"N MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Su[[s.tui of tfis. ezA'laxytand iDtniifioCo^icat cSocizty, Una. (2ut9u , in <^\\ani.ion, 49 J 5 czfyvE.., 33a [t mens, g, Long-bill M. Wren 2 1 3 Short -bill M. Wren 1 1 Mockingbird 1 3 15 1 4 8 1 1 34 Catbird 2 3 10 1 4 1 2 14 1 2? Brown Thrasher 6 17 1 8 15 47 Robin 31 14 33 1 8 5 19 86 8 £05 Wood Thrush 3 5 2 2 15 27 Eastern Bluebird 1 12 3 2 2 2 22 B-g. Qnatcatcher 1 2 ? 2 3 4 1? Cedar Waxwing 1 1 Starling !D BIRDLIFE Yol.-ir-, Mo. 4 CHIMNEY SWIFT— Building on May 5 in Caroline County (CS); 2 nests with young fell down Helen Fessenden's chimney in Montgomery County* RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD — Building in Baltimore County on May 9 — (C* D. Hackman). Adult on Garrett County nest on June 15— Oumie Miller* BELTED KINGFISHER— Sarah E* Quinn saw 2 young out of their burrow on June 24 in St. Marys County. YELLOW-SHAFTED FLICKER — Nestling dates from April 18 in Prince Georges County (VK) to June 18 in Garrett County (Carolyn Drew). PILEATED WOODPECKER — Young on May 10 (RES), also on May 21 (BM, FS); both nests on Patuxent Refuge. RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER— Nestlings July 20 in Caroline County (BS). RED-HEADED WOODPECKER — Adult seen entering a hole on May 9 in Prince Georges County; later, young out of the nest on June 16 (DB, RRF). HAIRY WOODPECKER — Excavation started on April 8 in Prince Georges Co.; Starlings threw out fresh egg on April 22 (RRF, DB); young in four other nests. May 17 to May 31 in Caroline County (CS). DOWNY WOODPECKER — Nine nestling dates between May 19 and July 7. both extremes in Prince Georges County (DB, RRF). First young out of nest on June 18 in Caroline County (CS). EASTERN KINGBIRD — Building on May 9 in Prince Georges County (RRF). Four eggs on June 8 in Caroline County (Jean Scudder); young out of nest on June 18 (CS). GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER — Baltimore County nest with 6 eggs on May 30} 4 nestlings banded there, June 18, by Betty Fisher and Gladys Cole. EASTERN PHOEBE— Thirteen egg dates from April 20 in Prince Georges County (VK) to June 19 in Howard County (HF). ACADIAN FLYCATCHER— One egg on May 24 (BS), and 3 eggs on May 25 (MH), both in Caroline County. Two nests on June 8 with 3 young each in Prince Georges County (DB). EASTERN WOOD PEWEE— Nest with young on June 12 m Wicomico Co. (DDG). PRAIRIE HORNED LARK— Three eggs in Prince Georges County nest on March 3 a same nest had young on March 10 (DB, RRF). TREE SWALLOW — Bumie Miller found a nest with young in Garrett County on June 14. BANK SWALLOW— Nine pairs nested in a sand pit in Talbot County (TM). ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW — Five pairs nested in the same sand pit with the above Bank Swallows (TM). BARN SWALLOW— Building on April 16 at Seneca, Montgcmbery County (Kath- erine Goodpasture). First eggs. May 8, first young on June 5# both in Prince Georges County (DB, RRF). CLIFF SWALLOW— Five pairs on Rocky Gorge Dam show marked increase from 1 pair last year; young left nest on August 24 (Ted Stiles). PURPLE MARTIN— On May 22 Harry Hubbard reported to Marvin Hewitt 42 nests with 1 to 7 eggs each. BLUE JAY— One egg laid each day April 29 to May 3 in Prince Georges County nest (VK). COMMON CROW — Young in Frederick County nest on June 16 (5. W. Edwards); average height of 9 nests, 21 feet. CAROLINA CHICKADEE— Six eggs in Prince Georges Co. on April 22 (DB, RRF). TUFTED TITMOUSE — Young in Caroline County nest on May 18 (MH). WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH — A young bird caught in company of -local adult on June 16 at Patuxent Refuge (CSR). Decemb&r 1959 LiARYLANP BIRD LIFE . - 95- BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH— Worcester County neat by David A. Cutler* HOUSE WREN— Egg dates from May 7 in Prince Georges County . (DB) to July 10 in Montgomery County (HP); Young between May 31 and July 19 in Bal- timore County (BF)« CAROLINA WREN— Egg dates from May 1 in Frederick County (SWE) to August 11 in Caroline County (RBF). LONG-BILLED MARSH WREN — Five eggs on July 22 at Choptank in Caroline Coun- ty (MH); first record far county* SHORT -BILLED MARSH WREN— Brooke Meanley found, a nest with 6 young and an egg on June 30 in Elliott marsh, Dorchester Comity. MOCKINGBIRD— Twelve egg dates from April 18 in Anne Arundel County (VH> E* Tappan) to July 10 in Montgomery County (HF)* GATBIRD-Two eggs on August '19 ; thought to be third successful nesting for this Frederick County pair (SQ), BROWN THRASHER— Eighteen egg dates from April 22 in Prince Georges County (VK) to June 17 in Garrett County (Robert Storer). Young on May 3 in Prince Georges County (CSR)* ROBIN— 78 egg dates from April 7 to July 1; 68 nestling dates from April 21 in Prince Georges County (VK) to August 19; average height of 176 nests was 11 1/2 feet. WOOD THRUSH — Four eggs and one cowbird egg on May 7 in Prince Georges County; all hatched by May 20 (DB, RRF). One egg and young in Car- oline County nest on August 5* EASTERN BLUEBIRD— Eight egg dates from April 25 in Talbot County (Erana and Carl Lubbert) to June 19 in Frederick County (SWE)* BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER— Building on April 16 in Montgomery County (KG)* CEDAR WAXWING— Incubating on June 17 in Pleasant Valley near Bittinger, Garrett County (RS). STARLING — Eight eggs in a Prince Georges County nest on April 26; very unusual number (DB, RRF)* WHITE-EYED VIRED— Young out of Caroline County nest on July 5 (CS)* YELLOW-THROATED VIREQ— Young in nest on June 13, Worcester Co. (DDG)« RED-EYED VIREQ— Mary Perkins found a nest with 2 eggs on May ft in All- egany County. BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLES — Young out of the nest on June 20 in Prince Georges County (DB)* PRQTHONOTARY WARBLER— Young in a Caroline County nest on May 25 (RBF). PARULA WARBLER— Building on April 26 at Patuxent Refuge (CSR). YELLOW WARBLER— Four eggs, Allegany County June 8 (Julia Hendricks)* MAGNOLIA WARBLER— Five eggs at Pleasant Valley near Bittinger in Garrett . County on June 17 (Gary Downton)* CHESTNUT-SIDED WaRBLEH — Three young in a nest at Pleasant Valley on June 14 (Burnie Miller). PRAIRIE WARBLER— The two nests found this year were later deserted be- cause of cowbird eggs (CS, M. Butenschoen). OVENBIRD — Four eggs on July 16 in Montgomery County; later young on July 18 (HF). LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH— Young out of nest in Caroline County on May 18; very early (MH). KENTUCKY WARBLER— Young in Caroline County nest on July 7 (CS). YELLQWTHROAT — Caroline County eg& on May 13 and July 11 (MH, CS). 96 MARYLAND- -BIRDLIFE - -Vol-. 15. -No .-4 YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT — Eggs on May 23 in Caroline County (MH) and on June 9 in Montgomery County (HF). HOODED WiUlBLER — Three egg dates, 4 eggs on IJay 21 to June 6 both in Prince Georges County (DB, Eleanor C. Robbins). CANADA WARBLER — Debbie Smith found the fourth nest for the State on June 16 at Pleasant Valley, Garrett County; it contained 2 eggs. AMERICAN REDSTART— Four eggs on June 17 at Pleasant Valley (B. Miller). Average height of six nests was 14 feet. HOUSE SPARROW — Earliest building on March 31 in Prince Georges County (ERF); an egg and a young in a Caroline County nest on April 23 (MB). EASTERN MEADOWLARK— Five eggs in Garrett County nest on June 17 (Harley Weiner). Four young in nest on July 20 in Montgomery County (HF). REDWINGED BLACKBIRD— Young on May 7 in Dorchester County and 2 eggs on August 14 in Queen Annes County, both by (BH), J. Webb and B. Mean- ley studied 232 nests; they found that 59$ were successful. ORCHARD ORIOLE — A nest on May 28 held 3 eggs in Caroline County (MH) . BALTIMORE ORIOLE — A nest at the height of five feet contained 2 eggs on May 20 in Allegany County (Diana Klink). BOAT-TAILED GRACKLE — Nests with eggs and one with young on May 9 in Wor- cester County (CSR); John Weske found a nest with 3 eggs on July 5. also in Worcester County. COMMON GRACKLE— Building at Gibson Island on March 20 (VH, ET), four eggs on April 11 in Baltimore County (E. Lubbert). BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD — 14 egg dates from April 21 (Phoebe) in Prince Geor- ges Co. (VK) to July 13 (Yellowthroat) in Caroline Co. (CS). Six- teen parasitised species included: 4 Yellowthroat s, 3 each for Wood Thrush, Red-eyed Vireo, Chipping Sparrow; also 1 Thrasher. SCARLET TANAGER— Earliest young out of nest July 6, Caroline Co. (MH). SUMMER TANAGER — Eggs. in Caroline County nest on May 26 (RHF, MB); young on June 21 in Kent County (DDG). CARDINAL— Building in Prince Georges County on April 16 (DB); Sterling Edwards found a nest in Frederick County that contained 6 eggs. Average height of 37 nests was 5.3 feet. BLUE GROSBEAK — Four eggs in Caroline County nest on June 6 (CS). INDIGO BUNTING — Two bunting eggs and 2 cowbird eggs on May 30 in Balti- more County nest (BF, GC). AMERICAN GOLDFINCH — Sarah Quinn found a nest containing 5 eggs on August 15 in Frederick County. RUFOUS-SIDED TOWHEE — One egg and 3 newly hatched young in Baltimore County nest on May 23 (HF); 4 eggs on June 10 in Allegany County nest (Mrs. Jos. A. Minke). GRASSHOPPER SPARROW — An adult feeding young out of the nest on July 9 in Caroline County (CS). SEASIDE SPARROW — Two nests at Elliott Island on May 26, one containing 3 eggs and the other, 3 newly hatched young (BM). CHIPPING SPARROW— Fourteen egg dates from April 26 in Baltimore County (CDH) to July 17 in Caroline County (CS). FIELD SPARROW — Earliest eggs on May 1 in Allegany County (Bobby Howard). SONG SPARROW— First eggB on April 17 in Prince Georges County nest (RRF, DB); last eggs on August 1 in Caroline County (RBF). 8-A Ridge Road, Greenbelt December 1959 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE 97 BALTIMORE CHAPTER JUNIOR PROGRAM Mrs. Norwood K. Schaffer The Baltimore Chapter of the Maryland Ornithological Society has long felt the need of a program of activities especially for juniors. This year an attempt is being made to meet this need with a series of children's walks at Cylburn Wildflower Preserve and Garden Center. These are planned for alternate Saturday mornings throughout the school year. We are indeed fortunate to have our M.O.S. headquarters located in Cylburn Park, a Baltimore city park, part of which has been set aside as a wildflower preserve and garden center. Cylburn, the former Cotten estate, was purchased by the city in 1942 and includes a large nineteenth century mansion, which has been beautifully restored, a stone carriage house to be used as a Trailside Museum and over 180 acres of lawns and woodland. The Baltimore Department of Recreation and Parks in coopera- tion with a group of interested citizens brought together by Miss Eliza- beth Clarke of the Bureau of Recreation and Mrs. James Hunley of the Federated Garden Clubs j*f Maryland have workBd to develop this park on a twofold plan, (1) As a Wildflower Preserve. Under the enthusiastic guidance of Dr. G. R, Fessenden many people have given their time and effort to transplant native plants to the park, with the ultimate aim of collecting in that one area specimens of all the native and natural- ized flora of Maryland. (2) As a Garden Center. Cylburn provides a place where people who are interested in horticulture can find informa- tion about this subject. Meeting rooms in the mansion are available to garden clubs and other groups working in natural history and conserva- tion. A horticultural library has been started. A large formal garden and small specialized gardens are planned. The first of these, a very complete herb garden, has been planted by one of the garden clubs. An instructional greenhouse with practice garden plots adjoining it will be located on the grounds. Trails have been laid out in the wildflower preserve through the woods and along the borders of the lawns. Some of these are the Spring Flower Trail, the Azalea Trail, the Field Flower Trail, the Bog Area and the Educational Trail. The latter serves as an introduction to plant study. Specimens are labeled not only with their names but with interesting facts about each, and mimeographed guide books for teachers are being prepared to aid in the use of the trail by school classes, scout groups and the like. One of the trails, the Bird Walk, is maintained by a committee of the M.O.S. under the chairmanship of Mrs. Elmer Worthley. A platform feeder made by Mr. Leslie Schaum has been erected at the entrance to this bird walk, and suet log feeders made by Mr. Carl Lubber t have been hung along the trail. A bird bath has been set up near the platform feeder. This and another bath soon to be added were made possible by donations in memory of Miss Isabelle Miller of Baltimore by a group of her friends. The Bird Walk Committee hopes to plant berried shrubs and other plants along the trail to provide a demonstration of planting to attract birds, such as could he copied by anyone in his own hack yard. 98 MARYLAND BIRBLIFE Vol. 15, No. 4 This is an ideal setting to stimulate a child's interest in natural history. The Baltimore Chapter should take advantage of the fine oppor- tunities offered by Cylburn for work with young people. The M.O.S. children's programs begin with a brief get-together in the mansion to look at pictures of birds likely to be seen that day. This is also a chance to say a word to the beginners about "bird watching technique. Then, if weather permits, the children go fbr a bird walk. If possible they are divided into groups of not more than 12 children with a leader for each group. «-t the feeder they can usually get close views of Tufted Titmice, Carolina Chickadees and White-breasted Nut- hatches. Purple Finches have visited the feeder this fall, and nearby White-throats, Juncos and Rufous-sided Towhees can often be seen. In the early fall the dogwoods near the carriage house were full of birds. A Scarlet Tanager in its yellow and black fall plumage was a highlight of the first trip. After the birds had taken the last of the dogwood ber- ries, interest centered in a large crabapple tree on the lawn. As many as 50 Robins were seen in and under this tree at one time, and Cedar Waxwings, Catbirds, Mockingbirds and others were attracted to the yellow fruit. There was still a good supply left at Thanksgiving. A survey of the birds of Cylburn has been made by Mrs. Robert Kaestner. At present this' list stands at 103 species.. The walks start at 8 A.M. in the winter and early spring and at 7 during the height of the spring migration. They last for one or two hours depending on the weather and the interest of the group. Afterward refreshments are served in the mansion. In bad weather an indoor pro- gram is provided. The chapter has a collection of slides which has been augmented recently by some excellent new ones taken by Mr. Stephen Simon. Bird nests and other nature collections are studied on these rainy days. If any members of the Society have specimens which they would be willing to loan for this purpose, the youth committee would be most grateful, for at the winter meetings more of the time will have to be spent Indoors. For example, does anyone have bird nests, mounted birds or skins, insect collections or mammal specimens? Does anyone have a woodpecker's skull? There has been a good response to the program with an average atten- dance of 27 children on the first 5 trips, two of which were in the rain. Boy and girl scouts and other youth organizations have been told about the walks, and publicity has been secured through the cooperation of news- papers and radio stations In Baltimore. The Chapter members have been most helpful, serving as leaders, generously providing the refreshments and helping in many other ways. Special thanks are due Mr, Irving E. . Hampe for the children's check lists with a picture of a baby Blue Jay on the cover, which he so kindly donated for these walks. We hope that all the members will take an interest in making this worthwhile project a success. There are three ways in which you can help: (1) You can give us your suggestions for improving the programs. (2) You can tell the children of your acquaintance and their parents about these activities, and (3) You can volunteer to come along on a trip as a leader or helper. There is a job for everyone. December 1959 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE 99 APRIL, MAY, JUNE, 1959 Chandler S. Robbins There