IHullstui of {As OznLiAofog Leal cSoristy, Uric. JUNE 1969 Volume 2 5 Number 2 Maryland Ornithological Society, Inc. Cylburn Mansion, 4915 Greenspring Ave., Baltimore, Maryland 21209 State Officers Presidents V, Edwin Unger, West Central Ave., Federalsburg 21632 754-2291 First V.P.: Dr. Edgar E. Folk, III, 1155 Ave. "A". Perry Point 21902, 6*2-6591 Second V.P.s Chandler S. Robbins, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel 20810 776-4880 Treasurers Winfield Henning, 10* N. University Are., Federalsburg 21632 754-9883 Secretarys Mrs. Edwin C. Gras, 125 Academy St., Annapolis 21401 263-4708 665-7207 838-6269 778-0 826 365-3836 927-3971 7*5-9438 749-3627 State Trustees Executive Council Mrs. Joshua W. Rowe, Box 348, Glen Am Rd., Glen Am 21057 Barclay E. Tucker, Rte. 3* Box 308, Bel Air 2101* Mrs. Edward Mandinhall, ■Damsite", R. D. 2, Chestertown 21620 Carl Carlson, 5706 Lone Oak Drive, Betbesda 2001* Dr. Lawrence Zeleny, *312 Van Buren St., Hyatts villa 20782 Joseph A. Robinson, Box 92, St. Michaels 21663 Charles Baker, Route 3* Zicm Road, Salisbury 21801 Allegany: Hendrick 7. Hodgdon Mrs. Kendrick 7. Hodgdon Anne Arundel s ♦Mrs. Biwin C. Gras Mrs. VH-lliam C. Paradee Baltimore: •Mrs. Joshua W. Rowe Mrs. Raymond Geddas, Jr. Rodney B. Jones Mrs. Robert E. Kaestner Mrs. Martin G. Larrabee Mrs. Edward A. Metcalf A. MacDonough Plant Chandler S. Robbins Caroline: *A. J. Fletcher Mrs. Percy Scudder Frederick: ♦Mrs, Mary S. Motherway Dr. Howard Hodge Harford: * Barclay E, Tucker Frank A. Buckley Kent: ♦Mrs. Edwin Mandi n h al l Mrs. A. J. Delario Mrs. Thomas S. Carswell Montgomery: ♦Dr. J. lb. Oberman Carl W. Carlson Edward Goodstein Patuxent ♦Dr. Lawrence Zeleny ZLwood L. Fisher Rossmoor: *Ri chard H. Rule Miss Agnes T. Hoffaam Talbot: *Hra, C. D. Delphey, Jr. Joseph A. Robinson Mm. Joseph A. Robinson Wicomico: ♦William L. Johnson Charles Baker * Chapter President Active Membership (adults) Junior Membership (under 18 yearn) Family Membership (Mr. & Mm.) Sustaining Membership Life Membership Out-of-State Membership $ 2.00 plus local chapter dues .50 plus local chapter dues 3*00 plus local chapter dues . 5*00 plus local chapter dues 100.00 (payable in * annual installments) 2.00 ( Maryland Birdlifa only) COVER: Sanctuary House, Irish Grove Wildlife Sanctuary Photo by George Newcomer MARYLAND BIRDLIFE IM*; I’;. <1111 .iiinini Volume 25 June 1969 Number 2 MARYLAND NEST SUMMARY FOR 1968 Danny Bystrak In 1968 there was an increase over 1967 in number of counties report- ing number of cards turned in, and total observers. However, there was a drop of 16 species from last year and a decrease in total nests reported. The total of j8 species is the second lowest since the nest summary was started. The 67 observers is 2 above the l4-year average, yet 1968 had the, second lowest species total and the third lowest number of nests re- ported. The number of observers is increasing, but they are finding fewer nests I I hope the additional observers stay with us, but hope also that they will report more nests in the future. This year Jan Reese found evidence of h breeding attempts by Mute Swans in Talbot County. Scott Clemson located the first Red-headed Wood- pecker nest reported since 1963. Dorothy Mendinhall found the second Cedar Waxwing nest for Kent County. Jan Reese and Donald Messersmith again were the biggest contributors with the information from their Eastern Shore studies. Bluebird Projects sponsored by the Laurel Rotary Club and Dr. Lawrence Zeleny are responsible for making the Eastern Bluebird the second most common card, with 57 reported. A large percentage of these were success- ful. Special thanks are extended to Irving Hanrpe, Joan Scudder, and Lawrence Zeleny, new contributors who submitted large numbers of cards and gave good detail. Also, thanks go to M. Butenschoen, Scott Clemson, Arlene Delario, and Elwood Martin, who made significantly greater contri- butions this year. Woody Martin explored Hughes Hollow in Montgomery County in June and found some unusual piedmont nests including 5 Least Bitterns and a Long -billed Marsh Wren. Carolina Wrens, which are famous for nesting in almost anything, showed up this year in a bird box, a flower basket, a junk pile, a sewing machine drawer, a cardboard box of nails, a box (2), on a ledge in a grainery, on a shelf in an old shed, in an old building, in a plastic bleach bottle, and under the deck of a small boat. 44 MARYLAND BIKDLIFE Vol. 25, Ho. 2 Nests were reported from IT counties. Missed were Washington, Carroll, Harford, St. Marys, Wicomico, and Somerset. We should he hearing regularly from Irish Grove Sanctuary in Somerset County in the future J Table 1 shows the distribution of the material received by counties. Table 1. Summary of 1968 Nest Records by Counties Number of Number of Number of Number of County Species Observers Nests Cards Allegany 4 3 4 4 Anne Arundel 21 11 5T 57 Baltimore 21 5 4i 4l Calvert 3 1 3 3 Caroline 29 10 77 75 Cecil 1 1 1 1 Charles 1 1 1 1 Dorchester 2 1 13 4 Frederick 1 1 1 1 Garrett 9 9 17 17 Howard 11 12 62 62 Kent 28 3 91 91 Montgomery 7 2 11 11 Prince Georges 28 18 103 103 Queen Annes 8 3 144 ll4 Talbot 26 5 587 74 Worcester 1 1 1 1 State Totals 78 67 1224 660 The 67 observers who cooperated in 1968 are listed below. After each name appear two numbers in parentheses. The first is the number of cards (which by no means necessarily reflects the number of nests); the second is the number of species these cards represent. C. E. Addy (2-l), Philip G. Ambler (l-l), Mrs. Stanley Bean (2-2), Jeff Bennett (l-l), M. Butenschoen (l4-10), Danny Bystrak (40-l4), Paul Bystrak (28-11), Steve Bystrak (5-4), Richard C. Carlson (3-3), John Cavka (l-l), Scott Clemson (16-13), Esther Cook (l-l), Richard and Shirley Coon (2-l), Mrs, Ed H. Crook (l-l), Helen R. Davis (3-3), Arlene Delario (74-18), Mary Ann Emerine (3-3), Ethel Engle (10-6), Edwood Fisher (2-2), Roberta B. Fletcher (22-l4), Edgar E. Folk, III (l-l), Shirley Geddes (3-3), Ralph Guilford (1-1), Mrs. B. P. Hacker (2-l), I. E. Hampe (19-12), Raymond Hance (l-l), William V. Horvath (l-l), Robert Hughes (l-l), Keith Kerr (l-l), George Krantz (2-2), Roberta Leggett (l-l), Nan Livingstone (l-l), Jerry Longcore ( 8 - 6 ), Elwood M. Martin (ll-T), Dorothy A. Mendinhall (l4- 12), Donald Meritt (16-12), Donald H. Messersmith (107-4), Mrs. Jos. A. Minke (2-2), Pan Minke (5-5), Charles Munn (l-l), Mrs. J. Merle Poe (2-2), Orem G. Potter (2-1), Dorothy Rauth ( 8 - 6 ), Jan Reese (60-18), Mrs. Rif fey (l-l). Chandler S. Robbins ( 6 - 6 ), Eleanor Robbins (57-8), George Robbins (9-5), Haney Robbins (l-l), Mrs. Joshua Rowe (5-4), Carol Scudder (4-4), Joan Scudder ( 23 - 8 ), Helen Ann Simpson (l-l), J. Warren Sowers (2-l), Mrs. Paris Sowers (2-1), Billie Taylor (2-2), Gary Thomas (l-l), Michael R. June 1969 MARYLAND BIRDLXFE 4? NORTH AMERICAN NEST RECORD CARD PROGRAM Shaded Boxes not to be Completed by Observer ! "“ 1 "6ARN swallow rl 1 9 6 9 n w ■ ~ T Observer (two Initials, last name) In squares in space opposite V- 'b 17 8 Y 5 T a A K 28 Locality (In relation to nearest town)^SSA7£ A&0£ / SLA W S County 6-R Elevation (In feet above sea level) Fill in if known Latitude !, 3 is p* 1 1 a P* Longitude 41 0l 7lS! 44 /| O State or Province N D If,,; 3 b O O O 5 HABITAT (circle where appropriate) 1. Woods 2. Swamp 3. Marsh 4. Field 5. Grassland 6. Desert 7. Tundra 8. Suburban 9 . Urban Other (specify) O ctA*i fie n c la 01. Coniferous 02. Deciduous 03. Mixed 04. Orchard 05. Cultivated 06. Fallow 07. No Veget. 08. Hedgerow 09. Shrub 10. Salt 11. Brackish 12. Fresh 0 Sandy Beach 14. Gravel Beach 15. Other (specify) DOMINANT PLANTfS) IN HABITAT rt Reed V*m IE m ~r □n NF.ST SITE (circle where appropriate) 01 Bare ground 02 On ground in vegetation 03 Floating 04 Low vegetation 05 Shrub 06 Palm 07 Deciduous tree branch 08 Deciduous tree cavity 14 Other (specify) PRINCIPAL PLANT OR ST] SUPPORTING NEST | M ] 09 Conifer branch 10 Conifer cavity 11 Nest box 12 Other structure 13 Cliff or bank 81 RUCTURE ,, IE IE IE Height of Eggs Above Ground or Water in Feet (feet and tenths if under five feet) i 72 OI O 1 7 If paraslted by Cowbird check here and see Instructions. 76 If same pair had other nestings this year check here - (use separate card for each nesting) v 77 PLEASE COMPLETE BOTH SIDES OF THE CARD 80 1 Figure 1. — Front of new nest card. Todd (l-l), W & L Trowbridge (l-l), V. E. Unger (2-2), Willet T. Van Velzen (9-3 ) ja Frank Walker (l-l), Norman E. Watkins (2-l), William D. Wargo (l-l), Mrs. Leslie Welch (2-2), Lawrence Zeleny (25-l). Starting in 19&9 new nest cards will be used. These were created by the Cornell Laboratory in an attempt to get nest cards in a form that can easily be punched for computer analysis. Since this information will be punched by people who are experienced in card punching and not ornithology, it is important that you, the observer, fill them out with great accuracy. Even a simple error that could be spotted by any birder could be overlooked or misunderstood by a punch operator. A picture of both sides of the card is shown in figures 1 and 2. An explanation of the blocks follows. Blocks 1-4 are the year. The 19 is printed on the card and the next 2 blocks are for the other two numbers of the year. The shaded blocks are for official use only and are not to be filled out by the observer. In block 15 the ob- server’s first initial is placed, and the middle initial (if any) in the next block. Starting at block 17 the observer puts his last name, using only one letter per block. Anything after block 28 will not be punched so abbreviate if necessary. The locality, county and State are not put in blocks but are written in the blank area opposite the headings. Since the cards are intended for the whole continent there are 5 blocks for elevation. Since no more than four will be used in Maryland all Maryland nests will start with at least one 0. Elevation can be found on U. S. Geodetic Sur- vey topographic maps. If elevation is not known this- can be left blank. Latitude and longitude can also be found on topographic maps. Sone road k6 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Vol. 25, No. 2 No. Col. 1-12 If used for colonial nesting check here r J and see Instructions Month D*y Eggs Young Edit 1 Edit 2 B On Stage of building, if eggs warm, age of young, if banded, etc. 11 \/ AJol* 24 34 44 54 64 01 Unknown because not revisited 02 Young seen leaving nest 03 Parent(s) excited near nest 04 Parent(s) with young near nest 05 Nest empty, intact OUTCOME INCLUDING CASES WHERE OUTCOME UNKNOWN 06 Nest empty, damaged 07 Nest deserted 08 Failure due to weather 09 Failure due to predation 10 Failure due to Invertebrate parasites 11 Failure due to cowblids 12 Failure due to competition with other species 13 Failure due to human activities 14 Failure due to pesticides (give details separately) b”i TT Please complete both sides and return at end of season to your Regional Center or to Laboratory of Ornithology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14850. We thank you for contributing your time and efforts to this program. 80 2 Figure 2. — Reverse side of new nest card. maps have every 30 minutes of latitude and longitude marked around the edges. Since only degrees and minutes are asked for this can usually be approximated from road maps. In the longitude blocks a 0 will be in block lj-1 for all nests east of the 100th Meridian (which, of course, in- cludes all of Maryland). For habitat, circle the number of the appropri- ate types. Two numbers should be circled — one in the first line (l to 0) and one in the second line ( 01 to 15 ). If "other" specify below the line (see figure l). Again since this is a transcontinental card there are some habitats not suited to Maryland (e.g.. Tundra). Dominant plants in Habitat are whatever seem to be the two most common plants in the area. These are to be written on the lines provided (not in the shaded blocks). For nest site, the number should be circled. The principal plant or structure supporting nest should be written on the blank provided. For height of nest, use the height of the eggs themselves, not the top or bottom of the nest. This number, again, will most likely start with one or two zeros. The fourth blank is for tenths of feet (not inchesj). There is no need to estimate to tenths if the nest is over 5 feet up. Of course, if an exact measurement is possible, this would be best. Block 76 is for cowbird parasitism. If there is a cowbird egg in the nest a check should be placed here and a separate card shouH be filled out for the cowbird. Use the regular columns for number of eggs or young of the host species. Give the number of eggs or young of cowbirds in the Comments column. Block 77 should be used if the same pair is found nesting again. The number of this brood should be entered here. Side two is pretty much the same as the old nest cards except that if June 1969 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE hi No- Col. 1-12 If used for colonial nesting cheik here JVJ and see Instructions Month Day Eggs Young Edit 1 Edit 2 B On Stage of building, If eggs warm, age of young. If banded, etc. “5 a* i 5 nes'+s “5 a3 a |S "ei+s u 5 ai 3 50 hejts "5 a* a thesis 54 5 a3 1 a 3 *ests “5 a* 3 a 01 Unknown because not revisited 02 Young Been leaving nest 03 Parent(s) excited near nest 04 Parent(s) | with young near nest 05 Nest empty. Intact OUTCOME INCLUDING CASES WHERE OUTCOME UNKNOWN 06 Nest empty, damaged 07 Nest deserted 08 Failure due to weather 09 Failure due to predation 10 Failure due to invertebrate parasites 11 Failure due to cowbirds 12 Failure due to competition with other species 13 Failure due to human activities 14 Failure due to pesticides (give details separately) 76 Please complete both Bides and return at end of season to your Regional Center or to Laboratory of Ornithology, J7I p9~ Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14850. We thank you for contributing your time and efforts to this program, j | Figure 3 .