MAY/JUNE 2015 # V Newsletter of the Maryland Ornithological Society VOL. 35, NO. 3 President’s Corner By Tom Strikwerda Solidarity Solidarity - that’s but one of the thoughts I had when MOS Board and chapter members attended the first Mid- Atlantic Bird Club Conference on February 7, hosted by American Birding Association in Delaware City at their new headquarters. The purpose of the workshop was to gather representatives from bird clubs in the mid-Atlantic coast region, from New York to Virginia, to discuss ways that we, as bird clubs, can have relevant programs, attract new members and grow. The ABA staff was overwhelmed by the response to their invitation, as were we, the participants. Twenty-one clubs were represented by over 50 people and the discussion, led by the energetic ABA staff, was lively, fun and, most of all, helpful. Sessions covered topics such as use of social media, youth birding, and hosting events to attract the public. Although at times we express concern about MOS’s long-term prospects, being with a large group of enthusiastic and dedicated leaders representing the birding club community from the mid-Atlantic area emphasized to me that we’re in this together. All clubs are experiencing similar issues as MOS and its chapters, but it was gratifying and encouraging hearing the ideas to strengthen clubs. Examples ranged from a contest for “Best Bird Photo during the MOS Conference”, to using QR codes on brochures and signs, to hosting an “Urban Birding Challenge” in larger cities. To that end, I hope to collaborate with the other MOS attendees to compile the numerous ideas into a list of actions that we can share with the membership. Perhaps ABA will help in that process too. I’m sure some suggestions will not work for a particular club, but I’m pretty sure there’ll be at least one suggestion for everyone. And perhaps there’ll be more suggestions flowing from future conferences by ABA. Finally, if you haven’t already been to the new ABA Headquarters, I hope you’ll visit soon. Two significant news items: The ABA announced that Chandler Robbins received their 2015 Roger Tory Peterson Award for promoting the cause of birding. The RTP award is ABA’s most prestigious and is given for a lifetime of contributions to birding. Quoting from the ABA blog: “Among his many accomplishments, Robbins developed the methodology for the North American Breeding Bird Survey, a vital part of contemporary means for establishing and quantifying the status of birds on our continent.” As you know, the BBS was a significant MOS product twice in our history. Will there be a third? ABA also announced that MOS’s George Radcliffe was awarded the Chandler Robbins Award for Conservation/ Education in 2015. This ABA award was named for Chan in 2000. George is honored for his work with the youthful birders of the Youth Maryland Ornithological Society and for conservation efforts on his property on the Eastern Shore. Again from the ABA blog: “He was the driving force behind the creation and growth of the YMOS (Youth Maryland Ornithological Society) that has galvanized interest in birding by young birders in the state.” YMOS has been a source of pride for MOS, thanks to George and other strong volunteers. We are expecting both Chan and George to attend the MOS Conference in May and very excited that an ABA representative will be there to present these awards in person. We’re honored continued on page 2 Inside This Issue President’s Comer It’s Not Too Late Pin Contest 1 2 2 YMOS Birdathon 2 MOS Needs you 3 Chapter Chatter 4 Duck Workshop 6 Records Committee 7 Birds of Note 8 IBA Champions 8 Calendar 9 Bird Terms 18 2 The Maryland Yellowthroat President ’s Corner continued from page 1 to have Chan and George as members of MOS; they represent what MOS can do as professionals, amateurs and volunteers. We hope you’ll join us in Hagerstown for this special occasion. An important final note: At the point I’m writing this, the MOS Board is uncertain whether there will be an MOS Conference and Annual Meeting in 2016. We’re seeking a volunteer who is willing to lead the team of dedicated individuals that have agreed to help with all aspects of the conference. The list of all the activities, subcommittees and a timeline has been sent to all the Chapter Presidents along with a request to spread the word. Many of us on the Board are willing to provide assistance but we need that champion to carry the torch. Please seriously consider whether you can help. We need a leader to stand up soon or it will be too late reserve a location. IT’S NOT TOO LATE! MOS 2015 Annual Conference May 15-17 Hagerstown, MD There’s still time to register for our 2015 Conference. If you have not received a registration brochure, go to our MOS website (www. mdbirds.org) or contact me. Don’t miss out on some great birding and spring migrants galore! Come and enjoy the fellowship and the chance to go on field trips with excellent leaders. Maureen Harvey Acting Conference Chair 410-795-3117 pastpres@mdbirds.org Ikumi Kayama wins the 29 th Annual MOS Pin Contest Congratulations to Ikumi Kayama! Ikumi is a member of the Patuxent Bird Club and this was her first time entering the annual MOS pin contest. Ikumi’s lovely depiction of a Bobolink will grace the pins received by those who attend this year’s conference to be held in Hagerstown, May 15-17. In addition, a lucky group (of 1 5) will be able to leam some of her sketching techniques during a workshop led by Ikumi, an accomplished biological illustrator, on the Saturday of the conference. Ikumi enjoys birding with the Patuxent chapter and has learned much about local species on these outings. So when she decided to enter the contest, she sought input from friends in the club. After considering the conference location and surrounding habitat in Washington County, the group thought Bobolink would be the perfect species for this year’s pin. Her decision and ultimate design were also influenced by the plumage and characteristics of the bird itself. According to Ikumi, “I love the male bobolink’s flashy breeding plumage. Since the nesting males are quite territorial and always on the lookout guarding his nests, I put his head outside the main oval shape. I chose a spring green to celebrate the season of the conference and to compliment the “backwards tuxedo” of the male bobolink.” Don’t forget, it’s never too early to start thinking about next year’s contest. Specific information about the 2016 pin contest will be published in the September/October issue of the Yellowthroat. But general rules and helpful hints, as well as the images of the past winners, are posted on the MOS web page, in the conference section. So while birding this year, reviewing your slides, or just thinking about special birding moments, take pencil to paper and let your creative side take over! As with Ikumi’s Bobolink, it may be transformed into a pin worn by birders from around the state! For more information about the pin contest or to have your name added to the artist’s list (to receive reminders of the contest deadline), contact me at 410-546-9056 or emlawler@,salisburv. edu . Ellen Lawler YMOS BIRDATHON NEWS 2015 Edition Rosy-fingered dawn broke over a light frost that dressed the marsh grasses at Truitt’s Landing .... No! Wait! That was last year! On 14-1 5 March of this year, the dozen young participants in the YMOS Birdathon were challenged by a rainy — all too heavy and all too accurate — forecast for Day 1 and predicted (also accurate) blustery winds and falling temperatures for Day 2. They somehow managed to bird between the showers and around the gusts to finish with 129 total species seen. But the meteorological challenge was not without cost: they missed seven from their list of 100 Must-See species for a net total of 122. How continued on page 3 May/June 2015 3 Birdathon from page 2 did they do it? Therein lays a tale .... The likelihood of heavy rain led the youngsters to revise the route strategy used in the past six years. Rather than begin near the ocean and face the possibility of heavy fog or worse, they elected to begin in Dorchester County and hope for better coastal conditions on the following day. It was risky choice, but the showers held off long enough to bird the Spocott estate and some of the Neck District. By the time the heavy rains arrived mid- morning, toughies like Forster’s Tern and Eastern Screech-owl had been checked off and the kids had found a couple of places that held some saturated sparrows, floundering finches, their only flock of soggy Snow Geese, and many puddle ducks living up to their name. After partial dry-out at the home of George and Jackie Radcliffe, the kids looked southward into what was anticipated to be a difficult afternoon. Hearts sank when they first visited Sailwinds Park on the Dorchester side of the Malkus Bridge over the Choptank. Alas, the fog had become so thick that even the base of the bridge pillars could not be seen, let along the hoped-for cormorants, resident Peregrine, and the usual sea ducks. As they started down Egypt Road they could not even see the resident speed camera. But then the fog and hearts began to lift. As the air cleared on the way to Blackwater NWR sharp eyes teased some American Pipits out of a large blackbird flock. Several American White Pelicans and a menage of Merganser’s (Common) had returned from wherever they had gone to escape the icy grip of the previous couple of weeks. Then it was on to Elliott’s Island Road with decent viewing conditions and a clearing sky. The wet areas opposite Savannah Lake held Blue-winged Teal and just a little further and closer to evening the kids logged at least three Short-eared Owls. Day 1 ended with a total of 95 species seen, but only 72 were on the Must-See List. The net total was a depressing 72. All hopes for a successful Birdathon hinged on being able to see a lot of coastal species the next day in spite of predicted high winds. Day 2 broke partly cloudy and surprisingly calm, at least near Cambridge. The kids split into two groups that would rendezvous at Ocean City Inlet. One group took a car to Truitt’s Landing on the assumption that the muddy dirt road access would not allow passage of more vehicles (and it didn’t). That group logged King, Clapper, and Virginia Rail. The other group made a brief detour to Sailwinds Park to pick up another young birder. Cormorants were there, but still no Peregrine — that is, until one youngster looked up as he was about to close the car door. Peregrine! It flew directly overhead on its way to the Choptank River Bridge. “Never stop looking up” is a pretty good Birdathon motto. Conditions at Ocean City Inlet were remarkable, i.e., no wind with the rising sun peeking through a clearing sky. Five Harlequin Ducks greeted the birders just off the sea wall. The regulars were there as well: Purple Sandpiper, Ruddy Turnstone, all three scoters, a Northern Gannet or two, etc. More unusual was a flock of 20 Willets winging north just off the beach, and an American Woodcock that flew in from the sea, over the parking lot, and into the memories of many wide-eyed young birders. Things were indeed looking up. But by the time the kids reached Castaways Campground, the wind began to rise even faster than checkmarks were appearing on the Must-See List. The gang began to strike out at many locations where Must-See species were likely to be seen: Hermit Thrush, Fox Sparrow, Pine Siskin .... Consolation was a Sandhill Crane that had been frequenting a com stubble field near Stephen Decatur High School. The corn stubble was there but not the crane. But these kids persevered and finally located the quarry in a small pond less than a mile away (as the crane flies). While the bird put on its show, the YMOS entertained many friendly locals who stopped because of the commotion and departed impressed with the knowledge and tenacity of these “little birdwatchers.” Day 2 ended at the well-stocked (thanks, Joyce!) Bell residence feeders in Easton with Purple Finch and Pine Warbler the last birds recorded. The Day 1 deficit had been overcome! This was a great Birdathon despite and because of the challenges imposed by the weather. These young birders showed their mettle; their perseverance raised around $3,000 in pledges and donations. But they also learned a lot about the value of group collaboration and decision-making. They knew that a long songbird list would likely be sacrificed by birding the coast on the morning of Day 2, forcing them to seek small birds in the afternoon when they are less active whether conditions are windy or not. There were a lot of calls like, “Bonaparte’s Gull! Get on it to the right of the red buoy!” to ensure the majority of kids saw and identified the bird in question. It was all great practice for the World Series of Birding two months ahead. Who knows? Maybe it wifi be a wet and windy Big Day in May. The YMOS will be more than ready. It is impossible to express the gratitude that these young birders have for their parents, coaches, and those that encouraged their efforts through pledges and donations. One YMOS member did