Hotline: Voice of the Naturalist
Date: 11/15/2005
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 tape was made Tuesday, November 15, at 5 p.m.
Top birds this week are MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD in DE, *NEOTROPIC
CORMORANT in MD, and WHITE-WINGED DOVE, selasphorus HUMMINGBIRD, CAVE
SWALLOW, MAC GILLIVRAY'S WARBLER, and OREGON JUNCO in VA.
Other birds of interest include GREATER WHITE-FRONTED, ROSS'S, and
SNOW GOOSE; EURASIAN WIGEON, COMMON EIDER, AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN,
raptors, shorebirds, ICELAND and other gulls, BRIDLED TERN, EURASIAN
COLLARED-DOVE, CHIMNEY SWIFT, RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD, RED-HEADED
WOODPECKER, BLUE-HEADED and WARBLING VIREOS, COMMON RAVEN, BANK
SWALLOW, BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE, RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, SEDGE WREN,
ORANGE-CROWNED and other warblers, CLAY-COLORED and other sparrows,
BREWER'S BLACKBIRD, BALTIMORE ORIOLE, RED CROSSBILL, and PINE SISKIN.
An adult female MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD was seen Nov 9 from the hawk
watch at Kiptopeke SP, Northampton Co, VA, atop a kettle of Turkey
Vultures. The frigatebird was photographed shortly thereafter from the
nearby Eastern Shore of VA NWR, as it was cruising south above Rte 13.
The *NEOTROPIC CORMORANT in Montgomery Co, MD, was found again Nov 10
downstream from Pennyfield Lock, a short way below MP 19; it was
sitting on a rock, and then feeding in the Potomac River. It was seen
there again Nov 11.
The WHITE-WINGED DOVE in Cape Charles, Northampton Co, was seen midday
Nov 8, and again Nov 9. It returned again, shortly before dusk, on Nov
12.
At this same Cape Charles yard (9 Randolph Ave), the selasphorus
hummingbird--likely an ALLEN'S HUMMINGBIRD--continued visiting the
feeders through at least Nov 10. In addition, another resident of the
Kiptopeke area reported 1 or 2 hummers (one apparently an adult male
RUBY-THROATED, the other not yet identified), while a feeder at the
State Park drew one Rufous/Allen's and one female Ruby-throated.
CAVE SWALLOWS showed up at several locations. At Kiptopeke, at least 2
were found in a small flock of swallows Nov 10, and they were seen for
several days thereafter. On Nov 12, at least 3 CAVE SWALLOWS were seen
the nearby Nature Conservancy Bull Farm.
On Nov 12, 3 CAVE SWALLOWS flew over the hawk watch at Rockfish Gap,
Augusta Co, VA.
On Nov 8, the banding station at Kiptopeke netted and banded a MAC
GILLIVRAY'S WARBLER, a first state record.
Almost as good was the OREGON JUNCO banded at Kiptopeke Nov 11.
A GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE was observed Nov 13 in the fields along
John Hanson Rd, Kent Co, MD.
An adult blue phase SNOW GOOSE was spotted Nov 13 at Arrowhead Lake,
Luray, Page Co, VA.
A ROSS'S GOOSE was identified among the thousands of SNOW GEESE at
Chincoteague NWR, Accomack Co, VA, on Nov 12.
The EURASIAN WIGEON continues to frequent Ridgeway Park, Hampton, VA.
A EURASIAN WIGEON was spotted Nov 12 in a pond at TNC's Bull Farm.
Four/five COMMON EIDERS were seen at the Ocean City Inlet, Worcester
Co, MD, Nov 11 and 12.
An AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN was an unexpected find Nov 11 at Fisherman
Island, ESV NWR; it was flying southward, not far offshore. Three
AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS were present at Bombay Hook NWR, DE, Nov 10
and 11; they were in the marshes opposite Shearness Pool.
An immature COOPER'S HAWK was noted Nov 9 as it flew over the
Washington Channel, SW DC. Downtown Baltimore also had a COOPER'S
HAWK, this one, Nov 14, perched on a TV antenna at the intersection of
N Eutaw and Dolphin Sts.
