Hotline: Voice of the Naturalist
Date: 12/05/2006
Coverage: MD/DC/VA/DE
Telephone: 301-652-1088 option 1
Reports (voice): 301-652-1088 option 2
(email): voice@AudubonNaturalist.org
(deadline): midnight Mondays
Compiler: Lydia Schindler
Sponsor: Audubon Naturalist Society of the Central
Atlantic States (independent of NAS!)
Transcriber: Steve Cordle (scordle@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 prepared Tuesday, December 5, at
6:30 pm.
Top birds this week are GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE in VA, *BARNACLE
GOOSE in MD, AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN in *VA and MD, *EURASIAN
COLLARED-DOVE in MD, and RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD in VA and MD.
Other birds of interest include ROSS'S GOOSE, CACKLING GOOSE, swans,
ducks, RED-THROATED and COMMON LOONS, AMERICAN BITTERN, GOLDEN EAGLE,
PEREGRINE FALCON, LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE,
SHORT-EARED OWL, NORTHERN SHRIKE, warblers, and AMERICAN TREE SPARROW.
A GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE was present Dec 3 near Stuarts Draft,
Augusta Co, VA. [From Staunton, take I-64 southeast to exit 94/Rte
340; go about 2 m to a left onto Rte 632, then another 2.2 m to ponds
on the left, between 2 houses. DeLorme 66, D3.]
A BARNACLE GOOSE, most likely an escape, was discovered at Meadow
Lake, just south of I-68 in eastern Garrett Co, MD on Dec 1, and it
was seen again Dec 2 and 3. Photographs show this bird to be missing a
rear toe, indicating that it is not a true vagrant.
The *AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN at the Accotink Bay Wildlife Refuge, Fort
Belvoir, Fairfax Co, VA, has been seen throughout the week, as
recently as Dec 3. Blackwater NWR, Dorchester Co, MD, continues to
host 13 AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS, but they are visible from the
wildlife loop only intermittently.
The two *EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVES in Dorchester Co were still present
on Nov 29 at the southern end of the community on Upper Hooper Island,
on the wires in front of 2363 Hooper Island Rd (and at least once near
2343). The most recent report is from Dec 3.
Cooperative homeowners are welcoming birders to see RUFOUS
HUMMINGBIRDS at two area locations. A hatch-year female RUFOUS
HUMMINGBIRD is frequenting a yard in Vienna, Fairfax Co. Check a
feeder on the left side of the house at 110 Kingsley Rd SW. [Please
stay on the sidewalk or street.]
A second-year female RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD in Frederick Co, MD has
returned to the location where it was banded last year, on Bethel Rd;
the feeder is in front of the picture window at the front of the
house. [From Rte 15, take Rosemont Ave west about 4.5 miles; the name
eventually changes to Yellow Springs Rd. Turn right at stop sign onto
Bethel Rd and go .5 mile to 9213, a small house on the right at the
corner of Bethel Rd and Ford Rd. Park at 9213 and walk next door to
view the hummingbird at 9211 Bethel Rd; the homeowner owns both
properties. Do not attempt to park on the road as it is very
dangerous. As always, respect privacy and mind your manners.]
A pair of ROSS'S GEESE and a CACKLING GOOSE were in the flocks on the
south side of Broadkill Rd, DE, on Dec 3.
The waterfowl flocks at Centennial Lake, Howard Co, MD, include 4
CACKLING GEESE. A group of 4 CACKLING GEESE was found Dec 5 at a farm
pond on Study Rd, Carroll Co, MD (DeLorme 73, B6).
On Dec 2, TRUMPETER SWAN #960 was joined by a TUNDRA SWAN at Little
Patuxent Oxbow Lake Nature Preserve in Anne Arundel Co, MD.
On Dec 4, a EURASIAN WIGEON landed in a cove behind the house at 6603
Catherine St, Norfolk, VA; birders are welcome to have a look.
As of Nov 30, a flock of a dozen COMMON EIDERS and a female or
immature HARLEQUIN DUCK had reached the waters around Cape Henlopen
SP, DE--but so far they have been seen only from a boat.
RED-THROATED LOONS turned up at several locations, including the
Choptank River at Cambridge, Dorchester Co, where one was seen Dec 1
from Oakley St; and in Clarke Co, VA, upstream from the Rte 50 bridge
over the Shenandoah on Dec 1 and 3.
On Dec 3, hawk watchers at Snickers Gap on the Clarke/Loudoun Co (VA)
line observed the flight of 885 COMMON LOONS, in groups of up to 90.
An AMERICAN BITTERN was flushed at Blackwater NWR on Dec 3.