wrap it up in a nutshell: “The birding community is a wonderful place to live, work and play.” Ditto that, thank you all, and “Keep looking up!” George Radcliffe & Wayne Bell MOS Needs YOU! MOS thrives because of our dedicated volunteers. However, as in any organization, volunteers occasionally need a break, or life’s circumstances change and they must step down, leaving a vacancy. But with over 1500 members, spanning many talents, MOS should be able to fill all our positions. Please consider becoming a part of the leadership team and contribute your time and skills to MOS. We’ll all help you be successful! Here are several committees that need your leadership: Conference Development & Membership Nominations Website Mid-Winter Count compiler Tom Strikwerda, MOS President 4 The Maryland Yellowthroat ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY CUBA 2015 Six months ago I would never have thought I’d be going to Cuba in January 2015, yet, it had been a trip I’d wanted to take for some time. When Jean Wheeler (Harford) said her favorite international guide, Alvaro Jaramillo, was going to lead a trip to Cuba, I said YES, as did Barbara Ricciardi, Peter Bungay, & Paul Speyser. It was a 12 day trip to a country that is 90 miles from the US coastline but which has been basically out of reach for Americans for over 50 years. Our trip was more than a birding trip, it was an introduction to Cuban history, culture, geography, and of course birds. The Maryland five were joined by folks from California, Texas, and Washington State. Alvaro Jaramillo was the bird guide. He was joined in Cuba by a biological guide Giraldo Alayon, who is possibly the last person to see the Ivory-billed Woodpecker. We also had a Cuban tour guide, Guillermo Rodriguez, and local bird guides at each location. US flights arrive at an old terminal in Jose Marti Airport in Havana. Our first stop was at the home of Orlando Garrido, co-author of our field guide, Birds of Cuba._ This elderly gentleman, who was also a former world class tennis pro, regaled us with stories about his taxonomic specimens of the endemic birds of Cuba. From Havana, we traveled west to Campismo Popular where we spotted Red-legged Thrush, Western Spindalis, Loggerhead Kingbird, and our first endemics - Cuban Trogon, and Cuban Grassquit. Western Cuba is mountainous and picturesque with many karst outcroppings. The second day started in Parque National Vinales where our first birds were two endemics - Cuban Pygmy-Owl, and Cuban Tody. Emerald Hummingbirds were abundant. It took one more stop to get the Cuban Solitaire. As part of our historical experience, we visited Cueva de los Portales, where Che Guevara lived for 45 days during the Cuban Missile Crisis. (A great birding area.) We enjoyed views of the endemic Cuban Green Woodpecker and future endemic Giant Kingbird during a morning of birding at Hacienda Cortina, former estate of Jose Manuel Cortina. Also spotted were Great Lizard Cuckoo and West Indian Woodpecker. Our next destination was Playa Larga on the north side of the Bay of Pigs where we spent four days. It was a grueling 4.5 hour bus ride. We traveled east towards Havana and then south because highways in Cuba are limited and not in the best repair. The first target bird was the endemic Blue-headed Quail- Dove. After standing and staring at a trail for almost 2 hours, we were freezing. We had good looks at the endemic Gray-headed (Gray-fronted) Quail Dove, Zenaida Dove and Ruddy Quail Dove. After a short walk we had satisfying looks at three more endemics - Cuban Parakeets, a roosting Bare-legged Owl and Bee Hummingbirds. The afternoon was for relaxing and more Cuban history. Some of the group snorkeled at Playa Giron. Then we visited Museo Giron which was dedicated to the Bay of Pigs invasion, from the Cuban point of view. In subsequent days we saw other endemics including Fernandina’s Flicker, Cuban Oriole, and Cuban Parrot. Finally, on our last day in the Zapata region we had a trifecta of endemics with Zapata Sparrow, Zapata Wren, and the striking Blue-headed Quail Dove. Next we headed north to Cayo Coco, a large resort named for the White Ibis that are prevalent there. We were up before the sun to visit a new resort spot before construction commenced for the day. We spotted our target birds plus many others including: Bahama Mockingbird, Cuban Bullfinch, Mangrove Cuckoo, and the endemics Cuban Black-hawk, Oriente Warbler, and Cuban Gnatcatcher. The afternoon yielded Great White Heron, West Indian Whistling Ducks, Magnificent Frigate Bird and lots of others. No birding trip would be complete without a trip to the local water treatment plant and this one was no different. Not many birds but several anoles competing for territory, displaying their white-dotted orange dewlaps. Only a few folks ventured on a night trip, Jean was one. and saw two Barn Owls as well as the endemic Greater Antillean Nightjar. We found a sub-species of the Zapata Sparrow on our last day. We headed for Havana spending the night in the colonial town of San Juan de los Remedios, at the Hotel Barcelona a lovely hotel built in the 20’s. In the morning there was time to explore the restored church and observe Cuban Martins wheeling above the rooftops. Next stop was the Ernesto “Che” Guevara mausoleum and monument in Santa Clara. In Havana, we spent the last two nights at the famous Hotel National de Cuba. Established in 1 930, in its heyday it was the place to be seen for the rich and famous. Most of us had signed up for a day’s extension to tour Havana. Our big day started after breakfast when we went to the hotel circle to get in our taxis- a ‘52 red Cadillac, a ‘56/’ 57 pink Buick, and a ‘29 red Ford, all convertibles! We were in heaven! We rode from the hotel down the famous Malecon to Old Havana where our walking tour commenced. What a treat! Our day consisted of visiting several town squares, where we viewed churches and buildings being restored to their former glory. A mojito at 10:30 AM at the rooftop restaurant of the Hotel Ambos Mundos (famous because Hemingway vacationed there over seven years) refreshed us and we continued past the bar where the daiquiri was created (so the legend goes). At lunch we were entertained not only by a band but also by dancers who invited one of our group to join in the fun. After a shopping stop at the San Jose Handy-craft Market and a cigar shop we returned to the hotel for our last dinner in Cuba. We have many fond memories of Cuba. There was live music at most lunches and dinners. Its people are resourceful. continued on page 5 May/June 2015 5 Chatter continued from page 4 Farms are still plowed with oxen; travel by horse cart is prevalent. They maintain ancient automobiles with no access to “reaf’parts. We learned a great deal about their history under Castro after Batista and after the Russians left. We know the geography of this island country off our coast. Finally we know its birds. Cuba has 26 endemic species and we saw 23, along with many other birds common in the Caribbean, and also birds & warblers seen in the States. Anyone who has the slightest notion about visiting should go. It’s a welcoming, unique place, probably a different experience for most. Go before it changes. Bobbi Reichwein I visit non-birding friends in Tucson each winter. They are wonderfully accommodating, hiking Sabino Canyon and walking Reid Park with me, and even renting us a cabin at Santa Rita Lodge in Madera Canyon last year. But this year I had a special treat in the form of Jenny Tate, daughter of longtime MOS members Pat and Juanita Tate. Jenny, a particularly sharp-eyed birder who works for the Pima County Wastewater Reclamation Department, took me one morning (Feb 28) to Sweetwater Wetlands, a water recharge facility and popular birding hotspot west of the city. Sweetwater consists of a series of marshy ponds divided by dikes upon which one can walk, and four containment ponds along the Santa Cruz River (this time of year, mainly a dry wash). We saw Gadwall, American Wigeon, mallards, Blue-winged, Green-winged and Cinnamon Teal, Northern Shoveler, Ring-necked Duck, Ruddy Duck, and Hooded Merganser. Neotropical Cormorants perched in several marsh ponds, and we heard Sora calling in 7 spots. Among the 43 species we counted that morning were Pyrrhuloxia, White- crowned Sparrow, Black Phoebe, Aberfs Towhee, Violet-green Swallow, Verdin, and Anna’s Hummingbird. But our best bird appeared while I examined through binoculars a pair of Ladder- backed Woodpeckers in a bare tree some 20 feet from us. Jenny exclaimed, “Orange bird! Orange Bird!” There, just inches from the woodpeckers, was a glorious male Baltimore Oriole, obviously there to make me feel welcome! And a very cooperative oriole it was, sitting for at least a minute before flying off. Our report of him was flagged on eBird so we had to make the appropriate meticulous description. eBird also informed us that the bird was reported there the day before, and for at least two days after. Migration is a mysterious thing. Last year, across from Sweetwater in the for-now-closed Roger Road Water Reclamation Facility, I got a look at another eastern US species, the Yellow- throated Warbler. Barbara Johnson BALTIMORE BIRD CLUB Unfriendly Skies: Birds, Buildings, and Collisions Unfriendly Skies is an art exhibition that explores urban elements that kill birds - creatures that bring joy and provide eco-services. Seventeen artists, many of them BBC members, are investigating bird deaths in Baltimore. The Lights Out Baltimore (LOB) program and other bird conservation efforts provide the impetus for their work. This show will be presented at Goucher College’s Silber Art Gallery in the Athenaeum from March 31 st through May 3 rd , 2015. This exhibit, free and open to the public, can be viewed Tuesday through Sunday from 1 1 a.m. to 4 p.m. An artist’s reception will be held Friday, April 10 th from 6-9 p.m., with an artist talk at 7:30 p.m. in the Silber Art Gallery. We’d love to see you there! Please visit www. goucher.edu/silber for more information. Joan Cwi Nashville Warbler Hitting Window, by Miranda Brandon CARROLL COUNTY CCBC Makes the Front Page: Carroll County Times reporter Lois Szymanski recently interviewed members of the Carroll County Bird Club for an article that appeared in the March 1 8th issue of The Advocate. Members Jerry Tarbell, Susan Bollinger, and Maureen and Dave Harvey were asked about their activities with the Club and what attracted them to birding. The article provided another opportunity to tell the community about the Club-its newsletter, meetings, speakers, and field trips — and spotlight just a few of our great members. We’re hoping that the publicity will encourage more Carroll Countians to take up birding — and join the Club! Don Jewell A Milestone for a Member In the last issue of the Yellowthroat , members Dave and Maureen Harvey gave a fascinating report of their recent birding trip to Australia. But there’s more to the story. As reported in the February 2015 issue of Birding magazine, “ Dave Harvey , of Sykesville, Maryland, got his 3,500 th world species, the Chestnut- quilled Rock Pigeon, in the cliffs near Plum Tree Creek, Northern Territories, Australia, on Sunday, October 5, 2014. He went on to get his life list to 3,577 on the Australia trip with a Western Corella. Other post-3,500 species were Harvey’s two most desired birds for the trip, the Southern Cassowary and Wandering Albatross.” Congratulations, Davel If Yellowthroat readers get a chance, you should check out Dave ’s great picture of the Wandering Albatross in that same issue of Birding. CJ McAuliffe continued on page 6 The Maryland Yellowthroat Chatter continued from page 5 CECIL COUNTY Winter ends for the Cecil Bird Club with the annual Cabin Fever Event hosted by Moore’s Chapel United Methodist Church in Elkton. This event brings such groups as Fair Hill Natural Resource Area, the Chesapeake Bay and other local watershed associations together for a fun day of activities primarily aimed at young kids. The Cecil Bird Club has participated in this event since its inception seven years ago. Club treasurer Pat Valdata and club co-president Ken Drier set up the club’s informational table. They had both kids and adults trying their hands at making origami birds. This event took place on Saturday March 14th The week of March 23 will find Ken Drier along the Platte River in Nebraska for the annual Sandhill Crane migration. He will be traveling with the Delaware Nature Society. The group will be staying on a 12,000 acre ranch in the area. The ranch is also home to both the Greater Prairie Chicken and the Sharp-tailed Grouse. Access to blinds should allow the group to view both these species performing their ritualistic mating dances. Ken has wanted to see the Sandhill Cranes in this vicinity for years now. Both the Prairie Chicken and grouse will be life birds if observed. Good Luck. Ken Drier TRI-COUNTY Continuing with their tradition of visiting a “Caribbean Island a Year”, Joelle Buffa and Clyde Morris traveled to Puerto Rico for twelve days in February 2015. In