— Use of reverse side when reporting colonial nests. 77 80 the bird is seen "building a check should he placed in the "B" column for the appropriate date. The stage of building, if known, can be written in the Comments column. If the bird is on the nest a check is placed in the "On" column for the corresponding date. For inaccessible nests, record all observations (e.g., adult flew from nest) in the Comments column. For Outcome of nest, the number should he chosen from the list and written in blocks 76 and 77* If the outcome does not fit any of the categories listed, make appropriate comments on the same line as last visit. For colonies the same card is used hut completed differently. One card is used for each visit and filled out as in figure 3* Block 13 should he checked on all cards in a series. The front is completed as a single nest card for each visit. With the old nest cards, people had a tendency to put more than one observer's name. This is not necessary and only confusing. The new card is designed in such a way that it is only possible to list one observer. If others saw the nest, this may be entered under Comments. Upon completing cards, please send them or give them to me or Ted Van Velzen at the Migratory Bird Populations Station, Laurel, Md. 20810. Do not send them direct to Cornell. They will be sent to Cornell for punching after the 1969 nest summary for Maryland has been completed, then they will be returned for permanent filing with M.O.S. If any nest cards are sent to Cornell by the observer, these cards will be retained at Cornell after punching and will never get in the M.O.S. files. 48 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Vol. 2^, No. 2 Brief notes on all 78 species recorded have been included in the following list. Record-breaking dates have been underscored. The number after each species shows the number of cards submitted. Annotated last GREAT BLUE HERON, 1--An estimated 200 nests in Sherwood, Talbot Co. (JR). GREEN HERON, 3 — One nest in Kent Co., 9 on Dickinson's Island, Talbot Co. June 15 , and up to 63 near Neavitt, Talbot Co. on June 9 (JR). LEAST BITTERN, 5 — Five nests at Hughes Hollow, Montgomery Co.; none successful (EM) . MUTE SWAN, 4 — Three pairs, one nested twice in Talbot Co. (JR — Maryland Birdlife 25 (l): l4-l6). MALLARD, 15--19 nests in Talbot Co. duck blinds (GK,JR) 1 in Garrett Co. (BT). BLACK DUCK, 2 — One in Queen Annes Co®, 1 in Dorchester Co. Both in duck blinds . WOOD DUCK, 1- -Several broods of young observed with parents in Baltimore Co. on Patapsco River. RED- TAILED HAWK, 1 — Large young in nest in Prince Georges Co. on June 10 ( CSR ) . BALD EAGLE, 2- -One unsuccessful nest in Talbot Co. One nest with full- grown young on June 16 in Calvert Co. (WTV). OSPREY, 3 — 3 nests in Caroline, 31 iu Queen Annes, 161 in Talbot and 10 in Dorchester produced a total of 118 young (JR — Maryland Birdlife 24 (4): 91-93)* One young in Talbot Co. (SG) and 1 young in Kent Co. (AD). SPARROW HAWK, 1 — 3 young out of nest in Caroline Co. (RBF). BOBWHITE, 3- -Young seen with parents in Kent and Talbot Cos. Nest with 16 eggs in Calvert on June 15 (WTV). KING RAIL, 1 — 8 young seen following 2 adults in Caroline Co. (VEV). KJLLDEER, 2 — In Kent and Talbot Cos. AMERICAN WOODCOCK, 2- -In Howard Co. with 4 eggs on April 2 (DR) and in Prince Georges Co. with 3 eggs on April 11 (DHM). COMMON TERN, 2--Up to 263 occupied nests on June 9 near Neavitt, Talbot Co. (JR). Washed out colony on Dickinson's Island June 15 (JR). LEAST TERN, 7 — Up to 3^ occupied nests on May 25 (GK); 6 nests in Kent Co. (AD). MOURNING DOVE, 13 — Nest in Prince Georges Co. with 1 egg and 1 young on Feb. 26 . Would have been record egg date if found before Feb. 17 (PB). This nest successful although a second brood in the same nest failed. YELLOW- BILLED CUCKOO, 3- -In. Talbot, Caroline and Montgomery Cos. BARN OWL, l6--Eggs from Mar. 28 to June 6 in Eastern Shore duck blinds. CHIMNEY SWIFT, 2 — On July 30 4 young fell down the chimney of Snowden Hall, Migratory Bird Populations Station, Laurel (CA). RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD, 6- -In Caroline, Montgomery and Talbot Cos. BELTED KINGFISHER, 1--4 young left nest in Baltimore Co. (SC). YELLOW- SHAFTED FLICKER, 5 — Talbot, Kent, Baltimore and Anne Arundel Cos; no contents observed. RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER, 6- -No contents seen. RED-HEADED WOODPECKER, 1-- Young in nest in Baltimore Co. (SC). HAIRY WOODPECKER, 2- -Young observed in Kent and Prince Georges Cos. June 1969 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE 49 EASTERN KINGBIRD, 5--A Prince Georges Co. nest had 3 eggs on May 30* GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER, 3 — All nests in newspaper boxes. EASTERN PHOEBE, 27— Nests from 8 counties, mostly under bridges. EASTERN WOOD PEWEE, 2 — Young in nests in Caroline and Kent Cos. TREE SWALLOW, 3 — 2 of the Fletchers' 3 boxes produced young. BANK SWALLOW, 2--2 colonies observed in Talbot Co.; no individual nests checked. BARN SWALLOW, 8 — Full clutches from 2 to 5 id 3 counties. A common house nesting species like this should make a better showing. BLUE JAY, 4- -A nest of 5 young in Prince Georges Co. (RC). COMMON CROW, 1 — 3 young left a Baltimore Co. nest on May 30 (SC). CAROLINA CHICKADEE, 6 — Nests in 5 counties, full clutches from 5 to 7 eggs. TUFTED TITMOUSE, 1 — Kent Co. nest in Bluebird house. HOUSE WREN, 38 - -7 counties. Clutches from 5 to 8 . Eggs till Aug. 3 in Anne Arundel Co. (DB). CAROLINA WREN, 12 — 6 counties. 5 eggs on April 15 in Anne Arundel Co. (PB). Egg hatched in Prince Georges Co. on August 8 (ECR). 4 eggs in Talbot Co. nest Aug. 7 (SG). LONG- BIT JED MARSH WREN, 1 — 1 egg on May 30, 4 young on June 23 in Mont- gomery Co. (EM). MOCKINGBIRD, 25—5 counties. In Caroline Co. one pair nested 3 times from June 1 to Aug. 11 (JS). CATBIRD, 19 — 8 counties. First egg on May 3 , in Talbot Co. (DM). BROWN THRASHER, 8 — 5 counties. Eggs from May 1 to July 4. ROBIN, 45 - -8 counties. In Kent Co. Mourning Dove shared same tree. Mean height of 43 nests was 13*8 ft. ranging from 4 to 35 ft. Young still on nest in Denton on Sept. 4 (RBF). WOOD THRUSH, 6 - -Very early egg in Prince Georges Co. on May 8 (EM). EASTERN BLUEBIRD, 5 7 — A large percentage successful. BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER, 2 — Contents not visible in 2 Baltimore Co. nests. CEDAR WAXWING, 4— In 4 counties. Second nest record for Kent Co. (DAM). STARLING, 9 — 4 eggs until June 11 in Anne Arundel Co. (SB). WHITE-EYED VTREO, 1 — 1 egg in Worcester Co. nest on May 23 . SOLITARY VIREO, 1 — Empty nest with young being fed nearby on June 29 in Garrett Co. (DB). RED-EYED VIREO, 3- -2 in Garrett Co., one in Talbot Co. WARBLING VIREO, 1 — Nest watched in May in Montgomery Co. BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER, 1 - -Young out of nest in Prince Georges Co. (CSR). PROTHONOTARY WARBLER, 1 - -Male and female feeding young in Montgomery Co. nest in woodpecker hole (WTV). WORM- EATING WARBLER, 1 — 3 young in Baltimore Co. nest on June 6 (SC). PRAIRIE WARBLER, 2 — Eggs on July 11 in 2 Anne Arundel Co. nests (DB). LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH, 1—7 eggs in Anne Arundel Co. nest (PB) on May 4. KENTUCKY WARBLER, 1—4 eggs in Prince Georges Co. nest from May 29 to June 10 (CSR). HOODED WARBLER, 1--1 young in Prince Georges Co. nest (CSR). AMERICAN REDSTART, 2- -Contents not seen in 2 Baltimore Co. nests. HOUSE SPARROW, 36- -Egg in Anne Arundel Co. nest until Aug. 11 (DB). EASTERN MEADOWLARK, 1--5 eggs in Montgomery Co. nest on June 23 (EM) . RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD, ll 8 - -Colonies checked in Talbot and Queen Annes Cos. ORCHARD ORIOLE, 3 — 3 eggs in Caroline Co. nest on June 17 (JS). 50 MARYLAND BIKDLIFE Vol. 25, No. 2 BALTIMORE ORIOLE, 6- -No contents observed. COMMON GRACKLE, 12 — 3 young in Anne Arundel Co. nest on May 10 (SB). BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD, 1 — In Wood Thrush nest. CARDINAL, 24 - -2 eggs on April 8 in Denton (MB). Eggs until August 1 6 in Prince Georges Co. (ike ) . BLUE GROSBEAK, 3—2 eggs in Caroline Co. nest on June 15 (CS ) . INDIGO BUNTING, 3 — 3 young in Anne Arundel Co. nest on July 6 (DB). AMERICAN GOLDFINCH, 1 — 6 eggs in Anne Arundel Co. nest on August 11 (DB). RUFOUS-SIDED TOWHEE, 2—3 eggs in Caroline and Anne Arundel Co. nests. GRASSHOPPER SPARROW, 2 — 3 young in Baltimore Co. and 4 in Calvert Co. nests. CHIPPING SPARROW, 2k — Mostly in Caroline Co. 3 eggs on Sept. 2 in Caro- line Co. (JS). Young in nest until Sept. 24 in same county (MT). FIELD SPARROW, 3 -- 3 counties. Eggs from May 6 to July 11. SONG SPARROW, 4- -Eggs from Apr. 27 to June 21. 582 Rita Drive, Odenton 21113 REPORT OF STATE-WIDE BIRD COUNT, NAY 3, 1969 George C , Robbins The weather was quite good for the 22nd consecutive May Count held throughout Maryland on May 3, 19^9- Skies were clear, with temperatures ranging from a low of about 40° to a high in the middle to upper 80's . The wind was light southwest in the morning, gusting to 20 miles per hour in the afternoon. The total species count was 223, the sixth highest, with 77,901 individuals, the second highest on record. There were reports from 1$ of Maryland's 23 counties; only once have more counties been covered. The highest single list, 143 species, was obtained in Dorchester County by just two observers, Henry Armistead and Will Russell. Anne Arundel County observers achieved the same total by combining several party lists. And Baltimore City and County, with 66 observers under the capable direc- tion of David Holmes, was a very close third with 142 species. Since it is unfair to compare single lists with the composite record of many par- ties working throughout a county, the several separate lists for Fred- erick, Prince Georges and Anne Arundel Counties have been combined to obtain county species totals. Totals for the 12 top counties follow: Dorchester 143 Caroline 122 Talbot 95 Anne Arundel 143 Prince Georges 119 Washington 92 Baltimore 142 Frederick 113 Howard 90 Montgomery 131 Kent 113 Garrett 89 All reports but one are included in detail in tAe table on pages 52-57* The Carroll County list covered only 5 acres ,and was not con- sidered comparable with the others. In several other counties two or more lists were combined into a single list for presentation in the table . On the other hand, when individual lists within a county had been publish- ed separately for several years, their identity was continued in 1969. June 1969 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE 51 The record high of 8l8 party-hours is more than one hundred greater than the previous highest effort in 1967 * There was also a record num- ber of observers with 29^. There were three species seen this year that were never seen before on the State -wide Count. They were the Ruff and Long -billed Dowitcher seen in Dorchester County by Henry Armistead and Will Russell, and the Goshawk seen in Allegany County. The 13 Yellow-throated Warblers turned in by Montgomery County were a result of a special project to determine the distribution of these birds in that county. Only k Bobolinks were seen on the whole count thisyear, whereas in 1952 the Bobolink was the most common species; their migration had not reached this far north by the day of this year's count. The Common Grackle was the most common species reported, as it has been in 11 out of the past 13 years. Any attempt to study population trends over the years through this State -wide Count must be undertaken with caution, bearing in mind that coverage is not strictly standardized from year to year, and that counts also are affected by weather conditions. In general, the best year-to- year comparisons can be made with permanent resident species, or at least with those that are not at the peak of their migration period. Table 1. Mean Number of Birds per 100 Party-hours for Selected Species Species 1956 1957 1958 i959 i960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 Party -hours 2 46i 387 374 1 4171- 428| 488 i 442^ 564^ 656 684 690 714 620 818 Turkey Vulture 256 196 120 iSO 118 45 163 113 134 83 116 34 62 101 Red -shouldered Hawk 12 6 3 5 4 2 3 7 5 3 2 1 2 4 Bobwhite 75 88 72 80 77 74 145 95 55 ill n4 71 121 110 Killdeer 58 96 34 34 21 9 24 i4 13 13 16 19 19 19 Pileated Woodpecker 2 3 1 2 3 4 4 2 2 4 7 4 7 4 E. Phoebe 44 51 16 24 23 18 23 