GOLDEN EAGLES continue to enliven area hawk watches. Snicker's Gap, on
the Clarke/Loudoun Co (VA) line, tallied GOLDEN EAGLE on Nov 10 and
11; on Nov 11, they also saw a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK. Kiptopeke registered
GOLDEN EAGLE on Nov 11, 12, and 14; on Nov 12, the eagle was one of
more than 700 raptors. A low-flying juvenile GOLDEN EAGLE was seen Nov
12 from Rte 600 at the Northampton Co landfill.
GOLDEN EAGLES were also seen at Turkey Point, Cecil Co, MD, Nov 10;
Cromwell Valley Park, Baltimore Co, Nov 11; and Town Hill, Allegany
Co, MD, Nov 13; as well as at Rockfish Gap both Nov 12 and 13.
The hawk watch at Harvey's Knob on the Blue Ridge Parkway in VA saw a
GOLDEN EAGLE Nov 13. But the highlight there was a KRIDER'S form of
RED-TAILED HAWK, seen Nov 12: "The tail was the most eye-catching
distinction as it was almost completely white with thin, dark
streaking, about 4 or 5 rows, at the end."
The PEREGRINE FALCONS along the C&O Canal in Montgomery Co were seen
again Nov 10, this time in the vicinity of Violette's Lock.
At midday Nov 8, a PEREGRINE was perched on the 14th St railroad
bridge, SW DC.
Shorebirds spotted over the weekend include MARBLED GODWIT and a dozen
RED KNOTS at Assateague Island, Worcester Co, MD. The flats at Willis
Wharf, Northampton Co, held about 100 MARBLED GODWITS Nov 12.
STILT SANDPIPER was found Nov 12 at the WWTP in Berlin, Worcester Co,
MD.
An ICELAND GULL was observed Nov 11 from CBB/T Island #1, Northampton
Co, as it followed a freighter moving west.
Five BONAPARTE'S GULLS were among the larids at Conowingo Dam, on the
Harford/Cecil Co line, MD, Nov 9. A first-winter LESSER BLACK-BACKED
GULL was one of 5 species of gull seen Nov 8 at Anacostia Park, SE DC.
A late BRIDLED TERN was found at the Ocean City Inlet Nov 8.
A EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE was observed Nov 12 as it flew over a field
near Ramp Rd at the ESV NWR.
A lingering CHIMNEY SWIFT was noted Nov 14 at Huntley Meadows Park,
Fairfax Co, VA.
RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS were one of the highlights of an ANS trip to
Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve, Loudoun Co, VA, Nov 12. That same day
some 10 RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES were found at ANS's Rust Nature
Sanctuary in Leesburg.
A BLUE-HEADED VIREO was spotted Nov 10 near the stables at Rock Creek
Park, NW DC. A WARBLING VIREO showed up Nov 12 in the 94th St woods in
Ocean City.
A COMMON RAVEN flew over the Seneca Greenway trail south of Rte 28,
Montgomery Co, on Nov 11.
Two BANK SWALLOWS were seen Nov 9 over the Kiptopeke hawk watch.
The incursion of BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES into MD prompted reports from
feeders in Kent Co, Talbot Co, and Montgomery Co, as well as Cecil Co.
A likely BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE was spotted Nov 8 at Kenilworth
Aquatic Gardens, NE DC.
A good number of SEDGE WRENS were tallied in Northampton Co over the
weekend, including two calling along Magotha Rd, ESV NWR, near dawn on
Nov 12, and 4 at the Bull Farm.
A female ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was found at the Metz wetlands, Prince
William Co, Nov 11, along the trail west of the parking lot. An
ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was found in Worcester Co Nov 12; it was at the
intersection of Mt Olive Church Rd and Nassawango Creek. A juvenile
NORTHERN PARULA was seen Nov 11 at Violette's Lock. A YELLOW-THROATED
WARBLER was found Nov 12 along Tan House Creek Rd, Worcester Co.