previous years, they have vacationed in Cuba, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic, which are all part of the “Greater Antilles” - that chain of islands running south of Key West, Florida up to and including Puerto Rico. Besides sun, blue skies, warm breezes and lovely scenery, each of the islands have their own suite of endemic birds and also harbor some regional “Antillean endemics.” Joelle and Clyde managed to see all 17 Puerto Rican endemics on their recent trip, plus a good number of Antillean specialties, adding a total of 22 life birds to their list. The island endemics are colorful and charismatic and each island tends to have its own species of sumamed Tody, Parrot, Vireo, and Lizard Cuckoo, usually proceeded by the Island it lives on as its given name. Hence, there is the Puerto Rican Tody, the Cuban Parrot, the Jamaican Vireo, and the Hispaniola Lizard-Cuckoo (Dominican Republic and Haiti share the island of Hispaniola). While searching for these tropical specialties, its always fun to see “our” wintering warblers such as Northern Parulas, Black-throated Blues, and Black and White Warblers zipping among the shade coffee plantations, or shorebirds such as Least, Semi-palmated, and Stilt Sandpipers feeding in the tidal flats. We had no idea that Puerto Rico was such an important wintering area for the Stilt Sandpipers until we saw them this winter. Amazingly, Puerto Rico’s endemic Elfin Woods Warbler looks so much like our Black and White Warbler that it was only described as a separate species in the 1970s. Interestingly, Jamaica also has a Black and White Warbler look-alike called the Arrowhead Warbler. The “Lesser Antilles” stretch southeastward from Puerto Rico. The islands in this chain are smaller and there are endemic island species here as well, although they tend to be fewer in number. Joelle and Clyde are planning their next Caribbean Island adventure to Santa Lucia in the Lesser Antilles - hoping to find the St Lucia Parrot and the St Lucia Oriole. Joelle Buffa and Clyde Morris WASHINGTON COUNTY In mid-February 2015, twelve members and friends of the Washington County Bird Club (WCBC) travelled to Costa Rica for a one week birding trip. This was the third visit for many of the travelers, having previously visited the country before, spending time in the northern low-lands, the southern mountains, the Arenal Volcano area and the Pacific coast. On this trip they concentrated on the Los Quetzales National Park and Los Cusingos Wildlife Refuge (part of the 192 acres of protected lands once owned by Dr. Alexander Skutch, a respected naturalist and prolific writer), and in the extreme southern Pacific Golfito area as well as the La Paz Waterfall Gardens near the capital of San Jose. The total species count was 238 and included an exciting sighting of a White-crested Coquette, one of the smallest and most beautiful hummers in Costa Rica that has a restricted range from central Costa Rica to western Panama. It is an uncommon to rare bird and is also known as the Adorable Coquette who remains high in the forest treetops unless enticed lower by flowers attractive to them that blossom profusely, which is why the WCBC group was lucky to get a very good sighting of a female one morning. Linda Field White-crested Coquette, photo by Mark Abdy Duck Workshop Report Just over 20 members participated in the Duck Workshop held February 6-7 in Ocean City, Maryland. Mikey Lutmerding did a great job explaining the finer points of duck ID over an informal dinner of pizza and salad. Mike Burchett joined the group the fol- lowing morning to co-lead. We started the day with great views of the Common Redpoll, admittedly not a duck, but a life bird for many of us and a visitor not to be missed. We then proceeded to the Ocean City Inlet where Mikey and Mike conjured up killer views of a trio of Harlequins. . . .a drake and two hens conveniently lounging on the rocks within easy scoping distance. The weath- er was lovely so we turned our attention to shorebirds and then anything with wings when the ducks refused to cooperate. We ended the morning with 58 species. Not too shabby for February birding! Everyone had a great time. Many thanks are owed to Mikey and Mike. We all agreed: Ocean City and February equals a wonderful experience. Maryanne Dolan State Education Committee Chair May/June 2015 7 Maryland/DC Records Committee Status Report as of March 24, 2015 by Phil Davis, MD/DCRC Secretary The Maryland/DC Records Committee (MD/DCRC) has reached the following record decisions since the last committee sta- tus report was published in The Maryland Yellowthroat (Nov/ Dec 2014). This report covers MD/DCRC review packages 158 through 159. MD/DCRC report numbers are in brackets. These records will be addressed in additional detail in a future issue of Maryland Birdlife . New “state” species (marked with asterisks) in- clude Couch’s Kingbird for MD and Ross’s Goose for DC. These additions raise the total number of species on the Official Lists of the Birds of MD and DC to 448 and 333, respectively. More information on the MD/DCRC can be found on the committee’s web pages at the following URL: http : //www. mdbirds . org/mddcrc/rc index, html MD Records Accented: Pink- footed Goose, Anser brachyrhynchus [MD/20 14-007] Quarry Lake, Pikesville, Baltimore County. 25- Jan-2014 through 04-Feb-2014. Two adults. Barnacle Goose, Branta leucopsis [MD/20 13-092] Swan Harbor Farm Park, Havre de Grace, Harford County. 19-Dec-2013 through 29-Dec-2013. Two birds. Tufted Duck, Aythya fuligula [MD/20 14-112] Swan Creek Wetlands/Cox Creek DMCF, Solley, Anne Arundel County. 17-Dec-2014 through 24-Dec-2014. One male. Western Grebe, Aechmophorus occidentalis [MD/20 13-083] Assateague Island National Seashore, Berlin, Worcester County. 16-No v-2013. One bird. Neotropic Cormorant, Phalacrocorax brasilianus [MD/20 14-054] Violette’s Lock, Seneca, Montgomery County. 23-M-2014 through 09-Sep-2014. One bird. White-faced Ibis, Plegadis chihi [MD/20 11-406] Assateague Island National Seashore, Berlin, Worcester County. 01-Sep-2011. One bird. Sandhill Crane, Grus canadensis [MD/1 997-224] McDaniel, Talbot County. 19-Nov-1961. One immature, nominate subspecies. Gull-billed Tern, Gelochelidon nilotica [MD/20 14-064] Violette’s Lock, Seneca, Montgomery County. 27- Aug-20 14. One bird. Black Skimmer, Rynchops niger [MD/20 12- 110] Violette’s Lock, Seneca, Montgomery County. 30-0ct-2012. One juvenile. Eurasian Collared-Dove, Streptopelia decaocto [MD/20 14-024] Congress Ave, Havre de Grace, Harford County. 26- Apr-2014. One bird. Say’s Phoebe, Sayornis saya [MD/20 15-002] Alexander Road, Massey, Kent County. 21 -Dec-20 14. One bird. * Couch’s Kingbird, Tyr annus couchii [MD/20 14- 100] Near intersection of Mason Road NE and Old Mt. Pleasant Road NE, Flintstone, Allegany County. ll-Nov-2014 through 24-Nov-2014. One bird. Bewick’s Wren, Thryomanes bewickii [MD/20 14-040] Dan’s Mountain, Midland, Allegany County. ~Jun 1985. One bird. Henslow’s Sparrow, Ammodramus henslowii [MD/20 14-096] Hanlon Park, Hanlon Longwood, Baltimore County. 04-Nov-2014. One bird. Western Tanager, Piranga ludoviciana [MD/20 13-094] Deer Run Golf Club, Berlin, Worcester County. 28-Dec-2013 through 02-Jan-2014. One non-adult male. Western Tanager, Piranga ludoviciana [MD/20 14- 101] Assateague Island National Seashore, Berlin, Worcester County. 14- Nov-2014 through 16-Nov-2014. One bird. Western Tanager, Piranga ludoviciana [MD/20 15-003] Denton, Caroline County. 07-Jan-2015. One adult male. Pine Grosbeak, Pinicola enucleator [MD/1 997-572] Gude’s Nursery, Rockville, Montgomery County. 26-Nov-1972 through 27-Nov-1972. Four birds; 2 ad females, 1 imm male, 1 female (age U). MD Records Not Accented: Western Grebe, Aechmophorus occidentalis [MD/20 14-034] Loyola College Pond, Columbia, Howard County. 28-Apr-2014. One bird. Northern Goshawk, Accipiter gentilis [MD/20 1 4-02 1 ] Susquehanna State Park, Havre de Grace, Harford County. 06-Apr-2014. One adult. Henslow’s Sparrow, Ammodramus henslowii [MD/20 14-080] McKee-Beshers WMA (Hughes Hollow), Poolesville, Montgomery County. 19-Sep-2014. One bird. Brewer’s Blackbird, Euphagus cyanocephalus [MD/20 14-0 18] Owings Mills, Baltimore County. 21 -Feb-20 14. Three birds. Brewer’s Blackbird, Euphagus cyanocephalus [MD/20 14-0 16] Daisy Road, Woodbine, Howard County. 19-Mar-2014. Two birds, male and female. Pine Grosbeak, Pinicola enucleator [MD/20 12- 156] Pinehurst, Towson, Baltmore County. 25-Nov-1965. Two birds. DC Records Accented: * Ross’s Goose, Chenrossii [DC/2014-002] Anacostia River Park. 09-Jan-2014 through 15-Jan-2014. One bird. Anhinga, Anhinga anhinga [DC/2014-037] Mitchell Park. 15- May-2014. One bird. The Maryland Yellowthroat Birds of Note — by Les Roslund The cold, windy and snowy weather made birding a challenge this winter, but Maryland birders met that challenge by persisting against the elements. As a result some very fine birds were found. Top of the list was a tiny bird that had not been recorded in the state since 1 906 - a CHESTNUT-COLLARED LONGSPUR! The great and lucky birder to find this one was Tom Feild, birding in the company of Jim Green and Geraldine King. Jim’s first report suggested the bird was probably a LAPLAND LONGSPUR, but more study was needed. Fortunately Tom and Geraldine had attained pictures of this tiny sparrow-sized bird as it moved from grass clump to grass clump beside the snowy shoulder of Chewsville Road in Washington County. By the end of the day, Jan 31, the photos had been carefully studied and also sent out to be reviewed by other experts. The consensus was that the bird was indeed a CHESTNUT-COLLARED LONGSPUR. Jim provided a 10:17 PM Saturday report of the confirmed identification along with precise details of the location, and throughout the day on Sunday numerous birders managed to relocate and enjoy the great sighting. At least 37 birders posted reports of their sightings on Sunday and many others attained sightings without posting separate reports. On Monday Marcia Balestri reached the site by 9:10 AM in time to see, hear and photograph the bird before it flew toward a distant farmstead and did not return. Marcia’s was the final report, and she did note that a MERLIN was in the area at that time. The CC LONGSPUR gave great joy to many local birders during its brief visit. Perhaps the MERLIN shared the joy. Jan 31 was also the day of one of the year’s very few sightings of an EVENING GROSBEAK. A beautiful male appeared at the feeders of Howard and Carolyn Patterson in Ellicott City, Howard County, and lingered for photographs before being chased away by STARLINGS. This bird did not return, and there were no reports of later EVENING GROSBEAK visits to feeders in the neighborhood. Snow on the ground in early February seemed to bring out quite a few fine birds. On Feb 01 two BARNACLE GEESE put in an appearance at Kidd Rd in Fallston, Harford County very close to the same place where they briefly visited in 2014. Matt Hafner of Forest Hill was the lucky and happy finder and he shared the infonnation in time for Ryan Johnson to find and view these birds later in the day. Several RICHARDSON’S CACKLING GEESE were present is the same flock, which was dominated by 1000 or more CANADA GEESE. The BARNACLE GEESE, though promptly reported, managed to leave the region or at least stay hidden within the flock, for no further sightings of them were attained. on March 1 8. Within that period the R-L HAWKS were reported from at least ten counties, and in numbers exceeding those of most previous years. Two locations, Stull Road in Frederick County and Konterra Drive fields and ponds in Prince George’s County, seemed to be especially attractive to these birds. The Stull Road visits began on Feb 01 and continued through Feb 26 with at least four separate birds being present. Andy Wilson provided very faithful monitoring of the Stull Road birds from start to finish. Along Konterra Drive the birds were reliably present from Feb 21 through Feb 28, also with as many as four separate birds being described. The first R-L HAWK arrival near Konterra Drive was reported by Joe Hanfman of Howard County. The final report from that location was filed by Santosh Shanmuga. Careful observers at both locations reported both light and dark phase birds and in some cases the immature birds were successfully distinguished from the adults. Note that much of the irruption occurred on the western shore. Eastern shore numbers tended to be a bit lower that those recorded in recent years. Other raptors were often present at the feeding sites of these R-L Hawks, so many birders and birder- photographers were treated to happy, though chilly, birding days. As usual, the winter months still provided several sightings of unusual or out-of-season species. On Feb 16 Mikey Lutmerding spent part of what he called a “ridiculously cold day” looking through the trees to photograph gulls outside the Charles County landfill. His photos documented presence of a MEW GULL as well as two KUMLIEN’S (ICELAND) GULLS and three LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS. On