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Subject:

Worcester Rarity Roundup Highlights-WWDO, GCFL, HU(sp), et al.

From:

Mark L Hoffman

Reply-To:

Date:

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 01:11:14 +0000

The 2011 Worcester County "Rarity Roundup" once again proved what bringing together a large group of skilled Maryland birders in the right place at the right time can produce.  It was nothing short of amazing.  As someone who has birded WC extensively for 30 years, I added a county bird and three month county birds.  Many records were set.  The buzz was amazing. 

  

Stand-outs 

  

White-winged Dove - The day after is often the best (remember the Cave Swallows in 2007?) -- and thanks to Debbie Terry (and Bob Ringler, John Landers and Scott Housten) many of us shared in the observation of a single White-winged Dove at Castaways on the morning of the 13th.  Probably the third county record, it was discovered near the pines by the pier and lingered long enough for a train load of birders to twitch as they descended.  It then flew off to the west to parts unknown.  

  

Photos at:  http://www.pbase.com/wcbirding/image/139641603 

  

Great Crested Flycatcher - Found by Kevin Graff, Bill Hubick et al. on the 12th, it was the  first Worcester County November record.  Chased successfully by the Assateague parties.  To give you a sense of the significance of the find , my comment was "if it had been an Ash-throated, I wouldn't have chased it!".  

  

Photos at: http://www.pbase.com/wcbirding/image/139641486 

  

Hummingbirds (sp.) - This was truly an eye-opener.  Selasphorus at Georges Island Landing (11/12, M. and R. Ostrowski), quick flyby at Vaughn South (11/12, Ostrowskis), non-Selasphorus in West OC (11/12, Hafner/Thornton), Ocean City at night! (11/12, Hafner et al), 56th Street flyby in OC (11/13, Brighton/Satchell/Hubick).  That's five hummers, yes five. 

  
Northern Parula - Shell Road (Ostrowskis, 11/13).  Record late date; first WC November record. 

Cape May Warbler - New Worcester late date on 11/11, Bayside (Hubick, Stasz). 
  

Blackpoll Warbler - Tying the WC record late date (from 1949, Low and Robbins, Pocomoke Swamp at Willards, we are walking in the footsteps of the legends) three Blackpolls on the RR:  Vaughn North (11/12, Stasz et al.), Assateague NS (11/12, Hoffman), Bayside A Loop (11/12, Czaplak/Todd).  
  
Photos of my bird at: http://www.pbase.com/wcbirding/image/139642830 
  
Eared Grebe - KM 7 on the North End (11/12, Brighton/Satchell).  Appears to be the first November record for Worcester County.  The North Assateague party paid their dues - they finished strong. 
  
Northern Parula - Shell Road (Ostrowskis, 11/13).  Record late date; first WC November record. 

Cape May Warbler - New Worcester late date on 11/11, Bayside (Hubick, Stasz). 
  

Blackpoll Warbler - Tying the WC record late date (from 1949, Low and Robbins, Pocomoke Swamp at Willards, we are walking in the footsteps of the legends) three Blackpolls on the RR:  Vaughn North (11/12, Stasz et al.), Assateague NS (11/12, Hoffman), Bayside A Loop (11/12, Czaplak/Todd).  
  
Photos of my bird at: http://www.pbase.com/wcbirding/image/139642830 
  
Eared Grebe - KM 7 on the North End (11/12, Brighton/Satchell).  Appears to be the first November record for Worcester County.  The North Assateague party paid their dues - they finished strong. 
  

The best of the rest: 
  
Harlequin Duck - Ocean City Inlet (11/11, Hafner et al.) 

American Bittern - Park-and-ride in West OC (11/12, Lutmerding) 
  
Green Heron - Herring Creek (11/12, Hafner/Thornton, seen by others 11/13 and 11/14), Boxiron (11/12, Fallons), Berlin (11/13, Lutmerding).  Only one prior November record for WC (though many December records). 
  
Sora - Truitt's Landing (11/12, Stasz et al.) 

Common Gallinule - Bayside Development Pond (11/11 to 11/13, Czaplak), Rum Pointe (11/11 and 11/12, continuing) 

American Golden-Plover - Iron shire Road (11/12, Small, Gimpel). 
  
Semipalmated Plover - North End (11/12, Brighton/Satchell). 
  
Piping Plover - Assateague across from Castaways (11/12, Brighton/Satchell). 
  
Western Willet - Including North End (11/12, Brighton/Satchell). 
  
Marbled Godwit - Flats at Castaways, up to 7 birds (11/12, Brighton/Satchell/others), 5 at Castways on 11/13 (Hafner et al.). 
  
Western Sandpiper - North End flats (11/12, Brighton/Satchell). 

Least Sandpiper - North End flats (11/12, Brighton/Satchell). 
  
Pectoral Sandpiper - Goody Hill Road (11/12, Small/Gimpel). 
  
Black Skimmer - Seen at night from 16th St. (11/11, Hafner et al). 
  
Pomarine Jaeger - Ocean City Inlet (11/11, Thornton, Hafner, et al.). 

Short-eared Owl - North end (Brighton/Satchell) on 11/12; over the ocean, mobbed by gulls from the Ocean City Inlet, 11/11 (Lutmerding et al). 
  
Blue-headed Vireo - 11/12 - OSV zone/Hungerford (Walsh, Gutberlet, et al.), Herring Creek (Hafner et al.). 
  
Sedge Wren - Marshall Creek, Assateague North End. 
  
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - Northeast territory, near DE line (11/12, Shenot/Marenghi). 
  
Snow Bunting - Assateague Causeway, ~20 on OSV Zone, Hoopers, Ocean City Inlet. 
  
Orange-crowned Warbler - about 10 individuals for the weekend, including Hoopers Crab House, Assateague SP, Assateague NS, Assateague 
Visitor Center, Route 90 Causeway in OC. 
  
Common Yellowthroat - Winding Creek Road (11/12, Lutmerdings). 
  
Yellow-breasted Chat - Vaughn North (11/12, Stasz et al), Assateague NS near ranger station/new boardwalk (11/12, Fleming et al.). 
  
Clay-colored Sparrow - Scoped at the top of a tall tree, Castaways (11/12, Lutmerdings) 
  
Vesper Sparrow - SE Pocomoke (11/12, Ostrowskis). 
  
Lincoln's Sparrow - Impressive numbers. Multiples on 11/12: Ironshire Road (Small/Gimpel), Assateague SP, G area (Czaplak/Todd), North End (Brighton/Satchell), Vaughn North (Stasz et al.). 
  
Baltimore Oriole - State Park (11/12, Lutmerding). 

Many thanks to all the participants.  See you next year. 
  
Mark Hoffman 
Bill Hubick 
Matt Hafner 

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