An AMERICAN TREE SPARROW showed up Nov 11 at Blandy Experimental Farm,
Clarke Co; it was in the native plants meadow.
On Nov 11, a CLAY-COLORED SPARROW along the Butterfly Trail was one of
many sparrows at the ESV NWR. Another CLAY-COLORED SPARROW was seen
that morning along the trail at Fisherman Island.
A GRASSHOPPER SPARROW gave good looks Nov 10 at Pickering Creek
Audubon Center, Talbot Co.
A NELSON'S SHARP-TAILED SPARROW was reported Nov 12 from Assateague
Island, Worcester Co, MD.
FOX SPARROWS were noted at several locations.
A dozen WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS were among 8 sparrow species enlivening
the overcast fields at Occoquan Bay NWR, Prince William Co, on Nov 9.
A RUSTY BLACKBIRD was found at Constitution Gardens on the National
Mall on Nov 11. (There were also small flocks of RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS
and DARK-EYED JUNCOS.)
A BALTIMORE ORIOLE was found at Hughes Hollow, Montgomery Co, Nov 11.
A BALTIMORE ORIOLE was found at Assateague Island Nov 12, along the
Life of the Marsh Trail. And a BALTIMORE ORIOLE popped up in front of
the Kiptopeke hawk-watching platform on Nov 12.
A BREWER'S BLACKBIRD was observed and photographed in Worcester Co Nov
12. A BREWER'S BLACKBIRD was found Nov 13 in Dorchester Co, MD, along
Indiantown Rd. Two BREWER'S BLACKBIRDS reported among huge blackbird
flocks observed Nov 10 in Harford Co, MD.
Other good finds at the Kiptopeke hawk watch platform on Nov 11
included RED CROSSBILL and PINE SISKIN.
See Life Paulagics is running a trip out of Lewes, DE, on Saturday,
Dec 10, looking for alcids and other winter seabirds. For more
information, call 215-234-6805 or see their web site at
www.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 of 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 photographs, 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 MD/DC Records Committee. For more information,
visit www.MDBirds.org/mddcrc/rcindex.html.
Date: 11/15/2005
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 tape was made Tuesday, November 15, at 5 p.m.
Top birds this week are MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD in DE, *NEOTROPIC
CORMORANT in MD, and WHITE-WINGED DOVE, selasphorus HUMMINGBIRD, CAVE
SWALLOW, MAC GILLIVRAY'S WARBLER, and OREGON JUNCO in VA.
Other birds of interest include GREATER WHITE-FRONTED, ROSS'S, and
SNOW GOOSE; EURASIAN WIGEON, COMMON EIDER, AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN,
raptors, shorebirds, ICELAND and other gulls, BRIDLED TERN, EURASIAN
COLLARED-DOVE, CHIMNEY SWIFT, RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD, RED-HEADED
WOODPECKER, BLUE-HEADED and WARBLING VIREOS, COMMON RAVEN, BANK
SWALLOW, BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE, RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, SEDGE WREN,
ORANGE-CROWNED and other warblers, CLAY-COLORED and other sparrows,
BREWER'S BLACKBIRD, BALTIMORE ORIOLE, RED CROSSBILL, and PINE SISKIN.
An adult female MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD was seen Nov 9 from the hawk
watch at Kiptopeke SP, Northampton Co, VA, atop a kettle of Turkey
Vultures. The frigatebird was photographed shortly thereafter from the
nearby Eastern Shore of VA NWR, as it was cruising south above Rte 13.
The *NEOTROPIC CORMORANT in Montgomery Co, MD, was found again Nov 10
downstream from Pennyfield Lock, a short way below MP 19; it was
sitting on a rock, and then feeding in the Potomac River. It was seen
there again Nov 11.
The WHITE-WINGED DOVE in Cape Charles, Northampton Co, was seen midday
Nov 8, and again Nov 9. It returned again, shortly before dusk, on Nov
12.