was nothing unusual about Maryland's weather conditions during the months of April, May, and June. Tenqperatures above average continued to be the rule, and the migration as a whole was shifted perhaps a couple of days ahead of normal. There were more exceptionally early arrivals than record-breaking departures ; but most of the early arrivals can be traced to specific meteorological conditions that existed early in April. They were not a result of high average temperatures as such. Observers who complained of a poor migration period are to be reminded that most weekends at the height of the spring movement made a poor showing because of weather conditions that were unfavorable for migration. On May 9j for example, when most of the more active field observers were attending the Annual Convention and field trips in the Ocean City area, the combined efforts of 140 people located only three species of transient warblers (l Black-throated Blue, 1 Northern Waterthrush, and 8 Blackpolls ) . Migration tables . The earliest and latest spring migration reports for selected species are listed by counties in Tables 1 and 2, respectively. A "0" indicates that the species went unrecorded during the entire migration period in the county in question; a dash shows that the species was recorded, but not on a significant migration date. In Table 1, the first three columns of dates are the median arrivals based on the present table and on those for the two preceding years. Note how closely these averages agree from year to year. Tables 1 and 2 summarize the contributions of scores of members. Nearly eveiyone who submitted ■notes will find at least one of his dates listed. As space prohibits specific acknowledgment of individual items in the table, we shall list here only those observers whose dates were used for three or more species: Alle gany County — Pan Mihke, Mrs. Joseph Minke; Frede rick — Sterling W. Edwards, John W. Richards; Balt imore City and County— Dr. and Mrs. Philip F. Wagley, Alice Kaestner, Hank Kaestner, C. Douglas Hackman, Erana Lubbert, Mrs. James Oliver, Haven Kolb, Compton Crook; Montg omery — John H. Fales, Seth H. Low, Walter M. Booth, Lucille V. Smith, Katherine A. Goodpasture; ^Prince Georges — David Bridge, Ronald Feller, Chandler S. Robbins, Robert E. Stewart, John H. Fales, Brooke Meanley, Donald D. Stamm; Anne Arundel — Vera Henderson, Elise Tappan, 100 MARYLAND BIRD LIFE Yol. 15, No. 4 Table 1. Spring Arrival Dates, 1959 Median Species 1957 1958 1959 Alle Fred Balt Mont Pr G Anne Kent Caro Talb LES Spotted Sandpiper 5/ 2 4/26 4/29 4/26 4/18 4/22 4/13 4/18 5/ 2 __ 5/ 2 5/ 2 5/ 2 Yellow-billed Cuckoo 5/ 4 5/ 3 5/ 2 5/ 2 4/26 5/ 2 5/ 2 4/29 5/ 2 5/ 7 5/ 2 5/ 2 5/ 2 Black-billed Cuckoo -- 5/ 4 5/ 6 — 5/ 2 5/ 6 5/ 9 5/ 9 5/ 2 0 0 0 Chuck -wi 11 ' s -widow 0 0 6/10 0 5/15 0 4/24 4/24 Whip-poor-will 4/21 on 0J 4/l8 4/19 4/l8 4/20 — 4/iB 4/ 7 __ 4/15 __ Common Nighthawk -ihr 5/ 2 5/2 -- 5/ 9 4/16 5/ 9 — 5/ 2 5/ 2 5/ 2 Chimney Swift 4/2° 4/!0 4/10 4/26 4/13 4/10 4/ 6 4/ 5 4/ 10 -- 4/ 9 4/ 6 4/10 Ruby-thr. Hummingbird 4/23 4/30 5/ 2 5/2 5/ 7 5/ 2 5/ 2 4/30 4/ 7 5/ 1 5/ 1 4/15 5/ 9 Eastern Kingbird 4/23 4/24 4/24 5/ 2 4/23 5/ 2 4/19 4/23 4/24 4/16 4/30 Gt. Crested Flycatcher 4/28 4/30 5/ 2 5/ 2 5/ 2 4/30 5/ 1 4/30 5/ 2 5/ 1 5/ 2 4/30 5/ 2 Acadian Flycatcher 5/ 4 5/ 3 5/ 3 — 5/10 5/ 2 5/10 5/ 2 5/ 2 5/ 2 5/ 3 5/ 9 Eastern Wood Pewee 5/ 4 5/ 3 5/ 2 5/ 2 5/ 2 5/ 2 5/ 9 5/ 7 5/ 2 5/ 2 5/ 2 5/ 4 Rough-winged Swallow 4/18 4/13 4/14 5/ 2 5/ 2 4/15 3/29 4/ 4 4/15 4/i4 4/ 4 4/ 9 Barn Swallow 4/ 7 4/10 4/15 4/2 6 5/ 2 4/15 4/21 4/ 4 4/ 4 5/ 2 4/ 8 4/15 4/ 4 House Wren 4/i6 4/22 4/l6 4/25 4/15 y i8 4/21 4/ 9 4/15 4/17 4/16 4/16 Catbird 4/25 T/29" 4/24 5/ 2 4/26 T72T T/2T Vl9 4/15 — 4/24 5/ 2 TA9 Wood Thrush 4/22 4/26 4/26 4/19 4/29 4/24 4/26 4/20 4/26 4/30 4/25 4/26 4/16 Swainson's Thrush 5/ 4 5/ 7 5/ 4 — 5/ 4 5/ 2 5/ 9 5/ 5 0 0 5/ 2 0 Gray- cheeked Thrush — 0 0 0 5/ 9 5/ 2 0 0 0 0 Veery 5/ 4 5/ 8 5/ 2 — 0 4/29 5/ 1 5/ 2 5/ 2 0 5/ 1 5/ 2 0 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 4/13 -Rnr V 9 TT T7IT V 5 4/13 4/ 6 5/ 3 4/ 4 4/18 4/ 4 Ruby -crowned Kinglet 4/l6 4/ 7 -- — V 3 4/19 4/ 5 4/ 9 4/13 4/ 4 Cedar Waxwing 3/28 4/26 — 3/11 3/30 3/17 4/15 3/25 White-eyed Vireo 4/27 4/26 4/26 -- 4/29 4/29 5/ 2 4/26 4/14 4/30 4/ 9 4/19 4/16 Yellow-thrtd. Vireo 4/28 5/1 5/ 1 5/ 2 5/ 2 yis 5/ 2 4/25 5/ 2 4/30 4/20 4/26 5/ 9 Solitary Vireo 5/2 4/19 T/ir 0 5/ 5 5/ 2 0 0 5/ 2 0 Red-eyed Vireo 4/27 4/29 4/26 5/ 2 4/29 4/26 4/30 4/25 4/25 — 4/27 4/26 4/18 Warbling Vireo 5/ 2 — 5/ 2 5/ 2 . — 0 5/ 1 0 5/ 2 5/ 2 — Black-Sc-white Warbler 4/22 4/20 4/l8 5/ 2 4/29 4/18 5/ 2 4/13 4/18 5/ 3 4/15 4/18 4/ 5 Worm-eating Warbler 4/28 5/ 3 5/ 2 5/ 2 5/ 5 4/25 5/ 2 4/27 5/ 2 0 0 0 5/ 2 Golden-winged Warbler T/2T 5/2 5/ 2 5/ 2 5/ 2 5/ 2 4/30 5/ 2 5/ 3 TT 0 0 Blue -winged Warbler 4/28 4/30 5/ 2 0 5/ 2 5/ 1 5/ 2 5/ 2 5/ 2 0 4/28 4/26 5/ 1 Nashville Warbler 5/ 2 5/ 2 5/ 2 0 5/ 2 5/ 2 5/ 2 0 0 5/ 2 0 Parula Warbler 4/21 4/25 4/l8 5/ 2 5/ 2 4/18 4/12 4/16 4/16 5/ 1 5/ 1 4/19 4/ 9 Yellow Warbler 4/24 4/24 4/26 5/ 2 4/26 4/25 4/26 5/ 1 4/17 5/ 7 4/27 5/ 2 4/24 Magnolia Warbler 57 4 5/4 5/ 5 5/ 7 5/ 9 5/ 2 5/ 2 0 — 5/ 2 0 Cape May Warbler 4/27 5/ 4 5/ 3 0 5/ 2 4/26 5/ 1 5/ 4 5/ H 0 5/ 5 0 0 Black-tlir. Blue Warb. 4/28 5/ 4 5/ 2 __ 5/ 2 4/30 5/ 2 4/26 5/ 2 5/ 3 5/ 2 5/ 2 5/ 9 Black- thr. Green Warb. 5/ 4 5/ 4 5/ 2 5/ 2 5/ 2 4/ll 5/ 2 4/26 4/6 0 5/ 2 5/ 2 0 Blackburnian Warbler 5/ 4 5/ 2 5/ 2 0 4/29 5/ 2 0 5/ 2 5/ 7 0 Yellow-throated Warb. 0 0 0 0 0 4/ 6 0 — 4/18 4/ 3 Chestnut- sided Warb. 5/ 2 5/ 4 5/ 2 5/ 2 5/ 2 4/23 5/ 2 5/ 2 5/ 2 0 5/8 0 Bay-breasted Warbler 0 0 5/l6 5/ 9 5/17 0 0 5/15 0 0 Blackpoll Warbler 5/ 4 5/ 4 5/ 6 0 5/U 5/ 2 5/ 2 5/ 2 5/U 0 5/ 5 5/ 6 5/ 9 Prairie Warbler 4/26 4/25 — V 26 5/ 2 4A9 4/24 5/3 5/ 2 fA? 4/17 Ovenbird 4/25 5/ 1 4/26 5/ 2 5/ 2 4/26 5/ 2 T/rT 4/26 0 v^r 4/26 4/10 Northern Waterthrush 5/ 2 5/ 4 5/ 2 5/ 2 5/ 2 5/ 2 5/ 1 5/ 2 4/27 5/ 7 5 / 2 5/ 2 5/ 9 Louisiana Waterthrush 4/13 4/l4 4/ 3 4/ 7 4/ 1 4/ l 3/29 0 4/ 4 4/ 4 4/ 3 Kentucky Warbler 5/ 4 5/ 2 4/30 0 5/ 2 4/30 4/30 5/ 2 0 4/30 4/26 5/ 1 Yellovthroat 4/21 4/20 4/15 — 4/29 4/22 — 4/12 4/9 4/!9 4/ 9 4/18 V 9 Yellow-breasted Chat 5/ 4 5/ 3 5/ 2 5/ 2 4/15 5/ 2 5/ 2 5/ 2 T/ST 5/ B 5/ 1 5/ 2 V30 Hooded Warbler 4/30 4/30 4/29 5/ 2 4/30 4/29 4/25 4/26 5/ 2 4/24 Canada Warbler 5/ 4 5/ 8 5/ 2 — 5/ 2 5/ 2 5/ 2 5/ 9 5/ 2 0 5/ 5 5/12 0 American Redstart 5/ 4 4/28 4/26 4/26 4/29 4/2 6 4/25 4/19 4/18 — 5/ 2 5/ 2' 4/16 Bobolink 5/ 4 .pZJL 5/9 — 5/17 — 5/9 5/ 9 — 0 5/ 5 5/ 2 Orchard Oriole 4/28 4/30 5/ 2 — 5/ 2 5/ 2 5/ 2 -TfW 5/ 2 — FT 5/ 2 — Baltimore Oriole 4/27 5/ 3 4/29 5/ 2 5/ 2 4/29 4/15 4/2 9 4/27 5/ 3 4/26 4/26 5/ 3 Scarlet Tanager 4/28 4/30 4/27 5/ 2 5/ 2 4/30 4/26 4/26 4/ 4 5/ 7 4/26 4/26 4/28 Summer Tanager 5/ 7 5/ 3 5/ 2 0 0 0 5/ 2 — 5/ 2 0 4/16 5/ 2 5/ 2 Rose-breast Grosbeak 5/ 4 5/ 3 5/ 2 5/ 2 5/ 2 5/ 2 5/ 2 5/ 2 5/ 2 0 5/ 5 5/ 3 &9 Blue Grosbeak T/2T 5/ 2 0 0 5/ 2 5/ 9 5/19 5/ 3 5/ 2 4/26 5/ 1 Indigo Bunting 4/27 5/ 3 5/ 2 4/26 5/ 2 5/ 2 5/ 2 4/30 5/ 2 5/ 7 4/17 5/ 2 5/ 2 White -crown Sparrow 5/ 4 5/ 2 4/23 5/ 2 5/ 2 5/ 2 4/26 5/ 5 0 — 5/ 2 0 December 1959 MARYLAND. BIRDLIFE 101 Table 2. Spring Departure Dates , 1959 Species Fred Balt Mont Pr G Anne Caro LES Canada Goose V 4 0 3/31 3/14 3/23 5/ 2 5/ 3 Common Snipe 5/2 0 5/ 2 5/ 2 5/ 2 5/ 2 5/ 9 Brown Creeper V28 3/30 5/ 2 5/ 1 4/ 4 Winter Wren -- V 3 3/30 V 3 __ __ Hermit Thrush 5/ 2 5/ 2 4/16 _yi5 5/ 2 4/24 -- Swainson's Thrush 5/12 _- 5/20 5/17 0 0 Veery 0 5/22 — 5/21 5/17 -- 0 Golden- crowned Kinglet — V 3 — V 9 -- 3/20 V 4 Ruby- crowned Kinglet 5/ 2 5/ 2 5/ 9 5/ 2 5/ 2 __ __ Solitary Vireo 5/ 2 5/ 2. 0 5/ 9 5/17 0 0 Magnolia Warbler 5/ 9 5/20 5/ 9 5/14 5/17 5/rr “5710 Cape May Warbler 6/ 3 5/ 9 5/17 5/11 0 Black-thr. Blue Warb . -- — 5/ 9 5/16 __ 5/ 9 Myrtle Warbler 5/io 5/ 3 5/10 5/13 5/19 5/ 2 5/ 9 Black-thr. Green Warb. 5/10 5/22 5/ 9 5/17 5/ 2 5/ 9 Chestnut-sided Warbler -- 5/22 5/ 9 5/16 5/17 5/ 9 "1/10 Bay -breasted Warbler 0 5/16 — 5/17 0 5/15 0 Blackpoll Warbler — 5/16 5/27 6/ 3 5/18 5/17 Palm Warbler -- V 8 -- 4/21 5/ 9 __ Northern Waterthrush — 6 / 3 — 5/17 5/28 -- 5/ 9 Canada Warbler -- 5/20 -- 6/9 ' 5A7 0 0 American Redstart -- 5/16 5/27 5/20 5/17 __ Bobolink — 5/18 5/16 5/16 -- 5/15 5/17 Rose-breasted Grosbeak 5/28 5/ 9 6/ 2 .. 