MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Sullatin of tils, j tfl£ <^A\axijtancl (D’uiitiio [ocj leaf J^ocLzttj, line. Cylburn Mansion , 4915 Greenspring Ave., Baltimore 9, Md Volume 23 JUNE 1967 Number 2 REPORT OF STATE -WIDE BIRD COURT, MAY 6, 1967 Willet T. Van Velzen The May Count day was ushered in with rain, drizzle and mist, spread- ing across the State from the northwest. Intermittent showers finally turned into steady rain in the early afternoon, dampening the spirits of those participants who had ventured forth and making hirding most diffi- cult for them. Yet in spite of the weather, which forced many parties indoors early in the day, the final tally for the count reached a most respectable 222 species. Perhaps the weather on the days preceding the Bird Count, as well as on the 6th, helped considerably in the composition of the list, retarding the departure of winter species and holding back many of the early migrants. Then, too, the overcast morning of the 6th may have prolonged the period of active singing, making many species more easily found than on a clear, warm day. Table 1 shows the totals for some species that showed interesting changes over the past 5 years. Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Myrtle Warblers were late in departing this year and in 1965* Canada Goose, Slate-colored Junco, and White -throated Sparrow numbers were lower the past two years, compared with the 1965 total. This year the Blue Jay flight appeared to be very late and less than half of last year's total was recorded. Verification that these fluctuations in the total number of each species present are mainly caused by weather conditions can best be obtained by continued, thorough coverage of the established count areas. Twenty-four counts, representing 19 counties, are included in the tabulation this year. Nine of the lists contained over 100 species. Al- though Baltimore County's count of 133 species was edged out of top place by Dorchester's count of 139 , the well -organized efforts of its 82 parti- cipants produced a list of 11,220 individual birds, by far the highest total within the State. With a list falling only 2k species short of the all-time high (1966), one cannot help but speculate what the total might have been had conditions been more favorable] Although the number of participants increased considerably over last year, approximately the same number took part in 1965* There has been a gradual increase in the number of party-hours during the past five years. This increase was maintained during 1967 as the additional observers compensated for the reduced number of hours many parties spent in the field. 28 MARYLAND BXKDLIFE Vol. 23, No. 2 Table 1. Five-year Comparison for Selected Species 1963 1964 1965 1966 12§I Canada Goose 1067 17 68 12314 183 719 Coot 5 10 656 42 325 Blue Jay 2327 1074 4076 1787 882 Carolina Wren 430 198 329 209 165 Eastern Bluebird 116 76 220 98 44 Ruby- crowned Kinglet 23 77 266 71 125 Myrtle Warbler 557 307 828 48l 1285 Bobolink 7 24 7 4oo 113 Scarlet Tanager 147 6 116 261 194 Rose-breasted Grosbeak 35 31 46 145 68 Slate- colored Junco 76 77 145 22 12 White -throated Sparrow 962 1150 3784 552 648 A record-breaking total of 235 observers participated in this 20th annual May Count. The counties represented this year are shown on the accompanying map. The numerals in each county are the total number of ob- servers participating. In viewing this map it becomes quite apparent that assistance is greatly needed in many counties in order to provide more thorough coverage. All individuals who wish to assist In next year's count should contact the county compiler (listed in Summary of Coverage) or the Editor. It is also apparent from the map that with only a minimum amount of extra effort we could obtain coverage of all our counties. Those -who anticipate setting up a new count are encouraged to investigate the area thoroughly in the intervening months to locate the best spots for birding. June 1967 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE 2£' Summary of Coverage GARRETT COUNTY (Gar). 3 observers, l44 party -miles (135 by car, 9 on foot). Glenn Austin, Grace M. Russell, John S. Weske. ALLEGANY COUNTY (All). 9 observers. Mr. & Mrs. Ken Hodgdon (com- piler), Nellie Isaacs, Nan Livingston, Joe Minke, Mr. & Mrs. Edgar Reynolds, Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Rosher. WASHINGTON COUNTY (Was). 6 observers. 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Francis Cutchall, Lois Downin, Stanley Eckstine, Alice Mallonee, Ralph S. Stauffer, Marie Wampler. CATOCTIN, WASHINGTON & FREDERICK COUNTIES (Cat), 4 observers. 6:4 5 to 12:30 p.m. 30 l/2 party -miles (30 by car, l/2 on foot). S. S. Baker (compiler), Mrs. John Frankel, George Golding, H. McC. Johnson. CENTRAL FREDERICK COUNTY (CFr). 4 observers. 5:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 85 party-miles (70 by car, 15 on foot). Ron Lambeth, Mary Motherway, Charles Mullican, William Shirey. SOUTHERN FREDERICK COUNTY (SFr). 2 observers 6:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Asenath McKnight, Edwin T. McKnight. HOWARD COUNTY (How). 3 observers. 4:30 a.m. to 10:15 p.m. 4 hours by car, l8 on foot. 99 party-miles (93 by car, 6 on foot). Mrs. Harry Rauth, Chandler S. Robbins, George C. Robbins. MONTGOMERY COUNTY (Mon). 21 observers. 4:20 a.m. to 5:^5 p.m. Ruth Calm, Phil DuMont, Harriet Gilbert, Mr. & Mrs. Edward Goodstein, Robert Hahn, Les Holtschlag, Vincent C. Jones, Marjorie Koester, Charles Mason, Don Messersmith, Helen Meleney, Ernie Meyers, Bill Oberman, Ella Pfuffer, Sue Robbins, Grace Sims, Eloise Shaw, Byron Swift, Tom Valega, Bob Warfield. HARFORD COUNTY (Her). 7 observers. 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Gladys Cole (compiler), Mrs. Walter Kohout, E. Lubbert, Joe Pannel, Mrs. Victor Preston, Chip Wright, G. Wright. CECIL COUNTY (Cec). 1 observer. E. E. Folk. BALTIMORE CITY AND COUNTY (Bal). 82 observers. Coordinators: Shirley Geddes, Alice Kaestner, Mrs. Alfred Lawson, Stephen W. Simon, Ed Rykiel (compiler), Elmer & Jean Worthley. PATUXENT WILDLIFE RESEARCH CENTER (PRC). 4 observers 5:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. 12 party-miles ( 5 by car, 7 on foot). Ralph Andrews (compiler), Elwood Martin, Michael Sorensen, Joseph Young. PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY (PrG). 1 observer. 12 party-miles (8 by car, 4 on foot). Melvin Kleen. CENTRAL ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY (CAA), 2 observers. 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. 42 party-miles (15 by car, 27 on foot), Danny Bystrak, Paul Bystrak. GIBSON ISLAND, ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY (Gib). l4 observers. CharleB Buchanan, Mr. & Mrs. Lewis Buck, Robert Dwight, Bruce Dwyer, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Johnson, Mrs. Sidney E. Longmaid, Mr. & Mrs. George F. Metcalf, Godfrey E. Rockefeller, Mrs, Gerhard Schmeisser, Mrs. E. Symington, Gail Tappan (compiler). ANNAPOLIS AREA, ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY (Ann). 6 observers. Mr. & Mrs. David G. Howard, Carl & Bernice Long, Hildegarde Reissman, Julia M. Wilson. CALVERT COUNTY (Cal). 1 observer. 7:30 a.m. to 12 a.m. John H. Fales . ST. MARYS COUNTY (StM). 2 observers. 6:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wayne Shifflett, Ted Van Velzen. Gar All Was Cat CEr SFr How Mon. Har Cec Bal PEC PrG CAA Gib Ann Cal StM Ken Car Tal Dor Som Wor Total Common Loon 1 ” _ _ _ - _ 2 1+ 2 8 2 - - 4 1 2 26 Homed Grebe - - - - _ 11 - 3 - - - - - - 1 - - 2 - - - 1 - - 18 Pied -billed Grebe 8 - - - - - - 1 - 5 - 3 - - - - - - - - - - - - 17 Double -crested Cormorant 4 - 115 131 Great Blue Heron - 1 - - 8 1 1 - - 1 1 5 - - 4 2 12 60 12 2 10 2 16 143 Green Heron 5“ 1 - - - - 1 12 - - 3 11 - - 4 3 - 7 11 b 1 15 6 1 88 Little Blue Heron 11 1 - - - - 2 i4 Cattle Egret - 2 - 24 Common Egret 9 1 3 185 Snowy Egret 8 4 8 22 Louisiana Heron 1 - 1 Black -crowned Night Heron 5 13 Yellow-cr. Night Heron 1 Least Bittern 1 American Bittern 2 Glossy Ibis - - 137 ' 137 Mute Swan 2 Whistling Swan 16 Canada Goose - - - - - - - - - 350 - 7 - - - - - - 282 42 5 33 - - 719 Brant 115 - 1 116 Mallard 9 - - - 9 4 - 23 1 ? - 16 21 - 2 9 4 - 1 186 15 1 30 12 22 377 Black Duck - - - - - - 2 - 2 22 - - 4 5 - - 112 23 5 35 4 11 225 Gadwall - 7 Pintail 9 Green-winged Teal 30 Blue -winged Teal - - - - - - 15 - - 2 b - - - - 5 “ 59 - * 85 American Widgeon - - - - - - - - - - - 2 - - - - - - 5 - - 10 - - 17 Shoveler 1 Wood Duck 2 - 2 - 17 lb 7 65 - 8 23 21 - - - - - - 14 2 2 3 - - 180 Redhead - 3 Camrasback 3 Greater Scaup 6 Lesser Scaup 8 _ 3 26 - - 4 o Common Goldeneye - 4 Bufflehead 2 _ _ _ - 1 5 _ _ 1 - - - 6 - - - 1 - - - - - 16 Ruddy Duck _ - - - - - - 10 - - 3 - - - 27 - - - 18 - 6 21 - - ' 85 Common Merganser 15 “ 2b Red -breasted Merganser 5 - 4 10 Turkey Vulture 3 6 2 - 1 2 - 11 1 - 17 - - - - 1 - 3 82 76 4 17 16 3 245 Black Vulture - 1 8 - - - - 10 Cooper's Hawk 1 - 1 Red -tailed Hawk 1 - - - - - - 2 - - - - 1 - - - 2 1 - 2 - 9 Red -shouldered Hawk 1 " - - 1 - 1 1 2 “ " 2 - 1 - 9 Broad -winged Hawk 1 5 Bald Eagle 4 Marsh Hawk - 8 Osprey 1 - - - 1 2 - 1 2 - - - - - 2 2 - 8 15 3 2 22 1 7 69 U> o ro BIRDLIFE Vol. 23 Species Gar All Was Cat CFr SFr How Mon Har Cec Bal PRC PrG CAA Gib Ann Cal StM Ken Car Tal Dor Som Wor Total Sparrow Hawk - - - - - - - 3 2 l 1 l - - - - - - 1 7 - - - 1 17 Ruffed Grouse 11 11 Bobwhite - 3 19 8 l 13 15 28 7 2 4o li 9 6 8 24 8 8 117 123 2 24 20 10 506 Ring-necked Pheasant - - l - 7 - - - - - 25 - - - - - - - - - - - - 33 Clapper Rail 2 6 8 King Rail - - - - - - - 1 - - - l - - - - - 1 - 2 - 3 - - 8 Virginia Rail 3 3 American Coot - 1 - - - - - 12 - 50 - l - - 8 - - - 250 - 4 - - - 325 American Oystercatcher 4 4 Semipalmated Plover - - - - - l - - - - 3 - - - - - - - 4 - - - 2 25 Killdeer 1 12 5 - 4 l 6 8 13 7 13 - 1 - - - - 2 20 17 6 i4 6 1 137 Black -he Hied Plover 1 - 9 10 American Woodcock - 2 - - - - 4 2 4 - l - - 1 1 - - - 1 1 - 12 - - 29 Common Snipe - 2 - 1 2 - - 5 Spotted Sandpiper 4 - 2 1 3 7 1 6 - - 11 3 - 7 1 3 - - 2 4 4 2 - - 61 Solitary Sandpiper 1 - - - 4 - 4 5 3 - l 2 9 12 - 2 - - 1 2 - 5 - - 51 Willet 1 32 18 150 201 Greater Yellowlegs - - - - l 8 l - 3 - 3 - 1 3 1 - - 3 i4 8 2 37 7 4 96 Lesser Yellowlegs - - - - l 6 - - - 2 - 6 15 2 2 1 - - 1 - 51 2 - 89 Pectoral Sandpiper - - - - - 12 6 - 1 15 - - 34 Least Sandpiper 1 2 16 2 2 100 - - 124 Dunlin 3 250 - 43 296 Short -billed Dowitcher 3 - i4 17 Stilt Sandpiper 1 Semipalmated Sandpiper 13 1 i4 - - 3 1 - 32 Ruff - 1 Sanderling 1 1 Black -necked Stilt 1 Great Black-backed Gull - 6 1 - - 2 - - 12 - 33 56 Herring Gull - - 9 - - - - - 45 75 137 - - - 20 4 6 2 179 3 - 93 5 100 678 Ring-billed Gull 2 46 - - - 17 - 3 29 200 86 - - - 30 5 - 42 408 21 i 4 19 9 28 959 Laughing Gull 2 10 147 4 117 4 o 43 110 48 521 Bonaparte's Gull 2 4 o Forster's Tern 6 2 - 17 Common Tern - - - - - - - ?? - - - - - - 9 - - 1 - - 4 10 - 200 279 Least Tern 13 * 65 84 Caspian Tern - 1 - 2 5 Black Tern 1 6 7 Black Skimmer - 233 233 Mourning Dove 10 - 4 4 20 3 56 57 58 12 166 32 - 15 12 8 25 4 80 102 2 27 6 - 703 Yellow-billed Cuckoo - - - - 1 1 9 l - 2 1 - 3 - - - - 7 - - - - 25 Black -billed Cuckoo 1 3 Screech Owl 1 - l 1 1 6 Great Homed Owl - - - - - - - 1 - - 2 - - - - - - - 3 - - 2 1 - 9 Barred Owl - - - - - - 5 1 - - 4 - - 4 - - 1 - - 5 1 1 - - 22 ft BIKDLIFE Species Chuck -vi 11 1 s -widow Whip-poor-will Common Nighthavk Chimney Swift Gar All Was Cat CFr SFr How Mon Har Cec Bal PRC PrG CAA Gib Ann Cal StM Ken Car Tal Dor Som Wor Total - 23 - 18 10 1 9 10 504 12 100 76 4-2 