Feb 22 Ryan Johnson, birding with Tim Camey and Scott Class in Soldier’s Delight, Baltimore County, photographed a GRASSHOPPER SPARROW that was certainly getting an early start on spring migration. And on March 02 Chandler Wiegand saw and heard a DICKCISSEL amongst sparrow species in the Hughes Hollow - McKee Beshers WMA, Montgomery County. IBA Champions Needed to Help Protect Important Bird Areas By Jim Rapp (Bird Conservationist) and David Curson (Director of Bird Conservation, Audubon Maryland-DC) Many MOS members are familiar with Maryland’s network of Important Bird Areas (IBAs), which represents the best habitats across the state for bird species at risk as well as those vulnerable to a range of threats. Maryland’s IBAs are as diverse as the state itself, ranging from the barrier island beaches of Assateague Island IBA where the federally Threatened Piping Plover and rufa Red Knot find sanctuary, to the forested mountains of Green Ridge IBA, home to the rapidly declining Cerulean Warbler. The unusually low temperatures along with heavy snow north of our region from late January onward probably contributed to the irruption of ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS throughout much of Maryland. The first of these arrived in Garrett County on Jan 25 and the final one seems to have departed from Somerset County MOS members have played an essential role in identifying IBAs by completing Bird Blitz surveys at IBA candidate sites to provide the data needed for site review. IBA nominations are reviewed, using rigorous science-based criteria, by a Technical continued on page 9 May/June 2015 9 Important Bird Areas continued from page 8 Review Committee, including staff from Maryland Department of Natural Resources (Maryland DNR), an MOS representative, Audubon Maryland-DC’s Director of Bird Conservation, and other ornithological experts. There are now 43 sites in Maryland and the IB A network is almost complete. However, simply identifying IBAs does not make them immune from threats - these sites and their birds face a daunting array of challenges from sprawl development and energy infrastructure to human-wildlife conflicts and climate change For this reason, Audubon Md-DC is launching a new initiative called “IBA Champions”, the goal of which is to further stewardship and land protection at Important Bird Areas in Maryland. The idea is to mobilize and train birders and others with an interest in bird conservation, to act on behalf of birds and their habitats wherever issues arise. This effort is funded by a generous grant from Maryland DNR, which has been a stalwart supporter of the IBA program since its inception. IBA Champions can get involved in any of 3 types of activity: monitoring, advocacy, and stewardship. Each of these is vital to bird conservation. IBA Advocates will advocate at the local and State level for planning and development that maintains the ecological integrity of IBAs. Bird data collected by IBA Monitors will inform habitat management on public lands as well as arm IBA advocates with the ammunition they need to make a compelling case for land protection against inappropriate development. IBA stewards can engage in a range of actions to help birds and their habitats, from invasive species control to resolving human-bird conflicts. Key to the success of the IBA Champions initiative will be working in partnerships, since other environmental groups are working toward similar goals. Many such partnerships are already in place and IBA Champions can bring a unique contribution to existing efforts - a robust and authoritative voice for birds. Bird data from IBAs have been used already in partnership with the Smarter Growth Alliance for Charles County to successfully oppose construction of the Cross County Connector through Mattawoman Creek IBA and, with partners in the Wicomico Environmental Trust, to help defeat a proposed residential subdivision in Pocomoke-Nassawango IBA, home to Prothonotary Warbler, Kentucky Warbler and Wood Thrush. Recently, Audubon Maryland-DC has coordinated with MOS Conservation Chair Kurt Schwartz and others to submit comment letters on the proposed runway extension at Tipton Airport that would negatively impact bird habitat at the Patuxent Research Refuge IBA. Audubon Md-DC has selected Jim Rapp to lead the IBA Champions initiative. Jim, known to many birders as the coordinator of the annual Delmarva Birding Weekend, will be recruiting birders to become Champions for their local IBAs in coming months. The initiative will kick off this spring with monitoring of birds at selected sites in Southern Maryland. WeTl keep you informed as IBA Champion strategies are developed, and presentations are made throughout Maryland. We welcome anyone to become an IBA Champion - please help us protect the at-risk birds in Maryland and DC. Keep an eye on future editions of the The Maryland Yellowthroat as well as the Audubon Md-DC website at http://md.audubon.org/ for updates as we develop the initiative. MOS Calendar May - June 2015 By Andy Martin Saturday, May 2 A Allegany/Garrett. Green Ridge SF for warblers! Meet at the P&R off Ali Ghan and Christie Rds at 8 AM. Contact Melissa Hensel at mjhensel@yahoo.com for more info. A Anne Arundel. Susquehanna SP. Jean Wheeler, a Harford Co birder, will lead a trip for us to one of her favorite parks. They have a different mix of birds than we get in Anne Arundel. They still have lots of orioles along the river areas. We should be in prime time for seeing some nice warblers and other spring migrants. Meet 6 AM, contact Peter Hanan at 301-580-2785 or hanan.peter@verizon.net for meet location. A Baltimore. Susquehanna SP, Rock Run area. Meet 6:30 AM at Cromwell Bridge Rd P&R. Or meet 7:30 AM at the lot next to the old mill bldg. Trip to river in Harford Co for resident Cerulean and Prothonotary Warblers and a collection of spring migrants. Possibly one of the best spring warbler watching sites in MD; 1 8 to 24 warbler species possible in a single day. Bring a picnic lunch for the wrap-up of what could be an excellent morning of birding. Leaders: Pete Webb, pete_webb@juno.com or 443-904-6314 (cell phone, will be on), and Kevin Graff, keyweststyle2001@ gmail.com. A Baltimore. Third of 3 weekend walks sponsored by Robert E. Lee Park. Meet 8 AM at the Ranger Station. NOTE: different meeting place from BBC Tuesday walks! Habitats include woods, lake, streams, and marsh. Songbird and hawk migration should be in full swing. WeTl look for spring migrant warblers and freshly arrived summer resident orioles, vireos, thrushes, and warblers. Ages 10 and up, all skill levels welcome. Binoculars helpful. Cancelled if raining. Leaders: John Landers, dadolbw@aol.com or 410-292-9549, and Claire Wayner. A Cecil. Fair Hill NRMA. Fair Hill in May is one of Cecil Co’s birdiest spots. A variety of habitats, including woods, fields, and wetlands, means that we will see a number of different spring migrants. Portions of the trail may be muddy, so boots are recommended. Meet 8 AM for this half-day trip at the Foxcatcher Farm Covered Bridge parking lot near the Fair Hill Nature and Environmental Center on Tawes Dr. There is an honor system daily fee ($3 MD residents; $4 out-of-state). Contact leader, Ken continued on page 10 10 The Maryland Yellowthroat Calendar continued from page 9 Drier, kdrier@zoominternet.net for all trip details. ft Harford. 7th Annual Epic Birding Contest. The previous 6 competitions have been well-attended and good fun. So make room on your calendar to join us at Susquehanna SP. Birders at all skill levels welcome. Meet at the Rock Run Mill at 6:30 AM for team selections and rules review. Counting will begin at 6:45 AM and end at 11:30 AM. Rally celebration will occur at approximately 12 noon at the Laurrapin Restaurant in Havre de Grace. Family members and others are welcome to join the contestants for the celebration. Coordinators are Tom Gibson (410-734-4135 or gibsonlld@aol.com) and Sue Procell (410-676- 6602 or suzanne.procell@us.army.mil). Rain date: May 3. ft Kent. Millington NRMA. Spring migrants, woodland nesters, and open-country birds. Warbler migration should be in high gear in the woods and meadows of this excellent location for migrants and breeding forest birds. Half day. Meet 8 AM at Dollar General Store parking lot, Chestertown. Leaders: Walter Ellison and Nancy Martin, 410-778-9568 or borealdee@gmail.com. May Count. Dorchester. 95th May Count. 1 st of two Dorchester May counts. Compiler: Harry Armistead, harryarmistead@ hotmail.com. ft Patuxent. Fran Uhler NA. Joint trip with PGAS. Habitat includes brushy fields, woods, and hedgerows for a good mix of species. Side trip to freshwater wetland at Horsepen Branch also possible. Meet 7:30 AM at the end of Lemon Bridge Rd off MD 197, just north of Bowie State U. and the MARC line. No reservations required. If you have questions, contact trip leader Bill Sefton at kiwisuits@msn.com or David Mozurkewich at mozurk@bellAtlantic.net for more info. ft Washington. Catoctin Creek Nature Center. Meet 7:30 AM at the Rte 66 P&R. Contact Shirley Ford at 301-241-3020 for start time and more details. Sunday, May 3 ft Anne Arundel. Family Bird Walk, Kinder Farm Park. This trip is designed for beginners and families to discover the joy of bird watching. Experienced leaders will facilitate these walks through various habitats and introduce you to the basics of spotting and identifying birds. Bring binoculars if you have them, but they are not required. We will be using our ears as much as our eyes! Meet 8 AM at garden (1001 Kinder Farm Park Rd, Millers ville). Leader: Stacy Epperson, 410-987-7533 or stac.epperson@gmail. com. ft Baltimore. Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park. Please join us for a bird walk at the height of spring migration in Gwynns Falls/ Leakin Park, a 120 acre wilderness park in west Balt City. The park contains mature and secondary forest as well as riparian habitats and some limited field habitat. Meet 8 AM at the Winans Meadows parking lot at 4500 Franklintown Rd. Leaders: Elise and Paul Kreiss, 410-367-8194, or ekreiss@verizon.net, paul 1 kreiss@verizon.net. Fred Archibald May Count. Frederick. Meet at the Sanctuary at 6 AM. Coordinator: Bob Schaefer, 301-831-5660. A Montgomery. Occoquan Bay NWR. Half day. Explore the diverse habitats in this one-square mile refuge at the confluence of the Potomac and Occoquan Rivers in Woodbridge, VA. A variety of raptors and migratory warblers, vireos, thrushes, and flycatchers should be present, and rails and bitterns are possibilities. Meet at the parking lot in the center of the refuge at 7:30 AM. Reservations required. Limit: 25. For reservations, call the leaders: Mike Bowen at 301-530-5764 or dhmbowen@yahoo. com, and Gerry Hawkins, 571-277-8406 or maineusa@comcast. net. A Montgomery. Little Bennett RP. Half day. Near peak migration for warblers and vireos, including those breeding in this varied habitat. Contact the leader for time and directions. Reservations required. Leader: Gemma Radko, 301-514-2894. A Talbot. Pocomoke Swamp. We will bird the edge of the Nassawango Creek Preserve along Johnson Rd in search of migrant and resident songbirds with a focus on wood warblers. This location yields an average of 14-17 species of warblers, as well as vireos, tanagers, Indigo Buntings, Blue Grosbeaks and Red-shouldered Hawk. Full day. Bring lunch, drinks and snacks. Leader: Terry Allen, 410-829-5840. Depart Easton Acme Parking Lot (intersection of Rte 322 and Marlboro Rd) at 6:30AM. Monday to Sunday, May 4 to May 10 YMOS. Youth Trip to World Series of Birding, Cape May, NJ. For YMOS WSB team members only. Trip departs at 5 AM Mon or Wed morning for 3-5 days of scouting. We’ll participate in the Big Day on Sat, trying to find as many species as we can in one day. We’ll return Sun around 4 PM after the Awards Brunch. The Birdathon fundraising will hopefully pay for the motel, the Awards Brunch, a T-Shirt, and most of the food costs. For more info, go to http://www.ymos.org/ or contact George Radcliffe at radclifg@gmail.com. Tuesday, May 5 A Baltimore. Robert E. Lee Park (Lake Roland). A series of weekly walks to follow the progress of Spring migration. Habitats include woods, lake, streams, and marsh. Beginning birders welcome. Meet time 8 AM. Walks begin at the head of the Boardwalk, accessible from the Light Rail parking lot. Leader TBD. Check schedule at BBC website, http://baltimorebirdclub. org /, for updates or contact Pete Webb at 443-904-6314 (m) or pete_webb@juno . com. Meeting. Baltimore. Tuesday Evening Lecture at Cylburn, 4915 Greenspring Ave. Tonight: “Birds in Art and Human Culture” by Lynne Parks and Janet Millenson. The subject of birds and human culture, particularly birds as the subject of art, is vast. Doors open at 7 PM for socializing and snacks, show starts about 7:15 PM. Info: Pete Webb, 443-904-6314 or pete_webb@juno.com. A Montgomery. Rock Creek Park, DC. Early migrant warblers, continued on page 11 May/June 2015 11 Calendar continued from page 10 vireos, etc. Meet 7 AM at Picnic Area #18, one-half mile below the Nature Center on Ridge Rd. Call the leader for more info and for specific directions. Limit: 8. Reservations required. Leader: Wallace Kornack, 202-338-7859. Wednesday, May 6 A Baltimore. First Wednesdays at Fort McHenry. A continuing series of monthly morning surveys of bird activity at the Fort and wetland. Scope can be useful. Cancelled in inclement weather. Meet 8 AM in the park, outside the Visitor Center. Leader: Mary Chetelat, 410-665-0769. Meeting. Carroll. “An Australian Aviary” by Dave Harvey. 