ISSN 0147-9725
MARYLAND BIRDLIFE
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SEPTEMBER 1988
VOLUME 44
NUMBER 3
MARYLAND ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY, INC
Cylburn Mansion, 4915 Greenspring Ave., Baltimore, Maryland 21209
STATE OFFICERS FOR JUNE 1988 TO JUNE 1989
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
President: Robt. F. Ringler, 6272 Pinyon Pine Ct., Eldersburg, MD 21784 549-6031
V. President:Richard J. Dolesh, 17800 Croom Rd., Brandywine, MD 20613 627-6074
Treasurer: Emily Joyce, 816 Oak Trail, Crownsville, MD 21032 768-0142
Secretary: Patricia J. Moore, 24600 Woodfield Rd., Damascus, MD 21403 253-2796
Exec. Secy.: Joy Aso, 1250 4th St., SW, Washington, D.C. 20024 (202) 554-8529
Past Pres.: CDR Anthony White, 5872 Marbury Rd., Bethesda, MD 20817 229-1641
~~ STATE DIRECTORS _
Allegany:
♦Teresa Simons
Mark Weatherholt
Howard:
♦Thomas Strikwerda
Jane H. Farrell
Ralph Geuder
Anne Arundel:
♦Sue Ricciardi
Helen Ford
Paul Zucker
Baltimore:
Dorothy Mumford
♦William Newman
Jug Bay:
♦Jean Tierney
Joan Stephens
John Cullom
Graham Egerton
A. MacDonough Plant
Kent:
♦John Lorenz
Margaret Duncan
Robert F. Ringler
Stephen W. Simon
Karen Skuldt
Joy Wheeler
Montgomery:
♦Henry Bielstein
Margaret Donnald
John Malcolm
Lola Oberman
Caroline:
♦Mariana Nuttle
Oliver Smith
Patuxent:
♦Sam Droege
Chandler S. Robbins
Carroll:
Frederick:
♦Melinda Byrd
Wayne Gordon
♦Stauffer Miller
Talbot:
♦Lester Coble
Jeff Effinger
Steve Goodbred
Harford:
Melvin Bennett
♦Dennis Kirkwood
Washington:
♦Robert Keedy
Joseph Swope, Jr.
Todd Holden
William Russell
Wicomico:
♦Gail Vaughn
Charles Vaughn
♦Denotes Chapter President
Active Membership (adults)
Student Membership (full-time students)
Junior Membership (under 18 years)
Family Membership (Mr. & Mrs.)
Sustaining Membership
Life Membership
Member-at-Large (Maryland Birdlife only)
Cover: Marsh Wren at Rumbly Point, Somerset
Stasz.
$ 6.00 plus local chapter dues
2.00 plus local chapter dues
1.00 plus local chapter dues
8.00 plus local chapter dues
10.00 plus local chapter dues
200.00 (4 annual installments)
5.00
Co., Nov. 22, 1982. Photo by Jj m
MARYLAND BIRDLIFE
»:iuiMiiillllll
VOLUME 44 SEPTEMBER 1988 NUMBER 3
ATTACKING BEHAVIOR OF A
FLEDGLING PEREGRINE
Joy Wheeler
On August 23, 1988, while walking on the Loch Raven shore at the east end of
the Northampton Furnace Trail near Towson, Baltimore County, Maryland, I
noticed a falcon, larger than an American Kestrel ( Falco sparverius) flying about
20 feet above the water and 100 yards from shore. The bird was rising from a
shallow dive when I recognized it as an immature Peregrine Falcon (F peregrinus).
It was very brown above, very streaked on the breast, and the color contrast
between the mustache and the neck was less distinct than on a mature bird. After
a moment my attention was drawn to another bird on the surface of the water
directly under where the falcon had flown. The floating bird was a Green-backed
Heron (Butorides striatus). Its crest was raised and its neck was stretched up, the
sharp beak aiming to where the falcon had been.
The heron was flapping its wings and squawking, and it struggled to rise from
the water and gain distance from its,attacker, only to be knocked back into the
water by the falcon, whose legs and talons lowered as it made another pass. The
falcon made two more passes with its legs lowered, each time making contact with
the heron, but it was never able to capture its prey. The falcon’s need to circle
some distance from the heron in order to attain sufficient height and speed for the
shallow dives gave the heron time to fly a little higher out of the water after each
pass, and a little closer to the opposite shore. The last I saw of the heron it was dis-
appearing below the tree line, heading for the safety of the deep woods, still
followed by the falcon.
The falcon’s attention soon was drawn to even bigger quarry, for on the far
shore directly in the path of the pursuing peregrine stood a Great Egret ( Casmero-
dius albas). It is possible that the egret did not consider the falcon a serious threat,
for it did not display the defense behavior of large herons shown in Steve K.
Sherrod’s Behavior of Fledgling Peregrines' , that of submerging almost to the top
of its long neck. Instead, when the falcon approached, the egret gave several loud
squawks and menacingly snaked its head back and forth with its long yellow beak
gleaming sharply to confuse the falcon in its aim. The tactic worked. The falcon
flew off to the north.
According to Sherrod there are four levels of pusuit by falcons as they become
independent and learn the serious business of finding food for themselves. In
Level 1, the falcon makes an incidental swerve toward the prey, which ignores the
falcon and continues flying. In Level 2, the falcon pursues directly after the prey,
which continues flying, usually vocally protesting. In Level 3, the falcon catches up
with a large prey species and flies above or behind it, while the prey protests
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MARYLAND BIRDLIFE
Vol. 44, No. 3
vocally. Also in Level 3, small prey may execute escape maneuvers, drop into
cover, or freeze. In Level 4, the falcon approaches its prey at -full speed, delivers
repeated blows with its feet, usually forces the prey down to cover, follows the
escape maneuvers, and sometimes catches its quarry.
The behavior I observed seems to have some elements of both Levels 3 and 4,
indicating that the falcon had reached a fairly high stage of development in its pur-
suit skills. The herons may have developed an even higher degree of skill in their
evasive skills.
This event generated more questions than it answered. Was this one of the 1988
fledglings from the United States Fidelity and Guarantee building in Baltimore?
Was it banded? How long could the heron have stayed afloat? Where had the chase
begun? Even without answers to these questions it was a memorable experience.
531 Hampton Lane, Towson, MD 21204
'Sherrod, Steve K. 1983. Behavior of fledgling peregrines. Peregrine Defense
Fund, Ithaca, NY 14850
BALD EAGLES ON THE PATAPSCO RIVER
Karen Skuldt
On Saturday, June 20, 1987 I ventured out to look for certain underrepresented
species in my Atlas block. Steve Sanford accompanied me both to provide much
needed assistance with bird song, and to discover what atlassing was all about.
We headed for River Road, downriver from Ellicott City on the Baltimore
County side of the Patapsco River. We were in search of such rarities as Mallard
(Anas platyrhynchos), American Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis). Belted Kingfisher
(Ceryle alcyon ), and herons. We spotted some ducks at a considerable distance
upriver, and stopped for a closer look, hoping to add Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) to
the Mallards we had already found. No such luck, but while we were looking we
saw goldfinches gathering nesting material.
Then, without a sound, an adult Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) flew out
of the woods behind us and crossed to the Howard County side of the river. It
posed in a tree alongside the railroad tracks for several minutes, moved to another
tree where it ignored the harassment of Eastern Kingbirds ( Tyrannus tyrannus),
then wheeled and flew downriver as a train whistle shattered the calm. What a
treat!
And what a flurry of activity that sighting started. Several return trips that
same week found an eagle perched on a favored tree on the Baltimore County side,
or fishing along the edge of the water. Fishermen reported seeing eagles in the
same area the previous year. At least one birdwatcher reported seeing an eagle in
the vicinity in April, but made the logical assumption that it was just passing
through.
Early on the morning of June 27, I returned to River Road, hoping to upgrade
several species that had been found the previous week. Naturally I drove past the
September 1988
MARYLAND BIRDLIFE
73
favorite roost tree, and naturally there was an eagle obligingly perched there. As I
was walking. to ward.the.ar.ea a. very, large dark bird flew across the river and into
the trees. I found it perched on a tree near the railroad tracks. It was an immature
Bald Eagle. The adult in the closer tree was vocalizing, seeming to be talking to
the young bird. I examined both birds through my telescope, and watched as they
flew downriver together. It was clear the adult was in molt, and when I returned
later that evening I found an adult that was not in molt. Clearly there were two
adult birds present.
We don’t know if the birds nested in the area, and we can’t go searching for
nests until the leaves are off the trees. If that fails, we may be fortunate enough to
observe courtship or nest building in late winter, if the birds are attempting to
nest along the Patapsco. It hardly seems like the place they would choose, because
it is so heavily visited by people, but time will tell.
16 Dutton Ave., Catonsuille, MD 21228
MARYLAND ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING
June 11, 1988
The annual membership meeting of the Maryland Ornithological Society was
held on June 11, 1988, at Hood College. A quorum was present when President
Robert Ringler called the meeting to order at 8:20 p.m.
The 1987 membership meeting minutes, along with the 1987 treasurer’s and
annual committee reports will appear in an upcoming issue of Maryland Birdlife.
Vice President . Richard Dolesh. A function of the Vice President is to promote
the aims of the Society, particularly legislatively, so as to encourage the passing of
important conservation decisions. We need to make ourselves known so that we
can establish credibility. In order to keep the Society vital, membership recruit-
ment must be promoted; new people must be drawn in. A redesigned brochure
might help prospective members join more easily. We need more publicity, more
exhibits at Nature Centers. The current exhibit can be updated and kept on
display.
Treasurer. Emily Joyce. The Society is solvent, with just over $136,000 in all the
combined funds. A detailed report, which will be distributed to the Board of
Directors, will also be published in a future issue of Maryland Birdlife. A report
from Auditing Committee Chairman Rodney Jones indicated that the books have
been examined and are in good order. He commended Mrs. Joyce on her neat,
efficient record keeping. Mrs. Joyce requested that people who wish to contribute
to the Sanctuary program specify either the Sanctuary Fund or the Sanctuary
Endowment Fund, the latter being the one that earns interest.
Conference. Appreciation for a very successful annual gathering was expressed
to the staff of Hood College, to the Frederick County Chapter, and to all MOS
members who volunteered their time and talents. The 216 registrants contributed
$500 to the Atlas publication fund. The silent auction brought in $575 and the
raffle totaled $368.
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MARYLAND BIRDLIFE
Vol. 44, No. 3
Mark Weatherholt has accepted the chairmanship of the next conference, which
will be held June 2-4, 1989, at Frostburg State College. President Ringler asked
for volunteers to serve on the committee.
The committee reports, presently briefly here, will be published in full in Mary-
land Birdlife.
Conservation. Richard Dolesh. Of interest on the Federal level is HR #4127,
known as the Morris Udall Natural Heritage Trust Fund. It concerns the reauthori-
zation of a land and water conservation fund with a percentage to go to the states
for purchase of open lands. Mr. Dolesh urged that MOS members phone or write to
their Senators and Representatives. Of prime importance on the State level is the
Critical Areas Program, which concerns Chesapeake Bay and its tidal waters. All
counties bordering the Bay are involved, but some local jurisdictions have yet to
submit their plans. This legislation needs MOS support and encouragement.
Education. James Cheevers. In 1988 a Junior Achievement Award was given to
Kimberly Martin, whose project on the effect of oil on birds’ feathers was entered
in the Baltimore Science Fair. Mr. Cheevers urged members to submit names of
students who deserve the award. He expressed his thanks to the thirty people who
are volunteers on the MOS Speakers List.
Investments. John Barber. Most of MOS investments remain in money market
funds and long-term bonds. Unless the stock market becomes more predictable,
changes in investment strategy will not be made.
Library. Joy Wheeler. Full sets of Maryland Birdlife are available to chapters
and individuals. The well-known author of books about Maryland birds, Brooke
Meanley, is making available the field notes of three pioneer Maryland birders:
William H. Fisher, Frank Kirkwood and John Sommer, who were active in field
studies in the late 1800s and 1900s. This important collection, microfilmed, will be
available at Cylburn for research.
Long Range Planning. Joanne Solem. New means of improving the field birding
skills of MOS members are not needed because several options are already
available, including a variety of local and state-sponsored field trips, specialized
field guides, “hot lines,” and journals that contain aids and site guides. Field trip
participation at the local level could be livened up by sharing areas and good
leaders with neighboring chapters.
Sanctuary. Dorothy Mumford. Talbot and Caroline Chapters continue to
monitor the proposed development adjacent to Mill Creek and Pelot Sanctuaries.
The annual work weekend is keeping Carey Run’s house and grounds in adequate
shape. The Irish Grove Committee has accomplished much: trails have been
improved and the old pipes in the house have been replaced. However, the hot
water heater cannot be used until the electrical system has been updated. An
heroic electrician is needed to rewire the place!
Scholarship. Mildred Gebhard. The list of the 1988 Ecology and Ornithology
Scholarship winners was published in the May/June Yellowthroat. Three of the
winners were present at the meeting: J. Thomas Congersky, science teacher at
Edgewood High School; Linda Behrens, biology teacher at Perry Hall High School;
and Pearle Howell, science teacher at Mount St. Mary’s College.
September 1988
MARYLAND BIRDLIFE
75
Atlas. John Cullom. The matching grant challenge has been successfully met,
with eight chapters raising $5232, thus ensuring a matching sum of $5000. The
$10,232 will be used to help publish the Atlas book. The generosity of the anony-
mous benefactor is greatly appreciated. Special recognition goes to Howard
County Chapter for conducting its own matching grant and raising $1847.
Eirik Blom. Maryland has established the best five-year atlasing record thus far,
the field work resulting in more than 90,000 records, with nearly every block
yielding at least 80 species. Concerning the Atlas book: In order to keep produc-
tion costs down, MOS has purchased a computer so that a desk top publishing
system can be utilized. Even so, the costs are estimated at $30,000 to $35,000. The
data are currently being processed and should be finished for the most part by the
next annual meeting.
Cavity Nesting. Chuck Dupree. The Maryland Ornithological Society Trails
(MOST) report for 1987 is very encouraging. A total of 119 reports on 1,075 boxes
were turned in, with Eastern Bluebirds nesting in 630 of the boxes. The totals
would be even more impressive if every chapter president would appoint a MOST
chairperson so that a state-wide effort could be made to benefit not only the blue-
bird, but all non-game birds.
County List. Harvey Mudd. Thanks to membership participation in the
program, the county lists will continue to be published in The Yellowthroat. If par-
ticipants don’t send reports for two years, their names will be dropped from the
listings until new data are sent. The next reports will be due in January 1989.
Mailing Lists. Bill Murphy. In order to keep the lists current, address changes
must be sent in promptly. Phone numbers could be included. Life membership
information is requested so that those names can be entered in the data base.
May Count. Jim Stasz. Chapter presidents: Count results are due. So far data
have been received from only 8 out of 24 counts.
Publications. Chan Robbins. The effort to bring Maryland Birdlife up-to-date is
moving right along. With September 1987 now in the works, it is hoped that a 1988
issue will be completed in 1988. A time lag might be reduced if the printer does the
mailing. Chapter Presidents and Committee Chairmen are urged to submit their
annual reports promptly.
Volunteers from the Howard Chapter have helped assemble materials for
authors of the Atlas book. The goal is to have the first drafts of species reports
turned in by September 1988.
Records. Erika Wilson. The records are periodically published in The Yellow-
throat, with a number currently under review by the committee.
. Nominating Committee. Helen Ford. Nominated to serve for the coming year:
President — Robert Ringler, Vice President — Richard Dolesh; Treasurer — Emily
Joyce; Secretary — Patricia Moore. There were no nominations from the floor. Mr.
Mason’s motion that the slate be unanimously accepted was seconded and passed.
Mrs. Ford expressed her thanks to the committee.
At 9:12 p.m. Mr. White’s motion for adjournment was received, seconded and
passed. Respectfully submitted,
Patricia J. Moore, Secretary
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Vol. 44, No. 3
ANNUAL REPORTS OF LOCAL CHAPTERS
ALLEGANY COUNTY CHAPTER
The Allegany Chapter had three bird counts during 1987-88: the annual
Christmas Count (with an immature Bald Eagle and a Cape May Warbler as high-
lights), our second Mid-winter Count, and the May Count.
For the past several years we have been participating in the Hunting and
Fishing Day at the Country Club Mall, giving our Chapter some recognition and an
enjoyable day for our members. Mark Weatherholt coordinated this event.
We had our annual dinner in October with Bob Ringler as our speaker for a most
enjoyable evening. Vice President Roy Brown instituted a birding hotline, and Roy
is also doing some drawings for the Atlas project.
Our field trips went to Dolly Sods, Green Ridge for hawk watching, Shawnee
State Park for waterfowl. Black Oak Bottom for spring flowers, Garrett County
for waterfowl and spring migrants, and Piney Mountain for warblers. Also, once a
month a field trip was led by Mary Twigg from the Western Maryland Railroad
Station in Cumberland.
Teresa Simons , President
ANNE ARUNDEL CHAPTER
Members of the Anne Arundel Bird Club look back upon a productive and
enjoyable 1987-88 season.
Monthly meetings were well attended, often with standing room only. Our
Second Vice President and Program Chairman, Sue Ricciardi, arranged a veritable
feast of outstanding lectures, which included David Thorndill speaking on species
survivial, Terry Stevenson on birding in Kenya, Hal Wierenga on Alaskan birds,
Roger Clapp on seabird populations, Glenn Therres on the Delmarva Fox Squirrel,
and our own Don Price with pictures from his excellent slide collection. The annual
Richard E. Heise wildlife program featured Jake and Suzanne Page, who gave us
fascinating insights into the Hopi Indian culture as it relates to the Eagle, and
earned a tidy amount for the MOS Sanctuary and Scholarship Funds. These
excellent programs were made more enjoyable by the addition of a speaker
system, the gift of a generous member who wishes to remain anonymous. Refresh-
ments served by volunteer hosts and hostesses also added to the pleasure.
Our field trips were well attended too. First Vice President Debbie Rudis organ-
ized day trips to such diverse areas as Lily Pons, the C & 0 Canal, Calvert County,
Eastern Neck and Remington Farms, Fort Smallwood, Tuckahoe State Park,
Huntley Meadows, Conowingo Dam and Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant,
as well as many favorite local hotspots in the Annapolis area. Weekend trips took
us to Hawk Mountain, the Pine Barrens, and on our 16th annual Winter Weekend
at the Ocean.
September 1988
MARYLAND BIRDLIFE
77
As usual, we started and ended the season with a picnic, with much socializing
and overeating. In September Sally Rowe acted as hostess, and in June we were
the guests of J.E.M. and Libby Wood.