5 - 11 22 4 - 16 5 27 12 6l 92 10 i4 8 35 - 14 2 76 10 1073 74 Belted Kingfisher 3 - 2 - 1 1 2 3 - 1 5 1 - 3 6 2 - - 11 4 1 1 - 1 48 Yellow-shafted Flicker 15 9 9 7 8 5 13 25 25 5 42 7 2 7 20 4 2 1 21 21 4 15 2 3 272 Pileated Woodpecker 2 2 - - - 2 - 7 - 1 1 - 3 - 1 - - - 2 1 3 2 - 27 Red-bellied Woodpecker - - 1 6 2 8 31 45 17 l 53 12 3 20 13 11 7 4 39 42 4 10 1 - 330 Red -headed Woodpecker - 2 - 4 6 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1 - - - - - - 1 - - 3 - - - 1 - - - - - - - - - 6 Hairy Woodpecker 3 1 2 2 - 1 2 3 2 - 7 1 - 5 - 2 - - 6 5 1 1 - - 44 Downy Woodpecker 7 3 9 9 3 4 16 34 16 1 82 7 1 9 8 3 12 1 13 20 2 9 1 - 2T0 Eastern Kingbird 5 - 1 1 6 - 22 20 4 4 34 13 - 3 3 1 - 1 28 4l 4 13 2 1 207 Great Crested Flycatcher 2 - 1 1 4 7 9 34 1 - 26 7 - 7 8 2 2 2 19 33 3 28 4 - 200 Eastern Phoebe 5 2 3 1 3 - 11 13 3 - 14 2 - 1 1 3 2 2 8 22 2 - - - 98 Acadian Flycatcher 1 - - - - - 10 21 2 - 3 4 - 27 - 1 3 2 - 15 1 2 - - 92 Least Flycatcher 12 13 Eastern Wood Pewee 11 1 - - - 3 1 - - 1 3 6 £ - - - 2 8 Horned Lark 7 - - - l 3 1 - 12 - 11 - - - - - - 1 1 32 2 15 8 1 95 Tree Swallow 15 - - 1 - 10 - 151 - 2 iTcT - 1 12 6 85 9 71 275 100 260 4 48 1190 Bank Swallow 5 - - - £ 20 5 3 - 45 - 8 - 60 20 2 30 - 208 10 42 50 - - 510 Rough -winged Swallow 6 2 50 - 8 2 2 34 - 5 33 2 - 5 19 - - _ - 8 - 13 - 1 190 Bam Swallow 79 3 23 32 25 42 2633218 18 42 236 65 6 51 120 54 105 £3 434 241 20 277 4o 160 3577 Cliff Swallow 4 - - - - 1 - 25 - - 8 - - 3 - - - - - - - - - 4i Purple Martin - 50 2 - 5 3 7 57 30 To r 12 20 1 12 13 - 10 69 94 4 36 18 4 ~¥T Blue Jay 16 i4 20 20 12 2 40 60 27 5 375 11 11 24 24 34 4 9 52 97 10 12 2 1 882 Common Crow 28 10 9 19 24 17 4i 84 15 15 274 24 13 21 19 15 3 16 72 114 12 18 27 17 907 Fish Crow 3 4 3 7 - 2 1 4 - 2 6 6 2 5 2 2 49 Black-capped Chickadee ?l - 2 33 Carolina Chickadee - 1 8 1 8 22 76 19 7 139 11 2 48 43 i4 13 l 51 87 6 11 10 - ~57S Tufted Titmouse 5 14 1 12 14 i4 39 82 43 4 117 21 5 46 i4 12 13 8 40 80 4 16 5 - 609 White -breasted Nuthatch 10 3 - 1 - - 4 8 - - 32 - - - 2 - - - - 1 - 1 - - 62 Red-hreasted Nuthatch 1 Brown -headed Nuthatch 3 3 Brown Creeper - - - - - - - 1 - - - - 3 - - - - 2 - - - - - 6 House Wren 7 5 8 9 li 10 9 17 6 2 89 9 - 2 23 3 5 1 17 11 1 9 3 - 257 Carolina Wren - 1 - - 2 4 13 29 8 1 17 - - 8 10 3 10 2 25 15 2 8 7 - 165 Long-billed Marsh Wren 1 1 4 - - - 10 6 - 17 4 - 43 Short -hilled Marsh Wren 3 Mockingbird - 11 7 4 4 1 38 43 31 4 154 25 8 4 4o 26 16 10 109 91 1 17 36 23 703 Catbird 21 6 13 12 21 11 36 47 37 - 234 25 16 9 25 13 4 5 54 63 1 23 17 13 706 Brown Thrasher 22 3 7 6 11 1 27 21 24 2 61 9 1 5 26 10 2 12 43 78 1 8 7 10 397 Robin 90 32 39 6o loo 20 136 i4t 325 25 682 22 22 25 100 4o 28 12 I 57 265 2 34 70 21 2454 Wood Thrush 62 1 2 21 10 9 59 _!5_ 16 1 in 18 4 87 35 9 21 1 38 80 4 24 22 1 691 iu> fO ro BIKDLXFE Vol. S3, No Species Hermit Thrash Swains on's Thrush Gray-cheeked. Thrush Veery Eastern Bluebird Gar All 24 1 Was 2 Cat CFr SFr How Mon Har Cec Bal - - - 5 - - - 55 - 3 - 6 10 9 - 4 PRC PrG CAA Gib Ann 2 1 - 4 - - 2 2 - - 1 Cal StM Ken Car Tal Dor Som Wor Total - - 2 - 1 - - - ll - - 1 3 - - - - 95 - 1 - 4 - 1 - - 44 Blue -gray Gnatcatcher 11 2 - 9 5 6 26 74 6 - 22 13 - 34 13 1 2 2 - 18 2 3 2 _ 251 Golden-crowned Kinglet 6 6 Ruby-crowned Kinglet a - 3 1 - - 5 5 - - ll 2 _ 1 8 1 - - 22 2 . _ _ 125 Water Pipit - - - - L 2 18 Cedar Waxwing 1 1 2 14 Starling 21 31 37 56 118 155 210 478 529 1751180 80 85 15 100 55 25 80 780 522 4 125 50 100 5011 White -eyed Vireo 2 - - - 1 - 15 10 2 - 8 13 - 27 7 1 5 2 10 31 2 16 l 4 2 168 Yellow -throated Vireo - - - 4 - - 3 15 - - 3 7 - 12 - 2 5 _ _ 5 1 _ _ _ 57 Solitary Vireo 3 5 Red-eyed Vireo 1 - - 5 - 2 36 88 2 - 32 4 l - 92 19 4 23 6 5 50 4 12 7 - 429 Warbling - - 2 1 - 10 2 19 2 - - - - - 1 - - - 1 2 - - 1 - 41 Black-&-white Warbler 12 - - T - - 13 12 2 1 79 8 - 16 22 2 2 1 3 19 2 7 2 - 210 Prothonotary Warbler - - - - - - - 18 - - - 3 1 4 - - - - 1 19 - 6 - - 52 Worm-eating Warbler - - - 1 - - 3 - - - 9 1 - 7 1 - - 1 - ■2 1 8 - - 34 Golden -winged Warbler 1 1 - - - - 1 - - - 2 - - - - - - - - - - - - - 5 Blue -winged Warbler 1 - - 12 - - 4 - 1 - 8 1 - 5 4 - - - - 2 - 1 1 - 40 Tennessee Warbler - - - - - - 1 1 - - 2 - _ _ - _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 4 Ivashyille Warbler 5 - - - - 1 - - - 4 - - - 1 - - _ - _ _ _ - - 11 Parula Warbler 7 - - - - 1 18 35 1 - 34 17 - 26 32 5 16 5 1 11 2 1 2 - 214 Yellow Warbler 22 3 3 3 1 7 3 9 - 3 32 10 - 1 10 2 - 1 11 8 1 2 - 147 Magnolia Warbler 4 - - - 3 - 1 3 - 22 5 1 - - h - - _ - 1 - _ - - 44 Cape May Warbler 1 - 1 4 - - 1 3 - - 2 - - - - - - - - 1 - - - - 13 Black -thr. Blue Warbler 10 - - 5 - - 11 4 - - 43 8 - 10 7 - 1 - - 6 1 - - - 106 Myrtle Warbler 17 - 2 11 35 2 114 96 2 1 615 58 23 55 HO 8 12 1 55 55 - 9 4 - 1285 Black-thr. Green Warbler 23 - - 4 - - 5 6 - - 25 2 - 9 1 75 Cerulean Warbler - - - - - 9 ik - - 7 - - - - - - - - 1 - - - - 31 Blackburnian Warbler lit- - - 1 1 - 4 3 - - 26 - - 3 - - - - - - - - - - 52 Yellow-throated Warbler 1 2 9 - - 2 1 2 - - 17 Chestnut -sided Warbler 17 - - - - - 5 4 - 1 16 2 - - 1 3 - - - 3 - - - - 52 Bay-breasted Warbler 1 1 Blackpoll Warbler 5 3 - - 1 - - - - - - 1 - - 10 Pine Warbler - - - 1 - _ - - - - 1 1 - 8 - - 1 3 1 12 2 11 6 - 47 Prairie' Warbler 1 - - - - - 8 9 6 - 6 3 - 13 1 2 2 - 13 - 22 4 - 90 Palm Warbler - _ - 1 1 - - 5 - - 3 - - . - - - _ _ - - - - 10 Ovenbird 27 1 1 7 - - i 4 1 - 92 15 1 45 9 - 2 1 - 15 1 10 14 1 260 Horthem Waterthrush 6 - - - - - 2 6 - - 9 1 1 3 1 - - - - —TT - - - - 33 Louisiana Waterthrush 2 - - 4 - 1 6 16 3 - 8 - 1 9 - - 4 - - 19 - - - - 73 Kentucky Warbler 2 - - 5 - - 10 6 2 - 8 ll - 28 4 3 4 - - 18 2 2 - - 105 Mourning Warbler 1 1 2 Yellowthroat 2£_ 1 - 1 — 5 _ 3 46 38 5 - 157 39 7 61 15 16 7 9 32 74 2 87 8 11 649 (JO LO June 196 7 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Species Gar All Was Cat CFr SFr How Mon Har Cec Bal PRC PrG CAA Gib Ann Cal StM Ken Car Tal Dor Som Wor Total ho Ye llov -breasted Chat 3 - - 5 3 2 13 ~2F 12 - "lF 5 - 10 1 - 1 1 10 “37 - 20 1 2 153 ■t=- Hooded Warbler - - - 1 - _ 9 2 - - 7 4 - 27 8 - 7 65 Wilson's Warbler - 2 l 3 Canada Warbler 17 - - 3 - - 5 1 - - 10 3 - 3 1 - - - - 1 - - - - 44 American Redstart 6 - - 16 - 1 19 50 - - 75 40 - _59 2 - 7 - - 4 1 3 - - 283 House Sparrow 27 10 90 51 27 60 91 99 932 250 w 11 l 6 6 50 3^ 26 i4 o5f W 2 130 75 17 3353 Bobolink _ - - - 17 32 4o - - 1 20 - - 2 l 113 Eastern Meadowlark 19 14 6 19 11 16 64 43 38 15 95 5 4 4 3 5 4 11 66 46 2 28 4 10 532 Red-winged Blackbird 175 53 31 34 17 l4o 203 435 - 125 669 70 8 29 113 73 124 84ia-4 773 10 420 150 200 5180 Orchard Oriole _ - 2 - 5 4 3 8 - - 7 4 - _ 2 - 2 1 8 15 1 20 - - 82 Baltimore Oriole 4 10 17 11 i4 ll 23 42 11 2 53 8 - 5 2 1 1 - 4 10 1 - l 9 240 Rusty Blackbird 2 22 - 11 8 - 7 - - - - - 14 - - - - 64 Boat-tailed Grackle 9 2 84 95 Common Grackle 22 19 l6o 152 200 160 4l6 1016 932 50: 1405 65 70 30 75 72 86 445 : 1174 : 1194 4 470 46 500 9425 Brown -headed Cowbird 25 100 4 29 23 30 86 357 91 14 293 l - 17 52 8 11 4 71 112 2 31 7 4 1372 Scarlet Tanager 7 - - 9 - 1 28 19 - - 32 8 1 38 6 - 10 1 3 24 1 4 2 - 194 Summer Tanager 8 3 3 - - 16 s Cardinal 9 19 28 31 29 13 91 127 96 10 355 32 8 63 150 55 49 37 438 314 6 72 21 11 2064 § Rose -breasted Grosbeak 8 - - 2 - l 4 5 6 - 35 2 - 2 1 - - - - 2 - - - - 68 Blue Grosbeak - - - - - 1 - 1 - - 1 1 - - - - - l 1 16 1 - 1 - 24 Indigo Bunting 3 - 1 6 - 7 18 43 2 - 27 8 - 16 1 1 4 2 10 15 2 9 - - 175 0 Purple Finch 2 6 k__| Pine Siskin - 26 2 CO American Goldfinch 57 39 54 143 30 77 99 357 101 15 666 60 11 97 105 ll 91 1 i44 194 4 4 4 2390 § Rufous -sided Towhee 90 5 6 29 11 7 55 50 31 4 237 15 7 37 50 21 8 15 42 99 3 38 16 18 894 p Savannah Sparrow 3 - - - - 2 - 28 - - 25 27 - 1 - - 5 3 10 12 12 1 129 Grasshopper Sparrow 5 - - - - 2 22 4 - - 13 1 - 2 1 - 4 l - 20 l 6 6 - 88 b=l Hens low's Sparrow 4 - - - - - - 3 - - - - - - - - - - - - - 5 - - 12 Sharp-tailed Sparrow 1 1 Seaside Sparrow - 16 6 - 22 Vesper Sparrow 12 - l - 1 4 9 - 1 - 9 - - - 1 1 - - - 17 - - - - 56 Bachman's Sparrow 1 Slate -colored Junco 3 - - - - - - 1 - - 1 - - - 1 - - - - 6 - - - - 12 Chipping Sparrow 33 22 4 19 4 4 39 55 53 2 200 15 12 6 46 5 l4 2 43 133 - 31 30 2 774 Field Sparrow 25 5 - i4 20 11 39 4o 2 l 87 10 10 5 3 1 9 4 30 33 4 18 8 5 384 Song Sparrow 29 9 24 20 18 6 30 11 - 153 16 8 6 50 21 12 5 27 26 10 i4 4 17 568 TOTAL SPECIES 107 50 57 67 68 80 103 1W 76 5^ 133 109 42 94 113 T! 85 86 ToH" 121 91 139 88 74 221 0 TOTAL INDIVIDUALS 1541 760 971 3010 3807 11220 44s 1955 1052 8552 46 1 1075 66,085 6oo L025 lh6 7290 1698 1515 1579 786 1391 7626 3971 2639 714 ro TOTAL PARTY-HOURS 26 8 44' 6 15 10 22 80 17 5 130 28 5 21 32 17 4 8 121 81 3 15 6 10 June 1967 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE as. KENT COUNTY (Ken). 30 observers. Mr. & Mrs. James Anthony, Charles Cockey, Dr. & Mrs. A. Delario, Mary Ann Emerine, William Friedburg, Mrs. W. Clark Grieb, Mr. and Mrs. Keer, Dr. & Mrs. Heathcote Kimball, Mrs. C. F. Ligo, Erwin Mac Intosh, Mr. & Mrs. W. R. McAlpin, Mr. & Mrs. Harris McKinney, Mr. & Mrs, Edward Mendinhall, Mrs. D. Noyes, Mrs. Roy Ruhnka, John E. Stafford, James Terry, Mrs. Evans Taylor, Mr. & Mrs. Clark Webster, Carl Westerdahl, Sr. (compiler), Carl Westerdahl, Jr., Nell C. Westcott . CAROLINE COUNTY (Car). 24 observers. 4:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. 30 hours by car, 51 on foot. 369 party-miles (335 Dy car, 34 on foot). Annabelle Bilbrough, Elsie Bilbrough, Winnie Bri.ght, Edith Burklew, Margarete Butenschoen, Ethel Engle, A. J. Fletcher (compiler), Roberta B. Fletcher, Judy Griep, Marvin W. Hewitt, Alicia Knotts, Roberta Leggett, Terry S. Moore, Essie Pepper, Carol Scudder, Joan Scudder, John Scudder, Percy Scudder, Jacqueline Smith, Mace Smith, A. May Thompson, Isabelle Todd, V. Edwin Unger, David Wooters. TALBOT COUNTY (Tal). 2 observers. 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. Dick Kleen (compiler), Don Meritt. DORCHESTER COUNTY (Dor). 2 observers. 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. William C. Russell, Henry T. Armistead. SOMERSET COUNTY (Som). 1 observer. 5 a.m. to 11 a.m. 63 party- miles (60 by car, 3 on foot). J. Charles Tracy. WORCESTER COUNTY (Wor). 4 observers. 