MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

!2>u[[ztui oj- iAz <zA/[axijLanA Gxnitk otocjicat tSocLzbj, iJnc.

SEPTEMBER 1973
VOLUME 29

NUMBER 3

MARYLAND ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY, INC.

Cylburn Mansion, 4915 Greenspring Ave . , Baltimore, Maryland 21209

STATE OFFICERS

President :
First V.P. :
Second V.P. :
Secretary:
Exec. Sec'y ;
Treasurer :

Mr. Barclay E. Tucker, Rt . 3, Box 308, Bel Air 21014 838-6269
Mr. Floyd Parks, 129 Washington Ave., Chestertown 21620 778-2112
Mr. Dickson Preston, RFD 5, Box 607, -Easton 21601 822-4535
Mrs. Edwin C. Gras, 125 Academy St., Annapolis 21401 263-4708
Mrs. Marlene Letsch, 4915 Greenspring Ave., Balto 21209 668-9362
Mr. W. Gordon MacGregor, 5009 Greenleaf Rd, Balto 21210 435-3044

Mr. Carl Carlson

Mr. John Healy

Dr. Roger M. Herriott

Mrs. Dorothy Mendinhall

Mr. Edward Peters

Mrs. Carol Scudder

Lt . Cmdr. Anthony White

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

5706 Lone Oak Drive, Bethesda 20014
899^ Watchlight Ct., Columbia
504 Highland Ave., Baltimore 21204
Damsite, R.D . 2, Chestertown 21620
107 Williams Circle, Williamsport
Route 2, Box 230, Federalsburg 21632
Rt. 1, Box 44l, Deale 20751

530-0688

997-1238

823-7033

778-0826

223-9327

479-0524

261-5035

STATE TRUSTEES

Allegany :

*Mr. James H. Thomas

Harford:

*Col

. Leland Devore

Mrs . Frances Pope

Dr.

Mildred Gebhard

Anne Arundel:

*Lt . Cdr. Anthony White

Mr.

John Wort man

Mrs . Helen Ford

Howard :

#Mrs

. Nancy Rhinelander

Mrs.. Ellen Gizzarelli

Mr.

John Healy

Baltimore :

*Dr. Roger Herriott

Kent:

*Mr.

Floyd Parks

Mrs. C. Lockard Conley

Mrs

. Dorothy Mendinhall

Miss Jane Daniels

Mrs

. Margery Plymire

Mrs. Raymond Geddes Jr.

Montgomery:

*Mr .

Charles Cremeans

Mr. C. Douglas Hackman

Mr.

Carl Carlson

Mrs. Martin G. Larrabee

Mr.

Robert Hahn

Mrs. Edward A. Metcalf

Dr.

Thomas Valega

Dr. Benjamin Poscover

Patuxent :

*Mrs

. Joanne Solem

Mr. John W. Poteet Jr.

Mr.

Elwood L. Fisher

Mr. Chandler S. Robbins

Mr.

Joseph A. Ondrejko

Mrs. Joshua W. Rowe

Talbot :

#Mrs

. DeGraffe Woodman

Caroline :

*Mrs. Wilber Engle

Mr.

& Mrs. Robert Price

Mrs. Carol Scudder

Washington :

*Mr .

Edward Peters

Frederick :

*Mr. August Selckmann

Mrs ,

. Mary Corderman

Mr. Robert Alexander

Wicomico:

*Mr .

Charles Vaughn

* Chapter President

Mr.

Henry Stone

Active Membership (adults)

Student Membership (full-time students)
Junior Membership (under l8 years)
Family Membership (Mr. & Mrs.)
Sustaining Membership
Life Membership

Out-of-State Membership

$ 3.00 plus local chapter dues

2.00 plus local chapter dues

1.00 plus local chapter dues

4.00 plus local chapter dues

6.00 plus local chapter dues
100.00 (payable in 4 annual

installments )

3.00 ( Maryland Birdlife only)

Cover: Adult Garnet off Ocean City, Dec. 23, 1972.

Photo by Richard A. Rowlett.

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

1

hiiiiiiiilllll

Volume 29 September 1973 Number 3

BEHAVIOR OF A BLACK RAIL

Hal Wierenga

On July lU, 1972, Professor Harold Wierenga and I went to Elliott
Marsh in Dorchester County, and having heard several Black Rails
(Laterallus jamaieensis) by midnight, we turned for home, feeling that
the trip had been successful. However, one more Black Rail began singing
loudly and incessantly near the road so we stopped again to check it out.

After searching the area with the spotlight, I started our tape,
which very nearly matched this particular bird's "ki ki pour." He soon
stopped calling, but after a minute or so, he rose and flew toward us,
dropping back into the grass perhaps 15 feet short of us. We then saw
and heard nothing except the tape for about five minutes. About to give
up, we were then surprised to find him standing quietly right at my feet
about a foot off the pavement of the Elliott Island road in the short
mowed grass.

To our continued delight, he then walked slowly out onto the pave-
ment, wandered slowly around my feet for a few minutes, and allowed me
to reach down and catch him. We looked over his black bill, red eye,
rusty nape, spotted back, etc. for about 15 minutes, and all the while
he offered virtually no resistance, seemingly mesmerized by the tape
(which we kept playing constantly) or the lights.

We then released him in the headlights, and he promptly flew about
50 feet and dropped into the grass out of sight. But further amazement
followed! I started the tape again, and he slowly made his way over and
under the grass right back to my feet, and walked around slowly and be-
wilderedly for 30 more minutes or so. Finally, he rose of his own accord
and flew about Uo fe.et back into the marsh. Since it was by then after
1 a.m. , we decided to intimidate him no more, and departed.

After his initial outburst, we never again heard his "ki ki pour"
song. But he made a variety of soft clucking sounds, and at least half
a dozen times he uttered a very loud, raucous series of Dunlin-like
"jeers" which started slowly and softly and rose into an excited "jeering
jumble" and then tapered off toward the end. Each of these boisterous
and penetrating outbursts lasted for perhaps 10 to 15 seconds.

This entire experience seemed unbelievable to us, and certainly was
unexpected from all that we had read about "elusive" Black Rails.

12l6 Tyler Ave. , Annapolis)

88

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

Vnl . 29. No. 1

SEA BIRDS WINTERING OFF MARYLAND SHORES, 1972-73

Richard A. Rowlett
ABSTRACT

During the winter of 1972-73, studies were conducted to determine the status and
distribution of pelagic species of birds occurring at sea as far as 38 miles east of
Ocean City, Md. The wintering off-shore avifauna was found to be impressively rich
in variety of species and numbers of individuals. Sightings included Fulmar and Skua,
both first sight records for Maryland. Large alcids, especially Razorbills, were ob-
served in unprecedented numbers and on five of the seven trips undertaken. Thick-
billed Murre was sighted once and Dovekie, once. A Pomarine Jaeger waB a mid-winter
first for Maryland. Black-legged Kittiwakes were sighted on all seven trips, with
age ratios consistently averaging about three adults to one immature. Likewise,
Gannets were observed on all seven trips, 7.5 adults to one immature. Iceland Gulls
were seen twice and Black-headed Gulls on three trips. Evidence of a definite migra-
tion was noted on Nov. 19, as Gannets were observed flying south in a narrow band,
four miles wide, five to nine miles east of Ocean City, and Black-legged Kittiwakes ,
likewise, were heading south in a steady stream no closer than l 1 * miles east of Ocean
City. Data accumulated from December through March suggest most pelagic s occurring
in Maryland waters during this period were truly wintering and not transients. This
report is concerned primarily with, the true pelagics normally found well away from
the sight of land, and does not dwell on those "sea birds" commonly seen in immediate
coastal waters.

INTRODUCTION

Only within the past few years has interest heen seriously generated
by birders to journey off-shore in search of sea birds along the mid-
Atlantic coast. Little has been recorded regarding the occurrence of sea
birds off the Maryland coast during the milder seasons of the year, while
virtually nothing has ever been published on the distribution and status
of winter pelagics in the Atlantic at Maryland latitudes.

The previous lack of enthusiasm for winter sea birding can probably
best be attributed to the intense rigors that accompany the season. For
landlubbers, participating in winter pelagic trips requires an excess of
hard-core desire and stamina to endure the often grueling hours. Seas
are rough, winds are cold, and it is a rare day when one stays dry. Be-
tween birds, there are often long, boring, bone-chilling periods that are
filled with only the vast void of endless water and those moments of
stress resulting in the culmination of a queasy stomach.

Between Nov. 19, 1972 and Mar. 25, 1973, often accompanied by others,
I made a series of seven pelagic trips originating at Ocean City, Worces-
ter Co., Md. (38°19'N, 75°13'W), venturing off-shore to maximum distances
of lU to 38 miles. During this period, much data were accumulated re-
garding the previously unknown status and distribution of a vast array
of pelagic avifauna. The trip totals, by species, are summarized in
Table 1.

All trips except one were made aboard two different sport-fishing
"head-boats," which, in winter, can transport up to 75 hard-core, non-
tourist type fishermen to areas where Codfish (Gadus callarias) is

September 1973

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

82

considered the prize catch. Birders were allowed to ride along at a re-
duced passenger fare. Observing birds in this manner was truly a random
transect, leaving no chance for chasing unknowns or rarities. The one
exception was the trip of Feb. 3 when a head-boat was chartered specifi-
cally for a day of sea birding. This was the only trip when "chumming"
was done to attract birds close to the boat.

Table 1. Winter Pelagics Off Ocean City, Md. , 1972-73

date
max. miles

Species

Nov 19 Dec 23 Jan 13 Jan 19 Feb 3 Mar 3 Mar 25
l4 mi. 20 mi. 20 mi. 20 mi. 30 mi. 38 mi. 15 mi.

Red-necked Grebe

Fulmar

Gannet

Eider sp.

1

1

110 85 50 90 165 120 20

1

Parasitic Jaeger
Pomarine Jaeger
Pom/Par Jaeger sp.
Skua

2

1 1
I'll 1

1

Iceland Gull
Black-headed Gull
Black-legged Kittiwake
Razorbill

1 1
1 11
75 102 16 19 200+ 2 1
13 4 4 8

Thick-billed Murre
Murre sp.
large alcid sp.
Dovekie

1

1 1
1 4 7

1

MIGRATION, WINTER VISITANTS, AND WRECKS

Scoters, loons, and grebes are not regarded as truly pelagic, and
shall not be discussed other than to Just mention them as a part of the
off-shore avifauna. These birds typically are found in the littoral
2 ones, which extend through the intertidal areas to the continental shelf.

Migrating strings of scoters were seen most abundantly during Octo-
ber and November, and were usually restricted to within two miles of
shore. In winter, scoters are usually gathered close to shore in the
surf, around the Ocean City Jetties, and in Sinepuxent Bay. During the
cold winter months, there always seemed to be a few scoters, most com-
monly White-winged, in an area two to four miles from shore.

Loons were encountered regularly to the outer limit of the study
which was 38 miles. From October through December, both Common and Red-
throated Loons were seen migrating, north to south, usually as singles.
During January through March, both loon species were regularly seen,
with the Common Loon out-numbering Red-throated, about 4:1.

No appreciable migration of grebes could be detected. However,
during the course of the winter, 1 Red-necked and 6 Horned Grebes were
flushed from the water beyond 10 miles from shore.

90

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

Vol. 29, Ho.,3

Evidence of a true migration of pelagic birds was observed only on
the Nov. 19 trip. The migration patterns of Gannets and Black-legged
Kittivakes were most interesting. On the morning of Nov. 19, the head-
boat passed through a 4-mile-vide belt of southward flying Gannets, lo-
cated 5 to 9 miles off-shore. Passage through the belt took about 40
minutes. Very few Gannets were subsequently seen during the next 3 hours
between 9 miles and where the boat was anchored at lU miles. On the re-
turn trip, we once again passed through this migrating belt of Gannets.

I recall observing a similar situation with Paul DuMont on a trip on Nov.
lU, 1971; only then, the western edge of the band was 10 miles from
shore. Ed Brex, a Captain of one of the local head-boats has often de-
scribed similar observations to me, always emphasizing the narrow belt
of "cod gulls" occurring in the late fall along the coast each year.

Whether this is a characteristic migration pattern along all of the At-
lantic coast is apparently not known.

On this same Nov. 19 trip, the first encounter with modest numbers
of Black-legged Kittiwakes occurred while the boat was at anchor, l4
miles ENE of Ocean City. For 2 1/2 hours, kittivakes streamed by the
boat, appearing from the NNE, occasionally pausing briefly around the
boat, then continuing in a southerly direction, seldom being seen in
more than one's or two's.

All additional observations of Gannets and kittiwakes during the
course of the winter suggested purely wintering individuals and milling
feeding flocks. It was common to find small flocks of Gannets resting
on the water, whereas on the trips of Nov. 19, 1972 and Nov. l4, 1971,
when migration was in progress, it was indeed rare to see this. Black-
legged Kittiwakes, on the other hand, were never discovered resting on
the water. On subsequent trips after the Nov. 19 migration, kittiwakes
virtually seemed to materialize, usually as singles, but sometimes in
flocks of up to 35 as on Feb. 3. They would circle the boat once or
twice, then disperse, usually in easterly directions. By March, most of
the kittiwakes had disappeared. Whether they had gone north or farther
out to sea is unknown. Gannets during March certainly had not displayed
characteristics of migration, as they continued to lounge near a Russian
fishing fleet and in the shipping lanes.

Although alcids occurred in unprecedented, relatively large numbers
for this latitude during the winter of 1972-73, there was never a feeling
that a true migration was occurring. All at once, alcids just began to
appear, and as the season progressed, the numbers seen continued to climb
gradually, but steadily, with a peak of l6 large alcids (at least 50#
Razorbills) counted on Mar. 25.

In past years, the extent of an influx of alcids into the mid-
Atlantic region has been estimated by the occurrence of "wrecks" along
the Atlantic coast and even inland. A "wreck" occurs when numbers of
alcids are blown inland by a northeast storm. These birds often wind up
in odd places such as on city streets, fields, and airports. When alcids
are grounded, there is little chance that they will get airborne again,
as they are incapable of taking off from level ground. In the mid-Atlantic

September 1973

MARYLAND BIRD LIFE

21

region, the most familiar wreck involves Dovekies, and these normally
occur during strong northeast storms in the later part of November or
early December.

"Wrecks" and the so-called "eruptive migration flights" may best
be explained by describing a simple meteorological event (Fig. l). When
a high pressure area moves southeast out of eastern Canada, for example,
and approaches a northeastward moving low pressure area, the result is a
funneling of strong northeasterly winds (Tuck, 196l). This might account
for the great Dovekie concentration observed by John H. Buckalew in Jan-
uary 19^9 off Ocean- City (Stewart & Robbins, 1958). Such storms are most
common during the autumn and early winter months.

An example of Just how effective a northeast gale can be on flying
birds caught in this squeeze might best be described as follows. A bird
flying southwest at 30 mph with a NE 50 mph gale tail wind will be car-
ried 80 miles per hour, while a bird struggling northeast into the same

92

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

Vol . 29, No. 3

gale at 30 mph will actually be carried southwest at 20 miles per hour I
One can easily see how a stand-off between two opposing air masses, or
even a series of similar storms during a short period of time, could re-
sult in the displacement of birds many hundreds of miles.

The winter of 1972-73 certainly was not a Dovekie flight year, but
from January through April, all along the mid-Atlantic coast, not includ-
ing Maryland sightings which are discussed separately, there were at
least 15 alcids representing three species, of which 13 were picked up
dead or dying from being oiled. Of these 15, H were Razorbills, mostly
in New Jersey, 3 were Common Murres , one of which was found on the beach
at Back Bay, Va. , and 1 was a dead Thick-billed Murre in New Jersey.
These "wrecks" happened to correspond nicely with the observations made
at sea in Maryland waters, although one wonders if the oiled birds
wrecked on the beaches may tend to distort the true picture of abundance
of healthy birds at sea. The fact that so many of these beached birds
were oiled is certainly interesting, but the culprit is unknown at this
writing.

ECOLOGICAL FACTORS AFFECTING WINTERING SEA BIRDS

Attempts to correlate and attribute various ecological factors to
the vast array of sea birds present off Maryland shores is indeed diffi-
cult. Fishing in general could best be described as poor. Water temper-
atures during the observation period ranged from L5°F on Nov. 27 to 39°F
through January and February, and warming into the low UO's in March.

Had it been possible, it certainly would have been useful to have col-
lected plankton samples and other marine life at various spots, particu-
larly in the areas where feeding flocks seemed to concentrate.

There were at least three areas where observers could look forward
to seeing feeding birds, especially alcids. The best spot for Razor-
bills was along a submerged north-south ledge, five miles long, located
l8 to 20 miles ESE of Ocean City. Razorbills were encountered only in
this area on 3 of the 5 trips on which they were seen. The Skua seen on
Jan. 13, and the Fulmar on Feb. 3, were also seen here.

Another choice area was in the vicinity of the Russian fleet, which
numbered at least three small trawlers at any one time. The fleet main-
tained itself all winter about 30 miles due east of Ocean City, and al-
ways seemed to have a "resident" flock of gulls and Gannets ever alert
for garbage and offal discarded from the trawlers. There was a conspic-
uous bitterness of Ocean City fisherman toward the Russians, who were
regarded as infringing on the local sport-fishing industry by presumably
trot-lining large quantities of Codfish, and thus leaving few for the
sportsman. At least this was the reason the head-boat captain used to
pacify weary fishermen after a poor day.

The third area where concentrations of sea birds were noted was in
the Delaware Bay shipping lanes, located 30 to 35 miles east of Ocean
City. Though only two trips went this far, several flocks of gulls and
Gannets were often seen following, particularly the north-bound cargo

September 1973

MARYLAND BIKDLIFE

93

vessels and tankers. Also, small flocks of resting Gannets were often
flushed from the water, and on the Mar. 3 trip, an adult Iceland Gull, U
Razorbills, and a Thick-billed Murre passed close by the head-boat while
at anchor, 38 miles out, along the eastern edge of the lanes. Under-
standably, ships coming in from the high seas often "drag" birds along,
especially if trash or garbage is dropped overboard regularly. As ex-
pected, vessels south-bound out of the Delaware Bay had few birds follow-
ing, and nothing other than uninteresting gulls.

Obviously, a great deal more sophisticated study must be undertaken
to determine what eco-marine factors contribute to the occurrence of
wintering sea birds in mid-Atlantic and Maryland off-shore waters.

"CHUMMING"

The only full-hearted attempt to attract birds .with "chum" was dohe
on the charter trip of Feb. 3. Thanks to the valiant efforts of David
Holmes, who dispersed 100 pounds of coarsely ground beef suet in small
amounts at regular intervals, there was always a cloud of birds consist-
ing of Herring Gulls, Gannets, and kittiwakes swarming around the boat.
Beef suet was found to be quite suitable for the winter trips. It is
not messy, and when thrown overboard, the suet scatters nicely in all
directions, and it floats. When coarsely ground, it is in nice bite size
morsels and quite attractive to gulls and even Gannets. Sea birds are
noted for their keen senses of sight and smell, and a boat with a flock
of birds around it is sure to attract more birds. The curious little
kittiwakes held little interest in the chum, but apparently were briefly
investigating all of the commotion before flying off.

On the trip of Feb. 3, chumming was not begun promptly from shore,
so there was a period when there were no birds following the boat at all.
When a lone Herring Gull was seen about six miles out of the Ocean City
inlet, Dave began slinging suet overboard. Within minutes, birds began
to literally materialize, and streamed in from "nowhere," until as many
as 75 to 100 birds were present at any one time. The curiosity seekers,
which normally roam the high seas and might not have otherwise been seen
had it not been for the chum, included 200+ Black- legged Kittiwakes,
Fulmar, and Pomarine Jaeger. Alcids, namely the Razorbills, did not
show any response whatsoever when chum was thrown toward them.

Beef suet, though apparently quite satisfactory in the winter, was
found to be virtually ineffective during the warm summer months. In
fact, in May and July, 1973* in the gulf stream off the North Carolina
Outer Banks, the suet seemed offensive and tended to repulse those few
birds that even bothered to investigate the smelly, greasy, rotting mess.

People running pelagic trips off California have found popped pop-
corn to be an excellent type of chum. Certainly, the offal from commer-
cial fish cleanings would be most ideal because of its tremendous carry-
ing odor. But, it is extremely messy, and it takes one with a strong
stomach to dispense it. Although apparently never tried yet, I have long
felt that popcorn or puffed wheat soaked in fish oils, particularily cod

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

Vol ■ 29. Mo. 3

9U

liver oil would make the moat effective type of chum, although obtaining
the fish oils could he somewhat uneconomical. Head-boat captains de-
scribe pouring discarded fish oils in little spots which will then spread,
forming a slick and attract fish as well as a wealth of birds.