24 23 28 24 14 22 26 Blue Jay 280 96 471 413 128 142 2038 412 160 596 259 123 234 532 Carolina Wren 72 90 50 72 33 16 32 20 30 48 30 23 4x 54 Wood Thrush 136 79 i4f 138 156 136 157 106 68 89 91 97 111 92 Eastern Bluebird 72 90 29 23 10 10 9 21 12 32 i4 6 11 9 Evening Grosbeak 2 0 9 0 35 1 35 0 50 0 21 0 1 81 Common Grackle 1151 855 798 681 879 1015 1537 1187 922 1436 1244 1320 1489 1173 Table 1 gives a summary of the number of birds recorded per 100 party-hours of observation for a dozen species over a l4--year period. The low counts of Turkey Vultures, except in 1968, reflect rainy weather on the day of the count. The Red -shouldered Hawk, which has declined seri- ously in New England during this period, is still making a good showing in Maryland. Bobwhite numbers appear to have reached a peak in 1962. Populations of the Killdeer, Eastern Phoebe and Eastern Bluebird suffered a crash in the winter of 1957-58, from which they have not recovered. The Pileated Woodpecker is not only holding its own, but shows evidence of an increase in the past h or 5 years . The Blue Jay is included as an example of a species that is near the height of its spring migration at the time of our counts; hence the numbers vary enormously from year to year and do not reflect population trends at all. The Carolina Wren appears to be more common now than it has been for a decade. Table 1 warns us to pay attention to Wood Thrush populations during the next few years; there is Table 2. State -Wide Bird Count Species Gar All Was WFr Emm CFr SFr Bal Har How Mon Ros PrG PRC CAA Gib Ann Cal Cec Ken Car Tal Dor Wic Wor Total Common Loon 15 Horned Grebe 3 Pied -billed Grebe 3 5 - - - - - 12 Double -cr. Cormorant 1 - 6 7 Great Blue Heron - - 1 - - _ - l l 1 2 - - - 6 b - - 35 8 20 69 - 2 158 Green Heron 1 - 1 - - 2 1 9 - - 8 - 1 5 - l 4 - - i4 3 2 6 - 2 60 Little Blue Heron - 10 13 Cattle Egret 3 3 - 3b 2 - 51 Common Egret 3 - 1 25 - 5 35 Snowy Egret 16 - 54 73 Black -cr. Nt. Heron 2 - 2 5 Yellow-cr. Nt. Heron 7 American Bittern 1 - - 4 Glossy Ibis 3 - 2 5 Mute Swan 1 1 - 2 Whistling Swan . _ _ _ 1 - - 1 - - - - - - - l - - - 4l - - 2 - - 46 Canada Goose 1 3 - - - - 61 2 - 1 - 350 365 102 77 86 - - 1048 Brant _ 45 - - 45 Mallard 2 6 8 _ 6 18 1 20 4 8 27 - 9 36 2 10 18 - - 176 6 6 57 3 3 426 Black Duck 3 - 2 2 - 1 74 - 2 - - 4 46 i4 1 47 2 12 210 Gadwall 7 - - 7 Pintail 1 1 - - 2 Green-winged Teal 2 - - 3 Blue -winged Teal - - - - - 4 l - - 3 - - - - - - - - 3 - - 70 - - 81 Am. Widgeon 2 - - 10 Wood Duck - 5 - - 10 19 12 30 - 5 55 - 4 68 13 2 4 - - 34 l4 1 6 - - 2^2 Greater Scaup Duck 1 Lesser Scaup Duck 13 - - 13 Bufflehead 8 Ruddy Duck 10 - 18 1 - - 29 Hooded Merganser 3 Common Merganser D Turkey Vulture 9 T 10 17 10 2 13 123 6 12 32 6 7 ib l 3 5 5 2 201 222 27 64 12 l6 830 Black Vulture - - 1 12 - - 4 2 - - 3 1 - - - l - - - 15 7 1 - - - 47 Goshawk . - 1 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 - 1 l - - 6 Cooper's Hawk 2 l 3 Red -tailed Hawk 1 2 - - 1 - 7 2 1 6 - 1 2 l 3 3 - - 13 '( 2 6 2 l 64 ro BIKDLIFE Vol. 25 Species Gar All Was WFr Emm CFr SFr Bal Har How Mon Ros PrG PRC CAA Gib Ann Cal Cec Ken Car Tal Dor Wic Wor Total Red -shouldered Hawk - - - - 1 - 3 1 - l 6 - 5 9 2 - - 1 - 4 - - 1 - - 34 Broad -winged Hawk - l 3 2 - 2 - 16 - 3 1 - 2 - 3 - - - - l - - 2 - - 36 Bald Eagle 2 2 - 5 - - 9 Marsh Hawk - - - - - - - - - - 2 - - - - - - _ - - - - 7 - - 9 Osprey 1 - - - - - 1 3 2 - b - - 1 - b 11 - - 29 6 12 18 2 k 98 Pigeon Hawk 1 1 Sparrow Hawk 1 l - 1 5 - 2 7 2 l 1 - 1 2 2 - 1 - 2 b 2 1 - - - 36 Bobwhite - 23 38 3 15 15 12 80 15 22 b9 31 21 30 2b 18 17 3 b 228 150 15 65 6 16 900 Ring -neck Pheasant - - 6 - 6 9 - 55 1 6 1 84 Turkey 1 7 King Rail - - - - - - - - - . - - - 2 - - - - - - 3 - 1 - - t Clapper Rail 2 - 12 l4 Virginia Rail - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2 - - - - - - - - Ik - - 16 Sora Rail 1 1 Common Gallinule 2 2 American Coot - - - - - - - 1 - - 1 - - 3 - - - - 50 32 - - - - - 87 Am. Oystercatcher 7 7 Semipalmated Plover 1 1 3 - - 5 Killdeer 5 3 10 2 3 2 3 22 3 2 2 9 8 - 2 - 3 - 5 22 37 - 8 b - 155 Black -belly Plover 8 8 Am. Woodcock - l - - l - - 6 - 4 - - 5 - - - - - - 1 5 - lb - - 37 Common Snipe - - 2 - 1 - - - - 2 - 1 - - 1 - - - 3 1 - - - l 12 Whimbrel 3 3 Upland Plover - - - - l - - - - - - - 1 - - - - - - - - - - - - 2 Spotted Sandpiper l - 2 - 2 7 3 26 - 2 b - 2 6 2 3 l - l ll 2 - b - 1 80 Solitary Sandpiper - - - - 5 4 7 19 - 1 12 - 1 l 9 - - - - 9 1 - b - - 73 Willet 5b - 73 127 Greater Yellowlegs - - - - 1 2 3 10 - - 1 - - l - l 2 - - 11 7 7 16 - 1 63 Lesser Yellowlegs - - - - - 2 2 1 _ - 2 _ - - - _ 5 - - 11 - - 154 - - 177 Purple Sandpiper 45 45 Pectoral Sandpiper - - - - - - 13 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 27 - ~ 40 Least Sandpiper - - - - - - 16 1 - - - - - - - l - - - 68 - - 45 - - 121 Dunlin 225 - 160 385 Short -bil Dowitcher b 4 Long-bil Dowitcher 2 2 Stilt Sandpiper 3 3 Semipalmated Sandpiper - - - - - - - 12 - - - - - - 1 - - - - 37 - - 5 - - 55 Ruff - 1 June 1969 Species Gar All Was WFr Emm CFr SFr Bal Har How Mon Bos PrG PRC CAA Gib Ann Cal Cec Ken Car Tal Dor Wic Wor Total Sander ling 9 Gr. Black -back Gull 1 - 23 52 Herring Gull 30 25 - 12 163 1 5 38 12 60 359 Ring -billed Gull _ _ _ - - - - 30 - - 1 - - - - 23 6 - 72 152 77 6 55 - 27 449 Laughing Gull _ 1 2 8 - 1 162 147 100 101 11 533 Bonaparte's Gull 4 14 Common Tern 6 11 - 214 233 Least Tern 2 - 37 4o Royal Tern - 9 9 Caspian Tern 1 Black Skimmer ll ll Mourning Dove 9 10 38 7 30 23 20 250 17 28 86 15 30 52 11 24 10 9 9 108 l4i 26 50 2 2 1007 Yellow -bill Cuckoo l 3 2 - l 1 1 2 - 2 1 - - 1 2 1 - - - 1 3 - - - - 22 Black-billed Cuckoo - 1 - - - - 3 - - - - - 1 - 1 - - - - - - - - - - 6 Barn Owl 1 Screech Owl - _ 3 - l - - 2 - 1 - - - - - 2 - - - - - - i - - 10 Great Homed Owl 4 2 1 1 - - 10 Barred Owl 7 - - - - - - 3 2 2 14 - - - 2 - - 2 - 3 1 1 - - - 37 Chuck -will ' s -widow 7 Whip-poor-will 9 - l4 1 2 7 - 8 1 1 5 1 3 23 - 11 - - 86 Common Nighthawk 2 Chimney Swift 6 55 75 15 25 65 4 162 20 15 78 8 12 52 1 27 4 30 4o 51 151 33 85 3 29 1046 Ruby-t, Hummingbird - - 1 - - 1 1 2 1 - 2 - - 1 - 4 2 4 1 3 6 1 2 - - 32 Belted Kingfisher - - 2 - 1 - 1 15 - 1 13 - 2 - - ll 3 - 1 12 2 - - - 1 65 Yellow-shaft Flicker 42 62 37 9 15 8 5 116 4 10 36 20 12 13 10 27 11 l 3 37 27 2 21 - 2 53Q Fileated Woodpecker 2 S" 1 - 1 2 - 1 - 2 7 - - 4 3 - l - - - 4 - - - - 36 Red-bellied Woodp'r - k 3 4 3 8 6 67 4 9 6l 17 10 35 32 20 20 5 2 4i 67 23 7 1 2 451 Red-headed Woodp'r 1 - 4 - 6 - - 3 - - - - 1 - - - - - - - 1 1 - - - 17 Yel -belly Sapsucker 1 l l - - - - 2 - - - - - - - - 1 - - - - - - - “ 6 Hairy Woodpecker 1 13 2 - _ - l i4 l 1 19 - - l 4 1 2 1 - 6 12 - 1 - 1 81 Downy Woodpecker - 28 11 2 10 3 F 79 3 17 48 9 5 8 15 6 7 6 - 21 26 3 b 1 - 326 Eastern Kingbird 2 _ 13 2 - 7 6 4o - 2 21 - 4 15 1 5 1 - 3 25 12 4 46 2 1 212 Gt. Crested Flycatcher 1 l 5 _ 5 4 ll 27 6 6 44 2 1 5 5 3 1 - - 19 45 6 35 4 - 236 Eastern Phoebe 9 6 i4 7 3 8 2 48 2 11 43 3 2 3 4 4 l 2 2 - 28 3 - 5 - 210 Acadian Flycatcher 1 _ _ - _ - 2 l - 1 15 - - - 12 - - 1 - - 3 - 1 3 - 4o Least Flycatcher 15 - 5 20 E. Wood Pewee 4 l 3 _ _ _ _ l - - 3 l - - 1 1 1 - 1 - 5 l 1 1 _ 25 Homed Lark 5 6 4 - 4 - 10 l - 2 4 - - - - - 1 - - l 34 1 14 2 7 96 BIRDLIFE Vol. 23 , No. Species Gar All Was WFr Emm CFr SPr Bal Har How Mon Ros FrG PRC CAA Gib Ann Cal Cec Ken Car Tal Dor Wic Wor Total Tree Swallow 15 - - - - - 3 35 6 l 1 - 1 69 - 50 - 25 - 110 ~2£ 3 125 ^ 24 502 Bank Swallow - 129 - 4 5 - - 13 - - - 25 - 6 7 - 1 - - 190 Rough -winged Swallow 7 1 2 - 2 7 9 37 - 2 32 - - - l4 6 3 - - 3 20 - 3 - 1 149 Bam Swallow 31 22 93 29 20 13 17 483 15 48 74 28 33 *5 16 150 86 28 20 400 373 19 250 27 200 2520 Cliff Swallow 3 - k 2 9 Purple Martin 100 78 9 - 10 12 5 53 10 - 36 4 22 32 7 31 5 2 - 62 136 14 16 5 9 ^5 SS5 Blue Jay 82 107 84 37 50 22 24 3227 50 157 253 94 80 190 99 1002 58 207 11 211 245 6 35 11 13 4355 Common Crow 34 39 44 4o 4o 52 30 382 20 36 139 55 62 36 17 21 ll 7 7 98 181 7 25 4 17 lUo4 Pish Crow - - 10 10 4 - 1 2 - 15 6 2 2 - 5 7 1 - 19 4 1 8 - ll 108 Black-cap Chickadee 23 6 1 - 1 31 Carolina Chickadee - - 9 i4 3 3 8 156 15 33 106 18 6 39 47 33 12 2 7 50 75 4 20 - A Tufted Titmouse 9 59 23 17 10 17 22 166 10 26 128 42 15 60 78 37 11 9 2 79 123 15 4o 3 2 1003 White -hr. Nuthatch 7 18 2 _ 3 1 - 4l - 3 16 - 1 1 2 11 1 - - 5 1 - - - 1 114 Red-br. Nuthatch 2 - - - l 1 l - 2 - - - - - - - 1 - 1 1 1 - - 1 12 Brown -head Nuthatch l 2 2 - - 5 Brown Creeper 2 4 1 - 1 8 House Wren 13 26 37 21 3 18 6 153 4 10 117 5 3 5 2 21 1 1 - 14 ll 3 18 _ 5 497 Carolina Wren 1 2 11 12 2 3 14 93 6 10 95 5 3 6 36 29 3 11 2 33 26 27 l4 1 - 445 Long -bill Marsh Wren - - - - - - 2 - - 2 - - 1 - 7 - - - 2 3 - 150 - - 167 Short -b. Marsh Wren 4 4 Mockingbird - J+3 50 27 10 9 6 205 25 30 93 44 21 38 2 76 ^5 7 8 222 158 l8 35 20 i4 1206 Catbird 9 18 52 13 30 21 12 196 12 12 83 22 36 31 21 30 9 2 1 45 63 1 25 2 2 748 Brown Thrasher 7 22 25 3 15 20 14 105 5 18 57 4 7 32 l4 47 18 2 2 76 89 4 17 3 19 625 Robin 14 1 280 162 27 60 129 17 605 4o 51 122 43 74 24 13 145 95 27 46 351 289 6 45 31 21 2844 Wood Thrush 31 k 6 - 5 11 3 123 4 49 62 11 19 37 105 38 30 9 3 26 l4i 4 15 3 13 752 Hermit Thrush 1 1 2 - - 1 - - - - - 5 Swainson’s Thrush 4 1 1 18 Gray-cheeked Thrush 1 l Veery 3 k - - - - - 12 - 1 2 - 1 1 24 Eastern Bluebird 7 1 4 - 2 - 4 4 - 1 24 6 2 3 - - - - - - ll - 1 2 - 72 Blue-gr. Gnat cat cher - 2 - 4 2 - 4 35 6 15 122 7 - 24 26 15 6 5 - - 21 1 9 - 10 31^ Golden -cr. Kinglet - 1 2 3 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3 - - - 3 - 2 - - 3 - - - 1 3 - - - 1 - - - - - 16 Water Pipit - - - - 2 6 28 - 8 44 Cedar Waxwing - - 6 3 - - - 49 - i4 4i - - - 4o - - - - - 28 6 - - - 187 Loggerhead Shrike l 1 Starling 21 213 240 100 i4o 167 200 3120 200 149 639 64 298 105 16 I85 108 4l 108 533 917 66 l4o 57 400 6227 White -eyed Vireo - 34 3 19 22 4 - 18 33 l4 1 - 2 3 53 1 32 4 1 244 VJ1 'Ol June I969 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Species Gar All Was WFr Emm CFr SFr Bal Har How Mon Ros PrG PRC CAA Gib Ann Cal Cec Ken Car Tal Dor Wic Wor Total Yellow -thr. Vireo 2 - 1 1 2 - 1 9 1 5 21 - 2 17 32 - 3 6 - 1 3 - 1 - - 10F Solitary Vireo 9 - - - - - - 2 - - - - - - 1 1 13 Red -eyed Vireo 2 1 7 6 6 4 2 38 10 25 97 4 1 60 149 12 12 25 1 2 65 4 11 - 3 547 Philadelphia Vireo - 1 Warbling Vireo - - 8 - 2 1 9 3 4 - 21 - - _ 1 - - - 3 1 3 - - - - 56 Black -&-wht Warbler 9 - - 1 - 2 - 33 - 3 5 - 1 7 21 12 - - - 1 11 2 i 4 - - 122 Prothonotary Warbler - 1 - - - - 3 l 2 - 38 - 1 6 6 - - - - 1 19 1 23 - - 102 Worm-eating Warbler 1 - - - 1 - - 10 - - 6 - - - 16 2 - - - - 2 - 7 - 2 47 Golden -wing Warbler 2 - 5 - - - - - - 1 1 2 11 Blue -winged Warbler 1 - 1 9 3 - - 9 - - 3 - - - 7 1 - - - 1 1 1 - - - 37 Tennessee Warbler 1 Nashville Warbler 1 - - - l - - 4 - - 2 - - - 2 1 - - - - - - 1 - - 12 Parula Warbler 11 2 1 _ _ _ 1 31 6 9 79 3 - 25 4 o 4 o 5 13 2 - 5 2 1 - - 276 Yellow Warbler 19 22 13 4 3 2 8 60 l 1 l 4 2 21 4 - 22 3 4 1 4 4 2 11 - 3 228 Magnolia Warbler - - 2 - - - - 3 - - l - - - - 1 - - - - 3 - - - 1 11 Cape May Warbler - - - 1 - - - 3 - - l - - l - - - - - - 3 - - - 9 Black -thr. Blue Warb 8 - - - - 1 - 3 - - 3 - - l - 3 - - - l 5 - - - - 25 Myrtle Warbler l6 1 - - - - 2 145 - 19 93 6 7 31 58 94 5 l 11 15 27 12 11 - 3 557 Blk-thr. Green Warb ll - - - - - - l 4 - - 17 l - 1 1 6 - - - - l - - - l 53 Cerulean Warbler - - - - 1 - - - l - 15 - - 2 1 - - - 1 - - - - - - 21 Blackburnian Warbler 16 - - - - - - l - - 3 - - 1 4 25 Yellow-thrtd Warbler 5 1 1 - - 21 Chestnut -sided Warb 13 2 - - - - - 7 - - l l - - - l 3 - ■ - l - - - - 29 Blackpoll Warbler - - - - - 2 - - 13 - 1 - 3 2 1 - - - - 1 1 - - 24 Pine Warbler - 1 1 - - - - 4 - - - - - 4 2 1 - 2 - l 7 3 22 - - 48 Prairie Warbler T 2 - - - - - 68 l 29 8 9 4 15 8 7 3 - - 10 17 - 9 - - 19 ? Palm Warbler 1 Ovenbird 15 2 - - 2 2 - 71 2 17 1 8 1 30 36 3 3 1 1 - 19 1 10 - 31 256 No. Waterthrush l _ _ l - - - 1 - 1 5 - 3 l - - - - - - 1 1 - - - 15 La. Waterthrush 2 - - - 2 2 3 i 4 - 4 14 l - 3 7 - - 4 1 - 7 1 - - - Kentucky Warbler - - - - 1 - - 4 - 2 3 4 1 10 9 2 2 3 2 - 21 2 1 - - 67 Yellowthroat 10 4 3 6 3 9 4 250 10 22 82 21 4 o 59 64 29 20 10 - 39 70 27 74 10 60 926 Yellow -br. Chat _ 3 2 - 1 3 l 21 8 3 17 10 1 6 6 2 - 2 - - 16 - 6 - - 108 Hooded Warbler 1 - - 3 - l 11 - 2 - 5 - 6 28 7 - 11 - l 3 - - - - 79 Canada Warbler 1 - - - - - - 3 - - - - _ 3 3 10 American Redstart 22 1 l 4 9 25 3 l 44 3 8 70 - 11 67 71 4 4 3 4 - 4 - ll - - 379 House Sparrow 20 178 240 50 80 117 170 474 100 15 99 27 3 i 22 2 110 61 20 200 4 l 8 626 36 180 63 63 3402 Bobolink 4 4 V71 ON i\> BIKDLIFE Vol. 25, No. Species Gar All Was WFr Emm CFr SFr Bal Har How Mon Ros PrG PRC CAA Gib Ann Cal Cec Ken Car Tal Dor Wic Wor Total Eastern Meadowlark 33 115 52 13 30 21 90 117 38 113 3 T3T 13 3 ~T 5 11 5 183 T 2 ^ 35 4 1 975 Red -winged Blackbird 172 204 164 100 50 34 280 791 60 56 256 10 60 130 5 362 67 145 58 698 788 62 64o 12 500 5704 Orchard Oriole - - 2 - - 2 3 5 1 1 13 1 - 3 - 3 - 4 1 10 19 - 8 - - 76 Baltimore Oriole - 20 4i 4 6 28 12 36 6 4 32 - 2 - - 4 - 1 7 - 11 1 - - - 215 Rusty Blackbird - 12 - - - - - - - 12 - - 30 - - - - - - - - - - - 54 Boat-tailed Grackle l 15 26 - 36 78 Common Grackle 78 261 435 200 200 424 230 882 134 219 1&9 75 219 192 18 275 95 28 7511B31499 33 700 142 750 9596 Brown-headed Cowbird 138 131 81 50 30 52 50 213 25 33 343 30 16 24 19 48 12 1 16 92 242 24 60 23 2 1760 Scarlet Tanager 1 4 2 2 3 l - 31 - 8 11 6 2 9 35 5 2 4 - 3 24 3 4 2 2 i64 Summer Tanager 1 2 1 4 - - 8 Cardinal 16 81 6 l 21 15 35 18 427 4b 49 29 48 4o 63 101 330 66 4o ll 379 w 63 85 21 21 2437 Rose-br. Grosbeak - 1 1 - - - - 3 - - 3 1 - l - - - - - - - l - - - 11 Blue Grosbeak 1 1 3 9 2 - - - 16 Indigo Bunting - 8 2 - - 2 - 13 4 4 23 - - 4 l4 2 - 2 - 3 9 2 6 1 - 99 Evening Grosbeak 23 117 - - 1 3 - 164 7 30 24 13 19 - 3 - 113 7 - 13 119 5 2 1 2 666 Purple Finch 7 - 5 - 20 2 7 67 - 20 37 2 - - 62 - - - - 5 - 1 - - - 235 Pine Siskin - l - - - - - 26 - 18 3 - 9 22 33 8 160 - - - 1 - - - - 281 American Goldfinch 44 194 65 50 30 64 115 660 20 116 565 110 29 ll4 186 130 16 27 10 372 238 30 75 52 6 3318 Rufous -sided Towhee 64 67 59 20 20 20 6 282 10 80 77 25 17 29 46 69 14 1 1 76 200 15 55 10 22 1285 Savannah Sparrow 3 - 4 3 2 - 2 10 - - - - 8 4 - 29 - - - 7 2 - 4o - 1 H5 Grasshopper Sparrow - - 7 1 1 3 7 - 9 8 6 3 - 2 - 2 - - 5 - 2 - - 56 Sharp -tailed Spar. 1 l Seaside Sparrow 6 l - 3 64 Vesper Sparrow - - 15 7 15 5 9 - - - 4 - - - - - - - - - 12 - - - - 67 Slate -colored Junco 3 3 2 2 1 5 7 - - - - - 23 Chipping Sparrow 136 70 28 13 10 8 10 167 12 18 51 17 9 17 2 4o 7 15 21 107 151 10 75 3^ 4 1032 Field Sparrow 50 20 22 12 3 3 23 119 2 31 55 28 ll 25 13 8 - 12 7 49 126 9 32 3 3 666 White -crown Sparrow - 2 10 2 8 ll 3 7 - - l 1 26 4 3 - - - 78 White -throated Spar 4 10 17 17 7 ll ll 274 15 33 139 1 5 20 16 67 7 16 10 4o 93 12 17 4 ll 857 Fox Sparrow 3 Swamp Sparrow 1 - 2 1 - - 6 - - 6 - 2 5 1 2 3 1 - - - - 15 - 5 50 Song Sparrow 34 4o 50 9 10 20 27 197 20 8 129 13 23 22 4 60 27 13 75 4l 42 3 23 - 44 934 Short -eared Owl 3 3 TOTAL SPECIES rsr 77 92 56 87 72 84 142 64 90 131 64 80 107 95 111 85 66 63 113 122 95 143 50 87 223 1688 2608 1189 1714 1066 6970 1457 1909 1428 1339 9397 5303 3275 liiiJX V llJU.tt.