represents a
first record for Harford Co, MD.
Three SOOTY TERNS* were detected off the Ocean City Inlet, Worcester
Co, MD, during a Sept 3 sea watch in the wake of Tropical Storm Earl.
The watch also yielded 2 WHIMBRELS and at least 5 PARASITIC JAEGERS.
Five BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCKS were well described by a
kayaker on the Potomac near Old Angler's Inn, Montgomery Co, MD, on
Sept 2.
An immature WHITE IBIS was observed Sept 1 at Kenilworth Aquatic
Gardens, NE DC, on Sept 1.
Migrating BROAD-WINGED HAWKS enlivened several area hawk watches.
A PEREGRINE FALCON was seen in Bailey's Crossroads, Fairfax Co, VA on
Sept 2. On Sept 3 a PEREGRINE FALCON was found in Cecil Co, MD,
perched on the northeast side of the C&D Canal bridge on Rte 213.
Three SORAS were the highlight of the weekly walk at Huntley Meadows
Park, Fairfax Co, on Sept 3.
Reports of AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER came from several locations,
including Youghiogheny Lake, Garrett Co, MD, Sept 1. On Sept 4 fields
near Milford, DE, held 2 AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS and at least 4
BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS; one such field lies near the intersection of
Canterbury Rd (SR 15) and Cricket Hollow Rd (CR 400). An AMERICAN
GOLDEN-PLOVER and 2 juvenile BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS were among 7
species of shorebird in Cape Charles, Northampton Co, VA, Sept 6; the
birds were feeding in a field near the intersection of Arlington Rd
and Sherwood Gate, just north of Cheapside. Three BUFF-BREASTED
SANDPIPERS were at the Central Sod Farm on John Brown Rd, Queen Anne's
Co, MD, on Sept 5.
A PIPING PLOVER put in a first-ever appearance at the hawk watch (!)
at Cape Henlopen SP, DE, on Sept 4.
An AMERICAN AVOCET was a prized find Sept 5 at the mouth of Hunting
Creek, Fairfax Co; it was observed from the Stone Bridge on the GW
Parkway.
An UPLAND SANDPIPER was seen Sept 3 from Sandy Point SP, Anne Arundel,
as it flew across the Bay.
A WHIMBREL was discovered Sept 4 and seen again Sept 6 at Staunton
View Park, Mecklenburg Co, VA.
A LITTLE GULL was in a flock of LAUGHING GULLS that flew over
Schoolhouse Pond, Upper Marlboro, Prince George's Co, MD, on Sept 3.
On Sept 3, SANDWICH TERNS and BLACK TERNS were seen from Ocean City
Inlet, MD, and from Indian River Inlet, DE. As many as 6 BLACK TERNS
were observed over the Potomac from Violette's Lock, Montgomery Co, on
Sept 2 and 4.
OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER reports came from Governor Bridge NA, Prince
George's Co, Sept 2; Paper Mill Flats, Baltimore Co, Sept 5; and
Leesylvania SP, Prince William Co, VA, Sept 5.
YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHERS were seen at Governor Bridge NA Sept 1;
Adkins Arboretum, Caroline Co, MD, Sept 2; Hughes Hollow, Montgomery
Co, MD, Sept 4; Middle Patuxent Environmental Area, Howard Co, MD,
Sept 5; Cromwell Valley Park, Sept 5; Cylburn Arboretum, Baltimore Co,
Sept 5; and Leesylvania SP Sept 6.
PHILADELPHIA VIREOS were seen at several of these same locations,
including Adkins Arboretum, Cromwell Valley, and Middle Patuxent.
WARBLING VIREOS were found Sept 6 at both Alpha Ridge Park, Howard Co,
and Little Bennett RP, Montgomery Co.
A COMMON RAVEN flew over the C&O Canal just south of Old Angler's Inn,
Montgomery Co, on Sept 6. That same day a RAVEN flew over Little
Bennett RP.
RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES showed up at Little Bennett Sept 3 and 5; at
Adkins Arboretum Sept 3 and 5; at a yard in Talbot Co, MD, Sept 5; and
at numerous locations in DE.
A SEDGE WREN was singing at Back Bay NWR, Virginia Beach, VA, on Aug
31.
Early RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS were noted at Governor Bridge Sept 2 and
at Little Bennet Sept 6.
Warbler species hit double digits at numerous area locations.
Highlights included GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER at Middle Patuxent EA Sept 1
and Governor Bridge NA Sept 2; MOURNING WARBLER at Leesylvania SP Sept
5; and CONNECTICUT WARBLER at Governor Bridge Sept 1 and at Middle
Patuxent Sept 5. On Sept 5, WILSON'S WARBLERS showed up at Wheaton RP,
Montgomery Co; Little Bennett RP; and a yard in North Laurel, Prince
George's Co.
Finally, two reports of LARK SPARROW. On Sept 1, the hawk watch at
Cape Henlopen, DE, launched its season not with a hawk but with a LARK
SPARROW. On Sept 4 a LARK SPARROW was discovered at Assateague Island
NS, Worcester Co; it was at the Bayside Campground's B loop.
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 |