COUNTING BIRDS AT SEA

Effectively conducting an accurate census of birds at sea is be-
stowed with problems. Foremost, sea birds are always on the move, and
when running a transect, it is virtually impossible to determine what
percentage of the birds seen are repeats. It is almost certain that only
a small percentage of the birds actually present will be counted at the
time of transection.

When counting sea birds, one should strive for accuracy in estimating
overall magnitude or volume present for a given area. Trying to count
every individual is impractical. Reasonable estimates regarding the mag-
nitude of a sea bird movement can best be determined when observing and
counting birds from shore during on-shore gales. When birds are wind
blown by strong on-shore winds, there is a tendency for sea birds to
"pile up" along coastal beaches (Fig. 2). Also, magnitude can be accu-
rately estimated when transecting a migration band, as on Nov. 19, when
on the first transect of the Gannet belt, I recorded 6k birds in 40 min-
utes, and on the return, 32 birds in 40 minutes (Fig. 3).

The problems with conducting accurate counts develop when there are
wandering flocks of feeding birds. In Fig. U, the path of a Gannet is
hypothetically traced during the course of the Feb. 3 charter trip. I
have chosen the Gannet for this example because these birds seen to dem-
onstrate peculiarities which I have come to feel are characteristic at
least with wintering birds of this species. The selected Gannet first
would follow the boat for awhile, then stop to rest in the water and be
forgotten by the counter. The Gannet then returns to the boat, makes a
few passes, and wanders off out of sight, to return an hour later at an-
other point in the transect. All it would take would be 30 or 1+0 Gannets
doing this all day while the boat continues to cut a transect, and the
count could be exaggerated way out of true proportion. I actually ob-
served this type of behavior with a peculiarly marked juvenile Gannet,
recognizable as the same bird, that periodically returned to the boat
over a time lapse of seven hours and 35 miles.

The counts of Gannet3 shown in Table 1, specifically on trips after
Nov. 19, are educated estimates based on a combination of factors. Rough
counts were made every 10 to 15 minutes. Ratios of adults to sub-adults
and juveniles in various plumages were observed, and special peculiari-
ties regarding certain individuals were all noted mentally. With these
observations as well as the behavior of individual birds in mind, an es-
timate was made of the total population encountered.

Black-legged Kittiwakes, on the other hand, are among the most pe-
lagic of birds. Seldom seen near the beaches, these birds are noted for
their roaming of the high seas, and are often encountered thousands of

^-Russian Fishing Fleet

shipping \
lanes

Fig. U. Hypothetical path of a
Gannet. Note how often the same
individual could have been counted.
Feb. 3 transect is marked with arrows.

vo

VJl

September 1973 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

96

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

Vol. 29. No. 3

miles from land (Shackleton & Stokes, 1968). Unlike the Gannets and
Herring Gulls, the kittiwakes displayed no interest in what the boat had
to offer, and merely paused out of curiosity before moving on. In most
instances, kittiwakes came to the boat from the northeast, routinely'
checked out the boat, then headed off, seaward, usually to the east or
southeast. Very few birds came from the north, west, or south. There-
fore, counting kittiwakes was far more pleasant because of the feelings
of accuracy, and that each individual counted was probably a different
bird.

Alcids usually did their best to get out of the way of the boat,
and were never attracted to it or the chum. Therefore, each individual
was counted separately.

ANNOTATED LIST

This list principally pertains to those species that are typically
pelagic by nature and normally shun the intertidal areas along the
coasts. Therefore, loons, grebes, eiders, scoters, and the commoner
gulls are not discussed in this report, even though they axe often a
common part of the off-shore avifauna. The only exceptions involve in-
teresting off-shore sightings of normally uncommon Maryland species. A
review of previous Maryland records of unusual species is presented, as
is the speculated status of these sea birds occurring in Maryland lati-
tudes. Corroborating observers are initialed and are identified at the
conclusion of this summary.

RED-NECKED GREBE (Podioeps gviaegena ) . A single bird was identi-
fied on the water, 10 miles E. of Ocean City, on Mar. 25 (PGD, RAR).

FULMAR (Fulmama glacialis) . First Maryland sight record . A light
phased bird circled our chartered boat, 18 miles ESE of Ocean City on
Feb. 3, as close as 50 yards, and was in view and studied well for about
90 seconds (PGD, DH, CSR, RAR, HW, mob). All those initialed identified
the bird independently from separate corners of the boat at about the
same time. Although this sighting is Maryland's first, I suspect that
further field work at sea will show this species to be a regular but rare
part of the winter pelagic avifauna at Maryland latitudes.

Within the past century, this species has been rapidly increasing
in numbers. This might be attributed to a combination of two factors.
Some authorities suggest that the ancestors of the northern Fulmar were
actually a population of the southern (Antarctic) Fulmar which success-
fully crossed the equator and became established in the cold arctic and
sub-arctic regions. The northern Fulmar is truly pelagic and is re-
stricted to roaming the high seas, where it thrives on man's garbage from
North Atlantic shipping and on offal discarded from fishing trawlers.

GANNET (Moms bassanus ) . The Gannet seems to be one of the more
common and regular winter residents in Maryland's off-shore waters. Ob-
servations on Nov. 19 clearly showed Gannets in a southward migration, 5
to 9 miles from shore. Very few were encountered beyond this belt on
this date. Gannets seen on all subsequent trips to the end of the

September 1973

MARYLAND BIRD LIFE

21

observation period were assumed to be wintering individuals. It is es-
pecially interesting to note that as the season progressed, the Gannets
were seen farther and farther from shore, perhaps because of a seaward
drift of favored food source.

Table 2.

Nov 19 Dec I

23 Jan 13 Jan 19

Feb 3

Mar 3

Mar 25

Adult

95 70

1*3

85

135

117

18

Age ratios

Immatur e

15 15

7

5

30

3

2

of Gannets

Total

no 85

50

90

1^5

120

20

EIDER (Somateria sp.). A single bird (immature or female) was seen
with a small flock of scoters on Jan. 19, 20 miles NE of Ocean City (PGD,
HM, RAR, CW).

POMARINE JAEGER (Stercorarius pomarinus). One individual, perhaps
a late migrant, was observed on Nov. 19, 1*+ miles ENE of Ocean City (BB,
PGD, RAR). A dark phased individual was briefly observed on Feb. 3, 18
miles ESE of Ocean City (PGD, RAR, HW, mob); this is the first winter
record of this species in Maryland.

There has been an interesting increase in jaeger sightings in recent
winters off the mid-Atlantic coast. The Pomarine Jaeger seems to be a
later fall migrant than the Parasitic and has been the most frequently
identified species during the winter. It should be looked for as a rare
winter visitant.

PARASITIC JAEGER (Stercorarius parasiticus ) . Two probable late mi-
grants were seen on Nov. 19, l 1 * miles ENE of Ocean City (BB, PGD, RAR).
There have been a few winter sightings in recent years to the south,
along the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel on Dec. 31, 1972 (Am. Birds 27:258),
and on the Bodie-Pea Island, North Carolina, Christmas Counts of 1971 and
1972 (Am. Birds 26:279, 27:279). The Parasitic Jaeger could probably be
looked for as a rare winter visitant.

PAR/POM JAEGER (Stercorariue sp.). There were four birds, all ob-
served on different dates during the study period, that could not be as-
cribed to species. Jaegers in general should be looked for especially
where large feeding flocks of sea birds have gathered off-shore. Since
the Pomarine Jaeger seems to display a preference for pursuing gulls, it
would appear to be the most likely jaeger to expect during the winter.

The smaller Parasitic tends to prefer harassing terns which cannot put
up quite as hard a struggle. Since most of the terns are gone from
Maryland in the winter, I would expect few Parasitics to linger.

An interesting correlation might be drawn here. The 1972 Bodie-Pea
Island, N.C., Christmas Count recorded 1,329 Forster's Terns and 2 Para-
sitic Jaegers, the national high for both species I (Am. Birds 27:551).

SKUA (Catharacta skua). First Maryland sight record . One adult
was identified briefly around noon on Jan. 13, while the head-boat was
at anchor 20 miles ESE of Ocean City. The Skua burst from "nowhere" up-
on a feeding flock of 5-7 Gannets, about 200 yards away (RAR). My imme-
diate impression was that the bird was a hawk (rounded wings and buteo-
like tail), but it seemed larger or at least bulkier by comparison to

.98

MARYLAND BIRD LIFE

Vol . 29, No. 3

the thinner bodied Gannets. The golden brown body and those enormous
white patches in the wings rendered it unmistakable. I honestly think
that a Skua in good plumage, as apparently this bird was, could be iden-
tifiable at any distance with favorable light. Unfortunately, the plum-
age marks were visible for only a few seconds while the Skua pursued a
Gannet straight up then back to below the water line. The Skua then
flew off below the water line, flying low and powerfully into the sun.

I was so electrified by this episode that those precious few seconds
passed before I could yell "SKUA!" to Charlie Vaughn. By then, the bird
had already become a silhouette in the glare of the sun. Charlie did
agree on the heavy gull-like flight which was so powerful and effortless.

The status of the Skua over most of the northwest Atlantic is vir-
tually unknown. Presumably most of the western Atlantic birds winter on
the Grand Banks off Newfoundland. However, within the past three years,
there has been a surge of sightings along the mid-Atlantic coast. Skuas
have been identified at sea off the Virginia coast (Scott and Cutler,

1971 ) , and during strong on-shore winds on Hatteras Island, N.C. (Buckley
1973). Also, there have been rumors of sightings along the continental
shelf off New Jersey. The Skua may turn out to be at least a casual
visitor off the Maryland coast.

ICELAND GULL (Larus glauooides). A bird in first winter plumage
remained close to the boat for about 30 minutes, 20 miles ESE of Ocean
City, on Dec. 23, during a "sea-sickening" storm with rain, easterly
gale winds, and heavy seas (RAR). An adult, flying steadily north was
seen just beyond the shipping lanes, 38 miles E of Ocean City on Mar. 3
(RAR, NS).

Observations on pelagic trips off New Hampshire suggest that the
white-winged gulls are more likely to be encountered in greater numbers
more consistently, well off-shore rather than on-shore. Exceptions may
occur of course around universal collecting places for gulls such as
dumps and fish processing plants. The Iceland Gull is probably uncommon
in Maryland's off-shore waters.

BLACK-HEADED GULL (Larus ridibundus). This species was encountered
off-shore three times. Perhaps this rare European gull, which is being
seen with greater frequency in recent years, is really more "typical" in
the pelagic situation, as the white-winged gulls appear to be. All
sightings were of single individuals on Nov. 19 (10 mi.), Feb. 3 (20 mi.)
and Mar. 25 (15 mi.) (PGD, RAR). In comparison, it is interesting that
few Bonaparte's Gulls were seen beyond 3-5 miles from shore.

BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE (Rissa tridaatyla ) . The Black-legged Kitti-
wake , recorded on all 7 trips , was found to be one of the most abundant
species among the mid-Atlantic avifauna during the winter, and was seen
repeatedly in record numbers in Maryland waters. Except for Nov. 19,
when there was an apparent migration of single individuals passing over
the anchored boat from north to south, lU mi. ENE of Ocean City (BB,

PGD, RAR), the kittiwakes appeared to be wandering wintering individuals.
With the exception of the vicious storm on Dec. 23, when many kittiwakes
remained close to the anchored boat 20 mi. ESE of Ocean City, the birds
generally paid little attention to the boat. On Feb. 3, the chumming

September 1973

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

99

efforts produced an enormous flock of "trash" gulls which must have been
responsible for attracting hordes of the inquisitive kittiwakes (200+) .
Like Jaegers, the kittiwakes seemed
to virtually materialize out of the
"blue," and on the Feb. 3 trip came
to the boat in rather tight flocks
numbering up to 35, circled the boat
once or twice and dispersed over the
vast expanse of ocean (RAR, mob).

By March, most had mysteriously van-
ished, except for fleeting glimpses
of 2 on the 3rd, and 1 on the 25th.

Kittiwakes appear to be erratic
wanderers , capable of roaming the
entire ocean during the non-breeding
season. Before the pelagic trips
during the winter of 1972-73, the
kittiwake was regarded as a "casual
visitor to coastal areas" (Stewart & Robbins, 1958). Indeed, casual to
the coast, as during the many coastal trips I made during the winter, I
saw but one Black-legged Kittiwake on shore, and that one was apparently
a wind-borne bird resting on the beach at Cape Henlopen, Del. on Dec. 24,

U fr rVRIMHHi

Immature Black-legged Kittiwake
Photo by Charles Vaughn, Feh. 3

Table 3.

Nov 19

Dec 23 Jan 13 Jan 19

Feb 3 Mar 3

Mar 25

Adult

&2

H 18

125+ 1

0

Age ratios

Immature

13

15 5 1

75+ 1

1

of kittiwakes

Total

T5

102 16 19

200+ 2

1

RAZORBILL (AZaa tovda ) . The Razorbill was the "common" alcid in
Maryland waters this winter. This species was found on 5 of the 7 off-
shore trips, and no fewer than 20 individuals were identified. There
are only 4 previous sightings in Maryland.

The first Razorbill was seen only briefly between swells during that
dreadful storm, 20 miles ESE of Ocean City on Dec. 23 (BAR). A "flock"
of three was observed closely as
they flew past the boat while an-
chored, 20 miles ESE of Ocean City,
on Jan. 13 (RAR, CRV).

On the Feb. 3 charter trip, at
least 4 single individuals were pos-
itively identified, including an
oil-soaked bird, totally incapable
of flight, which was captured with a
dip net. When the oiled Razorbill
was first encountered, it appeared
healthy and remained calm in the wa-
ter, but a3 the boat slowly ap-
proached "for a closer look," we
realized that the bird was oiled, as
it began trying desperately to fly.

Unable to do so, it began diving. Attempts to capture it in the hand net
seemed futile, as it was always Just out of reach. David Holmes began

Razorbill

Photo by Charles Vaughn, Feb. 3

100

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

Vol. 29, No. 3

throwing chum to induce it to approach the boat on its own. The bird
steadily approached, but I think this was out of sheer exhaustion. Upon
reaching the side of the boat, the Razorbill began Jumping out of the
water repeatedly striking the side of the boat as if struggling to find
some stable spot upon which to rest. The Razorbill was then easily res-
cued with the hand net. The bird was well photographed, then loaned to
the Baltimore Zoo, where a few weeks later, it died, as did Maryland's
first specimen when the bird was inadvertently destroyed (RAR, mob).

On Mar. 3, 4 birds were seen within 20 minutes (l,2,l), possibly
migrating past our anchored boat, 38 miles E of Ocean City (RAR, NS).

On Mar. 25, 8. Razorbills were all well seen sitting on the water, 10
to 15 miles E of Ocean City; there were also 8 additional large alcids
whose identity could not be determined (PGD, RAR, H&HW).

The four previous records of Razorbills in Maryland are as follows:

A Razorbill was observed on the barrier island 2 miles south of Ocean
City by Alexander Wetmore on Dec, . 1926 (Wetmore, 1928). John H.
Buckalew observed a single bird on Feb. 3, 1938 near the former Isle of
Wight Coast Guard Station in North Ocean City (Stewart & Robbins, 1958).
Dick Kleen with 5 other observers watched a Razorbill at 15 feet in the
Ocean City inlet on Jan. 26, i960 (Robbins, i960). And Robert Warfield
observed a bird from the Ocean City inlet, 300 feet off-shore in a calm
sea on Jan. 22, 1967 (Robbins, I96T).

The status of the Razorbill in Maryland waters might be considered
analogous to the eruptions of winter finches. Some years there may not
be any, while in others, the species could be relatively "common."

[COMMON MURRE ( Uvia aalge)]. Although there is no record for the
Common Murre in Maryland, it is included on this list because 3 were
identified north and south of the state this winter. Two were found
along the New Jersey coast, including an oiled bird that was captured
alive. On the beach at Back Bay National. Wildlife Refuge, Va. , another
was picked up alive (Scott and Cutler, 1973).

THICK -BILLED MURRE (Uria lomvia ) . A bird identified as a Thick-
billed Murre flew past the anchored boat, 38 miles E of Ocean City, on
Mar. 3, during the same 20 minute span as the little flight of Razorbills
(RAR).

There are 3 previous Thick-billed Murre sightings in Maryland. A
specimen was collected at Harve de Grace, Harford Co. on Nov. 5* 1899
(Stewart & Robbins, 1958). A bird was taken in Kensington, Montgomery
Co. on Nov. 24, 1899 , while on the same day, 2 freshly killed specimens
were offered for sale in the Washington, D.C. market (Stewart & Robbins,
1958). All three birds were probably waifs of a northeaster. After a
severe northeaster, a wrecked bird was found sitting in the snow in
Baltimore on Mar. 7, 1962 . The murre was photographed and released in
Baltimore Harbor (Brackbill, 1962). Also, in the District of Columbia,

5 specimens were found in the Washington market between Dec. l4, 1896
and Jan. 1, 1897 (Stewart & Robbins, 1958). Interestingly, this was
during the same period in which the greatest murre wreck in eastern
North American history was recorded (Tuck, 1961).

The status of the Thick-billed Murre in Maryland waters is probably
similar as that suggested for the Razorbill. Of the two murre species.

September 1973

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

101

the Thick-billed, whose breeding range is more northern, is the one most
commonly identified at mid-Atlantic latitudes. Common Murres seem to
have an affection for warmer waters, thus winter on the Newfoundland
Grand Banks, where there is abundant food because of the diffused Gulf
Stream which brushes the edge of the banks (Tuck, 196l). The Thick-
billed Murres on the other hand are probably caught up in the Labrador
Current which flows southward along the northwest Atlantic coast.

UNIDENTIFIED LARGE ALCID. Fourteen large alcids (either Razorbills
or murres) were seen during the study period, but not satisfactorily
identified — 8 alone on Mar. 25 (RAR, et at).

DOVEKIE (Plautus alls). It certainly was not a "flight" year for
this species, as only one individual was encountered: on Dec. 23, 10

miles E of Ocean City (RAR).

The status of the Dovekie in Maryland waters can best be described
as eruptive, and it is the one alcid which is most often found wrecked
in inland localities following severe northeast storms. "Thousands"
were reported to John H. Buckalew, 10 to 15 miles off of Ocean City,
during early January, 19^9, vhile "hundreds" were being caught in mack-
eral nets (Stewart & Robbins, 1958).

Corroborating observers cited:

BB Bill Blakeslee

PGD Paul G. DuMont

HM Harvey Mudd

CSR Chandler S. Robbins

RAR Richard A. Rowlett

SUMMARY

Summarizing the preceding discussion, one conclusion is apparent;
there is an incredible amount of information to be learned regarding the
ecology affecting wintering sea birds in mid-Atlantic latitudes. This
report has merely scratched the surface of an untapped source of knowl-
edge. It is hoped that the reader will not label the author as overly
presumptuous regarding the sketchy discussion of some ecological factors
affecting sea bird dispersal, and the radical changes in status applied
to certain birds based on no more than one sighting. The ocean is a
mighty vast, open place, and a single person running but seven short
transects out to sea no more than 38 miles is going to see a mighty low
percentage of the birds actually there. I have attempted to conduct this
preliminary survey as accurately as possible. When I have attempted to
interpret my observations, I have found myself up against a wall of prob-
lems for which I had no means to supply a set of answers. Perhaps by
posing many questions and uncertainties, this paper will inspire future
expansion and exploration into the ways of the sea birds in what used to
be regarded as the "uninteresting Atlantic."

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I owe a great deal of thanks to Ed Brex, Captain of the "TAURUS,"
and Orie Bunting, Captain of the "CAPT BUNTING," for being so obliging

NS Napier Shelton

CRV Charles R. Vaughn

H&HW Harold and Hal Wierenga

CW Claudia Wilds

mob. many observers

102

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

Vol . 29, No. 3

and tolerant of my unending questions and allowing me as well as others
to "ride along" at the reduced fares. It is difficult to acknowledge ev-
eryone who contributed to the success of the study of Maryland's winter-
ing off-shore avifauna, but to those who offered the greatest in compan-
ionship, with keen observations and suggestions, I must acknowledge Paul
G. DuMont, foremost, but also Bill Blakeslee, Harvey Mudd, Napier Shelton,
Charles R. Vaughn, Hal Wierenga, and Claudia Wilds. Gratitude is extend-
ed to Fred R. Scott and P. William Smith for supplying records from New
Jersey and Virginia, which allowed me to better analyze the extent of the
alcid flight this winter. Also, very special thanks are extended to
David Holmes, who in my estimation made the Feb. 3 charter trip the spec-
tacular success it was for the 4? eager participants, with his valiant
"chumming" efforts. Finally, appreciation is extended to Chandler S.
Robbins for his suggestions and critical review of this manuscript.

