MARYLAND BIRDLIFE oj- iliE <^A/{a%ijtand (DvzLtfiotocjLcat J^ocizhtj, {Jnc . .unoiz fU’tn t aniLon. Maryland Ornithological Society, Inc, Cylbum Mansion, 491 5 Greenspring Ave. , Baltimore, Maryland 21209 State Officers President: Mr, V, Edwin Unger, West Central Ave., Federalsburg 21632 754-2291 First V.P. : Dr. W. Rowland Taylor, 1540 Northbourne Rdl, , Baltimore 21212 ID3-1803 Second V.P.: Mr. Chandler S. Robbins, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, Md. 20810 776-6760 Treasurer: Mr. Winfield Henning, 113 Jacobs Ave. Bridge ville, Delaware 19933 Area 302-337-7280 Secretary Mrs. Edwin C. Gras, 125 Academy St., Annapolis 21401 003-4-708 Exec. Sec'y: Miss Mildred F. Cole, 4201 Belmar Ave., Baltimore 21206 HA6-0190 Executive Council Mrs. Robert E. Kaestner, 6005 Lakehurst Dr., Baltimore 21210 DR7-8990 Mr. Marvin V/. Hewitt, Greensboro, 21639 HU2-5731 Dr. Howard Hodge, 436 W. Greenwood Rd. , Linthicum Heights 21090 ST9-3687 Mrs. Edward Mendinhall, R. D. 2, Chestertown 21620 778-3691 Mr. Carl W, Carlson, 5706 Lone Oak Dr., Bethesda 20014 EM5-3836 Mr. David Bridge, 12A Plateau Place, Greenbelt 20770 474-1463 Mrs. E. 0. Hulbert, Double Mills Farm, Rte 4, Easton 21601 TA2-0996 State Trustees Allegany: Anne Arundel Baltimore: Caroline: Frederick: Harford: ♦Mrs. Leo Isaacs Miss Nan Livingstone ♦Miss Miriam Parraenter Miss Dorothy Mumford ♦Dr. W. Rowland Taylor Montgomery: Mr. Compton Crook Mr. Irving E. Hampe Patuxent: Mr. Chandler S. Robbins Mrs. Robert E. Kaestner Talbot: ♦Mr. Marvin W. Hewitt Mrs. Carol Scudder ♦Mrs. Mary S. Motherway Wicomico: Dr. Howard Hodge ♦ Chapter President Kent ♦Mrs. Grace H* Wright Miss Estella Everett ♦Mrs* Daniel Z. Gibson Mrs. Edward Mendinhall ♦Mr. Carl W. Carlson Mrs* Marjorie L. Golee ♦Mr. Morris R. Collins Mr. David Bridge ♦Mrs. Edwin C. Hulbert Miss Edith Adkins Mr. Richard Kleen ♦Mr. Robert Heatwole Mr. J. Roy Howie Active Membership (adults) Junior Membership (under 18 years) Family Membership (Mr. & Mrs.) Sustaining Membership Life Membership Cut - of - State Membership j> 2.00 plus local chapter dues ,50 plus local chapter dues 3.00 plus local chapter dues 5.00 plus local chapter dues 100.00 (payable in 4 annual installments) $2.00 (Maryland Birdlife only^j Cover: Prairie Warbler at Nest Photo by V. Edwin Unger Headings: Irving E. Hampe, Art Editor MARYLAND BIRDLIFE ^Pu(jCii(iE.d. Isrij tfzs. Anne Arundel Co. HOUSE WREN 4 --Incubating, May 15; newly hatched young in nest, August 10, Baltimore Co. LONG-BILLED MARSH WREN 1- -Incubating, June 8, Anne Arundel Co. MOCKINGBIRD 3 --Young and eggs recorded during June and July. CATBIRD 9- -Building, May 15; young in nest to August 7, Anne Arundel Co. BROWN THRASHER 4 --Young in nest, May 26, Anne Arundel Co. ROBIN l4- -Nesting activity from April 13 through July 1, Montgomery Co. WOOD THRUSH 12 --Three young on May 29, Anne Arundel Co. EASTEI^N BLUEBIRD 3“-Nesting activity from May 13 (Caroline Co.) to August 27 (Mont. Co.). BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER 2— Nest building on April 26, Prince Georges Co. STARLING 5:6--Eggs on May 5, Prince Georges Co.; young on June 29, Howard Co. RED-EYED VTRE0 5-"Bggs on June 12; 2 nests with cowbird eggs. PR0TH0N0TARY WARBLER 1--Five young, June l8, Worcester Co. PINE WARBLER 1- -Young in nest, June l8, Worcester Co. PRAIRIE WARBLER l--Four young in nest, June l4, Anne Arundel Co. 0VENBIRD 2 — Six young in nest on June 18, Worcester Co. KENTUCKY WARBLER 1- -Incubating on May 27, Anne Arundel Co. YELL0WTHR0AT 1- -Building on July 12, Anne Arundel Co. YELLOW -BREASTED CHAT 1 — Three young on July 15, Prince Georges Co. HOUSE SPARROW 3 --Young in nest as late as August 2, Anne Arundel Co. RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD 197- -Most in Queen Annes Co.; earliest with eggs, May 26. Largest clutch, 4 eggs. ORCHARD ORIOLE 1--Feeding young on June 20, Caroline Co. BALTIMORE ORIOLE 4--Building, May l6, Baltimore Co. 10 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Vol. 23. No. 1 BOAT-TAILED GRACKLE 1 :* --Thirty-five young handed, May 26- June 23* COMMON GRACKLE 1— In duck nest box, PWRC, May 12. BROWN -HEADED COWBIRD 3 — Two in nests of Red-eyed Vireo; 1 fed hy Song Sparrow. SCARLET TANAGER 1- -Incubating on May 29 , Baltimore Co. CARDINAL 9 — Eggs on May 7 (Anne Arundel Co.); newly hatched young on August 2 (Caroline Co.). INDIGO BUNTING l--Four eggs on June 9, Anne Arundel Co. AMERICAN GOLDFINCH 3 --First egg on August 1, Anne Arundel Co. CHIPPING SPARROW 7 — Young in nest May 29 until August 25, Kent Co. FIELD SPARROW 3 — Five eggs on May 15 , Anne Arundel Co. SONG SPARROW 1- -Adult feeding young cowbird, July 13, Prince Georges Co. Migratory Bird Populations Station Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife Fish and Wildlife Service U. S. Department of the Interior Laurel 20810 ROSEATE TERN NEW FOR DORCHESTER COUNTY Henry T. Armistead On April 30, 1966, I was looking over the birds at the Headquarters Pond, BlAckwater National Wildlife Refuge, with iqy fiancee. Miss