110 party-miles ( 100 by car, 10 on foot). Mary & Lyman Bryan, Peggy & Walter Bohanan (compiler). Migratory Bird Populations Station, Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, Laurel Corrigenda: Inquiries made subsequent to the report of the 1966 May Count have invalidated the records for the Anhinga and Tree Sparrows re- ported on pages 55 and 60, respectively of volume 22, number 2, leaving an adjusted State total of 246 species. MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Vol. 23, No. 2 January, February, March, 19&7 Chandler S. Robbins This winter was not one for the birds — nor for the people. The cold, and especially the excessive snowfall of February, discouraged field activity. And observers who did their binding through a frosty window were disappointed at the absence of winter finches. January temperatures averaged 2° to 5° above normal, while precipi- tation in that month was 1 to 3 inches short. A record-breaking warm spell drove the mercury above 70° on 4 consecutive days, Jan. 23-26, caused the general arrival of woodcock, and raised false hopes that spring was just around the corner. A rapidly moving coastal storm on Feb. 7j followed by another on the 9th, brought an accumulation of 10 to 15 inches of snow, and temperatures remained significantly below normal for the rest of that month. The spread of arrival dates (Table l) for species such as the Killdeer, Red-wing, Common Grackle, and Fox Sparrow, shows that many of the birds that customarily arrive in February awaited more favorable conditions this year. Even in March, no clear-cut migration pattern de- veloped until the warm spell in the closing week of that month. Table 1 includes only those species of early migrants that arrived in most counties before the end of March. Counties are arranged geo- graphically, from northwest to southeast, so dates would be expected to progress to the left if observer effort were uniform in each county repre- sented and if the birds moved slowly and regularly across the State, starting with the mildest areas on the Lower Eastern Shore and finally reaching the mountain counties to the west. Note that this ideal situ- ation is not evident in this season's table, except for a general lag in dates in Allegany and Frederick Counties. Table 1, as in the past, represents the joint efforts of several dozen observers, each of whose records help to form the total picture. Those members who contributed the majority of the dates for this table were: Alleg any County — Anderson J. Martin; Frede rick- -Dr. John W. Richards, Mrs. Austin L. Hoffman; Balti more City and County- -Stephen W. Simon, C. Haven Kolb, John Get good; Howa rd — Mrs. Harry B. Rauth; Mont- gomery- -Robert W. Warfield, Mrs. John Frankel; Prince Georges --George and Eleanor Robbins, John H. Fales; Anne Arundel --Paul and Danny Bystrak, Prof, and Mrs. David Howard; Calve rt — John H. Fales; Kent — Mr. and Mrs. Edward Mendinhall; Carol ine - -Mrs . A. J. Fletcher; Talbo t --Jan Reese, Don June 1967 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE 31 Meritt; and Wicom ico — Samuel H. Dyke. A zero (0) indicates that no re- port was received; a dash ( — ) means that the species was recorded, "but not on a significant arrival date; and a "W" shows that presence of win- tering individuals masked the arrival of migrants from the south. Grebes , Herons , Ibis . Homed Grebes were in low numbers on the Maryland Christmas Counts, but Harry Armistead estimated 300 at Cooks Point in Dorchester County on Feb. 4 and Jan Reese found the same number in Talbot County on Mar. 2 6; the Talbot birds were obviously northbound transients. Gibson Islanders were treated to a visit from a Glossy Ibis on the record-breaking date of Mar . 5 (Mrs. Gail Tappan). Talbot County had a banner year for wintering herons, with a Common Egret present from Feb. 22 until spring (9 more arrived on Mar. 29) and also a Green Heron (Jan Reese) as well as the usual Great Blues (54 on the Jan. 1 Christmas Count ) , Swans and Geese . Impressive numbers of Whistling Swans and Canada Geese were counted on the Maryland Christmas Counts. To quote just the three highest tallies for circles of 7 l/2-mile radius, there were 7,64? Whistling Swans at St. Michaels, 4,579 in Lower Kent County, and 3,871 at Annapolis — Gibson Island. Canada Geese reached an all-time high of 115,060 in Lower Kent County and 97*770 at St. Michaels, making Blackwater's Table 1. Spring Arrival Dates, 1967 Pied -billed Grebe Whistling Swan Canada Goose Wood Duck Ring -necked Duck Osprey Killdeer Am. Woodcock Common Snipe Yel-shafted Flicker Eastern Phoebe Tree Swallow Robin Eastern Bluebird Red -w . Blackb ird Common Grackle Brown -hd. Cowbird Purple Finch Rufous -sided Towhee Chipping Sparrow Pox Sparrow- Song Sparrow Alle Fred Balt Howd Mont Pr.G Anne Calv Kent Caro Talh Wico 0 3/26 - 2/ 2 3/ 3 -- 3/11 3/ 5 4/23 — ~ - 0 0 3/10 3/25 3/18 3/25 3/25 w w 2/25 3/11 — 0 3/10 3/10 3 /i 4 3/23 3/73/ 53/8 w 3/23 3/11 -- — 3/26 3/11 3/28 3/11 3/24 3/24 0 3/19 3/14 0 - 0 0 3/19 2/ 1 3/25 3/ 7 3/27 0 3/12 3/16 - 2/16 0 4/22 4/ 10 04/7 -- 3/25 3/21 3/20 3/23 3/11 4/ 2 4/13 3/ 3 3/21 2/ 2 - 3/22 3/5 w - 3/25 - -" 1/28 1/26 2/ 3 2/27 - 1/26 3/ 2 - 3/13 3/ 5 3/14 0000 3/25 0 3/12 3/26 3/15 — 3/18 — 3/21 3/29 3/10 2/16 3/25 3/30 W W w 3/25 W “ ” 3/11 3/10 3/11 3/14 3/11 3/11 4/14 3/19 3/26 3/8 0 4/ 2 4/ 3 0 - — — 4/15 4/ 9 3/27 3/12 3/26 — 2/6 2/28 2/13 1/20 2/11 w 2/10 1/15 3/18 W - - 3/16 3/10 3/11 2/ 8 2/15 3/ 3 2/l4 - 3/31 w 0 2/27 3/ 1 2/17 2/ 4 — 1/28 1/28 W —3/5 -- 2/27 3/ 4 2/18 — 3/23/ 22/7 1/31 W 2/ 2 3/I8 w~ 3/23 — 3/10 2/73/6 — 2/ 7 2/18 w — w w 2/10 — 1/14 3/22 1/12 2/9 — 0 4/10 0 0 3/26 4/10 3/20 3/2 6 3/12 4/16 4/ 2 4/20 4/ 7 4/24 — W w 4/15 3/28 4/2 4/6 3/25 3/31 3/31 4/ 2 3/30 3/22 3/26 — 3/29 3/19 3/ 7 3/ 7 3/15 2/18 2/ 7 2/11 w 3/ 6 — W~ — 3/10 3/15 W W 3/ 8 2/12 W — 3/26 W 38 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Vol. 23, No. 2 count of 25,700 seem rather ordinary; counts from these three areas alone came within 12,0.00 of reaching a quarter of a million Canada Geese i The Snow Goose tally on the Blackwater Christmas Count reached a new high of 393 "birds, and 3 individuals were found even on the Baltimore Count. The principal northward movement of Whistling Swans took place on Mar. 25. An albino Canada Goose wintered in Talbot County, successfully eluding the hunters ' guns ( Jan Reese ) . Ducks . Noteworthy counts, again taken from the Christmas Counts in late December and the first two days in January, were 68 Gadwalls, 3*636 American Widgeon and b86 Buffleheads in Lower Kent County; 60 Redheads and 236 Ruddy Ducks at Ocean City; a drake European Widgeon in the Susquehanna River below Rock Run; and 1,^71 Common Goldeneyes at St. Michaels. Three immature male King Eiders, accompanied by from 7 to 11 females, were present irregularly at Ocean City inlet (l4 birds on Jan. 21 by Carl Carlson and 10 on Feb. 12 by Sam Dyke). The best waterfowl coverage from an inland area was provided by Mrs. Harry Rauth who made frequent trips to Rocky Gorge and Triadelphia Reservoirs; in March alone she identified twelve species of ducks on these two man-made lakes. Can- vasbacks reached a peak of 10,000 in Talbot County on Mar. 12 (Reese). Hawks . Inland mid-winter records of Peregrine Falcons have been very few in Maryland in the past decade, so the sighting of a small male at Highland in Howard County on Jan. l4 is of interest (James Ruos). Two Golden Eagles were seen regularly through the winter at Blackwater Refuge, and an immature was found at Remington Farms, Kent Cotinty on Feb. 22 (Carlson). Bald Eagles were reported during the period from Anne Arundel, Caroline, Charles, Dorchester, Harford, Kent, Prince Georges, and Wicomico Counties. Rails . There were fewer rails than usual on the Christmas Counts, but the presence of 2 Clapper Rails at St. Michaels on Jan. 1 is note- worthy. The only King Rails reported all winter were 3 at Harmony in Caroline County on Jan. 2 (E. Burklew). Shorebirds . On Jan. 1 Mr. and Mrs. Harry Armistead discovered 2 Black-bellied Plovers in southern Kent County; this is the northernmost winter record for the State. Woodcock arrival dates were widely scattered. These birds came into some areas during the late January warm snap, but did not reach other parts of the State until late February or March. Hank Kaestner reported the first winter record of the American Oyster- catcher for Maryland when he observed a single individual at West Ocean City on Feb . "this species has gradually been extending the northern limit of its wintering range from North Carolina into Virginia, so the Maryland occurrence had been anticipated. Gulls , Alcids . The Lesser Black -backed Gull, a common European spe- cies that could easily be mistaken for a small Great Black -backed Gull, was sighted twice in Maryland in February. The occurrences were reported in greater detail to the Atlantic Naturalist by Carl Carlson, but in- volved single birds discovered by the Scottish ornithologist, Oliver Ashford and shown to Mr. Carlson and Miss Shirley Briggs at Langford June 1967 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE 39 Creek and later at Lawyers Cove in Kent County, both on Feb. 11. Carlson and Miss Jo Walker had another sighting of this species at Still Pond Creek in Kent County on Feb. 22. Returning to a more commonplace species, but in an unusual locality, 3 Great Black-backed Gulls were found at Tan- yard in Caroline County on Jan. 23 (Ethel Engle) and 2 at Denton on Jan. 27 (Marvin W. Hewitt). Another unusual observation in the gull family was of a Little Gull at Ocean City on Feb. 18 (Philip A. DuMont). The Razorbill was officially admitted to the Maryland list when Robert W. Warfield reported the third Maryland sighting of this northern alcid at Ocean City inlet on Jan. 22; the bird was carefully studied, 300 feet off- shore on a calm sea. The two prior sight records, cited in Birds of Maryland , were also from the Ocean City area, one on Dec. 4, 1926 (wetmore), the other on Feb. 3, 1938 (Buckalew). Doves , Owls . The Ringed Turtle Dove is widely kept as a cage bird and has recently become established in southern Florida and in Los Angeles. Possibly it is on the way to becoming more widespread in the United States, as demonstrated by a tame bird that appeared at the Bethesda feeder of Mrs. Robert B. Russ on Dec. 31- With the help of a thoughtful neighbor who took the bird into his home on cold nights, the dove managed to sur- vive through the winter. In the rare owl category we have reports of 2 Long -eared Owls at Shawsville in Harford County (Feb. 19 by Bill Clark and John Getgood), and single Saw-whet Owls at Seneca (Jan. 25, Carlson) and in Talbot County (Mar. 25, Jan Reese). Thrashers , Bluebirds . We expect a scattering of Brown Thrashers to winter almost anywhere on the Coastal Plain, but they still are unusual in mid -winter in the Piedmont; one was seen by Earl Baysinger at his home near Ellicott City on Feb. 11, and another by the Stonestreet Fowkes at Roland Park in the first week of February. Earlier in the winter, 2 had been found on the Rock Rian Christmas Count; but compare this with the total of 64 at Ocean City on Dec. 28. Eastern Bluebird populations re- mained very low, with a grand total of only 77 found on 9 of the 12 Christmas Counts. Kinglets , Pipits . The Southern Dorchester County (Blackwater) Christmas Counters found Ruby-crowned Kinglets to be extraordinarily abundant there this winter, with a tally of l48 individuals setting a new winter high for anywhere in our State; strangely enough. Ruby-crowns were found only in normal numbers elsewhere in Maryland. A small flock of Water Pipits spent the entire winter at Sandy Point State Park (Paul and Danny Bystrak, Elwood Martin). Warblers . Jerry Longcore and Frank McGilvrey had a most unusual ex- perience in the warm spell in late January. On Jan . 24 they heard an Ovenbird singing on the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center. Although they did not see the songster, both men know, the song well. The Ovenbird has not been found in Maryland in winter before, although one was well seen by several observers just a few hundred yards over the Virginia line on the Chincoteague Christmas Count in 1961. Two Pine Warblers frequented Dick Preston's Talbot County feeder from Feb. 1 through the rest of the winter; this species probably winters regularly in small numbers in Talbot 40 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Vol. 23, No. 2 County, but has not been recorded in mid -winter in the more northern counties on Maryland's Eastern Shore. Blackbirds and Orioles . On Feb . 