LITERATURE CITED

American Ornithologists 1 Union. 1957. Check-list of North American Birds,
fifth ed. , Baltimore, Am. Ornith. Union;

Bent, A.C. 191 9- Life Histories of North American Diving Birds. U.S. Nat'l
Mus. Bull. 107.

. 1922. Life Histories of North American Petrels and Pelicans and

Their Allies. U.S. Nat'l Mus. Bull. 121.

. 1921. Life Histories of North American Gulls and Terns. U.S. Nat'l

Mus. Bull. 113.

Benton, A.H., and W.E. Werner, Jr. 1966. Field Biology and Ecology. McGraw-
Hill, New York, 248-301.

Brackbill, H. 1962. Thick-billed Murre in Baltimore. Md. Birdlife 18:25.

Bruun, B. , and A. Singer. 1970. Birds of Europe. McGraw-Hill, New York.

Buckley, P.A. 1973. A Massive Spring Movement including Three Species New to
North Carolina, at Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Am. Birds 27:8-10.
Peterson, R.T. 1947. A Field Guide to the Birds. Houghton Mifflin, Boston.

. 1966. A Field Guide to the Birds of Britain and Europe. Houghton

Mifflin, Boston.

Robbins, C.S. i960. The Season. A Id. Birdlife 16:53.

. 1967. The Season. Md. Birdlife 23:39.

Robbins, C.S., B. Bruun, and H.S. Zim. 1966. Birds of North America. Golden
Press, New York.

Robbins, C.S. , and W.T. Van Velzen. 1968. Field List of the Birds of Maryland.
Md. Ornith. Soc . , Baltimore.

Scott, F.R., and D.A. Cutler. 1971- The Spring Migration, Middle Atlantic
Coast Region. Am. Birds 25:718.

. 1973. The Winter Season, Middle Atlantic Coast Region. Am. Birds

27:596-599.

Shackleton, K. , and T. Stokes. 1968. Birds of the Atlantic Ocean. MacMillan,

New York.

Stewart, R.E., and C.S. Robbins. 1958- Birds of Maryland and the District of
Columbia. N. Am. Fauna 162, U.S. Govt Printing Office, Washington, D.C.

Tuck, L.M. 1961. The Murres. Canadian Wildlife Series: 1. Roger Duhamel ,
Ottawa.

Watson, G.E. 1966. Seabirds of the Tropical Atlantic Ocean. Smithsonian
Press, Washington, D.C,

Wetmore, A., and F.C. Lincoln. 1928. Recent Records for Maryland. Auk 45:225-

226.

Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, Maryland 20810

September 1973

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

103

A SALUTE TO ALICE S, KAESTNER

Shirley H . Geddes

Lake Roland is one of the best birding places in the Baltimore
area, offering a diversity of lake, stream, swamp and upland. It was
because of this that Alice Shields Kaestner took a walk there with the
Mountain Club in 19*+*+ and became aware of the world of birds. After
that discovery there just seemed to be no better place to be. Alice
made the acquaintance of others with a similar interest and thereby
became a Charter Member of the Maryland Ornithological Society at its
formation on February 23, 19^5.

From 19^ until the present time Alice has birded the Lake Roland
area regularly and in 1952 moved her home and family within a short
distance of it. She was responsible for initiating weekday morning
walks there in the spring, originally set up for mothers with schcJol-
age children. One has only to re-read her article, "Birds of Lake
Roland" in the March 1967 issue of Maryland Birdlife to sense some of
the feeling she has for birds. Two sentences from that article express
so clearly her knowledge and ability to share it with others. "By all
means, go down in the evening (to Lake Roland) from mid-May to mid-June
to listen to the Veeries singing. It is a whisper song with an ethereal
quality." And from another paragraph, "Do not stop birding regularly
until after the third week of May so that you may see the Mourning
Warbler sitting in a low bush, an Olive-sided Flycatcher high on a dead
limb, or a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher on the edge of the woods in a sap-
ling about ten feet high." Alice personally has identified 169 species
of birds at Lake Roland.

10U

MARYLAND BIBDLIFE

Vol. 29. No. 3

In our infant years Alice served as "Feeding Stations Chairman,"
writing a section in Birdlife entitled, "At the Feeding Shelf." This
job evolved into Bird Records Chairman through the 1950's and since
196U she has been INFORMATION AND BIRD EXCHANGE chaiman for the Balti-
more Chapter. This position includes writing up highlights of birds
reported to her for the monthly Newsletter and answering telephone in-
quiries from the public. These calls have amounted to as many as fifty
in one month. How appropriate that her initials are A.S.KI Her replies
are always tactful and friendly as she tries to be of assistance and
encouragement to everyone.

When the Baltimore Chapter began having public lectures in 1963, it
was Alice who so capably secured nationally known speakers in addition
to handling the sale of tickets. Her name appears constantly in the
minutes of the Baltimore Chapter as she faithfully attended meetings
serving as Program Chairman as well as a Director. She has been a State
Trustee for ten consecutive years following her election in 196U.

She was one of the coordinators of the Breeding Bird Census at
Lake Roland for the State society in 19^7- And she has been a regular
contributor to the "Season" reports of Birdlife for about twenty-five
years , submitting not only her own observations , but relaying important
sightings by other members. Her first feature article was published
in the June i960 issue, "The Year that the Evening Grosbeaks Came to
Lakehurst." The September 1961 issue carried her "Further Pileated
Observations in Baltimore Suburbs." And "Spring at Lake Roland - 1962"
was in the June 1962 issue. "The Burner-Low Memorials" was published
in December 1965, and "Birds of Lake Roland" appeared in the March 1967
issue, "in Memoriam - Malcolm F. Thomas" was in the September 1971
issue and "Accidental Poisoning of Pine Siskins at Feeder" in the June
1972 publication. She has been an active participant in the nest record
program since 1951 and also a faithful counter on the May and Christmas
counts .

When asked, Alice claims that the bird she most enjoys seeing is
the Rose-breasted Grosbeak which she says "can be seen eating the
Slippery Elm buds every spring at Lake Roland"; but most of her friends
associate her with the Evening Grosbeaks. She was one of the first to
have them at her feeder regularly. In her article in the June i960 issue
of Maryland Birdlife she states that this was the first time they visited
her area daily. They stayed 131 days and consumed 350 pounds of sunflow-
er seed. When they are in the vicinity, they still frequent her garden,
swinging in the many coconut feeders which she has provided for them.

No one knows how many have Joined the M.O.S. because of the helpful
information she gave them, or how many have had their eyes opened to the
birds on her spring walks. So it is with a deep sense of gratitude and
appreciation that we thank her for all the years of inspiration, loyalty,
and continuous interest she has given us and we wish her many more years
of good health and happiness.

503 Overbrook Road, Baltimore 21212

September 1973

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

105

NESTING SUCCESS OF CHESAPEAKE BAY OSPREYS IN 1973

Jan G. Reese

Chesapeake Bay Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) nesting studies I began
in 1963 received financial assistance from MOS and its members in 1973.
There are 3 areas of study; the primary area of interest is a delimited
segment of tidewater Talbot County where all active nests are intensive-
ly Btudied throughout the reproductive season. Areas of comparable size
are surveyed twice annually in both Queen Annes and Dorchester Counties
as control checks against the Talbot area. For a description of areas,
methods used for study, and data obtained see: Reese, J.G. 1968.

Breeding Osprey survey of Queen Annes County, Maryland. Maryland Bird-
life 2l+:91-93; Reese, J.G. 1970. Reproduction in a Chesapeake Bay Os-
prey population. Auk 87:7^7-759; and Reese, J.G. 1972. Osprey nesting
success along the Choptank River, Maryland. Chesapeake- Science 13:233-
235* Comprehensive annual reports for individual areas of study are
available from the author. The purpose of this note is to present a
brief summary of productivity for the 3 areas in 1973.

In the Talbot County study area, I located 1U3 active nests, 11 1+ of
which were accessible for study (contents could be seen). In the acces-
sible nests, 327 eggs were laid and 54 percent of these hatched. This
is the best hatching rate observed during the study. I found 163 large
young in 75 nests, for an average of 1.1*3 fledglings per active accessi-
ble nest. This productivity ratio far exceeds any recorded during the
past decade and is above that estimated for population stability.

Cool weather during April and May, a lack of blue crabs, and a State
ban on harvesting of soft shell clams are thought to be largely respons-
ible for enhancing nest success. Cool weather and no crabs kept water
sports and boating activities at a minimum, thus there was little dis-
turbance during the incubation period. The soft shell clam ban permitted
aquatic bottom communities to proliferate for the first time in years.
This resulted in more fish than usual and better water visibility in
clam harvest areas. Rainy weekends, lack of evening thunderstorms, and
U.S. Coast Guard restraint also aided success.

In the Choptank River area surveyed since 1968, I found 32 active
nests of which 28 were accessible for study. I found 1+0 large young in
17 accessible nests for an average of 1.1+3 fledglings per accessible
nest. This productivity was the best ever recorded in this area.

In the Queen Annes County area, I located 25 active nests in the
same area surveyed annually since 1966. Of this total, 20 were accessi-
ble for study. Although a fantastic 65 percent of the eggs hatched, on-
ly 1+3 percent of the eggs produced fledglings. The mortality rate of 3l+
percent of the chicks is unheard of in my Osprey experience. I found 23
large young in the accessible nests for an average of 1.15 fledglings
per accessible nest. Productivity was greater than in any previous year
of study, and for the first time was within the range of 0.95 to 1.30

io6

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

Vol. 29. No. 3

considered necessary for population stability (Henny and Wight, Auk 86:

188 - 198 ).

Of the 22 permanent nest structures erected in 1972 and 1973 with
MOS financing, 18 were utilized hy nesting Ospreys in 1973. In the 18
nests, 26 young were fledged for an average of 1.41+ fledglings per uti-
lized structure. Although this productivity was not tetter than the
population as a whole, no nestlings were lost from these nests and 6 of
the 11 broods had 3 young each. Also, the local citizens have taken
pride in these structures and respect them vehemently.

Box 298, St. Michaels 21663

AN UNUSUAL CASE OF LEAD POISONING IN A WHISTLING SWAN

Louis N. Lodke and Larry T. Young

Lead poisoning resulting from the ingestion of spent lead shotgun
pellets has been recognized as a cause of waterfowl losses since 1894,

1.3

and in recent years, it has been increasingly recognized as a problem
among upland game birds . 4 * 5 * 6 * 7 Another source of lead poisoning among
waterfowl has been the ingestion of paint flakes and solder wastes in
the waters adjoining European shipyards . 2 Recently, losses among Mute
Swans (Cygnus olor) in Michigan were found to be the result of the in-
gestion of lead fishline sinkers by the swans (Fay, pers . comm.).

This report is to document the occurrence of lead poisoning in a
native North American Whistling Swan (Olor oolumbianus) following the
ingestion of a fishline sinker.

On February 29, 1972, a Maryland Wildlife Officer submitted an im-
mature male Whistling Swan to the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center for
diagnostic examination. The swan had been found sick on the bank of
Seneca Creek, near Essex, Maryland, and died during transit to the
Patuxent Center, a distance of about 50 miles.

At autopsy, the swan was found to be extremely emaciated with
shrunken pectorals (typical "hatchet-breast") and completely devoid of
subcutaneous fat. The esophagus was impacted. The impaction was 150 mm
long and 25 x 35 mm at the widest point, just anterior to the thoracic
inlet. The pro vent ri cuius and gizzard were filled with green plant
stems, and the gizzard lining was stained dark green. No lead shot were
found in the gizzard, but a lead sinker (weighing 2.97 gms . ) , two copper
swivels, and assorted fishhook remains were recovered. The small intes-
tines were dilated, and the intestinal lumen was filled with watery,
greenish-yellow material. The colon was distended, varying in diameter
from 25 mm anteriorly to 40 mm posteriorly at the entrance into the
cloaca. The heart was pale and flabby ; the coronary fat was gone, and
there was serous fluid in the pericardium. Microscopically, the ma-
jority of nuclei of the tubular epithelial cells of the proximal con-
voluted tubules of the kidney contained small (lx2-3x4 mm) acid-fast

September 1973

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

107

/

intranuclear inclusion bodies, a pathological finding diagnostic of
lead poisoning.

Chemical analysis revealed that the liver contained 40 ppm lead,
the kidney contained 24 4o ppm lead, while a clot of blood removed from
the swan's heart contained 830 ppm lead (all on a wet weight basis).
Analyses for lead were made by atomic absorption spectrophotometry at
the Environmental Trace Substances Center, Columbia, Missouri. These
extraordinarily high levels of lead probably reflect a very high level
of continuing absorption of lead from the ingested lead sinker.

1. Beer, J. V., and P. Stanley. 1965. Lead poisoning in the Slimbridge

wildfowl collection. Wildfowl Trust l6th Ann. Rept: 30-34.

2. Erne, K. , and K. Borg. 1969- Lead poisoning in Swedish wildlife.

p. 31-33. In Metals and Ecology. Swedish Natur. Sci. Res.

Council Ecolog. Res. Com. Bull. 5«

3. Bellrose, Frank C. 1959- Lead poisoning as a mortality factor in

waterfowl populations. 111. Nat. Hist. Surv. Bull. 27:235-288.

4. Campbell, H. 1950. Quail picking up lead shot. <7. Wildl. Manage.

14(2} : 243-244.

5. Hunter, B. F. , and M. N. Rosen. 1965. Occurrence of lead poisoning

in' a wild pheasant (Phaeianus colahicue ) . Calif . Fish and Game
51(3): 207-210.

6. Locke, Louis N., and G. E. Bagley. 1967. Lead poisoning in a

sample of Maryland Mourning Doves. J. Wildl. Manage. 31(3): 515-
518 .

7. Westemeier, Ronald L. 1966. Apparent lead poisoning in a wild

Bobwhite. Wile on Bull. 78(4 ) :47l-472 .

LITERATURE CITED

Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel

COMMITTEES FOR 1973-74

AUDITING COMMITTEE

Rodney Jones, Chairman (486-3442)
207 Oak Ave., Baltimore 21208

Gerhard W. Hotz
George Drumm

BLUEBIRD PROJECT COMMITTEE
Dr. Lawrence Zeleny, Chairman (927-3971)

4312 Van Buren St., Hyattsville 20782

BUDGET COMMITTEE

Edwin T. McKnight, Chairman (301-652-1107)
5038 Park Place, Washington, D.C. 20016

W. Gordon MacGregor

Elwood L. Fisher

Charles N. Mason
H. Edmund Stiles

BY-LAWS COMMITTEE

A. MacDonough Plant, Chairman (433-7421)

7 Midvale Road, Baltimore 21210

John C. Ford, Jr.
Mrs. Nancy Rowe

108

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

Vol . 29. No. 3

CONSERVATION COMMITTEE

Lt. Col. William G. Bodenstein, Chairman (987-4658)

R.D. 1, Box 366, Crovnsville 21032 Mrs. Elizabeth K. Hartline

EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Dr. Benjamin Poscover, Chairman (823-2548)
302-A Garden Rd. , Baltimore 21204

Dr. Roger M. Herriott
David Lee

Mrs. Marlene Letsch
Chandler S. Robbins
Mrs . Shirley Spitler

INVESTNENT COMMITTEE
Elting Arnold, Chairman (652-7344)

4914 Dorset Ave., Chevy Chase 20015

W. Gordon MacGregor
R. Taylor McLean
H. Edmund Stiles

NOMINATING COMMITTEE
Dr. Lawrence Zeleny, Chairman (927-3971)

4312 Van Buren St., Hyattsville 20782

Mrs . Shirley Geddes
Robert Hahn
Charles Mason
John W. Poteet, Jr.

PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE
Chandler S. Robbins, Editor (725-1176)

7902 Brooklyn Bridge Rd. , Laurel 20810

C. Douglas Hackman,
Assistant Editor

SANCTUARY COMMITTEE

V. Edwin Unger, Chairman (754-8820), Box 55, Federalsburg 21632
Dickson J. Preston, Vice Chairman, R.D. 5, Box 607, Easton 2l601
Mrs. John C. Ford, Jr., Secretary (267-8417), 408 Beach Dr., Annapolis
Adventure Sanctuary Committee

Mrs. Morrill B. Donnald, Chairman (299-6840) Chandler S. Robbins

11501 South Glen Road, Potomac 20854 Laurel (725-1176)

Carey Run Sanctuary Committee

T. Paul Smith, Chairman (724-8976) Mrs. Dorothea Malec

909 Camden Ave., Cumberland 21502 LaVale (729-4936)

Irish Grove Sanctuary Committee

Mrs. Robert Oakman, Chairman (968-2429) Charles Vaughn

5 Somerset St., Crisfield 2l8l7 Salisbury (742-7221)

Mill Creek Sanctuary Cormrittee
Robert Sharp II, Chairman (822-2324)

R.D. 5, Box 445, Easton 21601

Pelot Sanctuary Committee
A. J. Fletcher, Chairman (479-1529)

P.0. Box 20, R.D. 1, Denton 21629

Rock Run Sanctuary Committee
Col. Leland Devore, Acting Chairman (378-3473)
"Parade Rest," R.D. 1, Port Deposit 21904

Robert K. Price
Easton (822-2381)

Marvin W. Hewitt
Greensboro (482-6842)

Rodney Jones
Baltimore (486-3442)

SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE

Mrs. Morrill B. Donnald, Chairman (299-6840)
11501 South Glen Rd. , Potomac 20854

Dr. Mildred E. Gebhard
Barclay E. Tucker

September 1973

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

109

THE

PRESIDENT’S PAGE

New members of MOS become part of us because of a mutual interest
in birds and/or conservation. Most new members do not know about all
of our activities; from time to time they learn about them. I am hope-
ful that we can initiate the policy of giving each new member a leaflet
that will tell about our purpose and activities.

Before I share with you a letter from one of the recipients of our
Helen Miller Scholarship, let me identify this activity for the benefit
of those new members who may not know about it or its origin. Helen
Burns Miller was a member of the Allegany County Bird Club who worked
diligently with youth. She founded the Junior Bird Club and the
Allegany County Bird Club Junior Nature and Conservation Camp. Follow-
ing her untimely death, the Helen Miller Scholarship was created in 1959
as a memorial to her. It became an annual project of MOS under which a
qualified teacher or youth worker received the fee for attendance at an
Audubon Camp of his choice for a two-week period of study. By 1973 the
project had become large enough to provide three scholarships, thanks to
the Amateur Gardener's Club of Baltimore who gave to MOS the money for
one of them. Here is the letter from one of the 1973 recipients.

"This letter is to tell you how greatly I enjoyed my two weeks,
(August 12-2U) at the Audubon Camp in Maine, which you made possible
with the Helen Miller scholarship.

"It was an extremely well planned camp and we were very busy.
Classes were held mornings and afternoons and there were evening pro-
grams; or a choice of two extra topics. It was difficult to decide
because both sounded so tempting to me. Many aspects of ecology were
presented, and almost in every case the out-of-doors was the classroom.
Luckily my session was blessed with especially fine weather.

"The Maine Camp was a good choice for me because most of the plant
and animal life we studied was exactly the same as here in Maryland —
excepting the spruce woods and porcupines, of course.

"Attending the camp was an enriching experience far beyond my
expectations. The information, techniques, and inspiration will be
valuable aids as I continue my work with school children and others who
may be interested in nature.

"Sincerely, Janet E. Ganter"

You may have read in the newspaper about the Canadian Government's
policy in the past of granting permits to blueberry harvesters for mass
slaughtering of Robins and of the government's apparent intent to issue
the permits this year. Publicity in newspapers and conservation

no

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

Vol . 29, No. 3

periodicals aroused the ire of conservationists and bird lovers through-
out the continent, and protests apparently poured into Canada. Mr.
Carroll M. Pinckard, a member of the Baltimore Chapter, brought the mat-
ter to my attention; I turned it over to Col. W. G. Bodenstein, Chairman
of our Conservation Committee. Col. Bodenstein did some research on the
matter and prepared a letter to the Canadian Government in which the
Society decried the proposal to again authorize the senseless slaughter.
The letter suggested that permits be withheld while making studies of
"alternative methods of protecting the blueberry crop, perhaps even
granting some form of compensation to the farmer while methods are being
developed." The permits were not issued.

I expected to tell you in this issue of Birdlife that we had added
110 acres to our Carey Run Sanctuary. Settlement was to be by Oct. 1.
However, there has been an extension, I am advised by our lawyer in Oak-
land; extra time was required because the sellers had to provide addi-
tional information to the lawyer. Because our drive for funds has netted
us already slightly more than $10,000, we are having to borrow only
$20,000. Thanks to all who have contributed cash or pledges!

Mr. Charles Vaughn, President of the Wicomico Chapter, recently was
host to two members of the British Broadcasting Company and two photog-
raphers from Washington whom they brought to Irish Grove Sanctuary for
the purpose of making motion pictures.

