I have taken over as sector leader for Sector 7 of the Seneca CBC from Mike Bowen who successfully led this sector for more years than we can count.  Sector 7 covers from Poolesville south to River Road and is generally bounded on the east by Partnership Road and on the west by Mt. Nebo, West Offutt, Edwards Ferry, and Westerly.  As in so many places, over the years, the area has become more built up, but we still have some nice territory to explore.

On Sunday our 16 counters tallied 64 species and over 5,300 individual birds.  Several people noted that bird numbers generally seemed to be down, with the exception of Cedar Waxwings which were in flocks everywhere (410 total for the sector!).  Birds of note included an American Woodcock, Rusty Blackbirds, and Purple Finches seen only on the Isaac Walton League property; Great Horned Owl, Gadwall, Pied-bill Grebe, Hooded Merganser, and American Pipit on the Poolesville Golf Course; Common Raven (beginning to live up to its name) seen in three different areas; American Tree Sparrow in the stream valley behind the polo fields and Pipits on the fields; a Brown Thrasher flying over River Road; Horned Lark along Willard Road; 6 Wild Turkeys, a Northern Harrier, and two American Kestrel near Poolesville; and Gray Catbirds in three areas.  Hermit Thrush was well represented, and all the expected raptors were seen, including 20 Red-shouldered Hawks.

Surprises included birds in very low numbers—Winter Wren, Brown Creeper, both Kinglet species, E. Phoebe, Field Sparrow, Eastern Towhee, and House Sparrow(!). 

A beautiful day to be out.  The generous folks at the Isaac Walton League provided escorts so two parties could bird their property and we used their Chapter House to gather at the beginning of the day and at noon.

Jim Nelson
Bethesda, MD

############################

To unsubscribe from the MDOSPREY list:
write to: mailto:[log in to unmask]
or click the following link:
http://home.ease.lsoft.com/scripts/wa.exe?SUBED1=MDOSPREY&A=1