-uo 2776 1053 1619 12680 1821 1079 2457 4070 925 8275 1061 742 77901 TOTAL PARTY -HOURS 25 27 55 7 10 24 12 160 28 l4o 11 - \ 20 31 22 28 _ 2 li ' 5 50 88 8 15 4- k ll£ 818 \_n -0 June 1969 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE 5 £ MARYLAND BXRDLIFE Vol. 25, No. 2 a suggestion of a decline in this species from 1962 to 196k, followed by only a partial recovery. The Common Grackle, in recent years the most commonly reported species on the State -wide Bird Count, is included mere- ly for comparison. And finally, the Evening Grosbeak shows very clearly the nearly biennial pattern of its appearance in Maryland; note the trend toward higher numbers in each invasion year. Summary of Coverage GARRETT COUNTY (Gar), 4 observers. 4:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. R. Glenn Austin, Billie Taylor, Dick Douglass, John Workmeister. ALLEGANY COUNTY (All). 28 observers. 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Wolf, Dick Douglass, John Workmeister, Ken Hodgdon, Lanny Hodgdon, Robin Hodgdon, Mr. & Mrs. Joe Minke, Mr. & Mrs. Carl Fergueson, Dale Fuller, John Williams, Charlotte Folk, Billie Taylor, Paul Custer, Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Rosher, Mr. & Mrs. William Leeson, Nan Livingston, Mr. & Mrs, Arthur Morgan, Mr. & Mrs. Oscar Strieby, William Rue, Mr. & Mrs. Harold Frankhouser. WASHINGTON COUNTY (Was). l4 observers. 6 a.m, to 8 p.m. Mrs. Alice B. Mallonee, Carl W. Carlson, Mrs. Marjorie Golze, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Eck- stine,, Marie Wampler, Allen Eckstine, Lois Downin, Jeffery Downin, Mrs. J. B. Hatch, Barbara Horne, Stanley R. Eckstine, Francis Cutchall, Dr. Ralph S. Stauffer. WEST FREDERICK COUNTY (W. Fr. ) 2 observers. 6 a.m. to 5 P«m. Carl W. Carlson, Mrs. Marjorie Golze. EMMITSBURG, FREDERICK COUNTY (Emm). 5 observers. 5:45 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tom Andrews, Sam Harshberger, William Meredith, John Richards, Ruth Richards . CENTRAL FREDERICK COUNTY (CFr). 5 observers. 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Miss Sarah Quinn, William N. Shirey, Mrs. Mary Motherway, Mrs. Sydnae Steinhouse, William Steinhouse. SOUTHERN FREDERICK COUNTY (SFr). 2 observers 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Asenath McKnight, Edwin T. McKnight. CARROLL COUNTY (Car). 1 observer. 10 a.m. to 12:25 p.m. 28 species. Total individuals: 120 seen on 5 acres. Zola Cantwell. BALTIMORE CITY & COUNTY (Bal). 66 observers. 4:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Party-miles ; 294 by car, 71 on foot. Burton Alexander, Mrs. Margaret Allick, Mrs. William A. Anderson, Tommy Andres, Bruce Beehler, Hervey Brackbill, Gene Brooks, Mrs. Joseph Bruraback, Charles Brumley, Marian Butler, Tommy Cantrell, Dolores Chalk, Mr. & Mrs. John W. Clancy, Mrs. J. P. Cooper, Mr. & Mrs. Sanford Corey, Bill Corliss, Compton Crook, Jane Daniels, Charles Andres, Mr. & Mrs. David Fankhauser, Dr. Elizabeth Fisher, Mrs. Carl B. Francis, Miss Alice Friedel, Janet Ganter, Shirley Geddes, Mrs. W. F. Gerringer, Mrs. H. G. Hackman, Irving Hampe, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Heyda, David Holmes (compiler). Bill Johnson, Mrs. J. T. H. Johnson, Hank Kaestner, Mrs. Robert Kaestner, Haven Kolb, Mr. & Mrs. Richard Krahe, Barbara Larrabee, Angela Lavarello, Lilly Lavarello, Philip Lavarello, Ono Lescure, Mrs. Alfred Lawson, Janet Markham, Betty Maxson, Bertie McGregor, David Mulholland, Mrs. John H. Mulholland, Charles A. Munn III, R. Taylor McLean, Ann Peters, A. MacDonough Plant, Mr. & Mrs. Poteet, Jr., Phyllis Ravesies, Mrs. Norwood Schaffer, Mrs. Thomas Shipley, Stephen W. Simon, Mr. & Mrs. Herbert P. Strack, Ray Wockenfuss, Frances Yatsevitch. HARFORD COUNTY (Har). 5 observers. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Est. party- June 1969 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE 59 miles: 35 by car, 3 on foot. Mrs. Victor Preston, Miss Joyce Gorsuch, Rodney B. Jones, Mrs. Walter Kohout, Mrs. Frank Maslin. HOWARD COUNTY (How). 6 observers. 5 ’30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Party- miles: 25 by car, 20 on foot. Morris Collins, Paul Crone, Rosamond Munro, Dorothy Rauth, Eleanor Robbins, George Robbins. MONTGOMERY COUNTY (Mon). 24 observers. 4:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Party- miles: 105 by car, 75 on foot. Ted Banvard, Larry Banvard, Pat Bartlett, Mrs. Elinor Burke, Mr. & Mrs. Richard Carlson, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Caswell, Charles D. Cremeans, Morrill Donnald, T. L. Eliot, Jr., Mrs. Peg Frankel, Lester Holtschlag, Vincent Jones, Marjorie Koester, Doug Mclver, Helen Meleney, Dr. & Mrs. Harvey Mudd, Dr. J. W. Oberman, Ella Pfeiffer, Dr. Thomas Valega, Mr, & Mrs. Michael Bowen. R0SSM00R LEISURE WORLD, MONTGOMERY COUNTY (Ros). l4 observers. 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Party-miles: l 6 on foot. R. H. Rule, S. W. Rule, E. Klussman, N. Klussman, E, Gentel, T. Gentel, G. Wells, F. Rooche, A. Hoffman, B. Meeds, A. Johnson, W. Connor, K. Mitchell, A. Zempel. PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY (PrG). 9 observers. 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Party- miles: 40 by car, 7 on foot. A. Alexander, R. Alexander, Mrs. Baughman, Robert Elvander, Ossi Eskelinem, Dr. & Mrs. B. C. Getchell, Melvin Kleen, Dr. L. Murphy. PATUXENT WILDLIFE RESEARCH CENTER (PRC). 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Party- miles: 1 by car, 39 on foot. 4 observers. Ralph Andrews, Jerry Longcore, Elwood Martin, Duncan MacDonald. CENTRAL ANNE ARUNDEL (CAA). 2 observers. 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Party- miles: 5 by car, 19*5 on foot. Danny Bystrak, Paul Bystrak. GIBSON ISLAND, ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY (Gib). 20 observers. 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Eleanor Baker, Charles Buchanan, Porge Buck, Lewis Buck, Eric Buck, Peter Buck, Amelia Cochran, Mr. & Mrs. R. E. L. Johnson, Mr. & Mrs. George Metcalf, Mr. & Mrs. Don Neils on, Henry Page, Mr. & Mrs, Robert Prinz, Dr. & Mrs. Gerhard Schmeisser, Mrs. Sarah Symington, Vicki Zouck. ANNAPOLIS AREA, ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY (Ann). 7 observers. 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Party-miles: 59 by car, 10 on foot. Prof. David G. Howard, Marguerite S. Howard, Dr. H. Reissmann, Mrs. J. Stewart Wilson, Ed Wilson, Jonothan Symonds, Leif Eareckson. CALVERT COUNTY (Cal). 1 observer. 7 a.m. to 12 noon. Party-miles: 5 on foot. John H. Fales. CECIL COUNTY (Cec). 1 observer. 6 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Party-miles: 6 by car, 6 on foot. Edgar E. Folk III. LOWER KENT COUNTY (Ken). 30 observers. 6:10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Party- miles; 95 8 y car, 35 on foot. Charles Cockey, Mr. & Mrs. A. J. Delario, Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Eliason, Mrs. M.A. Eraerine, Dr. D. Z. Gibson, Mr. & Mrs. Harris McKinney, Mr. & Mrs. Edward Mendinhall, Mr. & Mrs. Durrell Noyes, Mr. & Mrs. Roy Ruhnka, Harrell Rusk, Alex Smith, James Stanford, Joseph Stavely, Mr. & Mrs. Clark Webster, Carl Westerdahl, Mrs. Stanley Wilson, Norma Lynn Fox, Susan Fox, James Newlin, Robb in Newlin, Kenneth Spencer, Mark Todd . CARDLINE COUNTY (Car). 5 a.m, to 7:30 p.m. Party-miles: 44l by car, 37 on foot. 28 observers. Elsie Bilbrough, Irene Bilbrough, Winifred Bright, Margarete Butenschoen, Ethel Engle, A. J. Fletcher, Roberta B. Fletcher, Winfield Henning, Marvin W. Hewitt, Naomi N. Hewitt, Alicia Knotts, Stella Matthews, Essie Pepper, Lorraine Pepper, Robert Pepper, 6o MARYLAND BIKDLIFE Vol. 25, No. 2 Walter Redden, Wilbur Rittenhouse, Mark Robbins, Thomas Robbins, Carol Scudder, Joan Scudder, William Sculley, Jacqueline Smith, Mace Smith, Isabelle Todd, V. Edwin Unger, Ida Unger, Rebecca Voshell. TALBOT COUNTY (Tal). 3 observers. 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Richard L. Kleen, John Valliant, Jeffrey Ef finger. DORCHESTER COUNTY (Dor). 2 observers. 3:50 a.m. to 8:50 p.m. Party miles: 226 by car, 4 on foot. Henry T. Armistead, William C. Russell. WICOMICO COUNTY (Wic). 7 observers. 8 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. Party miles: 62 by car, 5 on foot. Samuel Cimino, Ruth Denit, Harvey Hall, Mildred Johnson, William Johnson, Gertrude Oakman, Eugene Redden. WORCESTER COUNTY (Wor). 6:50 a.m. to 8 p.m. Party miles: 121 by car, 4 on foot. 4 observers. Peggy Bohanan, Walter Bohanan, Mary Bryan, Lyman Bryan. 7900 Brooklyn Bridge Rd., Laurel 1969-70 CHAPTER PRESIDENTS Allegany t Anne Arundel: Baltimore : Caroline: Frederick: Harford Kent: Montgomery: Patuxent: Talbot: Rossmoor Wicomico: Kendrick Y. Hodgdcn, 945 Weires Ave., La Vale, Md. 21502 'Phone PA2-8535 Mrs. Biwin C. Gras, 125 Academy St. Annapolis, Md. 21401 'Phone 263-4708 Mrs. Joshua W. Rowe, Box 348, Glen Arm Road, Glen Arm, Md. 21057 N05-7207 A. J, Fletcher, Box 201, Denton, Md. 21629 479-1529 Mrs. Mary S. Motherway, R. F. D. 1, Jefferson, Md. 21755 834-5125 Barclay E. Tucker, Route 3, Box 308 Bel Air, Md. 21014 838-6269 Mrs. Edward Mend inha 11, "Dams lie", R. D. 2, Chestertown, Md. 21620 778-0826 Dr. J. MM. Oberman, 4100 "W* Street H. W. # Washington, D. C. 20007 333-6315 Dr. Lawrence Zeleny, 4312 Van Buren Street, University Park, Hyatts villa, Md. 20782 927-3971 Mrs. C. D. Delphey, Jr., Royal Oak, Md. 21662 RI5-2410 Richard H. Rule, 3473 S. Leisure World KLvd. Silver Spring, Md. 20906 William L, Johnson, Deerfield Rd., Mardela Springs, Md. 21837 FOURTH LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS TO (Formerly, Somerset March 19, 1969 - Brainard, Mr. & Mrs. Vn, E Frederick Chapter Geddas, Mrs. Raymond Gorman, Mr. & Mrs. K. A. Isaak Walton League Jones, Percy W. IRISH GROVE WILDLIFE SANCTUARY County Sanctuary) June 1, 1969 Lans burgh, Richard Lockwood, Mr. & Mrs. Luke B. Preston, Dickson J. Quinn, Miss Sarah E. Workmeister, John F. York County Bird Club June 1969 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE 6l THE SEASON JANUARY, FEBRUARY, MARCH, 1969 Chandler S. Robbins 0 Although temperatures for the first three months of 1969 were 2° to 3 he low the average, this period was noteworthy for the extraordinarily light snowfall and the lack of prolonged cold weather from mid-January onward. Thus winter survival of Eastern Phoebe s, Carolina Wrens and other insectivorous species was unusually high. All three months were dry, with total precipitation between one-half and three-quarters of normal; by the end of March the three western counties and the Upper Eastern Shore were classed as severe drought areas. Sub-freezing nighttime temperatures were the rule until March 18, which was the first day of a six- day period of moderating weather with highs in the sixties and lows in the thirties and low fourties. Con- ditions for northward migration were favorable on the nights preceding March 18, 20, 21, 2 6 and 27. Cold northerly winds in the closing days of the month postponed until April the arrival of several species that usually reach Maryland in the closing days of March. First arrival dates of some of the earliest species to start their migration are summarized, by counties, in Table 1. A "W" indicates that first arrivals were obscured by the presence of wintering birds. Thanks are expressed to the following members for contributing to this table: Balt imore City and County — Mrs. Robert E. Kaestner, David Holmes, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bowen, Mel Garland; Howa rd County — Mrs. Harry B. Rauth, George Robbins, Mrs. G- C. Munro; Mont gomery- -Robert W. Warfield, Mrs. John Frankel, Mr. and Mrs. James Cooley, Mary Porter, Robert Hooker; Prince Georges — Danny and Paul Bystrak, Mr. and Mrs. Chandler Robbins, Frank McGilvrey, Brooke Meanley, Mrs. Leonard M. Llewellyn; Anne Arundel --Prof. Harold Wierenga, Paul and Danny Bystrak, Prof, and Mrs. David Howard; Caro line - -Marvin W. Hewitt, Ethel Engle, Mrs. Louis J. Knotts, Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Fletcher, F. Quidas; Talb ot — Jan Reese, Don Meritt; Some rset — Mrs. Richard D. Cole, Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Hackman, V. Edwin Unger, Danny and Paul Bystrak. Herons. On Mar. 17, Bill Clark counted 62 Great Blue Herons flying in the vicinity of their nesting colony west of Cecilton. We urge other members to make counts of active nests or of birds present at heronries, as abandonment of a colony or a sharp decline in numbers of herons may be an indication of serious environmental pollution. 