MARYLAND BIRDLIFE JUNE 19 70 Volume 2 6 Number 2 Maryland Ornithological Society, Inc. Qylbura Mansion, 4915 Greenspring Ave., Baltimore, Maryland 21209 State Officers President: V. Biwin Unger, West Central Ave., Federalsburg, Md. 21632 754-2291 First V. P» Chandler S. Robbins, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, Md. 20810 776-4880 Second V. P: Dr. Edgar E. Folk, III, 1155 Avenue "A", Perry Point Md. 21902 642-6591 Treasurer: A. J. Fletcher, Route 1, Box 201, Denton, Md. 21629 479-1529 Secretary: Mrs. Edwin C. Gras, 125 Academy Street, Annapolis, Md. 21401 263-4708 Executive Council Carl W. Carlson, 5706 Lone Oak Drive, Bethesda 20014 530-0688 Mrs. Joshua W. Rowe, Box 348, Glen Arm Rd., Glen Ann 21057 665-7207 Mrs. Edward Mendinhall, "Damsite", R. D. 2, Chestertown 21620 778-082 6 Sterling W. Edwards, Jr., St. James School, St. James 21781 733-2099 Mrs. Percy M. Scudder, Rte. 2, Box 230, Federalsburg 21 632 479-0524 Joseph A. Robinson, Box 92, St. Michaels 21663 745-9438 Dr. Lawrence Zeleny, 4312 Van Buren St., Hyattsville 20782 927-3971 State Trustees Allegany: *Dale Fuller Harford: Mrs. C. Gordon Taylor Anne Arundel: "Mrs. Edwin C. Gras Kent: John Symonds Mrs. William C. Paradee Baltimore: *Mrs. Joshua W. Rowe Montgomery: Mrs. Richard D. Cole William R. Corliss Mrs. Raymond Geddes, Jr. Patuxent: Rodney B. Jones Mrs. Robert E. Kaestner Rossmoor: Mrs. Martin G. Larrabee Mrs. Edward A. Metcalf Talbot: Chandler S. Robbins Caroline: *Wilbur Rittenhouse Mrs. Percy M. Scudder Washington: Frederick: *Robert B. Alexander Dr. Howard Hodge Wicomico: ♦ Chapter President ♦Barcley E. Tucker Frank A. Buckley *G. L. Gardner Mrs. Biward Mendinhall Mrs. Thomas S. Carswell ♦Dr. J. Wm. Oberman Carl W. Carlson Dr. Thomas M, Valega ♦Dr. Lawrence Zeleny Dr. B. C. Getchell ♦Richard H. Rule Miss Agnes T. Hoffman ♦Mrs. Chas. D. Delphey, Jr. Joseph A. Robinson Mrs. Joseph A. Robinson ♦Sterling W. Edwards, Jr. Mrs. Margaret A. Long ♦William L. Johnson Charles B. Baker Active Membership (adults) Junior Membership (under 18 years) Family Membership (Mr. & Mrs.) 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 4 annual installments) 2.00 ( Maryland Birdlife only) Cover: Nesting Robin. Photo by William Bucci and Dr. Charles J. Stine, Jfe MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Volume zZ June 1970 Number 2 REPORT OF STATE-WIDE BIRD COUNT, MAY 2, 1970 C. Douglas Haokman Xn past years we have followed the practice of listing traditional counts separately from combined counts from the same county. This year, with apologies to Gibson Island, Patuxent Research Center, the several Frederick County counts and others, we have been forced to abandon this practice. For the first time, we have received lists from all 23 of Maryland's counties, albeit one of these is for May 3. Aside from the 20 or so counts from Baltimore County, no fewer than 49 counts were sub- mitted to the various county compilers. With a maximum of 25 tabular columns available to the State compiler for publication purposes this presents something of a dilemma. Rather than attempt to select several noteworthy counts, and thus exclude several that are equally noteworthy, I have decided to compile all the counts on a straight county basis. There are some decided advantages to this type of compilation. First, it is easier for the compiler to do it in this manner. Then, it will also mean less work for future compilers and researchers who seek to use these totals for comparison purposes. Prior to beginning this year's compilation, three full days were devoted to recompilation of previous counts so that comparisons could be made. In all proba- bility all prior compilers also did the same thing, except that it be- comes a little more difficult with each passing year. Since it is fully anticipated that our count participation and our count scope and coverage will continue to expand rapidly in the years to come it is therefore recommended that all future counts be compiled and reported by county. In many ways the 23rd consecutive May count was our most nearly complete and most successful count, but if we are to continue to pro- gress and grow as an organization, this is as it should be. A record total of 3?6 observers compiled 877 party-hours of observation in the field throughout Maryland on May 2, 1970. We would have had coverage in all 23 counties for the first time in our history had not misfortune be- fallen the observer in one county. That observer fulfilled his inten- tions by covering his county on the following day, May 3. For this rea- son Calvert County totals have been presented either parenthetically throughout this report or, as in Table 2, have been shown by use of an asterisk (*). 40 MARYLAND 3ILDLIFE Vol. 26. No. -2 The weather was nearly ideal for a May count. Temperatures ranged from the mid-50's to the low 80's on the Eastern Shore and from the raid-60 ' s to the low 80* s on the Western Shore. The day dawned bright and dear and then became increasingly cloudy toward the afternoon and evening. Some observers in the westernmost counties reported light shower activitiy in the late afternoon and evening. Winds were generally southerly at 5 to 15 miles per hour except in some areas near the Chesa- peake Bay where velocities of 20 to 25 miles per hour were reported. The total species count was 242 , the second highest, and only four species below the record high total of 246 species established in 1966. The count of 122,457 individuals was the highest total ever achieved for this count. The difference between this year's total and the previous high count of 97.886 in 1965, a difference of 24,571 birds (see Balti- more County in Table 2), is greater than the number of individuals ob- served on all of the early counts between 19^ and 1952. 'T* 16 high counts for more than 90 specied were also exceeded by anywhere from 1 to 5,986 individuals on this year's count. Many of these new high counts, since they amount only to small increases, are to be expected and can be attributed to the increased number of observers and party-hours over previous counts. Not all of the increases in number of individuals, how- ever, can be attributed solely to the increased coverage. Table 1 lists 8 species of birds for which were were noticeably large increases over previous high counts. The table has been con- structed on the basis of birds seen per party-hour of observation. Table 1. Mean Number of Birds Seen per Party-hour, 1965-70 Species Mourning Dove 1965 1.5 1967 1.0 1968 1.3 1969 1.2 ISO Purple Martin 1.1 1.3 0.6 0.9 1.0 1.5 Blue Jay 5.9 2.5 1.2 2.2 5.3 16.6 Common Crow 1.8 1.5 1.2 1.5 1.7 2.5 Robin 3.9 2.5 3> 3-2 3.4 3.9 Yellowthroat 0.8 0.8 0.9 1.1 1.1 1.3 Red-w. Blackbird 8.0 9.0 7.2 10.4 7.9 14.3 Common Grackle 14.3 12.4 13.2 14,9 11.8 15.5 It should be noted that the rather impressive 16.6 bird per party- hour total for the KLue Jay in 1970 is not the highest that has been recorded. In 1962 9,020 jays were observed in 442 party-hours for a total of 20,5 birds per party hour. This points out the need for great caution when considering such totals. The impressive 1970 count total of 14,591 jays could easily lead one to believe that jays are much commoner now than ever before, when such is not actually the case. Blue Jays are normally at or near the peak of their migration on our count day and their numbers fluctuate greatly from year to year. One can see from Table 1 that, with the exception of the Yellow- throat, there is considerable fluctuation in totals from year to year. June 1970 MARYLAND BIRELIFE 41 It can be seen that some species maintain a fairly stable population over a long period of time in spite of periodic annual declines. The Robin totals illustrate this point nicely. In 1966 there was a con- siderable decline in the number of Robins observed on the counts. Be- tween 1967 and 1970 the number of Robins observed gradually increased, with only minor fluctuations, until it had again risen to its former level of 3.9 per party-hour. The Purple Martin suffered a drastic de- cline in its numbers in 19 67, a decline in excess of 5056, but then in- creased in abundance over the next three years until it was slightly more common in 1970 than it had been in 1965. Yellowthroats , unlike the other species presented, have shown a progressive increase in abundance since 1965 without any of the great fluctuations exhibited by the other species in Table 1. Much has been written concerning the population explosions of grackles and blackbirds over the past decade or so. Our count totals show that, in spite of considerable fluctuations, the numbers actually are increasing. The number of Red-winged Blackbirds seen per party-hour has nearly doubled since 1965. The increase in Common Grackles has not been nearly as spectacular as that of the Red-wing, but the species has become more noticeable. The grackles have been changing their habits during the past ten years and have been nesting in urban and suburban areas where they were formerly uncommon, which gives us the impression that the species is increasing more rapidly than may be the case. Two new and unexpected species were added to the count list in 1970. The first, a Swallow- tailed Kite, was observed for several minutes as it soared in company with a Broad-winged Hawk in Baltimore County. Only one previous record exists for this species in this century; a bird observed over the Pocamoke River near Whaleys ville on May 10, 1969 at last year's convention ( Maryland Birdlife 25:97). The second new species, a Western Tanager, appeared on two consecutive days. May 1 and 2 on Gibson Island where it was 3een by a number of observers. The Western Tanager has been observed in Maryland on two previous occasions: December 2-6, 1959 near Annapolis ( Maryland Birdlife 16:10-11) and on October 21, 1962 at Ocean City ( Maryland Birdlife ~T5: 91 ) . The latter bird was banded and photographed prior to release. The purpose of the May count is twofold. In the first place the count is recreational and competitive. Most people count because it is good dean fun that one and all can enjoy regardless of their level of interest or experience. Aside from this, however, the counts can and do provide some information regarding population trends over the years. In order for the counts to be meaningful we should plan them carefully and carry them out in a manner that will achieve balanced coverage of the State. While compiling these counts it became obvious to me that in some instances our coverage could be adjusted slightly in order to achieve the desired balance. Several examples from this year's count and from the compiler's own experience may illustrate this point. This year Common Loons were reported from 11 of the 23 counties but 9 of these reported only 1 or 2 birds. In Baltimore County, where loons 42 MARYLAND BIRELIFE Vol. 26. No. 2 are seen infrequently on the water ^reas. 60 loons were recorded. An inexperienced observer might infer from this that the Common Loon mi- grates across Maryland through a rather narrow corridor consisting of the Chesapeake Bay and Baltimore County, but this is not true. What really happened is easily explained. Most people are not aware that Common Loons may be observed during their spring migration, on a daily basis, over virtually every part of Maryland; the observers in Baltimore County are I On the morning of May 2 I observed 22 loons in flight over the Gunpowder Marshes in Baltimore County between first light and 8*00 a.m. when the flight terminated. If more observers looked for this species between dawn and 8 to 900 a.m. many more would be observed and reported. A quick survey of this year’ s counts reveals that many of then were just getting underway when the day’ s loon flight was terminating. Another point that can be made is simply that the observer who arises early and immediately dashes into the woods will miss a number of species or individuals during the course of the morning. This was demon- strated to me dramatically by this year's jay counts. In the Gunpowder Marsh I began seeing large flocks of jays immediately after first lilht and eventually counted a total of 2,344. The party immediately to the south across the river from the marsh saw only a few jays during the course of the day. In conversation it was learned that the party to the south had devoted its efforts exclusively to a wooded area between dawn and 9*10 a.m. but by 9*00 a.m. 2,269 of the day's 2,344 Blue Jays had al- ready been recorded in the Gunpowder Marsh 1 Higher species and individual totals would result for many counties if one or more members of each party spent the first two or three hours of the day watching the open sky. Several species may be observed only in flight and only during the first daylight hours. Such species will be missed completely by observers in deep woods. Counters should also spend a little time scanning the open sky during the early afternoon in order to pick up several species of migrating hawks. For the first time in our history the domination of the Eastern Shore counts has been broken. The two highest county totals for the 1970 count are from counties on the Western Showe. Baltimore County, with its corps of 80 observers well organized and coordinated by David Holmes, sampled almost all parts of the county and ended the day with 161 species. Montgomery, Kent and Anne Arundel counties, also well or- ganized but with fewer observers, were not far behind. Again, Henry Armistead has demonstrated how well one or two observers can do, if plans are carefully made, by recording I50 species for Dorchester County. Garrett County turned in an excellent count of 121 species that far sur- passes all previous tallies for that county. The totals for all the counties follow: Baltimore 161 Talbot 119 Carroll 76 Montgomery 155 Frederick 111 St Marys 74 Kent 152 Howard 111 Calvert (63) Dorchester 150 Charles 97 Somerset 61 Anne Arundel 146 Worcester 90 Washington 59 Caroline 131 Allegany 88 Queen Annes 55 Prince Georges 130 Cecil 87 Wicomico 50 Garrett 121 Harford 78 June 1970 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE iH Summary of Coverage GARRETT COUNTY (Gar). 