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20 Nov Eared Grebe - Piscataway Park - Yes [Steve Hersey ] 20 Nov Orange-crowned Warbler and House Wren in Howard County 11/20/09 [Hans Holbrook ] 20 Nov Re: Fwd: Re: [MDOSPREY] Adult Yellow-legged Gull [Jim Moore ] 20 Nov Fwd: Re: [MDOSPREY] Adult Yellow-legged Gull [pobrien776 ] 20 Nov Assateague--Bayside--11/20/2009 [Ronald Gutberlet ] 20 Nov Re: Adult Yellow-legged Gull [Andy Wilson ] 19 Nov Fw: [MDOSPREY] Kent / Queen Anne's County [Winger and June West ] 19 Nov Bombay Hook Field Trip Saturday, 21 November [Nancy Martin ] 19 Nov Re: Kent / Queen Anne's County [Phil Davis ] 20 Nov Re: Kent / Queen Anne's County [Bob Ringler ] 19 Nov Kent / Queen Anne's County [Dan Haas ] 19 Nov Adult Yellow-legged Gull [pobrien776 ] 19 Nov Eared Grebe - Piscataway Park PG Cty [Joe Hanfman ] 19 Nov Common Loons - Hains Point, DC [Steve Hersey ] 19 Nov Re: Late Empidonax Flycatchers [Bob Ringler ] 19 Nov Swans in the mist ["ALLPORT, Gary" ] 18 Nov Re: Piscataway Grebes 11/18 [hans holbrook ] 18 Nov Piscataway Grebes [David Mozurkewich ] 18 Nov N. Gannets - Eastern Bay [Frank Marenghi ] 18 Nov Flyover Tundra Swans at Haines Pt., D.C. 11/18 [Thomas Jones ] 18 Nov Carroll Co. Birds 11/17/09 [Bob Ringler ] 18 Nov Foxy stuff [Frank Boyle ] 17 Nov Bufflehead above Great Falls [Donald Sweig ] 17 Nov Worcester weekend birds [Frode Jacobsen ] 17 Nov Little Gull - Kent Narrows [Frank Marenghi ] 17 Nov Triadelphia Reservoir--Brighton Dam (Howard County) , 11/17/09 [Joe Hanfman ] 17 Nov Fw: Montgomery Bird Club Meeting, Wednesday, Nov. 18 [sally wech ] 17 Nov FW: DC Area, 11/17/09 [Norm Saunders ] 17 Nov Loch Raven & hawkwatch, 11/17/09 [Kevin Graff ] 17 Nov Bird Watchers Digest [Joe Hanfman ] 17 Nov Eared Grebe: YES [Dan Haas ] 17 Nov Nice wake up call [Patricia Valdata ] 17 Nov Red-headed Woodpecker at Liberty Lake (11/15) [Keith Eric Costley ] 17 Nov Piscataway Park 11/17/09 Eared Grebe [Jeff Shenot ] 16 Nov Coastal Worcester County, 11/12/09 [Kevin Graff ] 16 Nov AA, Dorchester & Worcester Counties, 11/11/09 [Kevin Graff ] 16 Nov Piscataway Park, 11/16/09 [Kevin Graff ] 16 Nov Re: Eared Grebe, Piscataway Park - NO [Jeff Shenot ] 16 Nov Two Golden Eagles at Turkey Point [Patricia Valdata ] 16 Nov FOS tundra Swans [Stephen Horvath ] 16 Nov Earred Grebe-Yes! Piscataway Park, PG.Co. [diane Ford ] 16 Nov Re: Eared Grebe, Piscataway Park [Kevin Graff ] 16 Nov Re: Rarity Roundup Highlights [Leslie Starr ] 16 Nov Re: Rarity Roundup Highlights [Bob Ringler ] 16 Nov Flycatcher photos [JB Churchill ] 16 Nov Weekend sightings including California Gull, Kent County 11/15/09 [hans holbrook ] 16 Nov Re: Eared Grebe, Piscataway Park [Mikey Lutmerding ] 16 Nov Re: eBird balloons ["J. M." ] 16 Nov Eared Grebe, Piscataway Park [Mikey Lutmerding ] 16 Nov Golden Eagle Fly-over at Pickering Creek [les ] 16 Nov eBird balloons [James Tyler Bell ] 16 Nov Re: Locations-- eBird [Jim Moore ] 15 Nov Rarity Roundup Highlights [Bill Hubick ] 15 Nov Ocean City-Blackwater Nov. 14 [Peter Lev ] 15 Nov Prettyboy Reservoir, 11/10/09 [Kevin Graff ] 15 Nov Clay colored Sparrow-No [diane Ford ] 15 Nov Hummingbird nest web cam [Phil Davis ] 15 Nov Locations -- meaningful subject lines [Jim and Ann Nelson ] 15 Nov Golden Eagle at Centennial Park in Howard County [Kevin Heffernan ] 15 Nov American Avocet ["George M. Jett" ] 14 Nov Cedar Hill Cemetary Juncos [saundra byrd ] 14 Nov Calvert Co hummingbird and pelicans (14 Nov) [Sherman Suter ] 14 Nov Fwd: Funny gull [pobrien776 ] 14 Nov Wooton's Landing, poss Golden Eagle [K Lambert ] 14 Nov Jug Bay, Mayo Beach [Joanne Howl ] 14 Nov Re: Locations [Ed Boyd ] 14 Nov Surf Scoter at Tollgate Recycling Plant in Bel Air ["mail.comcast.net" ] 14 Nov Re: Locations [Helen Horrocks ] 14 Nov No Subject [Ed Boyd ] 14 Nov 3 Scoters at Thomas PP / AA-PG birding [chris murray ] 14 Nov Re: Where is Meadowbrook [June Tveekrem ] 14 Nov Re: Piney Run [June Tveekrem ] 14 Nov Piney Run [Gerald & Laura Tarbell ] 14 Nov Thomas Point SP / Siskin [Dan Haas ] 14 Nov Clay-colored Sparrow, Meadowbrook, Saturday 11/14 [Wallace Kornack ] 14 Nov Probable Dusky Flycatcher [Joe Hanfman ] Subject: Eared Grebe - Piscataway Park - Yes From: Steve Hersey <sherseydc AT MAC.COM> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:45:10 -0500 Just a quick post - the Eared Grebe was present this afternoon. No other Grebes in sight. I stopped by yesterday and did not have any luck with the Eared, but one Pied-billed was swimming around. Only a tenth of the ducks today as were there yesterday. Cheers all, Steve Hersey Washington, DC Subject: Orange-crowned Warbler and House Wren in Howard County 11/20/09 From: Hans Holbrook <hansholbrook AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:02:12 -0800 While doing data collection for a college project today, I found an Orange-crowned Warbler and a House Wren at Schooley Mill Park in Howard County. The warbler was along the far end of the lower soccer field. The wren was behind the baseball fields in a tangle around a lone tree. Both birds were unexpected. I happened to be a Meadowbrook too this morning, but did not see the Clay-colored Sparrow. I didn't try very hard though. Triadelphia had 2 Common Loons, maybe 8 distant Ruddy Ducks, and 8 Ring-billed Gulls. Hans Holbrook Crofton, MD Subject: Re: Fwd: Re: [MDOSPREY] Adult Yellow-legged Gull From: Jim Moore <epiphenomenon9 AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:11:31 -0500 Just wanted to add that after reading Andy's comments I took the liberty of posting a link to the photos on a forum frequented by many birders from "across the pond". Link to the thread is here: http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=157201 Consensus at this point seems to be running against YLG, but no consensus yet about what else it might be--possibly a hybrid. But if the bird is seen again, a photo of the open wing should be the goal. Jim Moore Rockville, MD On Fri, Nov 20, 2009 at 1:50 PM, pobrien776 wrote: > Here are some clarifications and cautions from someone who has far more experience with Yellow-legged Gulls than I ever will.  Also note that Marcia Balestri is posting the package to IDFrontiers.  That should produce a flurry of responses.  You can find IDFrontiers at , click on Regional/Specialty. > > Paul O'Brien > Rockville, Mont. Co., MD > > Begin forwarded message: > > From:   pobrien776 > Subject:    Re: [MDOSPREY] Adult Yellow-legged Gull > Date:   November 20, 2009 12:48:04 PM EST > To: "Andy Wilson" > Andy, > I share your cautions.  The mirrors threw me off until I looked at Howell and Dunn, particularly figure 26.1, which shows a good sized mirror as well as extensive fine streaking.  I, too, thought of incomplete molt when I saw the primary extension.  I have no solution for that question, which is one of the reason's I wanted to get more birders, particularly the ones with the gigantic cameras, looking for and documenting this bird.  Flight photos would help on the primary molt question, and on subspecies too.  The size should approach Herring Gull.  I should never have thrown Ring-billed Gull into the equation.  We learn by errors. > > Paul O'Brien > Rockville, Mont. Co., MD > > On Nov 20, 2009, at 7:55:51 AM, "Andy Wilson" wrote: > > From:   "Andy Wilson" > Subject:    Re: [MDOSPREY] Adult Yellow-legged Gull > Date:   November 20, 2009 7:55:51 AM EST > To: MDOSPREY AT HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM > Thanks for posting the photo link Paul - an interesting bird. While it has lots > of good value for a Yellow-legged Gull, there are a few things that allow some > room for uncertainty in my opinion. I'd like to hear the opinion of others with > experience of this species. > > My main concern is the size of the white mirrors on the primaries - they should > be small on Yellow-legged, they look large on this bird, certainly larger than > is typical for Yellow-legged. Some of that could be an artifact of the > photographs - difficult to say. Also, Yellow-legged has longer primaries than > Herring - this bird has a very short primary projection. Of course that could > be moult, but note that Yellow-legged Gull (at least the western European race) > moults earlier than Herring Gull, and I would have thought would be through > moult by now. I'm not too sure of the moult timing of other races though - so > that's worth investigating. > > Also, the streaking on the head is definitely towards the extensive extreme for > Yellow-legged Gull. In photo 6 - the streaking looks extensive but very fine. > Size is difficult to judge but Yellow-legged is pretty close to average Herring > Gull size, there is extensive overlap among the various races of both. It's > usually noticeably larger than Lesser-Black-backed (when side by side), a > Yellow-legged between Ring-billed and Herring size would be odd. > > I don't think any one thing rules out Yellow-legged but it's certainly doesn't > look like a classic bird of the races I'm used to seeing in Europe and North > Africa. This species complex is, well, complex though! > > A good find whatever the outcome. > > Andy Wilson, > Frederick > > > Subject: Adult Yellow-legged Gull > From: pobrien776 > Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:46:34 -0500 > For those of you who may be in the vicinity of Blackwater Refuge this weekend, > be on the lookout for this gull. �It was seen last Friday (the 13th!) by > Marcia > Balestri, but not relocated over the weekend. �It was with a flock of mostly > Laughing and Ring-billed Gulls foraging in the fields along Egypt Road north of > Key Wallace. �For all we know it could be in North Carolina by now, but it is > certainly worth looking for. �It will be slightly darker in the mantle and > midway in size between Herring and Ring-billed Gulls, but with yellow legs. > �Many of you probably missed the 1993 bird at the Oaks Landfill in > Laytonsville, Montgomery Co. �It shuttled between the landfill and Georgetown > Reservoir. �It was a return of the first documented North American record > which > had been found by Dave Czaplak at Georgetown in the winter of 1990-1991, as I > recall. > > > Photos can be seen at: > > http://picasaweb.google.com/BobsShots/Gulls > > Good luck! > > Paul O'Brien > Rockville, Mont. Co., MD > Eared Grebe - Piscataway Park PG Cty [Joe Hanfman ] > --> > Subject: Fwd: Re: [MDOSPREY] Adult Yellow-legged Gull From: pobrien776 <pobrien776 AT AOL.COM> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:50:02 -0500 Here are some clarifications and cautions from someone who has far more experience with Yellow-legged Gulls than I ever will.  Also note that Marcia Balestri is posting the package to IDFrontiers.  That should produce a flurry of responses.  You can find IDFrontiers at , click on Regional/Specialty. Paul O'Brien Rockville, Mont. Co., MD   Begin forwarded message: From: pobrien776 Subject: Re: [MDOSPREY] Adult Yellow-legged Gull Date: November 20, 2009 12:48:04 PM EST To: "Andy Wilson" Andy, I share your cautions.  The mirrors threw me off until I looked at Howell and Dunn, particularly figure 26.1, which shows a good sized mirror as well as extensive fine streaking.  I, too, thought of incomplete molt when I saw the primary extension.  I have no solution for that question, which is one of the reason's I wanted to get more birders, particularly the ones with the gigantic cameras, looking for and documenting this bird.  Flight photos would help on the primary molt question, and on subspecies too.  The size should approach Herring Gull.  I should never have thrown Ring-billed Gull into the equation.  We learn by errors. Paul O'Brien Rockville, Mont. Co., MD On Nov 20, 2009, at 7:55:51 AM, "Andy Wilson" wrote: From: "Andy Wilson" Subject: Re: [MDOSPREY] Adult Yellow-legged Gull Date: November 20, 2009 7:55:51 AM EST To: MDOSPREY AT HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM Thanks for posting the photo link Paul - an interesting bird. While it has lots of good value for a Yellow-legged Gull, there are a few things that allow some room for uncertainty in my opinion. I'd like to hear the opinion of others with experience of this species. My main concern is the size of the white mirrors on the primaries - they should be small on Yellow-legged, they look large on this bird, certainly larger than is typical for Yellow-legged. Some of that could be an artifact of the photographs - difficult to say. Also, Yellow-legged has longer primaries than Herring - this bird has a very short primary projection. Of course that could be moult, but note that Yellow-legged Gull (at least the western European race) moults earlier than Herring Gull, and I would have thought would be through moult by now. I'm not too sure of the moult timing of other races though - so that's worth investigating.  Also, the streaking on the head is definitely towards the extensive extreme for Yellow-legged Gull. In photo 6 - the streaking looks extensive but very fine. Size is difficult to judge but Yellow-legged is pretty close to average Herring Gull size, there is extensive overlap among the various races of both. It's usually noticeably larger than Lesser-Black-backed (when side by side), a Yellow-legged between Ring-billed and Herring size would be odd. I don't think any one thing rules out Yellow-legged but it's certainly doesn't look like a classic bird of the races I'm used to seeing in Europe and North Africa. This species complex is, well, complex though! A good find whatever the outcome. Andy Wilson, Frederick Subject: Adult Yellow-legged Gull From: pobrien776 Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:46:34 -0500 For those of you who may be in the vicinity of Blackwater Refuge this weekend,  be on the lookout for this gull. �It was seen last Friday (the 13th!) by Marcia  Balestri, but not relocated over the weekend. �It was with a flock of mostly  Laughing and Ring-billed Gulls foraging in the fields along Egypt Road north of  Key Wallace. �For all we know it could be in North Carolina by now, but it is  certainly worth looking for. �It will be slightly darker in the mantle and  midway in size between Herring and Ring-billed Gulls, but with yellow legs.  �Many of you probably missed the 1993 bird at the Oaks Landfill in  Laytonsville, Montgomery Co. �It shuttled between the landfill and Georgetown  Reservoir. �It was a return of the first documented North American record which  had been found by Dave Czaplak at Georgetown in the winter of 1990-1991, as I  recall.  