At this same Cape Charles yard (9 Randolph Ave), the selasphorus
hummingbird--likely an ALLEN'S HUMMINGBIRD--continued visiting the
feeders through at least Nov 10. In addition, another resident of the
Kiptopeke area reported 1 or 2 hummers (one apparently an adult male
RUBY-THROATED, the other not yet identified), while a feeder at the
State Park drew one Rufous/Allen's and one female Ruby-throated.
CAVE SWALLOWS showed up at several locations. At Kiptopeke, at least 2
were found in a small flock of swallows Nov 10, and they were seen for
several days thereafter. On Nov 12, at least 3 CAVE SWALLOWS were seen
the nearby Nature Conservancy Bull Farm.
On Nov 12, 3 CAVE SWALLOWS flew over the hawk watch at Rockfish Gap,
Augusta Co, VA.
On Nov 8, the banding station at Kiptopeke netted and banded a MAC
GILLIVRAY'S WARBLER, a first state record.
Almost as good was the OREGON JUNCO banded at Kiptopeke Nov 11.
A GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE was observed Nov 13 in the fields along
John Hanson Rd, Kent Co, MD.
An adult blue phase SNOW GOOSE was spotted Nov 13 at Arrowhead Lake,
Luray, Page Co, VA.
A ROSS'S GOOSE was identified among the thousands of SNOW GEESE at
Chincoteague NWR, Accomack Co, VA, on Nov 12.
The EURASIAN WIGEON continues to frequent Ridgeway Park, Hampton, VA.
A EURASIAN WIGEON was spotted Nov 12 in a pond at TNC's Bull Farm.
Four/five COMMON EIDERS were seen at the Ocean City Inlet, Worcester
Co, MD, Nov 11 and 12.
An AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN was an unexpected find Nov 11 at Fisherman
Island, ESV NWR; it was flying southward, not far offshore. Three
AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS were present at Bombay Hook NWR, DE, Nov 10
and 11; they were in the marshes opposite Shearness Pool.
An immature COOPER'S HAWK was noted Nov 9 as it flew over the
Washington Channel, SW DC. Downtown Baltimore also had a COOPER'S
HAWK, this one, Nov 14, perched on a TV antenna at the intersection of
N Eutaw and Dolphin Sts.
GOLDEN EAGLES continue to enliven area hawk watches. Snicker's Gap, on
the Clarke/Loudoun Co (VA) line, tallied GOLDEN EAGLE on Nov 10 and
11; on Nov 11, they also saw a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK. Kiptopeke registered
GOLDEN EAGLE on Nov 11, 12, and 14; on Nov 12, the eagle was one of
more than 700 raptors. A low-flying juvenile GOLDEN EAGLE was seen Nov
12 from Rte 600 at the Northampton Co landfill.
GOLDEN EAGLES were also seen at Turkey Point, Cecil Co, MD, Nov 10;
Cromwell Valley Park, Baltimore Co, Nov 11; and Town Hill, Allegany
Co, MD, Nov 13; as well as at Rockfish Gap both Nov 12 and 13.
The hawk watch at Harvey's Knob on the Blue Ridge Parkway in VA saw a
GOLDEN EAGLE Nov 13. But the highlight there was a KRIDER'S form of
RED-TAILED HAWK, seen Nov 12: "The tail was the most eye-catching
distinction as it was almost completely white with thin, dark
streaking, about 4 or 5 rows, at the end."
The PEREGRINE FALCONS along the C&O Canal in Montgomery Co were seen
again Nov 10, this time in the vicinity of Violette's Lock.
At midday Nov 8, a PEREGRINE was perched on the 14th St railroad
bridge, SW DC.
Shorebirds spotted over the weekend include MARBLED GODWIT and a dozen
RED KNOTS at Assateague Island, Worcester Co, MD. The flats at Willis
Wharf, Northampton Co, held about 100 MARBLED GODWITS Nov 12.
STILT SANDPIPER was found Nov 12 at the WWTP in Berlin, Worcester Co,
MD.
An ICELAND GULL was observed Nov 11 from CBB/T Island #1, Northampton
Co, as it followed a freighter moving west.
