Apr 12, 2011 02:04:35 PM,  wrote:

Hotline: Voice of the Naturalist 
Date: 4/12/2011
Coverage: MD/DC/VA/DE/WV panhandle
Telephone: 301-652-1088 option 1 
Reports (voice): 301-652-1088 option 2 
(email):  
Compiler: Bob Hartman
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, April 12, at
about noon.

Top birds this week are WILD TURKEY in DC and VA, GOLDEN EAGLE in DE,
THAYER'S GULL in MD, ALLEN'S HUMMINGBIRD (still) in VA, and CASPIAN
and FORSTER'S TERNS in WV.

Other birds of interest include RED-NECKED GREBE, DOUBLE-CRESTED
CORMORANT, GLOSSY IBIS, BROAD-WINGED HAWK, SANDHILL CRANE, WHIMBREL,
warblers, EASTERN x SPOTTED TOWHEE hybrid, AND ORCHARD ORIOLE.

WILD TURKEYs are fairly common through most of the reporting area, but
the two seen in and near DC on April 6 were rather surprising: one at
Reagan National Airport (Arlington VA), the other in Rock Creek Pk, NW
DC. The GOLDEN EAGLE seen at the Cape Henlopen DE hawk watch on April
6 was the first seen there in several years. Also on April 6, a
THAYER'S GULL was recognized at the Salisbury landfill in Wicomico Co
MD. The ALLEN'S HUMMINGBIRD continues in Chester, Chesterfield Co VA.
In western MD and the WV panhandle, CASPIAN and FORSTER'S TERNS are
quite uncommon (although apparently increasing), but on April 9 and
10, CASPIAN TERNS (as many as 5) were spotted on the Shenandoah River,
in Jefferson Co WV. A FORSTER'S TERN was at the same location on the
Shenandoah River on April 10, and two FORSTER'S TERNS were seen in
Rocky Gap SP, Allegany Co MD on April 11.

RED-NECKED GREBES were seen in unexpected locations this week: on
April 7 off Haines Point in SW DC, and on April 8 on the Potomac River
east of Brunswick, Frederick Co MD. DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS are
common in our area, but "thousands" roosting along the Susquehanna
River in Susquehanna SP, Cecil Co MD on Apr 11 must have been
impressive. The GLOSSY IBIS continued at Schoolhouse Pond, Upper
Marlboro, Prince George's Co MD through April 11.

On April 6, BROAD-WINGED HAWKS appeared in small numbers (1-2) over
Rock Creek Pk and Fort Smallwood hawk watch, Anne Arundel Co MD.
Another BROAD-WINGED HAWK was seen over Croom, Prince George's Co MD
on April 11, but also on April 11, 34 BROAD-WINGED HAWKS were counted
over Woodbine, Harford C, and 24 were seen over the Fort Smallwood
hawk watch.

On April 11, a probable SANDHILL CRANE was spotted over Crofton, Anne
Arundel Co MD. The WHIMBREL named "Hope" has returned to Northampton
Co VA after logging 21,000 miles in the two years since getting a
transmitter.

On April 11, a probable first winter LITTLE GULL was spotted on Back
River in Baltimore.

A wide variety of warblers has been seen at the lower altitudes
(except for Rock Creek Park), then showing up a few days later in the
mountainous areas. Some were surprisingly early: HOODED WARBLERS were
seen on April 11 at Haines Point and in the Fletcher's Chapel area,
King George Co VA. Another rather early arrival was an ORCHARD ORIOLE
at Fort C.F. Smith Park, Arlington VA, also on April 11.

Finally, at a feeder in North Potomac, Montgomery Co MD, a probable
EASTERN x SPOTTED TOWHEE hybrid was observed.

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

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