9j Dr. and Mrs. Richard Tousey studied a female Yellow-headed Blackbird 20 feet from their window at Oxon Hill in Prince Georges County; this is the first winter record for Maryland. In addition to the 5 Baltimore Orioles reported on the Mary- land Christmas Counts (April 1967 issue of Audubon Field Notes ), one was at Laurel for a month in mid -winter (Mrs. Earl Huber), one at the Malcolm Thomas' feeder in the Glendale area of Baltimore, 2 at Bertha Howard's feeder in Baltimore on Feb. 7, possibly the same 2 at the Alfred Lawson's feeder, also in February, and 2 from December through February as far in- land as Frederick (Mrs. Dwight Collmus). Grosbeaks, Sparrows , and Buntings . The only Evening Grosbeak re- ported after the close of the Christmas Count period was in Kent County on Jan. l 8 (Mendinhalls). House Finches held their own, but did not show any increase over numbers of the previous winter. Maryland had 3 winter Dickcissels : Denton on Jan. 8 (W. Bright), Federalsburg on Jan. 9 (V. Edwin Unger), and Fulton daily from December through Mar. k, except on days of high wind (Mrs. Harry B. Rauth). A Harris' Sparrow, Maryland's third winter record, was seen at Greenbelt for about three weeks in March (Jack Hailman). In addition to the usual wintering Snow Buntings along the coast and at Sandy Point State Park, there was a record from Garrett County on Feb. 19 by George A. Hall. And the final Lapland Longspur in a banner year for this species broke the State departure record for this Arctic species on Mar . 21, when a male in nearly full breeding plumage was studied at Sandy Point State Park by Prof. Harold Wierenga, Migratory Bird Populations Station Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, Laurel EARLY ARRIVAL OF WOODCOCKS IN ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY Danny Bystrak The weather during the Christmas Count period was harsh, with low temperatures and abundant snow. In spite of this, I found the first wood- cock for the Triadelphia Count in nineteen years. My brother and I found more on the Ocean City and Chincoteague counts, where they occur annually. And on January 15 we found a dead woodcock at Sandy Point State Park. Therefore, when the exceptionally warm weather of late January started, it occurred to me that woodcocks may have arrived at a field in Odenton around which they nest every year. I arrived at the field about 5:^0 p.m. on January 25 . At 5i^ my efforts proved successful when I heard the first one call. As it grew darker the first was joined by three others. They all went through their courting flights until I left at 6:15. I heard them again on January 30 and February 1, by which time the tempera- ture had dropped to normal winter levels. June 1967 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE kl In February the -weather turned drastically cold, with heavy snow and temperatures down to -10 . There seemed to be no chance for the woodcocks, yet some survived by moving into a large seepage swamp about three-quarters mile north of the field. The ground there does not freeze in even the harshest winters. I flushed one there on February h and again on the l8th; on the latter date there were eight inches of snow on the ground, except in the seepage areas. By the middle of March the weather had moderated and the woodcocks were back at the field "singing" in undiminished numbers. In Birds of Maryland the extreme dates of arrival are listed as Janu- ary 19 and 27. The arrival date for this field in the past two years was February 17. It is unlikely that these were wintering birds, since we did not see them prior to this period despite fairly intensive coverage of the area. I believe them to be early migrants, although they may not have migrated very far. They still represent an exceptional arrival date for Anne Arundel County. 582 Rita Drive, Odenton MARYLAND'S THIRD LARK BUNTING Harold Wierenga On Sunday, May 21, 196 7, Mrs. Mattie Shipley spotted an unfamiliar bird at a feeder at her old country place at 801 Furnace Branch Road, Glen Bumie. Her grandson, Tom Kline, who is a medical student at the University of Maryland, identified the bird as a male Lark Bunting ( Calamospiza melanocorys ) and telephoned me the following morning. I watched the bird on May 22 as it a$e "wild bird seed" on the ground at their feeder and as it moved around in the pasture near their house. This common breeding bird of the Great Plains was first found in Maryland on July 10, 1958, when an adult male in breeding plumage was collected in Dorchester County by Brooke Meanley, Robert T. Mitchell, and John S. Webb (Meanley, Maryland Birdllfe lb (3): 59). The second occurrence was just this past summer, when Mrs. A. J. Fletcher ( Maryland Birdlife 22 (3): 9*0 banded and photographed one at her farm near Denton. 1216 Tyler Avenue, Annapolis BREWER’S BLACKBIRDS AT CLAIBORNE, TALBOT COUNTY Carl W. Carlson On March 18, 1967, I stopped to look at a huge flock of birds in a field on the north side of Maryland Route 33 > about a mile east of Clai- borne. I counted roughly 200 Ring -billed Gulls and 100 crows, but sus- pect these totals are less than half the numbers present. In addition, there were Starlings, Brown-headed Cowbirds, Common Grackles and Red- winged Blackbirds in great numbers. 42 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Vol. 23, No. 2 Since the sunlight was just right, my companions and I 'scoped the flock for Brewer's Blackbirds ( Euphagus cyanocephalus ) . Two of us soon found males in different parts of the flock. Thanks to the abundance of grackles and Red-wings, we could thoroughly check the tail, bill and iridescence. A boy passed. by on foot and put the flock in the air, so I was able to compare ’'my 1 ' bird with a nearby grackle while in flight. The flock settled down 50 yards behind us, so I backed up and we searched the extremely active flock and again both of us located a male. The birds were so active that neither of us dared look away, but by des- cribing the actions of our birds, we were able to determine that we had two different individuals. Field marks noted and compared with grackles were the relatively short tail and its squarish end, the blackbird bill (quite different from the heavy grackle bill) and the iridescence of the head and neck. This has always struck me as being closer to bluish than to purplish. Also, it seems to me that this iridescence is much more uniform than that of the grackle in which greens, purples, and blues move and mix as the bird moves. Brewer's Blackbird seems to show either the bluish iridescence or the flat black color. Perhaps this will prove a useful field mark. This is the first time this western species has been observed in Talbot County. 5706 Lone Oak Drive, Bethesda SOME OBSERVATIONS ON THE COASTAL MIGRATION OF THE WHIMBREL AND WILLET Robert W. Warfield For the past five years I have been observing the migration of the Whimbrel ( Numenius phaeopus ) and the Willet ( Catoptrophorus semi- palmatus ). Both of these large shorebirds may be seen in early July migrating along the coastal bays and also just offshore. My interest in the migration of the Whimbrel was stimulated by the comment of Witmer Stone ( Bird Studies at Old Cape May , Dover Reprint, New York, N. Y. 1965, Page 418) that at Cape May the southward flight occurred only when the wind was from the southeast. Since there appeared to be no published information as to the relation between migration and wind direction for this species as it passed through Maryland I attempted to relate July 1 966 observations at Ocean City with the wind direction and approximate wind speed. Since the migration of the Willet follows the same course as that of the Whimbrel it was also ^possible to note several aspects of its migration. Generally we may expect to see the fipst flocks of southbound Whimbrels during the first week of July. My earliest date i$ July 3 , 1963. Usually, the early flocks contain from 6 to 30 birds. This year the first migrants were seen on July 4 when 42 birds in 5 flocks flew southward along the western shore of Isle of Wight Bay between June 1967 MARYLAND BIKDLIFE hi 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. The wind was from the south-southeast at about 10-15 m.p.h. During the next two days the wind was from the south- southwest but no migrants were seen until the evening of July 7, when between 7 P.m. and 8 p.m. 164 in 8 flocks were seen just offshore from Ocean City Inlet. The wind was from the south-southwest at about 5-10 m.p.h. On the following night under almost identical conditions only 3 Whimbrels were seen. Migration continued through July, both offshore and along the coastal bays; however, there were intervals during which few Whimbrels were seen and these intervals occurred during periods when the prevail- ing winds were from the east. For example, on July 23 the wind was from the east and no migrants were seen. Not until the evening of July 26, when the wind had shifted to the south were significant numbers of Whimbrels seen. Based upon these observations it is suggested that the optimum condition for a significant flight of Whimbrels is when the prevailing wind is light (5 to 10 m.p.h.) and from the southeast to southwest. It is hoped that future observations will reveal whether a southerly wind is a necessary condition for migration. It also appears, insofar as the Ocean City area is concerned, that the principal migration route is just offshore and that peak migrations occur principally between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. The Willet is a breeding bird in the Ocean City area so one must exercise caution in separating resident birds from migrants. Migration starts early, my earliest dates being July 4, 1962 and July 4, 1966. Unlike the Whimbrel, the southward flight of the Willet appears to be independent of wind direction. The principal route is along the coastal bays, although a few may be seen just offshore over the ocean. Most of the fi.ocks are small j the typical flock contains from 4 to 10 birds although I have seen flocks of up to 75 individuals. The maxi- mum number seen in an evening was 130 in one hour on July 10, 1965* Late afternoon or early evening seems to be the optimum time for signi- ficant flights. By the first of August most of the resident Willets have departed. However, well into September small flocks of migrating Willets are still seen flying low over the coastal bays. 9 Exeter Road, Cape Isle of Wight, West Ocean City KENTUCKY WARBLER CAUOIT BY BOX TURTLE Hildegard H.Reissmann On a walk through the woods in the first half of June, the 10th to be precise, a feeble flutter on the ground caught my attention. After a few seconds the flutter subsided and I saw a Kentucky Warbler standing on a box turtle— within inches of a neat nest, with four eggs, on the mossy ground. I picked up the turtle and warbler and noticed that the 44 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Vol. 23, No. 2 left foot of the warbler was clamped firmly underneath the turtle's closed flap--or is it lid? I opened the whatever- it- is -called gently, and the bird flew off — its foot pitifully dangling on only a thin strand of tissue- -a few yards into some low tangled bushes where it in- stantly disappeared from sight. I removed the turtle a little distance in the opposite direction; checked the nest an hour later and again in two days. The eggs were there, but I did not locate the bird. I couldn't help speculate about the prelude to this sad mishap. Perhaps the warbler was annoyed at the closeness of the reptile to his nest, valiantly flew at it, and the startled turtle locked him in re- flexly. Would the turtle have kept it prisoner until the last little flutter had died away? Or even after, because the foot irritated the turtle . I submit this report because there are probably numerous dreadful accidents among animals which are never witnessed