5/ 9 Evening Grosbeak 5/ 5 0 V f 0 3/15 0 Purple Finch 5/ 2 5/ 9 5/ 2 5/ 6 5/ 2 0 0 Savannah Sparrow 5/16 5/ 2 5/ 9 5/ 2 5/ 2 5/ 2 Slate- colored Junco 4/1 6 5/16 5/ 2 4/25 4/24 4/24 5/ 9 White -crowned Sparrow 5/U -- 5/ 9 __ 5/17 5/19 0 White -throated Sparrow 5/10 5/22 5/ 3 5/ 9 5/10 5/ 8 5/ 9 Fox Sparrow — V 9 3/29 -- 5/ 2 Swamp Sparrow 5/ 2 6/10 5/ 2 5/ 4 5/ 2 5/ 2 5/ 9 Prof, and Mrs. -David Howard, Robert E. Stewart; Kent — Daniel D. Gibson, Dr. Daniel Z. Gibson, Mrs. Edmund Mendinhall, Clark G. Webster; Caro line— Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Fletcher, Marvin W. Hewitt, Alicia Knotts; Talbot — Erana K. Lubbert, Richard L. Kleen, Harry Armistead; Lower Eastern Shore (Dorchester, Wicomico and Worcester Counties) — Samuel H. Dyke, Brooke Meanley, Seth H. Low, Sterling W. Edwards, Margaret E. Haile, Richard L. KILeen, Chandler S. Robbins. Storm Petrels . The Wilson's Petrel, which nests only within and near the Antarctic Circle and "winters" during our summer months in the North Atlantic, has not previously been noticed in Maryland waters earlier than June 21. Samuel H. Ityke pealed five weeks off the arrival date for this species when he found 3 individuals offshore from Ocean City inlet on May 14. 102 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Vol. 15, No. 4 Herons . The flurry of early heron arrivals reported in the previous SEASON report continued Into the month of April. Robert E. Stewart saw a Common Egret at Patuxent Refuge on Apr. 4, and Roberta Fletcher found a Little Blue Heron in immature plumage at Denton on the 24th. Mr. and Mrs. Carl Lubbert discovered a Cattle Egret near Romancoke on Kent Island on May 2 — the first observation of this species in Queen Annes County, and the northernmost record along Chesapeake Bay. This Old World egret, which was introduced into British Guiana, is continuing to spread northward and westward in the United States and to nest in increasing numbers in mixed heron colonies in this country. As many as 20 were counted by M.O.S. members who visited Assateague and Mills Islands during the Annual Convention on May 9* Thirty Glossy Ibises were sighted at Mills Island on the same day. The Glossy Ibis also is expanding its breeding range northward along the Atlantic coast and should be watched for in tidal marshes. G. E. Wales made the first Talbot County sighting when he noted 4- at Oxford on Apr . 13 . Hawks . Few hawk flights were reported. The largest count came from Cedarcroft in Baltimore on Apr. 25, when Hank Kaestner counted 159 Broad-wings. All migration reports of this species came during the short period of Apr. 18-29 . Counts of 11 Ospreys were obtained on Apr. 8 at Triadelphia Reservoir (Walter Booth) and on Apr. 25 at Cedarcroft (Hank Kaestner). Rails . Black Rails were strangely absent from their usual haunts this spring and summer. Shorehirds, Terns . The shorebird migration was quite routine. The only high count of even local interest was 21 Solitary Sandpipers at Patuxent Refuge on May 9 (Stewart). The American Qystercatchers that were first reported in the Ocean City area on the very early date of Mar. l4 (Gibsons) were seen again on two April dates, and may have been some of the local nesting individuals. Two Royal Terns at Ocean City on Apr. 17 broke the earliest Maryland arrival record (Harry Armi stead )T on the following day 4o were present (Dyke). Oliver H. Hewitt and Brooke Meanley found Willets "common" on their nesting territory at Elliott Island on Apr. 11, four days ahead of the earliest State arrival date. Cuckoos . In June 1958, migrating Black-billed Cuckoos were heard calling while flying over Elliott marsh at night on June 7-8 nnd June 17-18 ( Maryland Birdlife l4: 78 ). Similarly, one was heard over Patuxent Refuge at 3 a.m. on June 9 , 1959 (Stewart). Goatsuckers . Since 1954 the Chuck-will' s- widow has summered regularly in southern Caroline County. In 1959 it arrived at its usual location in Federalsburg on the early date of Apr. 24 (Virgil Wright); it also appeared for the first time at two other places in the county: Hillsboro (May 6 , Robert and Roberta Fletcher) and Camp Mardela (Wilbur Rittenhouse ) . Stray birds were heard at two inland localities west of the Bay: Patuxent Refuge (May 15, Meanley), and Perry Hall (June 10, December 1959 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE 103 Hackman). A Whip-poor-will heard at Frostburg on Apr. 19 by Billie Taylor was early for that elevation,, and 2 Common Nighthawks seen at Darnestown in Montgomery County by Lucille V. Smith on Apr . 16 were three days in advance of the earliest previous State record. Apr. 2k was an early date for the latter species in Cumberland (Nan Livingston). Hummingbirds . Probably the most unusual migration date of the spring season was the Apr . 7 observation of 2 Ruby-throated Hummingbirds at Gibson Island (Vera Henderson and Elise Tappan). It is likely that these birds arrived in the Chesapeake Bay area in a southerly airflow preceding the passage of a cold front early on the preceding day. In this connection it is interesting to note that a Nashville, Tennessee, hummingbird arrival record of more than 25 years’ standing was tied on Apr. 8 ( Audubon Field Notes 13: 379 )- No more hummingbirds were encountered . in Maryland until Apr. 30. Woodpeckers . Pileated Woodpeckers are definitely on the increase in Talbot County; four males were noted at diverse areas during the spring (Kleen). In the same county, Red-headed Woodpeckers were found at two areas five miles apart — the first observation in recent years of more than a single bird at a time (Kleen). Nuthatches , Creepers , Wrens . Red-breasted Nuthatches were reported only from Greenbelt (to Apr . 15, David Bridge and Ronald Feller) and Gibson Island (to Apr. 14 , Vera Henderson and Elise Tappan). The first summer record for the White-breasted Nuthatch in Caroline County was reported by Marvin Hewitt, who saw one at Ingleside on June 30; as this species begins a limited late summer wandering at about that time, there is no assurance that it either nested or attempted to do so in Caroline County. At Patuxent Refuge, however, where the species occasionally breeds in very small numbers, more summer residents than ever before were detected; 3 pairs maintained territories either entirely within or partly within a 90-acre study area, and at least - one of the pairs is known to have raised young (Robbins). Although most Brown Creepers had departed by the first week in April, single stragglers remained at Patuxent Refuge until May 2 (Stewart) and Gibson Island until May 1 (Mesdames Henderson and Tappan). The Bewick's Wren is seldom seen on the Maryland Coastal Plain, but one was found at Patuxent Refuge in April (Meanley), the second Refuge record. Thrushes , Waxwing s . After a marked scarcity in March, Hermit Thrushes were seen in small numbers by most reporters in April; the highest count obtained in one day was 12 along the Patuxent River on the Patuxent Refuge, Apr. 15 (Stewart); this is about the normal number expected at the peak of migration. Cedar Waxwings were erratic, as demonstrated by their arrival dates in Table 1. They moved from place to place, subsisting on berries until the supplies gave out. The, usual northward movement of this species in the month of May was poorly defined this year. The largest flock, observed at Patuxent Refuge on. Mar . 17 by Leonard Llewellyn, contained an estimated 300 birds. An albino, entirely white except for a golden tinge on the crest, was studied at Greenbelt on Apr. 8 (Feller and Bridge). 104 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Vol. 15. No. 4 Vlreos . On Apr . 