62 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Vol. 25, No. 2 Table 1 . Spring Arrival Dates, 1969 Species Median 1969 Arrivals by Counties 1965 1966 1967 196« 1969 Balt Howd Mont Pr.G Anne Caro Talb Som Whistling Swan Canada Goose Wood Duck Blue -winged Teal Osprey — 3/12 3/18 3/22 3/16 -- 3/12 3/10 3/20 3/16 3/31 3 / 5 3/19 3/13 3/18 3/22 1 4 4 3/26 3/25 3/23 3/20 3/16 0 3/16 3/22 3/18 3/15 w W 3/16 3 / 43/8 1/27 3/24 3/17 W 3/23 3/25 3/16 3 / 1 2/11 3/19 3/23 ~ — -- 4/22 3/15 3/25 3/20 3/20 — 4/26 0 0 4/13 — 3/20 3/16 3/13 3/23 Killdeer Am. Woodcock Common Snipe Yellow -shafted Flicker Eastern Phoebe - 3/3 3/21 3/ 9 - 3/63/1 2/27 3 / 9 3 / 6 - 3/2 6 3/18 - - -- 3 / 5 3/25 3 / 8 - 3/28 3/18 3 /ll 3/16 3/19 ~ 3/11 2/ 6 - 3/16 " - 3 /"T W 3/16 3/ 6 — -- 3/ 9 — 2/10 2/ 6 03/9 - 3/20 3/ 5 3/31 W - 3 / 3 3/16 3 / 9 3/25 - - W 4 / l 3/17 3/14 — 4 / 3 3/21 3/28 w Tree Swallow Robin Eastern Bluebird Red -winged Blackbird Rusty Blackbird 3/29 3/31 4 / 2 3/27 3/29 3/19 2/14 2/10 3 / 93/3 - -- 3/ 6 3/ 6 - - 2/17 2/17 3 / 7 — ” 0 3/29 3/28 3/23 3/31 - b/10 2/11 2/25 3 / 9 3/13 w w 3/ 3 w -- 2/16 2/16 w 4 / 3 w w w — 3/7 3/5 2/11 2/ 6 w w w Common Grackle Brown -headed Cowbird Pine Siskin Rufous -sided Towhee Savannah Sparrow 2/28 2/26 2/27 3 / 43/6 - " 2/26 3/ 8 3/19 __ 1/26 - 3/21 4 / 7 3/23 3/22 - 3/21 - 3/23 3/13 W 3/ 6 2/16 3/63/8 W 1/30 W w 3/5 3/6 3/19 3/22 w w 3/23 1/29 2/83/41/6 w 1/23 l/l 4 W 3/18 3/23 3/22 w 3/22 w 3/25 4 / 9 -- 3 / 3 3/17 — 3/15 — 3 / 7 3/23 Vesper Sparrow Chipping Sparrow Fox Sparrow 4 / 5 57 1 -- 3/30 ~ -- 3/30 3/31 3/29 4 / 4 — 2/28 3/ 7 3/10 3/ 8 3/21 - 4 / 1 - 4/3 - 3 / 7 - 4/22 4 / 4 4 / 7 4 /io 4 / 3 3/15 3/l6 — 2/22 3/ 6 3/22 3/ 8 3/22 3/ 7 W W Geese . Snow Geese are continuing to increase as wintering birds in Bayside counties of the Eastern Shore. Observers can now cotint on seeing 100 or more at Blackwater Refuge through most of the winter. Robert Price estimated 50 near Easton on Jan. 16, and John Wanuga sighted about 70 in Oxford in mid-January. Don Meritt found 1 or 2 regularly in the Wye River area of Talbot County , and 4 Snows were seen with 21 Blue Geese in the Chestertown area of Kent County , Mar. 9 (Edward Mendinhall ). The peak migration of the Canada Goose occurred on Mar. 16-18, judging by the high counts made at inland locations on these dates . Top tally was 1,000 over Tanyard, Caroline County, on Mar. l8 (Ethel Engle). Hawks . The only Goshawk of the winter was carefully identified near Seneca on Feb. 22 by James Ruos and about 30 other observers who are familiar with this species . One of the rare inland occurrences of the ■pigeon Hawk in winter within our State was recorded at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center -on Feb. 5 by Brooke Meanley. Bald Eagles were reported only from Talbot and Dorchester Counties, from Conowingo, and from Irish Grove Wildlife Sanctuary south of Marion in Somerset County. Rails. Virginia Rails wintered abundantly at Irish Grove Wildlife Sanctuary. One of the few midwinter records of this species for Kent County was obtained by Edward Mendinhall on Jan. 7* In an even more un- likely location, a Piedmont bird was discovered at Viers Mill in Mont- gomery County on Feb. 16 (Peg Frankel). A King Rail was found dead at the Choptank marsh at Tanyard on Feb. 27 (W. Engle). Shorebirds , Gulls . A Dunlin at Sandy Point State Park on Mar. 25 was unusually early for the upper Bay (Harold Wierenga). Maryland's gull rarity of the period was a Black-headed Gull at Ocean City Inlet on Feb. 23 (Dr. Edwin G. Davis and others). MARYLAND HIRDLIFE 63 June 1969 Owls . Short-eared Owls were found throughout the winter between Hughes Hollow and Poolesville. A high count of 10 was made by Jim Ruos on Mar. 16. Phoebe . Single Eastern Phoebes survived the winter at Seneca and at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center near Laurel. The northernmost re- port came from Monkton, where an individual was noted on Feb. 21 by Stephen Simon. Pipits . Warblers . The largest flocks of Water Pipits are generally found in the fertile Frederick and Hagerstown Valleys or on the Lower Eastern Shore; therefore a flock of 100 at Sandy Point State Park on Mar. 20 (Prof. Wierenga) is worthy of mention. Two Pine Warblers survived the winter at John Rope's feeder in Talbot County. Less successful was a Yell owt hr oat that was picked up in Irvington, Baltimore County, on Jan. 2 and died shortly thereafter (Stephen Simon). Orioles . Most of the reports of wintering Baltimore Orioles came from the Baltimore suburbs! Jan. 26 at Glendale (Gemma Rizner); through- out January at Wiltondale (Margaret Thompson), Jan. 9 at Fullerton (Ernest Nutzel), Jan. 17-18 at Glen Arm (Heydas), Jan. 6-10 near Towson (Lubberte), Mar. 6 at Larchmont (Hervey Brackbill), Mar. 31 and Apr. 1 near Towson (Stracks), and Apr. 1-2 on Wellington Road (Julie Metcalf). A female oriole carefully studied at Kingsville on Feb. 22 by Mel Garland had the white belly and unstreaked grayish back characteristic of the Bullock's Oriole — a western species that has not yet been admitted to the official Maryland list because of difficulty in distinguishing it from the Balti- more Oriole. Northern finches . Without a doubt the most talked- of species this winter were the Evening Grosbeaks and Pine Siskins that invaded feeding stations throughout the Free State. With them came large flocks of American Goldfinches and a scattering of Purple Finches. Single Common Redpolls were seen at two locations in mid- January: one at Annapolis on the 17th (Prof. Wierenga), the other, a female, closely observed for 25 minutes at Henderson, establishing the first record for Caroline Coubty (Marvin W. Hewitt). Four Red Crossbills seen in Silver Spring cm Feb. 16- 17 were the only representatives of this erratic species reported (Mrs. Lillian Cain). Grosbeaks . Towhees, and Sparrows . Well-documented reports of four extreme rarities fall in this paragraph. First is a wintering Rose-breasted Grosbeak at Greensboro, Dec. 18 through Jan. 4 (Marvin Hewitt). Second is a female HLack-headed Grosbeak studied at the feeding station of Miss Gene Evans at Accokeek, Jan, 13-18 (Miss Marcia Lakeman). Third, a Lincoln's Sparrow at Shad Landing State Park in Worcester County on Jan. 19 (Marcia Lakeman and Marcia Nelson). And fourth is the first Maryland occurrence of a Green- tailed Towhee; this bird was present throughout January at the home of Wesley Quail in the Liberty Road area of .Baltimore County. Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife Migratory Bird Populations Station, Laurel 64 MARYLAND BIRBLIFE Vol. 25. No. 2 THE PRESIDENT’S PAGE V . Edwin Unger It pleases me to be afforded the opportunity to serve the Society for another year as its president. While the increasing size of the organization and its expanding activities result in increased responsibility for everyone, this is to be accepted as a welcome development. One may be sobered by the thought, but need not be frightened, for with increased membership comes an increasing number of knowledgeable, capable and dedicated people ready and willing to assume their share of work and responsibility. It is especially heartening to see the number of youngsters joining the ranks and dis- playing initiative. I have no reservations about our ability to meet the challenge of the days ahead. A Trustee writes about MOS affairs and casually mentions the fact that his annual preoccupation with observing and recording the details of the spring migration has caused him to neglect his lawn and garden; that now June has come, he can at last direct his attention thereto. I am certain he needs no reminder that come July 15th, the reverse migration begins and that once again nothing outside his curricular affairs will seem as compelling as the check- ing and the note-making that attends the great, inexorable, un- fathomable movement — from nesting grounds to winter range, and vice- versa. Time and again we observe this phenomenon with wonder and awe . We name it and predict the date with accuracy. We chart the course for each species. We give the reason and explain the factors involved. We talk of the means by which the time and the path are chosen and followed, yet in the end we resort to conjecture and hypothesis. Elusive as the answers to our questions are, a few things are certain. It will happen again. There will be some surprises, but whether or not we individually are favored with such, the observing of this migration will be just as exciting and exhilarating as the ones before. In the hurly-burly of present-day affairs, the coming event will offer and provide welcome relief, infinite pleasure , and food and sustenance for mind and soul. Federalsburg £25£J2& mmAHP HtHDLIFB MINUTES OF ANNUAL MEETING. MAY 10, 1969 & The 22nd Annual Meeting of the Maryland Ornithological Society, Inc. was called to order by the President, V. Edwin Unger, on May 10, 1969* at the Hastings-Miramar Hotel, Ocean City, Maryland, at 8:10 p.m. with approximately 1 50 members present. Motion was made and seconded to dispense with the reading of the minutes which had been published in the June 1968 issue of M ARIL AMD BIRDLIFE. Mr. Henning presented and read the Treasurer's report. The report together with the auditors* report will appear in MARTI AND BIRDLIFE. Mr. Unger discussed the Budget, which would be presented to the Trustees. Chapter reports will appear in BIRDLIFE Mr, Unger presented some comparative figures on state membership over the past few years* 1959 - 623 1964 - . 828 1967 - 1100 1961 - 628 1965 - - 965 1968 - 1248 1963 - 762 1966 . . 1051 1969 - 1537 (Registration at the Convention was 313 persons) Coimaittee Reports'* Conservation : John Healy's report recounted our organisation's participation in conservation activities during this past year. Foremost was the purchase of the Somerset sanctuary. Also reported was the creation of the Maryland Conservation Council, Inc., an organisation of conservation-minded groups and individuals whose purpose is to keep organisations and individuals informed and alerted to conservation legislation and help co-ordinate conservation related action and activities. Mrs. Rowe called attention to the fact that the state M.O.S. and Baltimore Chapter became regular members of the Council, Their respective Conservation Chairmen, John Healy and Elisabeth Hartline were elected as Directors and also as Vice-President and Secretary, respec- tively. Other chapters and individuals were encouraged to join. Mrs. Robbins drew attention to several items of national legislation taking place, encouraging members to react actively to the legislators concerned. Sanctuary : Mrs. Richard Cole presented the Sanctuary report in the absence of Mr. Hackman. This report will be published in BIRDLIFE. Publications : Mr. Robbins extended thanks to the membership for their support of MARYLAND BIRDLIFE, and urged them to continue to submit articles and cover photos. MARYLAND BTlllI,T7g 66 Vol. 25. Ho. 3 He gave especial thanks to Miss Mildred Cole for her exceptional job as chief typist. He also expressed thanks to Mrs. Richard Cole and to Mr. £ Mrs. Strack on the production and nailing eonaittees. Announcenent was made of two scholarships awarded again this year. The Helen Miller Scholarship was awarded to Miss Ann Louise Hager, Allegany Chapter, The Katharyn Brown Lakenan Scholarship was awarded to Mr. Charles Srumley, Baltimore Chapter. Both will attend the Maine Audubon Camp. Richard Stambaugh, one of last year's recipients, expressed his thanks for the opportunity to attend last year and to participate in the program. Mr. Unger announced that the Baltimore Chapter has just contributed $300.00 to the Helen Miller Endowment Fund and $1200.00 to the Sanctu- ary Fund from profits derived fro* the Audubon Wildlife Screen Tours. Nominating Committee ; Mrs. Edwin Gras, Chairman of the Nominating Committee presented the following slate of officers: President