On a cold winter’s day, members turned out in force for the Christmas Count, for
which Hal Wierenga and Wayne Klockner served as compilers. We are indebted to
Pat and Dick Chiles, who again hosted the traditional countdown party. The May
Count, ably coordinated by Dotty Mumford, was well supported too. This year we
asked members to pledge an amount per species recorded, with all proceeds going
to the Atlas Publication Fund.
MOS activities are important to our members. A number of them serve on the
MOS Board of Directors - Emily Joyce as State Treasurer, and Dotty Mumford,
Jim Cheevers and Helen Ford as committee chairmen. The summer of 1987 found
many of us working hard to complete Atlas assignments. There was excellent par-
ticipation on the Lister’s Trip, workdays at Irish Grove and Carey Run, and at the
MOS conference in Frederick. A small committee continues to mail out the MOS
newsletter, the Yellowthroat. For the past three years, Captain and Mrs. J.E.M.
Wood have contributed the Jimmy Wood Ornithology Scholarship in memory of
their son.
Community service plays a major role in club activities. Upon request of the
Anne Arundel County Office of Planning and Zoning, we continue to conduct
breeding bird surveys on tracts of land slated for possible development. Members
also provided leadership at the Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary and Sandy Point
State Park. Many illustrated lectures on birds were given to school groups and
civic organizations.
A few years ago, the club received a legacy from the estate of Ed Wilson, a
charter member and our first club president. This year we established the Edward
P. Wilson Memorial Endowment Fund, to provide a means of funding special pro-
jects.
As my two-year term of office comes to an end, I wish to thank all those who
served with me so faithfully and efficiently. The Anne Arundel Bird Club
welcomes Sue Ricciardi as our new President, and wishes her and her committee
continuing success.
Helen Ford, President
CAROLINE COUNTY CHAPTER
The Caroline County Bird Club is now 40 strong and along with drop-in visitors
we have very good attendance at meetings. Our main concern is the lack of young
people to continue our club. We have directed our efforts toward the schools, but
with no success so far.
Our speakers have enriched our lives with birding experiences from Nepal to
the American prairie and spots in between. One of our members who has a hobby
of photography finished our year in great style with his bird and wildflower
pictures.
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Vol. 44, No. 3
Our main thrust is directed toward increasing our bluebird population. The club
has placed over 300 boxes in the county and has sold boxes for private citizens to
put up in their areas. Our count increases each time it is taken.
Officers for 1988-89 are Mariana Nuttle (President), L. T. Short (Vice President),
Deborah Bennett (Secretary), and Christine Dorset (Treasurer).
Mariana Nuttle, President
CARROLL COUNTY CHAPTER
The Carroll County Bird Club has grown significantly in membership and local
interest during the 1987-88 year. Faced with near-dissolution in October 1987, the
club currently serves 34 active members.
The name “Carroll County Bird Club” has been utilized in the past year to bring
the organization closer to the beginning birder as a “Member Interest Survey”
revealed an overwhelming response requesting programs for beginners. Nine
evening programs and morning hikes were offered averaging 25 participants. The
second Wednesday of the month has been chosen as the general meeting night.
Meetings are generally held at Piney Run Nature Center in Sykesville at 7:30 p.m.
The Carroll County Bird Club remains a small, but growing Chapter of the
Maryland Ornithological Society. Members are gaining confidence in their skills
and are beginning to offer their services to the Club. We have confidence that we
will continue to grow in 1988-89.
Melinda P. Byrd, President
HARFORD CHAPTER
The Harford Chapter of the Maryland Ornithological Society had a very active
and successful year. We began our 1987-88 year with the annual picnic at Harford
Glen. State president Bob Ringler joined us for a bird walk and a banding demon-
stration by Barbara Bilsborough.
A field trip committee, chaired by Randy Robertson, planned an active schedule
of outings to places in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the Eastern Shore, as well
as all the local habitats. Highlights included a pontoon boat ride on the Patuxent, a
ferry ride across Delaware Bay, a canoe trip down the Gunpowder, and an after-
noon cruise from Havre de Grace down the Chesapeake and back.
Our traditional dinner meetings were held in November, January, March, and
May. Our program speakers included pelagic leader Ron Naveen, rail expert Greg
Kearns from Jug Bay, and David Holmes and Peter Webb who educated us on the
spring warblers of Maryland.
Our third annual warbler walk competition was held in May with first-time .
leader Jim Wiley winning the prize. This series of early morning local trips is
designed to cover the county during the peak of migration and give members
greater opportunities to observe warblers in breeding plumage.
September 1988
MARYLAND BIRDLIFE
79
Our Rock Run Christmas count again set a new record for participants (50), and
number of species (93). We had 15 parties in the field and covered the area by foot,
car, boat, and canoe. The May count, coordinated by Les Eastman, found 135
species for our highest total ever.
At our January meeting, we recognized several individuals in a special awards
presentation. We selected the American White Pelican that visited Havre de
Grace harbor during July and August as our bird of the year. Wayne Meyer, its
discoverer, was recognized and given a certificate. Jon Cupp, Sr. and Jon Cupp,
Jr., were honored as our rookies of the year for a very successful first year as
birders and members. Barbara Bilsborough was selected as our birder of the year
for her 16 years as club secretary and her many hours as a volunteer with the
public school outdoor education program as a bird bander. She was awarded the
MOS pin and certificate for meritorious service.
Several other projects were initiated by club members for the benefit of all. A
local phone hotline was coordinated for rare sightings; an updating of our bylaws
was completed; our club’s history was brought up to date; a file of vacation spots
for birding was begun; a booklet of sight guides for local birding areas is being
compiled; official lists of all birds known to have been sighted in Harford and Cecil
counties is being recorded; and one member is completing training in taxidermy so
that our bird collection can be enlarged.
Our membership has grown to 170 members. We expect our 1988-89 season to be
an equally active and exciting year for all members.
Dennis Kirkwood, President
HOWARD COUNTY CHAPTER
The Howard County Chapter celebrated its fifteenth birthday in November
with a birthday party (complete with a cake). Several long-time and recent
members gave talks about the origin of the chapter, its activities, and goals yet to
be accomplished. The membership has continued to grow and numbers nearly 300
with the enthusiasm fortunately keeping pace. The interests include birding, bird
counts, conservation and legislation, wildflowers, and special social events.
Individual members seem always to be thinking of new projects for the club—
this is not a status quo organization. Programs this year were well attended and
our seven speakers were excellent. The other two programs included the
November party mentioned above and the third annual Movie-Popcorn night in
January. Field trips were varied including a trip to the zoo, visits to local bird
feeders, birding county parks (co-sponsored by the County Recreation and Parks
Qept.), and Spring and Fall wildflower hikes.
Howard County (as all other counties) is being developed so completely that
good birding habitat is being lost forever. This fact has caused the club to con-
centrate more and more on the county parks and to be subsequently more intersted
in how the county preserves and cares for the parks’ natural areas. It has been a
good cooperative working arrangement. One of the ongoing club activities is the
compilation of bird lists for each of the parks and special areas, e.g. Columbia
lakes. These lists will be printed and available to park visitors.
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Vol. 44, No. 3
The big count days continue to be the State May count (Paul Zucker, compiler)
and the chapter’s own annual (third this year) winter count (David Holmes and Jo
Solem, compilers). Many members are involved in these counts and the potluck
suppers for the tallies are favored social events. There is also the yearly count
(Jane Farrell, compiler) drawn from reports of members who keep yearly county
lists. Photographers show their best slides at a potluck supper given each spring.
Monica Botsai’s good work is the main reason this event is so well attended year
after year.
Atlas participants worked long hours in the field during the hot summer (the
fifth and last year to collect field data). Chuck Dupree and Jane Farrell sent
members searching in blocks that had not been well covered to upgrade species or
to locate ones that “should be there.” When that was completed with a high degree
of success, club members volunteered to help Chan Robbins on three evenings pre-
paring packets for the authors of the Atlas species accounts. And one last Atlas
activity — the chapter conducted its own matching fund raiser to donate to the
State’s matching fund for the publication costs of the Atlas book. Over $1800 was
given to the State fund by the Howard Chapter.
The two birdseed sales were again conducted by Eileen Clegg and were once
again the club’s biggest money raising effort. It has become a good day also for
book sales and to boost the sales of the State Department of Natural Resources’
conservation stamp and print. This year Cornell University brochures were
available to encourage individual bird feeders to participate in the University’s
Feeder Watch project.
Two activities that take considerable time and effort on behalf of many of the
members are the Bluebird Booster project (Joe Suess and Mark Wallace, Co-
chairmen) and their accomplishments alone could be a whole second report. Blue-
birds did come back to the county in numbers. Members have also continued giving
talks to schools, scout troops, garden clubs, and other civic organizations. The
collection of mounted bird specimens is used in these talks; the specimens are so
popular, talks scarcely can be made without them. This year some of the birds
began showing the wear of all that travel and handling. Fortunately, Michele
Wright has become interested in taxidermy and is helping enhance the collection
with her work.
The club was interested in several bills before the State legislature and con-
tacted individual delegates expressing views. Testimony was given on the Plastic
Yoke bill introduced by local Delegate Virginia Thomas. The bill died in the com-
mittee but will be back for another try.
Howard County Chapter had exhibits at the Howard County Fair (Mike
McClure again organized that effort) and at the Columbia Mall’s Leisure Fest (Co-
chaired by Eileen and John Clegg). These have always been successful ventures.
Jo Solem continues to edit, Howard , the bimonthly newsletter that has become
a most professional document. She was given a Valued Service Award for this
work and for her many other contributions to the club. Eileen Clegg was also a
recipient of the award for her work with the seedsales and work on other projects
through the years.
September 1988
MARYLAND BIRDLIFE
81
In October the Board of Directors established a special memorial fund in
memory of member Anne Dowling. Additions will be made from money given in
memory of those who have died as well as those wishing to contribute to honor
people for special achievements or memorable events in their lives. A gift of $500
was given by Norhisa and Junko Katoh, members for a few years while living in
Columbia; they have returned to their home in Tokyo.
The chapter closed an active year but after a brief hiatus (no birding hiatus,
however) everyone will be back in September for a new year and even more
projects and activities to accomplish.
Martha Chestem, President
JUG BAY BIRD CLUB
Our 51 members are very active. Seven members attended the Annual Con-
vention in Chestertown. New projects included a monthly Junior Bird Club for
ages 8-16, which began in March, and a fund drive that netted $160 toward
publication of the Atlas.
Our first valued service award went to Dan and Renee Burns on November 11,
1987 for their work maintaining four bluebird trails with a total of 167 boxes.
Other club members attracted Common Barn-Owls, Wood Ducks, and American
Kestrels to nest boxes.
Club activities include year-round monthly meetings and several field trips each
month. This year we had two canoe trips and two boat trips. Members partici-
pated in the Jug Bay Christmas Count, the May Count, and hosted the M.O.S.
Board of Directors meeting in April.
Jean Tierney, President
PATUXENT BIRD CLUB
The Patuxent Chapter meets the 4th Tuesday of each month except June, July,
August, and December. This past year we gathered together a series of
professional and amateur lecturers that, according to outside observers, was
MOS's most interesting and diverse chapter program. Come join us next year or
call me at 301-498-0330 and get our upcoming year’s schedule.
Sam Droege, President
TALBOT COUNTY BIRD CLUB
The Talbot County Chapter held monthly meetings from October through
November and January through April. The excellent and gracious speakers on the
MOS speakers list related enjoyable birding adventures at points on the globe as
distant as Antarctica (Don Meritt) and Point Pelee (Lola Oberman), or educated
82
MARYLAND BIRDLIFE
Vol. 44, No. 3
attendees on the research into tropical deforestation (Chan Robbins) and the
status of rare birds in Maryland (Bob Ringler). Attendance ranged from 20 to 40, as
new members joined the chapter.
The gradual increase in membership is attributed to our display, attended by
club members, at the St. Michaels Maritime Museum and Easton’s Waterfowl
Festival. Virginia Graebert has done an excellent job coordinating the club ac-
tivities for these events.
A $2,000 grant from the Waterfowl Festival provided eight Conservation
Education Programs in Talbot County schools. The promotion of conservation
education is so important. These programs are well received by the students and
their teachers. Dottie Effinger is to be commended for her coordination of this
project.
Sunday morning bird walks were held from August through October and in
April and May. Extended trips and all-day trips were scheduled at Brigantine
NWR, Bombay Hook NWR, Cape Charles, and the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
A special thanks goes out to the leaders and to our breakfast hosts on the Sunday
morning bird walks.
Lester W. Coble, President
WICOMICO CHAPTER
The Wicomico Bird Club continued to maintain a membership of about 75. We
continued to care for Irish Grove Sanctuary and handle all reservations. The fall
work day at Irish Grove has become an annual rite of eating, birding, and painting
with many members of our chapter participating and providing the midday meal.
Publicity for our chapter and for MOS was very prominent in the past year, with
radio, television, and local newspapers carrying articles. Also, a display on blue-
birds was set up at the local library.
Monthly field trips were well attended and summer trips, which were initiated
last year, are being continued because of the good response. Our third annual Big
Day was another big success with this year’s winning team seeing 126 species — an
all-time high.
At our annual dinner in March, two members, Gail and Charles Vaughn, were
presented MOS award pins and a Certificate of Appreciation for their continual
dedication to the club.
Our program and membership list have been computerized, giving all of us
access to all the club information. Wicomico Bird Club, the only chapter for the
lower three counties on the Eastern Shore, continues to prosper.
Carol Broderick , President
No reports were received from Baltimore and Montgomery Counties.
September 1988
MARYLAND BIRDLIFE
83
WASHINGTON COUNTY CHAPTER
During the 1987-88 reporting period Washington County Chapter pretty well
followed its previous patterns of operation and activity.
The programs on the fourth Tuesday of September through April (except for
December) covered birds in many places — New Hampshire, Colorado, Belize,
Panama and Maryland. They were informative, interesting and well-received.
Field trips were taken to such places as Waggoner’s Gap during fall hawk
migration, Blackwater Refuge, Adventure and Carey Run Sanctuaries, the latter
being an “overnight” in June. The local birding spots visited included the C & 0
Canal at Four Locks and Dam Four, Blair's Valley, Lilypons and Renfrew Park in
Waynesboro, Pa.
On the Christmas Bird Count 33 people listed 80 species, approximately 40,000
individuals; Cam Lewis was compiler. In the May state count seven parties of
birders found 100 species.
Again this year, the chapter sponsored the Fairview Outdoor School Weekend
on the third Saturday and Sunday morning in May; 41 people participated, species
count was 113 and trip leaders on Saturday included Chan Robbins and Bob
Ringler.
Some members devote time during spring and fall hawk migration to making
the count at Washington Monument at Boonsboro a really significant contribution
to the North American records. Mary Corderman has been the backbone of this
persistent effort. Bluebird trails are still being maintained in the area by several
of the chapter’s members. Five members helped with the Carey Run workday. The
club has a booth to publicize its activities at Boonesborough Days under the
guidance of Ross Corderman.
Washington County Chapter provided three prospective Scholarship recipients,
two of whom were chosen. Aline Novak, biology teacher at Clear Spring High
School, received the Orville Crowder Memorial Scholarship. Pearle Howell, Earth
Science teacher at Mount St. Mary’s College, received the Jimmy Wood Memorial
Scholarship.
Newspaper recycling efforts netted $125 for MOS sanctuaries. Proceeds from
the bird seed sales, again handled by Ross Corderman, helped the club to give to
the Matching Grant Fund for publishing the Breeding Bird Atlas, as well as gifts
to The Nature Conservancy and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
Officers elected for the coming year are: President, Bob Keedy; Vice President,
Sharon Raun; Secretary, Ruth Wilcox; Treasurer, Charles Webster; Correspond-
ing Secretary, Bonnie Lizer; Director, Joe Swope.
Bob Keedy , President
Committee reports begin on page 106.
84
MARYLAND BIRDLIFE
Vol. 44, No. 3
THE SEASON
SPRING MIGRATION, March 1 - May 31, 1988
Robert F. Ringler
For many people it was a cold, windy spring with no evidence of migration
waves. Both March and April were rather dry with some relief brought by the
abundance of rain in May. Despite all the adverse comments there was one signi-
ficant feature of the season — a new nesting bird confirmed for Maryland. It was a
Pine Siskin nesting in Garrett County in April.
I have begun listing most of the locations mentioned in the text as many people
have noted that they are unfamiliar with many of the place names. The counties in
which they are located follow them in parentheses. Names of banders are not
repeated in the text and all bandings noted at a particular station are referrable to
the banders listed with the observers.
Observers: Roger Anderson, Henry Armistead, Scott Atkinson, Rick Blom,
Peggy Bohanan, Larry Bonham, Ed Boyd, Mike Bryan, Martha Chestem, Dave
Czaplak, Lynn Davidson, Margaret Donnald (banding at Adventure Sanctuary),
Mike Donovan, C. Dorset, Sam Droege, Sam Dyke, Howard Elitzak, Ethel Engle,
Jane Farrell, Jerry & Roberta Fletcher (compiling for Caroline County), Harold
Fogleman, Inez Glime, Greg Gough, Jim & Patricia Gruber (banding at Damsite),
Alex Hammer, Dave Harvey, Marvin Hewitt, Jim Hill, Robert Hilton, Kye
Jenkins, George Jett, Greg Kearns, Ray Kiddy, Dennis Kirkwood, Nancy
Magnusson, Alice Mallonee, Grazina & Mike McClure, Rosamund Munro, Bill
Murphy, Paul Nistico, Mariana Nuttle, Lola Oberman, Michael & Paul O’Brien,
Fran Pope, Kyle Rambo, Jan Reese, Sue Ricciardi, Barbara Ross (banding at St.
Timothy’s near Stevenson), Sharon Schwemmer (banding at Snydersburg), Sam
Shoemaker, L. T. Short, Steve Simon, Teresa Simons, Connie Skipper, Jo Solem
(compiling for Howard County), Jim Stasz, Sallie Thayer (banding at Mt. Nebo),
Mary Twigg, Dave Walbeck, Robert Warfield, Mark Weatherholt, Pete Webb, Ed
Weigel, Hal Wierenga, Jim Wilkinson, Erika Wilson.
Abbreviations: DC — District of Columbia, PNAS — Patuxent Naval Air Station,
PWRC — Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, SP — State Park, WM A — Wildlife
Management Area. A “ + ” after the name of an observer indicates that there were
other observers.