Mary E. Mallam (now Mrs. Armisteadl ) . Among the dozen or so Common Terns ( Sterna hirundo ) that were flying around the pond and sitting on the waterfowl nesting boxes, we soon noticed a tern with a dark bill. This bird was very pale and whitish by comparison with the Common Terns. When it alighted we were easily able to see that its long tail projected well beyond the bird’s folded wings, whereas the Common Terns' tails and wings were of approximately the same length when the birds were at rest. We watched the bird for about half an hour and saw it flying and at rest several times in direct comparison with the Common Tern. When, in flight it reminded me considerably of a tropicbird because of the long tail. While making a spring count of birds of Dorchester County a week later, on May 6, 1966, I found this bird at the same location and studied it again for about twenty minutes. On both days I watched it, for the most part, at ranges of less than one hundred yards with my 8X binoculars and 25X Bushneli spotting 'scope. Because of the dark bill, very long tail, very pale and creamy-whitish coloration of this bird, and the favorable conditions under which I observed it, I have no doubt that it was a Roseate Tern ( Sterna dougallii ) . I have seen Roseate Terns previously at the Ocean City (Md. ) inlet. This is a new species for the Dorchester County list and the first record for the Maryland section of the Chesapeake Bay. 'Rigby's Folly', Bellevue, Talbot County March 1967 MARYLAND BIRDUFE 11 OCTOBER , NOVEMBER , DECEMBER, 19 66 Chandler S. Robbins Excessive rainfall (or snowfall) in much or all of Maryland during each of these three months came too late to benefit natural food supplies for wildlife; but it did help to restore depleted water levels. October was a busy month for banders and other field observers. Migrants were present in profusion on nearly every day. Cold fronts passed through every four or five days, each bringing its particular assortment of south-bound transients and winter residents . A good variety of warblers was still present through October 7, when 17 warbler species were banded at Ocean City by Mrs . Richard Cole . The most productive cold fronts were those that passed through Maryland on October 1, 5, 10, 1 6 , 19, and 24. In some instances their effect on bird migration was noticed immediately; in others, when the front passed by too late at night or was followed by heavy overcast, the heaviest migration occurred two or even three days after the front had passed. The front of October 1 brought a great variety of warblers on the 2nd (19 species at Ocean City, 10 at "Damsite" near Tolchester and at Kent Point) as well as a heavy flight of Blue Jays (85 banded at Kent Point ) . Cool weather the next night resulted in the first general in- flux of White- throated Sparrows and Brown Creepers (46 White-throats and 30 creepers banded at Ocean City on the 3rd). Because of clear skies, low temperatures, and light winds on the night of the 2 nd, more birds arrived on the 3rd than on the 2nd at both Ocean City and Damsite . The cold front of the 5th brought a two-day total of 21 species of warblers to Ocean City on the 6th- 7th, as well as the peak of the thrush flight on the 7th (including 110 Swainson's, 44 Gray- cheeks, 15 Hermits, and a record-breaking 6l Wood Thrushes). Mrs. Mendinhall's total of 6 Nashville Warblers banded on the 7 th at Damsite exceeds any previous one- day total for Maryland ' s Eastern Shore . The front of the 10th passed through during the day and was followed by a clear night with westerly winds. Response was immediate. The Ocean City banders had 996 new birds on the 11 th, including the first heavy flight of Myrtle Warblers (326), the second peak of White-throats (204) 12 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Vol. 23 ..No,, 1 and seasonal high counts of 27 Magnolia Warblers and 18 Cape May Warblers The next cold front, on Oct. 1 6 , was followed by cloudy skies and by heavy rain to the north of us- -followed by clear skies and northwest winds on the night of the 17th. It is not surprising, therefore, that there were more arrivals on the l 8 th than on the 17 th. The l 8 th was the peak day for Golden- crowned Kinglets (55) at Ocean City and for White-throats (45) at Damsite. The cold front of the 19 th was followed by very heavy rain, so it was not until the 21 st that the heaviest migratory wave of the whole fall season descended upon the Maryland coast. The birds banded in largest numbers at Ocean City that day were White -throated Sparrow (319 )> Slate-colored J.unco (223), Hermit Thrush ( 117 ), Myrtle Warbler (82), and Ruby-crowned Kinglet ( 51 ) - These figures do not show the full magnitude of the flight, because half the nets had to be closed in order to pro- cess fully the 1,077 birds that were caught that day. At Hooper Island on the 21st Harry Armistead estimated 600 White-throats, 700 Slate- colored Juncos, 50 Hermit Thrushes, 120 Ruby- crowned Kinglets, 150 Song Sparrows, 100 Chipping