at all. Ordinarily we see only victims of cars on the road. Le every ridge west of Frederick is used by some hawks in autumn, we still have comparatively little data about which ridges are most used and thus of most interest to birders. In 1949, 1950, 1951 and- 1952 the M. 0. S. made surveys by having observers on various ridges on the same days so that data would be comparable; the results (see Maryland Birdlife 6 (l): 1-11, Jan. -Feb. 1950 for the 1949 report) showed appreciably heavier flights on certain ridges and very few birds on others. The Montgomery Chapter, with advice and assistance from Chan Robbins, proposes to organize a repeat -survey this fall to measure the Broad -wing flight. We will need as many volunteers as possible to provide coverage on all the major ridges from Frederick west. We propose to "keep watch" on Sept. l6, 23, and 30, with the related Sundays as weather -alternates. Please advise by postcard about the ridge you would prefer, the dates you can watch, and the names of those in your party. A detailed notice will go to each Chapter secretary on August 15; full instructions will go to each volunteer a little later, probably in early September. If this survey can be conducted successfully, we hope to use it to measure accipiter and buteo flights next year; we may also arrange co- ordinated watches in Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia as we did back in the 1950 , s. Such efforts, in conjunction with the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary research, should throw much light on hawk routes, travel time, and other aspects of migration. Maryland Hawk Watch : Call For Volunteers Palisades, Crownsville Carl Carlson, 5706 Lone Oak Drive, Bethesda, Md, 20014 June 1967 MARYLAND BIKDLJFE BRANTA CANADENSIS HUTCHINSII IN MARYLAND Jan G. Reese Two specimens of the sub-species Branta canadensis hut chins ii were collected in Maryland during the 1 966 - 1 9^7 waterfowl hunting season. Both specimens were killed by hunters on the Chop tank River. Branta canadensis hut chins ii is commonly called Richardson's Goose or Hutchins' Goose and is only about one-half the size of the locally predominant races of the Canada Goose, Bj_ c^ canadensis and B^ c^ interior . The Richardson's Goose normally winters along the Gulf coast, west of the Mississippi River. Although the plumages of most races of the Canada Goose are very similar, the small size of these specimens plus their culmen, tarsus, and wing chord measurements indicated that they belong to the race, Bj_ c^ hutchinsii . One specimen was taken west of Cambridge, Dorchester County, on November 16, 1966 . It was an immature male and was in the company of individuals of the larger races. It was prepared as a study skin and is now in the bird collections of the U. S. National Museum, Washington, D. C. The second specimen was taken near Oxford, Talbot County, on January 7* 1967. It was also in the company of birds of the larger races and was prepared as a mounted specimen which is presently in the possession of a taxidermist. During December 1966 and January and February 1 967 » five Talbot County residents reported seeing abnormally small Canada Geese among flocks of larger Canada Geese. Some of these reports came from fairly reputable bird observers but others I would have to record as hypo- thetical since I did not see any of these birds myself, and those who did failed to record any specific dates. These five sightings, coupled with the two specimens, might indicate that the Richardson's Goose winters in the Chesapeake Bay more commonly than realized or that the winter of 1 966 - 1 967 brought a rare influx of them from their normal wintering range. Six previous Maryland observations of the Richardson's Goose, recorded in Maryland Birdlife are as follows: On October 29, 195° Seth Low and Jane Tuttrap observed one Hutchin's Goose in a flock of 29 Canada Geese at Triad elphia Reservoir (Vol. 6-55) ; two pint-sized individuals believed to represent the small arctic race hutchinsii were studied on Miles River Neck, Talbot County, in company with 2 captive birds of that race on Jan. 1, 1961, by Charles M. Buchanan, Miss Edith Adkins and Mrs. George Bamer (Vol. 17:57); single small geese that are presumed to belong to this same race were seen in Umx.y> Montgomery County, through the winter by Seth H. Low and at Heine's Pond near Berlin, Worcester County, on March 31 » 1961 by J. Weske and Robert F. MacLachlan (Vol. 17:57); small Canada Geese (probably of the race hutchinsii ) were noted at Remington Farms, Kent County, on Oct. 5» 1961 (1 bird, Clark Webster) and in Talbot County on Nov. 23* 1961 (5 birds, Jan Reese) (Vol. 18:11). 5612 23rd Parkway, Apt. 1 Hillcrest Heights, 2003 1 MARYLAND BIEDLIFE Vol. 23, No. 2 LANDBIRD MIGRANTS GROUNDED AT OCEAN CITY Malcolm Thomas On Monday, May 15, the day after the 1967 M. 0, S. Convention, my wife and I awoke to find fog covered all of Ocean City so thickly that we could barely see the ocean from the porch of the Hastings Hoteli When we made our way out to the parking lot, prepared for an unpleasant trip back to Baltimore, we had the first intimation that this was to be a most un- usual morning indeed. On the parking lot were 2 male and 3 female Yellow- throats ( Geothlypis trichas ). We looked at them, surprised that they should be so far downtown, but still we did not detect the significance of their presence. From the parking lot, we drove to the inlet, but it was too foggy to see any water birds. Leaving there, we turned into Baltimore Avenue, and just beyond the first traffic light, where there is an open lot on the left side, I noticed a bright yellow warbler in a low bush. Hastily stop- ping the oar, I was attempting to get a better look when my wife excitedly called out that the low grass was literally flooded with birds. After finding that my yellow bird was a Blue -winged Warbler ( Verminora pinus ) , we attempted to identify all the birds that were perched on clothes lines, an abandoned car, the porch roof and in four or five low bushes in front of the house. Immediately apparent were 5 Catbirds ( Dumetella carolinen - sis ), then a Swains on's Thrush ( Hylocichla ustulata ) perched on the hood of the car. My wife pointed out a Wilson's Warbler ( Wilsonia pusilla ) just as I saw a Myrtle Warbler ( Dendroica coronata ) in the grass beside our car. A mouse -like movement in the low grass attracted our attention to 3 Savannah Sparrows ( Passer cuius sandwichensis ) . Sharing a clothes line were a Brown Thrasher ( Toxostoma rufum ), an "empidonax flycatcher, and one of the several dozen Yellowthroats that were there. Add to this the usual Song Sparrows, grackles. House Sparrows, a Mockingbird, and Starlings, and there was hardly room for anything else. We watched this amazing sight for a good time and then drove to the banding station. This too was very rewarding. The woods were aswarm with grounded birds: Catbirds, Rose -breasted Grosbeaks, White -throated Sparrows by the dozens and many different warblers. The weather map for 1 a.m. on May 15 shows a stationary front ex- tending through Raleigh, N. C., Virginia Beach, Va., and thence northeast- ward just 10 or 20 miles off the Maryland coast. Winds over eastern North Carolina and extreme southeastern Virginia were light southwest, favoring northward migration; but extensive fog to the west of the stationary front enveloped the eastern half of Maryland. The migrating landbirds evidently had been moving northward in the maritime tropical air east of the stationary front; then, when dawn ap- proached and the birds found themselves over the ocean, they turned west- ward, flew through the front, and put down at the first land they found. 6625 Queens Ferry Road, Baltimore June 1967 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE £j£ MINUTES of THE ANNUAL MEETING of THE M. 0. S. INC., May 12, 19 67 The Annual meeting of the Maryland Ornithological Society, Inc., was called to order by the President, Mr, V. Edwin Unger, on May 13, 1967 , at the Ha 3 tings -Miramar Hotel, Ocean City, Maryland, at ?:00 p.m. with over 100 voting members present, establishing a quorum. Mr. Unger extended greetings and stated that we had the largest registration ever, with 245 persons in attendance. Delegations from each chapter were recognized. A motion was made and seconded to dispense with the reading of the minutes which had been published in the June 1966 issue of MARYLAND BIRDLIFE . The treasurer's report was read and placed on file. Capt. J. E. M. Wood read the auditor's report. The annual reports from each Chapter were read and placed on file. COMMITTEE REPORTS : Birdlife Mr. Robbins reported on the additional project for the year - publication of the Maryland Birdlife Index - 1958-1964, prepared by Willet T. Van Velzen. He gave special thanks, also, to Miss Mildred Cole and to Mrs. Gladys Cole, who was responsible for assembly. Additional commendation was given to members who help in the regular production of our magazine. He asked that the membership pass along their wishes for the maga- zine - its content, or deletion of material. He stated that the May State-wide Bird count records should be in as soon as possible. A standing ovation was given to Mr. Robbins in appreciation and recognition of th'e fine work he is doing. Conservation Mrs. Eileen Spring, chairman, noted that conservation news is disseminated through the Baltimore Chapter Newsletter, a copy of which is sent to each Chapter President. She then reported on up-to-date progress of various issues which have been of concern during the year. Mrs. Eleanor Robbins reported on several conservation issues of both state and national concern, and urged that letters be written stating our individual positions as they are brought to our attention. She discussed the National Wilderness Bill, and the lengthy procedures involved in carrying out the provisions of this bill. Mr. Philip A. Dumont, Chief, Branch of Interpretation, Division of Wildlife Refuges, U. S. Dept, of the Interior, amplified her remarks, with specific reference to action taken regarding the Great Swamp in New Jersey. 