I announce the appointment of a new committee, which I recommend
become a standing committee — the Education Committee. Its purpose is
to increase and coordinate the services provided by M0S to members and
the public relating to education. Members of this committee are: Dr.

Benjamin Poscover, Chairman; Dr. Roger Herriott; David Lee; Mrs. Marlene
Letsch; Chandler Robbins; and Mrs. Shirley Spitler.

Barclay E. Tucker

BOOK REVIEW

Words for Birds : A Lexicon of North American Birds with Biograph-

ical Notes. Edward S. Gruson. 1972.. N.Y. Times, Quadrangle Books.

305 pp. $8.95.

This is a book for the etymological ornithologist — he who has a
deeper interest in how our birds were named than can be found in South
Carolina Bird Life (Sprunt and Chamberlain, 1949). Mr. Gruson gives
the derivation of the generic and specific names of all U.S. (including
Hawaiian) and Canadian birds. He gives brief biographical sketches of
people for whom birds were named, but he does not tell by whom the birds
were named. Although his Latin derivations appear to be authoritative,
his many incorrect interpretations of common names reflect his lack of
familiarity with the literature and with the birds themselves. For ex-
ample, "Grasshopper (Sparrow] refers to the species' greater intake of
insects than most sparrows," Anyone familiar with this bird knows it is
named for its song. There are also geographical errors. Gruson states
that the Hermit Warbler is "found most commonly in Texas" — a State in
which this far western bird is purely accidental. C.S.R.

September 19 T 3

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

111

FIRST SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER IN MARYLAND

Carl W. Carlson

The "turf farm" in Montgomery County, Maryland, is about 20 miles
northwest of Washington, D.C. It is a huge river-plain about 3 miles
long and perhaps three-quarters of a mile wide devoted to raising turf
for new housing. The Farm runs along the Potomac River, from which it
is separated by the C&0 Canal and the Towpath. Typically, the Farm has
strips of roughly plowed ground, seeded and harrowed ground, seedling
grass, well-established turf, and even some rough weed-grown turf. Thus
it offers the whole range of grassland habitat and appears to appeal to
all "grassbirds ," notably such shorebirds as Killdeer, Upland Plover,
and Pectoral Sandpiper. The Farm is closed to the public and the work-
ing crews do not seem to disturb the birds, which we find unusually
approachable.

On Aug. 26, 1973, Charles D. Cremeans and I checked the Turf Farm
at about 11 a.m. (EDT). We had over 200 Pectoral Sandpipers and prob-
ably 300 Killdeer scattered over adjacent areas. We first examined
these flocks from a distance, found 2 Buff-breasted Sandpipers, and then
moved to within 75 yards for closer viewing. After examining these
birds , I began checking the 30-odd Pectorals immediately before us and
discovered one bird with an eye-catching, bright red-brown cap. Its
back was generally scaly and reddish brown-, the underparts were pale
buffy or white. It gave every appearance of being a Sharp-tailed Sand-
piper (Erolia acuminata). I alerted Mr. Cremeans who scanned the flock
and promptly found the bird.

With the sun at our backs we viewed the bird for nearly 30 minutes
at 50 to 75 yards, using 15X, 20X, and 30X scopes, catching it at all
angles and comparing it to the many immediately adjacent Pectorals.
Finally the flock worked its way far enough from us to make it necessary
to follow, but as we detoured around a rain pond, the flock flew off un-
noticed and we could not relocate our bird.

During our scrutiny of the Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, we jointly
checked each mark with the Golden Field Guide (Robbins, et al. , 1966)
and agreed that the bird met every test. The primary mark was the
bright red-brown pileum. Indeed, we were surprised to find it so
bright and eye-catching a color. We repeatedly would look away and
then pick the bird out of the Pectoral flock by binoculars, and even
without, by looking for the red cap. By scope we could see plainly the
small black streaks in the cap which looked much like black penstrokes.
This special brightness appears to be the mark of an immature bird.
Ridgway's detailed comments (p. 276) are as follows (italics supplied):
"Adult in Summer — Pileum rufescent brown ..." "Winter Plumage — . . .
pileum distinctly rufescent or cinnamoneous ..." "Young — Pileum
bright rusty brown . . . sharply streaked with black ..." Examination
of the skins in the U.S. National Museum indicated that this species has
a pileum of reddish-brown with a few short black streaks. In comparison

112

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

Vol. 29, No. 3

the Pectoral Sandpiper's pileum is dark drab, on which appear a very-
few, very small vermiculations of reddish brown which are obscure even
when the bird is in hand.

The superciliary stripe appeared unusually wide owing, I believe,
to the paleness of the loral and auricular areas. These consisted of
relatively few pale dusky streaks on a whitish ground-color.

The bill was shorter and thinner than those of the Pectorals. Also
it lacked the heavy base and the yellow coloring of the Pectoral bill.
Examination of the museum specimens confirmed this difference which can
be easily seen in the field.

From the throat down, the breast was a pale buff, which color ran
up around the nape where it was streaked with black, and extended down
the center of the breast to a point slightly above the bend of the wing.
On the sides of the breast , this color ran down along the folded pri-
maries about to a point directly above the legs. This pale buff was
"darkest" near the throat and on the nape, from which areas it paled out
downward. There appeared to be a barely distinguishable cut-off between
the buff and the white at a point directly beneath the throat; otherwise
the buff simply paled into the pure white of the lower breast and belly.

In the buffy areas , there were very pale dusky streaks poorly de-
fined, not unlike those on the breasts of immature Swamp Sparrows.

These streaks were sharpest, darkest and most abundant on the nape, be-
low which they rapidly declined in number and visibility. On the breast
these markings exrtended — at most — halfway from the white of the throat
to the zone where the buff became white. Along the wing-edge I could
not positively see any such markings; when the bird was in certain pos-
tures, streaking seemed visible, but I think these were feather-edges in
shadow. From where the buff paled out to the under tail-coverts, the
bird was pure white.

Although the bird was in belly-deep grass much of the time, we
could see that its legs were green rather than yellow, and fairly dark
in tone.

The mantle — back and wings — was definitely a foxy reddish brown in
general appearance. The feathers typically were largely black with
edgings of reddish-brown, but some had white edges. On the back were
two white bars or lines similar to those of the Pectoral.

We were surprised to find that the bird was so markedly different
from the Pectorals in general appearance, so much so that we could pick
it out readily with or without binoculars. We felt that the bird was
somehow more delicate in structure and more erect in posture. In par-
ticular, we felt that the head and neck posture and structure were defi-
nitely and visibly different. It should be noted that this general
difference was not caused by the reddishness of the plumage nor the
paleness of the breast. Perhaps 1 in every 20 Pectorals seemed equally
foxy in general color, and had a breast cut-off that was extremely

September 1973

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

113

difficult to see; this also was confirmed by the museum specimens. When
such a bird moved past in side-view, the cut-off was literally not dis-
cernible, but when it turned toward the observer, the cut-off was easily
seen.

When I reached home, I phoned other birders to obtain confirmations.
I finally reached Jackson M. Abbott, who was able to go out at once.

That evening he reported that he had promptly located "your red-headed
bird" and, moreover, had found a second. Mr. Abbott became familiar
with the species in Australia. Kevin Mullen also went out, but reached
the Farm after all the birds had gone. The next morning I went to the
Farm at sunrise and stayed until noon, but could not find the bird.

Also, the Pectoral flock was down to about 20 birds, whereas the Sunday
flock was about ten times as large.

On the basis of these observations , I submit that we saw a Sharp-
tailed Sandpiper, apparently in immature plumage. There has been no
prior sighting in the Middle Atlantic States. In a letter to me.
Chandler Robbins advised that the first Atlantic Coast specimen was tak-
en in Florida on October 1, 1967 (Ogden, 1968 ). The second bird was ob-
tained at Plymouth, Mass, on June 30, 1971 (Donahue, 1971; Finch, 1971)*
The third was seen by Paul Sykes in Florida in August, 1973. Our sight-
ing is apparently the fourth Atlantic Coast record. Two additional re-
ports were received in September of sightings in Massachusetts and Long
Island, N.Y. , but dates and details have not yet reached me.

For further discussion of field identification see Taylor ( 1969 ),
and for the best picture I have seen of the fall immature see Plate 29
of Godfrey ( 1966 ).

I wish to thank Mrs. Roxie Laybourne who made it possible for me to
examine the skins in the U.S. National Museum, and Chandler Robbins for
his advice and assistance in the preparation of this report.

LITERATURE CITED

Donahue, Paul K. 1971. Shorebirds on Plymouth Beach, Summer 1971.
Manomet Observer 3( 1 ) : 6 .

Finch, Davis W. 1971. The Nesting Season. Northeastern Maritime
Region. Am. Birds 25 ( 5) : 833-834.

Godfrey, W. Earl. 1966 . The Birds of Canada. Nat’l Mus . of Canada
Bull. 203. Ottawa.

Ogden, John C. 1968 . Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Collected in Florida.

Auk 85(1+) :692.

Ridgway, Robert. 1919- The Birds of North and Middle America. U.S.

Nat 1 1 Mus. Bull. 50, Part VIII. Washington, D.C.

Robbins, C.S. , B. Bruun, and H.S. Zim. 1966 . Birds of North America.
Golden Press, N.Y.

Taylor, Joseph W. 1969 . Sharp-tailed Sandpiper and Palm Warbler in
Alaska. Wilson Bull. 8l(3) : 337-338.

5706 Lone Oak Drive, Bethesda 2001 1+

114

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

Vol. 29, No. 3

THE SEASON

APRIL, MAY, JUNE, 1973

Chandler S . Robbins

The spring migration was frustrating in that almost without excep-
tion the hig migratory waves occurred on weekdays when relatively few
observers were afield. April brought a single warm period, stretching
from the l6th through the 24th, culminating with 86° temperatures at
Friendship Airport on the 23rd and 24th. Vegetation and migration that
had been lagging during the first half of the month responded to the warm
weather; by the 23rd and 24th several species such as Red-eyed Vireo,
Kentucky Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, and Rose-breasted Grosbeak were
actually arriving ahead of schedule. Temperatures in May averaged 3° tb
5° below normal, except for the last 4 days of the month. As a result,
the migration tended to be a few days behind schedule and numerous late
dates were obtained. Four consecutive days in the 80's at the end of
the month, however, drew the migration to a sudden close and very few
transients lingered into early June.

Rains were frequent, but not excessive. May 6 was the only day that
month with no measurable precipitation anywhere in Maryland; and April
and June had only 4 rain- free days apiece. There was neither serious
flooding nor damaging wind. Perhaps the greatest weather-induced stress
of the period occurred during the period May 23-28, when persistent rains
seriously reduced the food supply available to swallows, cuckoos, and
many of the other insectivorous species.

The earliest arrival dates are summarized by counties in Table 1,
and the latest departure dates in Table 2. The counties are arranged
from northwest to southeast. Thus, species that occur in equal abundance
in all parts of the State can be expected to arrive first in the counties
listed at the right, and to leave latest from the mountain counties at
the left — provided observation effort is similar. Species that are much
more common in western counties than eastern counties will not only be
observed in more of the western counties , but will likely be detected at
both earlier and later dates in the west than in the east. Examples are
provided by many of the warblers: Tennessee, Nashville, Magnolia, Black-

throated Blue, Blackburnian, Bay-breasted, Mourning, and Wilson's. To
provide a comparison of the 1973 spring migration with that of prior
years, the median county arrival date for 1973 is given beside a 10-year
median at the left side of the table. The most striking deviation from
the norm is in the late departure dates of many of the songbirds, which
is attributable to the cool weather that prevailed in the middle of May.

All contributions of dates for these two tables are gratefully ac-
knowledged. As usual, we select for special mention those members who
submitted the largest number of significant arrival and departure dates
for each of the counties listed: Garre tt County — Mrs. Frances Pope,

C. S. Robbins; Alleg any — James Paulus , Kendrick Hodgdon, Elyse Harmon,

Ann Smith, John Willetts, Dorothea Malec ; Washi ngton — Daniel Boone,

Mrs. Alice Mallonee; Frede rick — Dr. John W. Richards, Joe Schreiber;

September 1973

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

115

Balti more City and County — Mr. and Mrs. Walter Bohanan, Mrs. Alice
Kaestner, C. Douglas Hackman, C. Haven Kolb, Joe Schreiber, Marjorie and
Liza Nelson, Hervey Brackbill, Craig and Clark Jeschke, Etta Wedge, Mrs.
Shirley Geddes , Mr. and Mrs. T.H.C. Slaughter; Howard— Mrs. Dorothy
Rauth, Mrs. Rosamond Munro, Mrs. Joanne Solem, C. S. Robbins; Montg omery —
Herbert Douglas, Dr. Robert L. Pyle, Nancy and Lucy MacClintock, Robert
W. Warfield, Bob Whitcomb, Dr. Fred Evenden; Prince Georges — Herbert
Douglas, Chandler Robbins, Paul and Danny Bystrak, Leonard Teuber, David
Holmes; Anne Arundel — Hal and Prof. Harold Wierenga, Danny Bystrak, Prof,
and Mrs. David Howard, Mrs. Ellen Gizzarelli, Mark Hoffman; Char les — Dr.
George Wilmot, Leonard Teuber; Calve rt — John H. Fales ; Harford and Cecil —
Dr. Edgar E. Folk III; Kent — Mr. and Mrs. Edward Mendinhall, Margery
Plymire, Arlene Delario, John Hansen, James Gruber, John Wheatley, Floyd
Parks; Carol ine — Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Fletcher, Mrs. Ethel Engle, Mrs.

Carol Scudder; Talbo t — Jan Reese, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Armi stead, Tom and
Vicki Lehman, George Fenwick, Matt LaMotte, Don Meritt ; Dorch ester — Mr.
and Mrs. Harry Armistead, Gordon and Holly Chaplin, Robert W. Smart,
Richard A. Rowlett; Some rset — Mrs. Gladys H. Cole, Mr. and Mrs. C. Douglas
Hackman, Dr. Ben Poscover; Worcester — Charles Vaughn, Harry Armistead,
Samuel H. Dyke, J. M. Sheppard, P. G. DuMont, David Lee, Barbara Rothgaber.

Grebes , Petrels . Jim Paul us counted 175 Horned Grebes on Apr. 5 at
the glass plant pond near Old Town; this is the highest one-day tally
ever reported from Maryland's Ridge and Valley Section. Richard Rowlett
broke the spring arrival date for the Wilson's Petrel when he saw 2 off
Ocean City on May 12 . Harry Armistead discovered a single Wilson's
Petrel in Ocean City inlet before dawn on May 28.

Gannet and Cormorant s . A lone immature Gannet sighted 100 yards off
Assateague Island on May 28 (Armistead) established a late departure rec-
ord for the State. Although the Double-crested Cormorant is regularly
seen by the hundreds or even thousands along the Maryland coast, any
count of over 50 from Chesapeake Bay is noteworthy. Armistead found 77
in southern Dorchester County on May 12 and 60 at Hoopers Island on May
20, establishing new high counts for the county. He also found summer
stragglers as follows: 1 at Martin National Wildlife Refuge on Smith

Island on June 1* and 3 at Barren Island on June 19. In Garrett County
Fran Pope found a Double-crested Cormorant at Broadford Reservoir on
Apr . 8 .

Cattle Egrets . Cattle Egrets can now be taken for granted in April
and May in all counties east of the Bay and in most of the Western Shore
Coastal Plain counties as well. As the species becomes more abundant,
spring arrival dates tend to get earlier and earlier. The westernmost
report was from Washington County on May 5 (Daniel Boone). A flock of
14 in a field near Waldorf on June 2 were either late stragglers , or
feeding birds from an undiscovered nesting colony (Leonard Teuber).

Other Herons and Ibis . Snowy Egrets wandered north to Prince
Georges, Anne Arundel, and Kent Counties prior to the breeding season,
and both the Little Blue Heron and Common Egret made it all the way west
to Allegany and Garrett Counties (Table l). Glossy Ibis are becoming

Median

Table 1. Spring Arrival Datea, 1973

SpecieB

10-yr

1973

Garr

Alle

Wash

Fred

Balt

Howd

Mont

Pr.G

Anne

Chao

Calv

HaCe

Kent

Caro

Talb

Pore

Somr

Wore

Common Loon

__

4/20

4/13

5/ 5

4/27

4/26

4/ 1

0

4/21

4/24

4/ 3

5/ 5

W

0

4/ 7

4/13

4/10

Pied-bllled Grebe

—

3/18

3/14

0

3/10

0

2/14

4/15

4/17

3/ 2

3/24

0

Double-cr. Cormorant

—

4/ 8

4/ 8

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

4/ 4

5/ 5

0

0

0

5/ 5

4/ 7

5/ 5

4/10

4/ 7

Green Heron

4/23

4/18

4/29

5/ 5

—

5/ 5

4/28

4/ 7

4/17

4/ 5

4/15

4/ 2

4/18

5/ 5

4/10

4/10

4/15

4/20

4/15

Little Blue Heron

—

-5> 5

. 5/ 6

5/ 5

0

0

0

0

0

0

4/10

0

0

0

0

0

5/ 7

5/ 5

4/10

4/15

Cattle Egret

>i/25

Vl7

0

0

5/ 5

0

5/ 1

5/ 5

0

0

4/ 5

“5TT

U/15

5/ 3

4/22

"571 T

4/15

4/l3

4/17

~xn

Common Egret

—

4/15

3/30

4/12

4/27

0

0

0

0

5/ 5

3/31

5/ 5

0

5/ 5

4/27

3/23

4/ 3

4/l4

3/25

4/15

Snowy Egret

—

4/10

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

5/ 5

4/10

0

0

0

' 4/30

0

4/23

3/26

3/25

4/ 7

American Bittern

—

—

0

0

0

0

0

0

4/15

4/16

0

0

0

0

0

4/20

4/15

ClOBBV IbiB

—

4/24

0

0

0

V 5

4/ 3

4/ 7

0

0

4/29

5/ 5

0

0

0

6/10

5/20

4/20

4/14

4/ 7

Broad-winged Hawk

4/22

4/19

4/19

—

”"4/22

U/22

4/15

4/15

4/19

5/ l

4/15

5/ l

3/29

l»/30

0

0

0

0

0

Semipnlmated Plover

—

5/ 5

5/iT

5/28

0

5/ 5

5/ 5

0

0

5/ 5

5/ 2

0

0

0

5/ 5

0

5/ 7

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 5

Black-bellied Plover

—

5/ 5

0

0

0

0

5/ 5

0

0

0

5/ 9

0

0

0

5/25

0

0

4/20

5/ 5

5/ 5

Ruddy Turnstone

—

5/ 9

5/23

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

5/ 9
4/29

0

0

0

0

0

5/30

5/ 5

0

5/ 5

Spotted Sandpiper

14/30

4/30

3/28

5/ 3

5/ 1

5/ 5

4/24

4/30

4/14

4/24

4/28

4/20

4/12

5/ 5

5/ 5

4/30

5/ 5

Solitary Sandpiper

5/ 2

5) 3

t/24

5/ 2

0

5/5

17T-

5/ 5

”1725“

5/ 5

1/lB

1755“

0

0

4/26

0

5/n

5/ 6

0

5 H

Wlllet

—

—

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

4/24

0

0

0

0

0

0

4/20

4/17

Pectoral Sandpiper

—

4/14

0

0

0

0

0

3/21

4/14

5/ 5

4/ 2

0

0

0

5/ 2

0

0

4/ 1

4/14

Least Sandpiper

5/ *

5/ 5

5/ 5

0

0

5/ 5

5/ 5

0

5/ 5

5/ 5

4/23

5/ 5

0

0

5/ 8

0

5/ 1

5/ 5

5/ 5

4/15

Dunlin

--

5/10

5/17

5/25

0

0

0

0

5/11

0

5/ 9

0

0

0

0

0

5/19

5/ 5

4/19

4/15

Short-billed Dowltcher

—

5/ 5

5/17

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

5/ 7

0

0

0

0

0

i/ 6

5/ 5

4/19

5/ 5

Semlpalmated Sandpiper

—

5/ 5

—

5/?5

0

5/12

0

4/29

0

—

4/28

0

0

0

0

5/10

5/ 5

4/19

5/ 5

Laughing Gull

4/i6

4/io

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

4/ 0

4/24

—

4/17

4/ 3

4/ 7

4/13

4/14

4/ 7

Bonaparte 1 B Gull

—

4/ 3

3/15

0

0

0

4/14

0

4/ 7

4/ 4

3/ 9

0

0

0

4/ 5

0

4/ 2

3/10

Common Tern

—

5/ 5

4/18

5/ 7

5/25

0

0

0

0

0

4/26

5/ 5

0

0

0

0

4/23

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 5

LeaBt Tern

—

5 7 5

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

4/30

0

0

ITT

-i7~r

0

5/ 5

0

5/ 5

Caspian Tern

—

4/28

0

4/27

0

0

4/22

0

0

0

4/ 0

0

0

5/ 3

0

0

4/28

5/ 5

0

5/ 5

Black Tern

—

—

5/ 3

0

0

—

0

0

0

0

0

o'

0

0

0

0

0

4/28

0

5/12

Yellow-billed Cuckoo

5/ 4

5/ 4

6/ 9

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 1

5/ 2

4/22

4/30

5/ 2

5/ 2

5/ 5

5/ 3

5/ 5

5/ 8

5/12

5/ 2

Black-billed Cuckoo

V 7

5/ 10

6/ 2

4/24

0

0

5/20

5/ 9

5/ 1

0

0

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/30

5/12

0

5/12

Chuck-will 'a-widow

5/ 2

5/ 5

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

5/ 5

0

0

5/ 5

h/ZO

t/20

5/ 5

Whip-poor-will

14/21

4/20

—

5/ 5

—

5/ 5

4/19

4/18

5/ 5

5/ 5

4/29

4/16

5/ 3

4/26

4/io

0

4/20

4/20

5/ 5

Common Nighthawk

5/ 5

5/ 6

5/18

5/ 7

5/19

—

5/ 5

5/13

5/ 2

—

5/ l

0

5/ 9

0

5/ 9

5/ 5

5/ 5

0

5/ 5

Chimney Swirt

*4/15

4/15

5/ l

4/21

4/16

4/n

4/ 5

4/29

4/20

4/ 5

4/ 3

4/14

4/22

4/17

4/ 4

4/28

4/19

4/ 7

Ruby-thr. Hummingbird

4/30 4/30

5/ 5

4/23

5/ 1

5/ 5

4/21.