On Dec 2, a young GOLDEN EAGLE flew over a yard in Chestertown, Kent
Co, MD.
On Dec 5, a PEREGRINE FALCON perched on a crane at the construction
site at the Wilson Bridge (I-495 between VA and DC).
Two LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS were in a flock that flew over an office
building in downtown DC on Dec 1. A LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was at
the Georgetown Reservoir, NW DC, on Dec 3. A LESSER BLACK-BAKCED GULL
was spotted Dec 3 in King George Co, VA, at the Rte 3 ponds near King
George.
The Blackwater NWR area sported 3 SHORT-EARED OWLS on Dec 2, 1 at end
of Cedar Creek Rd and the other the other 2 along Shorter's Wharf Rd.
A NORTHERN SHRIKE was discovered Dec 3 near Cape Henlopen SP, DE; it
was in a group of cedars about 150 yards north of Broadkill Rd.
A smattering of late WARBLER sightings included NASHVILLE Dec 2 at
Huntley Meadows Park, Fairfax Co; a western PALM Dec 2 at Kenilworth
Park, NE DC; a BLACK-AND-WHITE Dec 3 at Queenstown, Queen Anne's Co,
MD; a PINE Dec 3 at the National Arboretum, NE DC; and a COMMON
YELLOWTHROAT Dec 3 at Occoquan Bay NWR, Prince William Co, VA.
AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS were found Dec 3 at Occoquan, and Dec 4 along
the Meadow Trail at Sky Meadows SP, Fauquier Co, VA, as well as at
Blandy Experimental Farm in Clarke Co.
See Life Paulagics is running a trip Dec 9 out of Lewes, DE. For
further information, contact them at 215-234-6805 or visit their web
site at paulagics.com.
Some of this week's reports have been gleaned from the MDOsprey,
VA-Bird, and DE Birds list servers.
Finding Birds in the National Capital Area by Claudia Wilds is an
excellent source for directions to many birding sites. The ANS
Bookstore (301-652-3606 or
www.audubonnaturalist.org/cgi-bin/mesh/store) is an excellent source
for this and many other nature-related titles.
To report bird sightings, e-mail your report to
voice@AudubonNaturalist.org. But no big photo files, please. You may
also report by calling 301-652-1088 and selecting 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 record committee.
Date: 12/05/2006
Coverage: MD/DC/VA/DE
Telephone: 301-652-1088 option 1
Reports (voice): 301-652-1088 option 2
(email): voice@AudubonNaturalist.org
(deadline): midnight Mondays
Compiler: Lydia Schindler
Sponsor: Audubon Naturalist Society of the Central
Atlantic States (independent of NAS!)
Transcriber: Steve Cordle (scordle@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 prepared Tuesday, December 5, at
6:30 pm.
Top birds this week are GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE in VA, *BARNACLE
GOOSE in MD, AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN in *VA and MD, *EURASIAN
COLLARED-DOVE in MD, and RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD in VA and MD.
Other birds of interest include ROSS'S GOOSE, CACKLING GOOSE, swans,
ducks, RED-THROATED and COMMON LOONS, AMERICAN BITTERN, GOLDEN EAGLE,
PEREGRINE FALCON, LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE,
SHORT-EARED OWL, NORTHERN SHRIKE, warblers, and AMERICAN TREE SPARROW.
A GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE was present Dec 3 near Stuarts Draft,
Augusta Co, VA. [From Staunton, take I-64 southeast to exit 94/Rte
340; go about 2 m to a left onto Rte 632, then another 2.2 m to ponds
on the left, between 2 houses. DeLorme 66, D3.]
A BARNACLE GOOSE, most likely an escape, was discovered at Meadow
Lake, just south of I-68 in eastern Garrett Co, MD on Dec 1, and it
was seen again Dec 2 and 3. Photographs show this bird to be missing a
rear toe, indicating that it is not a true vagrant.
The *AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN at the Accotink Bay Wildlife Refuge, Fort
Belvoir, Fairfax Co, VA, has been seen throughout the week, as
recently as Dec 3. Blackwater NWR, Dorchester Co, MD, continues to
host 13 AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS, but they are visible from the
wildlife loop only intermittently.
The two *EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVES in Dorchester Co were still present
on Nov 29 at the southern end of the community on Upper Hooper Island,
on the wires in front of 2363 Hooper Island Rd (and at least once near
2343). The most recent report is from Dec 3.