17 observers. 291 miles by car, 29 miles on foot. 3 a.m. to 8 p.m. Glenn Austin, Carl Carlson, Mrs. William Cook, Bud Daniels, Mrs. Dillon, Dick Douglass, Charlotte and Dan Folk, Marjorie Golze, Ann Hager, Ken Hodgdon, Lonny Hodgdon, Robin Hodgdon, Marty Smith, Billie Taylor, Jo Walker, John Workmeister, ALLEGANY COUNTY (All). 17 observers. 20 miles by car, 18 miles on foot. 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fred Becker, Paul Drechsel, Mr. & Mrs. Carl Ferguson, Lillian Frankhouser, Dale Fuller, Elsie Haan, Cindy Hodgdon, Ken Hodgdon ( Compiler) , Henrietta Lippold, Gilbert Miller, Mr. & Mrs. Jos. Minke, Mrs. Arthur Morgan, Jim Paulus, Mr. & Mrs. Ron Rosher. WASHINGTON COUNTY (Was). 7 observers. 62 miles by car, 4 miles on foot. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Lois Downin, Stanley Eckstein, Victoria Hatch, Barbara Home, Alice MaHonee, Dr. R. S. Stauffer (Cou^iler), M. Wampler. FREDERICK COUNTY (Fre). 18 observers. I63 miles by car, 19 miles on foot. Mr. & Mrs. Robert B. Alexander, Gene Evans, Pierre Gautier, Mrs. Mabel Hoyler, Edwin T. McKnight, Asenath G. McKnight, Marcia Lake- man, William Meredith, Mrs. Mary Motherway, Charles L. Mullican, Marcia Nelson, Miss Sarah Quinn, John Richards (Compiler), Ruth Richards, William N. Shirey, Dr. & Mrs. William Steinhart. MONTGOMERY COUNTY (Mon). More than 73 observers, including members of the Virginia Society of Ornithology, in 12 parties. 147 miles by car, 62f- miles on foot. 4:50 a.m. to 8:20 p.m. Isaac Sanchez, Judy Jamison Ella Pfeiffer, Les Holtschlag, Bill Oberman, Bob Hahn, Betty Reidel, Grace Sims, Paul G. DuMont, Jean G. DuMont, Philip A DuMont, Charles N. Mason, Charles Cremeans, Tom Valega, Bill Colligan, Morrill and Margaret Donnald, Ted Eliot, Harvey Mudd, W. Graham Metson, Jr., S. S. Baker and party of 30» Lt. Col. Don Hollway, Carl Carlson ( Compiler) ; Rossmoor Leisure World counters: Richard Rule, Sarah Rule, Betty Meeds, Agnes Hoffman, Florence Roache, Tom Gentel, Marion Lindberg, Angus John- son, Toby Campbell, Helen Turnbull, Jim Wilkie, Mrs. Johnson, Wendell Johnson, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Caswell; V.S.O. counters: Brantley Peacock, Elizabeth Peacock, Eleanor Beale, Norma Klussman, Ernest Klussman. HOWARD COUNTY (How), 5 observers. 88 miles by car, 13 miles on foot. 4:45 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Rosamond Munro, Morris Collins, Dorothy Rauth, George C. Robbins, Chandler S. Robbins (Compiler). CARROLL COUNTY (Crl). 8 observers. 43 miles by car, 2 miles on foot, 6:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Bertha Poe, Margaret AUick, Fred Roelecke, Sr., Fred Roelecke, Jr., Tommy Cantwell, Zola Cantwell, Elmer Worthley, Jean Worthley (Compiler) . HARFORD 00UNTY (Har). 7 observers. 27 miles by car, 10 miles on foot. 7:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Rodney Jones, Eleanor Jones, Frank Buckley, Mr. & Mrs. Walter Kohout, Mr. ■<§ Mrs. John Wortman. BALTIMORE COUNTY (Bal). 80 observers. 499 miles by car, 107|- miles on foot, 11 miles by boat. 12:01 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. Olay Andres, Tourney Andres, Bruce Beehler, Hervey Brackbill, Mr. & Mrs. Win. Brainard, Doris Brumback, Charles Brumley, Mrs. L. B. Buterbaugh, Dolores Chalk, Frances Clancey, Dorothy dark, Scott demson, Mr. &, Mrs. Douglas Cook, Elaine Cook, Janice Cooper, Mr. & Mrs. Sanford Corey, William Corliss, Compton Crook, John Cullom, Dr. & Mrs. Walter Dandy, Jane Daniels, Jim Emerson, Charles Endres, Dr. Elizabeth Fisher, Mrs. T ab le 2 Species Common Lccn Horned Grebe Pieu— billed Grebe Louble-cr. Cormorant Croat Blue Heron Green Heron Little Blue Heron Cattle 3gret Common Lgro t Snowy Hgrot Louisiana Heron 31.— or. Hi.ht Heron Yel.— cr. Hi; lit Heron Least Bittern American Bittern Gloesy Ibis Lute Swan Whistling Swan Canada Goose Brant Mallard Black Buck Gadwall Pintail Green-winged 'Beal Blue— winged Tsai American Widgeon Shoveler Wood Buck Canvasback Greater Scaup Besser Scaup Common Goldeneye Old squaw White-winged Scoter Buddy Buck Hooded Merganser Red-br. Merganser Turkey Vulture Black Vulture Swallow-t. Kite STATK-WIBB BIRD COURT Gar All Was Pro ton How Crl Har Ann Cal arO Chn StH Cec Ken Que Car Tal Bor Wic Som Wor Total 1 - - - 1 1 - - 60 1 _ _ - 2 1 10 1 7 „ 1 86 - - _ - 4 - - - - 2 - - 3 3 - - - - 3 1 - - - 16 2 - - 3 - - 2 3 - - - - - - _ 10 - - - - 2 - - - - - - 12 - 10 _ 1 - - 9 5 - 150 133 322 - 2 - - 2 - 1 - 9 10 - 15 17 IOC 2 38 33 9 12 64 2 2 7 345 4 - - 7 26 1 1 1 7 22 * 11 13 2 1 21 12 7 8 15 - O 3 I64 - “ - - - - - - - 1 - - - 20 - 4 - 1 - - _ 26 - “ - - _ - - - - - - - - 25 - - - 1 - 25 - 16 3 70 “ - - - - - - 3 - - - 13 105 - 3 3 - 1 27 - 1 9 165 1 5 - 47 3 4 43 105 1 - - - _ - - 1 - - - - - - 5 - 3 - - _ 9 - _ 5 23 9 1 1 - - - 1 - - - - 1 - 3 - _ _ _ 1 _ 1 _ - 8 - - - - 1 - ~ - - 1 - 1 - - _ - - 2 - - _ - 62 67 3 3 8 - - - 2 - 6 1 _ 18 4 _ - 42 1 - - - 2 - - 107 9 - - 56 - - 1645 2814 2 116 63 166 - _ _ 5201 1 65 lb 4 6 9 24 5 8 1 43 46 - 33 4 - 3 519 - 28 34 27 4 _ 3 817 - 1 - 2 2 2 - - 3 15 - 57 - 15 - U5 16 7 6 59 2 20 3 325 23 13 14 - - - 5 21 - - - 1 - - 2 7 - - 15 - - 1 70 - _ _ 112 5 2 9 3 21 - 18 77 6 - - 56 3 - 59 1 - 4 57 - 9 _ 11 _ _ 325 9 13 - - - - - - - - - 1 - - 3 - - 23 - 1 10 97 - _ - 135 4 2 14 61 - - - 75 5 7 - - - 71 “ 3 3 3 1 — - _ 4 iy 4 8 24 54 24 13 28 69 18 - 32 21 3 24 167 65 270 12 70 10 30 14 987 3 * “ 9 2 - “ 6 — - — _ 1 7 1 _ 1 2 - _ 32 1 £ bJ> BIRDLIFE Vol. 26. No, Species Sharp-shinned Hawk Cooper's Hawk Hed-tailed Hawk Bed-shouldered Hawk Broad-winged Hawk Bald Eagle Marsh Hawk Ob prey Pigeon Hawk Sparrow Hawk Ruffed Grouse Bobwhite Ring— n. Pheasant Turkey King Rail Clapper Rail Virginia Rail Sora Common Gallinule American Coot American Oystercatcher Semipalmated Plover Killdeer Black-bellied Plover Ruddy Turns tone American Woodcock Common Snipe Spotted Sandpiper Solitary Sandpiper Willet Greater Yellowlegs Lesser Yellowlega Pectoral Sandpiper Purple Sandpiper Least Sandpiper Dunlin Short-b. Dowitcher Semipalmated Sandpiper Sander ling Great Black-h. Gull Herring Gull Gar All Was Fre Mon How Crl Har Bal Ann Cal KrG Cha StM Cec Ken Qua Car Tal Dor Wic Som Wor Total 1 1 1 3 1 _ 1 1 _ - 3 1 - 1 8 1 _ _ 1 4 _ _ 1 5 1 - 2 1 - 1 12 2 10 5 7 2 - - 55 1 _ - 1 10 1 1 _ 8 8 - 10 - 1 - 4 - 4 1 - _ - - 50 4 - _ _ 5 4 1 2 22 5 - 2 45 _ - _ - 1 - - - - 2 - 2 - 3 1 12 - - - 21 _ — _ 1 _ _ _ _ - 1 - - _ 4 - 1 - 15 2 - _ 24 _ _ 2 4 1 2 3 12 7 * 4 6 15 _ 40 13 5 189 19 1 3 8 334 1 2 3 _ _ 3 6 - _ 3 12 1 - 2 - 1 6 8 - 4 - - - - - 49 8 1 9 2 9 14 19 113 4 6 5 11 95 60 * 85 4 10 9 230 9 160 14 47 7 24 16 989 1 15 25 2 12 12 2 43 112 3 7 10 6 9 1 16 11 1 16 5 5 _ _ - 2 1 4 1 21 - - 1 4 - - 55 3 3 1 7 22 15 6 18 9 10 2 - 13 _ _ 7 1 4 7 50 3 24 2 5 - 1 4 203 51 53 7 7 _ 1 - 1 3 8 - 1 17 - - 2 1 - 1 - 9 - 12 - - - 1 1 _ 2 _ - 1 1 - - 2 1 1 - 1 - - 4 2 - 7 6 1 - - 25 2 3 2 2 2 4 - 3 1 - - - _ - 25 5 _ _ ~ — 2 - 1 _ - 4 _ 1 1 1 — — 46 3 26 _ — - 6 8 2 - 15 2 4 3 - - 46 1 43 13 50 - 4 _ - 8 11 3 — - - 2 - — 27 - 19 c 21 — 6 _ _ _ _ 2 - - _ - _ _ 12 _ _ m - 26 - 27 - - 1 __ _ - — — 2 - — - - - 105 2 — 5 — — __ _ -1 - -- -- - 2 5 - 23 - - 13 2 - - 19 100 53 375 8 30 4 140 15 6 103 3 3 29 71 26 17 15 78 56 11 64 40 179 200 108 13 29 178 126 28 112 18 87 928 9 6 93 ■f June 1970 MARYLAND HTROLTFE £ Species Gar All Was Fre Ton How Crl liar 3a 1 Ann Cal PrG Cha StK Cec Ken i t ue Car Tal Dor Wic Som Wor Total Ring-billed Gull 49 27 78 14 21 50 152 587 _ 9 24 72 _ ' 3 129 1215 Laurhing Gull _ - - - - - - - - 41 - - 30 50 - 163 4 545 248 182 25 98 61 1447 Ecnaparte's Gull 12 Forster's Tern 1 Common Tern 15 10 - - 189 21? Least Turn - - - - - - - - - 2 - - ~ - - - - - 4 3 - - 49 58 Caspian Tern 5 9 Black Skimmer 83 83 Fourning Love 2u 22 21 56 162 58 17 32 392 49 # 162 13 5 9 176 27 142 12 36 6 1 2 1428 Yellow-b, Cuckoo i 2 - 5 13 - - - 1 - - 1 - - - 1 - 3 - 1 - - - 28 Black-b. Cuckoo 6 2 - - 7 1 - - - 3 - - - - - - - - - - - - - 19 Barn Owl - ~ - - - - - - 1 - - 1 - - - 1 - - 8 2 - 1 - 14 Soreeoh Owl - - - 1 1 3 - - - - - - - - - 1 - - 1 1 - - - 3 Great Horned Owl - - - - 9 - - - 3 - - - - - - 4 - 3 1 1 - - - 21 Barred Owl 4 - - 1 9 4 - - 1 3 - 1 - - - 2 - 4 1 - - - - 30 Chuok-w i 1 1 • s -W idow 8 2 1 4 - - - 21 Whip-poor-wi 1 1 5 2 - - 5 14 - - 8 4 - 5 2 2 - - - 25 - 4 - - - 76 Common Nighthawk - - 2 - 1 - - 1 - - — - - - - — 1 1 - — 9 Chimney Swift 19 27 33 83 133 27 38 62 285 76 # 110 25 10 125 73 4 99 141 52 3 - 63 14 08 Ruby-thr. Hummingbird - 6 - 2 12 - - 3 8 9 * 10 1 2 1 24 - 10 1 2 - C J 1 97 Belted Kingfisher 1 4 2 4 7 3 1 1 9 21 * 2 3 2 1 39 - 13 - “ 1 — 1 115 Yellov-eh. Flicker 69 46 10 30 49 36 11 20 162 47 * 32 2 6 6 80 10 35 8 23 15 2 11 710 Pileated Woodpecker 6 21 - - 8 1 - - 6 8 - 1 - - - - - 6 1 5 - - - 63 Red-hell. Woodpecker 1 4 2 19 77 45 4 19 118 92 * 46 5 2 6 61 1 64 20 12 4 - 3 605 Red-head. Woodpecker 2 2 - 4 1 - 5 - 6 - - - - - - 1 - - - 1 - - - 22 Yellow-hell, Sapsucker 1 2 - - - - 1 - 4 1 - - - - - 10 - - - - - - - 19 Hairy Woodpecker 8 4 - 2 5 6 - 3 31 18 - - 1 1 2 15 - 16 1 1 - - - 114 Downy Woodpecker 7 27 5 16 53 34 10 7 141 49 * 22 2 1 2 55 - 30 2 11 2 2 1 479 Eastern Kingbird 20 7 4 28 60 20 5 5 91 29 * 55 12 2 12 62 2 42 2 65 6 10 4 543 Great-cr. Flycatcher 11 1 6 21 67 11 5 - 38 25 * 12 - 3 3 26 - 46 8 32 3 - - 318 Eastern Phoebe 14 11 2 16 28 13 4 2 50 7 - 18 14 1 1 12 - 24 - - - - - 217 Yellow-b. Flycatcher 1 Aoadian Flycatcher - - - 9 55 16 5 - 11 26 * 6 2 - 2 - - 35 1 5 - - - 173 Traill's Flycatcher - - - - 2 - - - - - * 2 4 Least Flycatoher 15 25 E, Wood Pewee 2 1 - 1 21 2 - - 15 6 - 4 1 2 1 2 - 10 1 11 2 1 - 83 Olive-s. Flycatcher 2 Horned Lark 16 - — 4 1 3 — 2 6 — — — 1 2 13 5 4 59 6 15 ** - 8 145 Tree Swallow 20 5 - 1 26 1 2 66 20 - 39 23 - 7 61 - 37 3 170 20 4 22 532 Bank Swallow - - 2 - - 21 - 134 7 * - 1 - 2 200 27 2 - 5 - - - 401 Rough-w. Swallow 8 8 2 9 8 4 2 - 47 24 - - 8 - 30 - 6 3 4 - - 9 172 & ro MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Species Gar all Jas Pro Pen How Cr-1 Ear Bal Anr. Cal PrG Cha StJI Cec Ken Qtie Car Tal Bor Wic Som Wor Total Barn Sira 1 low Q 6 61 25 89 150 120 45 81 595 161 * 154 120 20 21 258 200 324 19 265 - 31 2pO 3047 Cliff Swallow _ _ - 6 72 - 110 - - - - - 4 - - - - - - - - 192 Purple Partin 2~0 22 20 28 26 10 39 0 s? 80 20 -X- 101 40 35 - 352 40 145 30 80 7 10 5 1298 Blue Jay l'> 101 25 115 1106 264 52 373 4564. 3681 * 2987 22 15 48 626 39 283 12 50 16 - 56 14591 Common Raven 3 3 Common Crow 103 p " 15 146 156 81 44 58 511 86 * 107 9 75 20 161 32 156 341 25 10 5 23 1318 Pish Crow - 18 5 1 12 2 10 13 - 20 7 10 4 23 3 4 1 23 - 3 17 176 B 1 a ck-c an . C h i c ’ :ad e e 32 12 - 1 45 Carolina C]:ic rdoe _ 5 6 101 32 6 33 208 86 * 59 11 3 10 132 1 102 9 29 3 2 12 850 Tufted Titmouse 21 46 . 