5/ 3

4/30

4/29

5/ 3

4/23

4/19

V 1

4/24

4/24

4/23

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 1

Red-headed Woodpecker

- 5/ 5

3/26

3/24

0

5/ 5

4/30

1*/ 5

5/ 5

0

5/ 5

5/ 5

0

0

5/ 5

0

5/ 5

0

0

5/ 5

Eastern Kingbird

4/26

4/29

5/ 4

4/16

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 2

4/19

4/21

4/22

4/29

4/29

4/30

—

5/ l

5/ 5

4/23

4/17

5/ 5

4/ 7

Gt. Created Flycatcher

4/28

5/ 3

6/ 2

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 2

5/ 3

5/ 2

5/ 2

5/ 5

5/ 1

—

5/ 3

5/ 2

5/ 1

5/ 5

4/30

Acadian Flycatcher

5/ *4

5/ 5

6/13

5/13

5/15

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 2

4/28

5/ 2

5/ 1

5/ 5

5/ 7

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 2

Least Flycatcher

—

5/ 9

5/ 5

5/21

0

4/22

0

5/ 5

5/13

0

0

0

0

0

5/24

0

0

0

0

0

Eastern Wood Pewee

57 I-

57 5

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/15

“5/f“

-57T-

5715

sTT"

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ »»

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ a

5/ 5

5/ 5

5 ) 5

Bank Swallow

—

5/ 4

0

5/ 5

0

0

5/ 5

0

5/ 5

4/30

4/24

5/ 5

4/ 5

5/ 2

5/ 4

5/ 5

4/13

0

5/ 5

Rough-winged Swallow

4/14

4/22

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 5

4/10

4/29

4/23

4/30

4/15

4/12

4/15

4/16

4/22

4/14

Barn Swallow

4/ 8

4/ 7

4/13

5/ 5

4/ 5

4/ 4

4/io

4/ 9

4/ 7

3/30

3/29

4/22

4/ 3

—

4/ 5

4/ 1

4/ 3

4/13

4/i4

4/ 7

Cliff Swallow

—

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 5

0

5/ 5

5/ 3

5/ ?

4/20

5/ 5

5/12

5/ 5

0

0

0

0

0

4/14

0

v ■>

Blue Jay

W27

4/22

—

—

4/22

6/29

4/19

i*/30

it/20

4/22 ,

5/ 1

House Wren

4/21

4/20

4/24

4/28

4/20

4/20

4/10

4/ 7

4/15

4/19

4/23

—

—

—

4/21

4/10

Long-billed Mar eh Wren

—

5/ 5

5/ 5

0

0

0

5/ 5

4/27

4/22

5/ 5

4/23

5/ 5

—

5/ 5

4/30

5/ 5

5/ 5

4/13

4/i4

Catbird

4/27

4/28

5/ 1

5/ 2

4/20

4/28

4/24

4/22

4/l4

4/22

4/25

5/ 3

4/26

—

4/30

5/ 5

4/29

5/ 5

4/21

—

Wood Thrush

Va?

4/23

5/ 1

4/23

5/ 2

4/22

4/23

4/2*

H 26

4/20

4/23

—

4/23

4/30

4/22

4/29

4/20

—

Hermit ThruBh

4/10

—

Cm

4/23

W 7

1/ <;

V15

" 4/13“

4/ 1

—

4/ 9

—

3/24

4/13

SwainBon'a Thrush

5/ 6

5/ 7

5/ 3

5/ 5

5/19

0

5/ 1

5/ 5

5/ 3

5/ 9

5/ 3

0

5/10

0

5/24

0

0

5/12

0

5/12

Gray-cheeked Thruah

5/ 9

5/ 8

5/15

5/ 8

5/ 5

5/20

5/ 5

5/ 7

4/29

5/21

5/11

—

0

0 .

4/29

0

0

5/ 5

0

5/12

Veerv

5/ 3

-S/_L

5/ 5

5/ 5

—

5/ 5

4/20

5/ 1

Jt/g...

_SZJL_

.5! 1

0

5/H

0

V 5

SL2-

—

_^12_

0

_SZ_£

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Vol

Median

10-yr

1973

Garr

Alle

Wash

Fred

Balt

Hovd

Mont

Pr.G

Anne

Chaa

\

Calv

HaCe

Kent

Caro

Talb

Pore

Soar

Wore

Blue-gray Gnatcetcher

It /lit

4/18

4/29

4/22

4/28

4/22

4/14

3/24

4/14

4/13

4/ 2

4/30

4/14

4/26

—

4/29

4/20

4/15

4/15

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

l|/12

4/16

4/19

4/21

—

—

4/ 7

4/ 7

4/11

4/17

4/16

—

4/10

—

—

—

—

—

—

4/15

Cedar Waiving

U/2U

5/10

5/22

5/13

5/22

—

5/24

5/15

—

5/10

—

—

—

—

—

White-eyed Vireo

4/26

4/29

5/ 3

5/17

5/15

5/ 2

4/29

4/26

4/26

4/16

4/17

4/29

4/23

5/ 2

4/30

—

4/29

4/20

4/l8

4/10

Yellov-throated Vireo

4/28

4/30

6/13

5/ 2

5/28

5/ 2

4/2?

4/30

4/24

4/20

4/30

4/30

4/23

—

—

—

0

4/20

—

4/10

Solitary Vireo

5/ 2

4/2*t

0

-t7lr

5/T

4/24

4/28

4/26

4 / 5

5/ 5

0

0

5/ 5

0

0

5/ 5

51 5

0

51 5

Red-eyed Vireo

4/28

4/30

5/ 5

5/ 2

5/ 5

5/ 2

5/ 1

4/30

4/25

4/24

4/23

4/30

4/25

—

4/26

4/29

5/ 1

4/20

—

4/22

Warbling Vireo

5/ 2

5/ 5

0

5/ 2

4/29

5/ 5

5/16

4/22

5/14

5/31

0

0

5/ 1

5/ 5

4/29

0

0

0

0

Black-A-vhite Warbler

4/22

4/23

4/23

5/ 3

5/ 5

4/24

4/l8

4/ 7

4/10

4/17

4/30

4/29

—

4/29

4/16

5/ 1

4/20

—

4/ 9

Prothonotarv Warbler

4/2 6

5/ 1

0

5/ 3

5/ 5

5/ 5

4/24

5/ 5

4/21

4/20

n 1

4/30

5/ 1

3>-

U S

5/ 5

4/20

—

Jos.

Worm-eating Warbler

5/ 2

5/ 2

5/ 5

4/ 24

5l 5

4/24

4/30

5/ 5

5/ 1

5/ 5

5/ 5

—

sy 2

5/ 5

0

4/20

—

7/15

Golden-vinged Warbler

5/ 4

5/ 3

5/ 3

4/29

0

0

0

0

5/ 5

5/ 1

5/ 5

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Blue-vlnged Warbler

51 3

5/ 3

0

5/ 3

5/ 2

5/ 5

5/ 2

5/ 1

4/26

5/ 2

5/ 3

5/ 5

0

5/ 5

sy 5

5/ 5

0

0

0

4/22

Tenneasee Warbler

5/ 7

5/ 5

S/20

5/ 5

5/ 2

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 4

4/27

0

5/15

0

5/ 3

0

0

0

0

0

Nashville Warbler

5/ 3

5/ 5

5/ 5

4/22

0

5/ 5

5/ 5

0

4/29

5/ 1

5/ 3

K 3 -

0

n ?

5/ 5

0

0

H ?

0

_5Z_2

Parula Warbler

4/25

C/23

5/ 5

4/16

5/ 5

5/ 5

4/24

4/19

4/19

C/l6

t/ifl

4/30

4/23

5/ 1

5/ 5

5/ 5

'4/iff'

4/21

—

C/17

Yellow Warbler

4/27

4/30

4/29

5/ 1

4/23

4/30

4/15

5/ 2

4/28

4/21

4/26

5/ 5

4/24

4/28

4/30

5/ 5

51 1

5/ 5

51 4

4/26

Magnolia W^bler

5/ 4

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 5

—

5/ 5

5/ 5

4/28

5/ 3

5/ 7

5/10

5/10

5/11

0

5/24

0

51 1

5/ 5

5/U

5/11

Cape May Warbler

5/ 4

5/ 5

5/ 3

0

5/10

0

5/ 5

5/ 5

4/29

5/ 3

5/ 5

0

—

0

0

0

5/ 5

0

5/12

0

Black-thr. Blue Warbler

5/ 2

5/ 3

5/ 5

4/26

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 2

5/ 2

4/28

4/25

5/ 3

4/30

5/ l

0

5/ 5

w 5

ji A

_SZ12_

5/13

5/U

Myrtle Warbler

■w -

T/15

C/20

4/19

£/ 8

4/23

4/23

4/l4

4/12

4/21

—

4/15

4/15

V 1

C/13

—

—

Black-thr, Green Warbler

5/ 2

5/ 4

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 5

4/29

4/30

5/ 3

5/ 3

5/ 4

0

5/10

0

0

0

5/13

0

4/18

5/12

Cerulean Warbler

51 3

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 3

—

5/ 7

5/ 5

5/ 5

4/28

4/30

5/ 5

5/ 5

0

—

0

0

0

0

0

0

Blackburnian Warbler

5/ 4

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 3

5/ 5

5/ 5

4/29

5/ 2

5/ 2

0

5/12

0

0

0

—

0

0

5/12

Yellov-throated Warbler

4/19

4/18

0

0

0

0

5/ 5

0

4/ 7

4/23

4/21

5/ 5

4/l4

0

0

—

—

4/15

4/ 7

Chestnut-aided Warbler

5/ l»

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 5

51 5

5/ 5

5/ 4

5/10

5/ 5

5/10

5/U

5/ 5

0

0

5/13

0

0

5/ 5

Bay-breasted Warbler

5/U

5/10

5/ 5

5/19

—

0

5/10

0

5/ 5

5/14

5/io

5/10

0

0

5/ 5

0

0

0

0

0

Blackpoll Warbler

5/ 6

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/27

5/13

5/ 2

5/16

5/ 4

5/ 3

5/ 5

5/10

5/ 5

0

5/ 5

0

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/U

5/U

Pine Warbler

3/24

5/ 5

4/20

3/24

0

0

4/23

3/15

—

3/24

3/20

0

—

3/18

3/10

3/26

3/25

3/l4

Prairie Warbler

4/25

4/24

4/24

4/29

4/21

4/24

4/19

4/24

.4/29

5/ 2

—

5/ 5

5/ 5

4/20

4/20

4/21

—

Palm Warbler

it/i&

4/15

4/23

0

0

4/24

4/15

“57l5“

4/18

4/13

0

0

0

—

0

—

0

0

4/ 9

Ovenbird

4/27

4/30

5/ 3

5/ 1

5/15

5/ 5

4/23

4/21

5/ 4

4/19

4/22

4/30

4/18

5/ 5

4/29

5/ 5

5/ 1

4/13

4/19

4/15

Northern Waterthruah

5/ 2

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 5

0

0

5/ 1

5/ 5

4/22

4/30

5/ 3

0

5/13

0

5/24

5/ 5

0

5/12

0

5/1.2

Louisiana Waterthruah

4/14

4/ 7

51 5

—

3/31

4/20

4/16

3/ 4

4/ 7

3/29

4/ 6

4/20

4/ 1

—

—

—

—

—

—

4/ 7

Kentucky Warbler

5/ 1

5/ 4

5/ 3

—

5/19

5/ 5

V ?

5/ 2

5/ 4

4/23

4/30

4/30

5/ 5

5/ 1

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 5

—

4/22

Mourning Warbler

5/24

5/25

5/24

0

5/19

0

5/19

5/26

5/25

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Yellovthroat

4/21

4/23

• 5/ 3

5/ 1

5/ 5

5/ 2

4/19

4/27

4/22

4/20

4/23

5/ 2

4/25

—

4/23

—

4/22

4/13

4/16

4/l8

Y ell ov-br east ed Chat

5/ 2

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 3

5/ 5

5/ 5

4/11

4/28

5/ 5

5/ 2

4/23

5/ 5

5/13

5/ 1

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 3

4/18

Hooded Warbler

4/30

5/ 2

—

5/ 5

—

5/ 7

4/24

5/ 5

5/ 4

4/24

4/28

4/30

4/23

5/ 5

5/ 7

0

0

0

—

4/20

Wilson's Warbler

H ?

?/ 5

5/ 5

0

0

0

5/ 8

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 2

?/ ?

0

0

?/ 5

. 5/5

0

0

0

0

0

Canada Warbler

5/

5/ 5

—

—

—

5/ 3

5/ 5

5/ 3

5/ 2

5/* 5

0

5/11

0

sy 5

0

0

”5712" '

0

0

American Redstart

4/29

5/ 4

5/ 5

5/ 5

—

5/ 2

4/23

5/ l

4/21

4/20

5/ 5

4/30

4/25

5/ 5

5/ 7

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 5

—

4/10

Bobolink

5/ 6

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/13

0

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 2

5/ 5

0

0

5/ 3

5/10

0

5/ 5

0

5/12

Orchard Oriole

5/ 2

5/ 3

5/13

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 5

4/28

4/23

4/l4

5/ 5

4/25

5/ 1

4/24

4/29

4/28

5/ 5

—

—

Baltimore Oriole

W30

?/ 1

5/ 5

5/ 1

4/29

5/ 5

4/25

5/ i

4/ 8

4/23

4/24

5/ 1

5/10

4/17

4/29

?/ 5

—

5/12

?/U

?/ ?

Scarlet Tonager

4/2fl

5/ 2

5/ 3

5/ 3

—

5/ 5

4/30

4/28

4/24

4/23

4/28

4/30

5/ 4

5/ 5

5/ 5

4/23

51 5

5/ 5

4/24

Summer Tanager

5/ 3

5/ 5

0

0

5/19

0

5/ 9

0

4/24

5/ 5

—

4/30

5/ 2

0

0

5/ 5

0

5/ 5

0

5/ 5

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

5/ 4

5/ 4

5/ 2

0

5/ 4

5/ 5

4/25

5/ 5

4/24

5/ 2

5/ 3

5/ 5

4/24

5/ 3

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 4

5/12

0

5/ 1

Blue Grosbeak

4/30

5/ 5

0

0

5/25

0

4/25

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 5

51 3

0

4/29

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 5

—

5/ 5

Indigo Bunting

5/ 1

5/ 3

5/ 5

5/ 3

5/ 5

4/30

4/20

5/ 5

4/29

5/ 1

■?/ ?

4/30

5/ 2

51 3

4/25

?/ 5

51 5

5/ ?

—

?/ ?

Grasahopper Sparrow

C/30

5/ 5

5/ 5

—

5/10

5/ 5

5/ 5

4/27

—

5/ 5

5/ 1

—

4/23

5/ 5

5! 2

4/16

—

5/ 5

—

—

Sharp-tailed Sparrow

—

5/ 5

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

5/24

0

0

0

5/ 5

5/ 5

0

5/ 5

4/19

5/12

Seaside Sparrow

„

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

4/23

0

0

0

0

0

0

4/13

4/14

51 5

White-crowned Sparrow

5/ 4

5/ 5

5/ 5

4/27

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 4

5/ 5

5/ 5

0

5/ 9

0

0

0

5/ 5

5/ 5

51 1

0

0

0

Swamp Sparrow

--

5/ 3

4/17

—

—

—

4/18

4/14

4/10

—

—

--

September 1973 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

118

MARYLAND BIRD LIFE

Vol. 29, No. 3

more and more widespread as spring vagrants in Maryland: 50 flying over

Trappe in TaTbot County on May 20 (Jeui Reese) and singles or small flocks
at Sandy Point (Harold and Had Wierenga), Baltimore, Howard County (Mr.
and Mrs. Walter Bohanan), and Frederick County. Two Yellow-crowned Night
Herons sighted along the C & 0 Canal near Williamsport on May 7 (Don
Cutchall, Ross and Mary Corderman, and Irene Greenefield) will hear fur-
ther investigation, as the species has not been found nesting in the
Ridge and Valley Section of Maryland.

Nesting Herons and Ibis . The nesting season was a good one for the
herons. Jan Reese reported from Talbot County that Green Herons had
"unbelievably good nesting success." Harry Armistead conducted a detailed
census of the new Barren Island heronries, which he believes were first
occupied in 1972; hi3 June 19 nest count was as follows: Cattle Egret,

1+^9 ; Glossy Ibis, l65; Snowy Egret, 155; Common Egret, 77; Little Blue,

75; Great Blue, 55; Black-crowned Night, 31; Green, 5; and Louisiana
Heron, 1. Mr. Armistead has a separate nest record for each of the three
islands, as well as records of the contents of a sampling of nests.
Armistead also reported on the Smith Island heronries, June 4. Heavy
understory there forced him to settle for conservative estimates rather
than actual counts: Glossy Ibis, 165; Little Blue, 123; Louisiana, 108;

Black-crowned Night, 100; Snowy, 65; Yellow-crowned Night, 5^; Common
Egret, 40; Cattle Egret, 40; Great Blue, 30; and Green Heron, 18. It
would really be great to have counts like this from all the Maryland
heronries! The South Point heronry below Ocean City was visited on May 5
by Richard Rowlett, who estimated 2,000 nests with eggs, and the follow-
ing adult birds: Cattle Egret, 1,200; Snowy, 1,000; Glossy Ibis, 800;

Little Blue, 450; Louisiana, 350; Common Egret, 150; and Black-crowned
Night, 50.

Ducks. An estimate of more than 500 Surf Scoters (with over 1,000
Oldsquaws ) at Poplar Island on Apr. 3 was unusual for this far up the Bay
(Jan Reese). Good numbers of summering waterfowl were tallied at Deal
Island Wildlife Management Area on June 13 by Armistead, who believes
these totals were about two-thirds of the birds present: Mallard, 8 (2

nests); Black Duck, 200 (ll broods and 1 nest); Gadwall, 67 (l brood, 2
nests); Pintail, 3 males, 1 female; Green-winged Teal, 1; Blue-winged
Teal, 45 (2 broods). The great exodus of Green-winged Teal from Deal
Island took place between May 6 (l,750 birds) and May 13 (none ) (Rowlett ) .
Late dates for divers included a male Common Goldeneye at Bellevue , May
18 ; and 2 Oldsquaws and 2 flying Surf Scoters at Cooks Point, May 22
(all by Armistead). A pair of Ruddy Ducks at Fairmount Wildlife Manage-
ment Area on June l4 led Armistead to believe this species may nest in
Somerset County, although a strong- flying Lesser Scaup at Fairmount on
the same day is relegated to summer vagrant status.

Hawks . At Bellevue, which has not been known as a spring hawk ob-
servation spot, the Armisteads and Lehmans counted 3 Sharp-shins, 2 Red-
tails, 5 Marsh Hawks, and 2 Sparrow Hawks migrating over the Armistead
property on Apr. 7. Bald Eagle counts in Talbot County reached a maximum
of 2 birds (Reese, several April, May, and June dates). Armistead' s peak
totals were 6 adults and 8 immatures at Blackwater Refuge on Apr. 13, and

September 1973

MARYLAND BIKDLIFE

119

his record-high of 6 adults and 10 immatures in Southern Dorchester
County (including Blackwater) in May. An immature Golden Eagle was at
Blackwater on the late date of Apr. 13 (Araistead). Marsh Hawks seen in
June indicated possible nesting at Blackwater and Martin National Wild-
life Refuges and Fairmount and Deal Island Wildlife Management Areas
(Armistead) .