48 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Vol. 23 , No. 2 Sanctuary Mr. Robert Sharp read the report of the Sanctuary Committee and it was placed on file. Audubon Scholarships Three scholarships were awarded this year; two Helen Miller scholar- ships - one to the Audubon Camp in Maine to Miss Lydia M, Beiler, Wicomico Chapter; and one to Mrs. Dorothy dark, Baltimore Chapter, who has elected to attend the one week Audubon Camp School in Connecticut. The Katharyn Brown Lakeman Scholarship was awarded to Mrs. Marjorie A. Baclawski, of the Montgomery Chapter, who will attend the Maine Cai^p. Nominating Committee Dr. Douglas Miner, chairman of the Nominating Committee, reported that the following nominations for Trustees had been made by the several Chapters : Allegany Mrs. Leo Isaacs Miss Nan Livingstone Anne Arundel Miss Miriam Parmenter Miss Dorothy Mumford Baltimore Mrs. Joshua Rowe Mr. Rodney Jones Mrs. Robert E. Kaestner Mr. Chandler S. Robbins Mr, A. MacDonough Plant Caroline Mr. Marvin W. Hewitt Mrs. Percy Scudder Frederick Mrs. Mary S. Motherway Dr. Howard Hodge Harford Dr. Edgar E. Folk Miss Estella Everett Kent Mr. Carl A. Westerdahl Mrs. Edward Mendinhall Mrs. Carl A. Westerdahl Montgomery Dr. Thomas M. Valega Mr. Carl W. Carlson Patuxent Mr. Morris R. Collins Mr. Elwood Fisher Talbot Mr. Dickson J. Preston Dr. Edw. 0. Hulburt Mrs. Edw. 0. Hulburt Wicomico Miss Joy Heaster Mr, Roy Howie Dr. Miner President First Vice-Fres. Second Vice-Pres. Treasurer Secretary then presented the following slate of officers: - Mr. V. Edwin Unger - Dr. W. Rowland Taylor - Mr. Chandler S. Robbins - Mr. Winfield Henning - Mrs. Edwin C. Gras Motion was made that the nominations be closed. It was seconded and approved and the Secretary instructed to cast the ballot. New Business Mr. Unger reviewed the procedures for the Helen Miller Scholarship and Endowment Funds. Mr. Carl Carlson moved, and it was seconded and passed, that the Helen Miller Scholarship amounts be taken from operating revenues; and that contributions from chapters be placed in the Endowment Fund, until such a time that it reaches the desired level. June 1967 MARYLAND BIRELIFE JH Mr. Unger announced that in consideration of ways and means to in*. crease the effectiveness of our organization, progress is being made on a brochure. This publication is intended to acquaint those interested with the organization: what it is; who is in it; what it does’ what it hopes to do and how; encourage others to join, and to contribute. A board of editors has been appointed to review and advise concerning the contents and construction of the brochure. The meeting was opened to any questions from the floor. Questions were answered concerning: M. 0. S. affiliation with other Bird Clubs; and reasons for "No Trespassing” signs at Mill Creek Sanctuary. Mrs. Schaffer reported on the Junior Nature Camp to be held at Camp Mohawk, on the Patuxent River, June 16-18, and invited chapters to submit applicants. Mrs. Wood suggested sending flowers to Miss Cole from M. 0. S. Mrs. Mendinhall extended a cordial invitation to the M. 0. S. membership to attend a family picnic at ’’Damsite" , Chestertown, at noon on Saturday, July 8, I 967 . Mrs. Isaacs extended an invitation from the Allegany Chapter to attend the Anniversary Weekend at Carey Run Sanctuary, June 24-25, 196?. Mr. Unger commended Mr. Harvey Hall and his committee for the fine work in making arrangements and carrying out plans for the Convention. He then announced the Trustee’s meeting to follow immediately. The annual meeting was adjourned at 9i00 p.m. Respectfully submitted Alta Gras, Secretary 50 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Vol. 23, No. 2 ANNUAL REPORT of The Treasurer MARYLAND ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY, INC. Fiscal Year April 20, 1966 to April 20, 19 67 OPERATING FUND Balance April 20, 1966 Receipts: Dues $1,799.00 Convention Profit 65 . 30 Advertising 25 . 0 0 Interest Received 15.68 Other Income 50.10 Total Income Expenditures : MARYLAND BIRDLIFE (4 issues & index) $1,205.60 Nesting Cards, Membership Cards 78.50 Office Supplies, Telephone, etc. 240.67 Mailing Permit 30.00 National Audubon Affiliation 25. 00 Fire Protection, Carey Run 10,00 Delaware Wildlands 100.00 Total Expenditures Fund Balance April 20, 1967 $2,375.51 1,955.08 1,689.77 $2,6bQ,82 THE HELEN MILLER SCHOLARSHIP FUND Fund Balance April 20, 1966 $185.50 Income: Donations 120.00 305.50 Expenditures: One Scholarship (Gelder) 126.00 Fund Balance April 20, 1967 $180.50 The Helen Miller Endowment Fund Fund Balance April 20, 1966 Income: Anonymous Gift Interest Fund Balance April 20, 1967 $434.51 $100.00 19.58 119.58 I55O9 June 1967 MARYLAND BIHDLIFB 11 SANCTUARY FUND Fund Balance April 20, 1966 $15,442.63 Receipts: Interest & Dividends $367.32 Capital Gains & Rights Sold 105.48 Anonymous Gift, 42 sh. Superior Gable 2,520.00 Other Gifts 550.40 Other Income 20.00 Total Income Expenditures: Property and Liability Insurance 120.25 Rent, Rock Run 120.00 Repairs to Sanctuary Properties 777.05 Capital Loss on Securities 14.45 Miscellaneous Expense 2.00 Capital Improvements ( £ Acre , Mill Creek) 17.40 Total Expenditures Fund Balance April 20, 1967 19,005.33 1.051.15 $ 17 , 95 * 1.66 Reconciliation of Accounts and Assets on Hand Funds : Operating $ 2,6*1 0.82 Sanctuary Fund 17,95*1.68 Helen Miller Scholarship Fund 180.50 Helen Miller Endowment Fund 55*1.09 Investments : Bank Balance $1 ,932.41 Bldg. & Loan Acct. #1 1,170.46 « « if w ^2 554.09 Securities: 221 Sh. Dominick Fund 4,584.26 100 Sh. American Potash 3,662.13 69 Sh. Litton Ind. Com. ) 9 Sh. » " Pref. ) 3,965.32 ? Sh. I. B. M. 2,554.42 6 Sh. I. T. & T. 387.00 42 Sh. Superior Cable 2.520.00 $21,330.09 $21,330.09 Other Assets of M. 0. S. Carey Run Sanctuary $ 4,000.00 Mill Creek Sanctuary 12,896.98 Sanctuaries are carried at cost plus improvements. Securities are carried at cost or at value as of the date of acquisition. Present values (May 4th) exceed above-stated figures by slightly more than seven thousand dollars. MARYLAND BIKDLIFE Vol. 23, No. 2 52 ANNUAL REPORTS OF LOCAL CHAPTERS ALLEGANY COUNTY CHAPTER The Allegany Chapter has had meetings every month except July and August. Valuable programs were presented under the direction of Mrs. Edgar Reynolds. In September we met at Carey Run and the program was a field trip led by Mr. Wm. Leeson. In October we were privileged to be host to the State Board Meeting at Carey Run. Mr. J. A. Minke, past president, was our speaker in October. He also showed a film "Marshland Magic." In Novem- ber we honored Mr. Minke upon his retirement as Regional Game Warden. The program was an illustrated lecture "The Terns of the Dry Tortugas" given by Anderson Martin. The Christmas Bird Count was almost a failure due to inclement weather. Few people participated; few birds were counted. Mr. Edgar Reynolds gave an illustrated talk, "The Development of a Fertile Egg" in January. Mr. Wm. Leeson showed slides of native wild flowers at our February meetings. "Conservation" was the topic of our March program. State President, Mr. V. Edwin Unger, was our guest at the April meeting. "Islands of Green, " an Audubon film, was shown. Our May Count was led by Mr. Kendrick Hodgdon. Walks were held at Koon Dam, along the C & 0 Canal, and at Rocky Gap State Park. Our most important activity is the Junior Nature and Conservation Camp directed by Miss Nan Livingston and Mrs. Leo Isaacs, held at Pleas- ant Valley, June 13-18, 1966 with 124 campers. The big project for crafts was the making of bluebird houses. The art class made papier-mache butter- flies, insects, or birds and decorations for the banquet, Billie Taylor used the "25/75 Nature Game" to help the children orient themselves in the natural outdoor laboratory, and to extend interest in identifying the animal and plant life. Mel Garland continues the bird banding records for the camp. With the help of visiting conservationists, the counselors felt we had a worthwhile camping experience. Mrs. Leo Isaacs, President ANNE ARUNDEL CHAPTER The Anne Arundel Chapter had an entirely new set of officers this past year, including a President of only three years membership in M.O.S., and still a little "green" about all the M.O.S. rules and regulations. However, the President has had excellent committees to work with, and the assistance of former officers, specifically the immediate past President, Alta Gras, and we can report a successful year. Our membership stands at 84 with 8 Juniors . The general plan for our program is a field trip and a lecture meet- ing each month, with a few extras like the M.O.S. Convention, Operation Recovery, Annual Bird Counts and trips to State Sanctuaries. Including MARYLAND BIRDLIFE 53 June 1967 three field, trips during the summer months, there have been 12 bird walks and field trips , including the week-end trip to Washington Monument State Park for hawk flight observation; a walk up the C&O Canal along the Poto- mac; visit to Carey Pun Sanctuary; a joint walk with Montgomery Chapter at Sandy Point and Kent Island; a visit to Kenilworth Gardens, and the annual field trip to Sandy Point in September, followed by bean soup and coffee at Capt. and Mrs. Woods' . We end the year with a Gettysburg Rendevous with a former member. Miss Reida Longanecker, at her home there. Seven lecture meetings were held. Topics were as follows: "Pacific Project-Biological Ocean Survey Program" by Mr. Paul DuMont, the survey being sponsored by the Smithsonian. "Falconry and Hawk Identification" by Mr. Richard McCcwn of Chestertown, who brought a live falcon with him. "Waterfowl Identification, Behavior and Habitat" by Mr. Michael Sorenson, Waterfowl Biologist for Patuxent Research Center. "Major Biological Features of Alaska" by Mr. Francis Williamson, Ornithologist doing research at Johns Hopkins. "Maryland Birds in Color and Sound" by our own Mr. and Mrs. David Howard, showing films and playing records of bird songs they had taken. "Shore Birds" by Mr. Philip DuMont of the U.S. Dept, of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service. The highpoint of the year was when an audience of 250 attended the Wildlife film lecture on "land of the Drowned River" by Dr. Charles Stine, and held for the benefit of our local Sanctuary Fund. Members of the Chapter participated in the Christmas and May Bird Counts, and assisted in Operation Recovery on the Eastern Shore. We have received excellent co-operation from Mrs. Helen Giblo, ed- itor of the "Outdoors" column in the "Evening Capital," in publishing the fine articles written by our Chapter Secretary, Judy Wilson. Thus we are keeping our membership and friends informed of the Chapter ' s activities . Four newsletters have been sent to the membership and friends; these were written by our past president, Alta Gras, and mimeographed and mail- ed with the cooperation of other officers . The membership was also alert- ed re: the Sunday Hunting Bill and several wrote to Committee members and Senators . The Bill was defeated in Committee . Miriam F. Farmenter, President BALTIMORE CHAPTER The membership of the Baltimore Chapter has continued to grow at a healthy rate. We ended the season with 3^9 members. We have had an exciting series of trips this year which were arrang- ed for us by Mrs . Edith Conely and Mrs . Barbara Iarrabee . We visited many old familiar areas; C&O Canal (twice). Nags Head, Catoctin, South Moun- tain, |Patuxent and Iferry Point. In the fall, we visited the Woods' for birding at Sandy Point (and for their delicious soup) and in the winter we .visited the Howards 1 in Annapolis . We have visited all of the MOS sanctuaries. This year we have tried some new trips such as Java Farms MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Sl Vol* 23 , No. 2 (3 times), LIlypons near Frederick and Nanj emoy Creek In Charles County. Our monthly meetings have eirphasized the travels of our own members . We have been birding in the Yukon with Compton Crook, in England with Chan Robbins, in Iceland with the Lubberts, In Scotland and the Faero Islands with Gladys Cole. Miss Alverta Dillon took us to the Austrian Alps . We can highly recommend these programs to other chapters . For our annual dinner meeting the speaker was an old friend gfi MOS, Merrill Cottrell. Our first Christmas Count, organized by Ed Rykiel, was quite success- ful. With the experience gained, we hope to have even better coverage in future winters . Our spring lecture was also presented by a member of MOS. Dr. William J . L. Sladen presented a delightful color film with commentary of "The Penguins of Cape Crozier." Our Junior program, under the direction of Mrs. Alfred Lawson and Mrs. Norwood Schaffer, has continued in the same excellent manner as previous years. Twenty-one bird and nature walks were held for young- sters on Saturdays and during school vacations . Mr. Jerry Howe again organized a wonderful series of seminars, this year's topic being Birds and Habitats of the Baltimore Area. The success of our program