Photos can be seen at: http://picasaweb.google.com/BobsShots/Gulls Good luck! Paul O'Brien Rockville, Mont. Co., MD Eared Grebe - Piscataway Park PG Cty [Joe Hanfman ]  --> Subject: Assateague--Bayside--11/20/2009 From: Ronald Gutberlet <rlgutberlet AT SALISBURY.EDU> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:10:25 -0500 Hi Everyone, Scott Housten and I spent a slow morning (20 Nov 2009) counting Bufflehead and Myrtle Warblers on Assateague. Very few birds appeared to be passing through, but fortunately a slow morning at Assateague is way better than many other things we could name. Our lists are below. Have fun, Ron Gutberlet Salisbury, MD rlgutberlet AT salisbury.edu Location: Assateague I. NS--Bayside Observation date: 11/20/09, 7:00-8:00 am Weather: 58-56 F, wind NW to NNW at 12-14 mph, overcast to mostly cloudy, no precipitation, relative humidity 86%, barometric pressure 30.07-30.09 in, visibility 10 miles. Almost no migration this morning; all of the waterfowl appeared to be using the bay rather than passing through; presumably the 3 AMRO, 1 RWBL, and 2 GBHE were migrants, but that's about it. A slow morning overall. Number of species: 21 Brant (Atlantic) 64 most on the water across the bay, but a few flying by American Black Duck 6 Surf Scoter 34 most on the bay; a few flying but not going far Bufflehead 104 a couple large rafts on the bay with a few additional fly-bys (staying local it seemed) Red-breasted Merganser 10 Common Loon 2 Double-crested Cormorant 4 Great Blue Heron 2 flying together, southbound and relatively high Turkey Vulture 2 Bald Eagle 1 Ring-billed Gull 3 Herring Gull 6 Great Black-backed Gull 1 Belted Kingfisher 1 American Robin 3 Northern Mockingbird 1 European Starling 7 Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 23 mostly staying low and inconspicuous, but emerging quickly to pishing Eastern Towhee 1 Northern Cardinal 1 Red-winged Blackbird 1 Location: Assateague I. NS--Bayside Campground Observation date: 11/20/09, 8:00-8:45 am Weather: 56 F, wind NNW at 14-12 mph, mostly cloudy, no precipitation, relative humidity 86-77%, barometeric pressure 30.09-30.11 in, visibility 10 miles. Number of species: 15 Brant (Atlantic) 24 on the bay in the distance toward the Visitors Center American Black Duck 4 Bufflehead 60 on the bay in the distance toward the Visitors Center Herring Gull 1 Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 1 Carolina Chickadee 1 Carolina Wren 8 American Robin 1 Gray Catbird 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 49 Eastern Towhee 1 Song Sparrow 2 White-throated Sparrow 6 Northern Cardinal 4 Red-winged Blackbird 13 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org) Subject: Re: Adult Yellow-legged Gull From: Andy Wilson <amw328 AT PSU.EDU> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:55:51 -0500 Thanks for posting the photo link Paul - an interesting bird. While it has lots of good value for a Yellow-legged Gull, there are a few things that allow some room for uncertainty in my opinion. I'd like to hear the opinion of others with experience of this species. My main concern is the size of the white mirrors on the primaries - they should be small on Yellow-legged, they look large on this bird, certainly larger than is typical for Yellow-legged. Some of that could be an artifact of the photographs - difficult to say. Also, Yellow-legged has longer primaries than Herring - this bird has a very short primary projection. Of course that could be moult, but note that Yellow-legged Gull (at least the western European race) moults earlier than Herring Gull, and I would have thought would be through moult by now. I'm not too sure of the moult timing of other races though - so that's worth investigating. Also, the streaking on the head is definitely towards the extensive extreme for Yellow-legged Gull. In photo 6 - the streaking looks extensive but very fine. Size is difficult to judge but Yellow-legged is pretty close to average Herring Gull size, there is extensive overlap among the various races of both. It's usually noticeably larger than Lesser-Black-backed (when side by side), a Yellow-legged between Ring-billed and Herring size would be odd. I don't think any one thing rules out Yellow-legged but it's certainly doesn't look like a classic bird of the races I'm used to seeing in Europe and North Africa. This species complex is, well, complex though! A good find whatever the outcome. Andy Wilson, Frederick Subject: Adult Yellow-legged Gull From: pobrien776 Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:46:34 -0500 For those of you who may be in the vicinity of Blackwater Refuge this weekend, be on the lookout for this gull. �It was seen last Friday (the 13th!) by Marcia Balestri, but not relocated over the weekend. �It was with a flock of mostly Laughing and Ring-billed Gulls foraging in the fields along Egypt Road north of Key Wallace. �For all we know it could be in North Carolina by now, but it is certainly worth looking for. �It will be slightly darker in the mantle and midway in size between Herring and Ring-billed Gulls, but with yellow legs. �Many of you probably missed the 1993 bird at the Oaks Landfill in Laytonsville, Montgomery Co. �It shuttled between the landfill and Georgetown Reservoir. �It was a return of the first documented North American record which had been found by Dave Czaplak at Georgetown in the winter of 1990-1991, as I recall. Photos can be seen at: http://picasaweb.google.com/BobsShots/Gulls Good luck! Paul O'Brien Rockville, Mont. Co., MD Eared Grebe - Piscataway Park PG Cty [Joe Hanfman ] --> Subject: Fw: [MDOSPREY] Kent / Queen Anne's County From: Winger and June West <westw AT EROLS.COM> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:15:32 -0500 Dan I think people are on to you. They don't think you really have a job, that it's just a cover to travel around and go birding. :-) Do I detect a note of jealously, I sure am. More power to you!!!!! Winger West Millersville, MD westw AT erols.com ----- Original Message ----- From: "Phil Davis" To: Sent: Thursday, November 19, 2009 8:24 PM Subject: Re: [MDOSPREY] Kent / Queen Anne's County Busted ... !!! At 07:31 PM 11/19/2009, Bob Ringler wrote: >Dan, > >� � Are you sure that wasn't drive-by appointments between birding stops? >Eastern Neck isn't exactly on the road to anywhere. > >Bob Ringler >Eldersburg MD >ringler1 AT comcast.net > > > >----- Original Message ----- >From: "Dan Haas" >To: MDOSPREY AT HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM >Sent: Thursday, November 19, 2009 5:10:47 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern >Subject: [MDOSPREY] Kent / Queen Anne's County > >Just wanted to let you know of some drive-by birding I did today in >between appointments... ================================== Phil Davis Davidsonville, Maryland USA mailto:PDavis AT ix.netcom.com ================================== Subject: Bombay Hook Field Trip Saturday, 21 November From: Nancy Martin <borealdee AT BAYBROADBAND.NET> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:14:43 -0500 The Kent County Bird Club will be hosting a field trip to Bombay Hook NWR in Delaware on Saturday 21 November. Our primary targets will be waterfowl, raptors, and late shorebirds. Nancy and I will meet birders in front of the Dollar General across from the end of Spring St. in Chestertown at 8:00 AM. Be sure to bring a lunch and clothing appropriate for the weather, which should be pleasant although perhaps a little breezy. If you wish to meet us in Delaware please give us a call so we may plan on your attendance. We hope to see you Saturday. Good birding, Walter Ellison & Nancy Martin 23460 Clarissa Rd Chestertown, MD 21620 phone: 410-778-9568 Observing Nature is like unwrapping a big pile of presents every time you take a walk. Subject: Re: Kent / Queen Anne's County From: Phil Davis <mddcrc AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:24:47 -0500 Busted ... !!! At 07:31 PM 11/19/2009, Bob Ringler wrote: >Dan, > >� � Are you sure that wasn't drive-by >appointments between birding stops? Eastern Neck >isn't exactly on the road to anywhere. > >Bob Ringler >Eldersburg MD >ringler1 AT comcast.net > > > >----- Original Message ----- >From: "Dan Haas" >To: MDOSPREY AT HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM >Sent: Thursday, November 19, 2009 5:10:47 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern >Subject: [MDOSPREY] Kent / Queen Anne's County > >Just wanted to let you know of some drive-by birding I did today in >between appointments... ================================== Phil Davis Davidsonville, Maryland USA mailto:PDavis AT ix.netcom.com ================================== Subject: Re: Kent / Queen Anne's County From: Bob Ringler <ringler1 AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:31:36 +0000 Dan,    Are you sure that wasn't drive-by appointments between birding stops? Eastern Neck isn't exactly on the road to anywhere. Bob Ringler Eldersburg MD ringler1 AT comcast.net ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dan Haas" To: MDOSPREY AT HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM Sent: Thursday, November 19, 2009 5:10:47 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [MDOSPREY] Kent / Queen Anne's County Just wanted to let you know of some drive-by birding I did today in between appointments... Subject: Kent / Queen Anne's County From: Dan Haas <nervousbirds AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:10:47 -0500 Just wanted to let you know of some drive-by birding I did today in between appointments... -The Northern Shrike was visible from the road this afternoon, down a dirt road where the 'grassland' sign is posted in Northern Queen Annes at Chino Farms (Kibler Road, is it?) -The Chestertown WWTP Greater White-Fronted Goose was present, along with what I could only suspect was a Canada / Snow hybrid... perhaps even some barnyard in there too. -I had an very light bellied, yellow-headed Baltimore Oriole at the bathrooms / boardwalk at Eastern Neck this afternoon. I attempted to attain a photo, as I thought that this bird had Bullock's Oriole potential. And all of my appointments went great, so it was a fantastic day on the upper shore. Good Birding, Dan Haas West Annapolis, MD nervousbirds AT gmail.com Subject: Adult Yellow-legged Gull From: pobrien776 <pobrien776 AT AOL.COM> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:46:34 -0500 For those of you who may be in the vicinity of Blackwater Refuge this weekend, be on the lookout for this gull. �It was seen last Friday (the 13th!) by Marcia Balestri, but not relocated over the weekend. �It was with a flock of mostly Laughing and Ring-billed Gulls foraging in the fields along Egypt Road north of Key Wallace. �For all we know it could be in North Carolina by now, but it is certainly worth looking for. �It will be slightly darker in the mantle and midway in size between Herring and Ring-billed Gulls, but with yellow legs. �Many of you probably missed the 1993 bird at the Oaks Landfill in Laytonsville, Montgomery Co. �It shuttled between the landfill and Georgetown Reservoir. �It was a return of the first documented North American record which had been found by Dave Czaplak at Georgetown in the winter of 1990-1991, as I recall. Photos can be seen at: http://picasaweb.google.com/BobsShots/Gulls Good luck! Paul O'Brien Rockville, Mont. Co., MD Subject: Eared Grebe - Piscataway Park PG Cty From: Joe Hanfman <auk1844 AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:01:43 +0000     The Eared Grebe, found by Mikey L., was still present at Piscataway Park today from 11:10 a.m. - Noon. Also present were Gadwall, American Wigeon, Ring-necked Duck, Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead, Red-breasted Merganser (1f), Ruddy Duck, Pied-billed Grebe,  Horned Grebe, and a Great Black-backed Gull .     The best bird of the day was a Double-crested Cormorant. I ran into a field trip of 5th Graders and the ~18 kids all got good looks at the cormorant through my scope. I heard several comments: "it looks like a penguin", "it looks like a heron", "it is big", "wow", and "it has a long neck". Their teacher asked me about the Eared Grebe and I pointed out its location to her.    Joe Hanfman Columbia, MD Subject: Common Loons - Hains Point, DC From: Steve Hersey <sherseydc AT MAC.COM> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:53:54 -0500 2 Common Loons off the tip of Hains Point. Also a group of 10 Buffleheads and a lone Ruddy Duck paddling off into the mist. Cheers, Steve Hersey Washington, DC Sent from my iPhone Subject: Re: Late Empidonax Flycatchers From: Bob Ringler <ringler1 AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:46:53 +0000 Bill,    Here is the history of Empidonax Flycatchers in Maryland after October: A Least Flycatcher banded at Eastern Neck NWR on 11/8/92 (Grubers) A probable Least Flycatcher seen on Assateague on 11/14/92 (Hoffman, M O'Brien) A probable Least Flycatcher seen, photographed, & videotaped at Berlin 11/14-15/09 (Churchill, Yean y + m.ob.) A Least Flycatcher banded at Baltimore on 11/17/73 (Ganter) A Hammond's Flycatcher seen, photographed, & videotaped at Monkton 11/23/05-12/14/05 (H Kaestner + m.ob.) An unidentified Empidonax seen on the Salisbury CBC on 12/21/97 (Brodericks) An unidentified Empidonax seen on the Chincoteague CBC at E A Vaughn WMA on 12/28/78 (Droege, Andres) Bob Ringler Eldersburg MD ringler1 AT comcast.net ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bill Hubick" To: MDOSPREY AT HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM Sent: Sunday, November 15, 2009 10:43:29 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [MDOSPREY] Rarity Roundup Highlights probable LEAST FLYCATCHER - An awesome find by J.B. Churchill and David Yeany on Evans Road just north of Cedar Lane (11/14). Many photos, as well as audio recordings of 'whit' calls. Multiple expert opinions strongly support Least Flycatcher. When Tom Feild and Geraldine King re-round it today, it was only two days earlier than Maryland's late date for Least Flycatcher (i.e., any eastern Empidonax). Presumably only the 11/17 Least record and Hank Kaestner's Baltimore Co. Hammond's (11/23/2005-12/14/2005) are later Empidonax records for Maryland. All Empidonax in Maryland at this time of year are mega, and so nearly the entire Rarity Roundup team got down there to see it. This is in part because I spazzed out a little and started throwing "probable Dusky" around (and even Gray for a minute or two!). I try so hard to be level-headed, but man, talk about the heat of the moment! In any case, I stand by it being the right move for everyone to chase it, as it  could have easily been a new state record. We all got to see a very rare temporal record, it was a county bird for many, and we learned a lot about a tough ID. Memorable to say the least. Great job, J.B. and David! Subject: Swans in the mist From: "ALLPORT, Gary" <gallport AT AUDUBON.ORG> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:56:41 -0500 Two Tundra Swans just emerged at low level out of the gloom and flew in an arc around the south side of Dupont Circle, NW DC, and headed off eastwards up Rhode Island Avenue... Gary Allport gallport at audubon dor org Subject: Re: Piscataway Grebes 11/18 From: hans holbrook <hansholbrook AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:03:43 -0800 From about noon today until after 2PM the Eared Grebe was present. Around noon a Horned Grebe was there too. After walking in the nearby fields I returned to find the Eared Grebe, also two Pied-billed Grebes were hanging close to shore. Another birder dropped by before I left, I believe this was more than just his ninth county Eared. ;) Nice find Mikey! Hans HolbrookCrofton, MD --- On Wed, 11/18/09, David Mozurkewich wrote: From: David Mozurkewich Subject: [MDOSPREY] Piscataway Grebes To: MDOSPREY AT HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM Date: Wednesday, November 18, 2009, 9:10 PM Posted for Fred Fallon ************************** Changing kaleidoscope of grebes at Piscataway Park Tied down by clean-up chores, I was unable to check out the grebes seen from Piscataway Park until y'day pm. Arriving ~ 1400, I met 2 groups of birders leaving - they had seen nothing but a Pied-billed. Among the ~200 each Baldpates and Gadwalls, and a few Ring-necks, there were at first 2 Pied-billed Grebes but neither Horned nor Eared. But after while a new grebe showed up - its downward-sloping rear end immediately precluded Eared, but it proved to be not a Horned but a Red-necked emerging from its harlequin imm plumage. After ~ 20 min's I lost sight of it and never saw it again.