Ralls and Coots . This much neglected family of birds was pursued
by Messrs. Armistead, Rowlett, and'O'thers with interesting results. On
Apr. 18, Douglas Hackman and Ben Poscover heard a Yellow Rail calling
for 15 minutes around 8:30 a.m. along the Rumbly Point Road about 150
yards south of Irish Grove Sanctuary. On May 5 in southern Dorchester
County, Harry Armistead, Bob Smart, and Davis and Sally Finch heard 55'
Virginia and 15 Black Rails. Between 10 and 11:30 p.m. on May 6, Richard
■Rowlett counted 55 Virginias, 4^ Blacks , 9 Soras, and 8 Kings from the
Elliott road; and on May 13 he heard 11 Kings, 10 Clappers, 30 Virginias,

2 Soras, and 4 Blacks at Deal Island W.M.A. Black Rails were still ac-
tively calling at Elliott on the night of June 22-23, when Rowlett and
Hal Wierenga counted 22 birds between 11 p.m. and 1 a.m. and saw 4 of
them. A King Rail at Poplar Island on June 15 (Reese) was unusual. Ac-
cording to Armistead, Smith Island "crawls with Clappers." He counted
46 there on the night of June 4, establishing a new high count for Som-
erset County. The second State breeding record for American Coot was
established on June l4 when Armistead found 9 birds, including 2 young,
at Fairmount and Deal Island Wildlife Management Areas.

Shorebirds . An American Golden Plover, a real rarity in Maryland
in spring, was observed at leisure in a plowed field at Blackwater Refuge
on Apr. 1 (Bruce Beehler). Ruddy Turnstones were found at inland sites
from May 9 (at Sandy Point State Park by Harold and Hal Wierenga and in
Garrett County by Fran Pope) to May 30 (in Kent County by the Mendinhalls ) .
A Whimbrel was found at Assateague National Seashore as early as April l8
(David Lee and Barbara Rothgaber), and the first inland record for the
State was provided by Dr. John Richards, who spotted 23 WhimbrelB in the
rain on May 23 at Erami tsburg . On May 24, 2 flew north past Kent Point
(Reese and M. LaMotte ) . As usual, Sandy Point provided the most shore-
bird sightings west of the Bay; of the IT species identified there by
the Wierengas during this period, the most unusual spring migrants were
White-rumped Sandpiper and Western Sandpiper, both on May 22-25* A Short-
billed Dowitcher seen near Robert Warfield's summer home at West Ocean
City on June l6 is considered a summer vagrant. Rowlett's and Armistead' s
estimates of shorebirds in the big impoundments at Deal Island Wildlife
Management Area in Somerset County are among the best ever reported in
Maryland in spring away from the coast: On May 13 Rowlett estimated

Semipal mated Plover, 2,500; Killdeer, 2; Black-belly, 250; Ruddy Turn-
stone, 35; Spotted, 12; Solitary, 3; Willet, 160; Greater Yellowlegs ,

2,000; Lesser Yellowlegs, TOO; Pectoral, 30; White-rumped, 5; Least,

24,000; Short-billed Dowitcher, 4,500; Long-billed Dowitcher, 1; Stilt
Sandpiper, Ti Semipalmated, 10,000; and Western, 250; total, IT species
in 6 hours. On May 2T Armistead found Semipalmated Plover, TO; Black-
belly, 65; Ruddy Turnstone, 35 i Spotted Sandpiper, 6; Willet, 10; Greater
Yellowlegs, 10; Lesser Yellowlegs, 2; Pectoral, 2; White-rump, 1; Least,

Table 2. Spring Departure Dates, 1973

Median

Anne

Chas

Calv

Kent

Caro

Talb

Pore

Somr

Wore

Species

10-yr

1973

5/13

Garr

Alls

Wash

Fred

Balt

Howd

Mont

Pr.G

Common Loon

5/ 9

5/l6

5/ 5

0

5/13

5/ 5

0

5/20

5/ 5'

5/13

5/ 6

0

5/ 6

5/22

—

5/28

4/15

4/ 5

4/ 5

0

4/15

0

—

0

5/ 5

4/ 8

4/15

—

0

5/ 5

—

—

5/13

Double-cr. Cormorant

5/24

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

5/24

—

0

0

m

5/30

5/20

6/ 4

5/13

4/21

5/ 2

0

4/20

0

0

3/16

4/30

4/ 6

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 5

4/ 4

5/30

5/13

4/30

5/ 5

—

0

4/30

5/ 5

5/ 5

0

5/ 5

4/15

V 5

4/22

4/12

—

3/2T

?/ ?

3/14

-5/-S-

?/io .

■5/-JL

pZi-

—

5/ 5

Pintail

5/ 5

Wl5

0

0

0

0

—

—

5/ 5

—

—

5/ 5

4/13

5/27

—

Green-winged Teal

5/ 5

4/ 8

0

0

0

5/ 5

0

5/ 7

—

4/18

5/ 5

4/30

4/ 9

0

5/20

5/ 5

5/ 6

—

American Widgeon

4/27

4/19

0

0

0

—

0

0

—

3/26.

0

4/13

5/ 5

0

—

5/ 5

5/ 6

—

Shoveler

4/ 9

0

0

0

0

0

0

—

0

0

0

4/30

0

0

5/12

5/27

—

Ring-necked Duck

4/14

4/19

0

0

4/15

—

3/16

—

—

V ?

0

0

4/ p

0

0

4/13

0

0

Canvasback

T/ur

4/10

0

0

0

3/20

0

—

5/12

0

3/25

5/ 5

0

4/30

—

4/19

—

Leafier Scaup

5/ 2 .

5/ 5

0

0

0

4/10

5/15

0

—

0

0

3/15

4/30

0

4/30

5/ 5

4/14

—

Common Goldeneye

5/ 5

0

O'

0

0

0

0

0

5/12

0

0

0

0

5/18

5/ 5

—

—

Bufflehead

5/ 5

5/ 5

0

0

5/ 5

5/ 5

4/10

5/ 5

5/ 8

5/ 5

0

4/15

5/ 5

0

4/30

—

0

—

Oldaquav

4/10

4/ 8

4/10

0

0

3/ B

0

0

0

4/10

0

0

0

0

?/30

J/22_

0

—

Ruddy Duck

„

5/ 5

5TT

4/10

0

0

0

0

0

0

5/12

0

0

5

0

5/ 5

5/ 5

—

—

Common Merganser

4/ l

5/ 5

0

0

0

4/ 1

3/ 4

4/14

—

0

0

0

3/30

3/29

0

4/13

0

0

American Coot

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 5

0

0

0

0

0

5/ 5

4/10

0

4/20

5/ 5

0

4/20

5/12

5/12

5/13

Semipal mated Plover

5/27

5/27

5/28

0

—

5/ 9

0

0

—

5/25

—

0

5/ 8

—

5/24

6/ 5

5/27

5/28

Black-bellied Plover

5/27

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

?/24

0

0

5/30

0

5/24

?/27

6/ 4

5/28

Ruddy Turnstone

5/27

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

5/25

0

0

5/30

0

0

5/ 5

5/27

5/28

Common Snipe

5/ 2

5/ 5

0

0

0

5/ 5

0

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 5

4/25

5/ 5

5/ 4

3/17

5/12

5/ 6

—

Spotted Sandpiper

5/28

5/27

5/15

6/ 3

5/28

5/19

5/18

5/31

5/28

5/ 3

5/30

—

5/ 7

—

6/ 1

5/28

Solitary Sandpiper

5/15

5/18

0

5/15

5/13

5/16

5/19

5/18

5/24

—

0

5/ 8

0

5/11

5/12

0

5/13

Greater Yellowlegs

5/ 5

0

0

0

5/12

5/ 5

4/29

5/ 5

?/ ?

5/23

?/ 5

—

?

H 5,

6

6/15-

6/ 4

-iM

Lesser Yellovlegs

5/ 5

0

5/ 5

■ 0

5/ 5

5/ 5

0

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/12

5/ 5

0

5/ 5

5^ 5

5/ 5

5/27

5/27

5/12

Pectoral Sandpiper

5/16

0

0

0

0

0

0

5/ 5

5/ 5

0

0

0

5/ 5

0

0

5/27

5/27

5/28

Least Sandpiper

5/27

5/27

0

0

5/26

—

0

—

—

5/25

—

0

—

0

—

6/ 1

5/27

5/28

Dunlin

5/25

5/23

5/25

0

0

0

0

—

0

5/25

0

0

0

0

5/19

5/27

6/ 4

5/28

Short-billed Dowitcher

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

5/15. .

0

0

0

0

—

5/27

_|Z22_

5/28

Semipalmated Sandpiper
Gt . Black-backed Gull

—

5/26
5/ 5

5/27

0

5/25

0

0

0

0

0

1/14

5/i«r

0

0

0

0

5/25

5/12

0

0

0

4/18

0“

5/ 5

3/30

5/24

5/24

fa/ 1
5/ 5

6/13
5/ 5

5/28

5/13

Ring-billed Gull

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 5

—

—

5/ 5

—

—

5/18

5/ 5

—

—

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/30

5/ 5

6/ 1

5/13

Bonaparte's Gull

4/17

4/17

0

0

0

4/14

0

—

—

5/ 8

0

0

4/ 5

0

4/15

—

5/ 5

5/ 5

Caspian Tern

0

0

0

?/ ?

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

—

n >.

0

Black Tern

5/23

0

0

5/2B

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

5/19

0

5/2ff

Black-billed Cuckoo

5/30

—

0

0

—

6/ 2

—

6/ 8

0

5/2T

0

6/ 3

—

5/30

5/12

0

5/13

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

4/24

5/ 5

—

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 5

4/21

—

—

5/ 7

5/ 5

4/ l

5/ 5

5/ 1

5/19

6/ 5

Blue Jay

5/l4

6/ 4

6/13

6/ 7

6/ 9

5/17

6/ 8

6/ 3

6/11

5/22

5/10

—

—

White-breasted Nuthatch

4/17

4/ 8

4/ 7

5/14

—

4/17

0

0

5/ 5

0

0

—

0

—

Red-breasted Nuthatch

5/ 5

5/17

4/30

5/ 5

0

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 7

5/17

5/13

5/ 5

0

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/12

0

1712

Brown Creeper

4/22

4/16

5/ 5

5/ 5

4/14

—

5/ 5

4/l6

5/21

5/ 5

4/17

4/14

4/l4

4/15

—

4/ 9

120 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Vol. 29, No

Median

10-yr

1973

Garr

Alle

Wash

Fred

Balt

Howd

Mont

Fr.G

Anne

Chas

Calv

Kent

Caro

Talb

Pore

Somr

Wore

Winter Wren

4/16

4/14

4/20

4/15

4/16

4/30

4/ 7

5/ 6

__

3/18

Hermit Thrush

14/28

5/ 5

—

5/ 5

4/14

5/ 5

5/ 5

4/28

5/14

5/ 9

4/28

5/ 5

4/23

—

—

4/13

—

5/ 5

5/ 5

Swainson's Thrush

5/24

5/19

5/28

5/29

5/19

5/15

5/30

5/19

6/ 3

6/ 1

5/19

0

5/13

5/28

0

0

5/12

0

5/12

Gray-cheeked. Thrush

—

5/28

5/28

—

—

5/28

5/29

—

5/28

5/22

—

5/27

0

5/28

0

0

5/12

0

5/12

Veery

5/IT 5/22

—

—

5/28

—

5/26 5/24 5/28

5/13

0

5/1 6 5/24

5/19

5/12

0

5/13

Golden-crowned Kinglet

4/11 4/14

—

—

Oil*

—

4/ 7 4/15 4/23

4/ 7

T*/15

U/iU

U/lU 4/ 8

4/ 9

U/it

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

5/ 2

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 7

5/l4

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 5

—

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 5

Cedar Waxwing

—

5/28

6/17

—

6/20

5/22

5/26

6/ 6

5/28

—

5/10

—

5/27

5/29

0

0

5/12

0

0

Golden-winged Warbler

—

—

6/ 9

—

0

0

0

0

5/ 6

5/ 9

5/ 5

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Blue-winced Warbler

—

5/10

—

0

6/ I

5/ 5

?/ 5

5/17

5/26

5/17

5/10

5/ 5

0

5/ 5

5/ 5

0

0

0

5/13

Tennessee Warbler

—

5/25

5/28

5/25

5/26

—

5/19

5/22

5/25

5/12

5/27

5/21*

0

0

0

0

0

0

Nashville Warbler

—

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 5

0

5/ 5

5/ 5

0

5/ 6

5/22

5/13

5/ 5

0

5/ 7

0

0

5/ 5

0

0

Parula Warbler

5/15

5/13

5/12

5/12

—

Magnolia Warbler

5/19

5/2 6

6/ 9

5/25

5/28

—

5/28

—

5/28

5/30

5/13

0

5/15

5/29

0

—

5/ 5

5/11

5/13

Cape May Warbler

?A?

5/16

__5/26

0

0

0

5/26

5/16

5/13

5 AT

5/l4

0

5/1?

0

0

—

0

5/12

0

Black-thr. Blue Warbler

5/14

5/21

5/15

6 / 2

5/28

5/29

5/24

5/13

—

5/21

—

—

5/23

5/12

5/13

5/13

Myrtle Warbler

5/10

5/13

5/10

5/24

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/26

5/24

5/24

5/17

5/13

5/27

5/27

5/28

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/12

5/10

5/13

Black-thr. Green Warbler

5/11

5/19

—

—

5/19

—

—

5/ 5

5/19

5/25

5/13

0

5/27

0

0

5/29

5/13

0

5/13

Blackburnian Warbler

5/20

5/25

—

5/27

—

5/22

5/26

5/30

5/28

5/22

5/13

5/27

5/15

0

0

5/25

0

0

5/13

Chestnut-sided Warbler

5/13

5/26

—

—

5/28

—

5/26

5/31

5/29

5/21

5/13

5/27

?/l?

0

0

5/13

0

0

—

Bay-breasted Warbler

5/28

5/28

5/27

5/28

0

5/30

5/28

5/28

5/22

5/13

0

0

—

0

0

0

0

5/13

Blackpoll Warbler

5/28

5/31

5/28

5/28

5/31

5/28

6 / 5

6 / 2

6 / 4

6 / 2

5/31

5/27

6 / 4

6 / 1

0

6 / 1

5/27

5/11

5/28

Palm Warbler

5/ 4

5/ 3

5/ 5

0

0

5/ 5

4/24

4/28

5/ 5

0

5/ 5

0

0

0

0

5/ 1

0

0

4/19

Ovenbird

—

5/25

5/28

—

5/25

—

5/24

5/26

—

5/24

Northern Waterthrush

5/17

5/25

5/27

—

0

0

5/25

5/20

5/25

5/15

0

5/13

5/24

0

5/27

0

5/26

Mourning Warbler

5/26

5/26

5/26

0

5/20

0

0

5/26

5/25

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Wilson's Warbler

—

5/26

5/26

5/27

0

5/27

5/2 6

—

5/20

5/22

5/22

5/27

0

—

0

0

0

0

5/28

Canada Warbler

5/20

5/28

—

5/27

5/28

5/27

6 / 4

5/30

5/30

6 / 2

5/31

5/27

—

5/29

0

0

5/27

0

5/28

American Redstart

5/27

5/29

—

5/29

5/29

—

6 / 3

5/21

6 / 7

—

6 / 3

—

6 / 2

5/30

—

5/23

5/27

5/10

5/28

Bobolink

5/16

5/26

—

0

0

5/2 6

5/15

5/27

5/27

5/27

5/12

5/23

0

?/!*+

s

0

0

5/27

0

?/ 2 B

Rusty Blackbird

—

5/ 5

5/ 5

0

0

0

—

5/ 5

5/ 5

1/16

5/ 5

4/20

5/ 5

—

—

l */20

5/ 5

5/ 5

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

5/12

5/19

6/17

5/26

5/13

—

6 / 3

5/22

5/19

5/22

5/16

5/26

5/26

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 8

5/19

0

5/13

Evening Grosbeak

5/ 6

5/10

5/28

5/20

5/ 5

5/13

5/16

5/ 6

5/10

5/17

5/12

—

4/30

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/10

Purple Finch

5/ 3

5/ 5

—

6 / 3

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 8

5/ 5

5/12

5/ 5

5/10

4/29

4/ 4

5/ 5

4/13

5/12

5/ 5

House Finch

—

5/ 5

0

0

V 1

0

5 / 5

4/16

5A7

5/ 5

?/21

0

4/ l

5/ ?

4/13

0

0

5/12

Pine Siskin

—

5/ 9

6/15

5/29

0

0

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/13

5/ 5

5/16

0

0

4/n

0

0

0

0

Red Crossbill

—

—

5/ 6

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

5/12

5/ 5

5/12

Savannah Sparrow

5/ 6

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/12

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/12

5/ 5

5/13

Slate-colored Junco

5/ l

4/28

5/ 5

4/28

5/ 2

4/23

5/19

5/ 5

5/ 5

4/23

4/25

—

4/18

5/ 2

—

4/10

4/20

4/15

4/29

White -crowned Sparrow

?A 3

5/ 6

. __5Y_2.t_

5/ 5

5/16

5/ 5

?/ 5

5/15

—

0

5 /i 6

0

0

5/ 5

5/ 7

5/ 5

0

0

0

White-throated Sparrow

5/14

5/15

5/22

5/31

5/15

5/ 7

5/22

6/27

5/26

5/l6

5/13

5/ 6

5/16

5 rr

5/16

5/ 5

5/12

5/ 9

5/13

Fox Sparrow

4/ 4

4/l4

4/15

4/16

—

4/18

3/24

4/l4

4/14

—

4/ 9

—

—

—

—

4/20

—

—

—

Swamp Sparrow

?/ T

5/12

—

5/ 6

5/ 5

—

5/17

5/16

5/ 5

5/12

—

?/l 6

—

i/_5_

4/14

_ 5 / 12 _

■ 5Z12.

-5A2

September 1973 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE 121

122

MARYLAND BIRD LIFE

Vol. 29. No. 3

500; Dunlin, 200; Short-billed Dowitcher, 45; Long-billed Dowitcher, 1;
and Semi pal mated Sandpiper, 700; total, l4 species. Other unusual re-
ports from Armistead vere: as many as 3 American Oystercatchers at Ewell

on Smith Island, June 1-5 » 2 Knots at Martin Refuge on Smith Island on
June 2, and the fourth and earliest Maryland spring record of a Black-
necked Stilt at Blackvater Refuge, Apr . 20 and Apr. 22. Another Black-
necked Stilt, a fall-plumaged Ruff, and a female Wilson’s Phalarope were
at Deal Island on May 6 (Rowlett).

Gulls . Once again there was a good scattering of inland records of
Bonaparte's Gulls from mid-March to mid-April, apparently going cross-
country from Chesapeake Bay to the Great Lakes . Most of the records were
along the Potomac, but 3 birds were seen at the Patuxent Wildlife Research
Center on Apr. 4 (Elwood Martin), and a few at Broadford Reservoir in
Garrett County from Mar. 15 to Apr. 17 (Fran Pope). There was an adult
Little Gull with 125 Bonaparte's in a wet field at Sandy Point on Apr. 2
(Prof. Harold Wierenga). The largest Herring Gull colony in the State is
located at Easter Point on Smith Island. Armistead made a nest-by-nest
tally there on June 2 and found that some young had already hatched in
51 (9*4?) of the 543 nests. At ldast 6 adult Great Black-backed Gulls
were present, but Armistead was unable to confirm breeding there.

Terns and Skimmers . Very early Common and Black Terns for Garrett
County were discovered at Broadford Reservoir on Apr. 18 and May 3, re-
spectively (Mrs. Pope). Three Black Terns at Emmitsburg on May 28 were
unusual for Frederick County (Dr. John W. Richards). Two Caspian Terns
at Old Town on Apr. 27, compared directly with a Common Tern, provided
the first Allegany County record (Jim Paulus). Armistead provided some
good counts of nests in tern colonies in Somerset and Dorchester Counties:
83 Forster's nests and 79 Common Tern nests at Deal Island Wildlife Man-
agement Area on June 23, 107 Common Tern nests on West Troy Island at
Martin Refuge on June 2, 15 pairs of Least Terns at Crocheron launching
ramp on June 1, and 12 pairs at Rumbley on June l4. George Fenwick saw
2 Black Skimmers along the Miles River in Talbot County on May 19 , and
Armistead and Rowlett saw 1 at Deal Island, May 27 to June 13.