Sparrows, 45 Eastern Phoebes, and 35 White- crowned Sparrows. Jan Reese reported the heaviest flight of the season at Tilghman on Oct. 22, with more than 6,000 Canada Geese, 200 White- winged Scoters, 300 Eastern Bluebirds, 250 Cedar Waxwings, 100 White - throated Sparrows, 50 Rufous-sided Towhees, and high counts for eight other species. The last of the heavy migratory movements followed the nocturnal passage of a slow-moving cold front on Oct. 24. Hank Kaestner's report of birds that struck the Baltimore television tower on that night shows the commonest species to be Ruby-crowned Kinglet ( 28 ), Golden- crowned Kinglet (24), Myrtle Warbler (22), and White -throated Sparrow (12). At Ocean City, where northeasterly winds had prevented the bulk of the birds from penetrating to the coast, only moderate numbers of grounded migrants were found; the commonest species there were Slate-colored Junco (ll 8 ), White -throated Sparrow (105 ), %rtle Warbler ( 62 ), and Hermit Thrush (20 ) At Damsite, on the other hand, Oct. 25 was the best day of the fall season. The Mendinhalls banded 115 Ruby -r crowned Kinglets, 24 Field Sparrows and l 6 Song Sparrows- -all highest tallies for the fall. They also banded 13 Hermit Thrushes (tie with Oct. 26), and a very late Yellow-breasted Chat. William Shirey, at Frederick, witnessed the largest migration he has ever seen. Watching for 30 minutes in his yard, he counted 53 Cedar Waxwings, 30 White-throated Sparrows, 18 Slate - colored Juncos, 12 Song Sparrows, and smaller numbers of Field, Tree, and White- crowned Sparrows, Robins, a towhee and a Brown Thrasher. This flight quite effectively depleted the source of supply to the north of us, as the next cold front on the 29 th brought few additional migrants . There was not a single strong cold front in the first half of November, and no dramatic movement of late songbird migrants. Arrival dates for the later part of the fall are summarized, by March 196? MARYLAND EERPLIFE 13 counties, in Table 1; and departure dates for the entire fall season are given in Table 2. Records based on banded birds are underscored. A zero means the species was not reported from, the county during the fall migration; a dash indicates that the species was present , but no signi- ficant arrival or departure date was submitted. A "W" in Table 2 means that the departure date of transient individuals was obscured by the presence of winter residents . The following persons were the principal contributors of the data .in Tables 1 and 2: Western Maryland (Garrett, Allegany, and Washington Counties )- -Carl W. Carlson; Fred erick- -Carl W. Carlson, Sarah S. Baker, John W. Richards, William Shirey, Mrs. A. L. Hoffman; Balt imore --Mr . C. Haven Kolb, Stephen W. Simon, Hank Khestner, Mrs. Alice Kaestner, Mrs. Richard D. Cole; Harf ord- -Russell Rytter; Howa rd- -Mrs . Harry Rauth, Morris Collins; Mont gomery- - Carl W. Carlson, Don Messersmith, Mrs. Sarah Baker, Mrs. John M. Frankel, Mrs. Nell Cooley, Josephine Walker, Robert W. Warfield; Prince Georges- -Chandler S. Robbins; Anne Arundel--Prof . and Mrs . David Howard, Paul and Danny Bystrak, Harold Wierenga, Friel Sanders; Calve rt- -John H. Fales; Kent - -Mr . and Mrs. Edward Mendinhall; Caro line --Mrs . Roberta Fletcher, Marvin Hewitt, Mrs. Essie Pepper, Mrs. Ethel Engel, Mrs. Alicia Knotts; Talb ot-- Jan Reese, Don Meritt; Dorchester --Guy Willey, Paul Daly, Harry Armistead; Worc ester- -Mrs . Gladys Cole, Samuel H. Dyke, Robert W. Warfield, Ted Van Velzen. Table 1 . Fall Arrival Dates, 1966 Species Whistling Swan Am. Widgeon Shoveler Ring-necked Duck Redhead Bufflehead Oldsquaw White -winged Scoter Common Scoter Ruddy Duck Coot Rough -legged Hawk Saw-whet Owl Eastern Bluebird Golden -cr. Kinglet Orange -cr. Warbler Purple Finch House Finch Savannah Sparrow Tree Sparrow White -cr. Sparrow Fox Sparrow 0 Fred Ba lt Hqwd Mont li7Tl 0 0 0 0 0 11/12 0 11/12 0 0 0 iI7T - 9/13 0 0 0 10/29 0 0 Pr.G Anne 0 11729 0 Calv Kent 11712 10731 — 9/20 0 11 / 6 11/19 - 11/19 11 / 6 Caro llT3 0 11 / 3 0 Q.An Talk — 10722 — 10/22 0 10/31 0 0 — 11/20 W — 10/22 0 — 10/23 0 n/20 10/17 0 11/20 9/2 0 Wl - T0/1T 12/24 0 11/20 0 10 / 2 0 ■ io/22 10 / T 10 / 9 10 / 8 Pore Wore lI7l3 ll7il 9/25 9/24 10/10 9/24 10/25 - 11/30 11/10 0 0 0 11/12 Wl ~ 10/12 — 10/29 0 10/29 0 0 0 10/29 0 10/12 0 0 11/20 0 0 0 0 - 11 / 5 — 11/19 11 / 6 0 11/ 6 0 0 11/19 9/21 12/11 11/10 12/11 11/12 0 10/21 8 /l 4 10/25 11/12 0 0 11/ 6 - 10/13 10/ 2 10/18 0 10/21 10/20 — 10/22 11/30 - 10/ 3 - 10/25 11/25 97W 0 0 0 10/20 10/ 2 10/13 - 0 0 0 10/24 10/15 - 10/ 2 10/16 0 10/21 12/ 2 11/17 11/11 ~~9/27 0~ 10/17 10/15 - 10/13 11/ i 4 11/19 9J21 0 0 0 10/22 10/ T WIH 10/15 10/13 0 10/ 7 o W21 0 htt -- m 0 11/20 0 0 0 10/8 0 • 0 9/16 0 0 10/14 __ 9/18 10/15 0 0 0 To/ 59 / 5 11/27 12/28 0 10/19 9/29 10/25 10 / T 0 10/18 10 / 7 10 / 9 10/24 10/29 10/13 lo/l 4 10/17 10/26 -- 10/Tj 0 W23 10/17 11/ 5 10/23 Waterfowl . Caroline is still the only Maryland county where Mute Swans are found regularly in the wild; Marvin Hewitt