Locations (county in parentheses): Accokeek (Prince Georges), Adventure Sanc-
tuary (Montgomery), Ashland (Baltimore), Assateague (Worcester), Back River
(Baltimore), Barren Island (Dorchester), Bay Ridge (Anne Arundel), Bellevue
(Talbot), Belmont (Howard), Blackwalnut Point (Talbot), Blackwater NWR
(Dorchester), Bozman (Talbot), Bradenbaugh (Harford), Bray Hill (Garrett), Broad-
ford Reservoir (Garrett), Broadford Run (banding station in Garrett), Broomes
September 1988
MARYLAND BIRDLIFE
85
Island (Calvert), Carey Run (Garrett), Centennial Lake (Howard), Charles Branch
Park (Prince Georges), Colmar Manor Marsh (Prince Georges), Conowingo (Har-
ford unless noted otherwise), Cove Point (Calvert), Cranesville Swamp (Garrett),
Cresaptown (Allegany), Cylburn (Baltimore city), Damsite (banding station in
Kent), Deal Island WMA (Somerset), Deep Creek Lake (Garrett), East Potomac
Park (District of Columbia), Eastern Neck NWR (Kent), Elliott (Dorchester),
Fairlee Creek (Kent), Flag Ponds (Calvert), Fort Smallwood (Anne Arundel),
Fulton (Howard), Green Ridge (Allegany), Hains Point (District of Columbia),
Harford Glen (Harford), Hart - Miller (Baltimore), Hazen Park (District of Colum-
bia), Hodges Bar (Kent), Hooper Island (Dorchester), Horsehead Sanctuary (Queen
Annes), Hugg- Thomas WMA (Howard), Hughes Hollow (Montgomery), Irish
Grove Sanctuary (Somerset), Jug Bay (Anne Arundel), Kent Narrows (Queen
Annes), Kent Point (Queen Annes), Lake Elkhorn (Howard), Lake Roland
(Baltimore), Langord Bay (Kent), Liberty Reservoir (Carroll unless noted
otherwise), Lilypons (Frederick), Little Meadows Lake (Garrett), Loch Raven
(Baltimore), Love Point (Queen Annes), Masonville (Baltimore city), McKeldin
Area of Patapsco Valley State Park (Carroll), Merkle Sanctuary (Prince Georges),
Mt. Nebo (Garrett), Myrtle Grove WMA (Charles), New Design Road (Frederick),
New Germany State Park (Garrett), Noland’s Ferry (Frederick), North Beach
(Calvert), North Branch (Allegany), Oxon Hill (Prince Georges), Patuxent Naval
Air Station (St. Marys), Patuxent River Park (Prince Georges), Patuxent Wildlife
Research Center (Prince Georges unless noted), Pennyfield (Montgomery), Piney
Dam (Garrett), Piney Run (Carroll), Pinto (Allegany), Piscataway (Prince Georges),
Point Lookout (St. Marys), Remington Farms (Kent), Ridgely (Caroline), Rock
Creek Park (District of Columbia unless noted). Rock Hall (Kent), Rocky Gap
(Allegany), Rose Haven (Anne Arundel), Rumbly Point (Somerset), Sandy Hook
(Washington), Savage River Reservoir (Garrett), Schooley Mill Park (Howard),
Seneca (Montgomery), Smith Island (Somerset), Spring Gap (Allegany), Stevenson
(Baltimore), Sugarloaf Mountain (Frederick), Summit Hall Turf Farm
(Montgomery), Swan Point (Kent), Sycamore Landing (Montgomery), Tanyard
(Caroline), Trappe (Talbot), Triadelphia Reservoir (Howard unless noted
otherwise). Trout Run (Garrett), Tuckahoe State Park (Caroline unless noted
otherwise), Violet’s Lock (Montgomery), Waldorf (Charles), Wilde Lake (Howard),
Winchester Creek (Kent), Woodend (Montgomery), Worton Point (Kent).
Loons. There were a few reports of Red-throated Loons with 2 off Assateague on
March 5 (Davidson, Wierenga), 2 at Ocean City on March 7 (Wilson), and 1 in non-
breeding plumage off Rumbly Point on April 17 (Hammer + ) not unexpected.
However, the 1 on Triadelphia on April 12 (Farrell, Solem) and the 2 there on April
17 (Chestem) were extraordinary inland. An early group of 8 Common Loons was
seen off Worton Point on March 18 (J. Gruber) and early migrants inland were 1 at
Loch Raven on March 25 (Ringler) and 1 on Deep Creek Lake on March 30
(Skipper). Stasz observed a major flight of Common Loons at North Beach with 444
flying over on April 5 and 187 the next day. Davidson and Wierenga saw 250
Commons at Point Lookout on April 17 for the only other big concentration. Late
individual Common Loons were at Rocky Gap on May 28 (Blom + ), Woodmark
Lake in Howard County on May 31 (Joyce Kelly, Mike & Grazina McClure) and on
Loch Raven on May 31 (Simon). All of the latter birds were in non-breeding
plumage typical of spring stragglers.
Grebes. The highest number of Pied-billed Grebes reported was 28 at Loch Raven
on April 2 (Ringler), and 6 on Broadford Reservoir on May 4 (Pope) was a good
number there. Most unusual was a Pied-bill on the pond at Carey Run on April 30
86
MARYLAND BIRDLIFE
Vol. 44, No. 3
Table 1. Median Arrival & Departure Dates - Spring 1988
Median Median
Arrival Departure
Species
10-Yr 1988 10-Yr 1988
Common Loon
4/4
4/1
5/15
5/17
Pied-billed Grebe
3/16
3/13
5/4
5/10
Horned Grebe
3/20
3/7
5/4
4/20
Double-crested Cormorant
3/31
3/24
6/2
6/8
American Bittern
4/11
4/8
5/3
5/2
Great Egret
4/8
4/2
-
-
Snowy Egret
4/12
4/10
-
-
Little Blue Heron
4/20
4/24
-
-
Cattle Egret
4/12
4/5
-
-
Green-backed Heron
4/18
4/17
-
-
Glossy Ibis
4/13
4/16
-
-
Tundra Swan
3/2
2/20
3/31
4/2
Canada Goose
2/25
2/21
4/25
_
Wood Duck
3/6
3/2
-
Green-winged Teal
3/19
3/5
4/28
4/15
Northern Pintail
3/1
2/20
4/1
3/27
Blue-winged Teal
3/21
3/25
5/9
5/19
Northern Shoveler
3/15
3/20
4/12
4/17
Gadwall
3/11
3/5
4/25
3/19
American Wigeon
3/9
2/24
4/20
4/24
Canvasback
3/1
2/24
4/2
3/24
Redhead
3/3
2/27
3/27
-
Ring-necked Duck
3/8
2/23
4/16
4/17
Lesser Scaup
3/7
3/5
4/30
4/23
Oldsquaw
3/21
3/20
4/12
4/15
White-winged Scoter
3/21
3/29
4/18
_
Common Goldeneye
2/25
2/22
4/8
3/29
Bufflehead
3/6
3/5
4/28
4/23
Hooded Merganser
3/8
2/25
4/13
4/12
Common Merganser
2/28
2/25
4/8
4/2
Red-breasted Merganser
3/18
3/18
5/7
5/4
Ruddy Duck
3/19
3/21
5/6
5/6
Osprey
3/20
3/14
-
-
Northern Harrier
3/6
-
5/5
5/15
Broad-winged Hawk
4/16
4/16
-
-
American Coot
3/18
3/15
5/2
5/11
Semipalmated Plover
5/5
5/7
5/27
6/6
Killdeer
2/26
2/24
-
-
Greater Yellowlegs
3/29
3/20
5/12
-
Lesser Yellowlegs
4/6
4/9
5/12
-
Solitary Sandpiper
4/19
4/19
5/17
-
Spotted Sandpiper
4/21
4/18
5/28
-
Semipalmated Sandpiper
5/4
5/7
6/2
Least Sandpiper
4/22
4/17
5/18
5/20
Pectoral Sandpiper
3/30
3/24
5/4
5/4
Common Snipe
3/19
3/13
5/4
5/1
American Woodcock
3/6
3/3
-
-
Laughing Gull
4/2
3/26
-
-
Bonaparte’s Gull
3/30
3/26
5/3
5/10
Caspian Tern
4/15
4/8
5/31
-
Royal Tern
4/19
4/17
-
-
Forster’s Tern
4/23
4/16
-
-
Least Tern
5/4
5/7
-
-
September 1988
MARYLAND BIRDLIFE
87
Table 1. Median Arrival & Departure Dates - Spring 1988
Median
Arrival
Median
Departure
Species
10-Yr 1988
10-yr 1988
Black Tern
5/8
5/7
5/29
_
Black-billed Cuckoo
5/7
5/8
-
-
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
5/3
5/7
-
-
Common Nighthawk
5/7
5/5
-
-
Whip-poor-will
4/22
4/20
-
-
Chimney Swift
4/15
4/12
-
-
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
4/30
4/27
-
-
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
3/27
3/31
5/2
4/17
Eastern Wood-Pewee
5/3
5/7
-
-
Acadian Flycatcher
5/3
5/7
-
-
Willow Flycatcher
5/18
5/13
-
-
Eastern Phoebe
3/15
3/12
-
-
Great Crested Flycatcher
4/29
4/27
-
-
Eastern Kingbird
4/24
4/24
-
-
Purple Martin
3/30
3/30
-
-
Tree Swallow
3/27
3/25
-
-
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
4/7
4/2
-
-
Bank Swallow
4/20
4/24
-
-
Barn Swallow
4/4
4/4
-
-
Red-breasted Nuthatch
-
-
5/3
5/4
Brown Creeper
3/25
3/24
4/26
4/16
House Wren
4/20
4/22
-
-
Winter Wren
-
-
4/24
4/26
Golden-crowned Kinglet
3/25
3/25
4/12
4/13
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
4/10
4/9
5/8
5/14
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
4/11
4/10
-
-
Veery
4/30
5/1
5/22
5/22
Gray-cheeked Thrush
5/11
5/12
5/25
5/27
Swainson’s Thrush
5/2
5/2
5/26
5/24
Hermit Thrush
4/11
4/10
5/5
5/1
Wood Thrush
4/26
4/22
- .
-
American Robin
2/22
2/23
-
-
Gray Catbird
4/27
4/24
-
-
Brown Thrasher
4/11
4/5
-
-
Cedar Waxwing
2/27
-
5/28
6/1
White-eyed Vireo
■ 4/20
4/20
-
-
Solitary Vireo
4/21
4/18
5/6
5/14
Yellow-throated Vireo
4/29
4/25
-
-
Warbling Vireo
4/29
4/30
-
Red eyed Vireo
4/26
4/25
-
-
Blue-winged Warbler
4/29
4/26
5/12
5/12
Golden-winged Warbler
5/2
-
5/12
5/14
Tennessee Warbler
5/4
5/8
5/20
5/21
Nashville Warbler
5/2
4/27
5/16
5/14
Northern Parula
4/20
4/17
-
-
Yellow Warbler
4/26
4/24
-
-
Chestnut-sided Warbler
5/2
5/3
5/20
5/21
Magnolia Warbler
5/3
5/6
5/25
5/28
Cape May Warbler
5/3
5/5
5/18
5/20
Black-throated Blue Warbler
5/1
5/7
5/19
5/21
Yellow-rumped Warbler
4/11
4/7
5/15
5/14
Black-throated Green Warbler
4/30
5/1
5/18
5/21
Blackburnian Warbler
5/3
5/7
5/22
5/21
88
MARYLAND BIRDLIFE
Vol. 44, No. 3
Table 1. Median Arrival & Departure Dates -Spring 1988
Median Median
Arrival Departure
Species
10-Yr 1988
10-Yr 1988
Yellow-throated Warbler
4/17
4/12
.
Pine Warbler
3/18
3/13
-
-
Prairie Warbler
4/24
4/24
-
-
Palm Warbler
4/11
4/3
5/4
4/25
Bay-breasted Warbler
5/4
5/9
5/24
5/21
Blackpoll Warlber
5/4
5/9
5/29
5/30
Cerulean Warbler
4/30
4/28
-
-
Black-and-white Warbler
4/18
4/17
-
American Redstart
4/27
4/24
5/30
5/30
Prothonotary Warbler
4/22
4/24
-
-
Worm-eating Warbler
4/28
4/27
-
-
Ovenbird
4/21
4/24
-
-
Northern Waterthrush
4/28
5/1
5/24
5/23
Louisiana Waterthrush
4/7
4/3
-
-
Kentucky Warbler
5/1
4/27
-
-
Mourning Warbler
5/18
5/19
5/30
5/29
Common Yellowthroat
4/21
4/24
-
-
Hooded Warbler
4/28
4/26
-
-
Wilson's Warbler
5/5
5/10
5/21
5/21
Canada Warbler
5/5
5/10
5/27
5/28
Yellow-breasted Chat
5/1
5/4
-
-
Summer Tanager
5/2
5/2
-
-
Scarlet Tanager
4/29
4/25
-
-
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
5/2
5/2
5/20
5/19
Blue Grosbeak
5/1
5/5
-
-
Indigo Bunting
4/30
5/7
-
-
Rufous-sided Towhee
4/2
3/30
-
American Tree Sparrow
-
-
3/22
3/12
Chipping Sparrow
4/1
3/26
-
-
Vesper Sparrow
4/5
4/3
-
-
Savannah Sparrow
3/30
3/27
5/10
5/14
Grasshopper Sparrow
4/27
4/25
-
-
Fox Sparrow
2/27
2/22
3/27
3/27
Lincoln’s Sparrow
5/4
-
5/23
5/27
Swamp Sparrow
4/2
-
5/10
5/10
White-throated Sparrow
-
-
5/13
5/15
White-crowned Sparrow
4/26
-
5/9
5/9
Dark-eyed Junco
-
-
5/3
4/25
Bobolink
5/2
4/30
5/21
5/25
Red-winged Blackbird
2/20
2/20
-
-
Rusty Blackbird
3/15
3/13
5/3
4/23
Common Grackle
2/19
2/20
-
-
Brown-headed Cowbird
2/26
2/26
-
-
Orchard Oriole
4/29
4/28
-
-
Northern Oriole
4/29
4/27
-
-
Purple Finch
3/26
-
5/6
5/8
Pine Siskin
-
-
5/10
5/21
Evening Grosbeak
-
-
5/6
4/30
(Ringler + ) and late single birds were at Cove Point on May 14 (Stasz, Boyd) and
North Branch on May 24 (Simons). High counts of Horned Grebes on the bay were
53 off Swan Point on March 29 (J. Gruber), 150 at North Beach on April 5 (Stasz),
102 at PNAS on April 6 (Bryan), 71 at Rose Haven on April 15 (Wilson), and 100 at
September 1988
MARYLAND BIRDLIFE
89
Point Lookout on April 17 {Davidson, Wierenga). The high count inland was 22 at
Seneca on March 26 (O’Briens). None was reported in May. Red-necked Grebes
were sparse with 4 at Seneca on March 3 (Warfield) dwindling to 1 on March 12 (P.
O’Brien), 1 at Piney Run on March 6-12 (Ringler + ), 1 at PNAS on March 9 (Bryan),
and 1 at Piscataway on April 14 (Weigel). Stasz carefully noted 2 Eared Grebes at
North Beach on April 9 with a third bird there on April 11-16.
Gannets, Pelicans, Cormorants. Seawatching produced few observations of
Northern Gannets with 11 off Assateague on March 7 (Warfield) the most and 3 off
Ocean City on May 14 (O’Briens + ) the latest. Sightings of single American White
Pelicans numbered two this spring with the first at Smith Island on May 15 (Joan
McKearnan) and the next flying up the Severn River at Sullivans Cove on May 24
(Gene Morton). An early Brown Pelican was at Ocean City on March 12 (Gough) and
the earliest record in the bay was 1 off North Beach on April 23 (Stasz). The last
report of Great Cormorant was a sub-adult at Ocean City on March 20 (Ringler).
There was an early movement of Double-crested Cormorants as 22 were off Swan
Point on March 2 (J. Gruber) and 2 on the Potomac River at the US 301 Bridge the
same day (Farrell), followed by 1 at Ocean City on March 7 (Wilson) and 6 at
Rumbly Point on March 19 (Ringler + ). Peak numbers at various tidewater
locations were 123 at North Beach on April 2 (Stasz), 104 at Conowingo on April 13
with all but one adults (Blom + ), 300 at Point Lookout on April 17 (Davidson,
Wierenga), 100 at Ocean City on April 22 (Reese), and 350 in southern Dorchester
County on April 24 (Armistead + ). All of these were topped by the approximately
1000 seen flying overland between Hebron and Vienna on April 21 (Dyke). Inland
sightings of Double-crested Cormorants continued to increase with 12 at Denton
on April 15 (Short), 1 on Triadelphia Reservoir on April 17 (Chestem), 5 at Violet’s
Lock on April 19 (Plante), 1 at Loch Raven on April 26 (Simon), 2 on Broadford
Reservoir on May 2 and 3 there on May 5-6 (Pope), 7 flying over Belmont on May 14
(Helene Hammer + ), 10 flying over Lake Elkhorn on May 20 (Hill), and 1 at North
Branch on May 21 (Kiddy). Armistead and party found 85 lingering non-breeders at
Barren Island on May 29.
Herons. There was a slight increase in American Bittern sightings this spring
with reports of 1 at Lilypons,on April 3 (Jesse Fulton) and April 19 (Weigel), 1 at
Pinto Marsh on April 14 and 2 there on April 19 (Simons), 1 between Accident and
Bittinger in Garrett County on April 17 (Skipper), 1 in Charles County on April 17
(Nistico), 1 at Masonville on April 21 (Walbeck), 1 at Ashland on April 21 (Jenkins),
1 at Fort Smallwood on April 28 (Murphy), 1 at Carey Run on April 30 and May 1
(Ringler + ), 2 at PWRC on April 30 and May 2 (Droege), 1 at Hughes Hollow on
May 7 (Hammer) and May 8 (Ed Bruce), and 1 heard at Piney Dam on May 11
(Davidson). Interesting reports of Least Bitterns were 1 at Centennial Lake on May
7 (Atkinson), 1 at North Beach on May 10 (Stasz), 2 at Horsehead Sanctuary on May
10 (Hammer), 1 on Barren Island on May 29 (Armistead + ), and 1 at Hughes
Hollow on May 20 (Jack Schultz + ).
Concentrations of migrant flocks of Great Blue Herons were 200 in a field near
Federalsburg on March 11 (?), 35 in the Easton/Wye Mills area on March 27
(Reese), 15 at Liberty Reservoir on April 1 (Ringler), 7 at Cherry Creek Swamp,
Garrett County on April 17 (Skipper), 30 at Point Lookout on April 17 (Davidson,
Wierenga), and 23 at Conowingo and 46 others in nearby Cecil County on April 26
(Blom). Early Great Egrets were 1 at Lilypons on March 19 (P. O’Brien), 25 at Deal
Island WMA on March 27 (O’Briens), 1 at Cumberland on April 2 (Simons,
Hammer), 2 at North Beach on April 5 (Stasz) and 1 at PWRC on April 6 (Droege).