6 42 165 53 3 28 217 91 * 95 7 6 12 51 - 109 3 23 4 - 2 984 W > i i to-b r . Pu tli a t oh 21 14 - 3 16 7 - - 45 6 - 4 - - 1 9 - 1 - - - - 3 130 Rod-br. Hu thatch 3 - - - 1 - - - 11 5 - - - - - 9 - 7 1 - - “ - 37 Brown-h. Nuthatch 8 3 - 6 - 17 Brown Creeper 1 - - - 1 - — — 5 1 8 Reuse Wren 24 13 13 35 59 20 7 2 157 36 - 18 - - 1 39 2 11 2 Id 3 15 5 480 Winter Wren 1 - - - — — - - - - - “ * 3 - “ “ “ ** 4 Carolina Wren _ _ 4 10 64 14 1 7 8? 106 * 30 5 2 3 42 - 37 2 11 2 3 1 433 I. ong-b . 1 : ars h Wren 75 4 - 15 13 - - 5 10 - 56 - - - 181 Ghert-b. harsh Wren 1 - - - ~ - - - - 1 - - - - - - - - - 2 - 9 - 13 Pockinvbird 1 18 10 40 104 66 56 36 357 120 ■* 127 52 5 21 346 24 136 6 27 20 10 10 1592 Catbird 46 28 16 96 T / O loo 78 21 28 397 141 * 83 12 3 16 78 - 61 29 16 4 50 14 1385 Brown Thrasher 20 14 10 41 44 26 2 10 113 90 - 52 7 8 1 103 4 123 12 15 3 8 16 722 Robin 246 192 50 177 200 89 31 104 922 223 * 138 17 25 126 337 45 241 12 75 30 8 38 3326 Weed Thrush 26 16 6 25 82 105 5 7 203 131 * 64 12 - 12 32 - 132 11 27 4 - - 902 hermit Tlirush 1 11 - - - - - 1 - - - - - - - 13 P;: ino^n' n Ihrumh _ - - 3 5 1 1 O - - 6 - - - - - - - 1 - - - 26 Gruv-cheePcd Thrush - - - - 1 - - - - 2 - 3 8 We cry 8 - 6 - - — 22 2 - - — 4 — 3 - — - - 48 Pastern Bluebird 21 1 16 6 7 2 3 _ _ 53 9 2 - 7 3 6 - 6 - - - 142 h lue-grny Gna tea tcl.er 4 15 - 13 299 29 6 3 65 19 * 25 11 - 8 7 - 17 5 18 2 2 10 563 Golden— or ♦ Pin r let 1 1 Rubv-cr . Pin -.le t 4 - - - 2 2 - 12 4 - 2 - - - 3 - - 1 - - - - 30 Water Pipit - - 14 10 — - - - — - 1 - - 4 - - - - — - 29 Cedar Warring _ 1 - - 12 46 - 6 127 2 - 22 - - - 8 - - 4 - - - - 228 L-o,- (gerh j-ad Shrike — 1 1 1 — 3 Starling 42 366 66 245 1045 99 85 244 1866 332 * 530 47 100 78 638 140 541 101 100 82 73 96 6916 White-eyed Yino 2 - - 3 34 35 - 15 26 43 * 40 13 - 2 7 - 65 3 32 - 10 - 330 Yellow-thr. Vireo 5 3 ~ 1 23 8 - 1 6 23 * 21 3 - - - - 5 - 2 - - 1 102 Solitary Vireo 2 - - — 3 1 — - 1 1 — 1 9 Red-eyed Y r ireo 11 1 1 34 155 60 4 16 99 196 * 108 21 3 8 7 - 104 42 32 - 1 7 910 Philadelphia Vireo 3 June 1970 MARYLAND BIRHLIFE Species Gar All Was Pre Mon How Crl Har Bal Ann Cal PrG Cha StM Ceo Ken Que Car TblI Dor Wio Som Wor Total Warbling Vireo _ _ 15 8 25 2 _ 1 5 _ _ 4 _ 1 5 _ _ - _ _ _ 2 68 Black-di-wht Warbler 21 3 2 3 55 8 1 1 61 24 * 11 - - 1 7 - 25 1 11 - - - 235 Prothonotary Warbler - - 2 - 7 _ - 3 2 7 - 4 2 - - 4 - 40 1 9 - - - 81 Worm-Bating Warbler - - - - l 1 1 - 9 9 - - - - - - - 4 - 1 - - 2 28 Golden-wing Warbler 11 1 1 - - 1 - - 3 2 19 Blue-winged Warbler 1 1 - 1 11 10 - - 17 1 * 6 - - - - - 3 - - - - - 51 Lawrence's Warbler 1 Tennessee Warbler - - - - 6 - - - - 1 - - - - - 1 - - - - - - - 8 Nashville Warbler 1 - - 1 6 3 - - 3 2 - - - - - 1 - - - - - - - 17 Parula Warbler 4 1 1 3 149 20 2 11 80 89 * 35 5 - 2 10 - 21 16 - - _ 2 451 Yellow Warbler 28 20 4 25 21 4 2 17 123 18 - 18 7 - 3 19 - 6 1 17 2 10 10 355 Magnolia Warbler 10 - - 2 10 - - 1 9 3 - 7 42 Cape May Warbler 1 - - 11 30 1 - - 2 2 - 2 49 Elack-thr. Slue Warbler 0 - - 6 43 2 - - 30 17 * 2 - - 4 2 - - 1 - - - - 116 Myrtle Warbler - 5 4 99 262 9 8 44 254 2?2 w 74 - 5 12 112 3 70 40 46 5 1 1 1326 Black-thr. Green riarbler 15 - - 7 - - - 13 5 * - - - - - - 1 - - - - - 41 Cerulean Warbler 3 - - 1 35 8 - 1 3 5 - 5 61 Blackburnian Warbler 22 - - 7 5 - - - 4 2 * 2 42 Yellow-thr. Warbler - - - - 4 - - - - - * 6 - - - 7 - - - 4 - - - 21 Chestnut— b. Warbler 54 2 _ 4 17 2 - 1 34 10 - 1 - - 1 1 - 1 - - - - - 128 Bay-breasted Warbler - - - 1 6 - - - 1 1 - 3 12 Blackpoll Warbler - - - - 38 - 1 _ 25 12 - 17 - - 2 - 8 1 - - - 1 105 Pina Warbler 1 - - - 1 1 - - - 4 - 6 1 3 - 3 - 18 2 21 - 4 2 67 Prairie Warbler 12 - - 1 40 13 - 4 36 14 - 21 3 2 - 6 - 15 1 12 - 14 - 194 Pain Warbler - - - 1 - - ~ - - 2 - - - - _ o - 8 - - - - - 13 Ovonbird 46 2 - 5 26 26 2 3 70 43 * 46 1 _ 2 13 - 20 1 16 - 3 1 326 Northern Water thrush - 3 - 1 5 1 - - 9 - - 6 _ _ _ 1 - 2 _ _ - - _ 28 Louisiana Watcrthrush o 2 - 5 14 12 1 - 14 6 * o 3 - 1 - - 18 - - - - - 80 Kentucky Warbler - - - 2 0 26 1 1 11 27 * ii - - 1 2 - 28 6 5 - - - 129 Mourning Warbler 1 Yellowthroat 52 14 2 10 133 57 10 12 256 100 * 135 47 1 10 89 9 90 15 70 12 20 13 1157 Yellow-breasted Chat 1 3 2 -7 35 18 o 7 24 15 - 13 6 _ 5 7 - 19 2 17 - - - 183 Hooded Warbler G - - -> 10 6 - - 8 19 * 6 _ - l - - 4 - - _ - 1 66 Wilson's Warbler - - - 1 7 - - - 2 - - i _ - - - - - - - - - - 11 Canada Warbler 4 - - 1 29 1 - - 18 _ _ _ _ • 2 - _ - _ _ _ - 55 American Hedstart 21 10 1 29 103 42 - 16 55 50 * 59 27 _ 2 1 - 5 - 1 - - - 422 House Sparrow 96 95 138 313 144 76 59 100 762 209 * 403 43 25 148 717 26 492 28 150 70 37 50 4181 Bobolink 30 — - - 13 - 7 — 2 - ' 5 — - 7 _ 2 — — - - 66 Eastern Meadowlark 133 33 11 96 78 43 12 26 230 9 * 65 18 10 25 155 60 85 19 25 5 2 17 1165 Red -winged Blackbird 418 324 54 377 1232 102 64 207 3045 955 * 273 205 150 150 2746 320 588 101 910 15 40 149 12475 Orchard Oriole - 3 - 8 12 1 - 7 21 13 - 5 1 - 1 10 - 31 1 13 l 1 129 I\> KARXLAND BIRDLIFE Vol Species Gar All Was Fre Mon How Crl Har Bal Ann Cal PrG Cha St.U Cec Ken Quo Car Tal Bor tfic Som Her Total Baltimore Oriole 21 2 ? 13 49 70 20 8 9 121 5 * 12 _ 4 8 22 1 2 * 397 Rusty Blackbird - 1 - - 13 - _ - 10 2 _ 1 83 _ _ __ — _ _ no Eoat— t. Grackle 97 118 Common Crackle 211 327 146 910 2094 239 104 288 1771 365 * 1855 45 100 123 2044 370 1300 53 600 200 45 300 13510 Brown-h. Cowbird 105 138 16 155 351 63 20 58 577 146 * 47 17 _ 19 232 3 82 14 70 30 13 12 2168 Western Tanager 1 Scarlet Tanager 43 5 2 23 94 30 5 7 98 64 # 49 2 1 9 12 _ 43 _ 2 2 _ 491 Summer Tanager - - - — 2 - - - - — _ _ 3 10 1 8 - 24 Cardinal 44 80 24 Ill 291 30 14 54 553 386 * 99 46 15 40 569 55 318 32 115 20 15 18 2929 Rose-br, Grosbeak 12 1 - 14 50 3 - - 36 23 - 1 - 4 1 145 Blue Grosbeak - - - - - 1 - 2 1 1 * - 1 2 -p. 24 _ 21 4 2 _ _ _ 59 Indigo Bunting 4 33 - 21 106 18 7 10 154 27 * 35 2 — 10 10 15 2 1 ** 455 Dickcissel 1 Evening Grosbeak 34 9 - - 39 - - ~ 79 129 * 26 - 2 48 _ 55 1 _ _ _ - 422 Purple Pinch 5 12 - 7 91 20 - - 68 9 - 8 6 * 6 13 4 _ _ 244 House Finch - - - - _ - - - 16 - _ _ 26 _ 42 Pine Siskin 11 3 - - 22 18 - - 160 77 - 49 3 _ _ 5 _ 5 353 Amer. Goldfinch 81 294 14 167 160 107 17 137 788 399 * 358 24 20 78 636 37 94 12 46 _ 16 10 3495 Red Crosshill - — - 10 8 - - 25 4 - 15 — 8 5 _ _ 75 Rufous-s, Towhee 106 68 13 42 164 88 18 30 366 197 * 130 11 _ 14 139 5 156 40 51 _ 20 43 1701 Savannah Sparrow - - 2 - 12 1 1 - 4 22 - 12 7 _ 17 1 § _ _ 3 _ 92 Grasshopper Sparrow 1 - 12 13 46 14 11 2 42 - - 20 1 _ 3 4 16 4 5 109 Hens low's Sparrow 2 Sharp- t. Sparrow 1 2 Seaside Sparrow p, 71 Vesper Sparrow 7 - 6 27 2 5 4 - 3 1 _ 1 _ - _ 4 12 __ — __ 72 Slate— col. J!unco - - ~ - 1 - - 4 1 _ - 12 5 9 _ 3 — _ „ 35 Tree Sparrow - 17 17 Chipping Sparrow 144 8 86 18 65 23 4 31 328 100 * 31 7 10 12 145 6 186 12 60 25 23 23 i;.p Field Sparrow 64 15 8 32 100 49 13 10 142 8 * no 6 5 13 83 12 82 32 27 5 816 White-cr. Sparrow 3 12 13 10 12 2 - - 3 1 - 2 _ 41 - 5 A 1 _ 109 White— thr. Sparrow 2 5 3 42 56 35 1 4 171 23 * 30 _ 15 12 139 _ 74 1 2 _ 1 _ 616 Fox Sparrow - 2 0 Lincoln's Sparrow 1 Swamp Sparrow _ - - - 11 - - - 15 9 _ 6 1 _ 2 _ 1 7 _ 3 56 Song Sparrow 74 52 14 50 92 40 23 31 329 76 * 89 16 20 96 68 16 34 12 31 C. 15 27 1210 Buff lehoad 2 — “ — - - - - 1 23 - - - _ 4 _ 60 — 82 TOTAL SPECIES TOTAL IKDIVIBUAI3 121 60 3388 2930 59 939 i 111 156 in 76 78 161 146 12016 1103 24254 383 3000 2572 10699 (63 130 97 74 (-) 1319 IOO 64 1313 87 3518 152 55 1725 l8?7/ 131 119 2155 150 '526 50 731 61 90 242 744 / 1 T 7 TOTAL PARTY-HOURS 33a- 30 9 m 25 6 15 212g 76-p (4) 70 14l 14 9i 81 1 ?;, 9ii- 8 21 8 12 '377 June 1970 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE MARYLAND 3IRDLIFE 2L Vol. 26, No, 2 Carl Francis, Alice Friedel, Shirley Geddes, Doug Hackman, Elizabeth Hartline, David Holmes (Compiler), Dr, & Mrs. Johnson, Jackie Heyda, Barbara Larrabee, Craig Jeschke, Marge Kay, Philip Lavarello, Ono Lescure, Mr, & Mrs, Otis Mace, Janet Markham, Bertie MacGregor, Stuart McLean, R. Taylor McLean, R, Taylor McLean, Jr., Anne Mulholland, David Mulholland, Mrs, John Mulholland, Charles Munn, Grace Naumann, Mac Plant party, Dr. & Mrs. William Pope, John Poteet, James Poultney, Phyllis Ravesies, Nancy Rowe, Martha Schaffer, Rebecca Schneider, William Schneider, Mrs. Thomas Shipley, Jerry Siewierski, Mrs. Andrew Simon, Steve Simon, F. Lester Simon, Patrick Smyth, Mr. & Mrs, Herbert Strack, Albert T. Swann, Sandy Swann, Mrs. Leo Vollmer, Frances latsevitch, Julie Shepard, Alice Kaestner. A HME ARUNDEL (Ann). 30 observers. ?6| miles by car, 24 miles on foot. 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Dr. David Knight, Cdr. Edward Wilson, Dr. Hildegarde Reissman, Mrs. F. Stewart Wilson, David Howard, Marguerite Howard, Harold Wierenga, P. G., D., and S. Eystrak ; Gibson Island counters: Mr. & Mrs. George Metcalf, Mr, & Mrs. R. E* L. Johnson, Mr. & Mrs. Lasher, Mr. & Mrs. Charles Buchanan, Mr. & Mrs. Lewis Buck, Eric Buck, Robert Dwight, Mrs. R. Henderson, Mrs. S. Symington, Dr. & Mrs. Bob Prins, Mrs* Duncan Neils on, Burton Alexander, Mary Barr, Vicki Zouch, Mrs. G. Schmeisser, A. Cochran ( Compiler) , V. Peltsalo, CALVERT (Cal). 1 observer, 4| miles on foot. 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. May 3. 1970. Totals not counted. PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY (PrG). 18 observers. 4:45 to 7*30 p.m. 246 miles by car, 5^ miles on foot. Ralph Andrews, Elwood Martin, Duncan MacDonald, E. C. Robbins, G, C. Robbins, A. W. Alexander, C. R. Alexander, Sue Edmonds, Ellen Heck, Joyce Heck, Bob Elvander, Dr. B. C. Getchell, Dr. L. Zeleny, M. H. Kleen, George Buta, Bill Murphy, Robert Rogers, Chandler S. Robbins. CHARLES COUNTY (Cha). 1 observer. 5 a.m. to 9*30 p.m. 181 miles by car, 4 miles on foot. Edward H. Schell. ST. MARYS COUNTY (StM). 1 observer, 7 a.m. to 9 P*m. 20 miles by car. James M. Banagan. CECIL COUNTY (Cec). 5 observers. 43 miles by car. 4 miles on foot. 6:15 a.m. to 5*30 p.m. Avis Brown, Dr. Mildred Gebhard, Louise Gorsuch, Dr. Edgar E. Folk III, Margaret Smithers. KENT COUNTY (Ken). 43 observers. 160 miles by car, 43 mailes on foot. 1 a.m. to 5*30 p.m. Mr. & Mrs. Tom Eliason, Mr. & Mrs. Brian Kane, Mr. & Mrs. Roy Ruhnka, Mr. & Mrs. E. Mendinhall, G. L. Gardner, Jim Terry, Adelaide Wilcox, Karrel Rusk, James Smith, Jim Anthony, Mr. & Mrs. Delario, Mr. & Mrs. Paul Smith, Mr. & Mrs. Clark Webster, W. T. Van Velzen, Jerry Longcore, Ed Folsum, Mr. & Mrs. J. Stavely, Mrs. B. Corey, Mrs. Mary Emerine, Mrs. Roberta McKinney, Mr. & Mrs. Jim Stanford, Mr. & Mrs, D. L. Noyes, Mr. & Mrs. Lloyd Stevens, Mrs. 0. R. Sevin, Mrs. Grover Carter, Mr, & Mrs. Clifton Simms. Kenneth Kerr, James Norwood, Mary Reif schneider, C. H. Whittum, Mrs. Harry Carter, Mrs. Milton Glenn, J. Strong Downey, QUEEN ANNES 00UNTY (Que). 2 observers. 96 miles by car. 3 miles on foot. 8:°0 a.m. to 9 p.m. Shirley and Robert Mallalieu. CAROLINE COUNTY (Car). 28 observers. 425 miles by car, 28§- miles on foot. 4 miles by boat. 12:30 A.M. to 8:30 p.m. Annabelle Bilbrough, Elsie Bilbrough, Irene Bilbrough, Winifred Bright, Edith JUW-122P MAMLAITO I3IRDLIFE il Edith Burklew, Ethel Engle, Margarethe Butenschoen, Wilber Engle, A. J. fletcher (Compiler), Roberta B. Fletcher, Inez Glimes, Marvin W. Hewitt, Naomi W. Hewitt, Alicia Knotts, Aldridge Pepper. Essie Pepper, Ethel Poore, Wilbur Rittenhouse, Carol Scudder, Joan Scudder, James Shobe, Jacqueline Smith, Mabel Smith, Mace Smith, A. May Thompson, Isabelle Todd, V. Edwin Unger, Ida Unger. TALBOT QOUNTY (Tal). 4 observers. 109 miles by car, 5l miles on foot. 5*45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m, Jeff Effinger, Richard L. Kleen, Jan Reese, John R. Valiant. DORCHESTER COUNTY (Dor). 2 observers. 230 miles by car, 2 miles on foot. 4 a.m. to 9 p.m. Henry T. Armistead, Harry Goldstein. WICOMICO COUNTY (Wic) . 2 observers, 40 miles by car, 15 miles on foot. 700 a.m. to 300 p.m. Dr. Harvey N, Hall, Eugene Redden. SOMERSET COUNTY (Sora). 5 observers. 14 miles by car, 3 miles on foot, 12 p.m. to 5 P.m. Gladys H. Cole, Mr. & Mrs. Owings, Mr. & Mrs. H. Gordon Hackman. WORCESTER COUNTY (Wor) . 4 observers. 