saw 7 at Greensboro on Oct. 10. A Barnacle Goose was identified at Blackwater Refuge on Nov. 25 by Mel Garland and Phil ^yers and was still present at least until Dec. 4 (Philip and Paul DuMont). Harry Armistead found 20 Snow and 35 Blue Geese at Blackwater on Oct. 21, and a Snow Goose was seen at Tanyard in Caroline County four days later by Wilber Engle . A flock of 30 Common Scoters (including 3 males) provided the first record of this species for Triadelphia Reservoir when identified on Oct. 29 by Mrs. Lewis A. Buck, Miss Marcia Lakeman and Miss Marcia Nelson. Carl Carlson Table %. Fall Departure Dates, 1966 Species Fred Balt Rarf Howd Mont Pr.G Anne Calv Kent Caro Q-An Talb Dorc Wore Green Heron 97T0 9710 "T7~ — TT 10/11 16725' -- -- B/T -- iT7nr 11715 9723 Common Egret 8/21 0 0 0 9/30 -- 9/27 -- 0 -- 10/ 8 10/15 11/20 9/17 Snowy Egret 0 0 0 0 0 0 9/11 0 0 0 0 8/21 8/31 9/17 Am. Bittern 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0 0 10/29 0 11/ 6 11/15 9/17 Canada Goose -- 10/l8 -- -- 12/ 4 — w 11/16 w 10/20 w 10/17 w w Blue -winged Teal WT 0 0 0 10/21 -- 0 0 — 0 9/17 11/30 11/12 Wood Duck 9/18 11/ 3 10/22 -- 0 -- 9/30 0 10/31 11/30 ' - Broad -winged Hawk 10/ 3 9/10 -- 9/ 4 9/30 10/ 3 — 0 0 0 9/ 9 10/ 9 10/ 9 0 Osprey 10/29 -- 10/ X 9/ 4 9/30 10/ it -- 9/ 2 10/17 10/21 9/17 Black -bellied Plover 11/ 5 0 0 0 0 0 10/16 0 0 0 0 0 10/21 10/29 Spotted Sandpiper 10/21 -- — 9/ 4 10/ 8 — 75" 0 0 8/16 f 9/17 9/30 w Sora 10/29 0 0 0 11/12 — 9/20 — O' — 0 0 0 0 Solitary Sandpiper 9?l8 9/11 0 8/ 2 9/17 -- 9/20 0 0 8/16 0 0 0 9/13 Greater Yellowlegs 10/29 0 0 8/ 9 0 -- 9/27 0 11/ 6 10/30 -- 8/lit 11/27 11/12 Lesser Yellowlegs 11/19 0 0 0 10/22 -- W g 0 0 -- -- 0 11/27 11/12 Pectoral Sandpiper 11/11 0 0 8/7 0 0 10/23 0 0 8/11 0 9/18 9/30 9/1 9 Least Sandpiper 11/11 0 0 8/ 2 0 0 9/13 0 0 0 -- — 9/30 11/10 Semipalmated Sandpiper 10/21 0 0 8/15 0 0 10/ 2 0 0 0 0 10/17 11/15 11/12 Laughing Gull 0 0 0 0 0 0 9/11 9/ 9 11/ 6 9/26 — 11/13 — 11/10 Forster's Tern 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 11/ 6 0 11/20 11/20 10/21 11/10 9/28 9/17 10/11 WT 10/20 Common Tern Royal Tern 0 Caspian Tern 0 Yellow-billed Cuckoo 10 / 3 Black -billed Cuckoo Whip -poor-will Common Night hawk Chimney Swift , . Ruby-thr. Hummingbird 9/10 Red-headed Woodpecker 0 0 0 0 WT 10/ It 9M W 3 0 0 9/18 9/ 5 - 9 / 6 10/15 10/ 9 10/16 10/ 2 0 0 9/19 9/30 10/25 10/16 9/11 9/25 0 9/25 9/ 7 9/12 10/ 2 0 10/ 3 10/ 8 0 9/29 10/ 2 10/ 7 0 9/25 10/21 0 10/21 9/18 - 8/19 0 9/24 9/ 6 0 11 / 1 1 o 7 ~t 11 ~ 9/ 6 - 9/ 2 9/28 9/ It 9/4 9/10 8/28 9/ 6 10/23 10/21 10/22 11/18 9/30 10/l4 10/ T 10/21 9/25 10/ 1 9/18 9/16 0 9/11 10/16 11/24 10/13 9/ 5 0 9/29 — 9/17 9/24 0 0 10/18 "9712 10 / 1 0 9/23 10/15 0 10/16 8/14 0 .0/17 - 7/18 - 9/24 10/21 9/25 W 0 10/ 8 9/18 io7T Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Eastern Kingbird Gt. Crested Flycatcher Eastern Phoebe Yellow-bellied Flycatcher 9/24 Acadian Flycatcher Traill's Flycatcher Least Flycatcher Eastern Wood Pewee Tree Strati low ' 0 9/30 8/31 WT 9/18 9/3 9/13 10/28 10/ 6 IO/15 0 9/6 o 10/3 __ _ =^= — 0 0 0 0 0 9/1 0 10/ 2 0 0 9/2lt 10 /lit 10/ it 10/15 10/ 6 0 ‘ ~ ~ ' 10/16 0 0 9716 ~ 9/23 10/11 9/18 0~ 7/l6 10/21 10/22 8/21 10/22 Bank Swallow Rough -winged Swallow Barn Swallow Purple Martin Blue Jay 10/12 -- 10 / 1 9/23 9/29 11/25 9/29 8/17 10/22 10/27 10/27 11/ 1 -- 9/21 9/ 1 - 10/ 7 10/ 8 Mg, of 10 / 1 10/16 MS ” W ? Red-breasted Nuthatch House Wren Catbird Brown Thrasher Wood Thrush — 10/ 2 i 10 / 2 9/16 9/12 10/ 9 10/22 10/24 10/19 10/15 10/lit 10/22 10/ 9 9/i8 11/ lit 10/21 11/20 10/ 9 9/23 10/22 10/17 10/ 8 — 10/13 10/16 9/27 9/30 10/15 10/ 9 — M WT — 10/30 10/22 WT 10 / 3 10/31 Io/T W15 WT 10/22 10/23 10/23 np: 10/12 n/T 10/25 10/30 MARYLAND HIRDLIFE Vol. 23, No Hermit Thrush 0 Swainson's Thrush 10/ 8 Gray-cheeked. Thrush 0 Veery 9/l0 Blue -gray Gnatcatcher Ruby-cr. Kinglet Cedar Waxwing White -eyed Vireo Yellow-throated Vireo Solitary Vireo "10725 10/24 10/15 10/21 10/16 10/ 9 10/l6 9/lB 9/30 9724 “ ~ii/i3" io7iF 10/11 10/9 10/17 10/ 9 9/ 4 - 9/ 1 10/ 7 n -nr' 10/ 3 10/ 2 1°/ 2 16/15 0 8/15 10/ 9 10/ 9 0 0 11/22 10/27 10/23 10/ 8 10/17 10/ 4 10/ 2 Red-eyed Vireo Philadelphia Vireo Black -8: -white Warbler 0 9/25 0 -- 10/24 10/15 10/24 0 — 10/24 10/ 1 % n/i ~ 11/12 10/ 3 9/ 1 - - 9/16 0 9/30 9/26 10/ 9 11/ 9 10/25 11/ 5 9/l4 - 9/ 7 -- 10/30 10/29 9/25 11/20 16/29 9/18 - 9/ 8 10/21 0 ~ 10/16 0 10 , >/l3 0 9/11 10/23 10/ 4 0 9/11 0 — 16/3/ Blue -winged Warbler — 9/12 0 9/ 9 .8/21 0 0 0 171 9/ 3 1/T 8/21 0 10/26 Tennessee Warbler 0 10/23 9/16 9/2 6 0 0 9/21 0 10/13 — 9/27 9/11 0 10/17 Nashville Warbler Parula Warbler Yellow Warbler Magnolia Warbler Cape May Warbler 10/13 — 10/24 -- 9/ 3 - 9/18 9/10 10/13 9/ 24 0^ 10/13 10/15 0 10/13 0 10/ 7 10/ 9 0 9/30 0 9/18 10/ 3 9/30 10/ 2 10/15 10/ 9 10/ 8 9/29 10/ 9 10/ 7 Blue Grosbeak Indigo Bunting Rufous -sided Towhee Savannah Sparrow Vesper Sparrow Chipping Sparrow Fox Sparrow White-crowned Sparrow Lincoln's Sparrow March 1967 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE MARYLAND BIKDLIFE 16 Vol. 23. No, 1 spotted a female European Widgeon on Kent Island, Oct. l6, and a female Common Eider at Ocean City Inlet on the early date of Oct. 15- As many as 8 Common Eiders were at Ocean City, Dec. 18 (DuMonts) and Dec. 28 (Will Russell and others). Hawks . A Golden Eagle flew over the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center on Nov. 10 (Russell and others) and the first one of the season at Blackwater was seen on Nov. 27 ( Carlson); 2 were seen together at Blackwater on the Dec. 27 Christmas Count (Gabrielson, Robbins). A peak count of 8 Rough-legged Hawks was made on Nov. 27, also at Blackwater (Carl W. Carlson). Cranes . The escaped Sandhill Crane that took up residence at Davidsonville was shot and injured on Nov. 21 despite all efforts to protect it; it was returned to the captive flock at Patuxent. Shorebirds . Ted Van Velzen found 3 early Purple Sandpipers at Ocean City on Oct. 29- Late reports of shorebirds included a Black- bellied Plover at Lilypons in Frederick County on Nov. 5, a White-rumped Sandpiper there on Oct. 29 and 4 Stilt Sandpipers there on Oct. 2 (all by Robert W. Warfield); also a Stilt Sandpiper, 18 Knots and 2 Marbled Godwits at Ocean City on Oct. 29 (Carlson). Paul DuMont counted 46 Ruddy Turnstones, 20 Semipalmated Sandpipers and 4 Western Sandpipers at Ocean City on Dec. l8; only 11, 2, and 1, respectively, could be found on the Christmas Count ten days later. Seven late Am. Cystercatchers were viewed at Ocean City on Nov. 12 (Edwin G. Davis). On Oct. 21, which was Harry Armistead's red letter day on Hooper Island, he carefully observed a flock of 8 Am. Avocets feeding near the Fishing Creek bridge; this is the largest flock of avocets ever seen in Maryland. Owls , Goatsuckers . The influx of northern owls into Maryland was very scanty this fall and was barely detected, even at the banding stations. The earliest Saw-whet Owl was banded at Kent Point on Oct. 2 (Jan Reese) and the highest one-day count was a mere 2 at Damsite on Nov. 20 (Mel Garland, Mrs. Mendinhall). An extremely late Whip-poor- will was banded at Ocean City on Oct. 20 (Mrs. Richard Cole). Flycatchers and Swallows . Three Western Kingbirds were seen in Maryland during this quarter: Assateague Island on Oct. J (Richard West), Golden Hill on Oct. 21 (Armistead) , and east of Blackwater Refuge on Nov. 13 (Miss Lakeman, Miss Nelson and Miss Gene Evans). Two very late Rough-winged Swallows were seen and heard at Blackwater Refuge on Oct. 21 (Armistead). The netting stations continue to disclose the presence of those elusive Empidonax flycatchers far into October, showing that it is normal for a scattering of these small insectivorous birds to linger weeks past the time they generally are last seen by field observers. A Yellow-bellied Flycatcher was banded as late as Oct. 25, a Traill's on Oct. 13, and a Least Flycatcher on Oct. 22, all at Ocean City (Mrs. Cole), and a Least was banded at Kent Point on Oct. 22 (Bridges). Jays , Ravens . The jay flight was far less spectacular than last year. At Kent Point, the only Maryland 0. R. Station that handles many Blue Jays, the seasonal total of 455 was less than half the 1965 figure. March 1 967 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE iZ Common Ravens were identified, by Carl Carlson on Sept. l8 (3 over South Mountain) and Oct. 8 (on Big Savage Mountain above Frostburg). Vireos. Eight vireos of 3 species struck the Baltimore TV tower on the late date of Oct . 24.. The Solitary (5) was the commonest among the casualties , as would be expected late in the season; the Red-eyed (2) was next, and the Yellow-throated (l) broke the State departure record (Hank Kaestner). Warblers . As shown in Table 1, the Orange -crowned Warbler was found in five counties; as usual, most of the records fell in October. Some late warbler dates of note were a Golden-wing at the Baltimore tower on Sept . 25 (Hank Kaestner), a Blue-winged at Ocean City on Oct . 26, a Nashville at Ocean City on Oct. 21 and a Parula there on Oct. 28 ^Mls , Cole), a Chestnut-sided at Damsite on Oct. 22 (Mrs. Mendinhall), an Ovenbird at the Baltimore tower on Oct. 24 (Kaestner), a Mourning Warbler banded at Odenton on Oct. 9 (Paul and Danny Bystrak), a Wilson's banded at Ocean City on Oct. 26 and an Am. Redstart banded there on Nov. 1 (Mrs. Cole). On Dec. 24 Marvin Hewitt found a Yellowthroat at Greensboro, the first winter record for Caroline County. Finches . Most field observers and feeding station operators did not see a "single Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin or crossbill during the period. The House Finch, however, arrived earlier than usual and in larger numbers . The first appeared in Anne Arundel and Talbot Counties on Oct. 13 and Oct. l4. Elting Arnold had a male at his Chevy Chase home on Nov. 11, nearly two months earlier than their arrival the previous winter. The highest count came from Baltimore, where 101 were tallied on the Dec. 31 Christmas Count. A wintering Dickcissel was at