� Also present was a single somewhat out of place f. Hooded Merganser. Now this AM, I found neither Red-necked nor Eared, but a conventionally winter-plumaged Horned Grebe. The 2 Pied-billdes remained. Also present was a f. Red-thr Merganser; no trace of the f. Hooded. Fred Fallon Huntingtown Subject: Piscataway Grebes From: David Mozurkewich <mozurk AT BELLATLANTIC.NET> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:10:12 -0500 Posted for Fred Fallon ************************** Changing kaleidoscope of grebes at Piscataway Park Tied down by clean-up chores, I was unable to check out the grebes seen from Piscataway Park until y'day pm. Arriving ~ 1400, I met 2 groups of birders leaving - they had seen nothing but a Pied-billed. Among the ~200 each Baldpates and Gadwalls, and a few Ring-necks, there were at first 2 Pied-billed Grebes but neither Horned nor Eared. But after while a new grebe showed up - its downward-sloping rear end immediately precluded Eared, but it proved to be not a Horned but a Red-necked emerging from its harlequin imm plumage. After ~ 20 min's I lost sight of it and never saw it again. Also present was a single somewhat out of place f. Hooded Merganser. Now this AM, I found neither Red-necked nor Eared, but a conventionally winter-plumaged Horned Grebe. The 2 Pied-billdes remained. Also present was a f. Red-thr Merganser; no trace of the f. Hooded. Fred Fallon Huntingtown Subject: N. Gannets - Eastern Bay From: Frank Marenghi <frank_marenghi AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:19:51 -0500 I got to go out on the boat again today for work. I counted 24 Northern Gannets in Eastern Bay alone, both flying and on the water, with several more out in the main stem of the Chesapeake itself. I was not expecting them so far up the bay. Also saw 80 - 100 Buffleheads, ~ 150 Scoters, mostly Surf with some Blacks mixed in too, 2 Long-tailed Ducks, ~ 20 Common Loons, 3 Tundra Swans, 2 Mute Swans (bay bridge) and at least 6 different Bald Eagles. A handful of Bonaparte's Gulls around but did not encounter any large feeding flocks like yesterday. Had ~ 50 Forster's Terns marauding a pound net off Holland Pt. on the western shore. By the way, the Little Gull I saw yesterday was most likely a second cycle bird, not first cycle as I originally posted. This was indicated by the fact it had dusky underwings and some black left in the primaries but not a full black "M" pattern on the back. Good Birding, Frank Marenghi Annapolis, MD (recently of Dover, DE) _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141665/direct/01/ Subject: Flyover Tundra Swans at Haines Pt., D.C. 11/18 From: Thomas Jones <taj.mo AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:19:13 -0500 About 9:30 this a.m., a flock of about 15 tundra swans flew over Haines Point, heading down river. Otherwise, no interesting water birds in sight there or on the Tidal Basin. How nice to have all the tour buses gone, though! Tom Jones Washington, D.C. Subject: Carroll Co. Birds 11/17/09 From: Bob Ringler <ringler1 AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:57:12 +0000 Cranberry Reservoir: Canada Goose  700, Black Duck  3, Green-winged Teal  4, Bufflehead  3, Hooded Merganser  10, Ruddy Duck  20. Piney Run Park: Canada Goose  1100, Greylag X Canada Goose  1, Wood Duck  7, Gadwall  8, Baldpate  25, Black Duck  10, Mallard  45, Green-winged Teal  4, Canvasback  1, Ring-necked Duck  150, Lesser Scaup  3, LONG-TAILED DUCK  1, Bufflehead  80, GOLDENEYE  7, Hooded Merganser  40, Ruddy Duck  150, Pied-billed Grebe  7, Great Blue Heron  3, Coot  40, Ring-billed Gull  6. Bob Ringler Eldersburg MD ringler1 AT comcast.net Subject: Foxy stuff From: Frank Boyle <ravenfrank AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 03:57:10 -0500 We had our FOS Fox Sparrows here Sunday 2009-11-09. The Juncos and White-Throated Sparrows are well entrenched, and they told me that despite the recent lovely fall weather, winter is a' comin'! Tweet! Frank Boyle Broken Wallet Farm Rohrersville, MD ravenfrank AT gmail.com Subject: Bufflehead above Great Falls From: Donald Sweig <skybirds.d AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:07:39 -0500 Took a walk with a birding friend this afternoon on the River Trail above Great Falls. On the Potomac, a short ways up, just opposite Riverbend Park in Fairfax County,Va.,we saw our first-of-the-season Bufflehead ducks; there were about fifteen total, mostly males. Soon there should be many more individulas and species on the river. -- Donald Sweig Falls Church, Va. Subject: Worcester weekend birds From: Frode Jacobsen <frode1 AT UMBC.EDU> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:00:06 -0500 Thanks to Bill, Matt and Mark for arranging a fantastic and memorable weekend of coastal birding and to everyone who participated for finding so many great birds! I wish I had my camera at hand when the Black-headed Gull landed close to shore right next to the Oceanic Motel....... Luckily, Bill and others got several good documentation photos of the bird. A set of photos of other birds seen this weekend has been uploaded to flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/frodejacobsen/ Enjoy! Frode Jacobsen Windsor Mill, MD 21244 Subject: Little Gull - Kent Narrows From: Frank Marenghi <frank_marenghi AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:02:12 -0500 Hello MD-birders, I was fortunate enough to be able to work out on the water today, covering an area from Kent Narrows north to Poole Island, southwest to Sandy Point and then east back to Kent Island. I saw one first cycle, basic plumage (nonbreeding) Little Gull in a flock of ~ 200 Bonaparte's Gulls. The Little Gull was seen in flight; its smaller size and dark underwings were distinctive. This was at the Northern extent of Kent Narrows where it meets the Bay at about 3:00 pm today. I did see a first cycle Bonapartes elsewhere today but this large flock had only adult-type basic plumage Bonies. Also saw ~ 8 Common Loons, ~ 12 Forster's Terns, and 2 Bald Eagles along with the usual gulls and many D.C. Cormorants. This morning there were 2 Snow Geese in the runoff pond on the north side of the bay bridge on the Eastern Shore side and an adult Sharp-shinned Hawk in Annapolis at the corner of Farragut Rd and Rowe Blvd. Good Birding, Frank Marenghi Annapolis, MD (recently of Dover, DE) _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft's powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141664/direct/01/ http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141664/direct/01/ Subject: Triadelphia Reservoir--Brighton Dam (Howard County) , 11/17/09 From: Joe Hanfman <auk1844 AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:47:33 +0000 I didn't see any of the rarer ducks or loons at Tridelphia today. We can only hope for some "bad" weather to bring some special birds back. Joe Hanfman Columbia, MD Location:     Triadelphia Reservoir--Brighton Dam (Howard County) Observation date:     11/17/09 Number of species:     7 Canada Goose     1 Bufflehead     23 Hooded Merganser     4 Common Loon     1 Black Vulture     14 Turkey Vulture     16 Ring-billed Gull     26 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2( http://ebird.org ) Subject: Fw: Montgomery Bird Club Meeting, Wednesday, Nov. 18 From: sally wech <aixxss AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:05:04 -0800 --- On Tue, 11/17/09, Steve Pretl wrote: > From: Steve Pretl > Subject: Montgomery Bird Club Meeting, Wednesday, Nov. 18 > To: > Date: Tuesday, November 17, 2009, 11:14 AM > Hi Montgomery Birders, > > The Montgomery Bird Club will meet tomorrow night, November > 18.� As usual, refreshments begin at 7:30, and the > meeting starts at 8:00. > > Our speaker is member/photographer Bob Mumford, with "The > Best of Ecuador".� He presents the results of his eight > trips to Ecuador, and over two months in the field.� > The most compelling images from at least 40 locations in > Ecuador, from the Amazon Basin to the top of Papallacta Pass > at 14,000 feet.� See the Beryl-Spangled Tanager feeding > young; endangered species, such as the Black-faced Ibis and > Jocotoco Antpitta; a Roadside Hawk eating a legless lizard; > flashy hummers in flight; the exotic Sunbittern and Oilbird; > and rare Zig-zag Heron.� Also parrots and parakeets at > the world famous Napo River clay licks, including a gorgeous > Scarlet Macaw. > > I hope to see you there. > Steve > > Subject: FW: DC Area, 11/17/09 From: Norm Saunders <marshhawk AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:28:55 -0500 -----Original Message----- From: Steve Cordle [mailto:scordle AT capaccess.org] Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 12:10 PM To: birdeast AT listserv.arizona.edu Subject: DC Area, 11/17/09 Hotline: Voice of the Naturalist Date: 11/17/09 Coverage: MD/DC/VA/DE Telephone: 301-652-1088 option 1 Reports (voice): 301-652-1088 option 2 (email): voice AT AudubonNaturalist.org Compiler: John Bjerke Sponsor: Audubon Naturalist Society of the Central Atlantic States (independent of NAS!) Transcriber: Steve Cordle (scordle AT capaccess.org) Please consider joining ANS, especially if you are a regular user of the Voice (Individual $40; Family $50; Nature Steward $75; Audubon Advocate $150). The membership number is 301-652-9188, option 12; the address is 8940 Jones Mill Road, Chevy Chase, MD 20815; and the web site is http://www.AudubonNaturalist.org. This is the Voice of the Naturalist, a service of the Audubon Naturalist Society. This report was completed Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 7:30 am. Top birds this week are CALIFORNIA GULL* in MD and ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER* in DE Other birds of interest include waterfowl, RED-THROATED LOON, grebes, OSPREY, ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, GOLDEN EAGLE, MERLIN, SANDHILL CRANE, POMARINE JAEGER, PARASITIC JAEGER, gulls, SANDWICH TERN, SHORT-EARED OWL, RED-HEADED WOODPECKER, LEAST FLYCATCHER, COMMON RAVEN, WOOD THRUSH, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, WESTERN TANAGER*, CLAY-COLORED SPARROW, NELSON'S SPARROW, and SNOW BUNTING. A second year CALIFORNIA GULL* was seen near Great Oak Pond, Kent Co, MD on Nov 15. Another CALIFORNIA GULL was in Worcester Co, MD during the weekend. An ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER* was found on Prime Hook NWR, Sussex Co, DE on Nov 14, 15 and 16. The bird has been seen about two-thirds of the way out the Dike Trail and also in the woods behind the Headquarters building near the trailer. A GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE was seen at the Chestertown wastewater treatment plant, Kent Co, MD on Nov 15. Two ROSS' GEESE and a CACKLING GOOSE were reported from Bombay Hook NWR, Kent Co, DE. A CACKLING GOOSE was at Piscataway Park, Prince Georges Co, MD on Nov 16. A HARLEQUIN DUCK and up to 17 COMMON EIDERS were found in the Ocean City inlet, Worcester Co, MD on Nov 13, 14, and 15. A COMMON EIDER was seen from Island 1 of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, Northampton Co, VA on Nov 14. Four SURF SCOTERS and two LONG-TAILED DUCKS were on the Potomac River between the 14th Street and Memorial Bridges, Washington, DC on Nov 11. Two WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS were seen there on Nov 12. Three WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS and 150-200 BLACK and SURF SCOTERS were at Thomas Point SP, Anne Arundel Co, MD on Nov 14. Small numbers of BLACK SCOTERS, SURF SCOTERS, and LONG-TAILED DUCKS were found on the Triadelphia Reservoir from the Montgomery Co, MD side on Nov 11. RED-THROATED LOON made several inland appearances in the last week. Up to two birds were on Triadelphia Reservoir on Nov 11, 12, and 13, seen from both Montgomery Co and Howard Co. A RED-THROATED LOON was spotted on Lake Shenandoah, Rockingham Co, VA on Nov 13 and another was at Claytor Lake SP, Pulaski Co, VA on Nov 13. An EARED GREBE was found bayside at 41st St in Ocean City, MD on Nov 14 and 15. Another EARED GREBE was in the cove near the boardwalk at Piscataway Park, Prince Georges Co, MD on Nov 16. A WESTERN GREBE* was seen in Claytor Lake SP on Nov 13. Late OSPREY were spotted at Ft Smallwood, Anne Arundel Co, MD on Nov 10 and at Piney Run Park, Carroll Co, MD on Nov 12. An immature light phase ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was seen near the north section of E A Vaughn WMA, Worcester Co, MD on Nov 12. An immature GOLDEN EAGLE flew over Centennial Park, Howard Co, MD on Nov 15 and another flew by Pickering Creek Audubon Center, Talbot Co, MD that day. Another possible GOLDEN EAGLE sighting came from Wooton's Landing on the Patuxent River, Prince Georges Co, MD on Nov 14. Two GOLDEN EAGLES were reported from the Turkey Point hawk watch, Cecil Co, MD on Nov 16. An adult GOLDEN EAGLE was found in Harford Co on Nov 16. A MERLIN was seen in Difficult Run Stream Valley Park, Fairfax Co, VA on Nov 15. A SANDHILL CRANE flew over the West Ocean City pond, Worcester Co, MD on Nov 11. An adult POMARINE JAEGER and a PARASITIC JAEGER were seen from the causeway to Assateague Island, Worcester Co, MD on Nov 14. A fine collection of interesting gulls were seen this week in addition to the California Gulls. A first cycle BLACK-HEADED GULL was at the Ocean City inlet on Nov 13. A possible YELLOW-LEGGED GULL* was reported from Egypt Road near Blackwater NWR, Dorchester Co, MD on Nov 13. LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS were seen at several locations including Occoquan, VA on Nov 15 and Conowingo Dam, Harford Co, MD on that day. A first cycle GLAUCOUS GULL was found at the Ocean City inlet on Nov 15. A juvenile BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE was seen at Cape Charles, VA on Nov 14. Twelve SANDWICH TERNS were spotted on Assateague Island, MD on Nov 10. A SHORT-EARED OWL was along Shorter's Wharf Rd, Dorchester Co, MD on Nov 14. Fourteen RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS highlighted a walk at Algonkian Park, Loudoun Co, VA on Nov 10. A very late but probable LEAST FLYCATCHER was seen on Evans Rd near Cedar Lane, Worcester Co, MD on Nov 14 and 15. A WESTERN KINGBIRD was spotted near pump house 2 at Assateague SP, MD on Nov 15. A COMMON RAVEN was near the Beltway at Tyson's Corner, VA on Nov 13. A WOOD THRUSH was found in Oakton, Fairfax Co, VA on Nov 15. An ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was seen at the Visitor's Center, Assateague Island SP, MD on Nov 14 and 15. A WESTERN TANAGER* was seen again at the end of Shirley Plantation Rd (SR608), Charles City Co, VA on Nov 15. A CLAY-COLORED SPARROW was observed near the tennis courts at Meadowbrook Park, Howard Co, MD from Nov 11 through 14. A NELSON'S SPARROW was found at Ragged Island WMA, Isle of Wight Co, VA on Nov 14. Six NELSON'S SPARROWS were seen at Bethel Beach, Mathews Co, VA on Nov 15. One SNOW BUNTING was near the Kiptopeke Pier, Northampton Co, VA Nov 15 and 16. A flock of 24 SNOW BUNTINGS were at the point in Cape Henlopen SP, Sussex Co, DE on Nov 14. Some of this week's reports have been gleaned from the MDOsprey, VA-Bird, and DE-Birds list servers. The Audubon Sanctuary Shop (301-652-3606, http://www.audubonnaturalist.org/default.asp?page=511) is an excellent source for guidebooks and many other nature-related titles. To report bird sightings, e-mail your report to voice AT AudubonNaturalist.org or call 301-652-1088 and select menu option 2. Please post reports before midnight Monday, identify the county as well as state, and include your name and a Tuesday morning contact, either e-mail or phone. Thank you for calling, and GOOD BIRDING. *Of interest to the records committee Subject: Loch Raven & hawkwatch, 11/17/09 From: Kevin Graff <whitemarlin2001 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:26:56 -0800 Hi all, Third of the reservoir weekly walk. Next walk will be at Prettyboy Reservoir on 11/24/09 at 830am. Check with me by Mon evening for info or direction. 