1 PM at the Carroll Nonprofit Center, 255 Clifton Blvd, Westminster. Contact Don Jewell atjewelldg@gmail.com or 410-259-4716 for more info. Meeting. Cecil. Program and Speaker: TBA. 7 PM at Elkton HS, 110 James St, Elkton, Rm B120. For more info, contact Sean McCandless, seanmccandlessl @comcast.net. Thursday, May 7 Meeting. Frederick. Mike Welch will tell us about the birds and history of New Zealand. 7 PM at a location TBD. Check the FBC website at http://www.frederickbirdclub.org/ for update on location. For info, contact Tom Humphrey, Pres@ FrederickBirdClub.org or 301-696-8540. A Patuxent. Lake Artemesia (Luther Goldman Birding Trail). Joint trip with PGAS. We will walk the paved trail around the lake as well as the trail through the woods along Indian Creek. Meet 6 PM at the parking lot at Berwyn Rd and Ballew Ave in Berwyn Heights. No reservations needed. Call David Mozurkewich, 301- 509-2212 or mozurk@bellAtlantic.net for more info. Saturday, May 9 A Baltimore. Youth Birding at Cromwell Valley Park. Our return visit to this park is at one of the best times for migrating warblers and vireos. In addition to them, we can expect to see oodles of orioles, bluebirds, Tree Swallows and other nesting birds, plus a wide variety of other migrants including cuckoos, thrushes, sparrows, and whatnots. Leader: John Robinson, 443-810-9059 (cell), 410-483-6620 (home), jcrobin@jhmi.edu. Meet 8 AM. Contact leader for specific location within CVP May Count. Allegany. To participate, contact J.B. Churchill, jbchurchi@gmail.com 301-689-8344 or 301-697-1223 (m) to be assigned an area to count. May Count. Anne Arundel. Contact Dotty Mumford, 410-849- 8336 or dottymum@comcast.net to let her know where you will be counting. May Count. Baltimore. All-day count of birds in Baltimore City and County. For area assignments call compiler Joel Martin, 410- 744-9211 orjcdlmartin@aol.com. May Count. Calvert. Compiler: Sue Hamilton (410-586-1494, seal 1 0n2002 @y ahoo . com) . May Count. Caroline. Contact Debby Bennett at 410-829-4952 or dabennettl996@gmail.com for more info. May Count. Carroll. Individual parties of counters will set their own schedules in their pre-arranged areas. Parties will count resident and spring migrant bird species throughout Carroll Co. Contact Don Jewell to verify your bird counting area at jewelldg@ gmail.com or 410-259-4716. The Tally Rally will be hosted by Susan Bollinger at her home. RSVP to Susan at 410-848-2050 if you will be attending Tally. Please bring a cash donation ($5) or a food item. May Count. Cecil. Please contact the compiler, Richard Donham, (rdonham8@gmail.com or 610-932-0634) with your preference for the area where you wish to participate and for the fairly simple observation records that are needed. May Count. Charles. Compiler: George Jett (410-741-9129, gmj ett@ver izon . net ) . May Count. Dorchester. 96th May Count. 2 nd of two annual Dorchester May counts. Compiler: Harry Amistead, harryarmistead@hotmail.com. May Count. Frederick. 50 th Annual! It’s peak migration so this is the most fun you can have working on a census. Lots of eyes and ears are needed! Compiler: TBD. Check http://www. frederickbirdclub.org/ for updates. May Count. Garrett. No count in 2015. May Count. Harford. Help Harford contribute to this important data collection day and monitor migration throughout our locale. Contact the coordinator, Rick Cheicante, rickcheicante@cs.com or 410-803-2712, for assignment. May Count. Howard. Compiler: Kevin Heffeman, 410-418-8731 (h) or KJHeff@aol.com or kjheffl22@gmail.com. May Count. Kent. An all-day effort to census as much of Kent Co as possible. Join a field party or count in your neighborhood. Contact one of the leaders for details. Leaders: Walter Ellison and Nancy Martin, 410-778-9568 or borealdee@gmail.com. May Count. Montgomery. Compiler: Diane Ford, dmford455@ yahoo.com. May Count. Prince George’s. Compiler: Fred Fallon (301-249- 1518, fwfallon@earthlink.net). May Count. St. Mary’s. Compiler: Patty Craig (301-872-5670, walelu67@y ahoo . com) . May Count. Somerset. Compiler: Paul G. Bystrak, shrike@ comcast.net. continued on page 12 12 The Maryland Yellowthroat Calendar continued from page 11 May Count. Talbot. No count in 2015. May Count. Washington County. Contact coordinator Mark Abdy, 301-432-7696, for guidelines and an assignment. May Count. Wicomico. Everyone can participate! Contact Ellen Lawler for details and checklists at 410-546-9056. May Count. Worcester. Compiler, Marcia Balestri, mebalestri@ gmail.com or 301-606-5300. ft Montgomery. Izaak Walton League Property, B-CC Chapter. Half Day. The Club’s 4th official trip to this large private property south of Poolesville. Woods, hedgerows, streams, fields, and ponds provide a wide range of bird habitats, and migration should be on its way by this date. Trip will start at 7 AM at the League’s chapterhouse. Reservations required. For reservations and directions, contact Jim Nelson at kingfishers2@verizon.net or 301-530-6574. World Series of Birding. New Jersey Audubon will proudly host the 32nd annual World Series of Birding-North America’s premier conservation event. This event has changed the birding landscape and raised over $8,000,000 for bird conservation. Every species found-every dollar raised preserves and protects critical bird habitat. Add’l info at http://www.njaudubon.org/ SectionWorldSeriesofBirding/WorldSeriesofBirding.aspx. Sunday, May 10 ft Anne Arundel. Cabin Branch’s Restoration Area. David Gillum will tour a new birding area with easy access across the street from Annapolis Mall. The Severn River Keepers Association has worked to turn around a degraded section of property into a lovely birding area which throughout the year should be a good place to go birding and could be very good for migrant birds. Meet 8 AM, contact leader: David Gillum at 410-266-8775 or dagmapper@verizon.net for location. ft Baltimore. Marshy Point Nature Center. Half-day trip for late waterfowl, raptors, and passerines. Half-mile trail leads to point overlooking Dundee Crk. Boots advisable, scopes useful. Meet 8:30 AM (contact leaders for meet location). Leaders: Brent and Mary Byers, 410-626-7294 or baypuffin@hotmail.com. Audrey Carroll May Count. Frederick. Meet at the Sanctuary at 6 AM. Coordinator: David Smith 410-549-7082. ft Montgomery. Rock Creek Park, DC. Early migrant warblers, vireos, etc. Meet 7 AM at Picnic Area #18, one-half mile below the Nature Center on Ridge Rd. Call the leader for more info and for specific directions. Limit: 8. Reservations required. Leader: Wallace Kornack, 202-338-7859. ft Talbot. Millington WMA. Prime migration location; possibly 12-15 warbler species, vireos, thrushes, and flycatchers. Leader: Vince DeSanctis, 410-886-2009. Depart Easton Acme Parking Lot (intersection of Rte 322 and Marlboro Rd) at 6:30 AM. ft Baltimore. Robert E. Lee Park (Lake Roland). A series of weekly walks to follow the progress of Spring migration. Habitats include woods, lake, streams, and marsh. Beginning birders welcome. Meet time 8 AM. Walks begin at the head of the Boardwalk, accessible from the Light Rail parking lot. Leader TBD. Check schedule at BBC website, http://baltimorebirdclub. org/, for updates or contact Pete Webb at 443-904-6314 (m) or pete_webb@juno . com. Meeting. Kent. “Birding Wales” by Michael Bowen. 7:30 pm, Wesley Hall at Heron Point, off East Campus Ave, Chestertown. If you have questions, please contact Walter Ellison and Nancy Martin, 410-778-9568 or borealdee@gmail.com. Meeting. Patuxent. Program and speaker TBA. 7:30 PM, College Park Aviation Museum, 1985 Corporal Frank Scott Dr, College Park. For more info call 301-509-2212 or go to www.pgaudubon. org/pro grams . html . Wednesday, May 13 ft Montgomery. Wheaton RP. Warblers, flycatchers, vireos, and orioles should all be here on this easy morning walk in an interesting park. Limit: 10. For more info about meeting time and place and for reservations (required), contact the co-leaders: Woody and Rae Dubois at denguel@verizon.net. Thursday, May 14 Meeting. Howard. “Solving the Mysteries of Bird Migration,” by Dr. Gwen Brewer , Maryland DNR. This talk will summarize what we know about bird migration today, including exciting recent advances that have come about through the use of new technologies. Hospitality 7:30 PM; meeting/program 8 PM at Robinson Nature Center, 6692 Cedar Ln, Columbia. Info: Robin Todd, 410-491-5333. Friday, May 15 ft Harford. Swan Harbor Farm Park. Join an evening trip to try for a glimpse of the elusive Yellow Rail and whatever else can be found. Meet at the parking lot adjacent to the Agricultural Education Center (near end of driveway) at 6 PM. Contact leader Josh Emm, 410-937-6790 or apistopanchax@gmail.com for more info. Friday to Sunday, May 15 to May 17 Annual Conference. MOS. This year’s conference will be held at the Clarion Hotel in Hagerstown, Maryland. The MOS conference is a good way to get to know other birders in MD. Lots of trips are set up to a variety of areas with quality leaders who know their birds and can show you new locations. All members should have received a flyer about the details. You can get info about signing up for the conference on the MOS web site (http://www.mdbirds. org/activities/conference/MOSConfl 5.pdf). Contact Maureen Harvey at 410-795-3117 or pastpres@mdbirds.org for add’l info. Saturday, May 16 ft Anne Arundel. Southern Maryland Birding. Nick will lead a trip to various birding areas south of AA Co. Flag Ponds is usually Tuesday, May 12 continued on page 13 May/June 2015 13 Calendar continued from page 12 on Nick’s list as well as the Cypress Swamp and other areas. Good chance to see Red-headed Woodpecker and also Yellow-throated Warbler which are both uncommon in Anne Arundel. This will be an all-day trip so pack a lunch and some good shoes for walking a number of trails. Meet 6 AM at the Parole P&R. Leader: Nick Nicholson, 410-353-3329 or nickinchrist@netzero.net. A Baltimore. Saturday Monitoring Walks at Fort McHenry. Continuing survey of bird activity at the Fort and wetland. Cancelled in inclement weather. Meet 8 AM in the park, outside the Visitor Center. Leader: Joe Supik, 443-417-5015. ft Baltimore. Milford Mill Park. One-mile level walk on paved path for migrant warblers thrushes, tanagers, grosbeaks and other songbirds. Leader: Pete Webb, 443-904-6314 or pete_ webb@juno.com. Meet time 7:30 AM. Contact Pete for further instructions on meet place. ft Cecil. DE Shorebirds. May is a spectacular time on the shores of DE Bay. Horseshoe crabs lay their eggs and huge flocks of shorebirds arrive to feed on them in preparation for the final leg of their trip to their northern breeding grounds. WeTl head to the best places in DE to see them. Meet near Dunkin’ Donuts in Big Elk Mall, intersection of Rtes 40 and 213 in Elkton at 7 AM (or meet at the Dollar General parking lot in Chestertown at 8 AM) for a full-day trip. Bring breakfast, lunch and snack, or money to buy take-out food on the way. Bring scope if you have one. Insect repellant and sunscreen are strongly recommended. For more info contact Sean McCandless at seanmccandlessl@comcast.net or Ken Drier at kdrier@zoominternet.net. Trip Leader: TBA. ft Patuxent. Governor Bridge NA. Joint trip with PGAS. Habitat includes mature woods along the Patuxent River, brushy fields, and a network of freshwater wetlands, ponds and small streams. Meet 7:30 AM at the parking lot for Governor Bridge NA . No reservations required. The Natural Area is located on the south side of Governor Bridge Rd, approximately 1 mile east of MD 301. If you have questions, contact trip leader Bill Sefton at kiwisuits@ msn.com or David Mozurkewich at mozurk@bellAtlantic.net. Sunday, May 17 A Baltimore. Glen Artney and Avalon areas, Patapsco River Valley SP. This park has a variety of habitats including Lost Lake, stream-side woods, and open fields. Possibilities include spring migrants such as warblers, vireos, and orioles as well as resident birds. Level walking on paved and gravel roads. This is a fee area of $2 or $3 dollars per car. Car pooling is recommended. Meet 9 AM, contact leader for location. Leader: Mary Anne Fluke, 443- 690-4319 or mfluke62@gmail.com. A Kent. DE Bay Shorebirds and Horseshoe Crabs. The annual May gathering of northbound shorebirds including large numbers of Red Knots and Ruddy Turnstones in bright breeding dress, feeding on Horseshoe Crab eggs along the shores of DE Bay is a migration spectacle. We will visit the DE Bay shore from Mispillion Light south to Prime Hook; an area also good for coastal marsh birds, gulls and terns. Full day, bring lunch. Meet 8 AM at Dollar General Store parking lot, Chestertown. Leaders: Walter Ellison and Nancy Martin, 410-778-9568 or borealdee@ gmail.com. A Talbot. Bombay Hook. One of the highlights of the birding year. Over 100 species possible. Full day trip, bring lunch and insect repellant. Leader: Charles Hopkins, 410-763-8742. Depart Easton Acme parking lot 6:30 AM. Monday, May 18 Meeting. Tri-County. “Bird Migration Studies,” presented by Tim Schreckengost, U. of DE. 7 PM at Asbury Methodist Church, Fox Rm, south entrance, Camden Ave, Salisbury. For more info contact Betty Pitney at 410-543-1853. Tuesday, May 19 A Baltimore. Robert E. Lee Park (Lake Roland). A series of weekly walks to follow the progress of Spring migration. Habitats include woods, lake, streams, and marsh. Beginning birders welcome. Meet time 8 AM. Walks begin at the head of the Boardwalk, accessible from the Light Rail parking lot. Leader TBD. Check schedule at BBC website, http://baltimorebirdclub. org/, for updates or contact Pete Webb at 443-904-6314 (m) or pete_webb@juno .com. Wednesday, May 20 Meeting. Anne Arundel. 