Cooperative homeowners are welcoming birders to see RUFOUS
HUMMINGBIRDS at two area locations. A hatch-year female RUFOUS
HUMMINGBIRD is frequenting a yard in Vienna, Fairfax Co. Check a
feeder on the left side of the house at 110 Kingsley Rd SW. [Please
stay on the sidewalk or street.]
A second-year female RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD in Frederick Co, MD has
returned to the location where it was banded last year, on Bethel Rd;
the feeder is in front of the picture window at the front of the
house. [From Rte 15, take Rosemont Ave west about 4.5 miles; the name
eventually changes to Yellow Springs Rd. Turn right at stop sign onto
Bethel Rd and go .5 mile to 9213, a small house on the right at the
corner of Bethel Rd and Ford Rd. Park at 9213 and walk next door to
view the hummingbird at 9211 Bethel Rd; the homeowner owns both
properties. Do not attempt to park on the road as it is very
dangerous. As always, respect privacy and mind your manners.]
A pair of ROSS'S GEESE and a CACKLING GOOSE were in the flocks on the
south side of Broadkill Rd, DE, on Dec 3.
The waterfowl flocks at Centennial Lake, Howard Co, MD, include 4
CACKLING GEESE. A group of 4 CACKLING GEESE was found Dec 5 at a farm
pond on Study Rd, Carroll Co, MD (DeLorme 73, B6).
On Dec 2, TRUMPETER SWAN #960 was joined by a TUNDRA SWAN at Little
Patuxent Oxbow Lake Nature Preserve in Anne Arundel Co, MD.
On Dec 4, a EURASIAN WIGEON landed in a cove behind the house at 6603
Catherine St, Norfolk, VA; birders are welcome to have a look.
As of Nov 30, a flock of a dozen COMMON EIDERS and a female or
immature HARLEQUIN DUCK had reached the waters around Cape Henlopen
SP, DE--but so far they have been seen only from a boat.
RED-THROATED LOONS turned up at several locations, including the
Choptank River at Cambridge, Dorchester Co, where one was seen Dec 1
from Oakley St; and in Clarke Co, VA, upstream from the Rte 50 bridge
over the Shenandoah on Dec 1 and 3.
On Dec 3, hawk watchers at Snickers Gap on the Clarke/Loudoun Co (VA)
line observed the flight of 885 COMMON LOONS, in groups of up to 90.
An AMERICAN BITTERN was flushed at Blackwater NWR on Dec 3.
On Dec 2, a young GOLDEN EAGLE flew over a yard in Chestertown, Kent
Co, MD.
On Dec 5, a PEREGRINE FALCON perched on a crane at the construction
site at the Wilson Bridge (I-495 between VA and DC).
Two LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS were in a flock that flew over an office
building in downtown DC on Dec 1. A LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was at
the Georgetown Reservoir, NW DC, on Dec 3. A LESSER BLACK-BAKCED GULL
was spotted Dec 3 in King George Co, VA, at the Rte 3 ponds near King
George.
The Blackwater NWR area sported 3 SHORT-EARED OWLS on Dec 2, 1 at end
of Cedar Creek Rd and the other the other 2 along Shorter's Wharf Rd.
A NORTHERN SHRIKE was discovered Dec 3 near Cape Henlopen SP, DE; it
was in a group of cedars about 150 yards north of Broadkill Rd.
A smattering of late WARBLER sightings included NASHVILLE Dec 2 at
Huntley Meadows Park, Fairfax Co; a western PALM Dec 2 at Kenilworth
Park, NE DC; a BLACK-AND-WHITE Dec 3 at Queenstown, Queen Anne's Co,
MD; a PINE Dec 3 at the National Arboretum, NE DC; and a COMMON
YELLOWTHROAT Dec 3 at Occoquan Bay NWR, Prince William Co, VA.
AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS were found Dec 3 at Occoquan, and Dec 4 along
the Meadow Trail at Sky Meadows SP, Fauquier Co, VA, as well as at
Blandy Experimental Farm in Clarke Co.
See Life Paulagics is running a trip Dec 9 out of Lewes, DE. For
further information, contact them at 215-234-6805 or visit their web
site at paulagics.com.
Some of this week's reports have been gleaned from the MDOsprey,
VA-Bird, and DE Birds list servers.
Finding Birds in the National Capital Area by Claudia Wilds is an
excellent source for directions to many birding sites. The ANS
Bookstore (301-652-3606 or
www.audubonnaturalist.org/cgi-bin/mesh/store) is an excellent source
for this and many other nature-related titles.
To report bird sightings, e-mail your report to
voice@AudubonNaturalist.org. But no big photo files, please. You may
also report by calling 301-652-1088 and selecting 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 record committee.