Mrs. Harry Rauth's feeder near Fulton from Nov. 17 to the end of the period; and V. Edwin Unger found 4 of them near Harmony in Caroline County on Dec. 29- Sparrows. White -crowned Sparrows were surprisingly common in all parts of the Eastern Shore. During October, 4 were banded at Damsite and 77 at Ocean City (20 of them on Oct. 21 ) in addition to those mentioned earlier at Hooper Island. One was found for the first time on the Blackwater Christmas Count, and on the Ocean City Count there were 64 (previous high, 6). An Oregon Junco was at the David Howards ' feeder from Nov. 2 through the end of the period, and a banded individual was an irregular visitor at the Robbins' feeder near Laurel. Snow Buntings and Longspurs . At least 50 Snow Buntings were present at their favorite Western Shore spot, Sandy Point State Park, on Nov. 20 (Carlson and Montgomery Chapter). To the Lapland Longspur records In the previous issue of Maryland Birdlife (22:124) may be added 13 seen on the Dec . 28 Ocean City Christinas Count . Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife Migratory Bird Populations Station, Laurel 18 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Vol. 23. No. 1 THE PRESIDENT'S PAGE V. Edwin Unger The Executive Council, at its January meeting, devoted consider- able time to a discussion of ways and means by which our organization could increase its effectiveness and influence. It is my hope and intention to keep this subject on the agenda of succeeding Trustee and Council meetings and to bring it to the front at the Convention in May. Inasmuch as there is strength in numbers, we must strive to keep our membership growing, adding new members to existing chapters and organizing new chapters wherever a solid nucleus of interested people can be found. Nor must we overlook the need to attract young people to our rolls. They have great capacity for learning; they inject new ideas and fresh thinking into the organization; but above all, they will provide the leadership for tomorrow. Of course, mere numbers do not, of themselves, produce strength and influence. It is to be pre- sumed, however, that increased membership would mean greater numbers actively engaged in the furtherance of the objectives of the Society. While acquiring the desired numbers, we must make ourselves known and our influence felt. Let us explore the means of doing so. At coming meetings we shall discuss avenues of publicity for one thing. Then we shall inquire into the ways and means of expanding our youth- training program. Finally, we shall seeK projects to tackle in the field of conservation. In the training of youtn, we can enlarge and expand our own pro- gram, but should not overlook any opportunity to work with and to augment the activities of other organizations. In the field of conservation, I can see two roads ahead, and as must take both of theml First, we must do all we can to arouse the public to the need to con- serve our resources and our wildlife. Then we must, as individuals* and as a body, aid and support every proper conservation effort and activity within our area. It would seem to me that our greatest hope for achieving worthwhile results in conservation is by working with duly constituted authorities and agencies created for that purpose. A case in point is the Legislative Council (Md.) and its study of the preservation of our wetlands, a study now in progress. Another is the Planning Department of the State of Maryland, currently participating in the Potomac Valley Scenic and Recreation Project. By direction of the Executive Council, I have already written to each of these bodies to express our interest and concern and to indicate our readiness to assist in the projects. Federalsburg March 196? MARYLAND BIRDLIFE H 1967 Annual Convention at Hastings-Miramar, Ocean City, Maryland May 12-14 Special rates to M. 0. S. for Convention period Double room and bath $20.00 per person (plus tax) Double room without private bath 18.00 " " » « Apartment accomodations for 5 or 6 persons 18.00 M » u it A limited number of single rooms available on request The above rates cover two nights lodging and six meals, starting with Friday night dinner, together with all gratuities. Make reservations directly with the Hastings-Miramar before May 1st, 1967. Telephone - Atlantic 9-741? TWO 19 66 MARYLAND 0, R. BROWN THRASHERS ( T0XQ3T0KA RUFUK ) RECOVERED IN MASSACHUSETTS Jane P. Church On October 9, 1966, a Brown Thrasher (band 532-14382) which 7 . had banded at the Kent Point 0. R. Station (coordinates 385-0762) on September 2?, 1 966, was retrapped and released at the Manomet 0. A. Station (coordinates 415-0703), about 6 miles ESE of Plymouth Center, Massachusetts, by Kathleen S. Anderson. The bird was classified im- mature at both banding stations using eye color and lack of skull ossification as ageing criteria. The Kent Point 0. R. Station netted 23 Brown Thrashers in September and ? during 8 banding days in October while Manomet had only 5 in September and a total of ?, including