64jr miles by car, 44* miles on foot. 7:18 a.m, to 7*19 p.m. Mary and Lyman Bryan, Peggy and Walter Bohanan ( Compiler) . Allegany: Anne Arundel: Baltimore: Caroline Frederick Harford Kent Montgomery: Patuxent : Rosamoor: Talbot Washington: Wicomico: 208A Donnybrook Lane, Towson 1970-71 CHAPTER PRESIDENTS Mr. Dale Fuller, 420 Beall Street, Cumberland, Md. 21 502 •Phone Mrs. Edwin C. Gras, 1 25 Academy St. Annapolis, Md. 21401 •Phone 263-4708 Mrs. Joshua W. Rowe, Box 348, Glen Arm Road, GLen Arm, Md. 21057 'Phone 665-7207 Mr, Wilbur Rittenhouse, Route 1 , Box 26, Queen Anne, Md. 21 657 • Phone 634-2392 Mr. Robert B. Alexander, Twin Creek Plaza, Apt. 12, Frederick, Md. 21701 'Phone 662-0333 Mr. Barclay E. Tucker, Rte. 3, Box 308, Bel Air, Md. 21014 • Phone 838-6269 Mr. G. L. Gardner, Rte. 1, Kingstown, Chestertown, Md. 21620 'Phone Dr. J. William Oberman, 4100 W Street N.W. , Washington, D, C. 20007 'Phone 333-631 s Dr. Lawrence Zeleny, %l2 Van Boren St. *** ^ 5 University Park, Eyattsville, Md. 20782 •Phone 927-3971 Mr. Richard H. Rule, 3473 S. Leisure World KLvd. Silver Spring, Md. 20Q06 Mrs. Charles D. Delphey, Jr., 306 Elm Ave. Easton, Md. 21601 598-7436 822-5387 Mr. Sterling W. Edwards, Jr., St. James School, St. James, Md. 21781 'Phone 733-2099 Mr, William L. Johnson. Deerfield Road, Mardela Springs, Md. 2183? •Phone 52 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Vol, 26. No. 2 MINUTES OF ANNUAL MEETING, MAY 9, 1970 The Annual Meeting of the Maryland Ornithological Society, Inc, * was called to order fcy the President, V. Edwin Unger, at 7*45 p,*. # at the Hastings-Miramar Hotel, Ocean City, Md. A quorum was declared present. Motion was made and seconded to dispense with the reading of the minutes, published in the June 1969 issue of MARYLAND BI RELIFE. Motion was made and seconded to seat the new Washington County Chapter delegates pending the admission of their Chapter by the Trustees. Motion unanimously approved. Mr. Unger announced the theme of the meeting - "25 Years of M.O.S."- since this was the 25th Anniversary. Two charter members were present and recognized: Mr. Irving Hampe, first President of the Society; and Mr. Larry Bruns. The Treasurer’s report was read and placed on file. The report to- gether with the Auditors' report will appear in MARYLAND BIRDLIFE. COMMITTEE REPORTS By-Laws : Mr7 Rodney Jones, Chairman of the By-Laws Committee, proposed and moved for adoption the following revisions to the Society's By-Laws* (1) To eliminate the provision for i year dues: Revise Article IH, Section 2, by deleting present wording and substituting, "New members shall pay full annual dues regardless of date of joining." Mr. Hughlett Henry, Jr., moved that the wording be amended by adding, "except that for members of chapters which are in their first year of membership in M.O.S., dues may be reduced as the timing justifies." This amendment was duly put and carried, following which the originally proposed revision, with the amendment, was seconded, put and carried. Section 2 of Article IH, will now read: "New members shall pay full annual dues regardless of date of joining, except that for members of chapters which are in their first year of membership in M. 0. S., dues may be reduced as the timing justifies." (2) To change the cut-off date of members failing to renew membership* Revise Article III, Section 3, by substituting the date, "December 1" for "February 1". The motion was seconded, put to vote and carried. Section 3 of Article III will now read: "Members whose dues remain unpaid cm December 1 , shall be dropped from the roll." (3) To remove reference to the size of "standing committees": Revise Article IX, Section 1 , by eliminating the last sentence of the existing section. The motion was seconded, put and carried. June 1970 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE 53 Section 1 of Article IX will now read* "The Board of Trustees, at its initial meeting following the annual meeting, shall elect the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Sanctuary Committee. The President, with the approval of the Executive Council, shall appoint the other members of the Sanctuary Committee, and all other Committees, excepting the Nominating Committee as provided in Section 3, below. Not more than two mem- bers of any one Comittee may be appointed from the same Local Chapter." Sanctuary 1 Mrs. Edwin Gras presented the Sanctuary report in the absence of Mr. Hackman, This report will be published in BIRDLIFE. Publications • Mr. Robbins, speaking for the membership, expressed a vote of thanks to the entire editorial staff of MARYLAND BIRDLIFE; especially in view of the increased membership, and to Mr. & Mrs. Herbert S track, in charge of mailing. Special commendation was extended to Miss Mildred Cole and Mrs. Richard Cole for typing and assembling, (and myriad other details) . Mr. Robbins proposed a new feature of MARYLAND BIRDLIFE 1 A section entitled "How and Where To Find Birds in Maryland," He stated he wished to hear from more members for suggestions and additions to improve MARYLAND BIRILIFE. Acknowledgments 1 Mr. Unger extended thanks and appreciation for the help and support he received from so many members during the year. He also gave special thanks to all who had a part in the convention, including trip-leaders, the registrars, and the management of the hotel. Audubon Scholarship ; Announcement was made that the Helen Miller scholar- ship was awarded to Miss Caroline Fisher, proposed by the Baltimore Chapter. Mortgage ; As a final act of unfinished business, the mortgage against the Irish Grove Wildlife Sanctuary was ceremoniously burned. Mr. Hughlett Henry, Jr., led a standing ovation in recognition of the efforts of the President to reach this point. Mr. Unger announced that membership now stands at 1 836. (Registration at the convention was 332) . Project 2000 ; Mr. Robbins proposed a concentrated membership drive by all chapters, to obtain our 2000th member during the 25th year. He charged all members to help. Conservation ; Mrs. Robbins drew attention to many items of state and national legislation, pointing out needs for conservation action. Mr. Jan Reese recommended a supplement to MARYLAND BIRDLIFE which would state current conservation legislation and progress. Nominating Committee ; Mrs. Raymond Geddes, Jr. , chairman of the Nominating Committee, presented the following slate of officers; MARYLAND HIRDLIFE Vol. 26. No. 2 SL President: First Vice-President Second Vice-President Treasurer Secretary Mr. V. Biwin Unger Mr. Chandler S. Robbins Dr. Edgar E. Folk, IH Mr. A. J. Fletcher Mrs. Biwin C. Gras It was seconded and Motion was made that the nominations be closed, approved, and the Secretary was instructed to cast the ballot. Mrs, Geddes then reported that the nominations for Trustees had been made by the following chapters : Allegany: Mr. Dale Fuller Mrs. C. Gordon Taylor Anne Arundel: Mrs. Edwin C. Graf Mr. John Symonds Mrs. William Parades Baltimore: Mrs. Joshua Rowe Mrs. Raymond Geddes, Jr, Mr. Rodney Jones Mrs. Robert Kaestner Mrs. Edward Metcalf Mr. Chandler S. Robbins Mr, Wm. Corliss Mrs. Martin Larrabee Mrs. Richard Cole Caroline: Mr. Wilbur Rittenhouse Mrs. Percy Scudder Frederick: Mr. Robert Alexander Dr, Howard Hodge Harford: Mr. Barclay Tucker Mr. Frank Buckley Kent: Mr. G, L. Gardner Mrs. Edward Mendinhall Mrs. Thomas Carswell Montgomery: Dr. J. Wm, Oberman Mr. Carl W. Carlson Dr. Thomas Valega Patuxent: Dr. Lawrence Zeleny Dr. B. C. Getchell Rossmoor Mr. Richard H. Rule Miss Agnes T. Hoffman Talbot Mrs. Charles Deiphey, Jr. Mr. Joseph Robinson Mrs. Joseph Robinson Washington: Mr. Sterling Biwards, Jr. Mrs. Margaret Long Wicomico: Mr. William Johnson Mr. Charles Baker Motion was made, seconded and approved to accept the nominations. Mr. Unger pointed out that the first issue of MARYLAND HERIUFE, and minutes of the first meeting of the Society, both 19^5', were posted in the lobby. At Mr. Poteet 1 s recommendation, each of the chapter presidents was introduced and chapter members recognized. The meeting was adjourned at 9 *10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Alta Gras, Secretary June 1970 MARYLAND BIRD LIFE 55 1969-70 SANCTUARY REPORT Again, we are happy to report that we anticipate no required exten- sive repairs to the buildings at our various sanctuaries during the coming year. Rock Run, Carey Run and Mill Creek all had busy years with many planned walks and work days. Carey Run assisted Boy Scouts in studying the ecology of the area. It also assisted Frostburg State College stu- dents in the study of ornithology. The house at Irish Grove was greatly improved by repairs made to the kitchen by President Unger and Winfield Henning. The entire organi- zation owes a vote of thanks to these two. A vote of thanks is due, also, to Charles Baker and William Johnson for the installation of lights in the banding station at Irish Grove. This banding station was run by Gladys Cole as part of the Operation Recovery program of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service last fall, and again during the spring migration. Thanks mainly to the efforts of Mrs. Cole, Irish Grove had a number of activities tied in with the M.O.S. purpose of furthering nature edu- cation. A group of ecology students from Goucher College was there for a week-end field trip. A visit was made by a group of students of orni- thology from Loyola College. During the last half of April, eight ele- mentary school classes from Princess Anne and Deal Island attended bird talks and banding demonstrations. The Soil Conservation Service surveyed Irish Grove and recommended a plan to deal with tidal flooding by reclaiming previously arable ground that is slowly being lost by invasion of salt water. The Executive Coun- cil, at its meeting on March 1^, 1970, voted approval of this plan. It is our understanding that all arrangements have been made and that this work should soon be in progress. The Board of Trustees, at its March l4th meeting, also moved that a committee be formed to draw up a plan for the reorganization of and plan of operations for the Sanctuary Committee. The report of this committee will be presented to the Executive Council. It is our sincere hope that its adoption will give The Maryland Ornithological Society a Sanctuary Committee having the means to imple- ment a more meaningful sanctuary program during the coming year than we have ever enjoyed before. /s/ H. Gordon Hackman Chairman, Sanctuary Committee REPORT OF THE AUDITING COMMITTEE We have examined the books and accounts and find the same correct and in order. /s / John Wanuga, Chairman, Ronald A. Nevius, Edith D. Adkins MARYLAND BIRDLIFB Vol. 26. No. 2 £ ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TREASURER MARYLAND ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY, INC. Fiscal Year Ending April 20, 1970 OPERATING FUND Fund Balance April 20, 1969 Receipts: Dues $2,751.50 C onven t i on Surplus 358.30 Sale of Field Lists 39.70 Lakeman Donation 150.00 Other Income 20.00 Expenditures : Transferred to Sanctuary Fund $1,000.00* MARYLAND BIRDLIFE 1,192.00 Envelopes and Postage for Same 117.35 Postal Permit 30.00 Audubon & Md. Consv. Affiliations 35*00 Office Supplies, Telephone, Postage 408.03 Scholarships 300.00 Advance on 1970 Convention 50.00 Fund Balance April 20, 1970 $2,450.00 5,769.50 3.132.38 $2,637.12 HELEN MILLER ENDOWMENT FUND Fund Balance April 20, 1969 Receipts: Donations Interest Earned Fund Balance April 20, 1970 $685,00 60.04 $1,118.42 . . 