Mr, V, Edwin Unger First Vice-President Dr, Edgar E, Folk, III Second Vioe-Pres. Mr. Chandler S. Robbins Treasurer Mr. Winfield Henning Secretary Mrs. Edwin C. Gras Motion was made that the nominations be closed. It was seconded and approved and the Secretary was instructed to cast the ballot. The following nominations for Trustees as presented by the several Chapters were offered: Allegany Anne Arundel Baltimore Dr. Kendrick Hodgdon Mrs. Edwin C. Gras Mrs. Joshua W. Rowe Caroline Frederick Harford Kent Mr. A. J. Fletcher Mrs. Mary S. Motherway Mr. Barclay E. Tucker Mrs. Edward Mendinhall Montgomery Dr. J. Mr. Oberman Patuxent Rossmoor Talbot Dr. Lawrence Zeleny Mr. P. Richard Rule Mrs. Charles Delphey, Jr, Wicomico Mr. William L. Johnson Mrs. Kendrick Hodgdon Mrs. William C. Parades Mrs. Raymond Geddes , Jr. Mr. Rodney B. Jones Mrs. Robert E, Kaestner Mrs. Martin G. Larrabee Mr. A. MacDonough Plant Mr. Chandler S. Robbins Mrs. Edward A. Metcalf Mrs. Percy Scudder Dr. Howard Hodge Mr. Frank Buckley Mrs. Anthony Delario Mrs. Thomas S. Carswell Mr. Carl Carlson Mr. Edward Goods tein Mr. Elwood Fisher Miss Agnes T. Hoffman Mr. Joseph Robinson Mrs. Joseph Robinson Mr. Charles Baker June 1969 MARYLAND BIKDLIFB £L Motion was made, seconded and approved to accept the nominations, and to declare the above naned nominees elected. After due consideration, Mrs. Mendlnhall made a notion, later seconded and approved, that the new sanctuary retain it's local nane and be called officially, •The Irish Grove Wildlife Sanctuary". Mr. Dickson Preston proposed the following resolution, which was duly and enthusiastically approved: "Be it resolved, that because his prompt and vigorous leadership played such a decisive role in acquiring the Irish Grove Wildlife Sanctuary, and for his rallying of widespread support to pay for it; this convention formally and officially says to President Unger: "Thanks, Ed, for a job well done. I* Mrs. Schaffer announced the dedication ceremonies of Soldier's Delight Wildlife Area acquired through the work of the Citizen's Committee. Mrs. Mendlnhall announced the Bird Carving Exhibit to be held at the Fine Arts Center, Washington College, in Che 3 ter town from Nov. 19-23. Also, she extended a cordial invitation to all, to attend the Annual Membership Picnic at "Damaite" , near Chestertovn, on Saturday, July 12. Mr. Kevin Mullen presented the following resolution: 1. Whereas, DDT is a persistent pesticide not readily degradable by natural processes and; 2. Whereas DDT has entered into every food web on earth and; 3. Whereas there is increasing evidence that DDT is a major factor in the decline of several species of birds, and possibly other organisms and; 4. Whereas the decline of these species may be an indicator of damage to the natural environment and? 5. Whereas damage to the environment is ultimately to man's disadvantage and possibly a threat to man himself and; 6. Whereas increasing amounts of DDT are needed to control target populations and; 7. Whereas improved bio-control methods are increasingly available and species specific and shortlived insecticides are available; Be it resolved : that the Maryland Ornithological Society urge the proper parties to increase efforts toward further development of bio-control methods and species-specific bio-degradable insecticides and demand the immediate cessation of the use of DDT and other broad-spectrum persistant insecticides. Dr. Messersmith suggested, and it was reaffirmed by several others, that the Executive Council decide who the "proper parties" are, to whom the resolution will be sent, and the correct action to be taken. Dr. Zeleny noted that the resolution might be strengthened if principle insecticides were named. The resolution carried as presented. 68 MAMLAMD p ntTW.m Vol. 25. No. 2 Mr. Carlson moved that MOS present a resolution to the Governor, stating that in it's opinion the pesticide bill just passed by the Maryland Legislature is not in the best interest of Maryland or the public, urging bin to reconsider his announced opinion. The resolution should state that our organization is not opposed to the purpose of the bill, but is opposed to the agency named to carry it out. After sons lively discussion. Dr. Haines moved and it was seconded and approved, that the problem be turned over to the Trustees. Mr. Unger asked for an expression from the membership to the Trustees regarding a proposal to transfer $1000.00 from the Operating Fund to the Sanctuary Fund. An expression of approval was given. The meeting was adjourned at 900 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Alta Gras, Secretary COMMITTEES FOR 1969-70 Auditing Budget By-Laws John Wanuga (Chairman), Miss Edith Adkins, Ranald Nevins Edwin T. McKnight (Chairman), Morris Collins, Dr. Vincent Jones, Charles N. Mason, Winfield Henning (Treasurer). Rodney Jones (Chairman), A. McDonough Plant, Barclay Tucker Conservation John F. Healy Nominating Mrs. Raymond Geddes, Jr. (Chairman), Dr. Harvey Hall, Dickson Preston, Dr. J, William Oberman, Mrs, Gordon Taylor Publications Chandler S. Robbins (Editor) Sanctuary Gordon Hackman (Chairman), Mrs. Richard D. Cole (Vice- Chairman), Charles Baker, Richard Carlson, Mrs. Morrill Donnald, Dr. Edgar B. Folk in. Dr. Harvey Ban, Edward Mendlnhall, Mrs. Gordon Taylor, John Tomlinson, Mrs. Gardner Tillinghast 1969 mam amiri £2 ANNUAL REPORTS OF LOCAL CHAPTERS ALLEGAN! COUNT! CHAPTER Our club has been very active again this year. We had tvo covered dish dinners and two work days at Carey Run Sanctuary and three bird walks in addition to the Christmas Bird Count and the Statewide Bird Count. At our monthly meetings we enjoyed the following films: "Patterns of the Wild", "Caribou Caravan", "Africa’s Vanishing Wildlife", and "Wild Rivers." We also had a talk on "Alaskan Wildlife" by Chan Robbins and "Adventure in Penn's Woods" by Tom Dies. We sponsored the Junior Nature Camp again this year, June 13 - 17. Kendrick T. Hodgdon, President ANNE ARUNDEL CHAPTER The Anne Arundel Chapter has had a full year - with 11 field trips, and 7 lecture meetings, including two paid lectures ( one to raise money for the Chapter Sanctuary Fund, and the other to help cover expenses.) The lectures included: "Whistling Swans" by Mrs. Walter Ennis, author and world traveler; "Endangered Wildlife Species" by James Stevens and Bruce Williams, of that department at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center; Learning about our Maryland Game Wardens with A. A. County's W. E. Willing; studying the Chesapeake and the Effects of Developments with Mr. Jess Malcolm, Director of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation; Dr. Francis Williamson interpreted the projects - present and future - at the Smithsonian Institution's Chesapeake Bay Center for Field Biology at Java Farm and Ivy Neck. Our annual Wildlife Film Lecture featured Merrill S. Cottrell, with "Observing Nature and Wildlife Around the dock." Another program highlight was the Donald Sutherlands 1 presentation of "Where Land Meets the Sea." Field trips covered a wide range and included: Kent Island banding station; Queen Anne's Bridge area; Chesapeake Bay Center for Field Biology and Java Farm; Patuxent Wildlife Research Center; Hillsmere Shores and Thomas Point; Remington Farms Wildlife Refuge; Corcoran Woods; Soldier's Delight Wildlife Area; Cedarville State Park; Fiddler's Creek Farm (which is coming) ; and a joint trip to Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge with the Montgomery Chapter in November. In the past year our membership has grown to 95. and we feel the need of a junior program, but the leadership has not yet been forthcoming. We are fortunate that Mrs. Julia Wilson, our current secretary, has continued to have articles published in the "Chesapeake Scene" weekly supplement to the Evening Capital , under the column head "For the Birds," with her own by-line. Helen Giblo, Outdoors Editor for the Evening Capital continues to give us excellent publicity. 22 . MARYLAND HTEDLIFE Yol. 25. HQ. 2 Members of the Chapter participated in both the Christmas and May Bird Counts. Alta Gras, President BALTIMORE CHAPTER Though Baltimore Chapter's year followed the general pattern of previous years, it also witnessed some changes and a stronger emphasis on conservation and conservation education. To help provide our membership and the public with a fuller under- standing of the natural world, our relationship to it, and our depend- ence on it, the Chapter undertook a series of four National Audubon Wild- life Film Lectures. The results were rewarding. As well as expanding our own horizons, we reached persons who: were unaware of MOS's existence or were looking for the local "Audubon Society;" were attracted by the travel aspect and found a new door opened to them; had supposed "Ornithological" pre- cluded broader interests; were seeking wholesome, worthwhile family - entertainment. Our membership grew proportionately. Financially success- ful, the lectures provided more substantial support to the Sanctuary Fund and Helen Miller Scholarship Fund. We are deeply indebted to the Richard Krahes, Chairmen, and to Jim Emerson, Publicity Chairman. Next year our educational outreach will include providing four Audubon matinees for the vocational school students whose auditorium we use. In the field of conservation, increased interest and motivation on the part of more members have been stimulated by Mrs. Elizabeth Hartline, Conservation Chairman, and John Healy, State Chairman, who have kept us abreast of current problems and have represented the MOS viewpoint at hearings. They are officers of the newly formed Maryland Conservation Council, which Baltimore Chapter and the Society have joined as member organizations. The Chapter also became affiliated with the National Audubon Society, realizing that the interchange of information and ideas between organizations with similar interests is highly beneficial. Always attractive to our members and a sure attraction to prospective ones is our Annual Programs 37 field trips, 6 classes, 3 dinner meetings, 2 bird counts. Our retiring co-chairmen, Mrs, Barbara Larrabee and Mrs. Edith Conley meticulously planned every detail, and deserve unlimited praise for their three years of superior service. The Junior Activities Committee, chaired by Mrs. Martha Schaffer and Mrs. Charlotte Lawson, conducted its four-part program with continuing success . Many members gave much time to the 1 ) alternate Saturday walks and talks attended by about 1800 children; 2) school classes, conducting 134 classes (nearly 5 000 children) through Cylburn nature trails and the MOS Museum; 3) Junior Nature Club (56 members), which recently created a tidal marsh habitat like that of the new MOS sanctuary; 4) Junior Nature Canq> weekend for 5° children, directed by Mrs. Dorothy Clark, June 1969 MARYLAND BIRILIFE 21 For years this committee has been developing and conducting what is, perhaps, Baltimore Chapter's most meaningful contribution to conserva- tion — for the future regard for our natural environment depends so much upon the education of today's youth. With great relunctance we are losing to Charlotteville, Virginia, a strong supporter of this concept, one who has given her utmost in time and talent to this work: Mrs, Charlotte Lawson. We are grateful beyond words for her ten years of devotion to the Junior program. The mounted bird collections. Museum and loan, have been enlarged, and the latter loaned 31 times. A series of 4 Nature Classes for be- ginners (parents, grandparents, etc,) was repeated this year. The Cylbum Committee, under Miss Stta Wedge, provided hostesses in the MOS Museum during 15 Open Houses and maintained the trail feeders. In September we participated in the first Cylbum Market Day. Our booth, headed by Mrs. Jessie Kratzer, enjoyed successful sales to support MOS acticities at Cylbum. Extension Services, chaired by Miss Grace Naumann, filled Zk requests for speakers to outside groups. As Equipment Chairman she. has been ex- panding our slide collection with slides contributed by members. The Bird Exchange, which provides "Bird Notes* in our monthly News- letter and files quarterly reports with Chan Robbins, enjoyed a year of spirited reports by members and informative comments by its chairman, Mrs. Alice Kaestner. The MOS Bookstore, under the expert management of Mrs. Phyllis Ravesies and Mrs. Vivian Shepard, has been well patronized. The MOS Sanctuary Fund traditionally benefits from the proceeds. These were the highlights; but without the many workers, seen and unseen, "our year" could not have happened. Deserving special appreci- ation, for she is retiring after five years as productionist of the Newsletter, is Mrs. Julie Metcalf. Well-organized, she never failed in her task of "getting the news to us" each month, on time. Our membership, as of May 8, is 602, 102 of whom are Juniors. Many factors contributed to the increase in our ranks, not the least of which was the person-to-person influence of our Membership Chairmen, the Gordon McGregors. We cordially invite all MOS members and their friends to attend our activities and to visit the MOS Museum whenever they are in