7:30 PM at the Blue Heron Center at Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis. “The Exquisite Birds of Ecuador” by Bob Mumford. More info: Colin Rees, 410-757-8570 or reescolin@hotmail.com. Meeting. Montgomery. Program and speaker TBD. 7:30 PM at Potomac Presbyterian Church, 10301 River Rd, Potomac. For more info contact Anna Urciolo at urcioloa@sidwell.edu. Thursday, May 21 Meeting. Caroline. Members Night at Martinak SP. Includes a walk at dusk with Park Ranger Dave Reinecke. 7:30 PM at Martinak SP Visitor’s Center. Contact Debby Bennett at 410-829- 4952 or dabennettl996@gmail.com for more info. A Patuxent. Lake Artemesia (Luther Goldman Birding Trail). Joint trip with PGAS. We will walk the paved trail around the lake as well as the trail through the woods along Indian Creek. Meet 6 PM at the parking lot at Berwyn Rd and Ballew Ave in Berwyn Heights. No reservations needed. Call David Mozurkewich, 301- 509-2212 or mozurk@bellAtlantic.net for more info. Saturday, May 23 A Anne Arundel. Piney Orchard Nature Preserve. Peter Hanan wifi show you various areas in a community nature preserve including a heron rookery with as many as 60 Great Blue Heron nests. We will look for a variety of warblers and other species and can also inspect some nesting boxes to see who’s nesting. We wifi be able to walk through the Nature Preserve and end up at Peter and Barbara Hanan’s home on the other side of the park. Meet 6 AM at the Parole P&R. Leader: Peter Hanan, 301-580-2785 or hanan . peter @ver izon . net . continued on page 14 14 The Maryland Yellowthroat Calendar continued from page 13 ft Baltimore. Bombay Hook. Full-day trip for a wide variety of migrating shorebirds. Be prepared for heat and biting insects. Minimal walking involved. Scopes very useful. Bring a lunch. Meet 7 AM at Nursery Rd P&R, 1-695, Exit 8. Alternatively, meet 9:15 AM at the Bombay Hook Visitor Center lot. Leader: Pete Webb, 410-486-1217, 443-904-6314 (m), or pete_webb@juno. com. fl Harford. Perryville Park Kayaking. Trip leaders are Colleen Webster and Sue Procell. Trip will begin at 8 AM. We will visit scenic Mill Creek, beautiful and historic Furnace Bay and perhaps the famous Susquehanna Flats. Bring your own kayak; no rentals available. Contact Colleen at cwebster@harford.edu or 410-459- 4577 for further details. fl Harford. Ladew Gardens Nature Walk. Join Dr. Dennis Kirkwood and Rachel Hebert (HBC member and Ladew staff member) from 8-10 AM. They will explore the beautiful grounds of the Gardens in search of colorful spring migrants as they arrive and remaining winter birds just before they depart. Ladew Gardens charges $5 to members and $15 for non-members. The fee includes admission to the facility for the day. Advanced reservation and payment is required. Contact Sue Myers, 410- 557-9570, ext 213 or smyers@ladewgardens.com. Sunday, May 24 fl Anne Arundel. DE Bay for Shorebird Migration. The leader will tour different coastal areas looking for large flocks of migrating shorebirds. This is the prime time for Horseshoe Crabs and they will be laying their eggs which draws in rare birds like the Red Knot. Please bring a lunch. Insect repellent is a good idea. Co-leaders: Hal Wierenga and Lynn Davidson, 410-647-7439 or hal.lynn@comcast.net. Please contact the leaders to sign up for this trip. The number of people and cars will need to be limited on this trip. fl Talbot. North Tara Rd, Chesapeake Forest/Brookview, Dorchester Co. Previous trips have produced 70+ species, including 10 or more warblers. Cliff and Bank Swallows are likely. Leader: Dave Bent. Depart Easton Acme parking lot at 6:30 AM. Return around noon. Bring drinks and snacks. For more info, contact Terry Allen at pattyallenlO@hotmail.com or 410- 829-5840. Monday, May 25 fl Harford. Hidden Valley. A trip to the aptly named Hidden Valley area with a beautiful stand of mature hemlock and a sparkling stream. Carpooling encouraged because parking is limited. Meet the leader at 7 AM at the parking lot at the northern end of Madonna Rd where it crosses Deer Creek. Leader Dennis Kirkwood (410-692-5905 or newarkfarms@gmail.com). Tuesday, May 26 fl Baltimore. Robert E. Lee Park (Lake Roland). A series of weekly walks to follow the progress of Spring migration. Habitats include woods, lake, streams, and marsh. Beginning birders welcome. Meet time 8 AM. Walks begin at the head of the Boardwalk, accessible from the Light Rail parking lot. Leader TBD. Check schedule at BBC website, http://baltimorebirdclub. org/, for updates or contact Pete Webb at 443-904-6314 (m) or pete_webb@juno . com. Washington. It’s member’s night. Bring short presentations, photos, stories, or anything of interest to share with your birding friends. Meeting begins at 7 PM at the Mt. Aetna Nature Center, Hagerstown. Call 301-797-8454 with questions. Saturday, May 30 fl Baltimore. Patterson Park. Look for late spring migrants and resident Wood Ducks, American Kestrel, and surprises in this urban oasis. Meet 8 AM at the White House in park near intersection of Lombard St and Patterson Park Ave. For questions or to borrow binoculars for the walk, contact Patterson Park Audubon Center at ppaudubon@gmail.com or 410-558-2473. fl Baltimore. Kiwanis Pond heron rookery near York, PA. Nesting Great Egrets, possible Black-crowned Night-herons and more. Bring lunch, and ‘scope if you have one. Meet 9 AM at Mt. Carmel Rd P&R off 1-83 north of the Beltway. Directions: north on 1-83 from Beltway about 12-13 miles, get off at exit 27, Mt. Carmel Rd. Follow ramp up to Mt. Carmel Rd, turn left and cross over 1-83, then immediately right into the P&R lot. Leaders: Pete Webb, 443-904-6314 or email pete_webb@juno.com, and Kevin Graff, keyweststyle2001 @gmail.com. fl Cecil. Woodlawn Wildlife Area. Join us for a leisurely stroll around the fields and woods of this re-awakening natural area. Meet 7:30 AM at the Woodlawn Parking Area for a 14 day nature walk. Contact leader, Ken Drier, kdrier@zoominternet.net for all trip details. fl Frederick. Western Maryland. Full day. This always-popular trip will take us to Allegany and Garrett Counties in search of goshawk, Henslow’s Sparrow, Golden- winged Warbler, Least and Alder Flycatchers, and much more. Leader: Mike Welch, 301- 685-3561. fl Howard. Patapsco Scrubland. Starting in the scrubland, we’ll look for warblers, vireos, thrushes, and other edge species. Depending on conditions, we may continue into the woods. Moderate to possibly difficult walking: steep trails with several stream crossings, so wear appropriate footwear. Meet 7:30 AM at 735 River Rd (up long drive take right-hand split and park by house). Facilities available. Leader: Felicia Lovelett, 301-802- 1969 or c5nest@gmail.com. fl Harford. Susquehanna SP. Catch the last of the migrating warblers along with resident flycatchers and orioles. Look for some nesting warblers as well. Meet in the parking area of the Mill at Rock Run at 7:30 AM. Contact leader Tim Houghton at 410-510-7504 or thoughton@loyola.edu ) for details. Sunday, May 31 fl Baltimore. Quarry Lake. Popular and scenic, birdy location with resident Baltimore and Orchard Orioles, Willow Flycatcher, continued on page 15 May/June 2015 15 Calendar continued from page 14 Green Herons, and views “downward” into the tree-tops where these birds nest. Level paved paths and sidewalks. Meet 8 AM at the benches where the three flags are flying on Quarry Lake Dr. Cancelled if raining. Leader: John Dennehy, 410-653-5214 or jedennehy@verizon.net. A Talbot. Governor Bridge NA. Leader: Vince De Sanctis. Depart Easton Acme parking lot at 7 AM. For more info, contact Terry Allen at pattyallenlO@hotmail.com or 410-829-5840. Wednesday, June 3 A Baltimore. First Wednesdays at Fort McHenry. A continuing series of monthly morning surveys of bird activity at the Fort and wetland. Scope can be useful. Cancelled in inclement weather. Meet 8 AM in the park, outside the Visitor Center, header: Mary Chetelat, 410-665-0769. Thursday, June 4 Annual Picnic. Frederick. Our favorite spot for this event is Pinecliff Park, where there is a lovely pavilion in the (ahem!) unlikely chance of rain. Bring binoculars, a dish to share, plate, utensils, and drink. We’ll meet at 6 PM for birding and eats. For info contact Tom Humphrey, Pres@FrederickBirdClub.org or 301-696-8540. A Patuxent. Fake Artemesia (Futher Goldman Birding Trail). Joint trip with PGAS. We will walk the paved trail around the lake as well as the trail through the woods along Indian Creek. Meet 6 PM at the parking lot at Berwyn Rd and Ballew Ave in Berwyn Heights. No reservations needed. Call David Mozurkewich, 301- 509-2212 or mozurk@bellAtlantic.net for more info. Friday to Sunday, June 5 to 7 A Baltimore. Carey Run Weekend in Western MD. Memory- making weekend, breeding warblers, sparrows, Bobolinks and more in Allegany and Garrett Cos in our state’s western end. Mostly birding near the cars, telescopes useful for some distant perching birds. Those wishing to stay overnight at Carey Run (an MOS property) must reserve a spot with Peter Lev. There is a fee, and space is limited. Others may prefer a motel in Frostburg or FaVale, a few miles away. Feaders: Peter Fev, plev@comcast.net, or 410-823-2962, and Kevin Graff, keyweststyle2001@gmail. com. Saturday, June 6 A Carroll. Grassland Birds of Carroll County. Join Bob Ringler as he leads us across the County in search of grassland birds and whatever else turns up. Meet 8 AM at the P&R on Rte 32 just south of Rte 26 in Eldersburg. Contact Bob at 410-303-2792 for more info. A Harford. Conowingo Trail. Join us for a leisurely walk along this two mile stretch of the Susquehanna River. Meet 7:30 AM at the Fishermans’ Park parking lot where you will spot Black Vultures and possibly see a nesting Peregrine Falcon on the dam face. The walk on the edge of the river should yield some orioles and possibly nesting warblers. The leaders are Susan Hood (410- 937-7552; susanjhood@comcast.net) and Russ Kovach (russsell. kovach@gmail.com; 443-386-4787). Board Meeting. MOS. 10 AM. Hosted by Harford Bird Club. Focation TBD. Contact Maryanne Dolan, maryanne.dolan@ gmail.com for add’l info. A Patuxent. Fran Uhler NA. Joint trip with PGAS. Habitat includes brushy fields, woods, and hedgerows for a good mix of species. Side trip to freshwater wetland at Horsepen Branch also possible. Meet 7:30 AM at the end of Femon Bridge Rd off MD 197, just north of Bowie State U. and the MARC line. No reservations required. If you have questions, contact trip leader Bill Sefton at kiwisuits@msn.com or David Mozurkewich at mozurk@bellAtlantic.net for more info. Sunday, June 7 A Anne Arundel. Family Bird Walk, Kinder Farm Park. This trip is designed for beginners and families to discover the joy of bird watching. Experienced leaders will facilitate these walks through various habitats and introduce you to the basics of spotting and identifying birds. Bring binoculars if you have them, but they are not required. We will be using our ears as much as our eyes! Meet 8 AM at garden (1001 Kinder Farm Park Rd, Millersville). Feader: Stacy Epperson, 410-987-7533 or stac.epperson@gmail. com. A Talbot. Tuckahoe: Nesting birds of field and woodland, and the ever-present chance of a late migrant, make this walk at Caroline Co’s premier State Park a morning of “what is around the next corner?” We will search different areas of the wooded sections, both near the Creek and upland adjacent the fields. Feader: Fes Coble, 410-820-6165. Depart Easton Acme parking lot at 7 AM. Tuesday, June 9 Planning Meeting. Allegany/Garrett. This evening we wifi plan the schedule for the coming year, so bring your ideas for speakers, field trips, and other projects. For best results, we need your ideas at or before the meeting. All input is appreciated! ! 6:30 PM. Frostburg Public Fibrary, Frostburg. Contact Mary Huebner, marybrd22@gmail.com or 301-777-0545 for more info. Meeting. Patuxent. Program and speaker TBA. 7:30 PM, College Park Aviation Museum, 1985 Corporal Frank Scott Dr, College Park. For more info call 301-509-2212 or go to www.pgaudubon. org/pro grams . html . Thursday, June 11 Meeting. Frederick. Annual club planning meeting. Please come with your ideas for programs or field trips. 