the Kent Point recapture, in 23 banding days in October. On January 15, 1 967 > Mrs. Anderson trapped another Brown Thresher (band 652-16741) at the home of Mrs. Russell Wheatley in Abington, Massachusetts. It had been coming regularly to a feeder since the middle of December and was still present at the end of January. This bird had been banded by V. Edwin Unger as an immature at the North Ocean City 0. R. Station on October 4, 1 96 6. Mrs. Anderson wrote that 15 Brown Thrashers were reported from Massachusetts in January 1965 and a total of 20 was seen in January 1966. She has speculated on whether these are southern birds which were blown north on strong southwest winds in late fall, without the urge to retrace their route, or late birds which never started south. She suspects the former. I would like to express appreciation to Mrs. Anderson for her thoughtful letters and to Mr. Unger for permission to report ''his" bird. Janelia Farm, Ashburn, Virginia 20 MARYLAND BIKDLIFE Vol. 23. No. 1 MIGRANTS AT SEA Jan G. Reese On August 28, 1966, Donald Meritt and I accompanied a fishing party- boat out of Ocean City, Maryland. We traveled thirty- two miles in a southeasterly direction from Ocean City with our final destination being approximately seventeen miles due east ( 3 7 ° 52 'N - 75 ° 00 , 'W ) of the south- ern tip of Assateague Island, Virginia. We were in transit from 0700 thru 1500 with only three brief stops, all occurring near the end of the trip. We had. hoped to see migrating pelagic birds, but the weather conditions for such a migration did not prevail. There was absolutely no wind, the sea was flat, the sky was clear, and the temperature was 75°+. Nevertheless, we were rewarded with a few pelagic species and an array of Passerine species, which are normally seen onshore. The number of the fifteen species of birds we observed on this trip are listed below with the approximate distance from the nearest point of land and the general direction in which they were moving: 1 Cory's Shearwater, 8 miles, N; 1 Wilson's Petrel, 9 miles, S; 1 sandpiper species (a member of the "Peep" group), 16 miles, S, about 6" above the water; 33 phalarope species, (one, 8 miles, S; seven, 9 miles, sitting); (On August 23, 1964, a similar trip taken in the same area, by Hank Kaestner ( Maryland Bird life 20:79. 1964), produced a larger proportion of Red Phalaropes than Northern Phalaropes. Since these are the first phalaropes I have seen I will not attempt a positive identification) ; 50 Common Terns, all within 4 miles of land, not moving in any specific direction; 22 Elack Terns, all within 4 miles of land, spread out and moving in southerly directions; 4 Royal Terns, all within 4 miles of land, S; 150 Herring Gulls, throughout trip, flying in all directions; 200 Laughing Gulls, mostly milling around within 5 miles of land; 1 Purple Martin, 17 miles, flying strongly S; 3 warbler species, 17 miles, came aboard boat for brief rest then continued flying in a southerly direction; 1 American Redstart, 5 miles, came aboard boat exhausted - caught by hand, carried to shore and released; 1 Yellow-breasted Chat, 4 miles, came aboard boat exhausted - stayed until we got close to land then flew towards it; 1 blackbird species (either a female Red-wing or a cowbird) , 15 miles, came aboard boat briefly then continued flying 3; 2 Baltimore Orioles, 10 miles, circled moving boat a few times then flew ESS. 5612 23rd Parkway, Apt. 1 Hillcrest Heights, 20031 STUDY CAMPS ALLEGANY - Junior Nature Camp at Western Maryland 4-K Center June 19-24 BALTIMORE Junior Nature Camp at Camp Mohawk, Huntingtown, Calvert County, Maryland, June 16 - 18. March 196? Maryland birdlife 21 P ANTI AX ALBINO RED- TAILED HAWK William S, Clark At approximately noon, on February 26, 1967 , I caught and banded a very white Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo .jamaicensis ) about 3 miles west of Harmony, Caroline County, Maryland. Mr. V. Edwin Unger, president of the M. 0. S. assisted me in banding the bird. The hawk was seen perched at the edge of a pine thicket and was very conspicious due to its predominately white color. Permission was obtained from the owner of the property to drive into the field where a Bal-Chatri trap, baited with a Starling (Sternus vulgaris), was dropped approximately 100 yards from the perch. After an un- successful attempt (from our viewpoint) at the Starling the hawk waited another fifteen minutes before returning to the trap. On its second visit it was caught, photographed, banded, examined and released. The hawk was an adult male and, as can be seen in the ac- companying photograph, was more white than dark brown on the head and back. The tail had one completely white and another partially white feather. All others were the normal red. The breast, eye, leg and cere color were all normal. 