Hotline: Voice of the Naturalist
Date: 12/12/2006
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: Joe Coleman
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 completed Tuesday, December 12, at
5:45 pm.
Top birds this week are *PACIFIC LOON in VA, *AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN
in MD, *BLACK-HEADED GULL in VA, BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD in WV,
RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD in VA and MD, and HARRIS' SPARROW in DE.
Other birds of interest include GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE, ROSS'S
GOOSE, CACKLING GOOSE, ducks, RUFFED GROUSE, RED-THROATED LOON,
AMERICAN BITTERN, GOLDEN EAGLE, SANDHILL CRANE, ICELAND and LESSER
BLACK-BACKED GULL, SHORT-EARED OWL, RED-HEADED WOODPECKER, warblers,
YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD, and RUSTY BLACKBIRD.
For the 4th year in a row a *PACIFIC LOON has been found at the Kerr
Reservoir in Mecklenburg Co, VA. On Dec 10 it was found far out to
the left of Palmer Point Day Use Area. Among the other birds present
in the same area was a RED-THROATED LOON.
An *AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN circled overhead of Hooper's Crab House in
Ocean City, MD on Dec 9.
A *BLACK-HEADED GULL was found and carefully studied at the Prince
William Co, VA Landfill on Dec 9. It was not relocated on the 10th.
Other birds present at the landfill during the visit on the 9th
included a GOLDEN EAGLE, a first winter ICELAND GULL, also seen on the
10th, a LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, and a RAVEN.
The BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD continues to visit a feeder in Harper's
Ferry, WV with the most recent report on Dec 8.
Cooperative homeowners continue to welcome birders wishing 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 and please
stay on the sidewalk or street.
A second-year female RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD on Bethel Rd in Frederick Co,
MD continues at the location where it was banded last year; 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 the 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,
please respect privacy and be courteous.
An immature HARRIS' SPARROW was seen Dec 6 while walking along the
shoulder of Rte 9 at the Woodland Beach Wildlife Area in Kent Co, DE.
Two GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE were reported on Little Seneca Lake at
Black Hill Regional Park, Montgomery Co, MD on Dec 5 and 10. On the
10th they were observed near the boat ramp past the causeway off the
side road inside the park.
A single ROSS'S GOOSE, in a large flock of SNOW GEESE, flew over a
yard in western Kent Co, MD on Dec 7.
CACKLING GEESE were reported from several different locations
including one at Kershner's Pond, Frederick Co, MD, on Dec 5, 8 and
10; one on Dec 9 at Triadelphia Reservoir, Howard/Montgomery Co, MD;
and 5 on Dec 11 at Westminster Reservoir, Carroll, Co, MD. Two
CACKLING GEESE were found with hundreds of other geese Dec 10 at the
Upper Occoquan Sewage Authority, off of Compton Rd, Fairfax Co, VA. On
Dec 5 four CACKLING GEESE and a GREATER SCAUP were among 10 species of
waterfowl on a farm pond on Study Rd, Carroll Co, MD (DeLorme map
73B6). The waterfowl at Centennial Lake, Howard Co, MD, included 1
CACKLING GOOSE on Dec 11.
A EURASIAN WIGEON was found in King William Co, VA on Dec 6 during a
birding trip up the Pamunkey River. On the same day a EURASIAN WIGEON
was seen on the pond at Ramp Lane on the Eastern Shore of VA NWR,
Northampton Co, VA. The EURASIAN WIGEON at the Eagles Nest Golf Course
in Worcester Co, MD continues to be seen with a sighting on Dec 9.
REDHEADS were reported from several locations this past week. There
was one on Kershner's Pond on Dec 5. On Dec 9 there was one REDHEAD
among many other waterfowl, including a blue morph SNOW GOOSE, at the
Perryville Community Park, Cecil Co, MD. Eight REDHEADS were seen on
Belmont Bay the morning of the 9th at Mason Neck SP, Fairfax Co, VA.