has been due to the hard work of many people, too many to be listed. I wish to thank the 13 committee chair- men and the more than 30 trip leaders who have made the past year such a delightful experience for the birders in the Baltimore area. I am sure that the Baltimore Chapter's progress will continue under the capable leadership of its new president, Mrs. Joshua Rowe. W. Rowland Taylor, President CAROLINE COUNTY CHAPTER Compared with recent years the Caroline County Bird Club has had a very successful year. Kiere has been a noticeable increase in attendance which is quite encouraging. A greater effort was made to hold meetings in the various towns of Caroline County to accommodate members in those areas . In September Terry Moore gave an interesting talk on birds he had seen in Brownsville and Harlingen, Texas, In southeastern Arizona and along the Pacific coast . At another meeting a cooperative program was given by various members of the club . The outstanding film about the Bald Eagle constituted another program. We had Mrs. Gardiner Tillinghast as our guest from the Talbot County Bird Club and she gave a most entertaining and educational pro- gram on Bird Feeding. In March an excellent film "Patterns of the June I96T MARYLAND BIKDLIFE 15 Wild" was shown to the club and this film can he highly- recommended. Caroline County's only mountain climber, Carlton Gooden, entertained the club with a slide-talk on his experiences along the Appalachian Trail, at the regular meeting in April. Our club members will not soon forget the 1966 Christmas Bird Count in the snow with side effects of thunder and lightning. The State-wide Bird Count in May will also be remembered for the heavy rainfall. Our year will be capped off with a picnic slated for some time in June . Marvin W. Hewitt, President FREDERICK COUNTY CHAPTER The Frederick Chapter of MOS had a successful year considering the small membership, which totals 32 adults and 1 junior. We were saddened by the death of Mrs . Olive Swann, one of our newest members . Nine monthly meetings were held with excellent speakers . Represent- atives from the State Soil Conservation Department, the Mathers National Park Training Center at Harpers Ferry, the C & 0 Canal Monument Park Service and the State Forest Service presented interesting and informative illustrated lectures . Other outstanding guest speakers were Mel Garland who spe&& on "Birds of Prey" at the December dinner-meeting; Irving Harnpe who explained the value of Art in the Bird World; David Bridge whose subject was "Birds Nests; " and William Russell with an instructive lec- ture on "Spring Warblers . " All of the meetings were well attended, due in part to the good publicity we received from the local newspapers and radio stations . The field trips proved to be popular this year, with larger groups of members and non-members participating. Those who made the Christmas Count ended the day as guests at a buffet dinner at tbe home of Dr. and Mrs. John Richards, Tftnml tsburg . An early April trip to the Lewistown- Creagerstown and Tresselt fish pond area produced 36 species, a surpris- ingly fine count for this season. Several of our members responded to the call to write as individuals to their Governor and Congressmen concerning the proposed Cunningham Falls and the Potomac River dams, esspressing their objections. Letters were also published in the local newspapers . We wish to greet the new Wicomico Chapter and offer our birding territory for their use at any time. We also thank the Baltimore Chapter for the suggestions and help they continue to give us. Our last event of the season will be a field trip and picnic supper along the Potomac River and the C & 0 Canal, at White's Ferry, June 11 . Mrs, Mary S. Motherway, President 56 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Vol. 23, No. 2 HARFORD COUNTY CHAPTER During the past year, our Chapter has had five hi -monthly dinner meetings, followed by interesting talks by guest speakers on topics re- lated to birds or birding. A regular feature of all our meetings has been a review of each member's birding experiences since the previous meeting. We continue to regard the Rock Run Sanctuary as our "special baby," and several of our members keep feeders constantly filled. Many members participated in the Christmas and May bird counts. Edgar E. Folk III, President KENT COUNTY CHAPTER The 1966-67 program for the Kent County Chapter was one of almost constant activity . Our regular meetings f eatured such speakers as : Mr . Ervin McIntosh, manager of the Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge: Mr. Vernon Stotts of the Maryland Game and Inland Fish Commission; Mr. Chandler Robbins and Dr. Ray Erickson of the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center; Dr. William Sladen of Johns Hopkins University; and Mr. David Smith and Mr. Robert Sharp of the Talbot County Chapter. Our field trip program included trips to Blackvater Wildlife Refuge, and Eastern Neck Wildlife Refuge and a railroad ramble to Mt. Cuba, Del. Bird counting activities were centered in the Christmas Count on January 1 and the Spring Count on May 6. Our conservation activity included a concerted effort to fight the construction of a B. F. Goodrich Plastic Plank and Pier on the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal. This plant would have been a major source of pollu- ion in the upper Chesapeake Bay. The chapter has taken on two major projects for the 1967-68 year. These include our second annual exhibit of American Bird Carvings to be held in November and a series of five National Audubon Lectures to be held throughout the winter. We will be most pleased to offer these lectures in the new Fine Arts Center at Washington College. Our chapter will contribute to the Chestertown Tea Party Festival that is being held on 26, 27 and 28 May, 1967 by arranging a window display. I am most pleased to report that we now have 106 adult members and 6 junior members . A special mention should be made here of the continued devotion and interest of two members of the chapter. Dorothy and Edward Mendinhall have contributed their time, effort, energy, intellect, and wisdom to our cause. Mrs. Mendinhall 1 s banding station at Damsite is a project of which every Kent County Chapter member is extremely proud. Mr. Mendinhall' s mature wisdom and guidance have kept the Kent County Chapter solvent and in extremely fine working order. The Kent County Chapter is extremely pleased to have these two outstanding human beings as members . Carl A. Westerdahl, President June 196T MARYLAND BIRDLIFE 57 MONTGOMERY COUNTY CHAPTER Our year began, with a meeting on September 15, 19 66. An excellent lecture by Will Russell on "Fall Migration Along the Coast" was pre- sented. This lecture was followed up by a memorable field trip to Cape May on September 30 to October 2. Thousands of migrating Broad-winged Hawks and a total of 1 86 species of birds were seen. We have been most fortunate in our speakers this year. They have been the following: Mr. Paul DuMont - "Project Pacific and the Seabirds" Dr. Fred Evenden - "Birds and Habitats of the Pacific Coast"; Dr. Don Messersmith - "Summer Birding in the British Isles, Iceland, and Europe"; Dr. Richard Zusi - "Bird Classification"; and Dr. Millicent Ficken - "Field Study of Bird Behavior." We are greatly appreciative to these scientists, and fellow ’birders', for their time and effort in giving these excellent talks . In November, 18 members made a 4 -day trip to the Outer Banks of North Carolina, but the cold weather and excessive winds kept the score low. Other chapter field trips include 1-day walks in the County, trips to the Delaware and Chesapeake Bay areas, and a trip to Carlisle, Pa. to try for hawks . At the March meeting new officers of the chapter were elected. We are currently working on the establishment of the following committees: program, field-trip, publicity, membership, juniors, conservation, rare- bird 'phone alert', sanctuary, and checklist. As the year oloses, our membership stands at about 80 individuals; these include 46 single, l6 family, and 2 life memberships. In compar- ison, last year's total was 78* We are preparing for a menbership drive next fall. T. M. Valega, President PATUXENT CHAPTER The 1966-67 Patuxent Bird Club season followed, very closely, the same pattern as the previous season. It has been an interesting year both in speakers and bird walks and for the first time in our history we were able to provide a program in advance for our members and any- one else interested in the Patuxent Bird Club . It helped considerably and we hope to put one out for the 1967-68 season. We had eight regular meetings and a picnic for our June meeting (December, July and August were skipped ) . There were five bird walks, including two to the Java Farms and a tour of local Bird Feeding Stations Since the club members were taking part in the Christmas Count and the State-wide Bird Count, no trips were scheduled for December or May. Our speakers, as usual, were very interesting and their subjects varied widely. Color slides were shown with all the talks. Dr. John Terborgh, an ecologist with the University of Maryland wound up the 1966 58 MARYLAND BIEDLIPE Vol. 23, No. 2 spring season with a talk about his birding expedition to New Guinea. Ralph Andrews of the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center opened the 1$66 fall season with a talk on Bird Photography using a telescope mounted on a gunstock. This was followed in October by a very interesting talk by Chandler Robbins on his "Impressions of British Birds" on his trip to Great Britain in the summer of 19 66. The other speakers and their sub- jects were: Birds of the Palmer Peninsula, Antarctic (Philip Angle), Rare and Endangered Species (Eugene Khoder), Ospreys (Jan Reese), Field Studies of Bird Behavior (Mrs. Robert Ficken) and Falconry (James Ruos). Mrs. Robbins continues to give us much needed and valuable publicity in her weekly column in the Laurel News Leader. Last, but far from least, thanks tc Mrs. Robbins’ efforts as head of our Book and Bird Seed store, we were able to contribute $150.00 to the MOS Sanctuary Fund. Morris R. Collins, President TALBOT COUNTY CHAPTER The Talbot County Bird Club sponsored the following activities this year: Held seven monthly meetings with four local speakers and three guest speakers. Enjoyed ten breakfast hikes on Sundays for adults. Held six luncheon hikes on Saturday mornings for children. Had a successful bird count on January 1st, counting 102 species and about 199,000 indl- idual birds . Sponsored five Audubon Screen Tours . Have gone ahead slowly with Mill Creek Sanctuary cutting new trails and starting a shelter at the picnicing area; the Garden Club of the Eastern Shore has plans for plant- ing and caring for the Laurel Trail and has already placed benches in various beauty spots. The Club has ten new members this year bringing our list to over 100. Teresa Hulburt, President. WICOMICO COUNTY CHAPTER The Wicomico County Chapter of the MOS was formed in November 1966, and accepted as a chapter at the April 19^7 Trustees Meeting at Black- water. The Wicomico Club had its election of officers in March 1967 follows: Miss Joy L. Heaster, President; Mr, Herbert Ferrand, Vice President; Mr. Harold Wendall, Secretary; Mrs. Frances Anger, Treasurer; Mr. J. Roy Howie, Trustee. The Chapter at present has 65 members, and we believe this will continue to grow. Our geographic location is ideal. Our plans for the future are a Junior Bird Club, a developed