7 PM at Homewood at Crumland Farms (7407 Willow Rd) in Frederick. For info, contact Tom Humphrey, Pres@FrederickBirdClub.org or 301-696-8540. Email suggestions to Kathy Brown, vicepres@frederickbirdclub. org. Friday, June 12 A Harford. Jerusalem Mill. Fook for nesting birds along this continued on page 16 16 The Maryland Yellowthroat Calendar continued from page 15 appealing stretch of the Little Gunpowder River marking Harford Co’s western border. Meet at the mill on Jerusalem Rd (not far west of Rtel52) at 8 AM. Accompany leader Phil Powers (410- 679-4116; birdsinmd@verizon.net ) as he scours this attractive habitat for avian nests. Saturday, June 13 A Allegany/Garrett. Nightjars and Owls! Meet on the downtown Cumberland mall near Mark’s Cafe at 8:15 PM for nighthawks. From there we’ll go in search of Whip-poor-wills and owls (probably Constitution Park). Contact: Melissa Hensel at mjhensel@yahoo.com for more info. A Baltimore. Youth Birding at Patterson Park. Return trip to see what we can see. Who knows what we will turn up, but it will undoubtedly include some surprises. Following the trip, if desired, we may go get an early lunch nearby. Meet 8 AM at the White House in park near intersection of Lombard St and Patterson Park Ave. Leader: John Robinson, 443-810-9059 (cell), 410-483-6620 (home), jcrobin@jhmi.edu. ft Cecil. Courthouse Point Road. Great beginner trip. Courthouse Point MHA is one of the most productive birding sites in Cecil Co, boasting a long list of regular and accidental species from both dry and wet habitats. Meet 7:30 AM near Dunkin’ Donuts in Big Elk Mall, intersection of Rte 40 and Rt 213 in Elkton for a half-day trip. Easy walking on mostly level ground. Sunscreen and bug spray are strongly recommended. Binoculars and enthusiasm are required! Note: Parking permit is required for each car. There is no fee. Request permit in writing from Maryland DNR, Gwynnbrook Wildlife and Heritage Service Office, 3740 Gwynnbrook Ave, Owings Mills, MD 21117. Leader: Pat Valdata, pvaldata@zoominternet. net. Annual Planning Meeting. Washington. Help to plan the chapter’s activities for the coming year. Your ideas are needed. Meeting starts at 10 AM at the Hutzell’s. A light lunch will be provided. Call Anna at 301-797-8454 if you plan to attend and for address and directions if needed. Sunday, June 14 A Anne Arundel. Cabin Branch’s Restoration Area. David Gillum will tour a new birding area with easy access across the street from Annapolis Mall. The Severn River Keepers Association has worked to turn around a degraded section of property into a lovely birding area which throughout the year should be a good place to go birding and could be very good for migrant birds. Meet 8 AM, contact leader, David Gillum at 410-266-8775 or dagmapper@verizon.net for location. A Baltimore. Marshy Point Nature Center. Half-day trip for summer residents. Half-mile trail leads to point overlooking Dundee Crk. Boots advisable, scopes useful. Meet 9 AM (contact leaders for meet location). Leaders: Brent and Mary Byers, 410- 626-7294 or baypuffin@hotmail.com. A Harford. Evening Kayak Trip. Meet at the Tydings Park launch ramp at 5 PM for a pleasant and leisurely paddle in the Havre de Grace area. Expect herons, Osprey, eagles, ducks and geese and lots of babies, though none flying yet. There will be no rentals available at this hour so you will need to bring/arrange for your own vessel. The leaders are Colleen Webster (410-459- 4577; cwebster@harford.edu) and Sue Procell (443-417-4919; procellmd@gmail . com) . Thursday, June 18 A Patuxent. Lake Artemesia (Luther Goldman Birding Trail). Joint trip with PGAS. We will walk the paved trail around the lake as well as the trail through the woods along Indian Creek. Meet 6 PM at the parking lot at Berwyn Rd and Ballew Ave in Berwyn Heights. No reservations needed. Call David Mozurkewich, 301- 509-2212 or mozurk@bellAtlantic.net for more info. Saturday, June 20 A Cecil. Community Outreach. 6th Annual Northeast River Wade-In. Join us as we pull up our pant legs and wade into the Upper Chesapeake Bay to measure water quality the way retired MD State Senator Bernie Fowler does with his “sneaker index.” 10 AM to 2 PM at Northeast Beach location in Elk Neck SP. Rain or shine. Wear light-colored shoes that you don’t mind getting wet. Free and open to the public. For more details contact Sean “Bird Dog” McCandless, seanmccandlessl@comcast.net or 410- 996-5267. A Harford. Harford Glen. Meet at the Glen (west end of Wheel Rd.) at 7:30 AM. The tour will begin with sightings from the parking lot then proceed to scout the triple riparian habitats of Atkisson Res; the faster flowing Winter’s Run; and the tributary, Plumtree Run. The woodland trails, varied water habitats and some open meadow offer great opportunities for good birding, including the possible sighting of a pair of Great Horned Owls. Ruth Bergstrom (443-752-1967; ruthb22@yahoo.com) will be leading our trip. A Patuxent. Governor Bridge NA. Joint trip with PGAS. Habitat includes mature woods along the Patuxent River, brushy fields, and a network of freshwater wetlands, ponds and small streams. Meet 7:30 AM at the parking lot for Governor Bridge NA . No reservations required. The Natural Area is located on the south side of Governor Bridge Rd, approximately 1 mile east of MD 301 . If you have questions, contact trip leader Bill Sefton at kiwisuits@ msn.com or David Mozurkewich at mozurk@bellAtlantic.net. Sunday to Friday, June 21 to June 26 YMOS. Maryland Birds and Habitats Summer Institute at Washington College, Chestertown, MD. Open to any student entering grades 7-12. Info on the program, activities, and schedule can be found on the YMOS website (http://www.ymos.org/). Saturday, June 27 A Baltimore. Patterson Park. Look for summer residents in this urban oasis. Meet 8 AM at the White House in park near intersection of Lombard St and Patterson Park Ave. For questions or to borrow binoculars for the walk, contact Patterson Park Audubon Center at ppaudubon@gmail.com or 410-558-2473. continued on page 1 7 May/June 2015 17 Calendar continued from page 16 Summer Picnic and Planning Meeting. Carroll. Amy Hoffman will again be hosting our annual meeting. Enjoy good food, good company and help decide what future birding trips we are going to take. Bring your bathing suit if you are so inclined. Amy has a great pool. Meet time is 1 PM. Contact her (410-549-3598) if you plan on attending (or need directions) and tell her what food item you will be bringing. Sunday, June 28 Picnic. Washington. Bring a place setting, drink, and a dish to share to Pangborn Park. Picnic begins at 4 PM at the pavilion next to the pond. Call 301-797-8454 for directions. Wednesday, July 1 A Baltimore. First Wednesdays at Fort McHenry. A continuing series of monthly morning surveys of bird activity at the Fort and wetland. Scope can be useful. Cancelled in inclement weather. Meet 8 AM in the park, outside the Visitor Center. Leader: Mary Chetelat, 410-665-0769. Sunday, July 5 A Anne Arundel. Family Bird Walk, Kinder Farm Park. This trip is designed for beginners and families to discover the joy of bird watching. Experienced leaders will facilitate these walks through various habitats and introduce you to the basics of spotting and identifying birds. Bring binoculars if you have them, but they are not required. We will be using our ears as much as our eyes! Meet 8 AM at garden (1001 Kinder Farm Park Rd, Millers ville). Leader: Stacy Epperson, 410-987-7533 or stac.epperson@gmail. com. Friday, July 10 A Harford. Beginning Birder Trip. Phil Powers will lead a group of beginners through Harford Glen, a beautiful valley with streams, wetlands, forested hills and meadows. The trip will begin at 8 AM. Contact Phil at 4 1 0-679-4 1 1 6 or birdsinmd@verizon.net for more details. Sunday, July 12 A Anne Arundel. Cabin Branch’s Restoration Area. David Gillum will tour a new birding area with easy access across the street from Annapolis Mall. The Severn River Keepers Association has worked to turn around a degraded section of property into a lovely birding area which throughout the year should be a good place to go birding and could be very good for migrant birds. Meet 8 AM, contact leader, David Gillum at 410-266-8775 or dagmapper@verizon.net for location. A Baltimore. Marshy Point Nature Center. Half-day trip for summer residents. Half-mile trail leads to point overlooking Dundee Crk. Boots advisable, scopes useful. Meet 9 AM (contact leaders for meet location). Leaders: Brent and Mary Byers, 410- 626-7294 or baypuffin@hotmail.com. Sunday, July 19 A Harford. Bombay Hook. Shorebird migration at this time of year offers a fine prospect for a rarity or two along with the usual wealth of shorebird activity at Bombay Hook. Meet at 7 AM at the Rte 155/95 P&R. Leader is Dave Larkin, 410-569-8319; larkin3001@comcast.net. Saturday, July 25 A Baltimore. Patterson Park. Look for summer resident birds in this urban oasis. Meet 8 AM at the White House in park near intersection of Lombard St and Patterson Park Ave. For questions or to borrow binoculars for the walk, contact Patterson Park Audubon Center at ppaudubon@gmail.com or 410-558-2473. A Harford. Hummingbird Banding. Watch as experienced bander, Bruce Peterjohn, skillfully and delicately bands our smallest bird. The event will be hosted by Diane Jones at her home. Contact Diane, 410-404-9180 or diane.v.jones@ssa.gov for directions and all trip details, such as meet time. Wednesday, August 5 A Baltimore. First Wednesdays at Fort McHenry. A continuing series of monthly morning surveys of bird activity at the Fort and wetland. Scope can be useful. Cancelled in inclement weather. Meet 8 AM in the park, outside the Visitor Center. Leader: Mary Chetelat, 410-665-0769. Sunday, August 9 A Baltimore. Marshy Point Nature Center. Half-day trip for summer residents, possible early migrants. Half-mile trail leads to point overlooking Dundee Crk. Boots advisable, scopes useful. Meet 9 AM (contact leaders for meet location). Leaders: Brent and Mary Byers, 410-626-7294 or baypuffin@hotmail.com. A Anne Arundel. Cabin Branch’s Restoration Area. David Gillum will tour a new birding area with easy access across the street from Annapolis Mall. The Severn River Keepers Association has worked to turn around a degraded section of property into a lovely birding area which throughout the year should be a good place to go birding and could be very good for migrant birds. Meet 8 AM, contact leader, David Gillum at 410-266-8775 or dagmapper@verizon.net for location. Saturday, August 22 A Baltimore. Bombay Hook. Full-day trip for a wide variety of migrating shorebirds. Be prepared for heat and biting insects. Minimal walking involved. Scopes very useful. Bring a lunch. Meet 7 AM at Nursery Rd P&R, 1-695, Exit 8. Alternatively, meet 9:15 AM at the Bombay Hook Visitor Center lot. Leader: Pete Webb, 410-486-1217, 443-904-6314 (m), or pete_webb@juno. com. A Harford. Harford County Shorebird Search. Explore several Harford Co shorelines to see a variety of shorebirds and waterfowl. Beginners interested in learning the basics of shorebird identification and experienced watchers searching for rarities will enjoy this morning trip. Meet at 8 AM at Tydings Park in Havre de Grace. For more info contact either of the co-leaders: Dennis Kirkwood, 410-692-5905 or newarkfarms@gmail.com and Josh Emm, 410-937-6790 or apistopanchax@gmail.com. Sunday, August 23 continued on page 18 18 The Maryland Yellowthroat Calendar continued from page 1 7 Picnic. Washington. Camp Harding. Bring a place setting, drink, a dish to share, and a lawn chair. Picnic begins at 4 PM. Call 301- 797-8454 for directions. Tuesday, August 25 A Baltimore. Cromwell Valley Park. First in a series of weekly Tuesday morning walks to follow the progress of fall migration. This park has variety of habitats including fields, stream-side woods, and hillside forest. Expect a variety of migrant and resident birds. Beginning birders welcome. Meet 8 AM, see BBC website at http://baltimorebirdclub.org/schedule.html for more detailed directions. Leader: TBA. Saturday, August 29 A Baltimore. Patterson Park. Look for early Fall migrant swallows, flycatchers, resident American Kestrel, and Wood Ducks and more in this green oasis in the middle of Baltimore. Meet 8 AM at the White House in park near intersection of Lombard St and Patterson Park Ave. For questions or to borrow binoculars for the walk, contact Patterson Park Audubon Center at ppaudubon@gmail.com or 410-558-2473. A Cecil. Turkey Point Migrants and Hawk Watch Kickoff. Join us for the traditional kick-off to the annual Turkey Point Hawk Watch, which runs every day from Labor Day weekend through Thanksgiving. Walk through the woods and fields for migrant songbirds. The pace will be leisurely. Most of the walking is on a gravel road with good footing, but there are hilly sections. Bring drinks and/or snacks. Meet 7 AM at the Turkey Point parking lot. Leader: Sean “Bird Dog” McCandless, seanmccandlessl@ comcast.net. A Harford. Susquehanna SP. Explore the park for early migrant warblers with leaders Dave Webb (410-939-3537; porzana@ comcast.net) and Josh Emm (410-937-6790; apistopanchax@ gmail.com ). Meet at 7 AM at Rock Run Mill. Bird Terms by Colin Rees ABA area: (sometimes referred to as the ABA Checklist Area) is essentially North America north of Mexico. A few more minutes: a refrain begging more time to see that elu- sive bird. The offender is often left behind, especially by an irri- tated wife or companion. Backyard Birder: enjoys birds visiting nearby and actively seeks to attract a range of species to their yard/garden through different feeders, birdhouses and a bird-friendly landscape. They can fre- quently identify both everyday and seasonal species, as well as some of the more unusual guests to their yard. BBD (Bigger better deal): when a ‘lister’ learns of a rarer bird nearby. Bino Bra: harness used to spread weight of binoculars across one’s shoulders rather than the neck strap which causes increasing discomfort as the day progresses. Bins: binoculars Bird watcher: enjoys both backyard birds and whatever species seen while traveling or visiting parks, but do not necessarily plan their vacations or activities to see new or unusual birds. A bird watcher is familiar with local, common birds but may be unable to easily identify rare or intermittent visitors. Owns one or two field guides and won’t replace them until they fall apart. Should not be used to refer to the serious birder. Birder: enjoys watching and studying birds at the crack of dawn, under wet, cold conditions and weighed down with voluminous gear; keen but not obsessive, well-versed in identification and general birding knowledge and information about local birding sites. Birders often plan travel to bird festivals to and they may take photography or basic ornithology classes to expand their knowledge and enjoyment and participate in organized competi- tions and birding marathons. Own several field guides and other bird reference books, and may buy updated editions. Often find rarities for ‘twitchers’ and invariably help new birders with iden- tification. Invariably seen as loony by non-birders. Birding: a hobby in which individuals enjoy the challenge of bird study, listing, or other general activities involving bird life. The term ‘birding’ was also used for the practice of fowling or hunting with firearms as in Shakespeare’s The Merry Wives of Windsor (1602): “She laments sir... her husband goes this morning a-bird- ing.” A Big Day; an individual or small team effort to identify via sight or sound as many bird species as possible in a 24-hour period on a single calendar day. The individual/team can go anywhere, use specialized gear, and even take time-outs. The rules defining an official Big Day Count (posted by the American Birding Asso- ciation), serve to guide this form of bird spotting and avoid its excesses. The Big Sit: an event centering on spotting as many species as possible in 24 hours. Every participant must stay within the con- fines of a 17-foot diameter circle and observations only count if they are made within the circle. Participants can enter and exit a circle as frequently as desired, but must return to the exact spot each time. Participants may work in shifts and tally results for the circle collectively. Big Year: A birding event in which a birder attempts to see as many species of birds as possible within a defined region (world, state, ABA Area) in 365 days, generally from January 1 to De- cember 3 1 . “The Bird”: Not a bird; rather an obscene hand gesture some- times directed at other birders. Blocker: A ‘mega’ which appears on a region’s list, but if you were not one of the lucky ones to see it, you probably never will, thus you are blocked. Bogey Bird: Having ‘dipped’ on a bird a few times it can become a bogey bird, especially if every one is seeing it regularly. Burn up or flog: To beat around in the undergrowth hoping to flush a bird. A desperate measure and not a way to treat an ex- hausted migrant. BVD (Better View Desired): a ‘life bird’ seen well enough to identify but not well enough to satisfy. Crippler: A rare and spectacular bird that shows brilliantly; an allusion to its preventing people from moving on. Dip (or a dipper): to miss seeing a bird common in the area, or continued on page 19 May/June 2015 19 Brid Terms continued from page 18 to miss seeing a species one particularly wanted to see; especially frustrating if everyone else has seen it and it is rather rare. The joking rule of thumb is that the further you travel for a specific bird, the greater the chance of dipping on it. Dude: A posh bird-watcher who doesn’t really know much about birds. Also used to refer to someone who primarily seeks out birds for photography rather than study. Field Guide: a book providing details of all the birds found in a region or country. Field guides usually include color illustrations of the birds, descriptive notes to help identify the bird and a distri- bution map. Birders are often defensive about the choice of their ‘guide’ and carry them about often in a dilapidated state. First: a first record of a species in a defined area, such as a North American first or a state first. Grip (or Grip off): to see a bird another birder missed and to tell them you’ve seen it, often to brag about said its sighting. Jizz: overall impression given by the general shape, movement, behavior, etc., of a species rather than any particular feature. Ex- perienced birders can often identify species, even with only fleet- ing or distant views, on jizz alone. Life List: a list of every species of bird a birder has ever seen or heard in the world in his or her bird watching life. The world’s five top ‘listers’ have seen more than 8000 species - a figure usu- ally only reached by spending vast sums of money on travel and guiding, enduring discomfort in very trying conditions and having no other interests in life whatsoever. See also ‘Lifer’. Often uses checklists ranging from simplistic to Byzantine. Many also keep year lists, month lists, week lists or day lists. Other lists include place lists, state lists, country lists, lists of birds seen on televi- sion, in movies, from their office window, etc. Only limitation is their imagination. Often referred to as ‘listers’. Lifer: The first-ever sighting and listing of a bird by an observer. See also ‘Life List’ and ‘Tick’. LBJs (little brown jobs): non-descript small, difficult to identify birds such as sparrows, warblers, wrens or finches. This is espe- cially true for females, which lack much of the coloring present in males. Mega: A very rare bird. Mega’s will see birders from across the country congregate at the spot at a chance of seeing it. Those who are slow off the mark are often left with an expensive dipper. Megatick: an extremely good tick, by virtue of the bird being very rare or very difficult to find. A good tick not just for you; it is for any birder, even for most veterans. Nemesis Bird: a bird that has eluded a birder despite several efforts to see it. Non-birder: People who sleep in and miss enjoying one of life’s greatest pleasures Ornithologist: another name for a birder or bird watcher, but usu- ally someone who takes their interest very seriously. Those who study birds as part of their work are best called ornithologists. A normal person is interested in what a bird is, while an ornitholo- gist is interested in what a bird does. Ornithology: the serious study of birds, the habits, life cycle, habitats and characteristics of birds, often keeping of detailed re- cords and writing articles or books about birdlife. Pish. An emphatic shushing noise made by North American birders to elicit mobbing behavior in small birds. The sound is intended to roughly replicate the alarm calls of chickadees and titmice. Pishing Pishing: to say “pish, pish, pish” several times in the hope that curious birds will come and investigate; should sound like you are trying to silence someone: Psshh. In theory, birds are attracted because ‘pishing’ mimics the sound of a bird that is in trouble. An- other explanation is that the birds are curious about humans mak- ing weird ‘pish’ noises. Another form of pishing is also known as squeaking. To squeak, noisily kiss the back of your hand to attract hidden birds. This form of pishing makes a noise like a bird scold- ing a predator, which often entices other birds to join in. Because non-birders don’t seem to understand or consider those pishing, it is best done in the company of other birders or, even better, deep in the woods far from everyone. Pishing should also be avoided in any situation that might bring peril to birds, such as when cats or raptors are hunting in the area or during the breeding season. Plastic: Adjective used to indicate a bird that has escaped from captivity, rather than a genuinely wild bird. Slash: a term used to describe to cryptic species pairs that can- not be identified to species (often in reference to a day checklist). Examples include Long/Short-billed Dowitchers, Greater/Lesser Yellowlegs, Willow/Alder Flycatcher. SSV Soul-satisfying view (of a bird! ) String: 1) the act of intentionally misleading other birders about the presence of a rare bird; 2) a dubious record, usually of a rarity that the record cannot be substantiated. See also ‘Stringer’. Stringer: 1 ) a person with a reputation of knowingly misleading others about the presence of rare bird, or one who is believed to intentionally fabricate rare bird sightings [the presence of mal- ice is important in distinguishing a string from a well-intentioned mistake]; 2) probably the most insulting term in birding, referring to a person that often identifies birds incorrectly and adds them to their life list. This is often the case with rarities reported by such a person, and most other birders will treat any reported sighting with skepticism. See also String. Suppression: the act of concealing news of a rare bird from other ‘twitchers’. Tart’s tick: a relatively common species added to one’s list later than might be expected. Tick: the first time a birder sees a bird, they add it to their life list-o ften with unadulterated glee. See also ‘Lifer’. Twitch: to seek out a previously reported rare bird, generally traveling long distances to do so. Twitchable: referring to a bird that, by virtue of its reliability and accessibility, is easy to find if chased. Twitcher : obsessive list-keeping birder who chases after rare birds found by other people. Twitchers might cross half the country overnight or go to great effort, expense and discomfort to see birds, often just a single bird, that they have never seen before so that it can be marked on their list of birds seen (called a “tick’). Usually makes huge lists that only impress other twitch- ers. Surprisingly, twitchers are not always good at identifying birds because they leave all the work to other birders. [The word “twitcher” might have originated from their propensity to develop a nervous twitch until the rare or desired bird has been ticked off their list]. Twitching (chasing): the habit or behavior of some very keen or compulsive birders. Two Bird Theory: a mostly pejorative term used to refer to a continued on page 20 20 The Maryland Yellowthroat POSTMASTER: TIME-DATED MATERIAL— PLEASE EXPEDITE! MARYLAND ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY, INC. P. O. Box 105, Monrovia, MD 21770-0105 Nonprofit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID at Hagerstown, MD Permit No. 184 The Maryland Yellowthroat Newsletter of the Maryland Ornithological Society, Inc. Editor: Richard Donham rdonham8@gmail.com Designer: Eric Skrzypczak ericskrz@gmail.com Calendar Editor: Andy Martin martinap2@verizon.net 301-294-4805 Chapter Chatter: Jean Wheeler jswheeler3@verizon.net Mailing list: Martha Crouse crouse.martha8@gmail.com MOS web site: http://www.mdbirds.org Webmaster: John Hays Christy SiteMaven@mdbirds.org Anyone is welcome to contribute articles, pho- tos, or ideas that would be of interest to other birders. Copy may be e-mailed to Richard Donham by Aug 25, 2014 for the Sep/Oct 2015 issue. Illustrations pp. 1,4 ©M. Suzanne Probst Brid Terms continued from page 19 situation in which a rare or otherwise desirable bird is claimed to be present alongside a more common, and often similar, species. Trash bird: any bird species that is so ubiquitous in a location that it surpasses unre- markable and becomes truly irritating. Trash birds hog feeders, crowd trees, and con- sistently outcompete other species for habitat and resources. Their belligerent success spells failure for many other kinds of potentially more interesting birds. It stands to reason that birds common in one part of the country are rare or even unseen in other places - one birder’s trash is another one’s treasure. Warbler Neck: sore neck due to repeated searching of high tree branches for warblers and other species all-too-well hidden in the foliage. Year list: the number of species a ‘lister’ sees in a calendar year. Zootie: freak sighting