11/17/09 - 830am-1110am Loch Raven Reservoir "Loch Raven Skeet & Trap Center" Dulaney Valley Rd., E of Stone Hill RD., Phoenix, Baltimore Co., MD WEATHER: Fair, 49-53 degrees, NE 9 mph- E 6 mph OBSERVERS: Kevin G, John L, Joann P, Debbie T Canada Goose - 258 Mute Swan - 2 Gadwall - 2 American Wigeon - 2 American Black Duck - 8 Mallard - 28 Ring-necked Duck - 9 Bufflehead - 29 Hooded Merganser - 10 Pied-billed Grebe - 5 Great Blue Heron - 2 Black Vulture - 21 Turkey Vulture - 5 Bald Eagle - 1 Cooper's Hawk - 1 Red-tailed Hawk - 1 American Coot - 2 Ring-billed Gull - 9 Mourning Dove - 1 Belted Kingfisher - 2 Red-bellied Woodpecker - 7 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 2 Downy Woodpecker - 5 Hairy Woodpecker - 1 Northern Flicker - 4 Pileated Woodpecker - 1 Blue Jay - 4 American Crow - 15 Carolina Chickadee - 28 Tufted Titmouse - 18 White-breasted Nuthatch - 3 Carolina Wren - 3 Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 1 Eastern Bluebird - 16 Hermit Thrush - 1 American Robin - 61 Northern Mockingbird - 3 European Starling - 7 Cedar Waxwing - 78 Yellow-rumped Warbler - 2 Eastern Towhee - 3 Field Sparrow - 2 Fox Sparrow - 5 Song Sparrow - 7 Swamp Sparrow - 1 White-throated Sparrow - 65 "Slate-colored" Junco - 38 Northern Cardinal - 11 Red-winged Blackbird - 2 Purple Finch - 4 Pine Siskin - 1 American Goldfinch - 16 SPECIES: 52 TOTAL BIRDS: 813 MAMMALS Eastern Chipmunk - 1 Gray Squirrel - 3 11/17/09 - 12pm-1pm Backyard HawkWatch at temporary site, White Ave., Gardenville section of Baltimore, MD (left 1pm when got a call about Redhead at Loch Raven Dams) WEATHER: Fair, 55 degrees, E 11 mph- ENE 8 mph Turkey Vulture - 1 Bald Eagle - 1 (3rd w, 1248pm) Sharp-shinned Hawk - 1 Cooper's Hawk - 1 Red-shouldered Hawk - 1 Red-tailed Hawk - 3 Rock Pigeon - 2 Mourning Dove - 1 Downy Woodpecker - 1 American Crow - 3 Carolina Chickadee - 1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 1 American Robin - 1 Northern Mockingbird - 1 European Starling - 5 White-throated Sparrow - 1 "Slate-colored" Junco - 2 Common Grackle - 1 House Finch - 2 American Goldfinch - 2 SPECIES: 20 TOTAL BIRDS: 32 11/17/09 - 115pm-140pm Loch Raven Reservoir "Loch Raven Dams" Loch Raven Dr., Carney, Baltjmore Co., MD WEATHER: Fair, 55 degrees, ENE 8 mph Canada Goose - 17 American Wigeon - 12 American Black Duck - 6 Mallard - 2 Redhead - 17 Ring-necked Duck - 695 Pied-billed Grebe - 2 Great Blue Heron - 1 Turkey Vulture - 2 Bald Eagle - 1 Red-tailed Hawk - 1 Ring-billed Gull - 1 American Crow - 1 Tufted Titmouse - 1 Carolina Wren - 1 Northern Mockingbird - 1 Song Sparrow - 1 White-throated Sparrow - 2 Northern Cardinal - 2 SPECIES: 19 TOTAL BIRDS: 766 Kevin Graff Jarrettsville, MD WhiteMarlin2001 AT yahoo.com Subject: Bird Watchers Digest From: Joe Hanfman <auk1844 AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:19:20 +0000 Below is an email  notice I received from Bird Watchers Digest which alerts us to a scam. Do not pay these bills.   Joe Hanfman Columbia, MD   Some subscribers to Bird Watcher's Digest have alerted us that they received a renewal notification from a company called: Publishers Billing Association We do not do business with this company. These are fraudulent renewal notices. We handle all renewals in-house, and any renewal or subscription correspondence will come directly from us and include our logo. We have been alerted to other suspicious companies with whom we have no business agreement who use similar practices. Most present themselves as a "billing services" or "magazine publisher" representative. None of these companies is authorized to sell or represent Bird Watcher's Digest or The Backyard Birds Newsletter . We never allow another company to process our renewals. Please forward any correspondence you receive from such companies to: Bird Watcher's Digest Attn: Circulation PO BOX 110 Marietta, OH 45750 If you have any questions about your renewal or subscription status, please call us toll-free at 800-879-2473 to speak to a live person at our office. Thank you for your assistance. Sincerely , Laura Thompson Fulton Circulation Director Bird Watcher's Digest Subject: Eared Grebe: YES From: Dan Haas <nervousbirds AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:27:08 -0500 First of all, thank you Mikey! Great bird. And to echo Jeff's earlier post, this morning at 8AM, the Eared Grebe was present at Piscataway Park. There were ducks everywhere. Or no... wait... spoke too soon. There were a few ducks and LOADS of garbage birds. The site of all that junk floating down the river was absolutely awful. Several times I thought I saw the bird pop up out of the water, only to discover that it was an old milk jug or a beer can. At one point I thought I had a Black Swan in the river... but that turned out to be an old black plastic garbage can floating gently down stream. Beer cans to plastic bags, old water bottles to rusty oil cans... you name it, it was floating by the boardwalk. I thought for a second that I was at the Salisbury Landfill looking for a California Gull. Just a moment ago I wrote a letter to CBF, the Potomac Riverkeeper, the Mayor of DC and MD's Governor about the river of refuse. I doubt much will come of it, but perhaps if other chime in on the matter, maybe.... In any case, I'd like to once again thank Mikey for the great find. I'm going to write my Christmas wish-list letter to St. Mikey instead of that other guy with the long, white beard. There are some birds that I'd really like to see before the year ends. Good Birding, Dan Haas West Annapolis, MD nervousbirds AT gmail.com Subject: Nice wake up call From: Patricia Valdata <pvaldata AT ZOOMINTERNET.NET> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:39:56 -0500 This morning, after I opened the garage door to release a Carolina Wren who apparently spent the night in there, I heard a couple of notes from a Pileated Woodpecker who was pecking at the remains of a silver maple next to our driveway. It was an interesting (and loud) counterpoint to the scolding of the wren. While this was going on, three American Crows flew past me so close I could hear the wind in their wings. We have wrens in the garage every spring during the nesting season, but this was a first for fall. Pat Valdata Elkton, MD "The natural function of the wing is to soar upwards and carry that which is heavy up to the place where dwells the race of gods. More than any other thing that pertains to the body it partakes of the nature of the divine." --Plato Subject: Red-headed Woodpecker at Liberty Lake (11/15) From: Keith Eric Costley <oriolekec1 AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:30:14 +0000 Hello, Art Rogers reports seeing a Red-Headed Woodpecker on Sunday afternoon on Liberty Dam Road at Liberty Lake. The Red-head made several trips to a "bent" tree approximately 500 feet from the gate. Art did not see it carrying food items; but suspected that it was building a larder. Here is a link to the location: < http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&ll=39.391765,-76.866982& http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&ll=39.391765,-76.866982& spn=0.009436,0.01929&z=16&msid=117436141692629411742.0004789436685f2bd1447> Keith Eric Costley OrioleKEC1 AT comcast.net Randallstown, Baltimore County Subject: Piscataway Park 11/17/09 Eared Grebe From: Jeff Shenot <jugbay AT MSN.COM> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:57:10 -0500 Yesterday I looked for the Eared Grebe found in the morning by Mikey and seen into the afternoon by others, but it disappeared sometime in mid-afternoon yesterday, and was no where around while I was there. I wondered if it left for good but wanted to try again anyway so I got there early today. I saw Chris Ordiway again too. We are both really glad we tried this morning - it was present when I arrived at 7, and still there when we left at 7:30! There was a noticeable turnover of birds, with less waterfowl this morning at both Wharf Rd and Accokeek Creek (I learned this location's name today). Wharf Rd still had an impressive # of Ruddies (~300) plus a few Bufflehead, Ring-necks, Hooded Mergs, and Lesser Scaup (not there yesterday). Accokeek Creek had far less waterfowl, although a few more geese were present today. There were only 2 grebes present this morning (the other was a P-billed), and the first time I looked at it, I thought the Eared Grebe was the Horned Grebe we saw yesterday. I kept looking at it, because I wasn't convinced it was a Horned Grebe, and joked to Chris that I was trying to make it into an Eared. Then I realized it was the Eared Grebe! I discussed with Chris how it was Eared and not Horned, which took a little while looking with the scope, since the bird was feeding actively. Finally the bird sat still for a couple minutes and allowed an extended view so we could see its marks clearly. The Horned we saw yesterday was more white in the cheeks and solid white in the neck, but other than that had a similar profile given the view we had to work with. A scope was necessary for a positive id, even though the bird was not very far (~ 300-400 feet). The bump on the Eared's head could be seen with with a scope, as well as its throat color (smudgy - but not very dirty, only a very light gray) instead of white, and its flanks were raised enough to see this mark too, but not to a great extent. A great County bird - Cheers! Jeff Shenot Croom MD Subject: Coastal Worcester County, 11/12/09 From: Kevin Graff <whitemarlin2001 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:47:29 -0800 Hi all, Second day of pre-roundup. Attempt to do seawatch twice at inlet but with gusty wind, wind-whipping rain and wave crashing hold us back. 11/12/09 - 850am-855am 9th St. Woods, 94th St., Ocean City, Worcester Co., MD WEATHER: Rain, 53 degrees, ENE 31 mph OBSERVERS: Kevin G, John L, Paul N Mallard - 2 Ring-billed Gull - 1 Rock Pigeon - 20 Mourning Dove - 1 Blue Jay - 1 Tufted Titmouse - 1 Carolina Wren - 3 American Robin - 8 Northern Mockingbird - 1 European Starling - 26 Yellow-rumped Warbler - 2 Song Sparrow - 4 White-throated Sparrow - 1 Northern Cardinal - 1 Red-winged Blackbird - 10 Brown-headed Cowbird - 1 SPECIES: 16 TOTAL BIRDS: 83 11/12/09 - 915am-940am West Ocean City Pond, Golf Course Rd., West Ocean City, Worcester Co., MD WEATHER: Rain, 53 degrees, NE 27 mph OBSERVERS: Kevin G, John L, Paul N Canada Goose - 1 Mute Swan - 1 (imm) Gadwall - 10 American Black Duck - 6 Mallard - 41 Northern Shoveler - 6 Northern Pintail - 1 Ring-necked Duck - 18 Lesser Scaup - 1 Bufflehead - 1 Ruddy Duck - 3 Pied-billed Grebe - 2 Double-crested Cormorant - 1 Great Blue Heron - 3 American Coot - 5 Ring-billed Gull - 2 Rock Pigeon - 1 Belted Kingfisher - 1 American Robin - 2 Yellow-rumped Warbler - 1 Red-winged Blackbird - 1 American Goldfinch - 1 SPECIES: 22 TOTAL BIRDS: 109 11/12/09 - 945am-10am Bayside at O.C. Community, Landings Blvd., Berlin, Worcester Co., MD WEATHER: Rain, 53 degrees, NE 26 mph OBSERVERS: Kevin G, John L, Paul N Gadwall - 14 American Wigeon - 17 American Black Duck - 2 Mallard - 18 Ring-necked Duck - 17 Lesser Scaup - 1 Bufflehead - 2 Ruddy Duck - 8 Pied-billed Grebe - 2 Double-crested Cormorant - 2 Great Blue Heron - 1 Ring-billed Gull - 1 Northern Flicker - 1 American Crow - 2 American Robin - 1 European Starling - 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler - 1 Savannah Sparrow - 1 "Slate-colored" Junco - 1 American Goldfinch - 1 SPECIES: 20 TOTAL BIRDS: 94 11/12/09 - 11am-12pm Pocomoke State Forest "Hickory Point" Hickory Point Rd., Pocomoke, Worcester Co., MD WEATHER: Light rain, 54-53 degrees, NE 21 mph- NE 23 mph OBSERVERS: Kevin G, John L, Paul N Canada Goose - 20 Turkey Vulture - 2 Bald Eagle - 1 Mourning Dove - 2 Downy Woodpecker - 1 Northern Flicker - 4 Blue Jay - 1 American Crow - 3 Carolina Chickadee - 2 Tufted Titmouse - 2 Golden-crowned Kinglet - 1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 1 Hermit Thrush - 4 American Robin - 21 Northern Mockingbird - 1 European Starling - 8 Cedar Waxwing - 9 Yellow-rumped Warbler - 13 Chipping Sparrow - 8 Savannah Sparrow - 1 White-throated Sparrow - 1 "Slate-colored" Junco - 14 Northern Cardinal - 1 Red-winged Blackbird - 42 Eastern Meadowlark - 25 House Finch - 1 American Goldfinch - 1 SPECIES: 27 TOTAL BIRDS: 190 11/12/09 - 115pm-205pm E.A. Vaughn Wildlife Management Area "North Tract" Taylors Landing Rd., Girdletree, Worcester Co., MD WEATHER: Light rain, 53-54 degrees, NE 25 mph- NE 26 mph OBSERVERS: Kevin G, John L, Paul N Canada Goose - 4 Wood Duck - 1 American Black Duck - 2 Surf Scoter - 9 Bufflehead - 2 Wild Turkey - 10 Pied-billed Grebe - 1 Double-crested Cormorant - 5 Great Blue Heron - 1 Turkey Vulture - 1 Bald Eagle - 1 Red-tailed Hawk - 1 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK - 1 (imm light phase, feeding on unknown prey) Killdeer - 1 Ring-billed Gull - 2 Forster's Tern - 3 Mourning Dove - 2 Northern Flicker - 1 American Crow - 6 Carolina Chickadee - 1 Carolina Wren - 1 Eastern Bluebird - 1 Hermit Thrush - 1 American Robin - 2 Northern Mockingbird - 1 European Starling - 3 Yellow-rumped Warbler - 2 Chipping Sparrow - 1 Field Sparrow - 1 Savannah Sparrow - 1 Song Sparrow - 5 Swamp Sparrow - 1 White-throated Sparrow - 8 "Slate-colored" Junco - 1 Northern Cardinal - 1 Red-winged Blackbird - 135 Eastern Meadowlark - 5 Common Grackle - 310 Brown-headed Cowbird - 7 American Goldfinch - 2 SPECIES: 40 TOTAL BIRDS: 544 Kevin Graff Jarrettsville, MD WhiteMarlin2001 AT yahoo.com Subject: AA, Dorchester & Worcester Counties, 11/11/09 From: Kevin Graff <whitemarlin2001 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:58:19 -0800 Hi all, On way to O.C. for 3 days of pre-rarity roundup trips on Wed, Thurs and Fri. 11/11/09 - 955am-1010am Oceanic Dr., Cape St. Claire, Anne Arundel Co., MD WEATHER: Light rain, 50 degrees, NNE 12 mph Canada Goose - 14 Surf Scoter - 1 Bufflehead - 2 Double-crested Cormorant - 3 Great Blue Heron - 1 Killdeer - 1 Ring-billed Gull - 3 Great Black-backed Gull - 1 Mourning Dove - 1 Northern Flicker - 1 Pileated Woodpecker - 1 Blue Jay - 1 American Crow - 1 European Starling - 3 Song Sparrow - 1 Northern Cardinal - 2 SPECIES: 16 TOTAL BIRDS: 37 11/11/09 - 1135am-130pm Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, Key Wallace Dr., Cambridge, Dorchester Co., MD WEATHER: Drizzle, 51 degrees, NNE 15 mph- NE 11 mph OBSERVERS: Kevin G, John L, Paul N Canada Goose - 934 American Black Duck - 5 Mallard - 53 Northern Shoveler - 46 Northern Pintail - 171 Green-winged Teal - 25 Ruddy Duck - 3 Pied-billed Grebe - 1 Double-crested Cormorant - 4 Great Blue Heron - 8 Turkey Vulture - 12 Bald Eagle - 9 Northern Harrier - 3 American Kestrel - 1 Killdeer - 1 Greater Yellowlegs - 11 Western Sandpiper - 2 Dunlin - 44 Long-billed Dowitcher - 10 Ring-billed Gull - 9 Mourning Dove - 2 Red-headed Woodpecker - 1 Downy Woodpecker - 2 Blue Jay - 1 Horned Lark - 1 Carolina Chickadee - 4 Tufted Titmouse - 4 Brown-headed Nuthatch - 1 Carolina Wren - 1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 2 Eastern Bluebird - 7 American Robin - 2 Northern Mockingbird - 1 European Starling - 15 American Pipit - 30 Yellow-rumped Warbler - 7 Field Sparrow - 1 Song Sparrow - 2 Swamp Sparrow - 1 White-throated Sparrow - 4 White-crowned Sparrow - 2 "Slate-colored" Junco - 2 Northern Cardinal - 1 Red-winged Blackbird - 70 Common Grackle - 93 House Finch - 1 American Goldfinch - 13 SPECIES: 47 TOTAL BIRDS: 1623 11/11/09 - 130pm-2pm Egypt Rd. impoundments, Cambridge, Dorchester Co., MD WEATHER: Drizzle/Overcast, 51 degrees, NE 12 mph- NNE 13 mph OBSERVERS: Kevin G, John L, Paul N Canada Goose - 38 Mallard - 2 Wild Turkey - 7 Turkey Vulture - 5 Bald Eagle - 2 Northern Harrier - 1 Red-tailed Hawk - 1 American Kestrel - 2 Killdeer - 31 Greater Yellowlegs - 1 Laughing Gull - 33 Ring-billed Gull - 80 Herring Gull - 5 Mourning Dove - 26 Northern Flicker - 1 American Crow - 5 Horned Lark - 2 Eastern Bluebird - 10 American Robin - 3 Northern Mockingbird - 1 European Starling - 45 Savannah Sparrow - 2 Song Sparrow - 2 Red-winged Blackbird - 116 Common Grackle - 105 American Goldfinch - 19 SPECIES: 26 TOTAL BIRDS: 545 11/11/09 - 305pm-330pm West Ocean City Pond, Golf Course Rd., West Ocean City, Worcester Co., MD WEATHER: Drizzle/light rain, 52-53 degrees, NE 26 mph- NE 20 mph OBSERVERS: Kevin G, John L, Paul N Canada Goose - 29 Mute Swan - 1 (imm) Tundra Swan - 5 Wood Duck - 14 Gadwall - 15 American Wigeon - 1 American Black Duck - 8 Mallard - 49 Northern Shoveler - 22 Northern Pintail - 18 Green-winged Teal - 6 Ring-necked Duck - 16 Lesser Scaup - 2 Bufflehead - 2 Hooded Merganser - 9 Ruddy Duck - 11 Pied-billed Grebe - 2 Great Blue Heron - 5 (one in flight N) Great Egret - 1 Black-crowned Night Heron - 1 Turkey Vulture - 1 Cooper's Hawk - 1 SANDHILL CRANE - 1 (high flying S, long neck, all gray, upward flicking) Ring-billed Gull - 22 Mourning Dove - 1 American Crow - 2 American Robin - 3 European Starling - 2 Yellow-rumped Warbler - 1 Northern Cardinal - 1 Red-winged Blackbird - 2 American Goldfinch - 1 SPECIES: 32 TOTAL BIRDS: 255 Kevin Graff Jarrettsville, MD WhiteMarlin2001 AT yahoo.com Subject: Piscataway Park, 11/16/09 From: Kevin Graff <whitemarlin2001 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:51:05 -0800 Hi all, Earlier on way down to see the grebe, there is an adult golden eagle soaring over sunny sky with 2 vultures and 2 redtails on Rt 165 before Rt 152 in Harford County at around 1115am. Wind was WNW at that time. Some sparrows along that part of road. 11/16/09 - 1pm-140pm Piscataway Park "Accokeek Creek" Bryan Point Rd., Accokeek, Prince Georges Co., MD WEATHER: Sunny, 67-68 degrees, W 5 mph- variable 5 mph Canada Goose - 26 Gadwall - 112 American Wigeon - 43 American Black Duck - 2 Mallard - 92 Northern Shoveler - 1 (hen) Green-winged Teal - 2 Ring-necked Duck - 2 Bufflehead - 15 Ruddy Duck - 7 Hooded Merganser - 2 (hens) Pied-billed Grebe - 2 Horned Grebe - 1 EARED GREBE - 1 Double-crested Cormorant - 6 Great Blue Heron - 1 Turkey Vulture - 2 Red-shouldered Hawk - 1 Ring-billed Gull - 4 Herring Gull - 1 Mourning Dove - 2 Red-headed Woodpecker - 1 Downy Woodpecker - 1 Blue Jay - 1 American Crow - 1 Carolina Chickadee - 1 White-breasted Nuthatch - 1 Carolina Wren - 1 American Robin - 2 Northern Mockingbird - 1 European Starling - 1 American Pipit - 1 (feeding along rocks at low tide) Song Sparrow - 2 Swamp Sparrow - 1 White-throated Sparrow - 2 Red-winged Blackbird - 5 American Goldfinch - 2 SPECIES: 37 TOTAL BIRDS: 349 11/16/09 - 150pm-230pm Piscataway Park "Farmington Landing" Wharf Rd., Accokeek, Prince Georges Co., MD WEATHER: Sunny, 68 degrees, variable 4 mph Canada Goose - 2 Tundra Swan - 32 (headed S near Rt 210 and Farmington Rd) Mallard - 2 Ring-necked Duck - 18 Bufflehead - 19 Ruddy Duck - 427 Double-crested Cormorant - 5 Great Blue Heron - 5 Turkey Vulture - 1 Bald Eagle - 1 American Coot - 1 Laughing Gull - 3 Ring-billed Gull - 92 Herring Gull - 19 Great Black-backed Gull - 2 Mourning Dove - 1 Belted Kingfisher - 1 Downy Woodpecker - 1 Fish Crow - 11 Carolina Chickadee - 3 Tufted Titmouse - 3 Carolina Wren - 1 Winter Wren - 1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 2 Hermit Thrush - 1 American Robin - 2 Northern Mockingbird - 2 Brown Thrasher - 1 Song Sparrow - 2 White-throated Sparrow - 6 "Slate-colored" Junco - 2 Northern Cardinal - 2 SPECIES: 32 TOTAL BIRDS: 671 Kevin Graff Jarrettsville, MD WhiteMarlin2001 AT yahoo.com Subject: Re: Eared Grebe, Piscataway Park - NO From: Jeff Shenot <jugbay AT MSN.COM> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:36:43 -0500 I arrived at 3:30 and looked all over but had no luck. I started at the fishing pier (by the HQ), and there were no birds anywhere near there except about 8 Gulls out in the mid-channel and a Harrier soaring down the river. Great view of Mt Vernon! Left there quickly to get over to the next spot (upstream; where the bird was seen originally). What is the name of this area? It is unmarked and there is no obvious name. I arrived there at ~ 3:40 and found Chris Ordiway scoping the river from the first vantage spot along the boardwalk. We looked hard all along the boardwalk for an hour but the only grebes present were numerous Pied-billed and one Horned. Good waterfowl variety but nothing unexpected. I was vigilant on grebe searching so I did not look at the geese, but a flyover group of 6 had one that was about half the size of the others and may have been the Cackler seen earlier. Red-headed Woodpeckers were going nuts and calling pretty much non-stop the entire time, and the large number of Wigeon and Gadwall were calling too. A peaceful setting. I settled for enjoying the ridiculously pleasant weather... Canada Goose ~30 Gadwall ~ 25 American Wigeon ~ 40 American Black Duck ~30 Mallard ~ 30 Ring-necked Duck 1 Bufflehead ~10 Hooded Merganser 3 Pied-billed Grebe ~ 6 (hard to say, they moved around a lot) Horned Grebe 1 Double-crested Cormorant 5 Great Blue Heron 1 Northern Harrier 1 Laughing Gull 2 Ring-billed Gull ~ 30 Herring Gull ~ 10 Red-headed Woodpecker 3 or 4 Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 Hairy WoodPecker 1 Downy Woodpecker 1 Northern Flicker 2 Pileated Woodpecker 1 Asian Model (an attractive Asian woman) being professionally photographed - 1 From there, went up to Wharf Rd and arrived at 4:55. There were 4 cars there and several people drinking beer - quietly, but no birders, or Eared Grebes. As I was scanning the waterfowl, I overheard one of the visitors tell an interesting story. Apparently he was there the previous night and helped a young fellow who had a mishap. Somehow he damaged his door in the parking area and then somehow he mistakenly shifted his gear and it resulted in his vehicle going into the river! It was retrieved without further incident by driving and pushing it out. This place seems like a great roost for divers. Chris O. said it is a good place to find American Coot, but I did not see any today. I might suggest looking at this location with a friend, if you are a woman or nervous being alone. Mallard 5 Bufflehead ~ 250 Ring-necked Duck ~20 Ruddy Duck ~ 420 No Eared, but an interesting eve ... ! Jeff Shenot Croom MD Subject: Two Golden Eagles at Turkey Point From: Patricia Valdata <pvaldata AT ZOOMINTERNET.NET> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:08:05 -0500 Bill and Mary Jo Collins reported two Golden Eagles circling over Turkey Point for about 10 minutes during today's hawk watch. Pat Valdata Elkton, MD "The natural function of the wing is to soar upwards and carry that which is heavy up to the place where dwells the race of gods. More than any other thing that pertains to the body it partakes of the nature of the divine." --Plato Subject: FOS tundra Swans From: Stephen Horvath <falcon85 AT PRODIGY.NET> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:41:40 -0500 I heard my first flock of Tundra Swans Fly over near Damascus today. I looked for them but they were probably up too high. Other birds of Interest where I was included a Red-tailed Hawk, and a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. Stephen Horvath Hyattstown Md Subject: Earred Grebe-Yes! Piscataway Park, PG.Co. From: diane Ford <dmford455 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:33:50 -0800 Hi all, � Just when I thought it was going to be a ho-hum morning, I saw Mikey L's posting. Much closer than driving to Ocean City!� As I was headed to the Colonial Farm on Byran Rd, I was signaled by Kevin G. I turned around. He gets the 'gracious birder' award for giving great directions to find the grebe. I didn't know you could drive down that road to the 2nd lot, where the board walk is.� Most of the reported waterfowl were there, (I didn't see the Cackling eithr) The Earred Grebe did do that feather eating thing while I observed it in my scope. Neat bird.Lifer too!~ it flew a short distance to the left (south) and swam back staying on the floating veggie stuff on the water. Earred Grebe 1 Double crested Cormorants -several Mallards Gadwall American Widgeons Ruddy Ducks Buffleheads Black Ducks Green winged Teal Canada Geese Red shouldered Hawk Bald Eagle 1 (soaring distant) D.Ford/Bethesda Subject: Re: Eared Grebe, Piscataway Park From: Kevin Graff <whitemarlin2001 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:53:37 -0800 Hi all, ���Eared Grebe still there at Accokeek Creek area of Piscataway Park around 115pm. It was farther out with few gadwall in area with dead brown weeds floating. More ducks than Mikey at Accokeek Creek with more at Wharf Rd. area.� No cackling as there were fewer geese there.� Will post later.� David M pull out when I arrive and Diane Ford arrive when I left for Wharf Rd. � � Kevin Graff � � Jarrettsville, MD � � WhiteMarlin2001 AT yahoo.com Subject: Re: Rarity Roundup Highlights From: Leslie Starr <Turnstar AT AOL.COM> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:25:33 EST In a message dated 11/16/2009 12:23:17 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, ringler1 AT COMCAST.NET writes: Tom also gets a Purple Heart for his combat wound received during the loon attack. and a Western Kingbird. :) Leslie Starr Baltimore Subject: Re: Rarity Roundup Highlights From: Bob Ringler <ringler1 AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:22:55 +0000    Bill deserves great praise for much of the organization for the Rarity Roundup with Mark Hoffman and Matt Hafner. Bill kept everyone in touch for the rarities that were discovered and Mark managed the tally which was enjoyed by everyone. Special commendation goes to Geraldine and Tom Feild who hiked all the way to the north end of Assateague on Saturday, then returned in the dark. Tom also gets a Purple Heart for his combat wound received during the loon attack. It was great to see so many people out for one big day. Bob Ringler Eldersburg MD ringler1 AT comcast.net ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bill Hubick" To: MDOSPREY AT HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM Sent: Sunday, November 15, 2009 10:43:29 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [MDOSPREY] Rarity Roundup Highlights Hi Everyone, I wanted to take a couple minutes to share the highlights of this year's incredible Rarity Roundup weekend. Despite the challenges of the impressive Nor'easter-related flooding, the event had unprecedented participation. And of course that translated to great birds and great stories. Here's the rundown: BLACK-HEADED GULL - First-cycle found by Frode Jacobsen on 11/13. Seen by many and photographed extensively. Not relocated on 11/14 or 11/15. CALIFORNIA GULL - I spotted this bird on the afternoon of 11/13 and somehow managed to run out and get photos without ruining my camera in the downpour. I kept the camera under my rain jacket, would wipe the lens, burst-shoot, and then cover it back up. It is a second-cycle bird that appears identical in plumage to the bird we photographed at Salisbury Landfill on 10/24. I believe the photos are diagnostic and all elicited opinions so far are supportive. I'll post photos ASAP and submit to MD/DCRC. probable LEAST FLYCATCHER - An awesome find by J.B. Churchill and David Yeany on Evans Road just north of Cedar Lane (11/14). Many photos, as well as audio recordings of 'whit' calls. Multiple expert opinions strongly support Least Flycatcher. When Tom Feild and Geraldine King re-round it today, it was only two days earlier than Maryland's late date for Least Flycatcher (i.e., any eastern Empidonax). Presumably only the 11/17 Least record and Hank Kaestner's Baltimore Co. Hammond's (11/23/2005-12/14/2005) are later Empidonax records for Maryland. All Empidonax in Maryland at this time of year are mega, and so nearly the entire Rarity Roundup team got down there to see it. This is in part because I spazzed out a little and started throwing "probable Dusky" around (and even Gray for a minute or two!). I try so hard to be level-headed, but man, talk about the heat of the moment! In any case, I stand by it being the right move for everyone to chase it, as it  could have easily been a new state record. We all got to see a very rare temporal record, it was a county bird for many, and we learned a lot about a tough ID. Memorable to say the least. Great job, J.B. and David! WESTERN KINGBIRD - Found today (11/15) by Geraldine King and Tom Feild near pump-house #2 at Assateague SP. Chased by many, but there were only possible glimpses and possible call notes during extensive checking and re-checking. POMARINE and PARASITIC JAEGER - Amazing looks at an adult Pomarine Jaeger by Jim Brighton, Dan Small, and Maren Gimpel at the Assateague Causeway, early morning on 11/14. It appeared drawn in by a small tern flock. The Parasitic overtook it and continued on, allowing great studies. AMERICAN AVOCET - Spotted by Jim Moore as a flyby at the Assateague Causeway. Awesome high-speed telephone game relay via Gutberlet to Brighton to Lutmerding to me. Our group scoped it minutes later looking north from the east side of the causeway on the Assateague side. Great county bird and month bird for many. My previous record for Worcester was from the 2007 Rarity Roundup, found by Graff and Hafner on Skimmer Island (11/10/07). AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER - Flyby detected by Jim Brighton, Dan Small, and Maren Gimpel at Assateague State Park. SPOTTED SANDPIPER - Assateague Causeway by Brighton, Small, Gimpel. GLAUCOUS GULL - First-cycle found by Rob and Mike Ostrowski at the OC Inlet today (11/15) EARED GREBE - Found by Bob Ringler, John Landers, and Paul Noell at Bayside 41st Street in Ocean City (11/14). Several of us relocated it today. ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERs - Assateague Visitor Center on 11/14 and 11/15 (Green/Powell), Assateague SP (Rob and Mike Ostrowski). HARLEQUIN DUCK - Inlet on all three days COMMON EIDERS - Inlet on all three days. High of at least 17 birds. "CANADIAN"-type RED-TAILED HAWK - Dark-throated Red-tailed Hawk at Glen Riddle development (Hubick/Starr/Turner/Sarbanes) Also Ross's Goose, Cackling Goose, Osprey, Piping Plover (all five MD plover species), Western Willet (Lutmerding/Shenot, McGowan), Marbled Godwit (Lutmerding/Shenot), Red Knot, many White-rumped Sandpipers, 1000+ Dunlin on the north end of Assateague, Long-billed Dowitchers, displaying American Woodcock at multiple locations, Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Royal Terns, Black Skimmers (2 juveniles at Skimmer Island, 1 at Inlet on 11/14), Northern Saw-whet Owls, Vesper Sparrow, Nelson's Sparrow, Saltmarsh Sparrows, Snow Buntings, Pine Siskin. Thanks to everyone who participated for making it another Rarity Roundup to remember. It's my favorite weekend of the year. Good birding! Bill Bill Hubick Pasadena, Maryland bill_hubick AT yahoo.com http://www.billhubick.com Subject: Flycatcher photos From: JB Churchill <jchurchi AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:15:41 -0500 I put 2 photos of the Empidonax Flycatcher (Least Flycatcher) from Evans Road, Berlin, Maryland (Worcester County) on my Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/fusionmonger/4109663276/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/fusionmonger/4108899053/ For some reason I couldn't get the movie (mov. format; audio only) to post to Flickr but I also have a recording of the "Whit" calls. Its a bit hard to hear but you can hear it call 3 times if you use headphones. http://www.westernmdbirding.com/whit.mov -- John B. Churchill Frostburg, MD http://www.jbchurchill.com/ http://www.westernmdbirding.com/ Subject: Weekend sightings including California Gull, Kent County 11/15/09 From: hans holbrook <hansholbrook AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:28:15 -0800 On Friday I hit a number of locations on the middle shore. I started at Pickering Creek hoping to closeout White-crowned Sparrow, found just one, a young male singing in the rain. Also had a Richardson's Goose in with the Canadas. From there I headed to Choptank in Caroline County hoping to closeout Common Loon, after about fifteen minutes of standing in the rain, one appeared in the middle of the river right in front of me. Several ducks were moving around the river, so I stayed for nearly two hours. During this time Dave Powell showed up and was happy to pick up his closeout Common Loon. We picked up another Common Loon flying up the river. From here were headed to the bridge south of town where Dave got on a group of Ruddy Ducks with one Horned Grebe, a long awaited county bird for me.