A drake HARLEQUIN DUCK was seen from Sea Gull Pier island on the
Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, Northampton Co, VA the afternoon of Dec.
7.
On Dec 10 a RUFFED GROUSE was flushed on the upper North Ridge Trail
at Sky Meadows SP, Fauquier Co, VA.
RED-THROATED LOONS continued to be seen at several locations,
including one off of Cobb Island, Charles Co, MD on Dec 10 and one at
Piney Run Park, Carroll Co, MD on the same day.
An AMERICAN BITTERN was in one of the ponds in the marina development
in Cape Charles, Northampton Co, VA on Dec 6.
Four GOLDEN EAGLES were found on Dec 9 during a trip to Highland Co,
VA off of SR 644 and SR 643.
While walking along Mill Race Rd Dec 6, two SANDHILL CRANES were seen
in Anne Arundel Co, MD circling over a wetland and then flying towards
the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center.
A young ICELAND GULL was found mixed in with a large flock of gulls at
North East Town Park, Cecil Co, MD on Dec 11. What appears to be a
different ICELAND GULL was at the park on Dec 12 along with 2 LESSER
BLACK-BACKED GULLS.
Four SHORT-EARED OWLS were observed soaring over the field in
Rectortown, northern Fauquier Co, VA, on Dec 9.
RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS were reported on Dec 10 from Hughes Hollow,
Montgomery Co, MD and Sky Meadows SP.
A few warblers continued to linger in the area with reports of an
OVENBIRD walking around the Mary Ripley Garden, on the Mall between
the Hirshhorn and the Arts and Industries Museum, DC on both Dec 6 and
12. There was also a YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER in a Virginia Beach back
yard on Dec 8 & 9.
A YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD was found in a large flock of blackbirds
along Egypt Road, Dorchester Co, MD.
There were 2 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, NE DC on
Dec 10 and one at Dyke Marsh, Fairfax Co, VA on the same day.
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: 12/12/2006
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: Joe Coleman
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 completed Tuesday, December 12, at
5:45 pm.
Top birds this week are *PACIFIC LOON in VA, *AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN
in MD, *BLACK-HEADED GULL in VA, BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD in WV,
RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD in VA and MD, and HARRIS' SPARROW in DE.
Other birds of interest include GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE, ROSS'S
GOOSE, CACKLING GOOSE, ducks, RUFFED GROUSE, RED-THROATED LOON,
AMERICAN BITTERN, GOLDEN EAGLE, SANDHILL CRANE, ICELAND and LESSER
BLACK-BACKED GULL, SHORT-EARED OWL, RED-HEADED WOODPECKER, warblers,
YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD, and RUSTY BLACKBIRD.
For the 4th year in a row a *PACIFIC LOON has been found at the Kerr
Reservoir in Mecklenburg Co, VA. On Dec 10 it was found far out to
the left of Palmer Point Day Use Area. Among the other birds present
in the same area was a RED-THROATED LOON.
An *AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN circled overhead of Hooper's Crab House in
Ocean City, MD on Dec 9.
A *BLACK-HEADED GULL was found and carefully studied at the Prince
William Co, VA Landfill on Dec 9. It was not relocated on the 10th.
Other birds present at the landfill during the visit on the 9th
included a GOLDEN EAGLE, a first winter ICELAND GULL, also seen on the
10th, a LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, and a RAVEN.
The BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD continues to visit a feeder in Harper's
Ferry, WV with the most recent report on Dec 8.
Cooperative homeowners continue to welcome birders wishing 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 and please
stay on the sidewalk or street.
A second-year female RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD on Bethel Rd in Frederick Co,
MD continues at the location where it was banded last year; 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 the 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,
please respect privacy and be courteous.
An immature HARRIS' SPARROW was seen Dec 6 while walking along the
shoulder of Rte 9 at the Woodland Beach Wildlife Area in Kent Co, DE.