14 ? : --4 81,863.46 * This transfer authorized by the 1969 Convention. Jane 1970 MARYLAND STRULTFR 57 SANCTUARY FUND Fund Balance April 20, 1969 Receipts * ($ 1,079.00)* From Operating Fund $ 1,000.00 Donations 19 , 439.47 Sale of Unneeded Equipment 250.00 Life Memberships 375.00 19,985.47 Expenditures* Printed Materials and Postage $ 107-20 Insurance 183.00 Taxes 55.94 Rent, Rook Run 120.00 Sanctuary Maintenance St Repairs 236.45 Donation to Marion Fire Co. 50.00 Interest on Mortgage 761.44 Paid on Mortgage (final payment) 19,000.00 20.514.03 Fund Balance April 20, 1970 (* 528.56)* * This amount borrowed from Operating Fund Reconciliation of Aooounts and. Assets on Hand Fund Balances* Operating Fund $2,637.12 Helen Miller Endowment Fund 1,863.46 Sanctuary Fund ( 526*56.) $3,972.02 Fund Assets* Checking Account *2,493-56 Building St Loan Account 1.478.46 $3,972.02 Other Assets of The Society Carey Run Sanctuary * 4,556.62 Mill Creek Sanctuary 14,446.86 Irish Grove Sanctuary 81,293.74 Sanctuaries are listed at cost plus subsequent improvements /s/ Winfield Henning, Treasurer MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Vol. 26. No. 2 SL ANNUAL REPORTS OF LOCAL CHAPTERS ALLEGANY COUNTY CHAPTER Oar Chapter bad 18 regular Meetings this year* including the following: covered dish sapper and bird walk at Carey Run in September: trip to Dolly Sods* West Virginia to observe hawk and goose migration in October; slides on Trinidad and Tobago birds and flowers by Mr. Carl B. Lubbert in October; dinner-meeting at All Ghan Shrine Club in November with Chan Robbins' "Summer Birding in Swedish Lappland"; Christmas Bird Count in Deoember — we had 55 species and 35 observers at the Hodgdon's; film on flowers of Virginia for our January meeting; a lecturer* Tom Dies, with a film "Wildlife Along the Coast" in February; Dr. Robert Miller showed slides of wildlife in March; trip for spring migration to Savage River Dam with Ken Wolf and song birds of Garrett County with Gus Johnson in April; trip through the Paw Paw C&O Tunnel and warbler obser- vations with Kent and Dale Fuller in April; and two work days at Carey Run* also in April. We participated in the State-wide bird count on May 2 with Mrs. Isaacs and had a flower walk at Carey Run with Mrs. Taylor. Our Junior Bird Camp is scheduled for August 16-22, as the camp is not available in June. Our membership has been growing and members have been quite active in fighting for conservation causes. Kendrick Y. Hodgdon, President ANNE ARUNDEL CHAPTER Anne Arundel this year has been busy and growing Seeds of the future we hope we are sowing For a Junior program is now underway . Next year at this time we'll have more to say. Our six monthly meetings had subjects quite varied. Plus two special lectures, of which no one wearied. There were "Everglade Glamous Birds", with the Sutherlands two; And Maurice Broun' s "Notebook of Nature" included hawks - just a few. "Birds of Prey", and "HLuebirds"; the "Leeward Hawaiian Chain," Then our own Chapter members provided a change. Ten field trips near and far — with the two overnight At Cape May and Irish Grove — both were just right. Our membership grew to 108, It's been a year most successful, we're happy to state. Alta Gras, President June 1970 MARYLAND BJRDLIFB -52 BALTIMORE CHAPTER The "pleasant task of opening the eyes" of those of all ages to a richer appreciation and knowledge of our natural heritage has been aid- ed this year by the increasing concern of informed citizens about the quality of the total environment. Reflecting this, in some measure, were larger numbers attending our activities and a continuing rise in membership, now 716, including 92 Juniors. An Interest Finder, circu- lated by our Membership chairmen, the Gordon MacGregors, revealed a pre- vailing desire to learn more about ecology and conservation. Obvious was the fact, however, that an interest in birds had opened the door to these broader concerns. Our Program, planned by Miss Etta Wedge and conducted by about 45 members, consisted of many and varied field trips, dinner meetings, classes on identification, and a seminar on Mature Photography by Dr. Charles Stine, Christmas and May Counts and a Winter Bird Survey enjoyed good participation under David Holmes 1 and Mrs. John Cooper's direction. Four Audubon Wildlife Film lectures, arranged by Mr. <4 Mrs. "Mac" Plant, enabled us to contribute to the MOS Sanctuary Fund and the Helen Miller Scholarship Fund. Success was much enhanced by the work of Jim Snerson's Publicity committee. This year we presented 4 Audubon matinees to the students of Mergenthaler Vocational High School. Our Junior Program, directed by Mrs. Norwood K. Schaffer, is un- doubtedly our strongest educational force. Though involving over 5° MOS members, the need for leaders unfortunately exceeds our recruitment. About 2000 children attended the alternate Saturday and Vacation programs of walks, banding demonstrations, and talks on various aspects of natural history. These were planned and conducted at Qylbum Park by 17 members under Mrs. Richard Gillespie's guidance. Mrs. John Banwell simultaneously operated a program for younger children. The School Glasses committee, chaired by Mrs. J. Carroll Tulloss, scheduled over 100 classes totaling about 5000 children. These were guided through the Cylburn trails and MOS Museum by 22 members. Several banding demonstrations were given by the Carl Lubberts. The Junior Nature Club's 36 members pursued their individual pro- jects amd provided exhibits for the Cylburn Museum, under the supervision of Mrs. Schaffer and Dr. Elizabeth Fisher. Once again they made their annual October trip to Kent Point to tag migrating Monarch butterflies. The Junior Nature Camp weekend in June, directed by Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Clark, again offered 50 children a unique opportunity to do field work under the guidance of experts on natural history subjects. The mounted bird collections have been expanded, and the loan col- lection is in constant use by schools and MOS members speaking to outside groups. A new project has been begun by Mrs. Schaffers under our federal permit and through the generosity of Mr. Charles Cassell, a collection of mounted birds is being assembled for the Maryland School for the Blind. Our Qylburn Representative, Mrs* Joseph Brumback, has kept the 60 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Vol. 26. No. 2 Qylbum Park feeders filled, to assure birds for the visitors. She also engaged members to staff the MOS Museum on 17 Qylburn Open House Sundays, The MOS booth at Cylburn Market Day, managed by Mrs. Harold Archer, drew upon the artistic talents of our members. The MOS share of the proceeds has helped to buy books for the MOS library and to mount birds. The Extension Services committee, chaired by Miss Grace Naumann, has supplied speakers to a dozen outside groups. Some members provide this service independently. Our Conservation chairman, Mrs. Elizabeth Hartline, has researched conservation problems and kept us informed* Her "Pest Control for the Bird-loving Gardener" in the May Newsletter was timely and most helpful. At the invitation of the Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks, our Chapter submitted suggestions for the use of Oregon Ridge Park. The Book Store, expertly managed and carefully stocked with popular items, by Mrs. Phyllis Ravesies, continues to attract buyers and thereby to earn proceeds for the MOS Sanctuary Fund. The Bird Exchange receives more reports than space allows in the Newsletter, but Mrs. Robert E. Kaestner is an experienced hand at know- ing what is most significant and interesting. The Bluebird Project, adopted by the Society in October, was well organized for our Chapter by Burton Alexander. About 85 persons have been involved in the eventual completion of at least 35° rest boxes. Baltimore Chapter celebrated the 25th Anniversary of MOS with a party. Honored guests included 9 Charter Members, several Past Presi- dents, and President Ed. Unger. We visited our Sanctuaries via the fine slide show prepared by Dick Preston of Talbot Chapter and went "Summer Birding in Swedish Lappland" with Chan Robbins. A complete re- vision of the Chapter Bylaws, presented by the committee (Mac Plant, Rodney Jones, Mrs. Edward Metcalf) was adopted. Many more have contributed their time and talents, not the least of whom are our Membership chairmen, the MacGregors, Treasurer John Poteet, and our Secretaries, Miss Jane Daniels and Mrs. Thomas Shipley. Mrs. Shipley is also Productionist, mimeographing all Newsletters, Junior materials, and publicity releases. As Past President William Triplett quoted to me from Mason Knoxs "It is not the individual, nor the army as a whole, but the everlastin' teamwork of every bloomin' soul." Nancy D. Rowe, President CAROLINE COUNTY CHAPTER The Caroline County Bird Club held regular monthly meetings except in December and May when the dub joined in conducting annual bird censuses. The present membership is 25. June 1970 MARYLAND KERDLIFE 61 The meetings this year covered a wide range of interests in natural history and bird study, including sessions on wildflowers, local Indian artifacts, the ecology of the Chesapeake Bay, "Birds of Prey" , and "Adventures Through the Window" with Dick Preston. The dub also visited the Biennial Birdcarving Exhibit at Chestertown, and will have a June picnic at Irish Grove Wildlife Sanctuary. Two additional films seen during the year were "Still Waters" and "Conservation is a Job for Young America . " Officers for the next two years are: Wilbur Rittenhouse, president; Mrs. Wilber Engle, vice-president; Miss Margarete Butenschoen, secretary; and Mrs. Percy Scudder, treasurer, and Trustee. A. J. Fletcher, President FREDERICK CHAPTER The Frederick Chapter had a successful year with a membership of 36 • There were nine monthly meetings and ten field trips, ending with a picnic at White's Ferry on the Potomac River, May 24. Speakers for the meetings included: David A. Marpie, Principal of the Frederick County Outdoor Schools, showing a movie of the school pro- gram conducted at Mar-Lu-Ridge , a camp near Point of Rocks; Steven A. Lewis, Mathers National Park Training Center, Harpers Ferry, presenting the films, "Life in the Woodlot" and "The Concession;" Robert Hoffman, who presented his personal color slides of wildflowers, titled, "More of Nature CLose-ups;" and Chan Robbins, who showed slides of his "Summer Birding in Swedish Lappland." Other programs were: Frank Mentzer, Superintendent of Catoctin National Park, with the subject. "New Horizons for Catoctin National Mountain Park and its place in the National Park System;" and Jerry Coates whose subject was "Hummingbirds." Films shown were : "Marshlands are not Wastelands;" "Birds of Prey of the Northeastern United States;" and "So Little Time." The subscription to Ranger Rick magazine was renewed for the stu- dents in the Frederick County schools. Donations were made to the Sanctuary Fund and to the Helen Miller Scholarship Fund. The Frederick Chapter welcomes the newly organized Washington County Chapter of MOS. With a little assistance and encouragement from us and much enthusiasm and hard work by their leaders, they have started out with a bang. Our congratulations to them. Mary S. Motherway, President 62 MARYLAND BIRHJFB Vol. 26. No, 2 HARFORD CHAPTER The Harford County Chapter opened ita 1969-70 activities at Rode Run Sanctuary with a picnic in September. Dinner meetings were held in November, January, March and May at the Churehville Presbyterian Church. Dinner was followed by a program provided by a speaker at three of the meetings and by a film "The Bobvhlte Throughout the Year" at the other meeting. The Harford Chapter purchased sunflower seed for the Rock Run Sanctuary. Members Including John Wortman and Jack Tomlinson filled the feeders. Several members joined in the December and May bird Counts, Barclay E. Tucker, President KBNT COUNTY CHAPTER The Kent County Chapter, numbering 3 Life Members, 135 Adults, and 30 Juniors - including the 9 Bayside Birders - engaged in many successful projects this year, as well as having informative and inter- esting monthly meeting programs. The success of our Third Biennial American Bird Carving Exhibit made it possible to contribute another substantial amount towards the purchase of Irish Grove Wildlife Sanctuary, It was at this Exhibit that we initiated and showed for the first time the slide program "Conserving The Future", edited and narrated by Dick Preston, and now available to all chapters for publicity purposes. For the third year we presented five Audubon Screen Tour lectures as a public service. Outstanding speakers at our monthly meetings included President Edwin Unger, a fellow member Norris Pratt, Douglas Hackman, Dr. W. J. L. Sladen and John Trott. Their subjects ranged from Our Sanctuaries, Decoys, Birds of the Pacific* Studies of the Whistling Swan, to Birds of the North Temperate Zone, Ten members assisted at the Damsite Banding Station during Operation Recovery. Others reported nests, arrival and departure dates, species seen in Kent County; participated in the June Breeding Bird Survey, Christ- mas and May Counts. A few hardy members enjoyed Field Trips to Bombay Hook, Hlackwater Refuge, Irish Grove and Ehstem Neck Island. Our Trustees or their proxy attended all four State Meetings (Damsite, Rock Run, Irish Grove and Ocean City). There were six adult and two junior members who attended the Ocean City Convention. Under the able leadership of Mrs. Stanley Wilson, our Juniors* activities and accomplishments have been exciting and highly successful. A major project was the continuation of the erection and care of Hlue- bird Nesting Boxes throughout the County. Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Stavely assisted by Mrs. Robert Cory initiated a "Preparatory Program" for 9 beginners, who were known as Bayside Birders. June 1970 MARYLAND BIRBLIFE & They are now well grounded in the fundamentals of birding and we look forward to having them participate fully in all the Junior activities and some of the Adult Programs next year. This report does not in any way reflect the tremendous interest and efforts expended by all members who have made this year so successful. My thanks to each and every one for his support and generosity whenever called upon. Mrs. Edward Mendinhall , President MONTGOMERY COUNTY CHAPTER Montgomery County retained its leadership as the "go-go" Chapter of MOS during the past year. Starting with our annual pelagic trip in May 1969 (enough Sooty Shearwaters and Wilson's Petrels for everyone plus 6 very tired warblers), we ranged from Waggoner's Gap, Pa. to the Dismal Swamp in Virginia. Our annual pilgrimage to Cape May, N. J., in addition to providing the usual crop of fall migrants, featured Bill Clark and his banded "hawks in the hand." Chapter programs also were varied. High points included Don Messersmith's "Birding in Colombia" and Dr. William Stickel's "Pesti- cides and Their Effects on Birds" - who would have suspected that such a scientific subject could have been presented so entertainingly I Our January social event again drew over 70 members. Chapter members main- tained their fine record of participation in the June Breeding Bird Survey and were responsible for covering 10 routes of the new Winter Bird Survey. During the year, we finally got our Youth Committee off the ground, under the able leadership of Bob Hahn. The Chapter has pledged to Bob that youth activities will be its major focus during 1970. Our Conserva- tion Committee also has been active throughout the year and has brought to the attention of the members numerous pending legislation, pro & con conservation. During Environmental Day in April, the Chapter sent representatives to Montgomery Junior College to talk with students and distribute MOS brochures. As our membership continues to grow during the years to follow, we hope to continue to expand our activities both to our membership and to the community. J. William Oberman, M. D. , President PATUXENT BIRD CLUB The Patuxent Bird dub enjoyed a successful year with good attendance at all its meetings. Again our Program Committee supplied us with a varied assortment of interesting speakers who illustrated their talks with color slides or motion pictures. 64 MARYLAND KtRDLIFE Vol. 26. No. 2 The Club had eight regular meetings and has a picnic planned for June to complete the season. There were four scheduled field trips including a winter tour of local feeding stations which featured larger numbers of winter birds than are normally found in this area. The speakers and their subjects for our eight meetings were as follows: H. E. Stiles , "Family Canoe Exploration into Canadian Waters"; Jeff Swinebroad, "Bird Migration"; Arthur Alexander, "Experiences at the Kent Point Banding Station"; Jane Robbins, "Exploring the Colorado Rockies"; Lawrence Zeleny, "Bluebirds"; "MOS Sanctuaries" (slides and tape recording assembled by Dickson Preston); Luther Goldman, BBC film on American refuges, "Flyway, Blackwater to Texas"; and Donald Messersmith "Birding in Colombia". In addition to our speakers a regular feature of our meetings has been a discussion by members of interesting or unusual bird observations during the month. Mrs. Robbins continued to give the Club much needed and valuable publicity in the Laurel News Leader. As Conservation Chairman she is also doing a fine job in keeping our membership informed on important conservation issues. With the approval of the MOS Trustees and Executive Council the club has taken the initiative in organizing an MOS bluebird project in an effort to increase the badly depleted Eastern Bluebird population in Maryland. An article was prepared and published in the December 1969 issue of MARYLAND BIRDLIFE urging all Chapters to participate in this work by organizing their own bluebird projects. A suggested plan of operation was included in the article. Lawrence Zeleny, President ROSSMOOR CHAPTER The Rossmoor Chapter held meetings on the third Thursday of each month, and our membership has increased from 60 to about 85 during the past year. As speakers at our meetings we had Don and Millie Sutherland, Elizabeth Peacock, Phil DuMont, Binion Amerson, Chan Robbins, the Enoch Johnsons, Helen Goldstick, and one or two of our own members. We had six organized bird walks in addition to the May Count, plus quite a number of short walks and "sit-downs." The walks are not too well attended because of the age group of our membership. On the May Count, 82 species were identified at Rossmoor by 16 observers. We had two other get-togethers during the year: a pot luck supper for those who worked on the bird count, and a Christmas party. The Chapter has 22 bluebird houses located around the perimeter of our 18-hole golf course; these boxes are checked weekly during the nesting season. Last summer four of the boxes produced a total of 27 young bluebirds, with three successive broods in one box. Another box June 1970 MARYLAND BIKDLIFE 6^ was occupied by a family of chickadees and two by House Wrens, all of which raised families. Richard H. Rule, President TALBOT COUNTY CHAPTER The year's program of the Talbot County Bird Club always seems to divide itself into sections. In order, therefore, we will report them: Regular Meetings : Our seven regular meetings were followed by programs presented by local people. Our own members and friends pro- vided an excellent series. Bird Hikes : We held seven fall hikes and six spring hikes, some with breakfast and some without. Whether attended by three or twenty- three, all have been rewarding. Audubon Lectures : Two years ago, we suffered a loss on this series, and debated whether or not we should continue it as a community service. Fortunately, our decision was "Yes", because we have profited from it since then. This year, of course, the presence of Roger Tory Peterson enabled us to show a substantial gain. Bird Counts : The Christmas Count on December 21 and the May Count on May Z both registered a competitive total of species. Special Trips : ELackwater Refuge, Ocean City, Irish Grove, Bombay Hook — all were undertaken and collated as organized trips from Easton. Mill Creek Sanctuary : Two organized trips to the Sanctuary have cleaned up the litter and reblazed the trails. Members using the Sanctuary keep a constant check on the building and the property. WASHINGTON COUNTY CHAPTER The Washington County Chapter began its season a bit late in the binding year, ••to be exact... on February 26, 1970. After much behind the scenes effort we had a membership of over 95 persons by May 26. Wo are indeed encouraged and excited and now look forward to an active season in '70-71. Our programs to date have been: Mr. Clark Miller, a fine birder from West Virginia, gave an illustrated program entitled "Birds of lard and Garden" on February 26. Chan Robbins gave us a terrific illustrated program on the activities of the Patuxent Research Center on March 31 • Mr. Stanley Alexander presented an illustrated program entitled, "Wildlife Management in Western Maryland" on April 28. On May 26, (continued on page 75) 66 MARYLAND BIRDLIFB Vol. 26. No. 2 THE PRESIDENT’S PAGE V. Edwin Unger Some years ago, the Maryland Department of Game & Inland Fish established a "State Game Refuge" on a tract adjacent to the town of Federalsburg. When I first became acquainted with the undertaking, I was disappointed to learn that the entire area was "off limits" to the public. I was familiar with some of the adjoining woodland, and presumed that if I could wander through this tract, I would find much of interest. In the course of time, a new concept evolved and the area was thrown open to public hunting (it is now called a "Wildlife Management Area"). Naturally, I lost little time in taking advantage of the re- laxed restrictions, but not to hunt. I began to explore the vast area with its varied habitat. Many hours have I spent there in recent years and many have been the "discoveries" and sightings I’ve made. One of my first discoveries was a family of flying squirrels re- siding in a dead pine snag. It was my pleasure to show these interest- ing creatures to many of my friends, who, like me, were seeing them for the first time. I was especially gratified to be able to show them to my young grandson, who naturally was fascinated by them, particularly when one sailed from the tree and landed almost at his feet. On awakening, the next morning, he promptly asked if I would take him back to see the "flying mice". Here, in April, 1964, I saw my first Red Crossbill. Throughout the next week, I revisited the area almost daily and found them (a pair) in the same tree, hardly six feet from the ground. It was here on the Refuge that I rediscovered the crossbills this past winter (later, I found them in a half-dozen other places, including Irish Grove), Then too, it was on this tract that Winfield Kenning and I found the first reported nesting pair of Brown-headed Nuthatches in Caroline County (May, 1966 ). Okey Me Court’s picture of the Prairie Warbler adorning the March 196? issue of BIRDLIFB was taken in this area and in one of the Refuge’s several stands of pine, I found Goldfinches and Juncos feed- ing from the cones as reported in BTRDLIFE of June, 1968. I often take friends to the refuge in winter in the hope of showing them some of our birds of prey. Rarely do I fail to find two June 1967 MARYLAND EIRDLIFE 6Z or more species. The Sparrow Hawk and the Red- tailed are almost certainties, and the Cooper's and the Sharp-shinned somewhat less often. Twice this spring, I found the Bald Eagle; on one occasion two majestic adults circled overhead, Birdlife is but one of the many interesting forms of animal life abounding here. Equally interesting is the plant life, and many are the forms. In the course of my wanderings, I have been introduced to many species, probably due as much to my limited acquaintance with things botanical as to their presence here. The Fringe Tree ( Chio- nanthus virginicus ) was one of my first plant "discoveries" . A recent one was Solomon's Seal ( Polygons turn blflorum ) , and, another. Spurge ( Euphorbia corollata ) . Getting acquainted with new plants is a source of real pleasure, but equally so is the opportunity to see the great masses of laurel in bloom, the beds of lupine growing in scattered areas, the lady's-slippers, arbutus, dogwood and holly. On one trip, I stopped to examine a spike of lupine and saw what I thought was a gigantic spider. Bending lower, I could see that what I took for the spider's body was a mass of young spiders resembling a swarm of bees. -As the mother spider moved about, some would fall off but would quickly climb back aboard to partake of the free transporta- tion. I was baffled, and so began an inquiry. Mabon Kingsley (Kent Chapter) came to my rescue, named the spider ( Lucosa lenta) and even sent me Jean Henri Fabre’s book on spiders. I have repeatedly referred to the subject area as "the refuge" , as it is commonly known even now, despite the fact that all about its perimeter are signs bearing the legend, "Public Hunting Area". The two terms may seem incompatible, but despite the hunting, the popula- tion of the hunted species seems equal to or greater than in the area immediately outside. The reason is, I believe, that in putting to- gether this large acreage, devoted both to the production and the hunting of game, overbalancing benefit accrues to the hunted through the corollary advantage of diminished pressure and harassment by man and his domestic pets. I would even doubt that the hunting intensity per acre is greater than elsewhere throughout the rural area. Although I do not hunt, I somehow feel that controlled hunting is not so hard on wildlife as some may think. Then, too, license fees and taxes paid by hunters constitute a major