9 a stationary front accompanied "by light rain and overcast skies stretched across Maryland just south of the Mason- Dixon line, serving as a barrier to migrating birds and grounding some of those that had been flying northward in favorable southerly winds. It was under these conditions that Marvin Hewitt broke two State arrival records at Greensboro: White-eyed Vireo (by 3 days) and Yellowthroat (see below). Another early White-eye appeared at Gibson Island on Apr. l4 (Mesdsmes Henderson and Tappan). Warblers . The spring migration frequently is judged on the basis of the number and variety of warblers found in an observer's favorite haunts. This in turn may depend upon whether the reporter is able to make daily observations, or whether his field activity is limited to weekends. Maryland seldom experiences a spring devoid of warbler "waves" but in a season when cool northerly winds prevail on most weekends, the weekend observer can get the definite impression that the season was a poor one. This year, one Baltimore County reporter missed ten species of warblers that he held expected to see, and almost without exception the warblers he did see were single birds . Another active observer was im- pressed by the large numbers of warblers in Caroline County on May 18 and inquired whether 'other members had noted concentrations that day. Few had, probably because this was a Monday. Actually, except for a lack of high counts of individuals, the warbler migration as viewed over the State as a whole was close to normal. Average arrival dates, as shown in Table 1, were quite normal. And as usual, there were a few record- breaking arrival and departure dates. The only expected species that was unreported was the Mourning Warbler. Two Golden-wing X Blue-wing hybrids were identified: a Lawrence's on May 2, first record for Caroline County (Marvin Hewitt), and a Brewster's on May .17 at White Marsh (Douglas Hackman). In addition to the very early Yellowthroat mentioned in the preceding paragraph, two others were seen on the same record-breaking date: 1 at Gibson Island (Mesdames Henderson and Tappan), the other on the Lower Eastern Shore (Samuel H. Dyke). Also ahead of the previous State arrival dates were single Black-throated Green Warblers at Gibson Island on Apr. 6 (Vera Henderson and Elise Tappan) end at the Shepard Pratt grounds in Baltimore County on Apr . 11 (Hank Kaestner and Webster Brower). Except for a Yellow-breasted Chat in Frederick County on Apr . 15 all the other early arrivals were from the same period: Parula Warbler at Willards on Apr. 9 and an Ovenbird at Vienna on Apr. 10 (both by Dyke). Hank Kaestner reported that 10 male Cerulean Warblers were still present on May 29 along a half mile of the Gunpowder River near Perry Hall, where he counted 15 on May 2. Dr. Ralph Stauffer stated that Prothonotary, Cerulean and Kentucky Warblers had arrived ' at Fort Trederick in Washington County as early as Apr. 26, an especially notable date for the latter species at the very limit of its breeding range. In the late departure category only one record was superceded: A Canada Warbler singing at Patuxent Refuge on June 9 (Robbins) was five days past the latest spring migration date for Maryland. About one Yellow-throated Warbler per year is found outside of its breeding habitat; this year's bird appeared in the closely scrutinized yard of the David Howards in Annapolis on Apr. 6, the same day the species was first noted on nesting territory at Gibson Island, 8 miles away. December 1959 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE 105 Tanagers . Although bulk arrivals of our two species of tanagers were right on schedule, a single individual of each species was checked in well in advance of the earliest previous Maryland date. A Scarlet Tanager was sighted on Apr . J* at Gibson Island, a veritable trap for spring vagrants (Mes&ames Henderson and Tappan) . A Summer Tanager visited Denton on Agr. 16 (Mrs. C. Crouse, Mrs. Nina Miller). See Table 1 for subsequent arrivals of these two species. Finches and Sparrows . A late Rose-breasted Grosbeak was still present at Patuxent Refuge on June 2 (Stewart), tying the Maryland spring departure date for transient individuals. Mrs. Henderson noted a heavy flight of Indigo Buntings (24 birds) at Gibson Island on May 20, but had not found any prior to that late date. Pan Minke and others had seen one near Oldtown in Allegany County as early as Apr. 26, but the only other report prior to Apr. 30 was from Caroline County on Apr. 17 (Alicia Knotts). Evening Grosbeaks were mighty scarce during the late spring, and no northward migration was detected through the Maryland ridges. Departure dates were: Apr. l8 in Allegany County ( fide Miss Minke), May 5 at Ifyersville (l by Sterling Edwards), and Apr. 6 at Patuxent Refuge ( 7 , Brooke Meanley). Maryland migration dates for the Seaside Sparrow are still very poorly known, but this species was common in its Elliott marsh nesting area on Apr . 11 (Meanley and 0. H. Hewitt). There was better distribution of White -crowned Sparrow observations than in any previous spring season. There may have been some migratory movement of this species as early as Apr. 1, when 5 birds were discovered by Mr. and Mrs. J. Kidd at Gibson Island — the fifth record for the island. At Flint stone (Allegany County), where they had not wintered, migration started on Apr. 23 (Mrs. Perry). One was noted by Martha. Dubois at Grasonville on May 2, on which date the species also was found In Talbot and Caroline Counties . At Ethel Poore's feeding station at Greensboro, one lingered as late as May 19, the latest date on file from the Eastern Shore. * * * COOPERATIVE BLACKBIRD ROOST SURVEY pie blackbird project of the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center is inviting bird club members to participate in a cooperative blackbird roost survey. The objective is to locate all blaokbird roosts, particu- larly those containing Redwings and Purple Grackles, in the Atlantic Coast states between Dec. 15, 1969, and Jan. 31, 1960. If possible, estimates should be made of the size of the roosting population by species. Information of this kind will contribute greatly to our ourrent research program on blackbirds, specifically, (1) the distribution of winter concentrations and (2) an estimate of the total eastern United States blackbird population. In roosts that we will be able to study, age and sex ratios can be obtained, a large sample of birds may be banded, and studies of bird diseases also may be conducted. We will appreciate it if M.O.S. members who locate or learn of a sizable roost this winter will notify the undersigned. In previous seasons Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Fletcher, Richard L. Kleen, Edwin Willis, David Bridge, Ronald Feller, Friel Sanders, and Mr. and Mrs. Eicterd Dubois have supplied valuable information on Maryland blaokbird concen- trations .--Brooke Meanley, Patuxent Wildlife Research Refuge, Laurel, Md. 106 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Vol. 15, No. 4 THE SEASON — JULY, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, 1959 Chandler S. Robbins Except for July, which was close to normal, the period could be characterized as hot and dry. Between July 6 and the close of September there were only three cold fronts strong enough to drop our . temperature as much as 10 degrees. These fronts passed on Aug. 1, Sept. 11, and Sept. 1 6. The first one was too early to have much effect on fall migrants* The two September fronts, on the other hand, triggered sub- stantial flights on Sept. 11-12 and Sept. 18. The September portion of the fall landbird migration was best documented at Ocean City, where Gladys Cole and her many able assistants ran an "Operation Recovery" banding station for three full weeks. The number of net -hours per day was kept nearly constant, so the number of birds handled is considered a good measure of migratory activity from day to day. The number of birds banded totaled 1,848 of 79 species, and the large number of "repeat" records pushed the total number of birds handled over 3,000. Peak days were Sept. 5, H, 12, 18, 25, and 26, with 178, 123, 109, 160, 262, and 119 new banded birds on these dates. Table 1 summarizes fall arrival dates for those counties that were best represented in the reports. Observers who contributed 3 or more entries to the table were as follows: Balt imore City and County — C. Douglas Hackman, Haven Kolb, Hank Kaestner, Compton Crook; Montg omery County — John H. Pales; Prince Georges County — David Bridge, Ronald Feller, John H. Pales, Chandler S. Robbins; Anne Arundel County — Vera Henderson, Elise Tappan, Friel Sanders, Elizabeth Slater, Prof, and Mrs. David Howard; Carol ^ np County — Marvin W. Hewitt, C. E. Scudder; Talbo t County — Erana Lubbert, W..M. Davidson, Richard Kleen; Lower Eastern Shore — C. S. Robbins, G. H. Cole, D. Bridge, R. Feller, Jim'MeadeJ S. H. Dyke. Grebes , Herons. Mrs. Vera Henderson and Mrs. Elise Tappan tied their own State arrival record for the Horned Grebe at Gibson Island on Sept. 21. No counts were made in Maryland's heron colonies this year, but we do know that the Mills Island colony .was well populated with the usual species, and that the colonies on two Chincoteague Bay Islands off South Point are increasing. On the latter islands John Weske and Dr. H. N. Kluijver banded the following young herons on July 5: 1 Green, 4 Little Blues, 27 Snowies, 7 Louisianas, 4 Black-crowns, and 1 Glossy Ibis. The Little Blues, Black-crowns and Glossy Ibis had not nested there in previous years. Also nesting there for the first time were an undetermined number of Cattle Egrets. One pair of Common Egrets nest- ed there successfully for the second year. In late August, Douglas Hackman counted 78 Great Blue Herons and 23 Black- crowned Night Herons (mostly immature sj in the Susquehanna River below Conowingo Dam. A wandering Snowy Egret arrived at Burrsville in Caroline County on July 16 (Marvin Hewitt), one day ahead of the first Common Egrets in Talbot and Harford Counties. . Waterfowl . Summer strays, giving the appearance of being healthy birds, were as follows: 2 drake Greater Scaup Ducks at Gibson Island on December 1959' MARYLAND BIRDLIFE 107 Table 1. Fall Arrival Dates, 1959 Species Balt Mont Pr G Anne Caro Talb LES Common Egret 9/ h 8/11 8/15 8 / 11 * 7/21 Canada Goose 10/ 2 10/ Ik 10/ 4 -- -- 10/31 -- Spotted Sandpiper -- -- 8/10 7 / 3 7/13 -- 8 / 9 Solitary Sandpiper — -- ■9/10 .. 8/lf -- -- Forster's Tern — 8/12 "5/16 7/4 8/ 3 -- -- Common Night hawk 8/18 — -- 9/ 8 -- -- 9/11 Yellow-bellied Sapsuck, . 9/21 9/ 8 -- -- -- 10/25 9/18 Yellow-bellied Fly. -- -- 8/13 -- -- 9/ 6 ■ 9/ 5 Olive-sided Flycatcher -- . — 8/19 9/ 11 -- -- 9/12 Red-breasted Nuthatch 9/26 9/20 10/13 -- -- 9/26 9/12 Brown Creeper 9/20 -- 9/18 9/28 -- 9/26 9/12 Swains on ' s Thrush 9/X2 9/29 9/12 -- -- 9/13 9/ 5 Gray- cheeked Thrush -- -- 9/25 ‘ -- 9/30 9/26 9f9 Veery 9/12 — 9/15 9/21 __ 9/26 9/ 5 Ruby -crowned Kinglet 9/20 10/ 14 10/12 9/21 9/22 9/24 9/18 Magnolia Warbler 9/ 1 __ 9/16 9/17 9/22 9/12 9/ 4 Cape May Warbler 9/20 9/22 -- -- -- 9/12 9/ 5 Black -t hr . Blue Warb . 9/20 -- 9/18 9/21 ■ 9/14 9/ 9 9 / 4 Myrtle Warbler 9/27 9/23 10/13 10 / 1 9/17 9/26 9/22 Black-thr . Green Warb . 8/28 -- 9/13 -- — -- 9/ 6 Blackburnian Warbler 9/ 9 -- -- -- 9/22 -- ^/lT Chestnut -sided Warbler 9/14 9/13 9/11 Palm Warbler 9/26 — 10/23 -- -- 9/15 9/12 Northern Waterthrush -- — -- 7/29 7/27 e/ } 9/ 5 Connecticut Warbler 9/20“ 9/26 9/11 Wilson's Warbler 8/29 -- -- -- 9/24 -- 9/11 Canada Warbler 8/28 -- 8/ 4 __ -- -- 9/' 4 Rose-breasted Grosbeak 9/19 9/23 -- 9/28 -- -- 9/12 Purple Finch 9/28 IO 724 9T5 Slate -colored Junco 9/20 11/ 7 9/28 10/ 4 9/23 9/19 9/12 White -throated Sparrow 9/20 9/29 10/ 2 10/l6 -- 9/19 9/19 Lincoln's Sparrow 9/20 -- 10/18 -- -- 10/ll — Swamp Sparrow 9/20 10/24 8/20 -- 10/25 9/26 June 21 only (Mesdames Henderson & Tappan), 4- Lesser Scaup Ducks on July 27 and a drake Redhead on July 29 at Gunpowder Neck (Thomas A. Imhof ), and a Red-breasted Merganser in Chincoteague Bay on July 5 (Weske and Kluijver). A flock of 18 Whistling Swans flew over Loch Raven from the northwest on Sept. 26, tying the State record (Haven Kolb). Hawks . ' The first migrant noted was an adult Bald Eagle over Monu- ment Knob, South Mt., on Aug. 18 (John Stauffer). Hank Kaestner watched an early Golden Eagle at Perry Hall on Sept. 27 . Douglas Hackman kept a daily record of flights over White Marsh, Sept. 3-14. There were minor movements on Sept. 3, 8 and 9- Results on the 11th were the best Mr. Hac km an has ever had that early in the season: 154 Broad -wings and 27 other hawks of 7 species. Chi the following day he counted 60 hawks before 9 a.m., but ended the day with only 240 (202 Broad-wings). 108 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Vol, 15. No. 4 Elsewhere, the best tally was 7° Broad-wings over Monument Knob on Sept. 17 by E. G. Baldwin, G. S. Mercereau, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Cook and Mr. and Mrs. Lee Schroeder. Shoreblrds . The only shoreblrd reports of any note were stray In*-, land waifs or small numbers of the scarcer species: A Ruddy Turnstone on Eastern Reck Island., Kent County, Aug. 30--Sept. 7 (Daniel D. Gibson); an Upland Plover over Gunpowder Neck, Harford County, July 19 (imhof), and a peak of 4 birds over Ocean City, Sept. 4 (Robbins); 7 Western Sandpipers at Remington Farms, Sept. 3 (Gibson), and 4 at Bladensburg, Sept. 1 (David Bridge and Ronald Feller); a Pectoral Sandpiper at Sandy Point on July 11 breaking the State record by 4 days (Feller); a White-runted Sandpiper, Aug. 15-25 (2 on the 25th) at Gibson Island (Vera Henderson, Elise Tappan); a Marbled Godwit at Ocean City on Sept. 13 (Hank Kaestner); and 2 Sander lings at Eastern Neck Island, Sept. 5-7/ and 1 on the 13th (Gibson). Giil ip and Terns . Royal Terns had another good nesting season on the southernmost of the three islands off South Point; the 159 young were corralled and banded by Weske and KLuiJver. In the late summer Royal Terns were twice reported vest of Chesapeake Bay:* 1 at Broadwater Point, Churchton, on Aug. 22 (Friel Sanders), and 2 flying up the Patuxent River from Charles to Prince Georges County near Nottingham on Aug. 1 6 (Bridge and Feller). The latter members reported 12 laughing Gulls that day at the same place. They also identified Forster's Terns as far up the Potomac as Cabin John in Montgomery County on Aug. 12 (7 birds) and Aug. 1 6 ( 4 ). Woodpeckers i Brooke Meanley detected a Pileated Woodpecker along the tidal Patuxent In southern Anne Arundel County, at Iyons Creek, on Aug. 28. At Woodslde, Montgomery County, John H, Fales set a new State arrival date for the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker on Sept. 8. Flycatchers . Harry Arm! stead spotted a Western Kingbird at Hlghman on Sept. 13, the first fall occurrence for Talbot County. The least Flycatcher was added to the Caroline County list when one was banded and measured by Roberta Fletcher on Sept. 29, the second latest Maryland date. During the month of September, 13 of this species were banded at Ocean City by Gladys Cole and others. Single Yellow-bellied Flycatchers were identified at "Bird Haven" near Wye Mills, Talbot County, on Sept. 6 and Sept. 12 (Erana K. Lubbert ) . The Olive- sided Flycatcher, rare on the Coastal Plain, was seen there thrice this fall: Beltsville, Aug. 19 (James Baird, Bert Murray and Robbins); Gibson Island, second local record, Sept. 11 (Mesdames Henderson and Tappan); . and Ocean City, first coastal report, 1 banded on Sept. 12 (Mrs. Cole). Swallows . Imhof found swallows moving in good numbers at Gunpowder Neck shortly after mid-July as attested by his daily notes: 100 Barns on July 19, 5 Banks and 4 Rough-wings on the 21st, and 10 Trees, 20 Banks, 40 Rough-wings, 500 Barns and 500 Purple Martins on the 23rd"* Bank Swallows reached their peak on Aug. 1 6 , when Feller and Bridge estimated 7,000 over the lower Patuxent in Prince Georges and Charles Counties. December 1959 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE 109 An extraordinarily late departure date was set by John Fales at Croom on the lower Patuxent when he identified 4 Rough-winged Swallows on Sept . 