nature center and sanctuary, and the continuing enjoyment of bird watching with other enthusiastic nature lovers. Miss Joy L. Heaster, President June 196 7 MARYLAND BXRDLXFE 59 1966-67 SANCTUARY REPORT Carey Run, reported by Mrs . C . Gordon Taylor A new porch and steps were built. All windows were puttied and safety catches installed. New window frames were put in where necessary. The wooden framework of the house was painted. A new culvert was placed across Carey Run, and Carey Run was dammed to form a nice pond. A bulldozer was used to improve the road near the pond. Two deacon’s benches and a kitchen table were donated by members. In addition to overnight guests and family camping by members, the following groups visited Carey Run Sanctuary: Head Start, Catch-up, Garden Club, Boy Scouts, and Elementary School classes. Boy Scouts plan- ned and made markers for a trail, and placed three bird feeders . Grass was cut on two trails, the campfire area, the teaching stations, and the parking area. Also, the lawn was mowed as often as necessary. Nature Camp was in session during the last two weeks of July (10 girls and 10 boys). Twenty bluebird nesting boxes were placed by the campers. The girls also cut a new trail and the boys constructed a 17- room apartment house for Purple Martins. Mill Creek, reported by Robert L. Smith The construction of a shelter, 20 ft. by 2k ft., at the headquarters area was begun. There will be a fireplace at one end. The felling of a dead tree threatening the new shelter brought to light a large family of unsuspected and highly indignant flying squirrels. Under the direction of Philip Barske of the Wildlife Management Institute, The Garden Club of the Eastern Shore is using part of the Laurel Trail in a project to clear and plant seed-bearing indigenous trees and shrubs. The Laurel Trail has been extended to form a loop back to headquarters . From the notes left by visitors, many groups have enjoyed visits to Mill Creek during the past year. Rock Run, reported by Gladys Cole Over 300 people have used Rock Run Sanctuary this year. Scouts, 4-H clubs and garden clubs have come for bird study and nature walks. Opera- tion Recovery was conducted for the fifth consecutive year to study the fall migration through the Sanctuary as compared with other locations. A pump was installed by Mr. Paul during the drought last summer. A new cupboard was installed and the house was painted inside and out this spring. The lawns and trails have been kept in good shape, and the feed- ers were kept filled all winter. Three large groups are coming in May. 60 MARYLAND BIRSLIFB Vol. 23, No. 2 THE PRESIDENT'S PAGE V. Edwin Unger Although our fiscal year ends on April nineteenth and the new one begins on the twentieth, we look upon convention time as the beginning of the new year and well we might for that is the time of electing new officers and new trustees. Then it is, too, that new committees are formed and new goals set. It is natural, then, that at this season I should reflect upon the year just ended and also contemplate the year ahead. When thinking of the old year, I am filled with gratitude. With membership increasing, finances in order, a new chapter formed, excellent cooperation from officers, trustees and committee members; with chapter activities bustling and .with convention attendance at an alltime high, how could I feel otherwise? It is not too difficult to look to the new year with optimism after a year like the past one. For the third time, I have been able to form my committees without a single refusal. New Chapter Presidents have discussed plans for the year ahead. Work is well along on some long-range activities, of which you will hear more later. Favorable publicity is coming our way. Locally, and on a national scale, people are recognizing the importance of conservation, asking for and supporting legislation to that end. It will be heartening to all of you to learn of a letter lately received from Chandler Robbins, from which I quote: "Last May, Golden Press published * Birds of North America ' of which I was senior author. It is my wish that all my royalties from this book go to certain conservation organizations to help in some small way with the preserva- tion of wildlife and wildlife habitats." Enclosed with the letter were securities, duly assigned, with a value of eleven hundred ten ($1110.00) dollars I It is such as this that makes it a pleasure to serve as an officer of M. 0. S. , willing to do one’s utmost and wishing for the ability to do more. Federalsburg June 1967 MARYLAND HTRPLIFE 61 COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS 1 967-68 Auditing: John Wanuga , Chairman Miss Edith Adkins Ronald Nevius By-laws : Rodney B. Jones, Chairman A. MacDonough Plant Barclay Tucker Budget: Edwin T. McKnight, Chairman Morris Collins Dr. Vincent Jones Charles N. Mason Winfield Henning, Treas. Conservation: Dr. & Mrs. David Spring Investments : Mabon Kingsley, Chairman Richard Kleen Edward Mendinhall Winfield Henning Publications : Chandler S. Robbins, Editor Edward J. Rykiel, Jr., Ass't Editor Sanctuary: Robert Sharp, II, Chairman Mrs. Richard Cole, Vice-chairman B. F. Early Mrs. Basil Gregory Anderson Martin Mrs. C. Gordon Taylor Mrs. Gardner Tillinghast Acting Executive Secretary: Miss Mildred Cole The Nominating Committee will be elected at the October Trustees 1 meeting. 62 MARYLAND ' BIRDLIPE Vol. 23, No. 2 MARYLAND'S FIRST BLACK -NECKED STILT AND FOURTH RUFF Henry T. Armistead and William C. Russell On Saturday, May 6, 1967# the writers took part in the M.O.S. State- wide Bird Count, covering Dorchester County. Early that morning we spent over an hour checking the fresh water pond at the Visitor's Center (Dieffenbach Pool) of Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, which was being patronized by several hundred shorebirds, the most numerous of which were Dunlins ( Erolia alpina ) , 25O, and Least Sandpipers ( Erolia minutilla ), 100. We soon noticed a single, striking Black-necked Stilt ( Himantopus mexicanus ) feeding in the shallows. We watched it carefully as it fed and observed it in flight and calling. Later this same day the bird was seen by others. This is the first sight record for Maryland. Maryland records of stilts are overdue. Since May 1962 they have occurred regularly at the Little Creek Wildlife Area near Dover, Delaware. Up to 12 individuals have been seen there on dates ranging from April 22 to September 10. Breeding is suspected but remains unproven in spite of careful search. So it is almost certain that these birds have passed, unnoticed, through Maryland for at least the last 5 years. Stilts have also been recorded recently elsewhere in Delaware at Delaware City (196k) and Bombay Hook Refuge ( 196L , 1965), in New Jersey at Brigantine Refuge (1961), Rums on (1961, 1962), and Stone Harbor (1966), in Pennsylvania at Tinicum Wildlife Preserve (1961), and in Virginia at Back Bay Refuge (1965* 19^6). In 1952 an attempt to reintroduce stilts into New Jersey was made by hatching their eggs in a Willet nest near Turkey Point. The results were not definitely determined, but records at Cold Spring, New Jersey, in August, 1952, and in May and June 1953 in New York and Massachusetts were suspected to have possibly been birds which had hatched from these eggs. At any rate, stilts have been in- creasing as breeders on the North Carolina Outer Banks, and it seems likely that there will be more Maryland records soon. The other rarity at Blackwater was a Ruff ( Philomachus pugnax ) , a male, which we saw both feeding and at rest. We had a good view of it as it flew by less than 100 feet away and the oval white patches at the base of the tail were easily and clearly seen. This is the fourth record for Maryland; there is but 1 record for the District of Columbia: 1, Assateague Island (Green Run), Worcester County, August 6, 19^8, John H. Buckalew 1, District of Columbia, September 22, 1957# P. A, DuMont 1, Ocean City, Worcester County, August 23, 1961)-, P. A. DuMont 1, Mouth of South River, Anne Arundel County, April 22, 1966, Harold Wierenga This Ruff was still in winter plumage, was associating with yellow- legs, and seemed slightly smaller than a Greater Yellowlegs. Ruffs may June 1967 MARYLAND BIKDLIFE §1 occur more frequently than the few Maryland records indicate. They are of almost annual occurrence at Bombay Hook Refuge and Little Creek Wild- life Area in Delaware, and as far south as North Carolina there have been at least 7 records while Virginia has at least If. Both the Ruff and the stilt were also, of course, additions to the Dorchester County list. 'Rigby's Folly', Bellevue 13005 Mistletoe Spring Road, Laurel COMING EVENTS Sept. 10 STATEWIDE Membership Picnic at Capt. & Mrs. J. E. M. Opals’ "TOI Old Crossing Road, Annapolis. Meet at Sandy Point Park 9*00 A. M. R.S.V.P. to Mrs. Wood for bean soup served at noon. 003-3229 Sept. 15 BALTIMORE of Coming Monthly meeting at Cylbum 8 P.M. Pre-view Year. Sept. 1 6 STATEWIDE Hawk Watch. See page 44 Sept. 17 BALTIMORE All day trip to Bombay Hook Sept. 23 STATEWIDE HAWK WATCH Sept* 26 BALTIMORE 8:00 A. M. Lake Roland for Fall warblers Sept. 30 BALTOPBB All day trip to Rock Run Sanctuary. Leader Doug Hackman Sept. 30 statewide HAWK WATCH MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Published Quarterly by the Maryland Ornithological Society, Inc. to Record and Encourage and Study the Birds in Maryland Editors Asst. Editors Editorial Boards Productions L ana. auwmajjc - " *7 _ Chandler S. Robbins, Patuxent Research Center, Laurel Edward J. Rykiel, Jr., 2906 Edgecombe Circle So. Baltimore 21215 C. Douglas Hackman, Vernon Kleen, Mrs. C. Gordon Taylor Gladys Cole, Mildred Cole, Ethel Cobb, Ceil Halley, Mr. & Mrs. Carl Lubbert, Mr. & Mrs. V. Edwin Unger, Hank Kaestner, Ted Van Velzen. _______ 64 MARYLAND BIKDLIFE Vol. 23. No. 2 CONTENTS, JUNE 1967 Report of State-wide Bird Count, May 6, 1 967 Willet T. Van Velzen 27 The Season - January, February, March 1967 Chandler S. Robbins 3 6 Early Arrival of Woodcocks in Anne Arundel Co. Danny Bystrak 40 Maryland's Third Lark Bunting Harold Wierenga 41 Brewer's Blackbirds at Claiborne, Talbot Co. Carl W. Carlson 41 Coastal Migration of the Whimbrel and Millet Robert W. Warfield 42 Kentucky Warbler Caught by Box Turtle Hildegard Reissiaann 43 Announcements 1 Maryland Hawk Watch 44 Branta canadensis hutchinsii in Maryland Jan G. Reese 45 Landbird Migrants Grounded at Ocean City Malcolm Thomas 46 Minutes of Annual Meeting, May 12, 1967 Alta Gras 47 Annual Report of the Treasurer Annual Reports of Local Chapters: Winfield H. Henning 50 Allegany County Chapter Mrs. Leo Isaacs 52 Anne Arundel Chapter Miriam F. Parraenter 52 Baltimore Chapter W. Rowland Taylor 53 Caroline County Chapter Marvin W. Hewitt 54 Frederick County Chapter Mary S. Motherway 55 Harford County Chapter Edgar E. Folk III 56 Kent County Chapter Carl A. Westerdahl 56 Montgomery County Chapter T. M. Valega 57 Patuxent Chapter Morris R. Collins 58 Talbot County Chapter Teresa Hulburt 58 Wicomico County Chapter 1966-67 Sanctuary Report: Joy L. Heaster 58 Carey Run Mrs. C. Gordon Taylor 59 Mill Creek Robert L. Smith 59 Rock Run Gladys Cole 59 The President's Page V. Edwin Unger 60 Committee Appointments, 1 967-68 61 First Black-necked Stilt and Fourth Ruff Henry T. Armistead 4 William C. Russell 62 Coming Events 63 Jf-a&tinqs -Ytfji iramar 9 s Ocean City, Maryland On the Boardwalk — Open All Year 90 ROOMS, 60 WITH BATH Phone: Ocean City : ATIantic 9-7417 EXCELLENT MEALS 30 BEAUTIFUL APARTMENTS PARKING SPACE SPECIAL RATES FOR BIRDERS