source of funds for the main- tenance of wildlife areas. Possibly there is a State Wildlife Management Area near you. If so, I recomnend it as a place to hunt-with binoculars, camera, and magnifying glass. Better take a sandwich too; there will be enough to keep you there all day. Federalsburg 68 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Vol. 2 6 , No. 2 THE SEASON JANUARY, FEBRUARY, MARCH, 1970 Chandler S, Robbins January 1970 was one of the coldest months on record in Maryland, with average temperature readings more than 10° helow normal. The cold trend continued with less severity through February and most of March. The spell was finally broken on March 26 when a warm airflow from the south barely penetrated across our State and brought with it some most welcome 70° temperatures. Precipitation for the three-month period was only slightly below the norm. This winter will go down in history as one of the very best for northern finches in Maryland. Pine Siskins, American Goldfinches, and Evening Grosbeaks frequented feeders in increasing numbers as the natural food supply diminished. Their numbers were the more remarkable because this was their second consecutive year of unusual abundance here. White - winged, and especially Red Crossbills, were widely distributed and were enjoyed by observers throughout the State. House Finches consolidated their recent gains and pioneered into new localities. Even the Common Redpoll, an erratic visitor from the Arctic, was seen in several counties. First arrival dates for the early species of migrants are given, by counties, in Table 1. A "W" indicates that the presence of wintering birds made it difficult to recognize the beginning of migration* A dash (--) means that the species was recorded, but not on a significant arrival date. A zero (o) shews that no report was received for that county. Median first arrival dates for the four preceding years are given for comparison. Thanks are extended to the dozens of observers who contributed dates to this table. Those members who supplied the great majority of the dates for their county were: Garre tt — Glenn Austin; Alleg any — James Paulus; Frede rick — Dr. John W. Richards; Balti more — Douglas Hackman, Stephen W. Simon, David Holmes, Haven Kolb, Catherine and Carroll Pinckard, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Bohanan; Howa rd --Mrs . Dorothy Rauth, Mrs. Rosamond Munro; Montgomery --Robert W. Warfield, Peg Frankel, Carl W. Carlson, Sarah Baker, Chris Petrow; Prince Georges — Chandler S. Robbins, Frank McGilvrey, George Robbins; Anne Arundel — Prof. Harold Wierenga, Danny and Paul Bystrak, Mrs. Neville Kirk, Dr. Lawrence Murphy; Calve rt --John H. Fales; Kent --Edward Mendinhall (compiler): Caro line -- Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Fletcher, Wilbur Rittenhouse, Marvin W. Hewitt, Ethel Engle, Alicia Knotts; Talbo t --Jan Reese; Dorchester — Harry Armistead, Mr. Table 1. Spring Arrival Dates, 1970 Median Species 1966 w 1988 1989 1970 Garr Alle Ered Balt Howd Mont Pr.G Anne Calv Kent Caro Talb Dorc tforc Horned Grebe 3/31 3/28 0 0 0 3/11 0 3/28 4/15 3/10 w 4/ 1 0 W w W Pied -billed Grebe -- 3/ 8 3/21 3/26 3/25 %/l8 0 0 3/14 3/21 3/28 __ 3 7 25 3/22 3 '28 W Great Blue Heron 3/26 4/ 6 3/20 4/ 4 3/18 -- 3/ 1 -- W 3/31 3/ l W 3/16 3/16 W W 3/20 3/23 3/23 Common Egret 4/26 V 9 1/21 5/ 3 3/31 0 0 0 0 3/26 0 4/ 6 0 ~ 0 0 4/21 5/ 2 3/23 3 / 23 Whistling Swan 3/12 3/i8 3/22 3/16 3/12 0 0 3/22 3/ 9 3/25 3/13 3/ 9 3/25 3/ 8 w 3/ 6 3/12 3/28 w Canada Goose 3/12 3/10 1/20 1/T lTr — 4/ 1 V~T ITT ITT 3/ 1 3/25 W 17T~ w 3/ 5 3/20 3 '28 w Pintail — — 3/ 9 — 3/16 0 0 0 2/22 — 3/16 2/10 __ — w 3/23 W 3 '28 w Wood Duck 3/ 5 3/19 3/13 3/18 3/23 -- 3/21 4/19 3/24 -- 2/22 W W 3/23 -- 3/19 0 0 3/23 Green -winged Teal 0 0 0 0 0 3/22 w 3/ 3 w w 3/12 0 3/28 w Blue -winged Teal 3/22 3/23 0 3/23 0 0 0 3/22 3/25 3/20 4/25 3/23 3/22 Ring-necked Duck — 3/lb -- — 3/23" 0 V 5 3/25 2/22 3/20 0 1/ 5 0 0 w 3/24 0 3/28 3/22 Lesser Scaup Duck 3/31 4/17 4/ 5 3/31 2/28 3/21 0 4/21 0 3/28 w 3/24 4/ 5 w W Bufflehead 3/28 4/18 4/ 5 0 3/ 7 3/21 — 0 — 4/ 4 — 0 3/18 w W Hooded Merganser 3/10 0 3/11 4/19 2/28 3/19 3/ 8 2/ 2 — 0 — 0 0 w W Osprey 3/26 3/25 3/23 3/20 3/23 4/18 0 -- V!1 V 1 ! 4/ 6 3/15 4/ 4 3/15 3/i6 2/28 3/23 2/23 Killdeer 3/ 3 ~3/2T 17T — 3/ 5 — w -- W 2/23 2/28 — 2/21 !77o" w W w 3/28 W American Woodcock 3/ 1 2/27 3/ 9 3/ 6 3/ 2 — 2/24 2/27 3/io 3/ 2 2/27 3/ 3 3/19 3/ 1 w 3/22 Common Snipe 3/26 3/18 3/18 0 3/15 — 3/ 8 w -- 3/ 6 — 3/29 W Greater Yellowlegs I/16 4/19 3/19 4/26 3/24 0 0 0 — 0 0 0 — 4/ 8 3/24 4/18 3/23 3/23 Ring -billed Gull 3/16 4/18 4/12 3/13 3/ l -- 3/ 8 2/10 w 3/28 3/16 -- w 3 ''29 w Eastern Phoebe 3/lB 3/11 3/16 3/19 ITT 4/18 "3/23" -- 3/27 1713 17T W — 17T" — 17iT — -- w Tree Swallow 3/31 1/ 2 3/27 3/29 3/28 4/18 4/12 3/ 4 4/12 — 3/28 3/27 3/27 3/28 b/13 3/25 4/25 -- — Purple Martin 3/26 1/22 1/ 8 4/10 4/ 2 4/12 — — 3/31 V 5 4/ 3 4/ 4 3/25 3 7 17 3/27 — Robin 2/lk 2/10 3/ 9 3/ 3 2/23 — 3/ 7 2/27 2/23 2/19 2/28 2/26 2/14 2/17 w w 1/28 w w Eastern Bluebird — 3/6 3/ 6 2/22 — w w w 2/ 1 3/ 8 2/20 3/ 9 2/19 w 2/25 w w w Red -winged Blackbird ■w 2/17 ITT — 2/22 — 3/ 6 2/22 3/15 2/IF W 3/ 5 1715 2/15 w w w w w Common Grackle 2/26 2/27 3/ 4 3/ 6 2/24 — 3/ 6 2/22 2/24 w 2/24 2/29 W 2/ 5 w 2/ 1 w w w Brown -headed Cowhird — 2/26 3/ 8 3/19 — — w -- 3/i7 2/18 w 3/28 w 2/15 w W w w w Rufous -sided Towhee 3/21 V 7 3/23 3/22 4/ 3 4/18 4/ 1 4/ 6 3/24 3/29 4/ 5 w w w w w w w w Vesper Sparrow H 1 V 2 3/30 V 8 4/18 M 1T V 5 0 3/27 4/11 -- 3 ; 28 0 0 -- Chipping Sparrow 3/30 373T ITT ITT 4/ 1 tTtt 4/11 -- 3/lb 4/18 "4/ "4 4/ 1 1721 3.^28 3/20 4/ 1 1721 3/28 -- Fox Sparrow 2/28 3/7 3/10 jZjl — 3/31 3ZA MJl 3/ 2 JlLL 3/ 7 -- 3/16 3 Z_L 3/24 -- w w •o June 1970 MARYLAND BIBDLIFE TO MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Vol. 26, No. 2 and Mrs. Walter Bohanan; Worce ster — Vernon Kleen and Glenn Austin. Loons , Herons and Egrets . The spring migration of Red -throated Loons over Baltimore County was completely missed this year even though Douglas Hackman undertook regular evening watches at Tows on as well as some at White Marsh. On Mar . 23 , as clearing set in following the passage of a coastal storm, Vernon Kleen witnessed an early northward migration of herons and egrets along the Maryland coast; his Cattle Egret and Louisiana Heron "both broke early arrival records for the State. He also saw 2 Common Egrets and flocks of 7 and 4 Snowy Egrets flying north along Assateague Island on the same day. Very early for the Maryland Piedmont was a Common Egret on Rocky Gorge Reservoir on Mar. 2 6 (Dorothy Rauth). Swans . Both residents and visitors to the Eastern Shore commented upon the flocks of Whistling Swans that were feeding, like geese, in grain fields. It seems that excessive plankton growth in the Bay during the summer and fall made the water so dark that it seriously reduced the growth of the submerged plants that constitute the normal diet of win- tering swans. Perhaps the food scarcity explains some of the unusual occurrences of Whistling Swans during spring migration. One flock of 7, for instance, spent more than a month at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center (Danny Bystrak). Douglas Hackman visited Loch Raven Weekly from late February to the end of March and saw Whistling Swans there on each trip. Flocks of 31 and 63 spent the night of Mar. 13-l4 at Seneca and were joined by others at 7:15 a.m, on the l4th (Robert W. Warfield). Two hours later, about 70 swans were seen flying eastward down the Potomac ahead of a snow squall, but 51 birds remained until early the next morn- ing. Normally, Whistling Swans fly non-stop from Chesapeake Bay to the Great Lakes or other large bodies of water far inland. The peak movement (12 flocks on the evening of Mar. 25 over Towson) was the latest Hackman has noted in his many years of observation in Baltimore County. On the same evening Ted Van Velzen estimated 1,000 passed over Columbia. Geese . Don Simonson and Jonathan Higman identified 2 Snow-Blue hybrids at Blackwater on Jan. 3* Blue and Snow Geese were regular there at the Visitor Center throughout the period. The only Snow Goose re- ported west of the Bay was migrating in a flock of Canadas over German- town on Mar. 2k. Peak migratory movement of Canada Geese took place on Mar. 8-9 and Mar. 24-25* Ducks . In late February and March, Chesapeake Bay experienced Its first recorded outbreak of fowl cholera. On Mar. 1 Harry Armistead counted 27 dead waterfowl (6 species) and grebes along one mile of shoreline at Bellevue in Talbot County. Bill Perry, writing in the Easton Star - Democrat for Mar. 11 put the toll at "tens of thousands" of diving ducks, primarily Oldsquaws, but he also mentioned White -winged Scoters, Buffleheads and Goldeneyes. On Mar. 27 Armistead saw 26 species of waterfowl in Dorchester County, including high counts of 110 Surf Scoters and 325 Common Scoters at Bishop's Head. There was also a good variety of waterfowl on Rocky Gorge and Triadelphia Reservoirs, and even on Druid Hill Reservoir In Baltimore City. Carl Carlson studied a male Common Teal at close range at Blackwater Refuge on Mar. 28. Douglas June 1970 MARYIAND BIRDLIFE 71 Hackman found 1 6 species of waterfowl on Loch Raven in March, with the best variety and the highest counts on Mar. l4 and Mar. 21. Vultures and Hawks . Although Turkey Vultures sometimes begin their northward movement in late January, James Paulus did not see his first of the year at Old Town in Allegany County until Feb. 28. Black Vultures were reported more frequently than for several winters. On Mar. 28 Harry Armistead and Jared Sparks counted a group of 22 near Easton, 3 at Eastern Neck Island Refuge, and 2 at Remington Farms — an excellent one -day count for the Eastern Shore. Blackwater Refuge remains the best area in the State for Bald Eagles. Ed Murczek of the Refuge staff reported 3 pairs on the Refuge and 6 other pairs nearby, and on Mar. 27 Armistead and Sparks counted at least 9 subadult and 2 adult birds on the Refuge. It is shocking to read in the Easton Star -Democrat that at least 4 Bald Eagles were shot in the vicinity of Blackwater this winter. Jan Reese broke the State arrival date for the Osprey when he saw one in Talbot County on Feb . 28 . The only inland Peregrine Falcon reported was a first -year male seen at Fulton in Howard County on Feb. l4 by James Ruos. Shorebirds . The first three months of the year are generally con- s idered an "off" season for shorebirds in Maryland. The wintering flocks decrease in size, the strays of more southern wintering species vanish, and except in the final week of March few if any new arrivals are anticipated. The chief exception is the American Woodcock, which prob- ably winters more commonly and in a greater portion of the State than is generally recognized. A Feb. 24 arrival at Old Town was James Paulus' earliest Allegany County record; temperatures that day reached 62°, but they took a 50° drop overnight and hovered at 12° by morning. Over on the coast as many as 120 Purple Sandpipers and 400 Dunlins were seen by Vernon Kleen and Glenn Austin on Mar. 23* as well as l4 (wintering?) Ruddy Turnstones at the Inlet. An American Oystercatcher was at Ocean City as early as Feb. 22 (Robert L. Pyle), perhaps a wanderer from the wintering population at Chi ncote ague , Va. On Mar. 28 at the Turf Farm above Seneca Robert Warfield witnessed a flight of about 30 American Golden Plover. This not only ties the earliest State record for a very rare spring migrant, but it exceeds the largest one -day count for any season of the year. Ringed Turtle Dove . Single individuals of this introduced species were seen at three Baltimore feeders on the following dates : Jan. 12 (Mrs. Richard Gundy), Jan. l4 (Mrs. Leo Vollmer) and Mar. 27-29 (Mrs. Robert E. Kaestner). Could these observations all have been of the same individual that was reported in the previous issue (Maryland Birdlife 26: 29)? Owls . The only Snowy Owl encountered this far south was spotted just north of Blackwater Refuge on Jan. 8 or Jan. 9 h y Darrell Shuffler and reported by Refuge Manager Bill Julian. Although no Long -eared Owls were noted in the early part of the winter, there were more sightings than usual after the first of the year: Jan. 22 at Roland Park (Mrs. Richard Gundy), Jan. 22 at Anneslie Rd., Baltimore (Mr. and Mrs. Carl Lubbert), Feb. 3 at Glenarm (found wounded by Scott Fishbach and John Streb and 72 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Vol. 26, No. 2 new in the MOS mounted collection), and Mar. 22 (found dead at Bellevue by the Armisteads). Flycatchers, Swallows . An Eastern Phoebe for the first time survived the winter at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center (Ted Van Velzen and others). There was only one successful wintering reported from the Piedmont — a bird at Sycamore Landing near Seneca on Jan. 11 and still present on Feb. 28 (Peg Frankel and Sarah Baker). An early Purple Martin was found in Talbot County on Mar. 19 by John Wanuga. Chickadees and Nuthatches . Word of a possible Boreal Chickadee win- tering at Severna Park was received just in time for Harold Wierenga to hasten to the home of Mrs. M. Rozycki and observe the bird on Mar . 