29. Jays , Nuthatches . A heavy migration. of Blue Jays was witnessed at Woodside on Sept. 23; 200 birds were estimated in a 30-minute period, and John Fales believes close to 1,000 birds winged southward over his home during the day. A wandering White -breasted Nuthatch on Gunpowder Neck on July 26 (Imhof ) presaged a heavy influx of this partially migratory species. Their Red-breasted relatives also arrived early and in good numbers, in marked contrast to a year ago. Wrens , Catbirds , Thrushes . Northeasterly winds behind a slow- moving cold front piled up a concentration of 2 J House Wrens at Tilghman on Sept. 26 (Kleen); this doubles the previous high fall tally for the State. After a poor showing at the Ocean City banding station last year, migrating Catbirds were back to normal in 1959* Thrushes, on the other hand, were less common there this year. Warblers . Twenty-seven species in this family were banded at the Ocean City station in September. The Prothonotaiy (Sept. 5, Robbins) and the Orange-crowned (Sept. l8, Mrs. Cole) were netted there for the first time. The five commonest warblers banded at Ocean City were: Am. Redstart, l8l; Black-throated Blue, 79) Yellow -breasted Chat, 6l; Magnolia, 60; and Cape May, 57- Although l6 Connecticut Warblers were banded at Ocean City in 1959, no Mourning Warbler was caught; last year there were 3 Mournings and 3 Connecticuts . The Swainson's, Blue-winged, Cerulean, and Louisiana Watert brush are the only Maryland warblers that have not been banded on the barrier beach north of Ocean City in the past four years. In contrast to Ocean City, where only 7 Black- throated Greens were banded. Hank Kaestner counted 55 of this species as well as 1 Mourning and 2 Connecticuts at Perry Hall in Baltimore Co. on Sept. 20. Bobolinks , Orioles . One of the best places to find Bobolinks in Mary .land in the fall is in the marshes of the tidal section of the Patuxent River below Upper Marlboro. Here thousands come in to roost each evening in late August and early September. On Sept. 2 Brooke Meanley counted 3,050 in the Patuxent marsh at the mouth of Iyons Creek in southern Anne Arundel County. For the second successive year the Baltimore Oriole was one of the most conspicuous migrants at the Ocean City banding station. Although the highest total for a single day, 43 on Sept. 5, fell 13 short of last year's peak day, the 1959 seasonal total of 154 birds banded placed the Baltimore Oriole second only to the American Redstart. Finches and Sparrows . Again contrasting inland migration with that along the coast, Hank Kaestner tallied 15 Rose-breasted Grosbeaks at Perry Hall in Baltimore County on Sept. 27, the highest one -day fall total on file for Maryland. The seasonal total for this species at Ocean City was only 7, and none was present there on the 27th (Mrs. Cole). As many as 8 Henslow's Sparrows were singing on territory at Burr s vi lie on July 12 (Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Fletcher); . this is by far the greatest number ever recorded in Caroline County. 110 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE , , Vol. lR.-No.-4 SEMINARS TO STIMULATE INTEREST IN CONSERVATION Hans Krimm In order to stimulate much-needed interest in local and national conservation issues, the Baltimore Chapter of the M.O.S. sponsored this fall a series of seminars with outstanding speakers from several leading national conservation organizations. The speakers were: Mr. Stewart M. Brandborg, member of The 7/ilderness Society Council; Lir. Elting arnold, secretary of the Nature Conservancy; Mr. Anthony Wayne Smith, executive secretary of the National Parks Association; Mr. Charles H. Callison, conservation director of the National Wildlife Federation; and Mr. Chan- dler Robbins, research biologist of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The speakers discussed the policies of their organization, basic trends of the national conservation movement, or special problems with which they are concerned. Several lectures were Illustrated with slides or motion pictures. Even though attendance at the seminar meetings was light, it may be hoped that the seminars helped to create a nucleus for a conservation movement within the M.O.S. Maryland is notoriously lacking in conserva- tion interest, and M.O.S. members have a golden opportunity to help fill the vacuum, and to cooperate with other out -door groups in the preserva- tion of our fast-disappearing natural areas and threatened wildlife. The problems created by rapid, often irresponsible, commercial develop- ment seriously affecting our natural resources everywhere are especially drastic in densely populated Maryland. Only through united efforts of., all people interested in conservation can we hope to stem the destructive tide and to pass intelligent legislation safeguarding our remaining natural heritage. We are all only too familiar with the sight of woodlands, swamps, and meadows being converted into drab housing developments or cut into pieces by super -highways. We also know of the plight of the Canvasbacks and the Redheads, and of the still continuing senseless slaughter of birds of prey. However, not all of us may realize that there is hardly a national wildlife refuge, national park or monument that is not coveted for dam construction, drainage, oil drilling, mining, or artillery prac- tice. Nor is everyone fully aware of the potential threat to all forms of wildlife of the indiscriminate use of pesticides — a menace that in the long run may prove to be more destructive than all other inroads of civi- lization combined. These and many other problems of interest to the December 1959 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE 111 whole nation challenge the conservation -minded public. Our first step is to know the problems. Only by being well informed can we hope to accomplish improvements. An intelligent informed public, ready and able to take action if needed, is the basis «nd safeguard of democracy. When public sentiment is aroused, as it has been in the recent past on several crucial conservation issues, even the most powerful self-interests and the most obstinate politicians have to give ground. Conservation is everyone’s business, but it is especially the concern of organizations interested in the out-of-doors or in the observation and study of wildlife. The M.O.S., as urged by our seminar speakers, should take a much more active role in conservation. By coordinating the efforts of the various chapters with one another and with other local and national organizations, our well-timed, united, activities, such as letter-writing campaigns, can have a determining influence on the outcome of local con- servation controversies and be of help to the national movement. National conservation organizations, most of which have headquarters in Washington, are ready to assist us with counsel and information. It is our responsibility to take the challenge and to enter actively the conservation battle in which Maryland birders have a vital stake. As we know, in Maryland commercial development is progressing faster and wild- life habitat and recreational resources are disappearing More rapidly than in most other states. We have a duty to ourselves and to future generations to work fbr the preservation of some of the natural areas and their inhabitant that have given us countless hours of pleasure. 3301 St. Paul St., Baltimore 19 * * * REPORT ON THE BALTIMORE CHAPTER TRIP TO BLACKWATER R2EUGE, NOVEMBER 8 Helen Fessenden A rather somber scene presented itself at the entrance to Blackwater Refuge. A sagging grey sky hung over the flat country, but in spite of the nearness of the clouds there was a sense of great spaciousness. Tracts of fields, woods, and water spread over the whole curing earth as far as our eyes could see. Ducks and geese were rising and landing on the ponds, while larger flocks traced their uneven way across the chilly sky. Their wild music was audible all day, but it soon merged into the other background noises and was hardly noticeable. ;!e drove through grainfields where many geese were feeding, and Mrs. Schaffer remarked that they looked like herds of miniature ostriches, with, heads and necks stretched above the tall grass and all facing the same way. None took alarm, but they watched our progress with a wary eye. We stopped at the Refuge headquarters to let our leader, Mrs. Cole, inquire where we might go on the territory. Next to the buildings was a 112 MARYLAND BIRDL3FE Vol. 15. No. 4 small lake, and Canada Geese and Mallards were feeding around the edge. While we watched, a long Turkey Vulture sailed in and joined the geese. I began to hear what sounded like a barn of chickens cackling in the dis- tance. The sound grew louder and more distinct, and suddenly people were ezclaiming and pointing to the northern sky above the woods. Geese by the hundreds slowly came pouring across the sky. They flew straight over the fields and lake, and then the flocks on the edge of