Two GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE were reported on Little Seneca Lake at
Black Hill Regional Park, Montgomery Co, MD on Dec 5 and 10. On the
10th they were observed near the boat ramp past the causeway off the
side road inside the park.
A single ROSS'S GOOSE, in a large flock of SNOW GEESE, flew over a
yard in western Kent Co, MD on Dec 7.
CACKLING GEESE were reported from several different locations
including one at Kershner's Pond, Frederick Co, MD, on Dec 5, 8 and
10; one on Dec 9 at Triadelphia Reservoir, Howard/Montgomery Co, MD;
and 5 on Dec 11 at Westminster Reservoir, Carroll, Co, MD. Two
CACKLING GEESE were found with hundreds of other geese Dec 10 at the
Upper Occoquan Sewage Authority, off of Compton Rd, Fairfax Co, VA. On
Dec 5 four CACKLING GEESE and a GREATER SCAUP were among 10 species of
waterfowl on a farm pond on Study Rd, Carroll Co, MD (DeLorme map
73B6). The waterfowl at Centennial Lake, Howard Co, MD, included 1
CACKLING GOOSE on Dec 11.
A EURASIAN WIGEON was found in King William Co, VA on Dec 6 during a
birding trip up the Pamunkey River. On the same day a EURASIAN WIGEON
was seen on the pond at Ramp Lane on the Eastern Shore of VA NWR,
Northampton Co, VA. The EURASIAN WIGEON at the Eagles Nest Golf Course
in Worcester Co, MD continues to be seen with a sighting on Dec 9.
REDHEADS were reported from several locations this past week. There
was one on Kershner's Pond on Dec 5. On Dec 9 there was one REDHEAD
among many other waterfowl, including a blue morph SNOW GOOSE, at the
Perryville Community Park, Cecil Co, MD. Eight REDHEADS were seen on
Belmont Bay the morning of the 9th at Mason Neck SP, Fairfax Co, VA.
A drake HARLEQUIN DUCK was seen from Sea Gull Pier island on the
Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, Northampton Co, VA the afternoon of Dec.
7.
On Dec 10 a RUFFED GROUSE was flushed on the upper North Ridge Trail
at Sky Meadows SP, Fauquier Co, VA.
RED-THROATED LOONS continued to be seen at several locations,
including one off of Cobb Island, Charles Co, MD on Dec 10 and one at
Piney Run Park, Carroll Co, MD on the same day.
An AMERICAN BITTERN was in one of the ponds in the marina development
in Cape Charles, Northampton Co, VA on Dec 6.
Four GOLDEN EAGLES were found on Dec 9 during a trip to Highland Co,
VA off of SR 644 and SR 643.
While walking along Mill Race Rd Dec 6, two SANDHILL CRANES were seen
in Anne Arundel Co, MD circling over a wetland and then flying towards
the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center.
A young ICELAND GULL was found mixed in with a large flock of gulls at
North East Town Park, Cecil Co, MD on Dec 11. What appears to be a
different ICELAND GULL was at the park on Dec 12 along with 2 LESSER
BLACK-BACKED GULLS.
Four SHORT-EARED OWLS were observed soaring over the field in
Rectortown, northern Fauquier Co, VA, on Dec 9.
RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS were reported on Dec 10 from Hughes Hollow,
Montgomery Co, MD and Sky Meadows SP.
A few warblers continued to linger in the area with reports of an
OVENBIRD walking around the Mary Ripley Garden, on the Mall between
the Hirshhorn and the Arts and Industries Museum, DC on both Dec 6 and
12. There was also a YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER in a Virginia Beach back
yard on Dec 8 & 9.
A YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD was found in a large flock of blackbirds
along Egypt Road, Dorchester Co, MD.
There were 2 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, NE DC on
Dec 10 and one at Dyke Marsh, Fairfax Co, VA on the same day.
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.