-----Original Message-----
From: Steve Cordle [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Tuesday, November 23, 2010 9:33 PM
To:
Subject: DC Area, 11/23/10
Hotline: Voice of the Naturalist
Date: 11/23/2010
Coverage: MD/DC/VA/DE/WV panhandle
Telephone: 301-652-1088 option 1
Reports (voice): 301-652-1088 option 2
(email):
Compiler: Helen Patton
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, November 23, at
9:30 AM.
Top birds this week are WESTERN/CLARK'S GREBE* in VA and NORTHERN
SHRIKE in MD.
Other birds of interest include waterfowl, BROWN PELICAN, GOLDEN
EAGLE, COMMON MOORHEN, SANDHILL CRANE, sandpipers, ASH-THROATED
FLYCATCHER, WESTERN KINGBIRD, Selasphorus hummingbird, CAVE SWALLOW,
BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE, SWAINSON'S THRUSH, warblers, sparrows, RUSTY
BLACKBIRD, BREWER'S BLACKBIRD finches.
A WESTERN/CLARK'S GREBE* was seen at Claytor Lake, Pulaski Co, VA on
November 18.
The adult NORTHERN SHRIKE seen throughout last week at the Irvine
Nature Center, Baltimore Co, MD was seen again on November 16. Another
NORTHERN SHRIKE was seen on Russell Road, Garrett Co, MD on November
20.
There were increased sightings of waterfowl with reports during the
week. Highlights included a ROSS' SNOW GOOSE in with about 1000 SNOW
GEESE at Tom's Cove at Chincoteague NWR, Accomack Co, VA on November
21. Two EURASIAN WIDGEONS were located off Mason Neck SP, Fairfax Co,
VA, seen during the week. A drake COMMON GOLDENEYE joined the
Widgeons at Mason Neck on November 20. A trip to the CBBT,
Northampton Co, VA on November 18 produced sightings of COMMON EIDER
and HARLEQUIN DUCK among others. A smattering of waterfowl was in DC
on November 20 including a GADWALL at Constitution Gardens, a TUNDRA
SWAN at Hains Point, a HOODED MERGANSER at Anacostia Park and a
NORTHERN PINTAIL at the National Zoo. Among the nine duck species
seen at Herrington Harbor, Anne Arundel Co, MD on November 20 were
BLACK SCOTER, WHITE-WINGED SCOTER, LONG-TAILED DUCK and COMMON
GOLDENEYE. REDHEADS and COMMON GOLDENEYE were noted at Wharf Road and
Mockley Point on Piscataway Creek in Southern Prince George's Co, MD
on November 20. Fairly large duck flocks were sighted at Point Lookout
SP, St. Mary's Co, MD on November 20 including 442 BLACK SCOTERS, 312
LONG-TAILED DUCKS and 1225 BUFFLEHEAD.
A squadron of three BROWN PELICANS was spotted from the Solomons
Bridge flying from Calvert Co to St. Mary's Co, MD on November 16. Six
BROWN PELICANS were on the wing at North Beach, Calvert Co, MD on
November 21.
A GOLDEN EAGLE was spotted at Paper Mill Flats, Baltimore Co, MD on
November 19. Another GOLDEN EAGLE was noted on Mountain Road, Russell
Co, VA on the same day.
A juvenile COMMON MOORHEN was seen at Hughes Hollow, Montgomery Co, MD
on November 20.
SANDHILL CRANES were reported in all three Delaware counties this
week. One continues to be seen in Newark at Dixie Line Road off Old
Baltimore Pike. Three more SANDHILL CRANES continue to be seen
feeding along the Broadkill Beach Road near Prime Hook NWR. Another
SANDHILL CRANE was seen along Whitehall Neck Road going into Bombay
Hook NWR. A single SANDHILL CRANE was reported just north of Fairview
Vista Drive, Prince George's Co, MD.
Four MARBLED GODWITS and 15 WESTERN WILLETS were noted at Castaways,
Worcester Co, MD on November 19. A PURPLE SANDPIPER was seen along
the seawall at Ft. McHenry, Baltimore Co, MD on November 22.
An ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER was briefly seen at Kiptopeke SP,
Northampton Cp, VA on November 17. A WESTERN KINGBIRD was spotted at
Point Lookout SP, St. Mary's Co, MD on November 20.
A Selasphorus hummingbird is coming regularly to a feeder in the
Calvert Hills area of College Park, Prince George's Co, MD and can be
viewed from the back patio of 4602 Drexel Road. You are welcome to
use the chairs, but please stay on the patio.
Good numbers of CAVE SWALLOWS showed up at Cape Henlopen SP, DE on
November 20. Another CAVE SWALLOW was seen at Point Lookout SP, St.
Mary's Co, MD, also on November 20.
BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES continue to be reported in small numbers away
from their usual haunts. Sites in the metro area included Lock Raven
Reservoir, Baltimore Co; Annapolis Rock Road, Howard Co, MD; and Blue
Mash Nature Trail, Montgomery Co, MD.
A late SWAINSON'S THRUSH, attracted to pokeberries, made an appearance
in a yard in Ferndale, Anne Arundel Co, MD on November 18.
An ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was seen in the picnic area of Point Lookout
SP, St. Mary's Co, MD on November 20. Another ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER
was at Terrapin Park, Queen Anne's Co, MD, seen on November 21. A
late YELLOW WARBLER was seen at the Sailwinds Visitor Center in
Cambridge, Dorchester Co, MD on November 21.
An AMERICAN TREE SPARROW was spotted at Cromwell Valley Park,
Baltimore Co, MD on November 18. Several FOX and AMERICAN TREE
SPARROWS were seen on Old Legislative Road, Allegany Co, MD on
November 20. Another AMERICAN TREE SPARROW was seen at Finzel Swamp,
Garrett Co, MD on November 22. A SNOW BUNTING was seen on Sparks Road,
about 100 yards from Stevenson Road, Caroline Co, MD on November 22.
RUSTY BLACKBIRDS were reported across the region. A high count of 30
RUSTY BLACKBIRDS were observed at the Jug Bay Wetlands Center, Anne
Arundel Co, MD on November 18. Six RUSTY BLACKBIRDS visited a lawn in
Queenstown, Queen Anne's Co, MD on November 20. The annual RUSTY
BLACKBIRD BLITZ will take place Jan 29 through Feb 13, 2011. The idea
is to assess distribution and local concentrations of this steeply
declining species. A BREWER'S BLACKBIRD was seen feeding on the
water's edge at the Lock Raven Skeet & Trap Club, Baltimore Co, MD on
November 17.
PURPLE FINCHES and PINE SISKINS were reported throughout the region.
Most of this week's reports have been gleaned from the MDOsprey,
VA-Bird, West Virginia Birding List, 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. 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 |