the wave turned, set their wings, and went gliding down onto the water. The big birds were skidding onto the lake for five or ten minutes. It was an awesome sigjit. Mrs. Cole informed us that we were to walk along one of the dikes and through the woods a mile to an old watchtower which had Barn Owls living in it.' The exercise was welcome, but our progress was slowed by the discovery of birds along the way. We found kinglets, Swamp Sparrows, a Red-breasted Nuthatch, and a Myrtle Warbler, and as we came in sight of the tower someone spotted an immature Bald Eagle sitting on a snag. The tower looked a little rickety but Betsy Schaffer, Hank Kaestner and I decided to climb. The wind was whistling in the rigging and by the time we were at the top most of the owls had abandoned ship. Hank man- aged to catch one terrified bird, a young one, which we brought down for the group to examine. The owl quieted under Mrs. Cole’s handling but its eyes remained full of wild terror as we explored Its soft colors and lovely markings. Its feet were tough and strong. When we had all seen and photographed the bird Mrs. Cole let it go. Back at headquarters we ate lunch after counting three or four Great Blue Herons around the edge of the lake. Mr. Guy Willey of the Refuge staff then escorted us out to an area of small islands and salt marshes, where we saw many yellowlegs, and some teal, Mallards, and Black Ducks. Another immature Bald Eagle and a Red- tailed Hawk were seen, and we stopped along the way to watch some Brown-headed Nuthatches in the pines. In almost every dead tree there was a big bulky Osprey nest. We drove back past headquarters and parked along the road. On one side of the road was a field where Mr. Willey said we might see Snow and Blue Geese later on, and on the other was a vast tract of woods. We followed a trail that had just been cut through the woods. The mud was deep and It was soggy going in spots, but we saw towhees, a Robin, and two Red-bellied Woodpeckers. Back on the road we quickly searched the opposite field far Snow or Blue Geese. Just as the last members of the party came out of the woods we spotted a flock of seven geese coming in, which proved to be several Blue Geese, a Blue -Snow hybrid, and an immature Snow’. Excitement ran high as we hurriedly set up and focused the ’scopes. And then, lo and behold, eight more lovely Snow Geese sailed leisurely out of the grey and settled within easy sight of the road. They shone clearly among the dark Canadas. We all had a good long look, and then as it was getting late we parted company and turned toward Baltimore. It had certainly been a day of of wonder and excitement for all of us. Oak Grove Farm, Brookeville, Md. December 1959 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE 113 NEW MEMBERS Bentz, Mr. & Mrs. Edward, 272 Dill Ave., Frederick, Md. Bremblett, Miss Ella, 316 Garden Hoad, Towson 4, Md. Clarke, Miss Elizabeth, 506 E. Lake- Ave., Balto. 12, Md. Collins, Judge & Mrs. Stephen, Chestertown H.D., Md. Cornell, Mr* Robert, 126 Dewey Drive, Annapolis, Md, Dean, Mr. Howard, F. 0. Box 121, Westminster, Md. Deaver, C. Clark, 423 Alabama Rd., Towson 4, Md. Dickerson, Mrs, Stanley S. f 222 DeVoe Ave., Spotswood, N.J. Dowling, Mrs. S. J., Box 15, R.F.D, 2, Bel Air, Md. Origgs, Mrs. Laurence, Box 456, Easton, Md. Dyson, Miss Ruth L., 1624 Kingsway Rd., Balto. IB, Md. Fastie, Mrs. William G., Dolfield Rd., Owings Mills, Md. Fang, Owen E., 48 Bond St., Westminster, Md. Fessenden, Miss Helen, Oak Grove Farm, Brookeville, Md. Fessenden, Mr. & Mrs. Russell, Oak Grove Farm, Brookeville, Md. Garden Club of Brooklyn % Mrs. Luther Banning, 13 W. Second Ave., Balto. 25, Md. Gardner, Mrs. I. C., 9531 E* Stanhope Rd., Kensington, Md. Galligher, Mrs. Harry, Oxford, Md. Giles, H. L«, The Cottage, Bozman, Md. Gustafson, Miss Dorothy R., 906 Beaumont Ave., Balto. 12, Md. Guastavino, Mr. & Mrs,, R. J. Rock Hall, R.D., Md* Gump, Mr. & Mrs. Lyndon M., Cartmell Ave., Cumberland, Md. Hall, George A., Dept, of Chemistry, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia fTo be continued in the next issue.) COMING EVENTS Jan. 1 CHRISTMAS COUNT TRIADEtPHlA. Contact- Seth H. Low, SPring 4-3065. Jan. 2 CHRISTMAS COUNT CA TOC TIM MWNTALN. Contact Dr. John W. Richards, R.F.D. 1, Snmitsburg. Jan. 3 CHRISTMAS COUNT ANNAPOLIS. Contact Harvey Hall, Edgewater, Annapolis, Maryland. Jan. 6 KENT monthly meeting. Meet Washington College, Chestertown, speaker: Mr. Clark Webster, "Gunning the Flyway". Jan. 8 BALTIMORE monthly meeting at Pratt Library, ft P.M. Speaker: Mr. Chandler S. Robbins, "Weather as a Clue -to When and Where to Bird" . Jan. 8 HARFORD dinner meeting. Presbyterian Church, Churchville, Md. Mrs. Russell Gatchell, "Bird Banding". Mr. Joe Pannill, "Back- yard Birds". Film, "Birds in Winter". Jan. 9 BALTIMORE walk at Cylburn Park. Meet Cylburn Mansion, 8 A.M. - 11 A.M. Leader: Mrs. Elmer G. Worihley. Jan. 11 TAKOMA PARK regular meeting. Contact Mrs. C. N. Thomsen. ID 5-5258 VA3-4276 TU9-9614 HU 6-7430 114 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Vol . 15 1 No. 4 Jan. 12 TALBOT screen tour lecture. "O.utdoor Almanac" at Easton Play- house, 8 P.M. Jan. 17 TAKOMA PARK field trip to Kent Island. Contact Mrs. C. N. Thomsen, Ll9 Elm Ave., Takoma Park 12, Md. Jan. 17 TALBOT trip to Blackwater Refuge. Meet Easton Library. Jan. 17 BALTIMORE feeding stations trip.. Covered Dish Supper. Meet at Cylburn Mansion, 2 P.M. Supper at Dr. & Mrs. Schaffei’'s 8 Beech- dale Rca£, Balto . Jan. 17 ANNE ARUNDEL guests of Talbot Chapter, trip to Blackwater Refuge. Meet north end of Cambridge bridge, 9 A.M. Jan. 22 TALBOT regular meeting. Easton Library, 8 P.M. "Mexico", Mr. Richard Kleen. Jan. 23 BALTIMORE walk, at Cylburn Park, 8 A.M. Leader: Mrs. Philip Wagley, Jan. 30 ANNE ARUNDEL early birding and business meeting. Meet 137 Monti- cello Ave., 8 A.M. Dave and Marguerite Howard. Feb. 3 KENT monthly meeting, Washington College, Chestertown, 8 P.H., Mr. Chandler S. Robbins "Birds of Midway and Kure Atolls". Feb. 6 BALTIMORE walk at Cylburn Park, 8 A.M, Feb. 8 TAKOMA PARK regular meeting. Feb. 12 BALTIMORE monthly meeting, Pratt Library, 8 P.M.} speaker: Mrs. J. W. Rowe, "Audubon Camp of Maine". Feb. 12 ANNE ARUNDEL lecture, "A Place to Put Their Feet: Maryland Wet- lands Development". Meet new State Office Bldg, auditorium, 8 P.M; Speaker: Mr. Nelson Bevard, Feb. 20 BALTIMORE walk at Cylburn Park, 8 A.M. Feb, 21 BALTIMORE trip to Loch Raven bird census area. Feb. 21 TALBOT trip to Ocean City. Meet Easton Library, 8:30 A.M. Feb. 26 TALBOT regular meeting, Easton Library, 8 P.M. "Gooney Birds of Midway" by Mr, Chandler S. Robbins. Feb. 27 ANNE ARUNDEL early birding} business meeting. Meet 8 A.M. at 126 Dewey Drive, Admiral Heights, Robert Cornell. Feb. 27-28 BALTIMORE^ trip to Delmarva, Bombay Hook, Ocean City. Mar. 2 KENT monthly meeting, Washington College, Chestertown, 8 P.M. Speaker: Charles D. Evans, "Waterfowl Breeding Ground Survey". Mar. It HARFORD dinner meeting. Presbyterian Church, Churchville, Md. Guest speakers: Prof. & Mrs. David G. Howard of Amapolis. Mar. 5 BAIiTIMOPE walk at Cylburn Park, 8 A.M. - 11 A.M. Mar. 6 BALTIMORE trip to Susquehanna Flats. Leader: Mr. Rodney Jones Mar, 12 BALTIMORE trip to Sandy Point. Leader: Mrs. J. E. M. Wood. Mar. llj TAKOMA PARK regular meeting. Mar. 18 BALTIMORE monthly meeting. Speaker: Mr. John Aldeman, "Osprey". Mar. 18 ANNE ARUNDEL lecture, "Bird Migration" by Dr. Vaughn Flyger. Meet 8 P.M . , new State Office Eldg. auditorium. Mar. 19 BALTIMORE walk at Qylburn Park 8 A.M. - 11 A.M. Mar. 20 BALTIMORE trip with Talbot Chapter. Leader: Mr. Richard Kleen. Mar. 20 TALBOT duck trip. Contact Mr. Richard Kleen. RI5-L821. Reserva- tion #2.00. Mar. 2 $ TALBOT regular meeting, Easton Library, 8 P.M. "Easy Bird House Construction". Mar. 26 ANNE ARUNDEL early birding, annual elections. Meet 7?L5 A.M. Hall’s Valley Park Farm, Edgewater. Harvey and Claire Hall, May 7 STATEWIDE BIRD COUNT. Make count in area of your choice. Turn in list and coverage details at Statewide Convention next week. May 1L-15 ANNUAL STATEWIDE CONVENTION, Hastings Hotel, Ocean City. Applications for Helen B. Miller Audubon Nature Camp Scholarship must be sent to Mr. Marvin Hevitt by February 29, I960.