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Other inland Great Egrets were single birds at Loch Raven on April 23 and May 1
(Simon), North Branch on May 1 (Twigg), Liberty Reservoir on May 12 (Ringler)
and Tanyard on May 14 (Engle). Early Snowy Egrets were 1 at Deal Island WMA
on March 27 (O’Briens) and 1 at Kent Narrows on March 30 (Sally Loving), while
others of note were 2 at PNAS on April 15 (Bryan), 3 at Denton on April 23 (Short),
2 at Tanyard on April 24 (Engle), 1 in DC on May 5 (Czaplak), 1 at Ridgely on May
22 (Reese), and 13 at St. Michaels on May 27 (Reese). The 4 adult Little Blue Herons
and 6 Tricolored Herons at Deal Island WMA on March 27 (O’Briens) were very
early for those species. Other Little Blues were 1 adult at Blackwater on April 24
(Armistead + }, 1 at Colmar Manor Marsh on April 24 (Donovan), and 2 at St.
Michaels on May 23 (Reese).
Very early Cattle Egrets were 1 at Centennial Lake on March 13 (Solem), 3 at
Bozman on March 26 (Ed Burns), and 3 at Loch Raven on March 26 (Fogleman + ).
Other interesting reports were of 1 near Finksburg on April 23 (Ringler), 35 at
West Ocean City on May 1 (Warfield), 32 at St. Michaels on May 11 (Reese), 7 at
East Potomac Park on May 19 (Hilton), and 10 at Denton on May 20 (J. Fletcher).
Early Green-backed Herons were 1 at Pinto on April 7 (Twigg) and 1 at North
Beach on April 10 (Stasz). Rare in Garrett County was a Black-crowned Night-
Heron along Red Hill Road on May 3 (Pope). In Howard County Black-crowned
sightings were 1 at Wilde Lake on May 4, 5 immatures at Schooley Mill Park on
May 5, and 1 adult at Centennial Park on May 9 (Chestem). Reports of Yellow-
crowned Night-Herons were 1 at Sycamore Landing on April 12 (Bonham), 1 at
Lake Roland on April 12 (Bohanan + ), 1 at North Beach on April 15 (Stasz), and 1
at Lilypons on May 18 (Wilson).
Ibises. An adult White Ibis was extraordinary at Blackwater on the unusual
dates of March 7-11 (Buddy Johnson + ). Notable reports of Glossy Ibis were 1 at
Trappe on March 30 (Jack Sun), 14 at St. Michaels on April 13 (Reese), 7 at North
Beach on April 15 (Stasz), 1 at Centennial Lake from April 15 through May 25
(Chestem + ), 8 at Point Lookout on April 17 (Davidson, Wierenga), 4 at Black-
water on April 24 (Armistead + ), 1 at Colmar Manor Marsh on April 24 (Donovan),
1 at Cove Point on April 24 and May 8 (Stasz), and 2 at Jug Bay on May 7 (Chris
Swarth).
Swans. Major flocks of Tundra Swans were 500 over Fulton on March 3 (Munro),
800 at Ruthsburg on March 4 (Grubers), 1500 at Wye Mills on March 6 (Reese), and
650 at Deal Island WMA on March 20 (Ringler + ), where only 26 remained on
March 27 (O’Briens). Late birds were 1 at PWRC on April 30 (Droege) and 1 at Deal
Island WMA seen May 13 + (Atkinson + ) which was probably summering.
Interesting reports of Mute Swans were 3 adults at PNAS on March 29 with a pair
nest-building on Harper’s Creek there on April 6 (Rambo, Bryan) and 89 at Barren
Island on May 29 with 2 broods of young and two nests with eggs (Armistead + ).
Geese. Connie Watts first reported the 3 Egyptian Geese at Chesapeake College
in Wye Mills on March 5. Jan Reese saw them the next day and noted that 2 had
leg bands and commented that they had been present for several weeks and had
certainly escaped from an adjacent waterfowl collection. The Grubers estimated
12,000 white and 300 blue Snow Geese at Ruthsburg on March 3. There were 1500
Snows at Blackwater on March 20 (Ringler), but only 100 there on April 2
(Armistead + ). Floyd Parks saw an apparently crippled Snow Goose at Galena on
May 14. The only report of Brant was 100 at Ocean City on March 5 (Davidson,
Wierenga). Lingering concentrations of Canada Geese seen on March 6 were 800 at
September 1988
MARYLAND BIRDLIFE
91
Piney Run (Ringler) and 1500 at Wye Mills (Reese). Nesting of Canada Geese was
noted with nest-building at Broadford Reservoir on March 30 (Skipper), 6 downy
young at PWRC on April 13 (Droege), 4 downy young at North Branch on May 7
(Twigg, Kiddy), and a nest with 6 eggs at Barren Island on May 29 (Armistead + ).
In addition there were 19 Canadas at Denton on May 25 (C. Adams).
Dabbling Ducks. Among the escaped waterfowl for the season were 5 Ruddy
Shelducks at Ruthsburg on March 4 (Grubers) and a drake Mandarin Duck in Rock
Creek Park, DC on March 27 (Leo Sweeney). Wilson found 20 Wood Ducks at
Lilypons on March 20 and there were 50 at Hughes Hollow on April 1 (M. O’Brien).
There were 8 downy young Wood Ducks at North Branch on May 1 (Simons + ).
Concentrations of Green-winged Teal were 300 at Jug Bay on March 10 and 400
there on March 29 (Kearns), and 260 at Deal Island WMA on March 27 (O’Briens).
High numbers for American Black Ducks were 200 at Jug Bay on March 10 (Kearns)
and 100 at Deal Island WMA on March 27 (O’Briens); late migrants were single
birds at Lilypons on April 25 (Wilson) and Loch Raven on May 1 (Simon). Downy
young Mallards were seen at Masonville on April 21 (Walbeck) and a pair with 6
young were on Broadford Reservoir on May 5 (Pope). The best flocks of Northern
Pintails were 20 at Cove Point on March 5 (Stasz) and 90 at Deal Island WMA on
March 27 (O’Briens). Early Blue-winged Teal were 3 at Kennedyville on March 5
(Chris Pavon), a drake at North Branch on March 5 (Simons, Kiddy + ), and 4 at
Lilypons on March 7 (Anderson). Otherwise, high numbers of Blue-wings were 75
at Deal Island WMA on March 27 (O’Briens), 31 at Hughes Hollow on April 1 (M.
O’Brien), 13 at North Branch on April 9 (Simons + ), 18 at Lilypons on April 25
(Wilson), and 8 at Harford Glen on April 25 (Blom). Late Blue-wings were a drake in
East Potomac Park on May 19 (Hilton) and a pair at North Branch through May 30
(Simons). The best counts of Northern Shovelers were 41 at Remington Farms on
April 11 (Grubers), 100 at Deal Island WMA on March 27 (O’Briens) and 10 at
Easton on March 27 with 8 there on April 17 (Reese). Unusually late was a
Shoveler at North Branch on May 23-27 (Simons). Best counts of Gadwalls were 35
at Elliott on March 5 (Davidson, Wierenga) and 75 at Piscataway Creek on March
19 (Davidson). A drake Eurasian Wigeon was at Loch Raven from March 15
through April 2 (Jenkins + ). High numbers of American Wigeons were 168 on Loch
Raven on March 2 (Simon), 60 in Piscataway Creek on March 19 (Davidson), and
500 at Deal Island WMA on March 20 (Ringler), and late birds were 1 at Loch
Raven on May 3 (Simon), 1 in Howard County on May 27 (Farrell, Solem), and 1 at
North Branch through May 30 (Simons + ).
Diving Ducks. Some impressive flocks of Canvasbacks were found this spring.
Those along the bay included 300 in Fairlee Creek on March 1 (J. Gruber), 1200 off
Tolchester and 2500 off Worton Point on March 2 (J. Gruber), 143 at PNAS on
March 4 (Bryan), 200 off Hooper Island on March 6 (Irene Frey), 750 at Masonville
on March 13 (Wilkinson), 700 at St. Michaels on March 22 (Reese), and 1000 at
Cambridge on March 27 (O’Briens). On the coast there were 325 Canvasbacks at
West Ocean City on March 5 (Davidson, Wierenga) and along the Potomac there
were 100 at Piscataway on March 19 (Davidson). High inland counts were 100 on
Highland Lake on March 20 (Swift) and 16 at Trout Run on March 21 (Skipper).
Late stragglers were 1 at Loch Raven on April 26 (Simon) and 1 at Fishing Bay on
May 7 (Armistead + ). The few Redheads for the season were 5 off Worton Point on
March 2 (J. Gruber), 1 at Rocky Gap on March 12 (Twigg) and March 22 (Kiddy), 2
at Masonville on March 6 (Walbeck) and March 13 (Wilkinson) and 19 at Loch
Raven on March 17 (Ringler + ). Ring-necked Ducks staged their usual prolific
soring show with 42 at Gaithersburg on March 5 (P. O’Brien), 460 at Piney Run on
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Vol. 44, No. 3
March 6, of which 4 remained on May 1 (Ringler), 27 at Rocky Gap on March 8
(Kiddy), 300 at Loch Raven on March 8, of which 6 remained on May 1 (Simon), 25
at PNAS on March 16 (Bryan), 25 at North Branch on March 18 (Simons), 75 at
Piscataway on March 19 (Davidson), 28 at Salisbury on March 20 (Ringler), and 47
at Easton on March 20 (Reese). A late straggler Ring-neck was an immature male
at Upper Marlboro on May 16 (Stasz). Jim Gruber reported the big flocks of
Greater Scaup in the Kent County portion of the bay with 700 off Tolchester and
800 off Worton Point on March 2, 1500 in Langford Bay on March 12, and 2000 in
Winchester Creek on March 26. Unique inland were 4 female Greaters seen
inflight on Triadelphia Reservoir on April 3 (Farrell). Lesser Scaup at bayside
locations were 3200 off Tolchester and 3500 off Worton Point on March 2 (J.
Gruber), 1500 at Masonville on March 6 (Walbeck), 5000 in Langford Bay on March
12 (J. Gruber), 300 at St. Michaels on March 22 (Reese), 2500 in Winchester Creek
on March 26 (J. Gruber), 1800 at Cambridge on March. 27 (O’Briens), 6000 at
Eastern Neck on April 10 and 10,000 there on April 19 (J. Gruber), and 100 at Rose
Haven on April 15 (Wilson). West of the bay there were 40 Lessers at Seneca on
March 26 (O’Briens), 23 at Rocky Gap on March 31 (Kiddy), 36 on Broadford Reser-
voir on April 13 (Pope), 1 at Little Meadows Lake on May 11 (Davidson), and 5
lingerers at Hart - Miller on May 31 (Simon) that were probably in for the
summer. At North Beach, Stasz estimated the scaup flock at 2500 on April 5 with
approximately 70% Lessers.
The last report of the Common Eiders at Ocean City was of 5 there on March 7
(Wilson). Some big flocks of Oldsquaws were seen this spring including 400 off
Swan Point on March 2, increasing to 3000 on March 11, and 7000 on March 24
before decreasing to a final 7 on April 22 (J. Gruber). Other Oldsquaws on the bay
were 1500 off Love Point on March 12, 4000 there on March 26 (J. Gruber), 8000 off
North Beach on March 29, of which 1000 remained on April 11 (Stasz), 6700 in the
mouth of the Choptank River on April 1 (Armistead), 1000 off Bay Ridge on April 2
(Davidson), 5000 off Matapeake on April 5 (J. Gruber), and 120 at PNAS on April 20
(Bryan). Inland there was 1 Oldsquaw at Loch Raven on March 8 (Simon) and 8
there on March 26 (Fogleman) 32 at Rocky Gap on April 7 (Twigg), and 9 on
Centennial Lake on April 7 (Farrell, Solem). The only reports of Black Scoters were
3 at Cove Point on April 24 and 1 there on May 8 (Stasz), 4 at Blackwalnut Point on
May 12 (Hammer), and 1 male at Barren Island on May 29 (Armistead + ). The only
reports of Surf Scoters were 1 off Ocean City on March 5 (Davidson, Wierenga), 5 at
Rumbly Point on March 19 (Ringler), 55 in the mouth of the Choptank River on
April 1 (Armistead), 2 off Love Point Light on April 17 (J. Gruber), and 2 males at
Blackwalnut Point on May 12 (Hammer). White-winged Scoters were a little more
numerous with 4 drakes at Seneca on March 26 (O’Briens), 50 off Love Point on
March 26 and 12 there on April 17 (J, Gruber), 45 in the mouth of the Choptank
River on April 1 (Armistead), 2 at Centennial Lake on April 8 (Farrell, Solem), 1 on
Triadelphia Reservoir on April 8 (Chestem), 7 at Rocky Gap on April 8 (Simons), 4.
on Little Meadows Lake on April 10 (Kiddy), and 1 at Eastern Neck on April 22 and
2 there on May 17 (J. Gruber). Common Goldeneyes may reach peak numbers in the
bay in late February; 1000 were at Hodges Bar on March 2 (J. Gruber), 248 at
PNAS on March 4 (Bryan), 500 in Langford Bay on March 12 (J. Gruber), 100 at
Fort Smallwood on March 12 (Davidson, Wierenga), 500 in Winchester Creek on
March 26 (J. Gruber), 50 at Cambridge on March 27 (O’Briens), and 60 in
the mouth of the Choptank River on April 1 (Armistead). Bufflehead flocks along
the bay were 100 at Fort Smallwood on March 12 (Davidson, Wierenga), hundreds
off Rumbly Point on March 19 (Ringler + ), 110 in the mouth of the Choptank River
on April 1 (Armistead), 200 at Point Lookout on April 17 (Davidson, Wierenga),
September 1988
MARYLAND BIRDLIFE
93
1500 at Eastern Neck on April 22 (J. Gruber) and 3 birds lingering off Kent Point
on May 28 (Ann Rasberry). Inland there were 30 Buffleheads at Seneca on March 5
(P. O’Brien), 40 at Loch Raven on April 1 (Ringler), 2 at Lilypons on April 3 (Jesse
Fulton) and 2 at North Branch on May 18-22 (Simons + ).
The last of the Hooded Mergansers included 20 at Piney Run on March 6 and 2
there on April 24 (Ringler), 2 on Broadford Reservoir on April 21 (Pope), a female
at Mattawoman Swamp on May 14 (Nistico), and a female at North Branch on May
22 (Simons, Kiddy). Common Mergansers numbered 18 in Fairlee Creek on March 1
(J. Gruber), 14 in Worton Creek on March 2 (J. Gruber), 12 at Seneca on March 5 (P.
O’Brien), 24 on Triadelphia on March 5 (Solem, Farrell), 12 at Piscataway on March
19 (Davidson), 40 at Jug Bay on March 19 (Kearns), 300 off Swan Point on March 22
(J. Gruber), 19 at Loch Raven on March 27 (Simon), 17 at Blockhouse Point on the
Potomac on April 1 (M. O’Brien), and 1 drake at Conowingo on April 13 (Blom + ).
Red-breasted Mergansers in tidewater areas were 250 off Swan Point on March 1
(J. Gruber), 18 at PNAS on March 30 (Bryan), 40 in the mouth of the Choptank
River on April 1 (Armistead), and 35 at Ocean City on April 22 (Reese). Inland
numbers were 10 at Rocky Gap on March 26 (Kiddy), 37 at Loch Raven on April 2
(Ringler), 40 on Little Meadows Lake on April 10 (Kiddy) and 2 remaining on May
14 (M. O’Brien + ), 16 on Broadford Reservoir on May 6 (Pope), and 1 at Rocky Gap
on May 9 (Twigg). Ruddy Ducks at Masonville dwindled from 500 on March 6 to
150 on April 21 (Walbeck). Late Ruddies were 2 at Piney Run on May 12 (Ringler),
1 at North Branch on May 15 (Kiddy), and 15 at Hart - Miller on May 31 (Simon),
the latter birds probably summering.
Vultures, Ospreys. See Tables 2 and 3 for reports from the hawk watches at
Monument Knob and Fort Smallwood. Migrant Black Vultures numbered 29 at
Piney Run on March 27 (Ringler) and 12 at Sandy Hook on April 15 (Blom).
Davidson and Wierenga found a Black Vulture nest with two eggs near Point
Lookout on April 17 and Woody Martin discovered a nest with one young at
PWRC on May 14. The first Turkey Vultures of the spring in Garrett County were
2 at Bittinger on March 2 (Skipper). Blom found 30 Turkey Vultures at Sandy Hook
on April 15. Early Ospreys were 1 at Upper Marlboro on March 9 (Stasz), 1 near
Solomons on March 10 (Rambo), 2 at Rock Hall on March 12 (J. Gruber), 2 at Jug
Bay on March 12 (Kearns + ), 1 at Chesapeake Beach and North Beach on March
12 (Howard Elitzak, Stasz), and 2 at Denton on March 13 (Short). Upland birds
were 1 at Conowingo on March 18 (Schutsky), 1 at Loch Raven on March 31
Table 2. Hawk Migration at Monument Knob - Spring 1988
Species
Total
First Last
Best Days
Osprey
483
3/31
5/15
48 on 4/21, 43 on 4/25, 40 on 4/22
Bald Eagle
13
3/6
5/26
2 on 4/25 and 5/9
Northern Harrier
137
3/2
5/15
18 on 4/2, 1 1 on 4/10, 8 on 4/14
Sharp-shinned Hawk
394
3/2
5/15
45 on 4/2, 21 on 4/25, 20 on 4/1
Cooper’s Hawk
49
3/12
5/14
6 on 4/2, 5 on 3/31, 4 on 4/25
Red-shouldered Hawk
87
3/2
5/7
25 on 3/12, 12 on 3/23, 11 on 3/6
Broad-winged Hawk
690
4/9
5/26
123 on 4/22, 101 on 4/25, 70 on 4/26
Red-tailed Hawk
514
2/28
5/15
40 on 3/2, 27 on 3/13, 26 on 3/23
American Kestrel
50
3/5
5/8
7 on 4/6, 5 on 3/23, 4 on 4/2
Merlin
5
3/26
4/30
2 on 4/30
Peregrine Falcon
2
4/6
4/30
Unidentified
155
Total
2579
2/27
5/27
197 on 4/22, 193 on 4/25, 132 on 4/20
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MARYLAND BIRDLIFE
Vol. 44, No. 3
(Simon), 1 at Broadford Reservoir on April 1 (Pope) and late individuals at Lilypons
on May 18 (Wilson), and Cumberland on May 28 (Blom + ). Blom also counted 11
Ospreys at Conowingo and 18 others in Cecil County on April 26.