�This changed my plan of heading north to Chestertown. I followed Dave down to Wicomico County to chase the previously reported Horned Grebes. Found two of them at Roaring Point. Ron Gutberlet had texted us about several nearby fields with shorebirds. Dave and I went up to Fire Tower Road and re-found a White-rumped Sandpiper.� On Saturday I met up with Jim Stasz and Ed Boyd at Meadowbrook Park, were we found the Clay-colored Sparrow. It was in the cattail marsh to the west of the Park and Ride. From here we headed to Triadelphia only to find one Common Loon. From a northern access point in Montgomery County(I forget the road name), we kicked up a Woodcock and had a fly-over Merlin. We then tried for the Brant at Piney Run and came up empty like everyone else. As luck would have it the other guys ran into a birder who informed them that the Red-throated Loon had been seen after we left. It didn't take long to find it on our second try, this was a closeout for Stasz. As luck would have it, several birders came by and informed us of a Black Scoter with the Ruddy Ducks. A county bird for all of us. Also present were 2 Horned Grebes. Sunday morning Jim Stasz and I did a loop around the top of the bay. Birding was slow, the weather was nice. In the field before Great Oak pond Jim located a second year California Gull not far from the road. This was THE highlight of the day, a long awaited state bird for me. Only other bird of note was the continuing Greater White-fronted Goose at the Chestertown wastewater treatment plant. Good birding, Hans HolbrookCrofton, MD Subject: Re: Eared Grebe, Piscataway Park From: Mikey Lutmerding <mlutmerding AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:18:05 -0500 Hi all, sorry for any confusion, Piscataway is in Prince George's County, a link to the spot via the ebird google gadget- http://maps.google.com/?q=38.694487,-77.051239%20(Eared%20Grebe%20-%20Piscataway%20Park) Good Birding! Mikey Lutmerding Croom, MD Subject: Re: eBird balloons From: "J. M." <epiphenomenon9 AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:25:46 -0500 Good points. �But for the benefit of others I'll note that even if a rare sighting is "in escrow" (I noticed that the CCSP sightings are visible, at least as of today), you can still find the location if it's a designated "hotspot" (and most sightings are at hotspots) and you know the name of the hotspot. �For the benefit of others, what I do is go to "view and explore data" tab, click on "bar charts", and then select hot spots for Maryland, then I select, e.g. Meadowbrook Park (How. Co.), to get its bar chart and then click on any species in the chart--that gives you a map with a balloon at the location you requested. Jim Moore Rockville, MD On Mon, Nov 16, 2009 at 9:22 AM, James Tyler Bell wrote: > > Use caution with this and don't assume that all bird sightings will be shown. Reports that are still held up in the review process will not show up as they are excluded from the public access side of the database. This pertains to birds that may be�a tricky ID and are left to the MD/DC RC to debate speciation. Other more cut and dry species, though state reviewable, may pass through the eBird review process ahead of a ruling by the RC (eg the two Scissor-tailed Flycatchers on the eastern shore this year were throughly photo-documented). > > Basically, the balloons work great for stuff that's passed review but there will be no balloon for some reports in escrow! > > > Tyler Bell > jtylerbell AT yahoo.com > California, Maryland > > > > ----- Original Message ---- > From: Jim Moore > To: MDOSPREY AT HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM > Sent: Mon, November 16, 2009 6:54:58 AM > Subject: Re: [MDOSPREY] Locations-- eBird > > [snip] > Then, when I want to find the location of a recently spotted bird, I > click on the species name. This takes you to a map of Maryland showing > all sightings. I then look for the yellow balloons (indicating a > sighting within the last 30 days), and click on the balloon to get > detailed information about the sighting and verify it is the location > I'm looking for. You can then zoom in to street level, using either > street map, satellite, or hybrid views, to see the exact location of the > report. > > > Subject: Eared Grebe, Piscataway Park From: Mikey Lutmerding <mlutmerding AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:18:18 -0500 Hi all, I ran out to Piscataway Creek this morning before work, there weren't many ducks around, but there was one EARED GREBE hanging around the south side of the cove just west of the boardwalk. There was also one CACKLING GOOSE hanging out with the Canadas. There are several openings where viewing is possible along the boardwalk. Photos at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeycerw/ Location: Piscataway Park Observation date: 11/16/09 Number of species: 46 Cackling Goose 1 Canada Goose 100 Gadwall 25 American Wigeon 1 American Black Duck 2 American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) 3 Mallard 30 Green-winged Teal (American) 2 Ring-necked Duck 5 Bufflehead 20 Ruddy Duck 8 Pied-billed Grebe 2 Eared Grebe 1 Double-crested Cormorant 3 Great Blue Heron 3 Red-shouldered Hawk 1 Laughing Gull 5 Ring-billed Gull 20 Herring Gull 2 Great Black-backed Gull 1 Mourning Dove 2 Red-headed Woodpecker 2 Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 Downy Woodpecker 1 Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 1 Pileated Woodpecker 1 American Crow 5 Fish Crow 2 crow sp. 10 Carolina Chickadee 3 White-breasted Nuthatch 1 Brown Creeper 1 Carolina Wren 2 Golden-crowned Kinglet 3 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2 Hermit Thrush 1 American Robin 4 Northern Mockingbird 1 Brown Thrasher 1 European Starling 30 American Pipit 5 Song Sparrow 3 Swamp Sparrow 8 White-throated Sparrow 10 Dark-eyed Junco 2 Red-winged Blackbird 20 Common Grackle 500 American Goldfinch 2 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org) Good Birding! Mikey Lutmerding Croom, MD Subject: Golden Eagle Fly-over at Pickering Creek From: les <lroslund AT BLUECRAB.ORG> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:25:33 -0500 Around 9:30 a.m. on Sunday an immature Golden Eagle was seen by members of the Talbot Bird Club during their morning bird walk at Pickering Creek Audubon Center in Talbot County. This bird was flying in a straight line towards the northwest, so it is reasonable to expect it could have been the same bird as seen yesterday on the Western Shore - if the timing happened to be right. Over 20 birders were out for this walk, led by Amanda Spears, and the bird was low enough to provide quite nice views of distinguishing field marks. LES ROSLUND TALBOT COUNTY EASTON, MD Subject: eBird balloons From: James Tyler Bell <jtylerbell AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:22:56 -0800 Use caution with this and don't assume that all bird sightings will be shown. Reports that are still held up in the review process will not show up as they are excluded from the public access side of the database. This pertains to birds that may be�a tricky ID and are left to the MD/DC RC to debate speciation. Other more cut and dry species, though state reviewable, may pass through the eBird review process ahead of a ruling by the RC (eg the two Scissor-tailed Flycatchers on the eastern shore this year were throughly photo-documented). Basically, the balloons work great for stuff that's passed review but there will be no balloon for some reports in escrow! � Tyler Bell jtylerbell AT yahoo.com California, Maryland ----- Original Message ---- From: Jim Moore To: MDOSPREY AT HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM Sent: Mon, November 16, 2009 6:54:58 AM Subject: Re: [MDOSPREY] Locations-- eBird [snip] Then, when I want to find the location of a recently spotted bird, I click on the species name. This takes you to a map of Maryland showing all sightings. I then look for the yellow balloons (indicating a sighting within the last 30 days), and click on the balloon to get detailed information about the sighting and verify it is the location I'm looking for. You can then zoom in to street level, using either street map, satellite, or hybrid views, to see the exact location of the report. Subject: Re: Locations-- eBird From: Jim Moore <epiphenomenon9 AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:54:58 -0500 Just wanted to point out that eBird is a great tool for finding locations of birds reported on this list. What I do is bookmark the eBird version of the Maryland bar chart (you can navigate to this yourself by clicking on the "view and explore data" tab at eBird.org): http://ebird.org/ebird/GuideMe?reportType=location&bMonth=01&bYear=1900&eMonth=12&eYear=2009&parentState=US-MD&countries=US&states=US-MD&getLocations=states&continue.x=27&continue.y=11&continue=t Then, when I want to find the location of a recently spotted bird, I click on the species name. This takes you to a map of Maryland showing all sightings. I then look for the yellow balloons (indicating a sighting within the last 30 days), and click on the balloon to get detailed information about the sighting and verify it is the location I'm looking for. You can then zoom in to street level, using either street map, satellite, or hybrid views, to see the exact location of the report. Of course, the more people who report their sightings to eBird, the more useful it will be for this and other purposes. Good birding! Jim Moore Rockville, Maryland PLEASE REPORT YOUR BIRD SIGHTINGS to http://ebird.org/ Helen Horrocks wrote: > The only problem with "Meadowbrook" as a birding site is that there is more than one "Meadowbrook" in the state. Perhaps we should all be more specific in our descriptions, a lesson I learned recently in posting a location I felt all would be familiar with. Little did I know but soon learned. > > Helen Horrocks > Ijamsville, Fred. Co., MD > hlh_37~at~yahoo.com > > > > > ________________________________ > From: Ed Boyd > To: MDOSPREY AT HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM > Sent: Sat, November 14, 2009 4:40:35 PM > Subject: [MDOSPREY] > > Ben, > > You've probably heard by now and have the directions, but... > > The location information is here: > http://www.co.ho.md.us/gis/gisdocs/07_MeadowbrookPark.pdf > If you come from the east on 100 then it would be the last exit before rte. 29. Turn left at the top of the ramp, cross 100 and turn right at Meadowbrook Lane. > > And a nice map of the park is here: > http://www.co.ho.md.us/RAP/RAPDocs/MeadowbrookMap.pdf > > This morning the bird was located by going from the park and ride west of the tennis courts and then about 100 yards north of the bridge that crosses the creek. At first it was on the east side of the creek next to the edge of the marsh, then it moved to some goldenrods just west of the stream near the same location. This afternoon at about 3:30 it was refound near the curve by the pond near the tennis courts. > > Ed Boyd > Westminster, MD > > BEN POSCOVER wrote: > >> Where is Meadowbrook ? >> Ben Poscover >> bfposcov AT verizon.net >> >> > > > > > > Subject: Rarity Roundup Highlights From: Bill Hubick <bill_hubick AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 19:43:29 -0800 Hi Everyone, I wanted to take a couple minutes to share the highlights of this year's incredible Rarity Roundup weekend. Despite the challenges of the impressive Nor'easter-related flooding, the event had unprecedented participation. And of course that translated to great birds and great stories. Here's the rundown: BLACK-HEADED GULL - First-cycle found by Frode Jacobsen on 11/13. Seen by many and photographed extensively. Not relocated on 11/14 or 11/15. CALIFORNIA GULL - I spotted this bird on the afternoon of 11/13 and somehow managed to run out and get photos without ruining my camera in the downpour. I kept the camera under my rain jacket, would wipe the lens, burst-shoot, and then cover it back up. It is a second-cycle bird that appears identical in plumage to the bird we photographed at Salisbury Landfill on 10/24. I believe the photos are diagnostic and all elicited opinions so far are supportive. I'll post photos ASAP and submit to MD/DCRC. probable LEAST FLYCATCHER - An awesome find by J.B. Churchill and David Yeany on Evans Road just north of Cedar Lane (11/14). Many photos, as well as audio recordings of 'whit' calls. Multiple expert opinions strongly support Least Flycatcher. When Tom Feild and Geraldine King re-round it today, it was only two days earlier than Maryland's late date for Least Flycatcher (i.e., any eastern Empidonax). Presumably only the 11/17 Least record and Hank Kaestner's Baltimore Co. Hammond's (11/23/2005-12/14/2005) are later Empidonax records for Maryland. All Empidonax in Maryland at this time of year are mega, and so nearly the entire Rarity Roundup team got down there to see it. This is in part because I spazzed out a little and started throwing "probable Dusky" around (and even Gray for a minute or two!). I try so hard to be level-headed, but man, talk about the heat of the moment! In any case, I stand by it being the right move for everyone to chase it, as it could have easily been a new state record. We all got to see a very rare temporal record, it was a county bird for many, and we learned a lot about a tough ID. Memorable to say the least. Great job, J.B. and David! WESTERN KINGBIRD - Found today (11/15) by Geraldine King and Tom Feild near pump-house #2 at Assateague SP. Chased by many, but there were only possible glimpses and possible call notes during extensive checking and re-checking. POMARINE and PARASITIC JAEGER - Amazing looks at an adult Pomarine Jaeger by Jim Brighton, Dan Small, and Maren Gimpel at the Assateague Causeway, early morning on 11/14. It appeared drawn in by a small tern flock. The Parasitic overtook it and continued on, allowing great studies. AMERICAN AVOCET - Spotted by Jim Moore as a flyby at the Assateague Causeway. Awesome high-speed telephone game relay via Gutberlet to Brighton to Lutmerding to me. Our group scoped it minutes later looking north from the east side of the causeway on the Assateague side. Great county bird and month bird for many. My previous record for Worcester was from the 2007 Rarity Roundup, found by Graff and Hafner on Skimmer Island (11/10/07). AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER - Flyby detected by Jim Brighton, Dan Small, and Maren Gimpel at Assateague State Park. SPOTTED SANDPIPER - Assateague Causeway by Brighton, Small, Gimpel. GLAUCOUS GULL - First-cycle found by Rob and Mike Ostrowski at the OC Inlet today (11/15) EARED GREBE - Found by Bob Ringler, John Landers, and Paul Noell at Bayside 41st Street in Ocean City (11/14). Several of us relocated it today. ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERs - Assateague Visitor Center on 11/14 and 11/15 (Green/Powell), Assateague SP (Rob and Mike Ostrowski). HARLEQUIN DUCK - Inlet on all three days COMMON EIDERS - Inlet on all three days. High of at least 17 birds. "CANADIAN"-type RED-TAILED HAWK - Dark-throated Red-tailed Hawk at Glen Riddle development (Hubick/Starr/Turner/Sarbanes) Also Ross's Goose, Cackling Goose, Osprey, Piping Plover (all five MD plover species), Western Willet (Lutmerding/Shenot, McGowan), Marbled Godwit (Lutmerding/Shenot), Red Knot, many White-rumped Sandpipers, 1000+ Dunlin on the north end of Assateague, Long-billed Dowitchers, displaying American Woodcock at multiple locations, Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Royal Terns, Black Skimmers (2 juveniles at Skimmer Island, 1 at Inlet on 11/14), Northern Saw-whet Owls, Vesper Sparrow, Nelson's Sparrow, Saltmarsh Sparrows, Snow Buntings, Pine Siskin. Thanks to everyone who participated for making it another Rarity Roundup to remember. It's my favorite weekend of the year. Good birding! Bill Bill Hubick Pasadena, Maryland bill_hubick AT yahoo.com http://www.billhubick.com Subject: Ocean City-Blackwater Nov. 14 From: Peter Lev <plev AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 21:52:06 -0500 Dave Larkin and I took a one day trip to Ocean City and Blackwater NWR on Sat., Nov. 14. In the heavy surf at the Inlet we saw at least a dozen Common Eider and a skimming Black Skimmer. Also a Lesser Black-backed Gull in the air. Skimmer Island held two more Black Skimmers. At West Ocean City pond we met a group of rarities-hunters and saw 15 species of waterfowl (but no rarities). Approaching Blackwater, we encountered the large gull flock described by Marcia Balestri-it was mostly Laughing Gulls. We thought there might be something interesting in the flock, but spent only a few minutes scanning and missed the gull that Marcia saw. In the Marsh Trail parking lot we had a Palm Warbler and a Brown-Headed Nuthatch. Lots of shorebirds on the spur road just past the Visitors' Center; Dave thought there were a few Western Sands mixed in with hundreds of Dunlin. The day ended with a flourish as we saw a Short-eared Owl at dusk from Shorter's Wharf Rd. Peter Lev Towson, MD Subject: Prettyboy Reservoir, 11/10/09 From: Kevin Graff <whitemarlin2001 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 17:39:34 -0800 Hi all, Second of the reservoir weekly walk. Next walk will be at Loch Raven Reservoir on 11/17/09 at 830am. Check with me by Mon evening for direction. 11/03/09 - 830am-11am Prettyboy Reservoir "C.C.C. Trail" Traceys Store Rd., Boring, Baltimore Co., MD WEATHER: Overcast, 53-61 degrees, NNW 4 mph- NNE 5 mph OBSERVERS: Kevin G Canada Goose - 17 Bufflehead - 2 Common Merganser - 1 Common Loon - 3 Turkey Vulture - 3 Red-tailed Hawk - 1 Mourning Dove - 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker - 3 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 1 Downy Woodpecker - 1 Hairy Woodpecker - 3 Northern Flicker - 2 Blue Jay - 5 American Crow - 4 Carolina Chickadee - 33 Tufted Titmouse - 8 Red-breasted Nuthatch - 4 White-breasted Nuthatch - 5 Brown Creeper - 3 Carolina Wren - 5 Winter Wren - 1 Golden-crowned Kinglet - 2 Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 1 Eastern Bluebird - 2 Hermit Thrush - 3 American Robin - 3 Northern Mockingbird - 1 European Starling - 1 Cedar Waxwing - 2 Yellow-rumped Warbler - 6 Eastern Towhee - 1 Chipping Sparrow - 1 Fox Sparrow - 4 Song Sparrow - 1 White-throated Sparrow - 29 "Slate-colored" Junco - 4 Northern Cardinal - 8 Red-winged Blackbird - 11 Common Grackle - 2 American Goldfinch - 4 SPECIES: 40 TOTAL BIRDS: 192 MAMMALS Gray Squirrel - 8 11/10/09 - 1115am-1140am (quick trip) Jeanne Bowman's 2.5 acres yard, Middletown area, Baltimore Co., MD WEATHER: Overcast, 61 degrees, NE 7 mph OBSERVERS: Jeanne B, Kevin G Turkey Vulture - 2 Red-tailed Hawk - 1 Mourning Dove - 2 Red-bellied Woodpecker - 2 Downy Woodpecker - 1 Blue Jay - 6 American Crow - 3 Carolina Chickadee - 2 Tufted Titmouse - 3 White-breasted Nuthatch - 2 Carolina Wren - 1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 1 (out front) Eastern Bluebird - 2 American Robin - 3 Northern Mockingbird - 1 European Starling - 13 Yellow-rumped Warbler - 1 Song Sparrow - 1 White-throated Sparrow - 2 Northern Cardinal - 2 Common Grackle - 7 House Finch - 4 American Goldfinch - 5 SPECIES: 23 TOTAL BIRDS: 67 11/10/09 - 12pm-1pm Ensor Rd., White Hall, Baltimore Co., MD WEATHER: Overcast, 61 degrees, NE 6 mph- E 6 mph Mallard - 2 Black Vulture - 18 Turkey Vulture - 11 Red-tailed Hawk - 2 American Kestrel - 1 Mourning Dove - 2 Barred Owl - 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker - 2 Downy Woodpecker - 2 Northern Flicker - 5 Blue Jay - 5 American Crow - 6 Carolina Chickadee - 17 Tufted Titmouse - 5 White-breasted Nuthatch - 3 Carolina Wren - 2 Winter Wren - 1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 1 Eastern Bluebird - 8 Hermit Thrush - 2 American Robin - 7 Northern Mockingbird - 2 European Starling - 33 Yellow-rumped Warbler - 2 Eastern Towhee - 1 Chipping Sparrow - 3 Field Sparrow - 2 Savannah Sparrow - 1 Song Sparrow - 10 White-throated Sparrow - 8 "Slate-colored" Junco - 7 Northern Cardinal - 9 American Goldfinch - 7 SPECIES: 33 TOTAL BIRDS: 188 Kevin Graff Jarrettsville, MD WhiteMarlin2001 AT yahoo.com Subject: Clay colored Sparrow-No From: diane Ford <dmford455 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 12:57:26 -0800 Hi all, � Got to Meadowbrook, in Howard County at 8am.� Several people looking, but no sighting. When I left at 10am, I still had no sighting. Others were diligently searching. The park was getting busy. A White eyed Vireo called from the pond brushy area. Here are the other birds: 2 Red tailed Hawks 1 Red shouldered Hawk �Turkey Vultures-several �Black Vultures Mallards 6 Canada Geese 7 ( 30 or so flyover) House Finches American Goldfinches White thrt� Sparrows Song Sparrow House Sparrow White eyed Vireo 1 European Starling Northern Cardinal Carolina Wren Downy Woodpecker Northern Flicker Mourning Dove D.Ford/Bethesda, Md Subject: Hummingbird nest web cam From: Phil Davis <mddcrc AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 14:40:43 -0500 MD Osprey: This is absolutely extralimital, but it is way too good to not post ... enjoy! Phil Live web cam of an Allen's Hummingbird nest in California ... very cool !!!!!! http://www.ustream.tv/channel-popup/Hummingbird-Nest-Cam Background info ... http://happybirding.org/hbforums/showthread.php?s=9fecc283baa1b06d2652d0007c38bd52&t=377 [Original message from VA Birds ...] From: Tony Coomer To: va-bird AT listserve.com Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 11:06:55 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Va-bird] live webcam of Allen's hummingbird Sorry for posting off topic. I have been watching this webcam for the past 2 days(I have the flu) and I think this is so neat I just had to share. This is a live webcam of a Allen's hummingbird nest in Orange County, California. http://happybirding.org/hbforums/forumdisplay.php?f=39 At one point this hummer was feeding two hatchlings while incubating on a second nest. Again, sorry for off topic post. I just thought many of you would enjoy this. Tony Coomer Prince William County ================================== Phil Davis Davidsonville, Maryland USA mailto:PDavis AT ix.netcom.com ================================== Subject: Locations -- meaningful subject lines From: Jim and Ann Nelson <Kingfishers2 AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 13:02:25 -0500 Several years ago, Norm gave the following guidance for MDOSPREY -- "Make an effort to create meaningful subject lines." I find it helpful to have a reference to the county in the Subject line of the email posting. That helps with refining location references like "Meadowbrook." It can be short like "PG Co." or "Mont. Co." so folks can also include other helpful info like the date and important species seen in the Subject line. Thanks. Jim Nelson Bethesda, MD kingfishers2 AT verizon.net Subject: Golden Eagle at Centennial Park in Howard County From: Kevin Heffernan <KJHeff AT AOL.COM> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 12:31:07 EST Karen Darcy and I led the Howard County Bird Club trip this morning to Centennial Park. The bird of the day was a fly over juvenile Golden Eagle about 200' above us. We also had Fox Sparrow, Hermit Thrush, Winter Wren, Gray Catbird, and both Kinglets. Kevin Heffernan Ellicott City _kjheff AT aol.com_ (mailto:kjheff AT aol.com) Subject: American Avocet From: "George M. Jett" <gmjett AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 10:40:18 -0500 Bill Hubick just texted me that there is an American Avocet on the ground from the causeway. I am guessing Assateague. JB Churchill - I think - found a possible Least Flycatcher on Evans Rd. south of Berlin yesterday during the rarities roundup that caused a lot of excitement. The late record for Least in MD according to the Yellowbook is Nov. 17. If you don't know what a Yellowbook is buy one from the MOS bookstore and find out. Bill will report more later after they get home. George gmjett AT comcast.net Subject: Cedar Hill Cemetary Juncos From: saundra byrd <byrdwatcher5 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 21:10:05 -0800 Hello Everyone, I did a drivethru of CedarHill Cemetary in Brooklyn this afternoon . There were 2 flocks of Juncos hanging around the pine trees there .With A total of about 30 . One Field Sparrow hanging out with them. The Osage oranges that line the right side of the cemetary had been knawled on by something.I was a little surprised there werent more birds . Ive usually seen Canada geese here but none today. The yard and park beside the yard had a variety of birds this morning. Seeing 6 Cardinals and 1 Song sparrow along with the usual 20 House sparrows at the feeder was good as i wasnt sure if the birds would come to my new yard. Most Cardinals ive seen since moving here. Also had a 5 second Yellow rumped Warbler in the pine tree. new yard bird .Red shouldered hawk , Great blue heron, American crows, Ringbilled gulls, Mallard, Bluejays, E. Starlings, A.Robins , Rock doves, Mourning doves, Red bellied woodpecker, Northern Mockingbird , Carolina wren, and finally saw the 2 Northern flickers that i thought ive been hearing at the pond. Wasnt sure if it was just the Mockingbird mocking . Where are all the posts for Assateague and Ocean city of the rare birds that the storm brought in ??????? I was hoping to hear some excitement . ! STAN ???? Saundra Byrd byrdwatcher5 AT yahoo.com baltimore Subject: Calvert Co hummingbird and pelicans (14 Nov) From: Sherman Suter <ssuter AT AAAS.ORG> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 23:20:43 -0500 14 Nov 2009: Calvert County: Port Republic An immature male Archilochus hummingbird (Ruby-throated or Black-chinned) made a brief stop at my feeder in Scientists' Cliffs this afternoon. It left in a southerly direction and did not reappear over the next couple of hours. In the late afternoon, 30 minutes (1615 to 1645 EDT) spent scanning the very flat (if a bit higher than usual) waters of the Bay from the cliff top at the N end of Scientists' Cliffs turned up only 6 birds: Common Loon 1 Brown Pelican 2 (a pair heading up the Bay well off shore) Herring Gull 3 Sherman Suter Port Republic MD 20676 / Alexandria VA 22307 ssuter aaas org Subject: Fwd: Funny gull From: pobrien776 <pobrien776 AT AOL.COM> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 23:18:52 -0500 Here is a message from Marcia Balestri about a possible Yellow-legged Gull near Blackwater on Friday. Paul O'Brien Rockville, Mont. Co., MD Begin forwarded message: From: mebalestri Subject: Funny gull Date: November 13, 2009 11:34:06 PM EST To: "Robert Ringler" ,�"David and Carol Smith" ,�"Matt Hafner" ,�"Paul O'Brien" Attachments: 6 Attachments, 2.5 MB Hi there folks, I'm hoping you can help me out here. I had an interesting adult, winter plumage gull on Egypt Rd. today (sorry that it's so late, but we just got back and I didn't have my phone with me). It was about 1/2 mile before the intersection with Key Wallace, first on one side, then later on the other. It was in a field with Laughing, Ring-billed, and some Herring Gulls. I noticed it because its mantle was darker than surrounding gulls, but not as dark as a Black-Backed (either Greater or Lesser). It was definitely bigger than a Ring-billed, slightly smaller than a Herring (maybe--from what I could tell). It had yellowish legs, streaking on the head and neck. Big yellow bill with red gonydeal spot. White tail. Didn't see the underwings, but had black wing tips with good sized mirrors. If I had been on the west coast I probably would have said it California. BUT it had a yellow (or pale), not black iris and no black on the bill. I have attached pix, but they aren't very good as he was distant (not when I first saw him). What do you think? Fell free to pass it along if you think it's worthwhile. I hope someone more experienced than I can refind this bird and ID it (and I'm hoping it's something good!) I am on the road to NC tomorrow for a week, but if you want more info or have questions (or an answer as to what it is), you can call me on my cell at 301-606-5300. --� Marcia Balestri Frederick, MD mebalestri AT comcast.net Subject: Wooton's Landing, poss Golden Eagle From: K Lambert <kbert59 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:18:23 -0800 Was leading a trip of novice birdwatchers - some on their very first bird trip!� Wooton's Landing is on the Patuxent River a bit north of Jug Bay.� While it was not terribly birdy and the ducks were nonexistent, we did have an interesting eagle flyover.� One of the participants initially IDd it as a Black Vulture.� I quickly discounted this given the rounded tail shape and the utter lack of white on the underwing.� The poor lighting made coloration differences difficult to distinguish.� However, another Turkey Vulture that flew by provided an opportunity to easily see the 2 toned underwing.� The eagle in question was uniformly brown underneath with no distinguishable lighter markings on the undertail or underwing areas.� The head and bill were much larger and more pronounced than a vulture.