Baltimore. Mrs. Nancy D. Rowe, President 72 MARTLAMn PTPrf.TFB Vcq A 25^ NO, 2 CAROLINE COUNTY CHAPTER The Caroline County Bird dub, with a current membership of 27 » held regular monthly meetings except in December and May when the club participated in State-wide census studies. We had 28 observers for the May Count. The September, January, and April meetings were held in the homes of members. Two meetings were held in schools; the October meeting was held jointly with the Talbot County Bird Club at Easton, and one meet- ing was held in the educational center of the Choptank Electric Cooperative. The June picnic will be held at Mill Creek Sanctuary at Wye Mills. Meeting subjects were: "Wildf lowers observed while Binding" by Marvin W. Hewitt; "Marshland is not Wasteland" by V. Edwin Unger; "Birds of Prey", a film by David Smith of Maryland Department of Game and Inland Fish; December 14 and 21, 1968 , Preliminary Count and AnnualChristmas Count; "Rock Hunting in Caroline County" by Howard Engle; "Valley of the Swans," a Canadian Travel Film; "Forestry Programs in Caroline County" by Jan Dunbar, District Forester; and "Bird Puzzlers" by A. J. Fletcher, and Woodcock Observation at the Scudders. A. J. Fletcher, President FREDERICK CHAPTER The Frederick Chapter celebrated its 20th anniversary this year. Oldtime rs and newcomers continue to do good work in the Chapter. Our progress has been slow but steady and our membership of 59 , including two juniors, is at an all-time high. We are confident that we will con- tinue to grow. The weather this year treated is kindly. Meetings were held as scheduled each month, September through May, with some of the finest speakers we have ever had. Attendance was outstanding in some cases. Field trips twice a month, from April to June and September to November, were rewarding. It was interesting to note how much the members are learning about sighting and identifying the birds, as well as reporting those seen at their feeders. In the first half of the year our speakers were: Albert Powell, showing his personal slides of "Wildf lowers" ; Dr. & Mrs. Elmer G. Worthley, with an illustrated talk about "Birds and Plants"; Mrs. Joshua Rowe, telling about her experience at the Maine Audubon Camp; Chan Robbins, showing slides and talking about "Alaska Wildlife" at our annual dinner meeting with a large attendance; and Edward Kerns, present- ing an illustrated lecture on "The Geology and Minerals of Frederick County." an outstanding lecture. Speakers for the second half included: Robert Hoffman, showing his beautiful slides of wildflowers, insects, plants and mushrooms , which Jmo 1969 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE 22 he titled, "A Close-up of Nature"; Ray Toms, Maryland Wildlife Officer, who talked of Management Practices and Law Enforcement and showed two films, "Birds of Prey of the Northeastern United States," and "The Feathered Link"; Steven Lewis, Instructor at the Stephen T. Mather Inter- pretive Training and Research Center, Harpers ^erry, who presented the film, "Mark Catesby - The Colonial Naturalist." At the May meeting we were honored to have our State President, Mr. Edwin Unger, talk about Conservation and the Sanctuaries. Wte recommend all of these programs highly. A new project for the Chapter was the presentation of a year's sub- scription to "Ranger Rick" to one of the elementary schools of Frederick County. This Is a magazine for young people published by the National Wildlife Federation. The few faithful and dedicated members who make the official December and May counts should be commended. A summary of the Christmas count is made at the home of Dr. and Mrs. John Richards, Emmitsburg, who graciously serve a buffet dinner to the weary birders at the end of the day. Also, our thanks to Bill Shirey for making about a dozen more bluebird houses which we hope will lure these birds into the area. Success of the Chapter has been due to the splendid cooperation of the officers and members, the newspapers and radio stations, and the Baltimore Chapter for sharing their Newsletters , from which we get many ideas. My sincere thanks to one and all. Mary S. Motherway, President HARFORD CHAPTER Our 1968-69 year has again been one of activity. We continued our regular program of bimonthly meetings, the first a picnic supper and planning session at Rock Run Sanctuary in September. The other four were supper meetings at the Churchville Presbyterian Church. Programs in- cluded a review of State conservation plans by Mr. John Healy, our State Conservation Chairman; an exciting travelogue and wildlife film of his recent trip to Africa by Mr. David Smith of our Harford Club; a slide and lecture presentation of the Birds of Cape Henlopen by Mr. Winston Wayne of the Delmarva Ornithological Society; and a slide and review session on some forty of Maryland's common poisonous plants and shrubs by myself. More than a quarter of our members took part in the Statewide Christmas Bird Count, and we felt we very effectively covered the Rock Run counting areas in Harford and Cecil Counties this year. Our Club provided feed for the Rock Run Sanctuary throughout the winter and members took turns filling the feeders on a programmed weekly basis throughout the winter. The feeders were never empty. Thanks to a group of teachers from our chapter, both active and re- tired, under chairmanship of Mrs. Grace Wright, a former Chapter 74 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE president, we have begun a junior nature program at Rock Run this spring. Two groups of 4-H and school children have participated so far. Mr. Doug Hackman has served as our instructor and demonstrator, we hope to expand and continue this program in the future. Edgar E. Folk III, President KENT COUNTY CHAPTER During the past year our Chapter has continued to have interesting activities that have been fruitful in gaining knowledge about bird life. At one of our regular monthly meetings we had the pleasure of see- ing a U. S. Wildlife Service film entitled "Marshland is not Wasteland." It was a very informative film showing clearly the value of the marsh- lands to the needs of mankind and wildlife. Our group has been most enthusiastic on the acquisition of the Sanctuary in Somerset County by the State M. 0. S. A substantial con- tribution was made from our sanctuary fund toward the purchase of this property. Our outstanding accomplishment this year has been the presentation of another series of Audubon films and lectures. There was an average attendance of over five hundred at these performances and plans are made to continue the series for next year. There was good attendance at the Bird Count held on December 28. The final tally showed that a total of 109 species and a count of 174,328 were observed during the day. That evening a covered dish supper was held at the home of Dr. & Mrs. Gibson, much to the pleasure of everyone present. Our committee for the next Bi-Annual Bird Carving Exhibit has been active through the year. Plans are being made to hold the exhibit during the week of November 17-23 and judging by the response of a number of the most prominent carvers, we hope this will be another success for the benefit of the Sanctuary Fund. On May 3 a number of the regular members and junior members took part in the Spring Count. The total for the day included 120 species and 11,200 birds counted. We net later at the home of Mr. & Mrs. Edward Mendinhall for a delightful picnic supper. I wish to thank the members of the State organization and our local Chapter who have supported our program during the past year, and extend best wishes to the Chapter for a most successful year ahead. W. H. Rusk, President June 1969 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE 21 MONTGOMERY COUNTY CHAPTER This was a very active year for our Chapter. This has been made possible by our growing membership (137 total; a gain of 18 over the past year) and the demonstrated willingness of members to become in- volved in Chapter activities. Highlights of our monthly meetings included presentations by Representative Gilbert Gude on "How to Attract Birds to your Home”, Chan Robbins on "Sonograms", Dr. Ray Erickson on "Rare and Endangered Species" and Bill Clark on "Banding Birds of Prey." Our annual banquet in January was attended by well over half the membership and featured slide presentations and art displays by members. We continue to have a large number of well-attended field trips — 19 from September to May. This year included trips to Cape May, Nags Head, Chincoteague and a boat trip off Ocean City. Members participated significantly in the two yearly censuses - the Christmas Count (24 indi- viduals in 13 parties) and the May Count (24 individuals in 11 parties). The Chapter has taken an enthusiastic interest in the new Somerset County sanctuary. During the year, members contributed $1 ,000. to the Sanctuary Fund in the name of the Chapter, above and beyond a large number of direct individual member contributions. A significant portion of this sum was derived from sales of peanut butter bird feeders con- structed by two of our members. In April the Chapter contributed $50.00 to the Voice of the Naturalist, a telephone service providing information on bird sightings in the D. C. Area and operated by the ANS. Our Vice-President, Kevin Mullen, was instrumental in initiating this service and plans a major role in its day-to-day operation. This year the Chapter took an increased interest in conservation matters. Chapter members met with representatives from the Maryland National Capital Park & Planning Commission and Hood College relative to the establishment of a wildlife sanctuary in Montgomery County. The Chapter also was consulted by the Maryland Department of Game & Inland Fisheries on the interim development of a strip of parkland for varied recreational use. During the year a Resource Committee was established of members willing to be active in presenting our points of view relative to conservation to various groups and legislative committees. This will be superseded in the coming year by a Conservation Committee. J. William Oberman, M. D. , President HTML-THTE Vol. 25. Mo. 2 1 L PATUXBNT CHAPTER The Patuxent Chapter enjoyed an excellent year. Our fine Program Committee supplied us with a varied assortment of interesting speakers who illustrated their talks with color slides and/or movies. Again the Committee was fortunate to be able to draw on the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center for several of the speakers. The speaker for our April meeting was a prominent ornithologist from Denmark who was visiting the Migratory Bird Populations Station. The Chapter had eight regular meetings plus a picnic planned for June to wind up the season. There were four scheduled bird walks includ- ing a winter tour of local feeding stations which was featured by the large numbers of Evening Grosbeaks and Pine Siskins seen. Since many of our members take part in the Christmas and State-wide bird counts, no other walks were scheduled for December or May. The speakers and their subjects for our eight meetings were as follows: Mrs. W. T. Van Velzen , "Exploring Washington State"; Mr. James Glahn, "Studies on Rails in Colorado"; Mr. Chandler S. Robbins, "Alaska Wildlife"; Mr. William C. Kantz, "Osprey Decline"; Dr. Lawrence Zeleny, "Birds of Tobago and Other Caribbean Islands"; Mr. Bruce Bowman, "Hell's Canyon on the Snake River"; Dr. Anders Joensen, "Danish Birds"; and a color movie on Birds oi t*rey of Northeastern United States by David Smith of the Maryland Department of Game and Inland Fish. In addition to our speakers a regular and interesting feature of our meetings has been the discussion by the members of interesting or unusual birds seen by them during the month. Mrs. Robbins continues to give the Chapter much needed and valuable publicity in her weekly column in the Laurel News Leader. She is also doing a wonderful job as our Conservation Committee. Lawrence Zeleny, President ROSSMOOR CHAPTER The Rossmoor Chapter has had 11 meetings (the third Thursday of each month) during the last 12 months. We do not meet in December. At each monthly meeting a guest speaker has presented an appro- priate program. These programs have consisted of motion pictures, slides, presentations of live birds by a bird bander, and talks on ornithological subjects. Some of the speakers have been — Don and Millie Sutherland, Elizabeth Peacock, Donald Messersmith, Helen Goldstick, James ESLke, Ed Unger, Ernest Klussman and Chandler Robbins. The chapter conducts bird walks on the Saturday following each monthly meeting, in the Rossmoor area except in the winter months. June 1969 MAKILAHD HERTUFK 21 The chapter has had two specific programs during the years the erection of 12 bluebird houses throughout our area; and the annual May bird count. The bluebird project started in 1968 with the placing of 12 boxes and resulted in one box being used by a family of bluebirds. This spring (1969) two boxes were occupied by bluebirds with five eggs in each box, one box was occupied by a Carolina Chickadee, number of eggs unknown, and a fourth was occupied by a House Sparrow and the