Owls . Hummingbirds . Hal Wierenga' s departure dates for owls at
Sandy Point were Apr. 15 for the Long-eared and Apr. 10 for the Short-
eared. The heat wave of Apr. 23-24 brought with it a record number of
early arrivals of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird: Apr. 23 in Allegany

(Ken Hodgdon and others), Charles (George Wilmot), and Talbot (Reese)
Counties, and Apr. 24 in Baltimore (Craig and Clark Jeschke), Kent
(Mendinhalls ) , and Caroline (Mrs. Engle) Counties. There was an even
earlier arrival on Apr. 19 in Calvert County (Fales).

Flycatchers and Swallows . The late-migrating species of flycatchers
were hardly detected, except for those Least and Traill's Flycatchers
that remained in Maryland to breed. The only Yellow-bellied reported
was at Carey Run Sanctuary on May 2 6 (Robbins and Hackman), and the only
Olive-sided was at Chevy Chase on May 28 (Dr. Robert L. Pyle). More
Cliff Swallows than normal wandered east of Chesapeake Bay: an early

bird at Blackwater Refuge on Apr. 14 (second County record — Rowlett),

September 1973

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

123

2 at Blackwater on May 5 and May 27 — the latter being a late migration
record for the Eastern Shore (Armi stead) , 1 at Jenkins Pond, Berlin,
on May 5 (Rowlett), and 1 off Taylors Island on May 22 (Chaplins and
Armisteads). Four Cliff Swallows were seen repeatedly at a bridge 5
airline miles from Clipper Mill Bridge in northwestern Baltimore County,
where this species has nested for several years (Haven Kolb).

Jays , Nuthatches . Blue Jays did not stage a spectacular migration,
but flocks were still migrating northward in early June in 8 counties ,
with the last movement detected in the Hagerstown Valley on June 13
(Robbins). A color-banded White-breasted Nuthatch that wintered at
Hervey Brackbill's Baltimore home was last seen on Apr. 8. Red-breasted
Nuthatches were found as late as May 17 in Prince Georges and Garrett
Counties ; and one still present at Carey Run Sanctuary on May 28 was so
late as to suggest possible nesting (Robbins).

Wrens . Thrushes . Armi stead reported Short-billed Marsh Wrens as
very scarce this spring. The only observation away from tidewater was
at Sycamore Landing in Montgomery County on May 6 (Warfield). Dr. Pyle
found thrushes "way up this year," with 52 banded at his Chevy Chase
home, compared with an average of 22 in the three previous years. The
Swainson’s and Hermit were captured in the largest numbers.

Warblers . Herb Douglas .found that warbler arrivals in Prince Georges
and Montgomery Counties were 1.0 day late, compared with his average for
the previous 10 years. According to Table 1, warbler arrivals on a State-
wide basis averaged 0.5 day late compared with the 10-year medians. Ob-
servers who were afield regularly felt that overall numbers were up to
par, although some species such as the Cape May and Black-throated Green
seemed scarce, while the Black-throated Blue, Ovenbird, and Canada were
mentioned as being above normal. Rowlett listed 60 Yellow-throated War-
blers and 135 Ovenbirds in the Pocomoke Swamp below Shad Landing on May 5,
and Armistead broke his high spring count of Canada Warblers at Blackwater
with 6 individuals on May 27. April 7 brought early arrivals to Seneca:
a Black-and-white Warbler by Martha Chestem and a Yellow-throated Warbler
by Robert Warfield; and on Apr. 15 the first Swainson's was spotted in
the Pocomoke Swamp (Rowlett). The only Orange-crowned Warbler identified
was at Fulton on May l4 (Rosamond Munro). Most of the comments about
warblers referred to late departure dates, such as Tennessee Warbler on
May 28 in Washington County (Boone) and at Carey Run Sanctuary (Robbins);
Cape May on May 26 at Baltimore (Bohanans) and Car.ey Run (2 females,
Robbins and others); Black-throated Blue in Baltimore City on June 2 (Liza
and Marjorie Nelson) ; Bay-breasted on May 30 in Baltimore County (Joe
Schreiber) and June 2 in Montgomery County (Dr. Fred Evenden); Wilson's
on May 27 in Charles County (Wilmot, Schell, and Teuber), Emmitsburg (Dr.
Richards), and Allegany County (Dorothea Malec); Canada Warbler on June 2
at Oxon Hill (Douglas) and June 4 in Baltimore City (Bohanans); and
American Redstart banded on June 7 at Chevy Chase (Dr. Pyle).

Grackles . On May 20 the Armisteads and Chaplins found 3 flightless
young Boat-tailed Grackles on Barren Island near Honga, extending the con-
firmed breeding range of this species farther north in Chesapeake Bay.

12U

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

Vol. 29. No. 3

Finches . Interest in finches centered on getting late departure
dates for lingering vagrants. Attempts were quite successful, as follows:
Evening Grosbeak, May 27 at Carey Run Sanctuary (Baltimore Chapter trip),
and May 28 at Mountain Lake Park (Fran Pope); Purple Finch, June 3 in
Allegany County (Dorothea Malec); House Finch, May 21 at Annapolis (Prof,
and Mrs. David Howard); Pine Siskin, May 29 in Allegany County (Dorothea
Malec); Red Crossbill, 13 on May 12 at Blackwater Refuge (Armistead) , also
some on May 12 along the Pocomoke River (George and Stuart Robbins, Cdr.
Edward P. Wilson); and White-winged Crossbill, May 6 in Garrett County
(Fran Pope). House Finches summered again at Ocean City (Rowlett); and
after the last birds left the Pyles' feeder in Chevy Chase on May 17, a
male returned on May 30, suggesting the possibility that a pair might be
nesting nearby.

Sparrows . Several people found both Grasshopper and Henslow's
Sparrows to be scarce this spring. Rowlett found a concentration of 26
Henslow's north of the Elliott Island marsh on Apr. lU, but a week later
only 1 remained. During the same week, however, Seaside Sparrows Jumped
from 0 to 70 along the Elliott Island Road. Other Seaside Sparrow arrival
dates were Apr. 13 in Southern Dorchester County (Armistead), Apr. 17 at
Irish Grove Sanctuary (Hackman), and Apr. 23 at Sandy Point (Hal Wierenga).
There were several very late White-throated Sparrows this spring: 1 band-

ed on May 26 at Chevy Chase (Pyles), 1 seen on May 31 in Allegany County
(Dorothea Malec), and 1 singing on June 27 in the Middle Patuxent flood-
plain at Columbia (Robbins). Fran Pope banded a late Lincoln's Sparrow
at Mountain Lake Park on May 25, and a singing bird entertained the
Fletchers, Lee, Robbins, and others at Carey Run Sanctuary, May 26-28.

U.S. Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, Laurel

M.O.S. ADULT LEADERSHIP TRAINING

A new program in leadership training has been developed during the
pa3t year, and it will be available (free) to M.O.S. members for the
first time this spring. It is hoped that this program will allow par-
ticipants to become better planners and leaders of outdoor activities.
In turn, local M.O.S. chapters should gain from this program in that
they will have more members with good leadership skills. The program
promises to be both fun and educational.

Three seminars will be repeated in each of three geographic
locations — Hagerstown, Baltimore, and Denton. In addition, three field
trips are planned. These field trips will not only be a good opportu-
nity for participants to acquire some in-depth knowledge of the natural
history of selected localities, but will demonstrate many different
methods of outdoor leadership.

Persons attending all three seminars and two or more of the field
trips will receive a certificate that signifies their participation in
the course.

September 1973

MARYLAND BIRD LIFE

125

The seminars vill be led by the three members of the Committee on
Leadership Training (now part of the M.O.S. Education Committee): Ben

Poscover, Chairman; Chan Robbins, and David Lee. The titles of these
seminars and an idea of the topics to be discussed are as follows:

Adult Planning - to include annual program planning, field trip
planning, publicity, extension services, etc. Leader: Chan

Robbins

Junior Planning - to include planning for junior nature clubs,
nature camps, and activities. Leader: Ben Poscover

Outdoor Education - to include where and what to teach, urban
outdoor education techniques, photography as a tool in out-
door education, etc. Leader: David Lee

The field trips will include:

Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, Dorchester Co. for winter
birds, marsh ecology, etc., March 30
Rock Run Sanctuary, Harford Co., for spring birds, amphibians,
spring wild flowers, and river floodplain ecology, April 27
Carey Run Sanctuary, Garrett Co. for ecology of boreal and
Appalachian communities, studies of beaver ponds, May 25

Many people with in-depth knowledge of various aspects of these
areas will conduct different phases of the field trips. This should
give M.O.S. members a considerable variety of knowledge as well as a '
variety of leadership techniques. The schedule for the seminars is as
follows :

Seminar

Denton

(Eastern Area)

Baltimore
(Central Area)

Hagerstown
(Western Area)

I

Adult Planning
March 12

Junior Planning
March l4

Outdoor Education
March 21

II

Outdoor Education
April 9

Adult Planning
April 11

Junior Planning
April l8

III

Junior Planning
May 7

Outdoor Education
May 7

Adult Planning
May 16

If you are interested in this program you are urged to contact the
person in your area to register for the program. March 5 is the absolute
deadline for registration, but early registration is recommended in order
to help the committee in final preparations.

Contact people for each area are as follows :

Hagerstown Mrs. Marlin H. Thumond (733-1338), 1 U 7 Donnybrook Drive,
Hagerstown 21740

Baltimore Mrs. Marlene Letsch (668-9362), 8627 Rock Oak Road,

Baltimore 21234

Denton Mrs. A. J. Fletcher (479-1529), Route 1, Box 201,

Denton 21629

Education Committee

126

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

Vol. 29, No. 3

PRESERVING NATURAL AREAS ON SCHOOL SITES

Dorothy Clark

After much effort, frustration and prayer, I think I have succeeded
in having the Baltimore County Board of Education preserve a natural
(undisturbed) area at the Pine Grove Junior High School. I am especially
interested in this school because it is almost across the road from my
home and I know many birds nest there along the small stream.

Let me start at the beginning. Soon after I became interested in the
M.O.S., I heard Mr. Charles E. Mohr (who had been the director of the Na-
tional Audubon Society Center at Greenwich, Connecticut) speak at Cylburn.

Photos of Natural Area by the Author

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

127

September 1973

He pointed out that natural areas on school grounds could play an impor-
tant role in the education of children. Even an area large enough for
only a small pond in which several ducks make their home is not insig-
nificant and might serve to keep some children interested who might
otherwise become school drop-outs.

I was intrigued by the idea. I had been helping with the school
walks at Cylburn and had seen many bus loads of children come to visit
the trails and museum. I couldn't figure out why some of the land at
their own schools could not be used for outdoor study — in my naivety I
was sure no one had ever thought of this before, for if they had, we
would certainly have many "outdoor classrooms" at schools. In 19^7 1
heard that a new school was going to be built near me in 1972. I talked
to various people about what I had by this time begun to refer to as "my
project." Everyone agreed it sounded fine, but no one knew what I could
do to make it become a reality. When I talked to people in the Science
Department of the Board of Education my eyes really opened. These peo-
ple knew all about this. In fact, I was shown a copy of a survey that
had been made that showed how different kinds of outdoor study areas
could be developed at various schools depending on the physical charac-
teristics of the school sites. However, for certain reasons, such as
more "pressing and urgent needs," lack of money, and know-how, natural
areas had not been preserved and properly utilized. There were other
factors involved. I discovered that relatively few teachers had re-
ceived training in how to teach in natural areas; I doubt such training
is readily available. Also land is at a premium and the Board of Edu-
cation and the Board of Recreation and Parks cooperate in developing
school sites. Owing to the great emphasis on sports today, much of the
school site acreage is occupied by tennis courts, ball diamonds, etc.

The Science Department people told me that school sites were actu-
ally planned and laid out by the Site Development Department. This de-
partment took into consideration suggestions of the various educational
departments. Although various memos about preserving natural areas had
been sent by the Science Department to the Site Development Department,
it seemed they had not been effective.

Accordingly, I wrote a long letter to the Site Development Depart-
ment explaining in great detail why natural areas on school sites were
important and urging them to include' such areas in their planning. (I
had also written a similar letter to the Forum in the Evening Sun . ) I
received in return a very courteous letter thanking me for my interest
and saying they would do their best to include such an area on the
school site at the Pine Grove Junior High School. I was told I would be
contacted when the actual plans for the school site were drawn up so I
could attend the meetings and perhaps make some suggestions. However, I
was never contacted for this purpose.

In the spring of 1972 when the bulldozers arrived at the site, I
was greatly distressed. I realized all the plans had been made and the
actual grounds work was beginning. I was fortunate enough to be allowed
to study the plat belonging to the construction foreman. I found two

128

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

Vol. 29. No. 3

areas marked "Woods.” However, I knew that at one of these areas only
the larger trees were to be spared and grass seed was to be planted.
Rather than woods I would have referred to this as a "lawn area." I
quickly looked at the section where the natural area was supposed to be
and saw that that was designated in the same manner — as "Woods!" I
checked with the inspector. He is the man who actually works on the
site and from the plat directs the construction men. One of his jobs is
to mark which trees will be cut down. He said he was not familiar with
any natural area. From this I had learned a very important fact: that

to the county the terms "natural area" and "woods" meant totally differ-
ent things than they meant to me. To be sure there would be no misun-
derstanding, the term UNDISTURBED AREA was always to be used.

Finally when the inspector checked back with the supervisor of site
development, the inspector found out the "undisturbed area" had been
omitted from the plat by mistake and the supervisor had neglected to
pass this information on to the inspector! However, the supervisor then
informed the inspector properly. Only when the last bulldozer and chain
saw had left and the undisturbed area still remained did I heave a sigh
of relief and say a little prayer of thanksgiving.

September 1973

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

122 .

Later when I thanked the supervisor he told me he was not happy
having undisturbed areas as a rule. He felt they were harder to main-
tain than "woods" (lawns). People were prone (he felt) to use such pla-
ces as dumps, and sometimes undesirable incidents took place. However,
he did admit the importance of "green" areas especially in these days.

It would seem that how much undisturbed area is preserved on school
sites is mainly determined by the feelings of the supervisor of site de-
velopment. I was told that if I, as an interested resident of the com-
munity, had not expressed my wishes about an undisturbed area on that
school site, he would probably have treated that area differently and it
no doubt would have become another lawn and the stream, at best, would
probably have been made to run on a concrete bed.

Although the undisturbed area has been allowed to remain, a very
important part of this project has yet to be accomplished. The area
must be prepared for proper utilization. If this is not done within a
reasonable time, I fear the county will clear it out. It is important
that the teachers and students at the school feel that it is really
theirs. In order to do this, they should have as much to do with its
"development" as possible. It is hoped that other groups in the commu-
nity will also lend a hand. I have already contacted a lady active in
the PTA in one of the feeder elementary schools. She is interested in
seeing that the PTA helps in making a nature trail through the area.

The science supervisor is- planning to assign a man who is oriented to
outdoor education to oversee the school's science program.

Last spring I became Ecology Chairman of the Baltimore County PTA
Council. I hope that in the near future the council will be instrumen-
tal in seeing that Baltimore County establishes the policy of creating
an undisturbed area at every new school wherever and however it is,
possible.

So, MOS'ers if you or any of your friends hear that a new school is
being planned in your community, and you want to see that an undisturbed
area is saved, please act — promptly and persistently . Contact the super-
visor of site development of the County Board of Education immediately.
Hopefully you will be 3aved much time and effort by taking advantage of
what I have learned in my experience. Please feel free to contact me if
you need any additional information. (Phone 665-3532)

2607 Proctor Lane, Baltimore 21234
ERRATA

In the Pectoral Sandpiper paper by Mudd and Mudd in the June 1973
issue ( Md . Birdlife 29: 52-53), several errors in citing Christmas Count
reports from other states occurred in the editorial process. The 1969
Texas report should be replaced by "Arizona Phoenix 6"; and 3 records
should be added for 1972: "Florida Lakeland 1, Texas San Antonio *,

and Arkansas Lonoke 1," for a total of 15 sightings of at least 35
birds in 5 states in Table 1. The second highest Christmas Count report
was 9 birds at College Station, Tex. in 1972.

130

MARYLAND BIRD LIFE

Vol. 29, No. 3

GOOSE TALK?

Eloise ShcBj)

On Friday, December 31, 1971, .my husband and I took a birding trip
to Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge. Then we drove to Remington
Farms near Chestertown, to watch the "old year set" as the geese and
ducks landed on the large pond at sunset time. The day was a bit cloudy
as we watched Pintails paddling about and the many geese.

My husband noticed 1 6 Canada Geese standing quietly in a . straight
line from the roadbank out into the water. They seemed to be pointing.
Then we saw it — a fallen dead Canada Goose at the end of their pointing
line. They stood that way for the two and one-half hours we watched.

We turned the car around and started slowly back. Several blue-
green peacocks , some gray and white ones , and a pure white one captured
our attention until an explosion of four loud shots from blinds in the
cornfield by our side startled us. A retriever carried two objects back
to the four men. Soon this episode was repeated when other birds circled
to come in.

From a pale turquoise patch of sky bright rose-pink shafts of sun
glow gradually flared out across the heavens in a feathery wispy peacock
design. Still the nagging question haunted us: Why the line of birds?
Was this "bird talk"? Was it protest? Grief? A commentary? Could it
be that they wished to point to danger, making themselves a symbol of
warning to birds flying in?

It seemed to me that only about one-^fifth the usual numbers of ducks
and geese were there at that time. Was their mute testimony enough of
a warning?

3502 Dundee Drive, Chevy Chase

September 1973

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

131

STATEWIDE "RARE BIRD ALERT" NETWORK PROPOSED

Dickson J. Preston

How often have you heard a report — too late to do anything about
it — that a rare bird has been sighted in the Maryland region but that
"it's undoubtedly gone by now"? Or read in Maryland Birdlife , months
after the event, that Great Cormorants were observed in St. Marys
County, Northern Phalaropes in Talbot, a White Pelican at Blackwater?

If you had known in time, perhaps you'd have jumped into your car
and driven to the area in hopes of adding a life bird to your list or at
least of sharing in a very unusual birding experience. But no state-
wide network exists for alerting MOS members promptly to such opportu-
nities. In the opinion of many of us, there should be one.

Some MOS chapters do have local alerting systems through which
their own members can learn when and where unusual sightings are made.
Most chapters do not. And there is no present method by which members
of one chapter can be routinely informed of what members of another
chapter have observed.

The local systems vary greatly in form. Some are little more than
"word-of-mouth" exchanges by which a member endeavors to let others
know when he hears of something in which he thinks they would be inter-
ested. Baltimore has a more formal Bird Exchange headed by Mrs. Alice
Kaestner (377-8990). In the Washington area, the Audubon Naturalist
Society has a "Voice of the Naturalist" number (301-652-3295). On it
a recording, which is changed weekly, gives news of bird reports and
Audubon activities.

A simple alert system set up in the Autumn of 1971 by the Talbot
chapter might serve as a model for others , and perhaps establish the
basis on which a statewide network could be formed. Mrs. Edward 0.
Hulburt (822-0996) has agreed to serve as clearing agent for information
to Talbot members. She keeps a list of those who have expressed interest
in being notified of unusual sightings in or near Talbot County. Anyone
having such a report is asked to telephone her, and she in turn tele-
phones the members on her list. Each member, if he wishes, also can give
the clearing agent a short list of specific species which he especially
hopes to see. Mr3. Hulburt' s name and number also have been given to
experienced MOS birders outside Talbot County in hopes they will call
when a real rarity is reported, especially on the Eastern Shore.

If every chapter had such a clearing agent for its own members,

MOS would be well on its way to the badly needed statewide network.

A dozen or so people, by keeping each other informed, could keep the
entire state membership aware of what was going on throughout Maryland.
(Except for really remarkable sightings, it is doubtful if expensive
long distance telephone calls would prove necessary; post card reports
would delay the information only a day or two. )

132

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

Vol . 29. No. 3

Not every MOS member could or would take advantage of the informa-
tion made available. But I believe enough would do so to make a state-
wide "Rare Bird Alert" network well worthwhile.

RD 5, Box 607 » Easton

PREDATION BY A BARN OWL ON A SPARROW HAWK

David S . Lee and Barbara B, Rothgaber

Systematic collection of the pellets of Irish Grove Barn Owls
(Tyto alba) has thus far revealed little seasonal variation in their
diet {see Lee, et al., Maryland Birdlife 28 (l): 27-28, March 1972).

However, a sample of food items collected from the Irish Grove Sanctuary
of the Maryland Ornithological Society (near Marion, Somerset Co.,

Maryland) on Oct. 21, 1972 revealed the following:

Meadow Voles ( Miarotua ) 113

Mice (Peromy8cuB) 9

Yellow-shafted Flicker (Colap tee auratus) 1
Sparrow Hawk (Falao eparveriue) 1

Unidentified warbler 1

Total food items 125

To the best of our knowledge this is the first reported case of a
Barn Owl preying on a hawk.