Table 3. Hawk Migration on Selected Dates at Fort Smallwood
Species
3/12
4/26
4/28
5/9
5/12
Turkey Vulture
154
3
Osprey
1
6
2
2
Bald Eagle
2
Northern Harrier
2
2
1
Sharp-shinned Hawk
7
76
30
8
4
Cooper’s Hawk
3
5
1
Red-shouldered Hawk
9
2
Broad-winged Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
22
9
1
American Kestrel
8
1
1
Merlin
1
1
Total
208
105
34
11
6
Accipitrine Hawks. George Hecht reported seeing an American Swallow-tailed
Kite in Worcester County near Bishop on April 30. Interesting reports of Bald
Eagles were 1 near Catonsville on March 3 (Mike Meyerhoff), 10 including 4 adults
and 6 immatures at Conowingo on March 18 (Schutsky), 1 at Assateague on March
20 (Warfield), 1 over Rocky Gorge Reservoir on March 21 (Nancy MacClintock), 2
courting at Greenbelt on March 23 (Ray Stanford), 1 immature at Liberty
Reservoir on April 11 (Ringler), 1 immature banded at PWRC on April 11 (fide
Droege), 1 adult flying over Fort Meade on April 18 (Droege), and 33 in southern
Dorchester County on April 24 (Armistead + ). An unidentified eagle was seen at
Wolf Swamp on April 10 (Kiddy). A good count of 29 Northern Harriers was seen at
Point Lookout on April 17 (Davidson, Wierenga) while late migrants were 1 at
Denton on May 12 (R. Fletcher), 1 near Centennial Park on May 21 (Marci Krishna-
moorthy) and 1 near Hydes in Baltimore County on May 22 (Wilkinson). Also seen
at Point Lookout on April 17 were 243 migrating Sharp-shinned Hawks and 6
Cooper’s Hawks (Davidson, Wierenga). An immature Northern Goshawk at Piney
Run on March 6 (Ringler) was the only one reported. Early Broad-winged Hawks
were 1 at Broadford Reservoir on April 9 (Pope) and 1 at Owings in Calvert County
on April 11 (Stasz). The last reports of Rough-legged Hawks were of 6 at Elliott on
March 5 (Davidson, Wierenga), 1 light-phase at Deal Island WMA on March 27
(O’Briens), and 1 flying north over Swan Creek on the very late date of May 1 (J.
Gruber). The only Golden Eagle sighted was an adult flying north over Showell,
Worcester County on April 24 (Dyke).
Falcons. Probable late migrating American Kestrels were 1 at St. Michaels on
May 17 (Reese) and 1 flying north over Barren Island on May 29 (Armistead + ).
Droege reported a kestrel nest with 5 eggs at PWRC and Armistead and party
saw 2 probable breeding kestrels near Blackwater on May 29. There were few
reports of Merlins but 1 was flying north over the bay two miles north of Love
Point Light on April 17 (J. Gruber), 6 were seen at Point Lookout the same day,
and 1 was at Elliott on May 7 (Armistead + ). Peregrine Falcons away from nest
sites were an adult at Salisbury on March 14 (Dyke) and 1 at Bryans Road on April
5 (Nistico).
September 1988
MARYLAND BIRDLIFE
95
Pheasants, Turkeys. Though Ring-necked Pheasants are decreasing in the
Piedmont, in western Maryland 2 males were seen along the Accident-Bittinger
Road in late March (Jeff Opel) and on the Eastern Shore 1 was found dead at
Easton on May 15 (Reese) and 1 was at Denton on May 20 (Fletchers). Meanwhile,
Wild Turkeys are proliferating in western Maryland and have been introduced into
all parts of the state. Reports this spring included 34 on the Opel Farm in Garrett
County on March 27 (JoAnn Opel), 1 at Point of Rocks on March 29 (Warfield), 40 at
Flintstone on March 29 (Simons), 1 at Watkins Island near Pennyfield on April 1
(M. O’Brien), 14 at Rocky Gap on April 7 (Twigg), 1 at Liberty Reservoir on April
10 (Ringler), 8 heard near Broomes Island on April 17 (Kearns), 2 heard gobbling
near Blackwater on April 24 (Armistead + ), 1 on the C & 0 Canal towpath about
one mile south of Monocacy Aqueduct on May 1 (Ruth Larson), and 1 at Federals-
burg on May 4 (Glime).
Rails, Gallinules, and Coots. Wilson saw a roadkill Clapper Rail at North Beach
on April 15, rather far up the bay for this species. Reese found a dead King Rail in
Wicomico County near Vienna on April 21 and on the same day Stasz saw 1 at
North Beach. The first spring reports of Virginia Rails were single birds at Hughes
Hollow on April 1 (M. O’Brien), Pinto Marsh on April 17 (Simons) and PWRC on
April 21 (Droege). Migrant Soras were 1 at Pinto Marsh on April 15 (Simons), 1 at
North Beach on April 28 (Stasz), 1 at PWRC on May 7 (Droege), 1 at Lilypons on
May 8 (Garland), and 1 heard at Liberty Reservoir on May 13 (Ringler). Common
Moorhens were widely reported with a fresh road-kill found near Chesapeake
Beach on April 11 (Boyd), 1 at Lilypons from April 23 (Rob French) through May 21
(Jim MacConnell), 2 at Cove Point on April 24 (Stasz), 1 at Loch Raven on April 30
through May 7 (Jenkins + ), 1 at North Branch on May 7 (Twigg, Kiddy), 3 at
Tanyard on May 29 and 1 found dead there on May 15 (Engle), and 1 found dead at
Bethlehem, also in Caroline County on May 16 (Steve Ford). Approximately 450
American Coots remained at Loch Raven on March 20 (Simon) and March 25
(Ringler), and late migrants were 1 at Lake Elkhorn on May 11 (Hill), 1 at North
Branch on May 30 (Simons), and 2 at Hart - Miller on May 31 (Simon).
Plovers. Black-bellied Plover sightings in Chesapeake Bay were 1 at Eastern
Neck on April 23 (J. Gruber), 1 at Hart - Miller on May 23 (Simon), and 3 at Barren
Island on May 29 (Armistead*; + )- A Lesser Golden-Plover at Summit Hall on March
26 (O’Briens) is a typical spring date for this species which is rare at this time.
Modest high counts of Semipalmated Plovers were 12 at Easton on May 8 (Reese)
and 12 at Barren Island on May 29 (Armistead + ), while 1 was inland at Lilypons
on May 30 (O’Briens). The only Piping Plover report was an early 1 at Assateague
on April 5 (Warfield). The best spring counts of Killdeer were 22 at North Branch
on March 10 (Twigg + ), 25 at Blackwater on March 20 (Ringler), 80 at Easton on
March 20 (Reese), and 27 at Rockville on March 29 (M. O’Brien).
Oystercatchers, Stilts. The 3 American Oystercatchers at Ocean City on March 5
(Davidson, Wierenga) probably overwintered there. Armistead and party found 10
Oystercatchers at Barren Island on May 29. Black-necked Stilts returned to the
three areas where they have been regular in recent years. At Blackwater there
were 2 on May 7 and 1 on May 14 (Armistead + ); Stasz found 1 at Cove Point on
May 8; and at Deal Island WMA there were 2 on May 13 (Atkinson) and 6 the next
day (M. O’Brien).
Tringine Sandpipers. There were some very early reports of Greater Yellow-
legs with 1 at Tanyard on March 4 (Engle), 4 at Elliott on March 5 (Davidson,
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Wierenga), 1 in South Baltimore on March 12 (Bohanan), and 1 at North Branch on
March 13 (Twigg). Best numbers of Greaters were 36 at Jug Bay on March 30
(Kearns), 21 at Denton on April 3 (Hewitt), 20 at Lilypons on April 18 (Ringler), 35
at Easton on April 24 (Reese), 40 in southern Dorchester County on April 24
including one with red-orange legs (Armistead + ), 50 at Merkle Sanctuary on May
6 (Kearns), and 4 late birds at North Branch on May 30 (Simons). The most
interesting reports of Lesser Yellowlegs were 1 at North Beach on March 25
(Stasz), 45 at Lilypons on April 18 (Ringler), and 20 at Easton on April 24 (Reese).
Early Solitary Sandpipers were 1 at Lilypons on April 9 (Danny Crookston), 1 at
Back River on April 10 (Webb + ), and 2 at North Branch on April 14 (Simons).
Highest counts of Solitaries were 20 at Lilypons on April 25 (Wilson) and 12 at
North Branch on May 1 (Ringler + ). The first Willet of the season was 1 at Ocean
City on April 4 (Warfield). There were several Willet sightings in the bay with 1 at
Point Lookout on April 17 (Davidson, Wierenga), 1 at Swan Point on Ma^ 1 (J.
Gruber), 1 at Cove Point on May 8 (Stasz, Boyd), 1 flying over Horsehead Sanctuary
on May 10 (Hammer), 1 at Chesapeake Beach on May 14 (Stasz, Boyd), and 1 at
North Beach on May 19 (Stasz). Exceptionally early Spotted Sandpipers were 1 at
North Branch on March 27 (Twigg) and 1 at Lilypons on April 3 (Jesse Fulton),
followed by 4 at PNAS on April 15 (Bryan) and 1 at North Beach the same day
(Stasz). A late migrant Spotted was at Brighton Dam on Triadelphia Reservoir on
May 31 (Chestem).
Curlews and Turnstones. The only Upland Sandpiper report was of 1 heard at
Gortner in Garrett County on April 30 (Ringler + ). The only Whimbrel reports
came from Assateague with 4 early ones on April 30 (Warfield) and a flock of un-
specified size on May 27-28 (Pat Noone). Davidson and Wierenga found 50 Ruddy
Turnstones at Ocean City on March 5 and there were 1 at North Beach on May 10
(Stasz), 9 at Swan Point on May 17 (J. Gruber), 1 at Hains Point on May 25 (Gough),
and 20 at Barren Island on May 29 (Armistead + ).
Calidridine Sandpipers. Notable sightings of Red Knots were 30 at Ocean City
on May 7 (Davidson), 250 on Assateague on May 14 (M. O’Brien + ), 25 around Four
Mile Bay on May 30 for a remarkable sighting in DC (Czaplak) and 2 on Barren
Island on May 29 (Armistead + ). Sanderlings numbered 130 at Ocean City on
March 7 (Wilson), 10 at PNAS on April 15 (Bryan) and 8 on Barren Island on May
29 (Armistead + ). The best numbers for Least Sandpipers this spring were 14 at
Swan Point on May 11 (J. Gruber), 50 at Easton on May 15 (Reese), 13 at North
Branch on May 18 (Simons) and 5 late birds at Barren Island on May 29 (Armistead
+ ). A White-rumped Sandpiper was at North Branch on May 27-28 (Simons, Kiddy
+ ). Pectoral Sandpipers made an early appearance across the state this spring
with 10 at Blackwater on March 20 (Ringler), 8 at Lilypons the same day (Wilson),
and 1 at North Branch on March 24 (Simons). The biggest flock of Pectorals for the
season was 41 at Lilypons on April 24 (P. O’Brien), and late birds were 2 at Merkle
on May 6 (Kearns), 6 at Swan Point on May 11 (J. Gruber), and an exceptional 1 at
Harford Glen on May 21 (Kirkwood). Davidson and Wierenga estimated 100 Purple
Sandpipers at Ocean City on March 5. High counts of Dunlins were 300 at Black-
water on March 27 (O’Briens) and 250 at Ocean City on May 7 (Davidson). On the
bay, 2 Dunlins were at North Beach on April 12 (Stasz), 14 at Hart - Miller on May
23 (Simon), and 20 at Barren Island on May 29 (Armistead + ). The only inland
report was of 3 Dunlins at North Branch on April 18 (Simons, Twigg).
Dowitchers, Snipe. A very early Short-billed Dowitcher was at Blackwater on
March 27 (O’Briens); others were 3 at North Branch on April 18 (Simons), 1 on
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Assateague on April 30 (Warfield), 1 at Lilypons on May 18 (Wilson), 5 at
Hart - Miller on May 23 (Simon), and 1 at Barren Island on May 29 (Armistead + ).
High counts of Common Snipe were 20 at Lilypons on March 7 (Anderson) and
March 20 (Wilson), 40 at St. Michaels on March 10 (Reese), 30 at Blackwater on
March 20 (Ringler), 35 at Easton on March 20 (Reese), 21 at Remington Farms on
March 21 (Grubers), and 300 at Jug Bay on March 29 (Kearns); 6 at Bradenbaugh on
May 7 were late (Kirkwood).
Woodcocks, Phalaropes. Reese noted an American Woodcock displaying at St.
Michaels on March 2, and 5 more near Taneytown on March 6. At North Branch
there were 10 on March 25 (Simons). Early nesting was evident this year as an
adult Woodcock with 1 young was seen at Greensboro on March 27 (W. Steward)
and later on Green Ridge an adult with 1 young was seen on May 1 (Weatherholt).
A Wilson’s Phalarope was at North Branch on May 26 (Simons) and 2 Red-necked
Phalaropes were there the next day (Simons, Kiddy + ).
Jaegers, Black-headed Gulls. An unidentified Jaeger was seen off Ocean City on
May 14 (M. O’Brien + ). March arrivals of Laughing Gulls were 1 at Chestertown on
the 17th (P. Gruber), 3 at Ocean City on the 20th (Ringler), 1 at Denton on the 24th
(Nuttle), 1 at St. Michaels on the 26th (Reese), and 4 at Back River on the 27th
(Wilkinson). High counts of Laughers were 100 in Kent County on April 10 (J.
Gruber) and 100 at Point Lookout on April 17 (Davidson, Wierenga). A well-
described adult Franklin’s Gull was seen in East Potomac Park on May 19-20
(Czaplak, Hilton). At Back River adult Little Gulls were seen on April 11 (Paul
Lehman, Louis Bevier), the 12th (Schutsky) and the 16th (Davidson). Plumage
notations indicate there may have been more than one bird. The immature
Common Black-headed Gull previously reported in Ocean City was last seen on
March 12 (Gough). The only other Black-headed was an adult at North Beach in
April (Stasz). Bonaparte’s Gulls were widely reported. Beginning with the coast
there were 125 at Ocean City on March 7 (Wilson). In the bay Jim Gruber noted 13
off Swan Point on March 2 and 42 there on March 30, 87 off Love Point on April 5,
and 36 at Tolchester on April 17. Also in the bay there were 50 at Sandy Point on
April 2 (Davidson), 71 at Rose Haven on April 15 (Wilson), 30 at Point Lookout on
April 17 (Davidson, Wierenga), and a late bird in southern Dorchester County on
May 14 (Armistead + ). As usual the major staging area for Bonaparte’s Gulls was
Back River and the peak was 3000 birds on April 11 (Paul Lehman, Louis Bevier).
Moving inland there were 29 at Seneca on March 31 (Warfield), 1 at Upper
Marlboro on April 4 (Stasz), 1 at Lilypons on April 7 (Barbara Stephens) and 3
there on April 25 (Wilson), 6 at Conowingo on April 26 (Blom), and 4 at Lake
Elkhorn on May 5 (Orgain). In western Maryland 2 were at Rocky Gap on March
25, the peak was 24 there on April 7 (Twigg), 15 were at Deep Creek Lake on
March 29 (Pope), 4 were at North Branch on April 7 (Twigg) and 12 there on April 9
(Walbeck), and 35 were at Pinto on April 8 (Simons + ). Late Bonies were 1 at
North Branch on May 8 (Kiddy), 10 at East Potomac Park on May 19 (Hilton) and 3
immatures there the next day (Czaplak), and 1 at Pinto on May 20 (Simons).
White-headed Gulls. The Grubers estimated 6000 Ring-billed Gulls in a plowed
field at Fairlee on March 21. Piedmont Ring-bills numbered 70 at Piney Run on
March 6 and 6 subadults there on May 10, and 160 at Loch Raven on April 1
(Ringler). In Allegany County there were 57 Ring-bills at Cumberland on March 3
(Twigg), 43 at Rocky Gap on March 18 (Kiddy) and 60 at Pinto on April 18 and 8
there on May 25 (Simons). In Garrett County there were 105 on Broadford Reser-
voir on May 2 and 2 remained on May 22 (Pope). There were 50 Herring Gulls at
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Piney Run on March 6 (Ringler). In western Maryland where Herring Gulls are
rare migrants 1 immature was at North Branch on March 13 (Twigg), 1 at Rocky
Gap on April 7 and 1 immature there on April 12 (Twigg), 1 at Pinto on April 18
(Simons), and 2 on Broadford Reservoir on April 22 (Skipper). The last reports for
Lesser Black-backed Gulls were single adults at Fort McHenry on March 6
(Walbeck) and at Hooper Island on April 24 (Armistead + ). The only notable
number of Great Black-backed Gulls was 125 at Conowingo on April 26 (Blom).
Terns, Skimmers. The only report of Gull-billed Terns was of 2 off Assateague on
May 14 (M. O’Brien + ). The first Caspian Tern sighting of the spring was 1 at
Baltimore on April 6 (Wilkinson). Caspian Terns are increasing annually as inland
migrants. This spring the numbers were 54 at Triadelphia on April 17 (Chestem), 1
at Broadford Reservoir on April 18 (Pope), 2 at Loch Raven on April 20 (Walbeck),
3 at Upper Marlboro on April 20 (Stasz), 2 at Liberty Reservoir on April 23
(Ringler), and 9 at Conowingo on April 26 (Blom). Stasz reported the first Royal
Tern of the season at North Beach on April 2. Nistico saw Royals in Prince Georges
County from April 16 through May 7, Jim Gruber found 8 in Worton Creek on
April 17, extraordinary for the northern part of the bay in spring, 25 were at Point
Lookout on April 17 (Davidson, Wierenga), and 40 in southern Dorchester County
on May 7 and May 14 (Armistead + ). Early Common Terns were 1 at Ocean City on
April 4 (Warfield) and 3 at PNAS on April 15 (Bryan); 1 at Trappe on May 1 (Reese)
was unusual there. The first Forster’s Terns of the season were 1 at North Beach
on April 5 (Stasz), 4 at Jug Bay on April 9 (Ringler), and 1 at Swan Creek on April
10 (J. Gruber). Inland there were 4 Forster's at Sandy Hook on April 15 (Blom), 2 at
Broadford Reservoir on April 18 and 5 there on May 5 and 2 on May 6 (Pope), 3 at
Tanyard on April 24 (Engle), 1 at North Branch on May 6 (Simons), and 3 at Denton
on May 14 (Hewitt). Armistead and party found 155 Forster’s in southern
Dorchester County on May 14. Unusual were 2 Forster’s at St. Michaels on May 17
(Reese). Warfield noted 4 early Least Terns at Assateague on April 29 and Engle
saw 1 up the Choptank River at Tanyard on May 14. Most of the reports of Black
Terns were inland and most were of single birds. Very early were 4 at Centennial
Lake on May 1 (Atkinson) followed by 1 at North Branch on May 7 (Twigg, Kiddy),
1 at Jug Bay on May 7 (Osenton), 1 at Piney Dam on May 11 (Pisano), 1 at Rocky
Gap on May 13-14 (M. O’Brien + ), 1 at Flag Ponds on May 14 (Stasz, Boyd), and 1
near Hart - Miller on May 23 (Simon). The first Black Skimmers of the year were 1
at West Ocean. City on April 19 (Warfield) and 10 in southern Dorchester County
on April 24 (Armistead + ). Linda Gibson photographed 2 skimmers at St. Michaels
on May 18-19 for an unusual spring record.