27 , the last day it was seen. It had been present since December, eating peanut hearts rolled in peanut butter. As far as Mrs. Rozycki could determine, this casual visitor from the northern spruce -fir forest did not take a sunflower seed from the feeder at any time during its long stay. One can’t help wondering how the bird learned that peanut butter is edible, as this commodity must be as unusual as sunflower seeds in the previous experience of this boreal bird. Black-capped Chickadees con- tinued to visit many feeders in the Piedmont, but were not regular any- where on the Coastal Plain. On Jan. l8 Carl Carlson saw an estimated 60 Red -breasted Nuthatches on Kent Island — an extraordinarily high mid- winter count. Blackbirds and Orioles . Dr. Fred Evenden organized nine pairs of observers to surround a massive blackbird and Starling roost at the Pyle Junior High School in Bethesda on Jan. 3. Between 4:00 and 5:15 p.m. the observers counted 169,000 Starlings, 129,000 Common Grackles and 58,000 Brown -headed Cowbirds entering the roost. At Emmitsburg Dr. John Richards fed a female Rusty Blackbird from Jan. 15 through Mar, 31; there are other winter records in and near the mountains, but none of regular occurrence throughout the winter. Single male Baltimore Orioles were seen at two feeders in the Towson area on Jan. 19 (Stewart McLean) and Feb. 10 (Jim Emerson) . Dickcissel . Although Dickcissels are now found sparingly every win- ter in Maryland, they are still enough of a novelty to most observers to be worth reporting. Their normal wintering range is from Mexico to northern South America, "rarely north to Arkansas .. .and Florida" (A.O.U. Check-List). This winter they were found at feeders in Port Deposit (Barbara O'Neill), Randalstown (Feb. 28 by John R. Smith), and Perry Hall (last week of March, Douglas and Mrs. Gordon Hackman). Winter Finches . I have before me more reports of winter finches than of all other songbirds combined. Evening Grosbeaks, and especially Pine Siskins, swarmed over feeders in all parts of Maryland. With them were many American Goldfinches, a few Purple Finches, and locally in the Upper and Central Eastern Shore and in the Baltimore — Washington area. House Finches. Counts of birds in sight at one time were mostly in the 25 to 50 range for Evening Grosbeaks and 25 to 100 for Pine Siskins but the banders can attest to the fact that this was only a token count June 19 TO MARYLAND BIRDLIFE 73 of the actual number that subsisted largely on sunflower seeds at feeders. Redpoll . There were two observations of single Common Redpolls on the Eastern Shore: Greensboro on Jan. 1 (Marvin Hewitt) and Federalsburg on Feb. 24 (V. Edwin Unger). West of the Bay 1 was seen at Anne Arundel Community College, Jan. 12-15 (Bill Murphy) , 10 in Herring Run Park, Baltimore, Feb. 13 (Robbins )> several at Catonsville, Jan. 15-l6 (Mrs. Custer), 10 at Rockville, Feb. l4 (izaac Sanchez), 2 at Winfield, Jan. 17 (Robbins), and a record -high for Western Maryland of 5£ at Old Town on Feb. 24 (Paulus). Mr. Paulus searched in vain for Hoary Redpolls, which frequently accompany their commoner relative in more northern areas. Red Crossbill . The invasion of this erratic northern visitor was truly spectacular. Virtually every observer who took the trouble to check pine trees in his vicinity was rewarded with numerous sightings, as the birds were present in full force throughout the period. Reports were received from the following localities: Irish Grove Wildlife Sanc- tuary, Blackwater Refuge, Cambridge, Federalsburg, Denton, Kent Island, Annapolis, Severna Park, Odenton, Potomac, Beltsville, Laurel, Patuxent Research Center, Relay, Baltimore City and County (8 separate reports), and Liberty Reservoir. White -winged Crossbill . The White -wings were generally seen inde- pendently of their Red relatives. Numbers were much smaller (perhaps on the order of one one -hundredth ) , and they were more concentrated along the Fall Line. Reports came from Martinak State Park in Caroline County (l by Carlson on Jan. 3)? Severna Park (4 by Professor Wierenga on Feb. l), Chevy Chase (2 by Edwin McKnight on Mar. 28), near Bethesda (7 by Carlson on Jan. l), Potomac (6 by Carlson, Feb. 28, and 1 by Chris Petrow, Mar. 21), Laurel (15 on Jan. l8 by the Robbinses), Baltimore (Mr. and Mrs. Mittenthal), Tows on (l by Hank Kaestner on Feb. 8), and Maywoods at Brad- dock Heights (l by V. E. Unger and Dr. Elizabeth May on Feb. 28). Sparrows and Longspurs . Tree Sparrows, in small numbers, visited many feeding stations in the Baltimore -Laurel -Washington suburbs, causing much comment from observers who had previously seen this species only in more open country. On Dec. 29 Vernon Kleen found a flock of 5 Lapland Longspurs near Honga in Southern Dorchester County--the first record of that species in the 23-year history of that Christmas Count. A single individual was discovered at Sandy Point State Park on Feb. 1 by Bob Elvander. Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife Migratory Bird Populations Station, Laurel * FIELD LIST OF THE BIRDS OF MARYLAND by C. S. Robbins & W. T. Van Velzen This up-to-date list of the birds of Maryland, complete with relative abundance, dates of occurrence and nesting, habitats, a map and list of 50 choice birding areas in Maryland, and space for recording 12 field trips, is available through your local Chapter or M.O.S. Bookstore. Price 35^ (50^ by mail). Quantity discounts to members. 44 pages. MARYLAND BIRD LITE Vol. 26 , No. 2 7 ^ CONTRIBUTORS TO IRISH GROVE SANCTUARY Crook, Compton Downs, Mrs. James Fisher, Mr. & Mrs. Elwood Folk, Charlotte L. Harris, Mrs. Lewis Wright, Hewitt, Marvin May, Dr. Elizabeth Miner, Dr. & Mrs . Douglas Ryan, Mr. & Mrs. Cecil Swanson, Dr. & Mrs, Carl P Mrs . Grace COMMITTEES FOR 1970-71 Auditing Budget By-Laws John Wanuga (Chairman), Miss Edith Adkins, Ronald Nevius Edwin T. McKnight (Chairman), Morris Collins, Dr. Vincent Jones, Charles N. Mason, A. J. Fletcher (Treasurer) Rodney Jones (Chairman), A. MacDonough Plant, Barclay Tucker Conservation John P. Healy Nominations William Shirey (Chairman), Richard Kleen, Marvin Hewitt, Mrs. Richard Cole, Mrs. Raymond Geddes, Jr. Publications Chandler S. Robbins (Editor), Douglas Hackman (Assistant Editor) Sanctuary Gordon Hackman (Chairman), Dickson Preston (Vice-Chairman) Allegany Chapter for Carey Run: Mrs. C. Gordon Taylor (Chairman), John Willets (Vice-Chairman) Baltimore Chapter for Rock Run; C. Douglas Hackman (Chairman), Rodney Jones (Vice-Chairman) Talbot Chapter for Mill Creek: Robert Sharp, II (Chair- man), Mrs. Katherine Tillinghast (Vice-Chairman) Wicomico Chapter for Irish Grove : Miss Joy Heaster (Chairman), Charles B. Baker (Vice-Chairman) [Remaining members of Sanctuary Committee are in process of being named] ANNOUNCEMENTS EAST COAST TEEN WATCH This summer volunteers from Nova Scotia to South Carolina are band- ing young Common and Roseate Terns with a colored plastic band on the opposite leg from the aluminum band. Each province and state will use a different color combination. Some of the color bands are of a single color, others have two colors in horizontal stripes. One station is using three plastic bands in addition to the aluminum band. Through observations of these color -banded birds we hope to gain June 1970 MARYIAND BIRDLIFE 75 information regarding the following questions. How far do birds from different areas along the coast, as well as inland, range from their breeding colonies during their post -breeding dispersal? Do birds from different areas along the coast concentrate at particular places in the fall? How late are birds from the various colonies seen at different points along the coast? Please watch for color-banded terns, describe the color combinations , as accurately as possible, and send observations to Ted Van Velzen at the Migratory Bird Populations Station, Laurel, Md. , or to Miss Helen Hays, Great Gull Island Project, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th St., New York, N. Y. 10024. Miss Hays would also like to compile a list of places along the Atlantic coast where concentrations of Common and/or Roseate Terns can be seen in late summer and early fall. If you know of any such places, notify her at the above address. Any information you can supply on color-banded terns or concentration points would be of great help. CHAPTER REPORTS WASHINGTON COUNTY CHAPTER (continued from page 65 ) our last official meeting until September, Hr. A1 Working of the Stephan Mather Training Center in Harpers Ferry gave an illustrated lecture on "The Role of the National Park Service in the Environmental Crisis*. Our field tripe to date have included several exploratory excur- sions around Washington County, two early morning walks to Fort Frederick and Big Pool area, and an afternoon jaunt along South Mountain and into the Catoctin area. Our field trip schedule for *70-71 has been firmed up but is flexible and our programs for the season are being finalized now. We are happy to be in the MOS family. Sterling W. Edwards, Jr., President WICOMICO CHAPTER Current membership of the Wicomico Chapter is 56 . We have had our monthly meetings with interesting speeches, picture slides and files. Several of our members have devoted time and energe to the Irish Grove Wildlife Sanctuary. We hope to contribute further to inproving Irish Grove during the coming year. Charles Baker built several blue- bird houses, which were distributed through one of the local garden clubs. The club set up a table and display at the Bird Carving Bchibit held in Salisbury last October. Many interested persons inquired about the activities of the Maryland Ornithological Society. This is an annual event and we expect to participate again this year. W. L, Johnson, President 2i MARYLAND BIRUJFE Vol. 26. No. 2 CONTBJTS . JUNE 1970 Report of State-wide Bird Count, May 2, 1970 C. Douglas Hackman 39 1970-71 Chapter Presidents 51 Minutes of Annual Meeting, May 9, 1970 Alta Gras 52 1969-7° Sanctuary Report H. Gordon Hackman 55 Report of the Auditing Committee John Wanuga 55 Annual Report of the Treasurer Annual Reports of Local Chapters* Winfield Henning 56 Allegany County Chapter Kendrick Y. Hodgdon 58 Anne Arundel Chapter Alta Gras 58 Baltimore Chapter Nancy D. Rowe 59 Caroline County Chapter A. J. Fletcher 60 Frederick Chapter Mary S. Motherway 61 Harford Chapter Barclay E. Tucker 62 Kent County Chapter Mrs. Edward Mendinhall 62 Montgomery County Chapter J. William Oberman 63 Patuxent Bird Club Lawrence Zeleny 63 Rossmoor Chapter Richard H. Rule 64 Talbot County Chapter Marian G. Delphey 65 Washington County Chapter Sterling Edwards, Jr. 65 Wicomico Chapter The Presidents Page W. L. Johnson 75 V. Edwin Unger 66 The Season— January, February, March, 1970 Chandler S. Robbins 68 Contributors to Irish Grove Sanctuary 74 Committees for 1970-71 74 Announcements 74 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Published Quarterly by the Maryland Ornithological Society, Inc. to Record and Encourage the Study of Birds of Maryland. Editor* Chandler S. Robbins, Migratory Bird Populations Station, Laurel, Md. 20810 Asst. Editor* C. Douglas Hackman, 208A Donnybrook, Towson, Md. 21204- Art Editor* William N. Schneider Production* Gladys H. Cole,' Mildred F. Cole, Robert J. Hurley Mailing* Mr. & Mrs. Herbert P. Strack JJ-adtinqA iramar Ocean City, Maryland On the Boardwalk — Open All Year 90 ROOMS, 60 WITH BATH Phone: Ocean City : ATIantic 9*7417 EXCELLENT MEALS 30 BEAUTIFUL APARTMENTS PARKING SPACE SPECIAL RATES FOR BIRDERS