Dept, of Mammalogy, Natural History Society of Maryland, Baltimore

COMING EVENTS

Nov. 1 FREDERICK Monthly Meeting. National Parks in Africa. R. Russell.

2 ANNE ARUNDEL Monthly Meeting. Anne Arundel Co. Library, 8 p.m.

2 HARFORD Dinner Meeting. Churchville Presbyterian Church, 6:15.

3 HARFORD Trip to Susquehanna State Park. Phone 939-31U6.

3 BALTIMORE Junior Science Talk. Endangered Wildlife by Dr. G. Gee.
3-U MONTGOMERY Trip to Hawk Mountain Sanctuary. Meet N. Lookout 9:30.
h BALTIMORE Trip to South Mountain for hawk migration. 9 a.m. there.

U ALLEGANY Trip to Shawnee Park, Pa. Meet Super Shoes, Rt.36, 8 a.m.

6 BALTIMORE Lecture, Where Life Begins by Lawrence Bruns. Cylburn,8.

7 KENT Monthly Meeting. One Day at Teton Marsh & Eagle film.

9 TALBOT Audubon Film, Twentieth Century Wilderness, Tom Sterling.
9-11 TALBOT Waterfowl Festival, Tidewater Inn, Easton. $1.50.

10 BALTIMORE Trip to Blackwater and Elliott Island. Douglas Hackman.
10 FREDERICK Trip to Reich's Ford Rd. and Lake Linganore. 7:30 a.m.

10 WASHINGTON Trip to South Mountain for hawk migration. Mrs. G. Beck.
10-11 ANNE ARUNDEL Trip to Irish Grove Sanctuary. P. Flory and H. Ford.

11 MONTGOMERY Trip to Hughes Hollow. Meet Potomac Shop. Center ,7:30

15 MONTGOMERY Monthly Meeting. Identification by Silhouette. Robbins.

16 BALTIMORE Audubon Film, Twentieth Century Wilderness, T. Sterling.

Dumbarton Jr. High, 7000 York Rd. , 8 p.m. $1.50.

16 ALLEGANY Annual Banquet. Dr. Roy Clarkson. ACC Lounge, 7 p.m.

16 CAROLINE Monthly Meeting. Our Bird-man Answers Questions.

Public Library, Denton, 7:30 p.m.

September 1973

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

133

Nov. IT PATUXENT Trip to Fort Meade. Montgomery at 9th, Laurel, 8 a.m.

17 BALTIMORE Junior Talk. Bird Identification, Mrs. Barbara

Rothgaber. Cylburn Mansion, 10 a.m.

IT ANNE ARUNDEL Trip to Blackvater Refuge. Meet Anglers Inn,

US 50, service road east of Rt. 2, 7:30 a.m.

18 BALTIMORE Trip to Perry Point & Rock Run Sanctuary. Meet at Mac-

Donalds on US 40 east at Rt.24, 8 a.m. Lunch optional.

21 TALBOT Monthly Meeting. Christ Church Parish House, East on, 8.

24 WICOMICO Trip to Chincoteague Refuge. East Main A&P, 7:30 a.m.

25 WASHINGTON C&0 Canal at Taylors Landing. Meet Doub School, 1:30.

25 FREDERICK Trip to Baker Park & Braddock. Park band shell, 2 p.m.

26 WICOMICO Monthly Meeting. Bird Population Changes from Christ-

mas Count Data. Asbury Methodist Church, 8 p.m.

27 WASHINGTON Monthly Meeting. Film, Colonial Naturalist. Emma K.

Doub School, Hagerstown, 7=30 p.m.

27 PATUXENT Monthly Meeting. Birds of the Southwest Pacific by Dr.

Cameron Kepler. St. Philips Parish House, Laurel, 7:45*
29 BALTIMORE Class on Winter Buds and Twigs by Gordon Filbey.
Cylburn, 10 a.m.

Dec. 1 PATUXENT Trip to Gude's Nursery. Meet Montgomery at 9th, 8 a.m.

1 ANNE ARUNDEL Trip to Sandy Point. Meet Anglers, US 50, 8 a.m,

1 BALTIMORE Junior Science Talk. Birds of Prey by Dr. Fraser

Ward, Cylburn Mansion, 10 a.m.

2 BALTIMORE Trip to Sandy Point State Park & Kent Island. Meet

outside Sandy Point toll gate, 8 a.m. Prof. Wierenga.

5 KENT Monthly Meeting. 7:30 p.m.

6 FREDERICK Annual Dinner. Highlights of Everglades Nat'l Park

by Saul Shiffman. Jefferson Community Hall, 6 p.m.

7 ANNE ARUNDEL Monthly Meeting. Birds in Colombia by Dr. Donald

Messersmith. Anne Arundel County Library, 8 p.m.

8 HARFORD Trip to Perry Point. Phone John Wortman, 939- 3146.

8 ANNE ARUNDEL Trip to Point Lookout & St. Georges Island. Meet

Rlva Rd. entrance to Parole Plaza, Annapolis, 7:30.

8-10 BALTIMORE Trip to Nags Head, N.C. T.H.C. Slaughter, 825-8354.

9 BALTIMORE Trip to Bombay Hook Refuge & Little Creek, Del. Meet

Refuge headquarters, 9:30 a.m. A.M. Plant, 4 33-7421.

11 WASHINGTON Program, Christmas Sky. Planetarium, Board of
Education, Commonwealth Ave. , Hagerstown. 7 p.m*

15 BALTIMORE Junior Program. Decorating Birds' Christmas Tree and
Wildlife Film, Cylburn Mansion, 10 a.m.

20 MONTGOMERY Monthly Meeting. East of the Mountains by Edward

Schell. Perpetual Bldg., 7401 Wis. Ave., Bethesda, 8.

CHRISTMAS COUNT SCHEDULE

Dec. 15 Denton. A. J. Fletcher, Rt. 1, Box 201, Denton 21639 (479-1529)

15 Catoctin Mountain. Dr. John W. Richards, Emmitsb'g (447-6243)

16 Seneca, Md.-Va.

16 Garrett County. Mrs. Wm. Pope (334-4908), D. Bystrak (674-2965)

16 Salisbury. Charles Vaughn, 1306 Fred. Ave. .Salisbury (742-7221)

22 Triadelphia Reservoir. Contact Danny Bystrak (674-2965)

22 Allegany County. James Paulus (395-5178), C.Fergueson (729-3503)
26 Southern Dorchester Co. (Blackwater ) . C. S. Robbins (725-1176)

134

MARYLAND BIRDLLFE

Vol . 29, No. 3

Dec. 27 Ocean City. C. S. Robbins (home 725-1176, office 776-4880)

28 Crisfield, incl. Irish Grove Sanctuary. Chas. Vaughn (742-7221)

28 Chincoteague Refuge, Va. Frederick R. Scott , Richmond (282-2666)

29 Baltimore. C. Douglas Hackman, 3033 Woods ide 21234 (668-1464)

29 Washington County. Mrs. Frances Cutchall, 1847 Va. Ave., Hag'n.

29 Bowie ,

30 St. Michaels, Talbot County. Jan Reese (745-2261)

30 Annapolis and Gibson Island. Prof. Harold Wierenga (268-1674)

30 Lower Kent County.

Rock Run, Harford & Cecil Cos. Dr. Edgar Folk (642-6591)

Jan. 1 Point Lookout. S. Md. Audubon Soc., Ernie Willoughby (994-l600)

3 FREDERICK Monthly Meeting. Photos One Year Later, by Rick War-

field and Augie Selckmann Jr. Winchester Hall, 7:30.

4 HARFORD Dinner Meeting. Presbyterian Church, Churchville , 6 : 15 .

4 ANNE ARUNDEL Monthly Meeting. Summer Trip to Arctic Circle by

Tony White. Anne Arundel Co. Library, West St., 8 p.m.
12 ANNE ARUNDEL Trip to Cove Pt. & Solomons. 8 a.m. Dick Heise.

12 BALTIMORE Trip to Gibson Is. Meet Gibson Is. gate, 9 a.m.

12 WASHINGTON Trip to Indian Springs.

12 BALTIMORE Junior Meeting. Unusual Pet Show. (467-8221, 955-3389)
12 FREDERICK Trip. Birds from the Hodges' Window. 7:30 a.m.

14 HARFORD Trip to Bombay Hook Refuge. John Wortman (939-3146)

16 ALLEGANY Monthly Meeting. Film Festival, ACC Auditorium, 7:30.

17 MONTGOMERY Annual Social. Members bring 4 or 5 birding slides.

19 PATUXENT Trip to National Aeronautics and Space Agency, Green-

belt. Meet Montgomery at 9th St., Laurel, 8 a.m.

20 BALTIMORE Covered Dish Supper (reservations 833-6679). Birding

in Colombia by Dr. Donald H. Messersmith. 5 p.m.

20 MONTGOMERY Trip to Gude's Nursery, Rockville.

22 WASHINGTON Monthly Meeting. The new Non-Game Section of the Dept.

of Natural Resources, Bud Halla. Doub School, 7:30 p.m.
22 PATUXENT Monthly Meeting. St. Philips, 6th & Main, Laurel, 7: 45-

26 BALTIMORE Junior Talk. Weather by Victor Turner. Cylburn, 10.

27 MONTGOMERY Trip to Point Lookout for waterfowl & Gt. Cormorants.

SPECIAL CHARTER PELAGIC TRIPS FROM OCEAN CITY

Since last winter's charter trip was so popular and so successful, a
boat has been chartered for 2 consecutive days. Sat. Feb. 2 and Sun. Feb.
3. Space is limited to 30 persons per day. Reservations at $12 per day
per person for one or both days are strictly on a first paid first served
basis. These winter trips are strenuous, cold, wet, at times boring, at
times exciting. They are definitely not recommended for those with an
aversion to a tossing and pitching boat, or those susceptible to seasick-
ness. Cancellations will be refunded as long as your vacancy can be
filled, but $1 from each registration will be retained as a contribution
to the M0S Sanctuary Fund. Full refund will be made if trips are
scrubbed because of weather. For registration and details contact Richard
A. Rowlett, Apt. 5, 715 Main St., Laurel, Md. 20810 (498-6091 ).

September 1973

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

135

FIRST LIST OF CAREY RUN SANCTUARY CONTRIBUTORS

We are pleased to publish this honor roll of persons who responded
so promptly to the appeal for funds to purchase the 110-acre addition to
our Carey Run Sanctuary. $10,560 of the $40,000 purchase price had been
received by Oct. 15. Other lists will follow.

Ml bo Helen Abbey

Mias Edith D. Adkins

Mr. Burton J. Alexander

Mr. Stephen L. Allen

Mrs. Henry J. Allick

Mr. Henry T. Arni stead

Mr. Elting Arnold

Mr. A Mrs. Collins Arsem

Mr. A Mrs. Arthur S. Baker

Mr. A Mrs. John G. Baker

Mr. A Mrs. William L. Balfour

Mrs. J. Kemp Barlett, Jr.

Mr. A Mrs. Leroy Beck
Mr. A Mrs. L. H. Bent
Mr. A Mrs. Ben Bereskin
Capt. William P. Blakeslee
Mr. A Mrs. George J. Bleul
Mr. Walter E. Borden
Mrs. Charles W. Bowman
Mr. A Mrs. A. Dale Braeuninger
Mr. A Mrs. William E. Broinard
Mr. Walter F. Braun - In memory
of Charles F. Braun
Mr. A Mrs. Walter F. Braun
Mrs. Marshall M. Brenizer
Mrs. Richard B. Bridge
Mr. A Mrs. A. L. Brown
Mr. A Mrs. Carleton W. Brown
Mrs. Catherine S. Brown
Mr. A Mrs. Donald M. Brown
Dr. Maurice Brown
Mr. A Mrs. W. Hayes Brown
Mr. Charles M. Buchanan
Dr. A Mtb . Carl W. Buehheister
Mr. A Mrs. Edvard S. Buckler,
Mr. John J. Burger
Mr. Allen A. Burk
Mias Margaret Butenschoen
Mr. A Mrs. Paul G. Bystrak
Mr. A Mrs. W. M. Campbell
Mr. A Mrs. Fred W. Caspari
Mr. Philip F. Clapp
Miss Margaret A. Coale
Miss Mary Carolyn Cockey
Mrs. Richard D. Cole
Mr. A Mrs . H. Paris Coleman
Mr. W. Randall Compton
Mrs. C. Lockard Conley
Mr. A Mrs. Vernon Cook
Mr. A Mrs. Augustus K. David
Mrs. Anneke Davis
Mr. Edgar L. Davis
Mrs. Helen R. Davis
Dr. A Mrs. A. J. Delario
Mr. Paul L. Denit
Mrs. H. M. Dintzis
Mr. A Mrs. Morrill B. Donnold
Dr. A Mrs. Robert C. Duvall
Mr. Bruce H. Dwyer
Mrs. Marjorie F. Early
Mr. A Mrs. Daniel H. Eberly
Miss Frances J. Ehlers
Mr. Theodore L. Elliot, Jr.

Mr. Maurice L. Ernsberger

Miss Laura F. Ewalt

Mr. Lloyd L. Falk

Dr. A Mrs. George G. Finney

Dr. Elizabeth G. Fisher
MisB Thekla M. Fitzpatrick
Mr. A Mrs. A. J. Fletcher
Mrs . Patricia Flory
Mr. A Mrs. John C. Ford, Jr.

Mr. B. Nornum Frisch
Mr. A Mrs. H. Lansing Fulford
Dr. A Mrs. Robert Ganter
Dr. Mildred E. Gebhard
Mrs. Raymond Geddes , Jr.

Dr. A Mrs. W. F. Gerringer
Mr. A Mrs. Richard E. Gillespie
Mr . A Mrs , Herbert Given
Mr. Morton A. Goldstein
Miss Margaret F. Graf
Dr. Walter V. Greenhouse
Mrs. Gerhart Groet zinger
Mr. A Mrs. Reign S. Hadsell
Mr. A Mrs. Joseph Hanoka
Mr. A Mrs. Lovell H. Hattery
Miss Mildred G. Hank
Mr. A Mrs. Thomas A. Hayward
Miss Mary Grace Helfenstein
Dr, A Mrs. Robert M. Herndon
Dr. A Mrs. Roger M. Herriott
Miss Merilyn C. Hiller
Dr. A Mrs. Howard M. Hodge
Miss June HorBman
Mr. A Mrs. Dalton Howard
Miss Mary E. Humphreys
Mrs. Dudley P. Jackson
Dr. A Mrs. J. T. H. Johnson
Major A Mrs. Morgan V. Jones,
Mr. Percy W. Jones
III Mr. Edwin E. Kauffman
Mr. A Mrs. Nicholas Kay
Miss Blanche E. Keen
Kent County Chapter - M.O.S.

Mr. A Mrs. Edwin G. Kephart
Miss Marjorie H. Koester
Mr. C. Haven Kolb, Jr.

Mr. Richard J. Krejci

Mrs. Francis C. Lang

Mrs. James A. Lanham

Dr. A Mrs. Martin G. Larrabee

Miss Dorothy W. Lawson

Mrs. Martin Leatherman

Mr. David S. Lee

Mr. A Mrs. Christian J. Letsch

Mr. A Mrs. Joseph T. Logan

Miss Reida Longanecker

Mrs. Carl B. Lubbert

Dr. A Mrs. Stuart MacClintock

Mr. A Mrs. W. Gordon MacGregor

Mr. Elvood M. Martin

Mrs. Reginald H. McHale

Mr. Paul M. McKenzie

Miss Helen Meleney

Mr. A Mrs. Edvard Mendinhall

Mrs. Marie Michael

Mr. Jon N. Millar

Mrs . Harvey Moore

Mr. Terry S. Moore

Mrs . Mary S. Mothervay

Miss Marjorie Mount joy

Cdr. A Mrs. E. R, Mumford

Mr. Charles A. Munn, III

Mr. A Mrs. Howard A. Nash
Mr. A Mrs. N. TraverB Nelson
Mr. George S. Newcomer
Mr. A Mrs. Harold B. Norwood
Mr. A Mrs. Ted Oberman
Mrs . Henry N . Page
Mr. A Mrs. Robert M. Patterson
Mrs, James Plymire
Dr. A Mrs. William W. Pope
Dr. Benjamin F. Poscover A Family
Mr, A Mrs. John W. Poteet, Jr.

Mr. James W. Poultney
Mr. A Mrs. Dickson J. Preston
Mr. A Mrs. Robert K. Price
Prince George's Audubon Society
Mrs. Francis M. Rackemann
Dr. Mary V, Reed
Mr. A Mrs. Frederic Rhinelander
Mrs. E. Albert Rich
Mrs. William E. RichardB
Mrs. Irene K. Ritch
Mr. A Mrs. Chandler S. Robbins
Mr. A Mr3. Joseph A. Robinson
Mr. A Mrs. Joshua W. Rove
Dr. A Mrs. John Ruckdeschel
Dr. A Mrs. Norwood K. Schaffer
Mis3 Georgetta Schenkel
Miss Francine Schofield
Mr. A Mrs. Earl A. Schuchard
Miss Anne M. Senn
Mr. Bernard G. Sharrow
Mr. A Mrs. F. L. Simon, Jr.

Ill Miss Martha A. Simpkins
Mrs. H. Earle Smith
Mrs. Lloyd L. Smith
Mrs. Robert E. Smith
Miss Margaret Smithers
Mr. A Mrs. Robert P. Solem
Mrs . Sue C . Stauffer
Mrs. Byam K. Stevens
Mr. H. Godwin Stevenson
Dr. A Mrs. Earl A. Schuchard
Dr. Caroline turn Suden
Talbot County Bird Club
Mr. Ray P. Teele
Mr. Leonard Teuber
Dr. A Mrs. James Thomas
Mrs. Margaret C. Thornburg
Mr. A Mrs. Marlin H. Thurmond
Mrs. Robert C. Todd
Mrs. William Trago
Mr. A Mrs. Barclay E. Tucker
Mr. V. Edwin Unger
Mr. John K. Vance
Miss Alice Vering
Mrs. Henry T. Waring
Mr. Robert F. Whitcomb
Mr. A Mrs. Harold Wierenga
Dr. A Mtb. W. Emmet Wilkinson, Jr.
Mr3. Byron A. Winebrenner
Mr. A Mrs. Lawrence D. Wing
Mr, Robert C. Wood
Miss A. Roberta Wooten
Mr. A Mrs. Curtis N. Wormelle
Dr. A Mrs. Elmer G. Worthley
Mr. A Mrs. John D. Wortman
Dr. A Mrs. Lawrence Zeleny

136

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

Vol . 29. No. 3

CONTENTS, SEPTEMBER 1973

Behavior of a Black Rail Hal Wierenga 87
Sea Birds Wintering off Maryland Shores Richard A. Rowlett 88
A Salute to Alice S. Kaestner Shirley H. Geddes 103
Nesting Success of Chesapeake Bay Ospreys in 1973 Jan G. Reese 105
An Unusual Case of Lead Poisoning in a Whistling Swan

Louis N. Locke and Larry T. Young 106
Committees for 1973-7^ ’ 107
The President's Page Barclay E. Tucker 109
First Sharp-tailed Sandpiper in Maryland Carl W. Carlson 111
The Season — April, May, June, 1973 Chandler S. Robbins 111*
M.O.S. Adult Leadership Training Education Committee 12l*
Preserving Natural Areas on School Sites Dorothy Clark 12 6
Errata 129
Goose Talk? Eloise Shaw 130
Statewide "Rare Bird Alert" Network Proposed Dickson J. Preston 131
Predation by a Barn Owl on a Sparrow Hawk

David S. Lee and Barbara B. Rothgaber 132
Coming Events 132
Special Charter Pelagic Trips from Ocean City Richard A. Rowlett 13l*
First List of Carey Run Sanctuary Contributors 135

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

Published Quarterly by the Maryland Ornithological Society, Inc.

to Record and Encourage the Study of Birds of Maryland.

Editor i

Chandler S. Robbins, Migratory Bird Populations Station,

Laurel, Md. 20810

Asst. Editor i

C. Douglas Hackman, 3033 Woodside Ave,, Balto. 21231*

Art Editor*

William N. Schneider

Production!

Gladys Cole, Romell Decker, Linda Hackman, Bud Letsch
and Marlene Letsch

Mailing:

Barbara Larrabee and committee

OPEN ALL YEAR
101 ROOMS

On the Ocean at 15th Street

Ocean City. Md. 21842

MOTOR HOTEL

Catering to Small Conventions & Banquets

• SWIMMING POOL •ELEVATOR •DINING ROOM Phonc ATlantic 9-71 92
•AIR-CONDITIONED & HEATED