Five BONAPARTE'S GULLS were among the larids at Conowingo Dam, on the
Harford/Cecil Co line, MD, Nov 9. A first-winter LESSER BLACK-BACKED
GULL was one of 5 species of gull seen Nov 8 at Anacostia Park, SE DC.
A late BRIDLED TERN was found at the Ocean City Inlet Nov 8.
A EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE was observed Nov 12 as it flew over a field
near Ramp Rd at the ESV NWR.
A lingering CHIMNEY SWIFT was noted Nov 14 at Huntley Meadows Park,
Fairfax Co, VA.
RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS were one of the highlights of an ANS trip to
Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve, Loudoun Co, VA, Nov 12. That same day
some 10 RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES were found at ANS's Rust Nature
Sanctuary in Leesburg.
A BLUE-HEADED VIREO was spotted Nov 10 near the stables at Rock Creek
Park, NW DC. A WARBLING VIREO showed up Nov 12 in the 94th St woods in
Ocean City.
A COMMON RAVEN flew over the Seneca Greenway trail south of Rte 28,
Montgomery Co, on Nov 11.
Two BANK SWALLOWS were seen Nov 9 over the Kiptopeke hawk watch.
The incursion of BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES into MD prompted reports from
feeders in Kent Co, Talbot Co, and Montgomery Co, as well as Cecil Co.
A likely BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE was spotted Nov 8 at Kenilworth
Aquatic Gardens, NE DC.
A good number of SEDGE WRENS were tallied in Northampton Co over the
weekend, including two calling along Magotha Rd, ESV NWR, near dawn on
Nov 12, and 4 at the Bull Farm.
A female ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was found at the Metz wetlands, Prince
William Co, Nov 11, along the trail west of the parking lot. An
ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was found in Worcester Co Nov 12; it was at the
intersection of Mt Olive Church Rd and Nassawango Creek. A juvenile
NORTHERN PARULA was seen Nov 11 at Violette's Lock. A YELLOW-THROATED
WARBLER was found Nov 12 along Tan House Creek Rd, Worcester Co.
An AMERICAN TREE SPARROW showed up Nov 11 at Blandy Experimental Farm,
Clarke Co; it was in the native plants meadow.
On Nov 11, a CLAY-COLORED SPARROW along the Butterfly Trail was one of
many sparrows at the ESV NWR. Another CLAY-COLORED SPARROW was seen
that morning along the trail at Fisherman Island.
A GRASSHOPPER SPARROW gave good looks Nov 10 at Pickering Creek
Audubon Center, Talbot Co.
A NELSON'S SHARP-TAILED SPARROW was reported Nov 12 from Assateague
Island, Worcester Co, MD.
FOX SPARROWS were noted at several locations.
A dozen WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS were among 8 sparrow species enlivening
the overcast fields at Occoquan Bay NWR, Prince William Co, on Nov 9.
A RUSTY BLACKBIRD was found at Constitution Gardens on the National
Mall on Nov 11. (There were also small flocks of RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS
and DARK-EYED JUNCOS.)
A BALTIMORE ORIOLE was found at Hughes Hollow, Montgomery Co, Nov 11.
A BALTIMORE ORIOLE was found at Assateague Island Nov 12, along the
Life of the Marsh Trail. And a BALTIMORE ORIOLE popped up in front of
the Kiptopeke hawk-watching platform on Nov 12.
A BREWER'S BLACKBIRD was observed and photographed in Worcester Co Nov
12. A BREWER'S BLACKBIRD was found Nov 13 in Dorchester Co, MD, along
Indiantown Rd. Two BREWER'S BLACKBIRDS reported among huge blackbird
flocks observed Nov 10 in Harford Co, MD.
Other good finds at the Kiptopeke hawk watch platform on Nov 11
included RED CROSSBILL and PINE SISKIN.
See Life Paulagics is running a trip out of Lewes, DE, on Saturday,
Dec 10, looking for alcids and other winter seabirds. For more
information, call 215-234-6805 or see their web site at
www.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 of 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 photographs, 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 MD/DC Records Committee. For more information,
visit www.MDBirds.org/mddcrc/rcindex.html.