� The bird carried its wings in a distinct slight dihedral but less than that of a vulture but distinctly more than a Bald Eagle. Kathie Lambert kbert59 AT yahoo.com Harwood, MD Subject: Jug Bay, Mayo Beach From: Joanne Howl <jovet AT AOL.COM> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 21:11:24 -0500 I went to Jug Bay Wildlife Sanctuary about 3 PM and spent two hours walking and birding a bit. My list is quite different from the previous post today about Jug Bay – what a difference a few hours must make! The only raptor was a Northern Harrier. There were a few pintails in flight, a few mallards and a black duck or two, many Canada Geese, and a fair assortment of expected red wing blackbirds, chickadees, white throated sparrows and similar familiar faces, er, beaks. The best bird was a nice Rusty Blackbird on the RR Bed trail. Also a pair of grebes, possibly the pied-billeds we saw several weeks ago. Today we couldn’t get a really good view in the fading light – just a truly “grebe-y” silhouette. The water at Jug Bay is remarkably high. The marsh boardwalk is submerged, the dock at Otter Point is submerged and water was pouring over the beaver dam. Also, the RR Bed trail was flooded a bit past the Blind. Several trees on the RR Bed trail are now leaning – quite hard – on the trees right across the road. When we walked down the RR Bed trail, we noted that the river water was flowing onto the road. We marked the edge of the water line and walked on. A half hour later, when we returned, the marker was floating in the water – and the water was far beyond the original mark! And Dan – your Thomas Point Caspian Tern must have flow by Mayo Beach Park, or been hiding – I had a report from my friend who lives near there. He was out around noon, and there were no terns at all in sight. He made special mention of that, because we’ve come to rely on seeing lots of Terns there lately. I suspect the Forster’s at TP must have been Mayo birds, blown across the river by the gusts the last few days (or just looking for greener waters….) Joanne Joanne Howl, DVM West River, MD jovet AT aol.com Subject: Re: Locations From: Ed Boyd <edboyd1959 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 19:48:50 -0500 Sorry Helen and everyone else, since the Clay-colored Sparrow has been reported all week at the Meadowbrook Park in Howard County I assumed that Ben was looking for that location. Since all of the links that I posted were specific to that site in Howard County and the clearly show that, I didn't think that it would be an issue. Also, since this is the only Meadowbrook Park that I have heard about in recent days that had a rarity that most folks would care to chase, I assumed that this one was the one that he needed information about. My apologies, I will be more specific in the future. Ed Boyd Westminster, MD Helen Horrocks wrote: > The only problem with "Meadowbrook" as a birding site is that there is more than one "Meadowbrook" in the state. Perhaps we should all be more specific in our descriptions, a lesson I learned recently in posting a location I felt all would be familiar with. Little did I know but soon learned. > > Helen Horrocks > Ijamsville, Fred. Co., MD > hlh_37~at~yahoo.com > > > > > ________________________________ > From: Ed Boyd > To: MDOSPREY AT HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM > Sent: Sat, November 14, 2009 4:40:35 PM > Subject: [MDOSPREY] > > Ben, > > You've probably heard by now and have the directions, but... > > The location information is here: > http://www.co.ho.md.us/gis/gisdocs/07_MeadowbrookPark.pdf > If you come from the east on 100 then it would be the last exit before rte. 29. Turn left at the top of the ramp, cross 100 and turn right at Meadowbrook Lane. > > And a nice map of the park is here: > http://www.co.ho.md.us/RAP/RAPDocs/MeadowbrookMap.pdf > > This morning the bird was located by going from the park and ride west of the tennis courts and then about 100 yards north of the bridge that crosses the creek. At first it was on the east side of the creek next to the edge of the marsh, then it moved to some goldenrods just west of the stream near the same location. This afternoon at about 3:30 it was refound near the curve by the pond near the tennis courts. > > Ed Boyd > Westminster, MD > > BEN POSCOVER wrote: > >> Where is Meadowbrook ? >> Ben Poscover >> bfposcov AT verizon.net >> >> > > > > > > Subject: Surf Scoter at Tollgate Recycling Plant in Bel Air From: "mail.comcast.net" <mj3151 AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 18:29:34 -0500 I got to the pond just before dark and found the bird hanging loosely with a few Mallards. It was getting dark, so I had to shoot at ISO 3200 and use the flash, so the pictures aren't great, but are good enough for ID purposes. Here's a link to the photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/27381338 AT N03/4103630753/ Mark Johnson Aberdeen, MD Subject: Re: Locations From: Helen Horrocks <hlh_37 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 14:04:59 -0800 The only problem with "Meadowbrook" as a birding site is that there is more than one "Meadowbrook" in the state. Perhaps we should all be more specific in our descriptions, a lesson I learned recently in posting a location I felt all would be familiar with. Little did I know but soon learned. Helen Horrocks Ijamsville, Fred. Co., MD hlh_37~at~yahoo.com ________________________________ From: Ed Boyd To: MDOSPREY AT HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM Sent: Sat, November 14, 2009 4:40:35 PM Subject: [MDOSPREY] Ben, You've probably heard by now and have the directions, but... The location information is here: http://www.co.ho.md.us/gis/gisdocs/07_MeadowbrookPark.pdf If you come from the east on 100 then it would be the last exit before rte. 29. Turn left at the top of the ramp, cross 100 and turn right at Meadowbrook Lane. And a nice map of the park is here: http://www.co.ho.md.us/RAP/RAPDocs/MeadowbrookMap.pdf This morning the bird was located by going from the park and ride west of the tennis courts and then about 100 yards north of the bridge that crosses the creek. At first it was on the east side of the creek next to the edge of the marsh, then it moved to some goldenrods just west of the stream near the same location. This afternoon at about 3:30 it was refound near the curve by the pond near the tennis courts. Ed Boyd Westminster, MD BEN POSCOVER wrote: > Where is Meadowbrook ? > Ben Poscover > bfposcov AT verizon.net > Subject: No Subject From: Ed Boyd <edboyd1959 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:40:35 -0500 Ben, You've probably heard by now and have the directions, but... The location information is here: http://www.co.ho.md.us/gis/gisdocs/07_MeadowbrookPark.pdf If you come from the east on 100 then it would be the last exit before rte. 29. Turn left at the top of the ramp, cross 100 and turn right at Meadowbrook Lane. And a nice map of the park is here: http://www.co.ho.md.us/RAP/RAPDocs/MeadowbrookMap.pdf This morning the bird was located by going from the park and ride west of the tennis courts and then about 100 yards north of the bridge that crosses the creek. At first it was on the east side of the creek next to the edge of the marsh, then it moved to some goldenrods just west of the stream near the same location. This afternoon at about 3:30 it was refound near the curve by the pond near the tennis courts. Ed Boyd Westminster, MD BEN POSCOVER wrote: > Where is Meadowbrook ? > Ben Poscover > bfposcov AT verizon.net > Subject: 3 Scoters at Thomas PP / AA-PG birding From: chris murray <amarumayo AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:37:42 -0500 Hi all, I started the morning off at PG county hitting up Lake Artemesia. Waterfowl numbers are growing and I found my first Goldeneyes of the season. Greenbelt lake held small numbers of ducks as well. I then headed over to Oxbow Lake. It sounded like spring with 2 eastern phoebes singing back and forth as well as loads of sparrows singing. I found my FOS Fox Sparrow and also 3 FOS hooded mergansers and 4 FOS Wilson's snipe. I then headed to Jug Bay. From the scoping platform 40 Shovelers were visible as were 40 Black Ducks. Several raptors were perched in the trees and the osprey platforms including one beautiful Peregrine Falcon, 1 Red-Shouldered, 1 Red Tailed, and 2 Bald Eagles. After that I headed over to Thomas Point Park with Dave Gillum. Thanks to Dan Haas's message we found loads of waterfowl including all 3 Scoter species, 2 Horned Grebes, FOS Red-breasted Merg and 3 Northern Gannets. Full lists follow: Location: Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary Observation date: 11/14/09 Number of species: 38 Canada Goose X American Black Duck 35 Mallard 8 Northern Shoveler 40 Northern Pintail 1 Lesser Scaup 2 Bufflehead 2 Double-crested Cormorant 7 Great Blue Heron 2 Black Vulture 1 Turkey Vulture 3 Bald Eagle 2 Red-shouldered Hawk 1 Red-tailed Hawk 2 Peregrine Falcon 1 Laughing Gull 250 Ring-billed Gull X Herring Gull X Great Black-backed Gull X Belted Kingfisher 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker 7 Downy Woodpecker 2 Northern Flicker 1 Pileated Woodpecker 2 Blue Jay 2 American Crow X Fish Crow X Carolina Chickadee 5 Tufted Titmouse 4 White-breasted Nuthatch 4 Brown Creeper 1 Carolina Wren 2 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2 Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 2 Eastern Towhee 2 Song Sparrow 3 White-throated Sparrow 9 Northern Cardinal 2 Location: Thomas Point Park Observation date: 11/14/09 Number of species: 21 Canada Goose 2 Tundra Swan 28 American Wigeon 3 Mallard 30 Greater/Lesser Scaup 1500 Surf Scoter 175 WHITE-WINGED SCOTER 3 BLACK SCOTER 7 Bufflehead 375 Red-breasted Merganser 1 Ruddy Duck 400 Common Loon 19 Horned Grebe 2 NORTHERN GANNET 3 Laughing Gull X Ring-billed Gull X Herring Gull X Great Black-backed Gull 2 Northern Flicker 1 Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 3 Northern Cardinal 1 House Sparrow 1 Location: Oxbow Lake Observation date: 11/14/09 Number of species: 17 Canada Goose 37 Mallard 43 Hooded Merganser 3 Pied-billed Grebe 4 Great Blue Heron 2 Bald Eagle 1 Killdeer 12 Wilson's Snipe 4 Downy Woodpecker 2 Northern Flicker 2 Pileated Woodpecker 1 Eastern Phoebe 2 Carolina Wren 2 Golden-crowned Kinglet 9 Fox Sparrow 1 Song Sparrow 25 Northern Cardinal 2 Location: Greenbelt Park Observation date: 11/14/09 Number of species: 12 Mallard 2 Ring-necked Duck 2 Ruddy Duck 5 Pied-billed Grebe 3 Great Blue Heron 1 Northern Flicker 1 Carolina Chickadee 2 Carolina Wren 1 Song Sparrow 1 White-throated Sparrow 20 Dark-eyed Junco 45 Common Grackle 18 Location: Lake Artemesia Observation date: 11/14/09 Number of species: 19 Canada Goose 45 Ring-necked Duck 60 Ruddy Duck 55 Pied-billed Grebe 8 American Coot 2 Ring-billed Gull 6 Belted Kingfisher 1 Northern Flicker 1 Blue Jay 2 American Crow X Carolina Chickadee 1 Carolina Wren 1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 American Robin 22 Northern Mockingbird 4 Song Sparrow 8 White-throated Sparrow 8 Dark-eyed Junco 23 American Goldfinch 65 Good Birding, Chris Murray Annapolis Subject: Re: Where is Meadowbrook From: June Tveekrem <tweekiebird AT SOUTHERNSPREADWING.COM> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:31:52 -0500 Ben, I hope somebody already answered you off-list, but for everyone else's benefit, Meadowbrook Park is in Howard County near the intersection of route 29 and route 100. Directions are on the Ho Co Bird Club website at http://howardbirds.org/howard/directions.htm. Below is the relevant paragraph: Meadowbrook Park - ADC 4815-h10 (12-C13 & 16-C1), Delorme 57-C6 From US 29 take MD 100 east (Exit 22, Long Gate Parkway). Stay in the right lane as exit 1A is less than 0.1 mile from the end of the exit ramp. After exiting, as you approach the top of the exit ramp, go straight following signs for Meadowbrook Lane. Continue ~0.1 mile to a left turn into the Park and Ride Lot which puts you adjacent to the most developed portion of the park. June -- June Tveekrem Columbia, Maryland tweekiebird|AT|southernspreadwing.com http://SouthernSpreadwing.com BEN POSCOVER wrote: > Where is Meadowbrook ? > Ben Poscover > bfposcov AT verizon.net Subject: Re: Piney Run From: June Tveekrem <tweekiebird AT SOUTHERNSPREADWING.COM> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:24:30 -0500 Gerry, I see from your list that Brandt the BRANT departed, but he sent his cousin Widgeon the WIGEON. June -- June Tveekrem Columbia, Maryland tweekiebird|AT|southernspreadwing.com http://SouthernSpreadwing.com Gerald & Laura Tarbell wrote: > Dave Harvey led a walk at Piney Run this AM attended by hundreds of > thousands of eager birders. Didn't know there were that many of us. All were > anxious to meet Brandt the BRANT. Guess who did not show. Yep, either the > only Brant with a first name has moved on or he was lurking somewhere out of > sight. Such a shame. However here is a list of what did show: > > Pied Billed Grebe > Canada Goose (no, we didn't try real hard to sort out the odd one) > Mallard > AM Black Duck > AM Widgeon > Ring-necked Duck > Bufflehead > Hooded Merg > Ruddy Duck > Coot > Pileated Woodpecker (Pileation heard only across the lake) > Cedar Waxwings (I had them here at home, too) > Cardinal > Song Sparrow > White-throated Sparrow > > Not much of a trip, but the ducks were nice. And whoever wrote this report > lied about the number of birders. There was only Dave, Maureen and Me, > whoever that is. Enjoyed chatting about old Canadian folk singers. Everybody > sing, "The Legend lives on from the Chippewa on down of the lake that they > call ..." > Anybody know how to spell Gitcheegoomie? I'm sure that's wrong. > > Jerry Tarbell > Still singing in Carroll County > Subject: Piney Run From: Gerald & Laura Tarbell <birdersforever AT EROLS.COM> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 11:10:29 -0500 Dave Harvey led a walk at Piney Run this AM attended by hundreds of thousands of eager birders. Didn't know there were that many of us. All were anxious to meet Brandt the BRANT. Guess who did not show. Yep, either the only Brant with a first name has moved on or he was lurking somewhere out of sight. Such a shame. However here is a list of what did show: Pied Billed Grebe Canada Goose (no, we didn't try real hard to sort out the odd one) Mallard AM Black Duck AM Widgeon Ring-necked Duck Bufflehead Hooded Merg Ruddy Duck Coot Pileated Woodpecker (Pileation heard only across the lake) Cedar Waxwings (I had them here at home, too) Cardinal Song Sparrow White-throated Sparrow Not much of a trip, but the ducks were nice. And whoever wrote this report lied about the number of birders. There was only Dave, Maureen and Me, whoever that is. Enjoyed chatting about old Canadian folk singers. Everybody sing, "The Legend lives on from the Chippewa on down of the lake that they call ..." Anybody know how to spell Gitcheegoomie? I'm sure that's wrong. Jerry Tarbell Still singing in Carroll County Subject: Thomas Point SP / Siskin From: Dan Haas <nervousbirds AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 10:59:35 -0500 There is a lone PINE SISKIN that has been visiting my feeder this morning (West Annapolis). The waterfowl have arrived at TPSP. I dropped by from 7-8 this AM. Scaup... easily into the thousands. Common Loon...15 Horned Grebe... 10 WHITE-WINGER SCOTER... 3 BLACK SCOTER... 200 Surf Scoter... 150 RB MERG.. 1 Canvasback... 1 Wood Duck... 1 Black Duck... 1 Mallard... several dozen Tundra Swan... 13 Am Wigeon... 3 Forsters Tern... dozen or so CASPIAN TERN... 1, flying up the South River towards Mayo Beach Park. Buffles & Ruddys galore Good Birding, Dan Haas West Annapolis, MD nervousbirds AT gmail.com Subject: Clay-colored Sparrow, Meadowbrook, Saturday 11/14 From: Wallace Kornack <wallace AT KORNACK.COM> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 10:51:12 -0500 Had a very close view of the Clay-colored Sparrow this morning around 8:40 this morning at Meadowbrook Park. It was seen a bit earlier by several birders who showed me and others the location---in a field about 300 yards north of the bridge. Have Fun Birding! Wallace Kornack Washington DC Subject: Probable Dusky Flycatcher From: Joe Hanfman <auk1844 AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 15:14:39 +0000 Worcester County Posted for Bill Hubick Probable dusky fly on evans north of cedar lane. Fyi - id is still uncertain. Least not fully ruled out. Joe Hanfman Columbia, Md