Doves, Cuckoos, Owls. A Ringed Turtle-Dove was on Green Ridge on March 31
(Simons). In the future all observations of Streptopelia doves should be made with
care because of the entry of Collared Doves into North America in Florida. A
Mourning Dove nest with 2 eggs was at Piney Run on April 10 (Ringler). Reports of
Black-billed Cuckoos preceding the May Count were 2 at Schooley Mill Park on
May 2 (Nancy Magnusson), 1 heard near Bellevue on May 8 (Armistead), and 1
heard at Denton on May 10 (Nuttle). Early Yellow-billed Cuckoos on May 1 were 1
at Tuckahoe SP (Nuttle, C. Dorset), 1 heard at Oxon Hill (Nistico), and 1 in Howard
County (Chestem). Kearns first noted a Common Barn-Owl at Aquasco on March 18
where nesting was confirmed and the last of 7 young hatched on April 30. Ross
Robinson noted Barn-Owls nesting in a barn at Federalsburg on May 8-15. The last
of the wintering Short-eared Owls were 3 at Cherry Hill in Baltimore on March 6
(Webb + ) and at least 1 at Irish Grove on March 19 (Stasz + ). The last wintering
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Northern Saw-whet Owls were 1 on Assateague on March 5 (Davidson, Wierenga)
and 2 at Hughes Hollow on March 7 (Anderson) and 1 there on March 15 (Wilson).
Walbeck heard a calling Saw-whet on March 24 and May 14 at Cranesville Swamp
where the species is known to nest.
Caprimulgids, Swifts, Hummingbirds , Woodpeckers . Exceptionally early
Common Nighthawks were 1 in Howard County on April 25 (Munro) and 1 heard at
Frostburg on May 4 (George Durner). Chuck-will’s-widows were heard in three
areas near Washington this spring including the fourth consecutive year at Acco-
keek where Nistico heard 1 on May 7. The others were near Forestville about May
23 (Jeff Mason) and in Rock Creek Park, DC on May 27 (Czaplak). Also extra-
ordinary was 1 heard at Cumberland on May 15 (Kiddy). Early Whip-poor-wills
were 1 at Waldorf on April 6 (Jett), 1 at Sugarloaf on April 17 (Swick), and 2 on
Polish Mountain, Allegany County on April 24 (Weatherholt). An exceptionally
early Chimney Swift was at Solomons on March 28 (Rambo) and others were 3 at
Chestertown on April 10 (P. Gruber), 1 in Howard County on April 10 (Farrell,
Chestem), and 5 at Easton on April 11 (Reese). The best counts of swifts were 360
passing Fort Smallwood on April 28 (Murphy) and 250 funneling into the Hotel
Gunter in Frostburg on May 14 (Walbeck). Early Ruby-throated Hummingbirds
were in Prince Georges and Charles counties on April 22 (Nistico) and 1 was
banded at Damsite on April 24. Probable migrant Red-headed Woodpeckers were 1
at Point Lookout on April 17 (Davidson, Wierenga), 2 at Trappe on May 1 (Reese),
and 1 in West Ocean City on May 2 (Warfield). Colonies of Red headed Wood-
peckers were 7 in southern Dorchester County on May 14 (Armistead + ) and 7 at
Bradenbaugh on May 14 (Kirkwood). The last Yellow-bellied Sapsucker of the
season was in Baltimore on May 6 (Bohanan). The only notable flock of Northern
Flickers reported was 35 at Remington Farms on March 13 (Grubers). A probable
intergrade Yellow-X Red-shafted Flicker was banded at Damsite on May 27.
Flycatchers. Reports of Olive-sided Flycatchers were of single birds at Aberdeen
Proving Ground on May 19 (Rambo), Piney Mountain in Allegany County on May
21 (Kiddy), at Cylburn on May 21 (Yokel), at Fulton on May 22 (Munro), and near
Stevenson on May 24 (Ross). A high count of 28 Eastern Wood-Pewees was at
Damsite on May 9 (Grubers). Thayer banded a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher at Mt.
Nebo on May 17 and Blom saw another at Savage River Reservoir, also in Garrett
County, on May 28. A migrant Alder Flycatcher was found at Sandy Point on May
24 (Davidson). An early Willow Flycatcher was in Howard County on May 13
(Farrell). Ringler counted 23 Willow Flycatchers, mostly singing birds, in eastern
Carroll County on May 28. Early “Traill’s” Flycatchers were banded at Adven-
ture on May 9 and Broadford Run on May 11. Reports of Least Flycatchers were 1
at North Branch on May 1 (Ringler + ), 1 at Schooley Mill Park on May 11 and 1
along the Middle Patuxent River in Howard County on May 14 (Solem, Farrell), 10
on Meadow Mountain on May 14 (M. O’Brien + ), and 2 banded near Stevenson on
May 21. Early Eastern Phoebes were 1 at Rocky Gap on March 2 (Twigg), in
Charles and Prince Georges counties on March 6 (Nistico), 1 at Rockville on March
8 (P. O’Brien), 2 at Seneca on March 9 (Warfield), and 1 at Loch Raven on March 9
(Jenkins). The first Great Crested Flycatchers of the year were found on April 25 at
Denton (Nuttle), Noland’s Ferry (Wilson), and Woodend (Speicher). The first
Eastern Kingbird was at Denton on April 20 (Short) and the species was wide-
spread on the 24th as noted by the 7 in southern Dorchester County that day
(Armistead + ) and the numerous arrivals elsewhere in the state. An adult Scissor-
tailed Flycatcher was photographed at Lilypons on May 30-31 (O’Briens + ).
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Swallows. The first Purple Martin of the year was seen at St. Michaels on March
15 (fide Reese). Early Tree Swallows were 1 at Hughes Hollow on March 7
(Anderson), 1 at Denton on March 12 (Nuttle), 1 in Prince Georges County on
March 16 (Nistico), 1 at Worton Point on March 22 (J. Gruber), 4 at North Branch
on March 24 (Simons), 3 at Piney Run on March 27 (Ringler), and 1 at Broadford
Reservoir on March 28 (Skipper). High counts of Tree Swallows were 40 at
Kinnards Point on March 30 (Steve Hitchner), 200 at PNAS on April 7 (Bryan), 300
at Jug Bay on April 9 (Ringler), thousands at Point Lookout on April 17 (Davidson,
Wierenga), 50 at Broadford Reservoir on April 18 (Pope), 255 at North Branch on
April 18 (Twigg), 200 at Pinto on April 18 (Twigg), 400 at Piney Hun on April 24
(Ringler), and 36 at Lilypons on April 25 where there were 6 late birds on May 18
(Wilson). Early Bank Swallows were reported on April 17 with 5 at Point Lookout
(Davidson, Wierenga) and 1 at North Beach (Stasz). The high for Bank Swallows
was 50 at Piney Run on May 1 (Ringler). The first Cliff Swallows of the season were
10 at Piney Run on April 16 (Ringler), 1 at North Branch on April 16 (Simons) and 1
in Howard County on April 17 (Osenton). A Cliff Swallow at Ridgely on May 22
(Reese) was a rarity there. The first Barn Swallows seen were 2 at North Branch on
March 26 (Kiddy, Simons); high counts were 100 at Point Lookout on April 17
(Davidson, Wierenga), 200 at Piney Run on April 24 (Ringler), and 2500 at Deep
Creek Lake on April 30 (Ringler + ).
Corvids, Nuthatches, Creepers. Murphy’s high counts of migrating Blue Jays at
Fort Smallwood were 550 on April 26, 2980 on April 28, 308 on May 9, and 1421 on
May 12. The first Fish Crow of the spring reported in Allegany County was 1 at
North Branch on March 12 (Kiddy). Reese estimated 50 Fish Crows at Easton on
April 3. Reports of Common Ravens were 2 at Lilypons on March 5 and 1 there on
March 19 (P. O’Brien), 1 carrying nesting material at US 220 north of Cumberland
on April 16 (Twigg), 3 at Sugarloaf on May 14 (R. J. Smith), and 1 near
Hagerstown on May 28 (Fogleman). Reports of Red-breasted Nuthatches were
widely scattered and none was of more than 2 birds with the latest being on the
May Count. Brown Creepers were reported in low numbers with the most being 8
at Rockville on April 3 (M. O’Brien). A Brown Creeper along Benson Branch in
Howard County on May 14 (McClures, Mary Lou Clark) may have been a local
breeder.
Wrens, Kinglets, Gnatcatcher. Blom and party found a Carolina Wren on May 29
near Asher Glade in Garrett County where the species is still quite rare. The first
House Wren of the season was banded at Adventure on April 16 and 1 was at
Williamsport in Washington County on April 17 (Mallonee). Late Winter Wrens
were 1 at Accokeek on April 30 (Nistico) and 1 banded at Damsite on May 2. The 2
Winter Wrens on Meadow Mountain on May 14 (M. O’Brien + ) may have been
breeders. The Marsh Wren report was 1 at North Beach on April 23 (Nistico).
Extraordinary in inland Howard County were single Marsh Wrens at Schooley
Mill Park on May 7 (Atkinson), and Centennial Park on May 10 and May 20 (Solem,
Farrell). High counts of migrating Golden-crowned Kinglets were 24 at Remington
Farms on March 28 (Grubers) and 30 at Rockville on April 3 (M. O’Brien). Late
Golden-crowns were 1 in Howard County on April 24 (Atkinson) and 1 at St.
Michaels on April 25 (Reese). High counts of migrating Ruby-crowned Kinglets
were 30 at McKeldin on April 16 (Ringler) and 10 at Fort Frederick SP on April 24
(Davidson). The first Blue-gray Gnatcatcher seen this year was at PWRC on April 2
(Droege).
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Thrushes, Mimids. Armistead reported that Eastern Bluebirds did surprisingly
well in southern Dorchester County where his party found 35 on April 24. Speicher
found 2 early Veeries at Woodend on April 27 and late birds were 2 banded at
Damsite on May 22 and 2 seen at St. Michaels on May 23 (Reese). As usual Gray-
cheeked Thrushes were scarce with 1 in Howard County on May 7 (Atkinson), 1
banded near Stevenson on May 11, 5 banded at Adventure May 13-25, and 1 at
Myrtle Grove WMA on May 28 (Jett). The first Swainson’s Thrushes were seen on
May 1 in Prince Georges County (Nistico) and Howard County (Farrell, Solem).
The only high count of Hermit Thrushes noted was 8 at Ocean City on April 24
(Reese); late birds were 2 banded at Damsite on May 2 and 1 banded at Adventure
on May 4. Early Wood Thrushes were 1 at Carey Run on April 19 (Walbeck), 1 at
Baltimore on April 21 (Ross), 1 in Wicomico County near Vienna on April 21
(Reese) and 1 in Howard County on April 21 (Chestem). Barbara Ross captured a
Wood Thrush near Stevenson on May 1 that had been banded there on Sept. 17,
1983. March reports of Gray Catbirds, which probably represent wintering birds
rather than early migrants, were single birds on Assateague on the 5th (Davidson,
Wierenga), at Hughes Hollow on the 5th (Elitzak) and at Denton on the 31st (R.
Fletcher). Early migrants were 1 at Easton on April 17 (Reese), 1 in Baltimore on
April 21 (Bohanan) and 1 banded at Adventure on April 23. Barbara Ross also had
returns of catbirds banded near Stevenson. On May 11 she caught one that had
been banded on Sept. 17, 1979 and on May 13 one which had been banded on Sept.
8, 1979. Probable wintering Brown Thrashers were 2 at Hughes Hollow on March 7
(Anderson) and 1 at Tanyard on March 20 (Engle).
Pipits, Waxwings, Shrikes. Water Pipits were almost absent this spring with
the only flock reported being 20 at Summit Hall on April 12 (Bonham). The largest
flocks of Cedar Waxwings reported were 90 on Green Ridge on March 3 (Simons),
75 at Trappe on May 1 (Reese), and 75 at St. Michaels on May 4 and 55 still there on
May 31 (Reese). The only Loggerhead Shrikes reported outside nesting locations
were 1 at Davidsonville on March 31 (Stasz) and 1 near the town of Patapsco on May
12-13 (Michelle Hudgins + ).
Vireos. Early White-eyed Vireos were 1 on Green Ridge on April 15 (Simons), 1 at
North Branch on April 16 (Twigg), 1 in Charles County on April 17 (Nistico), and 1
banded at Adventure on April 18. Some exceptionally early Solitary Vireos were 1
on Green Ridge on March 30 (Simons), 3 at Swallow Falls on April 3 (Hammer), and
1 at Bray Hill on April 9 (Skipper); interestingly all were in western Maryland.
Post-May Count Solitary Vireos were 1 at Charles Branch Park on May 15 (R. J.
Smith) and 1 at Hobbit’s Glen in Columbia on May 19 (Atkinson). The first Yellow-
throated Vireos of the season were found on April 24 in Charles County (Nistico), at
PWRC (Droege) and in Allegany County (Kiddy). Likewise, Warbling Vireos
appeared on April 24 with 1 at Big Pool (Davidson) and 1 at Spring Gap (Simons),
followed by Blom’s 8 birds at Sandy Hook on the 25th. Again these are all in the
western part of the state. Migrant Warbling Vireos noted at Coastal Plain sites
were single birds at PWRC on May 7 (Droege), at North Beach on May 7 (Stasz)
and at Denton on May 14 (Nuttle). A well-described Philadelphia Vireo, an out-
standing find in spring, was at Hazen Park on May 27 (Czaplak). April 24 again was
the first day for Red-eyed Vireos with single birds at McKeldin and Piney Run
(Ringler) and at PWRC (Droege). Reese counted 15 Red-eyes at Trappe on May 1
and Ross captured one on May 22 that had been banded near Stevenson on May 31,
1983.
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Warblers. There were remarkable numbers of early warblers this spring. Blue-
winged Warblers opened with 3 at Big Pool on April 24 (Davidson), 1 at McKeldin
the same day (Ringler), and 1 at Cresaptown on April 25 (Simons). Reese noted
high numbers of Blue-wings in Talbot County with 7 at St. Michaels on May 2 and 6
at Easton on May 8. In Garrett County where Blue-wings are rare there was 1 at
Bittinger on May 14 (Skipper) and 1 banded at Mt. Nebo on May 15. The first
Golden-winged Warbler of the season was at Cresaptown on April 23 (Simons) and
migrants in other parts of the state were 1 at Schooley Mill Park on May 2
(Atkinson), 1 at Rockville on May 9 (P. O’Brien), 1 at Sligo Creek Park on May 1;
(Gail Mackiernan), and 1 male at the Pickall area of Patapsco Valley State Park on
May 14 (Wilkinson). The “Brewster’s” hybrid appeared more often than usual with
1 banded at Adventure on May 4 and recaptured on May 6, 1 singing a hybrid song
at Damsite on May 9 (J. Gruber), 1 at Cylburn on May 10 (Yokel), 1 female at
Triadelphia on May 14 (Paul Zucker), and 1 at Finzel on May 28 (Blom + ). The only
“Lawrence’s” hybrid was a male at Schooley Mill Park on April 29 (Atkinson). An
exceptionally early Tennessee Warbler was at Cresaptown on April 23 (Simons)
and very early Nashville Warblers were 3 at McKeldin on April 24 (Ringler), 1 at
Cresaptown on April 25 (Simons), 1 at Sandy Hook on April 25 (Blom) and 1 banded
at Mt. Nebo on April 27. An extraordinary Northern Parula was observed singing
at Patuxent River Park on March 10 (Kearns), a month before the next arrivals; 1
was heard at McKeldin on April 10 (Ringler) and 1 at Seneca on April 11 (Warfield).
Early Yellow Warblers were 2 at Piney Run on April 22 (Ringler), 1 at Lilypons
on April 23 (Jim MacConnell), and 1 at Rawlings in Allegany County on April 23
(Simons). Chestnut-sided Warblers started with 1 in Prince Georges County on May
I (Nistico), 1 at Sycamore Landing on May 1 (Garland), 3 at Damsite on May 2
(Grubers), and 2 at St. Michaels on May 2 (Reese). Late Chestnut-sideds were 1 at
Flag Ponds on May 22 (Nistico) and 1 at St. Michaels on May 26 (Reese). Early
Magnolia Warblers were 1 at Damsite on April 25 (Grubers) and 1 at Fort
Smallwood on the 28th (Murphy); high counts were of 12 at Damsite on May 10
(Grubers) and 10 at Hobbitt’s Glen, Columbia on May 19 (Atkinson), and late
individuals were near Bellevue on May 28 (G. Armistead, Chris Witt) and 1 in
Rockburn Branch Park on June 1 (Sandy Meyerhoff). The first Cape May Warblers
of the spring were 1 at Trappe on May 1 (Reese) and 1 at Damsite on May 2
(Grubers), and the last was 1 at St. Michaels on May 20 (Reese). Early Black-
throated Blue Warblers were 1 in Howard County on April 27 (Atkinson), 1 in Prince
Georges County on May 1 (Nistico), and 1 at Trappe on May 1 (Reese); the high was 7
at Hobbitt’s Glen on May 11 (Atkinson) and a late bird was banded at Damsite on ! May
27. The first Yellow-rumped Warbler in Garrett County, where the species is rare
in winter, was seen on March 30 at Bray Hill (Skipper). Early reports of Black:
throated Green Warblers were 1 singing at Bray Hill on April 22 (Skipper), 1 at
PWRC on April 24 (Droege), and 1 at Pilot in Cecil County on April 26 (Blom); the
high count was 10 at Damsite on May 10 (Grubers). The first Blackburnian Warbler
was 1 at Pinto Marsh on April 25 (Simons), the high was 7 at Hobbitt’s Glen on May
II (Atkinson), and the latest migrants were 1 female on Piney Mountain, Allegany
County on May 21 (Kiddy) and 1 near Big Elk Creek on May 26 (Paul Spitzer).
Early Yellow-throated Warblers were 1 at Point of Rocks on March 29 (Warfield), 1
at Pennyfield on April 2 (Bill Freeman), 1 at Flag Ponds on April 9 (Stasz), 3 at
McKeldin on April 10 (Ringler), 1 at Denton on April 12 (R. Fletcher), and 1 at Rock
Run on April 13 (Blom).