lady members of the chapter refused to permit the sparrow family to be ejected. The bird count (Kay 3) covered the Rossmoor area and the chapter provided two parties for the entire day totalling 14 members. The count was not too impressive as it totalled only 64 species and something over a thousand individuals. Richard H. Rule, President TALBOT COUNTY BIRD CLUB The Talbot County Bird Club had what can best be described as an up-and-down season during 1 968-69 We were UP both in membership and in financial condition, especially the latter. But we were DOWN in attendance at meetings and in membership interest in club activities such as breakfast walks, trips, etc. Hopefully, this can be remedied by our new leadership and by a more varied program, both at our monthly meetings and in outdoor activities. On the positive side, Talbot County: — Sponsored, for the 11th time, a full season of five Audubon Wildlife F ilms . Under the co- chairmanship of Mrs. Lee J. Smith, Jr. and Mrs. Robert Price, this was an outstanding success, netting a substantial sum for our sanctuary fund. — Sold more than 300 copies of "Field List of the Birds of Mary- land," also adding substantially to our treasury. Thanks for this are due to Ron Nevius, who handled the booklets without charge at his Easton hardware store. —Held seven monthly meetings featuring local or out-of-town speakers, recruited by Program Chairman Jan Reese. — -Conducted 11 breakfast hikes and a winter trip to Ocean City. — Recorded 103 species in the Christmas Count, by no means a Talbot County record but not bad either. Dickson J. Preston, President 28 MARYLAND HTRTff.TVg Y61> 25. No. 2 Wicomico Bird Club The Wicomico Bird Club was a co-sponsor of the Atlantic Flyway Wood Carving Exhibition held in the Salisbury Civic Center last October 18, 19. and 20th. The club participated in handling of advance ticket sales to this event. We expect to again participate in the event scheduled for October 1969- The show of 1968 was the first such event for the Salisbury area. It is expected the show will establish itself as an annual event based on the success of the first venture. Members of other clubs desiring tickets or information may write W, L. Johnson, Deerfield, Mardela Springs, Md. 21837. Our Miss Lydia Boiler organized a Junior Audubon Club last fall with 18 members at the start. Currently membership is 25, approximately two- thirds of the members are boys. At least two of the planned summer outings will be guided by experienced adult birders other than Miss Beiler. Blackwater and the Somerset Sanctuary are included in addition- al planned trips for the spring and summer. Miss Beiler hopes that after this year that she will be able to organize at least one trip for the Juniors to the MDS Convention. We participated in the Christmas bird count and the May count under the direction of Dr. Hall. Many members of the club have donated their time and effort to the Somerset Sanctuary in helping with the grass cutting, cleaning the house and out ouildings, etc. We donated a Martin house to the sanctuary and Mr. Baker erected it. Mr, Baker also put up some of the bluebird houses, as did the Junior Audubon Club. The local Salisbury TV station has indicated they will help us with efforts to educate people to the importance of protecting and conserving our bird population by showing pictures of birds with an appropriate by- line. These will be spot flashes of a few seconds as a public service feat xire. We are arranging to supply the station with color slides for a trial run. W. L. Johnson, President REPORT OF THE AUDITING COMMITTEE We, the undersigned, have examined the books and accounts of The Maryland Ornithological Society, Inc., and find them in order and in balance. Statements furnished by The Maryland National Bank and by The West Baltimore Building Ass'n verify the correctness of account balances as shown on the Society's books. Likewise, the unpaid balance of the mort- gage on the Irish Grove Sanctuary has been verified. /s/ John Wanuga, Chmn. Edith D. Adkins Ronald A. Nevius June 1969 mariland uro 22 1968-69 SANCTUARY REPORT Our three original wildlife sanctuaries are reported to he in a good state of repair; no extensive maintenance is anticipated in the coming year. Each reported having had an interesting and active year. At Rock Run, members of the Harford Chapter made weekly visits during the winter to check and refill the feeders. For the first time, they organized and conducted the Christmas Count entirely on their own. Visits were made to Rock Run by junior and senior groups for nature walks and banding demonstrations. Spring trail cleaning is in progress. At Mill Creek, the Talbot Chapter had many early morning walks, breakfasting outdoors. Work parties have been busy clearing and keeping the trails clean. Word has gotten around that this is an area that birds can, and really do, enjoy. Carey Run had its usual busy year, with visitors including elemen- tary school groups, garden clubs. Boy Scouts, and M.O.S, members from various areas. A one -week nature camp was held during July, with ten girls attending. The girls completed trail number k. All who have visited since the installation of the shower (by the Bauers) have, great- ly appreciated this item. Bluebirds nested in nesting boxes and in the top apartment of the purple martin house. Our latest acquisition, Irish Grove Sanctuary, has hardly been ours long enough to have had many planned programs other than work parties. Much work has been done by various members in painting, making minor re- pairs, and general cleaning of the house, surrounding grounds, and various buildings. 1 A group of boys from the junior membership of the Wicomico Chapter made a bluebird trail and erected four bluebird nesting boxes. The sale of some old farm equipment and donations made by visi- tors netted enough to pay a portion of the utilities and purchase a much needed lawn mower. The Sanctuary Committee succeeded in getting, from an anonymous donor, one hundred heavy gauge steel signs, in colors black and yellow, to post on roads adjacent to our sanctuaries. Some of these signs have been installed at Rock Run and Irish Grove. All sanctuaries will be pro- vided with those signs as soon as possible. H. Gordon Hackman Chairman, Sanctuary Committee 80 MAHTLAMB HTMLTF1 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TREASURER MARYLAND ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY, INC, Fiscal Year Ending April 20, 1969 OPERATING FUND Fund Balance April 20, 1968 S3, 149.94 Receipts * Dues $2,547.50 Convention Surplus 405.00 Sale of Field Lists 658,05 Lakeman Donation 135-00 Other Income 20,00 3.765.55 6,915.49 Expenditures : MARYLAND BIRDLIFE si, 035. 00 Postal Permit 30.00 Advance on 1 69 Convention 100.00 Audubon Affiliation 25.00 Office Supplies, Telephone, Postage 456.49 Field Lists 942.00 Scholarships 270.00 M.O.S. Brochure 1,607.00* 4.465.49 Fund Balance April 20, 1969 $2,450.00 HELEN MILLER ENDOWMENT FUND Fund Balance April 20, 196ft $779.49 Receipts* Donations $300.00 Interest 38.93 338.93 Fund Balance April 20, 1 969 $1,118.42 * This expenditure was covered in a supplementary budget apart from the regular operating budget for the fiscal year. Jaw i960 munLMP Hnmjn & SMCTUAEf FUND Fund Balanoe April 20, 1968 Donations $29,451.47 Capital Gains 8,757.01 Dividends & Interest 264.04 Life Memberships 150.00 Expenditures : 1 Printing, Sanctuary Brochure S 433.58 Printing, Fund-raising Material 129.00 Insurance 133-00 Taxes 7.28 Rent, Rock Run Sanctuary 120.00 Repairs, Rock Run Sanctuary 40.74 Repairs, Somerset Sanctuary 95.60 Miscellaneous Exp., Somerset 122.24 Interest on Mortgage 669.17 Purchase of Somerset Sanctuary 41,293.74 Paid on Mortgage, Somerset Sanct. 21.000.00 1 Excess Expenditures 1 * This amount borrowed from Operating Fund Reconciliation of Accounts & Assets on Hand Fund Balances: Operating Fund $2,450.00 Helen Miller Endowment Fund 1,118.42 Sanctuary Fund (1,079,00) 1 Fund Assets: Checking Account $1,471.00 Building & Loan Account 1.018.42 Other Assets of The Society Carey Run Sanctuary $ Mill Creek Sanctuary $ Somerset Sanctuary *81,293.74 Less amount due on mortgage 19.000.00 $ *24,342.83 38.622.82 62,965.35 64.044.35 *1,079.00» *2,489.72 *2,489.72 #62,293.74 Sanctuaries are carried at cost plus subsequent improvements. /s/ Winfield Henning, Treasurer 82 MAK3XAMP HIRDLIFR TO ALL M.O.S, PHOTOGRAPHERS Vol. 25. MO. 2 Seme of you undoubtedly will be visiting the new Irish Grove Sanctu- ary this stunner, fall or winter to photograph the bird, animal and pl a n t life of this unique area. If you do, M.O.S. invites you to share your results with us— in the interest of conservation. We would like to assemble a collection of pictures, both color slides and black-and-white, showing the natural beauty and especially the wildlife at Irish Grove. Such a collection would be valuable in many ways. It would serve to document the superb asset we possess in Irish Grove, and to stimulate outsiders to help us in our sanctuary program. The color slides could be used to illustrate a talk on Irish Grove at chapter meetings or before other conservation groups. And with a good selection of photographs, we might hope to place an article on our sanctuary program in a regional or national magazine. As a starter, we hope to put together sufficient color slides to present a show on "Wildlife at Irish Grove" at the 1970 M.O.S. convention. We hope also to have some good blow-up prints, in color and/or black and white, to offer for sale at the bookshop, with proceeds to go to the sanctuary fund. Contributing photographers will receive full credit, of course. Dickson J. Preston of Talbot County, who showed color slides at the recent convention, has agreed to act as receiver in the collection's formative stages. He suggests a few simple rules: 1 . Submit only pictures taken within the boundaries of Irish Grove. 2. Remember that the emphasis should be on wildlife— bird, animal or plant— rather than on general scenic views, although a few really outstanding general views can be used. 3. The slides you offer will go into a permanent collection, so do not expect them to be returned. If you want the original, send M. 0. S. a duplicate, or take a ’second shot for M.O.S. When you have a picture which fits these categories, and which you think is outstanding, send it to Dickson J. Preston, RFD if. Box 233, Easton, Md., 21601. Or get in touch with me. This is not a contest, and no prizes will be awarded. Except the prize of knowing that through your photography you are making a valuable personal contribution to the future of M.O.S. and of Irish Grove. V. Edwin Unger June MARYLAND BTBnLTFE 82 ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK AS WINTER VISITOR TO CAROLINE COUNTY Marvin W. Hewitt On the morning of December 18, 1968, I was surprised to find a strange visitor at my home. I immediately called Jerry and Roberta Fletcher, telling them of my unusual bird. Roberta came over right away and we agreed that the bird was an immature male Rose-breasted Grosbeak. The grosbeak ate dogwood berries the first four days. Our 9 ft. dogwood tree which is located in our back yard about 35 feet from our house was profusely covered with berries. The bird had no inclination to eat cracked corn and sunflower seeds which were in a feeder nearby, when it could eat the berries. The Rose-breasted Grosbeak was dive-bombed several times by a Mockingbird. I wondered how long the visitor would stay and what it would do after the dogwood berries were completely consumed. For the next two weeks he came to the feeder and ate cracked corn and sunflower seeds. The grosbeak came regularly to feed at least twice a day and perhaps more often. It came about 7*30 A. M. and 4:30 P. M. The bird was somewhat shy but not easily scared away. The other birds would be scared away at the feeder, but the grosbeak would remain. I could approach within 10 feet. January 4, 1969, was the last day I saw my Rose-breasted Grosbeak with the fluffed wing. This was one of my great thrills in birdwatching and I shall never forget it. Greensboro 84 MARYLAND HTRllLT 7R Vol. 25. No. 2 CONTENTS. JUNE 1969 Maryland Nest Summary for 1968 Danny Bystrak 43 Report of State-wide Bird Count, May 3, 1969 George C. Robbins 50 1969-70 Chapter Presidents 60 Fourth List of Contributors to Irish Grove Wildlife Sanctuary 60 The Season— January, February, March 1969 Chandler S. Robbins 61 The President's Page V. Edwin Unger 64 Minutes of Annual Meeting, May 10, 1969 Alta Gras 65 Cormittees for 1969-1970 68 Annual Reports of Local Chapters Chapter Presidents 69 Report of the Auditing Committee Auditing Committee 78 1968-69 Sanctuary Report H. Gordon Hackman 79 Annual Report of the Treasurer Winfield Henning 80 To All M.0,S. Photographers V. Edwin Unger 82 Rose-breasted Grosbeak as Winter Visitor Marvin W. Hewitt 83 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Published Quarterly by the Maryland Ornithological Society, Inc. to Record and Encourage the Study of Birds in Maryland Editor! Chandler S. Robbins, Migratory Bird Populations Station, Laurel, Md. 20810 Art Editor! William N. 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