Early Pine Warblers were 1 at Loch Raven on March 9 (Jenkins) and 3 on Green
Ridge on March 12 (Simons). An exceptionally early Prairie Warbler was at the
September 1988
MARYLAND BIRDLIFE
103
National Colonial Farm on April 2 (Nancy Csider, Lisa Bierer) and was followed by
1 banded at Adventure on April 18. Palm Warblers made an impressive showing
with early birds of 1 at Violet’s Lock on March 27 (Oberman), 1 at Piney Run on
April 2 (Ringler) and 1 at Centennial Park on April 3 (Mary Lou Clark), and peak
counts in the Piedmont where they are most plentiful in spring migration of at
least 16 at Centennial Park on April 15 (Farrell, Solem, Atkinson), 14 at McKeldin
on April 16 (Ringler) and 20 at Schooley Mill Park on April 17 (George Chase). Very
early Bay-breasted Warblers were 1 at Fort Smallwood on April 28 (Murphy) and 1
singing male at Spring Gap on May 1 (Ringler, Simons, Kiddy). The high count of
Bay-breasts was 11 at Rockville on May 13 (M. O’Brien) and a late bird was at
Greensboro on May 29 (Nuttle, C. Dorset). An early Blackpoll Warbler was at Fort
Smallwood on April 28 (Murphy) and late birds were 1 near Cumberland on May 31
(Simons) and 1 near Bowie on June 3 (M. O’Brien). The first Cerulean Warbler of the
season was at Pinto Marsh on April 25 (Simons) and Coastal Plain reports were of
single birds at Fort Smallwood on April 28 (Murphy), PWRC on May 2 (Droege),
Damsite on May 3 (Grubers), and Denton on May 20 (Nuttle, Dorset).
Very early Black-and-white Warblers were 1 at Accokeek on April 4 (Nistico) and
1 in Howard County on April 10 (Atkinson). The first American Redstarts of the
year appeared on April 24 with birds in Charles County (Nistico), at Damsite
(Grubers), at PWRC (Droege) and 5 at Big Pool (Davidson). A high count of 25
Redstarts was at Hobbitt’s Glen on May 11 (Atkinson) and a late migrant was at
St. Michaels on May 30 (Reese). The first Prothonotary Warbler of the year was 1
at Hughes Hollow on April 17 (Michael Martin) and there were three reports from
Howard County — on the Patapsco River on April 30 (Bonnie Ott), at Centennial
Park on May 4 (Hill), and 2 in the Orange Grove section of Patapsco Valley State
Park on May 14 (Hammer + ). Reports of Worm-eating Warblers included 1 on
Green Ridge on April 24 (Simons), 1 banded near Stevenson on April 26, 1 at turn
Suden Sanctuary on April 26 (Blom), and 2 at Trappe on May 1 (Reese). A
Swainson’s Warbler was seen in Linthicum in May (Connie Watts). This species
occasionally overshoots its expected range on the lower Eastern Shore. The first
Ovenbirds were in Charles and Prince Georges counties on April 14 (Nistico) and 1
at Cumberland on April 17 (Twigg). At Adventure Sanctuary 81 Northern Water-
thrushes were banded from April 24 through May 30. On the Eastern Shore a
Northern was at Trappe on May 1 (Reese) and 2 at Greensboro on May 29 (Nuttle,
Dorset). March reports of Louisiana Waterthrushes were of single birds at
Rockville on the 28th (M. O’Brien) and on Green Ridge on the 30th (Simons).
Early Kentucky Warblers were single birds at Colmar Manor Marsh on April 24
(Donovan), in Charles County on April 25 (Nistico), banded at Adventure on April
26, and near Stevenson on April 27 (Ross). Very rare in spring, a Connecticut
Warbler was banded at Mt. Nebo on May 21. Mourning Warblers made an early
showing with 1 at Bethesda on May 10 (Oberman), 1 banded at Broadford Run on
May 11 and another there on May 26, 1 seen at Mt. Nebo on May 14 (Thayer) and
birds banded there, May 21-27, 3 banded at Adventure from May 15-28, 1 at
Cylburn on May 19 (Yokel), 2 at Centennial Park on May 20 and 1 there the next
day (Atkinson), 1 at Hugg- Thomas WMA on May 21 (Harvey), 1 singing male at
Harford Glen on May 21 (Kirkwood), 1 at Woodstock in Baltimore County on May
22 (Ringler + ), and the only potential breeding bird of the lot, a singing male at
Swallow Falls State Park on May 29 (Blom + ). Early Common Yellowthroats were
singles at Easton on April 17 (Reese), in Charles County on April 17 (Nistico), and
at Rock Hall on April 18 (J. Gruber). The first Hooded Warblers of the season were
1 on Green Ridge on April 24 (Simons), 1 at Phoenix on April 24 (Simon), 1 at
104
MARYLAND BIRDLIFE
Vol. 44, No. 3
Sewell Pond, Calvert County on April 24 (Stasz), and in Charles and Prince
Georges counties the next day (Nistico). A Wilson’s Warbler near Milburn Landing
on May 8 (Davidson) was the only report from the Eastern Shore and late migrants
were 1 at North Branch on May 26 (Simons) and 1 banded at Broadford Run the
same day. Hammer counted 14 Canada Warblers at Glen Artney, Howard County
on May 14 and late migrants were 1 at Piney Run on May 28 (Ringler), 1 banded at
Adventure on May 29, 2 in Rockburn Branch Park on June 2 (Sandy Meyerhoff),
and 1 near Bowie on May 3 (M. O’Brien).
Tanagers. Unusual occurrences of the Summer Tanager west of the bay were a
male in DC on the early date of April 25 (Czaplak), 1 at the Pickall area of
Patapsco Valley State Park on May 15 (Wilkinson), and 1 at Lilypons on May 31
(Anderson). Summer Tanagers are not known to breed in any of these areas. Early
Scarlet Tanagers were singles at PWRC on April 24 (Droege), Big Pool on April 24
(Davidson), Lilypons on April 25 (Wilson), and in Howard County on April 25
(Frances Dawson). Reese found 12 Scarlet Tanagers at Trappe on May 1.
Cardinaline Finches . Early Rose-breasted Grosbeaks were 1 near the US Capitol
on April 26 (Atkinson), 1 in Howard County on April 27 (Atkinson), and 1 in Calvert
County on April 30 (Nistico). An exceptionally early Blue Grosbeak came to a
feeder at PNAS on April 21 (Rambo), 1 was at Blackwater on April 24 (Armistead
+ ), and 2 were at Trappe on May 1 (Reese). The only early Indigo Bunting was 1 at
Bray Hill on April 28 (Skipper). An Indigo Bunting that had been banded near
Stevenson on May 12, 1983 returned there on May 13 this year. Dickcissels
included 1 male near Broomes Island on May 14 (Stasz, Boyd), 3 birds near Keys-
ville on May 14-15 (Blom, Ringler), and 2 at Greensboro on May 28 (Westre) and 3
there the next day (Nuttle, Dorset).
Sparrows. A Rufous-sided Towhee on Green Ridge on March 12 (Simons) may
have been wintering there. The last sightings of American Tree Sparrows were 2 on
Green Ridge on March 3 (Simons), 2 at Cove Point on March 5 (Stasz), 1 at Piney
Run on March 12 (Ringler), and 10 at New Germany and 2 at Finzel on March 13
(Ringler, Simons). Chipping Sparrows appeared early in Allegany County again
with 1 near Cresaptown on March 5 and 2 on Green Ridge on March 25 (Simons).
Other early birds were 1 at Waldorf on March 20 (Jett) and 1 at North Beach on
March 25 (Stasz). High counts of Chipping Sparrows were 10 at McKeldin and 30 at
Piney Run on April 24 (Ringler). Simons noted Field Sparrows first singing in
Allegany County on March 20. Migrant Vesper Sparrows included 5 at Rockville on
March 29 (M. O’Brien), 1 at Bray Hill on April 10 (Skipper), and 1 at Eastern Neck
on April 19 (J. Gruber). Early Savannah Sparrows were 1 at North Beach on March
25 (Stasz), 1 in Howard County on March 26 (Atkinson) and 2 at Liberty Reservoir
on March 27 (Ringler). High counts of Savannahs were 17 at Easton on April 17
(Reese), 20 in southern Dorchester County on April 24 (Armistead + ), and 22 at
Cove Point on April 24 (Stasz). Early Grasshopper Sparrows were 1 banded at
Adventure on April 17, 1 in Howard County on April 24 (Atkinson), 1 near Black-
water on April 24 (Armistead + ), and 2 at Rock Hall on April 26 (J. Gruber). Reese
counted a high of 18 Grasshopper Sparrows at Ridgely on May 22. The only
Henslow’s Sparrow of the season was at its usual Elliott location on May 14
(Armistead + ). Stasz found a Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Cove Point on April 24 and 1
of the nominate race at North Beach on May 7 followed by 10 birds of mixed races
at the latter site on May 10. All are presumed migrants there. Stasz also reported
a Seaside Sparrow at North Beach on April 18 and 8 at Cove Point on April 24. A
September 1988
MARYLAND BIRDLIFE
105
first for DC was a Seaside Sparrow at Anacostia Naval Air Station on May 7
(Czaplak + ).
A modest high of 6 Fox Sparrows was at Rockville on March 29 (M. O’Brien) and
late birds were 1 at Downsville, Washington County on April 3 (Mallonee) and 1 in
Howard County on April 15 (Atkinson). Reports of Lincoln’s Sparrows included an
early one at Cresaptown on April 26 (Simons), 1 at Schooley Mill Park on May 4
(Nancy Magnusson), 1 at Flag Ponds on May 8 (Stasz), 1 banded at Damsite on May
9, 6 banded at Adventure, May 13-27, 5 banded near Stevenson on May 20, and 1 at
Pinto Marsh on May 29 (Kiddy). The first migrant Swamp Sparrow was noted at
Rockville on March 29 (M. O’Brien) and late migrants were banded at Damsite on
May 15 and Adventure on May 23. Late White-throated Sparrows were 1 at Denton
on May 16 (Knotts), 1 banded near Stevenson on May 20, and 1 banded at Adven-
ture on May 21. Reese found 5 White-crowned Sparrows at Easton on April 17 and
late migrants were 1 at Downsville on May 13 (Mallonee) and 1 at St. Michaels on
May 19 (Reese). A very late Dark-eyed Junco was at Denton on May 16 (Knotts).
Icterines. There were several reports of Bobolinks in April, at Colmar Manor
Marsh on the 24th (Donovan), in Howard County on the 29th (Atkinson), a male at
Gortner on the 30th (Ringler + ), in Charles County on the 30th (Nistico), 3 near
Rising Sun on the 30th (Fogleman), and birds at Bradenbaugh from the 30th
through May 28 with a peak in May of 300 (Kirkwood). Other high counts were 40
at Nottingham on May 6 (Kearns), 200 at Rockville on May 8 (Oberman), 100 on
New Design Road on May 8 (Garland) and 25 at Pinto Marsh on May 15 (Simons).
Another late Bobolink was a female near Patapsco in Carroll County on May 28
(Davidson). High counts of Rusty Blackbirds were 30 at Finzel on March 13
(Ringler, Simons), 150 at Hughes Hollow on March 15 (Wilson), 18 at Easton on
April 3 (Reese), and 10 at Jug Bay on April 24 (Osenton). The last Rusty reported
was 1 at North Branch on May 7 (Kiddy). Wilson estimated 40 Boat-tailed Grackles
at Ocean City on March 7. Early Orchard Orioles found on April 24 were 1 at
Damsite (Grubers), 1 at PWRC (Droege), 2 in southern Dorchester County
(Armistead + ) and 1 at Fletcher’s Boathouse in DC (Peter Kaestner). Early
Northern Orioles were 1 at Denton on April 21 (Nuttle), 1 at Woodend on April 22
(Speicher), 1 at PWRC on April 24 (Droege), and 2 at Big Pool on April 24
(Davidson).
Fringillids. Purple Finches were scarce in most places but good flocks were 115
on Green Ridge on March 25 (Simons), 30 at Denton on March 29 (Hewitt), and 30
banded at Snydersburg on April 15 (Schwemmer). By contrast there were lots of
Pine Siskins around, especially in western Maryland, with the big flocks being 60
at Bray Hill on March 9 (Skipper), 40 near Cresaptown on March 13 (Simons,
Ringler), 150 at Mountain Lake Park on March 15 (Pope), 78 at Cumberland on
March 18 (Kiddy), and 40 at Bryans Road on April 9-10 (Nistico). Most of these
birds were at feeders. The big event of the season was the first confirmed nesting
of Pine Siskin in the state when a group from the Brooks Bird Club of West Virginia
discovered an active nest with three young at Swallow Falls State Park on April
24-25 (Nevada Laitsch + ). The nesting apparently was unsuccessful. At PWRC
Kathy Klimkiewicz banded 2 females with eggs in the oviduct on May 1. Many
siskins remained late into the spring and early summer causing speculation that
there may have been other attempts. Some of the late birds were 1 at Centennial
Park on May 20 (Atkinson), 1 at Bryans Road on May 21 (Nistico), 1 at Bray Hill on
May 27 (Skipper), 1 at Cumberland on May 28 (Kiddy), 8 at a Bethesda feeder
through May 31 (David Horn), and several at Mountain Lake Park on June 1 (Pope).
106
MARYLAND BIRDLIFE
Vol. 44, No. 3
Evening Grosbeaks were scarcer with 11 at Snydersburg on April 13 (Schwemmer),
40 at Bray Hill on April 22 (Skipper), 60 at Swallow Falls on April 30 (Ringler + ),
and 5 at Denton on April 30 (Nuttle). Late Evening Grosbeaks were 2 at Cumber-
land on May 6 (Kiddy) and 1 at Bray Hill on May 15 (Skipper).
6272 Pinyon Pine Court, Eldersburg, MD 21 784
ANNUAL REPORTS OF COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN
ATLAS COMMITTEE
The matching-grant challenge for the Atlas that was announced at the last con-
vention has been successfully met. Eight chapters raised a total of $5,232, ensur-
ing a matching sum of $5,000. This $10,232 is earmarked for the Atlas book to help
ensure a quality result. Our benefactor has chosen to remain anonymous, so we
can’t thank him openly. However, we want to express our great appreciation for
this gesture and pledge that the money will be well spent.
We thank the chapters and all their members who participated and made it
possible to achieve this goal. I would like to recognize the Howard County Chapter
in particular. They conducted their own matching grant within the chapter and
raised a record $1,847. Again, on behalf of the Atlas I thank everyone who con-
tributed.
John Cullom, Atlas-MOS Representative
CAVITY-NESTER COMMITTEE
The Maryland Ornithological Society Trails (MOST) report for 1987 is very en-
couraging. A total of 119 reports were received by members, who monitored 1,075
nesting boxes throughout the state.
Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis) nested in 630 of the nesting boxes and fledged
2,905 young. House Wrens ( Troglodytes aedon) nested in 59. Tree Swallows
( Tachycineta bicolor ) raised young in 34. Carolina Wrens ( Thryothorus ludovi-
cianus) used 2. Carolina Chickadees ( Parus carolinensis) were successful in 30.
Tufted Titmice (Parus bicolor ) occupied 4. One Great Crested Flycatcher ( Myiar -
chus crinitus) used a 5 x 5 inch box with a 9/16 inch entrance hole.
While the statewide totals were impressive, I can’t help but wonder what the
totals would have been if every chapter had been as well organized as the Howard
Chapter. Co-chairmen Joe Suess and Mark Wallace with the help of 53 volunteers
monitored 489 boxes, which produced 1386 bluebird fledglings, 51 chickadees, 5
titmice, 14 Carolina Wrens and 208 House Wrens. Tree Swallows were unsuc-
cessful in their nesting attempts in 1987. The 1,386 bluebird fledglings hatched
from 1,981 eggs laid for a success ratio of 69%. A campaign to eradicate House
Sparrows (Passer domesticus) should improve nesting success. Although between
1,400 and 1,500 House Sparrows were trapped or eggs destroyed in 1987, they still
remain a threat.
September 1988
MARYLAND BIRDLIFE
107
While several chapters are doing an excellent job for the MOST project, some
chapter presidents have not even appointed a MOST chairperson. The ideal
situation would be to have all data compiled by a chairperson in each chapter. This
is especially important now that the "Chickadee Checkoff’ bill has been passed.
MOS can be extremely helpful in promoting programs that will benefit non-game
birds by demonstrating the capability of organizing such a project. The MOST pro-
ject is an excellent opportunity for members to demonstrate their love for birds by
becoming directly involved in helping them.
MOS can be proud of the assistance provided for the Atlas project; now let’s
make the MOST project another example of what can be accomplished through a
united volunteer effort.
Delos Dupree, Chairman
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE
The Investment Committee maintained a conservative portfolio strategy over
the past year. Because of stock market and interest rate gyrations, a clear invest-
ment direction did not emerge to meet the Board of Directors’ charge to the
Investment Committee.
The bulk of the MOS investments remained in money market funds and long-
term bonds. No change in this investment strategy is likely to come about until the
market future becomes more predictable, should that happen.
John C. Barber , Chairman
PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE
During the past 12 months we completed 8 quarterly issues of Maryland
Birdlife , 4 of which are either in the mail or awaiting mailing. We are presently
working on the September 1987 issue. It has been taking up to 6 months from the
time we send an issue to the printer until members receive the printed copy in the
mail. We are working on ways to reduce this lag, one of which will be to have the
printer do the mailing. We urge Chapter Presidents and Committee Chairmen to
submit their annual reports at the Annual Conference, or as soon thereafter as
possible.
Volunteers from the Howard County Chapter have been a tremendous help in
assembling instructions and reference materials for the 43 species authors of the
Maryland/DC Breeding Bird Atlas book. We can save $100 in postage if authors
will pick up their packets from Rick Blom during the Conference and if a repre-
sentative from each Chapter will hand carry packets to authors from his Chapter
who are not at the Conference. We would like to have first drafts for all species in
Rick Blom’s hands by September 1. 1988.
A separate report on the Maryland Yellowthroat will be submitted by Mark
Hoffman.
ChandlerS. Robbins, Chairman
108
MARYLAND BIRDLIFE
Vol. 44, No. 3
MARYLAND ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY, INC.
Financial Report
May 1, 1987 through April 30, 1988
Budget Item: Budget Actual Total
Income:
Dues
Operating Fund
$11,000.00
$10,486.00
Transfer, Endowment Fund
390.00
390.00
Conference Income
1,200.00
2,419.22
Interest Income
Investments
1,020.00
1,020.00
Pooled funds
1,650.00
1,224.95
Income, publications
500.00
276.00
Membership pins
310.00
Contribution, mail permit
25.00
25.00
Miscellaneous income
1,037.03
Total Income
15,785.00
17,188.20
Expenses:
Publications Committee
Maryland Birdlife (6 issues)
Printing
6,600.00
7,511.75
Postage
558.25
558.25
Supplies & Misc.
650.00
Yellowthroat
Printing
2,000.00
1,893.91
Postage
650.00
668.71
Supplies & Misc.
80.00
5.62
Total, Publications
10,700.00
10,638.24
Administrative & Office
Executive Secretary stipend
2,400.00
2,400.00
Postage
350.00
291.94
Bulk mailing permits
80.00
75.00
Bulk mailing
200.00
Membership list maintenance
913.81
913.81
Printing & duplication
250.00
176.93
Office supplies & misc.
100.00
341.75
Membership pins
584.82
584.82
Total Office Expense
4,878.63
4,784.25
Conference Committee 1987
1,200.00
1,200.00
Conference Committee 1988
510.38
Eagle Committee
565.00
Education Committee
100.00
Library Committee
200.00
220.00
Records Committee
125.00
118.80
Research Committee
1,195.00
527.00
Transfer to Atlas Project
1,000.00
1,000.00
Transfer to Scholarship Fund
555.00
100.39
September 1988
MARYLAND BIRDLIFE
109
Budget Item:
Budget
Actual
Total
Affiliations and memberships
$135.00
$135.00
Winter atlas
Contingencies
100.00
200.00
104.18
Total Committees
5,375.00
3,915.75
Total Operating Expenses
Operating Fund May 1, 1987
Current value, Operating Fund
20,953.63
Sanctuary Fund
19,338.24
25,587.19
23,437.15
Income:
Contributions
1,500.00
563.29
Transfer from Endowment Fund 2,530.00
3,969.43
Interest Income — pooled fund
1,040.00
1,694.06
Sales, Sanctuary Signs
250.00
636.50
Use of Sanctuaries
Refund, insurance
1,100.00
1,609.20
729.00
Total Income, Sanctuaries
6,420.00
9,201.48
Expenses:
Adventure, banding project
200.00
190.16
Carey Run
General Maintenance
1,175.00
375.00
Utilities
200.00
175.48
Fire insurance
130.00
130.00
Incidentals
200.00
185.72
Total, Carey Run
1,705.00
866.20
Irish Grove
General maintenance
1,800.00
267.49
Utilities
375.00
478.16
Fuel
500.00
477.75
Taxes
1,100.00
932.52
Fire insurance
350.00
346.00
Donation, Marion FD
Incidentals
50.00
200.00
50.00
Total, Irish Grove
4,375.00
2,551.92
turn Suden
General maintenance
500.00
229.59
Fire insurance
Incidentals
550.00
200.00
407.00
Total turn Suden
Mill Creek — incidentals
1,250.00
200.00
636.59
General liability insurance
2,600.00
3,535.74
General contingency
1,000.00
883.03
Total Expenses
11,330.00
8,663.64
Sanctuary Fund, May 1, 1987
Current Value, Sanctuary Fund
21,690.02
22,227.86
110
MARYLAND BIRDLIFE
Vol. 44, No. 3
Budget Item:
Budget
Actual
Total
Sanctuary Endowment Fund
Income:
Life membership
$200.00
$200.00
Interest income
Investments
1,450.00
2,228.00
Pooled funds
Contributions
1,470.00
2,131.43
258.90
Total income
3,120.00
4,818.33
Expenses:
Transfer to Operating Fund
390.00
390.00
(life member support)
Transfer, Sanctuary Fund
2,530.00
3,969.43
Total expenses 2,920.00
Sanctuary Endowment, May 1, 1987
Current value, Endowment Fund
Scholarship Fund
4,359.43
53,157.09
53,615.99
Income:
Contributions
World Nature Association
Jimmy Wood Scholarship
1,000.00
695.00
425.00
454.53
Interest income
Investments
585.00
585.00
Pooled funds
1,240.00
1,709.61
Transfer from Operating Fund
For 86/87 scholarships
555.00
100.39
1,050.00
Total income
4,500.00
3,899.53
Expenses:
Helen Miller Scholarships
1,390.00
1,345.00
Chandler S. Robbins Scholarship
495.00
525.00
Eleanor C. Robbins Scholarship
495.00
525.00
Orville Crowder Scholarship
695.00
695.00
Jimmy Wood Scholarship
425.00
525.00
Total expenses 3,500.00
Scholarship Fund, May 1. 1987
Current value, Scholarship Fund
Atlas Project
3,615.00
28,074.10
28,358.63
Income:
Contributions
800.00
35.00
Transfer, Operating Fund
1,000.00
1,000.00
MOS conference, raffle &
auction
Birdathon
Matching grant
1,200.00
756.25
1,470.35
3,195.00
Total income
3,000.00
6,456.60
September 1988
MARYLAND BIRDLIFE
111
Budget Item:
Budget
Actual
Total
Expenses:
Travel
$600.00
$102.80
Telephone
600.00
188.17
Blockbusting
500:00
575.00
Newsletter
250.00
Postage
300.00
32.79
Special convention trip
350.00
292.00
Miscellaneous
400.00
62.43
Total expenses
3,000.00
1,253.19
Atlas Fund, May 1, 1987
Current value, Atlas Fund
3,703.36
8,906.77
**************************************************************************
Current Financial Status:
Sovran Bank (checking)
T. Rowe Price
Reserve Group
Investments:
Operating Fund, McDermott, Inc.
Sanctuary Endowment Fund
Source Capital
Niagara Mohawk
Ohio Bell
General Telephone, SW
Scholarship Fund
Dayton Power
Virginia Electric Power
Pooled Funds
Potomac Electric
Total — all funds
1,968.21
84,550.02
7,386.27
9,901.07
12,059.47
4,983.15
3,693.75
5,129.92
2,190.00
3,992.04
692.50
136,546.40
AUDITING COMMITTEE
I have examined the financial records of the Maryland Ornithological Society for
the year May 1, 1987 through April 30, 1988. In my opinion the records are in
excellent shape and accurately present the financial position of the Society.
Rodney B. Jones , Chairman
LIBRARY COMMITTEE
Requests for copies of Maryland Birdlife have been filled for the libraries of the
Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology in Los Angeles, California, and for
McGill University in Montreal. I have also supplied full sets of Maryland Birdlife
to several chapters and a sanctuary during the year, and will accept further
requests from individuals or chapters. For chapters there is no charge; for
individuals the cost is $100 for a complete set or $1 per issue.
Brooke Meanley, well known author of books about birds of Maryland, marsh
birds in particular, informed us of the availability of the field notes of three
pioneer Maryland birders: Frank C. Kirkwood, William H. Fisher, and John
Sommer. These men were active in the study of Maryland birds in the late 1800s
and early 1900s. See the September 1987 issue of Maryland Birdlife for Mr.
Meanley’s account of these people.
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We will have the collection of field notes microfilmed, perhaps making several
copies so they will be available to bird students. The original collection and its
copies will be kept at Cylburn Mansion in a file cabinet purchased to accommodate
them.
It was John Sommer’s unfulfilled desire to update Kirkwood’s 1895 Birds of
Maryland with these field notes. His son, John Sommer, who is making this fine
gift to MOS, suggests we pick up the challenge and publish a Birds of Maryland in
1995. This is something we’d all like to see, I’m sure.
While I was speaking with Mr. Meanley about these matters, he offered us some
copies of his own books: Natural History of the King Rail (1969) and The Marsh
Hen, A Natural History of the Clapper Rail of the Atlantic Coast Salt Marsh
(1985). We are most grateful for this gift and will add the books to the Irish Grove
collection.
Joy Wheeler, Chairman
LONG RANGE PLANNING COMMITTEE
Last year’s Long Range Planning report indicated that the committee was
examining whether the state organization should take a larger role in improving
the field birding skills of its members.
The response reflected the feeling that no major need currently exists because
numerous options are already available for almost all skill levels:
1. local chapter field trips;
2. chapter-sponsored identification programs;
3. The Yellowthroat's comprehensive calendar;
4. state-sponsored events, i.e., the lister’s trip, convention field trips;
5. regional “hot lines” which pinpoint rarities;
6. an increasing number of specialized field guides and recordings;
7. professionally led trips sponsored by numerous organizations and individuals
to almost any part of the United States or the world;
8. several national organizations that serve field birders with journals, which
contain aids to field identification problems and site guides.
Although there seemed to be a reluctance to have the state organization
sponsor events, several people suggested that perhaps some of MOS’ excellent
field birders could offer their own day or weekend workshops on a single topic
such as gulls, rails, hawks, or shorebirds. This experience would include lectures,
skins, handouts, slides, and field experience. There might well be a steady, though
limited, market for this type of program.
Complaints of a drop in field trip participation at a local level were also voiced.
As a birder progresses beyond a beginning level, there seems to be increasing
individual rather than group participation, which must be expected. The possi-
bility exists that some chapters are losing participants because of the total pre-
dictability of their schedule. Variety in trips and identification presentations may
revitalize interest. More joint trips with neighboring chapters could share the
abilities of good leaders as well as introduce members to new areas.
Joanne K. Solem, Chairman
September 1988
MARYLAND BIRDLIFE
113
MOS RECORDS COMMITTEE
Report for May 31, 1987 — May 31, 1988
The MOS Records Committee began reviewing records in 1983. These reviews
are made by correspondence among the members, so it often takes considerable
time to reach a decision. At any given moment there are records which have been
reviewed, records in circulation, and records waiting to be circulated for the first
time.
Through May 31, 1988, the Records Committee has taken up 132 records; these
records have been listed periodically in The Maryland Yellow throat. Final deci-
sions have been reached on 96 records to date. Observers who submit documen-
tation for a particular record receive a letter indicating the committee’s decision,
including reasons for a record not being accepted if that was the outcome. Deci-
sions are then published in The Maryland Yellowthroat , to inform members and
readers about the status of species in Maryland, including new additions to the
checklist. Additions were incorporated in the new edition of the Field Checklist of
Maryland & DC Birds, jointly published by MOS and Audubon Naturalist Society
in 1986.
During the 12-month period up to May 31, 1988, the MOSRC took up 35 new
records for review, came to a final decision on 41 records, and continued discus-
sion on another 16 records. The criteria for deciding which records need to be
reviewed were published in The Maryland Yellowthroat 6(l):l-2 (1986). The
MOSRC completed a revision of these criteria this year at its annual meeting, and
the results will appear in an upcoming issue of The Maryland Yellowthroat. These
criteria will continue to be revised as new information about population levels,
range expansions or declines, and status at the Federal level becomes available.
Decisions about any particular record may be reevaluated if new information
comes to the attention of the committee.
Erika Wilson, Secretary
SANCTUARY COMMITTEE
The following activities have been occurring at our Sanctuaries this past year.
Both Mill Creek and Pelot Sanctuaries have proposed construction on proper-
ties adjacent to them. Talbot Chapter is monitoring the proposed development
next to Mill Creek, while Caroline Chapter is watching out for Pelot.
Some time this year Rick Blom will be moving out of turn Suden. The Harford
Chapter is in the process of preparing proposals for the future use of this sanc-
tuary.
Carey Run Sanctuary is in fairly good shape. The annual work weekend helps
keep the house and grounds in order. The increased use of three wheeled bikes on
the sanctuary and adjacent properties has created paths that are easy walking,
but leaves the ground on the paths bare and vulnerable to erosion. There are too
many access points to make it feasible to try to prohibit entry to these vehicles.
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Vol. 44, No. 3
Progress is being made at Irish Grove Sanctuary. The Irish Grove Committee
has been hard at work. In addition to the annual fall work weekend a spring work
weekend was held. The work being done is in two main areas — the house and trail
building. In the house the plumbing has been replaced with new pipes, thanks to
the heroic efforts of Jeff Effinger. However, we are not able to hook up the hot
water as the electrical system is in terrible shape. We now need an heroic elec-
trician to rewire the place. In addition to maintaining the present trails, new trails
are being built, including one to the north end of the property. Bridges and obser-
vation platforms are scheduled to be built at the work weekend this coming fall.
Application for a permit to replace the tide gate off the canal has been made. When
this gate is replaced the area behind the house will be protected from normal high
tide intrusions. The Maryland Natural Resources Department is in the process of
evaluating Irish Grove for inclusion in the conservation easement program under
the Maryland Environmental Trust. Inclusion in this program would defer our
property taxes for fifteen years.
I want to thank the many people who have worked so hard this year to help keep
our sanctuaries secure for inhabiting wildlife and visiting naturalists.
Dorothy Mumford, Chairman
SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE
The Scholarship Committee is pleased to report the winners of three scholar-
ships awarded annually for attendance at National Audubon Ecology Workshops.
Mrs. Linda Behrens, Biology Teacher at Perry Hall High School, is winner of a
Helen Miller Scholarship and will be attending the Audubon Ecology Camp in
Maine. Mr. J. Thomas Congersky, Science Teacher at Edgewood Senior High
School, is winner of a Helen Miller Scholarship and will be attending the Audubon
Ecology Camp in the West. Mrs. Aline Novak, Biology Teacher at Clear Spring
High School, is winner of the Orville Crowder Memorial Scholarship and will be
attending the Audubon Ecology Camp in Maine.
The Scholarship Committee is pleased to report the following winners of our
three Ornithology Scholarships. Ms. Nancy Csider, Naturalist at the 30th St.
Nature Center and the Watkins Nature Center, is winner of the Chandler S.
Robbins Scholarship and will be attending the Field Ornithology Workshop at the
Audubon Camp in Maine. Mr. Steven Sarro, Senior Keeper at the Bird Depart-
ment of Baltimore Zoo, is winner of the Eleanor C. Robbins Scholarship and will be
attending the Field Ornithology Workshop at the Audubon Camp in Maine. Mrs.
Pearle Howell, Earth Science Teacher at Mount St. Mary’s college and Outdoor
Education Specialist at the Fairview Outdoor Education Center, is winner of the
Jimmy Wood Memorial Scholarship and will be attending the Field Ornithology
Workshop at the Audubon Camp in Maine.
As always the Committee is very grateful to all the chapters that have located
these excellent candidates for our scholarships. These workshops provide
information and inspiration which will be passed along to all those with whom our
scholarship winners work or have contact. We are grateful to all those who
support the Scholarship Program of our Society.
Mildred Gebhard, Chairman
September 1988
MARYLAND BIRDLIFE
115
LAWRENCE’S WARBLER IN HOWARD COUNTY
Robert F. Ringler
On the morning of Saturday, September 6, 1986, while birding in the Triadel-
phia Reservoir watershed at the Green Bridge Road boat ramp area, I observed an
adult male “Lawrence’s” hybrid, a recessive hybrid form of the Blue-winged
Warbler (Vermivora pinus) and the Golden-winged Warbler (V. chrysoptera). I
was alone at the time and after checking the mudflats for shorebirds I turned my
attention to the small land birds, which seemed plentiful on this particular
morning.
Within a few minutes I noticed the "Lawrence’s” in the top of a locust tree,
feeding actively. The entire time I watched it (several minutes) it remained about
30-40 feet up in the treetops and was occasionally approached by other warblers,
but could not be considered with any of them. This was just a mixed flock feeding
after the night’s flight.
The bird had the general appearance of a small passerine and was similar in size
to the other birds near it, mostly Tennessee Warblers (V. peregrina). It had the
short pointed black bill of most warblers. The underparts were entirely bright
yellow with the exception of the solid black throat that contrasted sharply with
the yellow underparts. The face was yellow with a triangular black mask, narrow
at the lores and broad at the ears, covering the eye and the area immediately
below it. The back was greenish-gray; the tail and wings were gray with yellowish
wing bars. The legs were black.
This is the first observation of the “Lawrence’s” hybrid in Howard County and
the latest report for the state. There are only two other fall records for Maryland:
one banded at the Adventure Sanctuary station on August 22, 1977 and one seen
by Brooke Meanley at Patuxent Wildlife Research Center on September 4, 1942.
6272 Pinyon Pine Court, Eldersburg, MD 21 784
AERIAL INSECT CATCHING BY COMMON TERNS
JamesStasz
From 6:30 to 7:55 p.m. on August 27, 1987 I observed Common Terns (Sterna
hirundo) catching insects. The sight of Laughing Gulls (Larus atricilla) or Ring-billed
Gulls (L. Philadelphia ) catching insects in flight is so frequent that it is scarcely
worthy of a note, although Bent 11921) mentions this habit only for the latter species.
This evening several hundred larids were engaged in catching insects over the north
end of North Beach, Calvert County, Maryland. About 150 Laughing Gulls, 25 Ring-
billed Gulls, and more than 50 Common Terns were performing aerial acrobatics in
pursuitofprey.
The main feeding area extended about one-quarter mile from north to south, from
150 feet offshore to 150 feet inland, and from altitudes of 50 to 250 feet. The gulls
tended to concentrate over land and at lower altitudes (50 to 150 feet); the terns
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rarely dropped below 75 feet, usually staying above 150 feet, and they seldom
strayed inland. All birds shared a similar flight pattern, with prolonged circling
glides, occasional short tumble dives and burst of powerful strokes to regain
altitude.
Although Forster’s Terns (S. forsteri) outnumbered Common Terns by three to
one on the nearby pier, only Common Terns were observed hawking insects. I took
special care to identify as many individuals as possible and noted a higher ratio of
adults to immatures among the flycatching terns than among the Common Terns
restingon the pier.
The kind of insect is not known. Although the birds could apparently detect them
with ease, I was not able to spot any with lOx binoculars, even though the light
conditions were excellent. i
Reference: Bent, A. C. 1921. Life Histories of North American Gulls and Terns.
Smithsonian Institution, United States National Museum Bull. 113 (republished
1963, Dover Publications).
P.O. Box 71, NorthBeach, MD20714
CONTENTS, SEPTEMBER 1988
Attacking Behavior of a Fledgling Peregrine Joy Wheeler 71
Bald Eagles on the Patapsco River Karen Skuldt 72
Minutes of the Annual Meeting Patricia J. Moore 73
Annual Reports of Local Chapters , Chapter Presidents 76
The Season: Spring Migration
March 1 - May 31, 1988 Robert F. Ringler 84
Annual Reports of Committee Chairmen Committee Chairmen . .-. 106
Lawrence’s Warbler in Howard County Robert F. Ringler 115
Aerial Insect Catching by Common Terns James Stasz 115
MARYLAND BIRDLIFE
Published Quarterly by the Maryland Ornithological Society, Inc. to Record and
Encourage the Study of Birds in Maryland.
Editor: Chandler S. Robbins, 7900 Brooklyn Bridge Rd., Laurel, Md. 20707
(725-1176)
Assoc. Editor: Robert F. Ringler, 6272 Pinyon Pine Ct., Eldersburg, Md. 21784
Asst. Editors: Eirik A.T. Blom, 1618 Somerville Rd., Bel Air, Md. 21014
Mark Hoffman, 313 Fernwood Dr., Severna Park, Md. 21146
James Stasz, 14741 Oden Bowie Rd., Upper Marlboro 20772
Mailing: Baltimore County Chapter
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