1 0^23 Reisterstown Rd. , Owings Mills STATE-WIDE BIRD COUNT, MAY 6 On Saturday, May 6 , 1967 , members and friends of the Maryland Ornithological Society will participate in the 20th annual State-wide Bird Count. All parties who participate in the May Count are requested to forward their lists of the species and numbers of birds seen to the Editor as soon as possible so they can be included in the annual report for Maryland Birdlife . 22 MARYLAND BIRBLIFE Vol. 23. No. 1 April April April April April April April April April April April April April April April April April April April April April April April April April April April COMING EVENTS 1 Board of Trustees meeting at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge 1 PATUXENT Trip to Java Farms, Annapolis, 7:30 a.m. Leader i Mr. David Bridge 4 BALTIMORE Lake Roland 8 a.m. 5 KENT Monthly meeting 6 BALTIMORE Cylburn 9 a.ra. 6 FREDERICK Monthly meeting - Speaker: Mr. David Bridge, "Birds Nests" 7-9 EBBA Eastern Bird Banding Association Convention, Laurel, Md. 8 BALTIMORE Nanjemoy in Southern Maryland 7:45 a.m. Leaders: Dr. & Mrs. W. Rowland Taylor 8 FREDERICK Field trip to Catootin Mountain near Thurmont for migratory birds. Leave Baker Park 7:30 a.m. 9 ALLEGANY Bird walk 2 p.m. - C&0 Canal for spring warblers Leader: Richard Douglass. Meet at Old town School 11 BALTIMORE Lake Roland 8 a.m. 11 TALBOT Audubon Screen Tour. Robert C. Hermes, "Ever- glades - River of Grass". Mt. Pleasant Elementary School, Easton. 8 p.m. 13 BALTIMORE Cylburn 9 a.m. 14 ANNE ARD1DEL Monthly meeting 7:30 p.m. at Assembly room of new* State Office Building. Speaker: Mr. Wm. Russell, "Spring Warblers". 14 BALTIMORE Annual Spring Lecture. Dr. Wm. J. L. Sladen, "Penguins of Cape Crosier, Antarctica" at Dumbarton Junior High School. Tickets $1.00 from Mrs. Harold Archer, 1271 Walker Ave., Baltimore 21212 16 TALBOT Breakfast hike. Meet in front of Easton Court House at 7 a.m. sharp. 18 BALTIMORE Lake Roland 8 a.m* 20 BALTIMORE Cylburn 9 a.m. 20 MONTGOMERY Monthly meeting 21 TALBOT Monthly meeting 8 p.m. , Library 23 BALTIMORE C40 Canal and Potomac River. Leaders: Birds, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. N. Schneider. Botany: Dr. Elisabeth Fisher and Mrs. Carl Francis. 23 FREDERICK Field trip along Monocacy River near Buckeystown. Meet at Baker Park 2 p.m. 23 MONTGOMERY Field trip 23 TALBOT Breakfast hike 7 a.m. 24 WICOMICO Monthly meeting, 8 p.m. Asbury Chur oh, Salisbury 25 BALTIMORE Lake Roland 8 a.m. 25 PATUXENT Monthly meeting 7:^5 p.n. March 1967 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE 31 April 26 AIXEGAN! Monthly meeting 7:30 p.m. , Board of Education Bldg. Film: "Islands of Green" April 27 BALTIMORE Cylburn 9 a.m* April 29-30 ALLEGAN! Work days at Carey Ron Sanctuary April 29 ANNE ARUNDEL. Calvert County Warbler Hunt. Leader: Miss Frlel Sanders. Meet at Huntingtown School. April 29 BALTIMORE New areas around Loch Raven for spring arrivals. Leader: Mr. Charles Buchanan. April 30 TALBOT Breakfast hike 7 a.m* May 2 BALTIMORE Lake Roland 7 a.m. and 6 a.m. May 3 KENT Monthly meeting May 4 BALTIMORE Cylburn 9 a.m. May 4 FREDERICK Monthly meeting. Speaker: Mr. William Russell on "Spring Warblers". May 6 STATEWIDE Bird Count May 7 BALTIMORE Finally Farm, Phoenix. Binding along Gunpowder Falls, fields and upland woods. Leaders: Mr. A Mrs. Otis MAee. May 7 TALBOT Breakfast hike 7 a.m. May 9 BALTIMORE Lake Roland 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. May 11 BALTIMORE Cylburn 9 a.m. May 12-14 STATEWIDE MOS Annual Convention at Hastings-Mlramar, Ocean City, Mi* May 13 BALTIMORE Loch Raven area for peak of warbler migration. Leader: Mr. Wm. Corliss. Meet at Box 311* Manor Rd. , Glen Arm, 7 a.m. May 16 BALTIMORE Lake Roland, 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. May 18 BALTIMORE Cylburn 9 a.m. May 18 MONTGOMERY Monthly meeting May 20 BALTIMORE Catoctin Mt. , Cat Rook Trail. Leader: Mr. Jerome Howe. 7:30 a.m. May 21 MONTGOMERY Field trip May 23 BALTIMORE Lake Roland 8 a.m. May 23 PATUXENT Monthly meeting 7:45 p.m. May 25 BALTIMORE Cylburn 9 a.m. May 27 ANNE ARUNDEL Gettysburg Rendezvous with Miss Relda Longaneoker. May 28 FREDERICK Field trip to Ijarnsville-Tuscarora area. Leave Baker Park 2 p.m. June 3 BALTIMORE Java Farms, Annapolis, to help with bird census for Smithsonian. 7:30 a.m. June 6 BALTIMORE Picnic supper, McKeldin Sect., Patapsoo State Park, 6:30 p.m. Courtship flight of Nighthawk, Soldiers* Delight at sunset. Leaders: Mr. A Mrs. Joshua Rowe June 22 MONTGOMERY Monthly meeting June 25 MONTGOMERY Field trip June 2? PATUXENT Picnio at Scott's Cove, Triadelphia Reservoir June 11 FREDERICK Chapter plenic at White's Ferry. Supper 5 p.m. In Park. 24 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Vol. 23 « No. 1 CONTENTS , MARCH 196? Birds of Lake Roland Alice 3. Kaestner 3 Maryland Nest Summary for 1966 Willet T. Van Velzen ? Roseate Tern New for Dorchester County Henry T. Armistead 10 The Season - October, November, December 1 966 Chandler S. Robbins 11 The President's Page V. Edwin Unger IS Two 1966 Maryland 0, R, Brown Thrashers Re- Covered in Massachusetts Jane P. Church 19 Migrants at Sea Jan G. Reese 20 Partial Albino Red- tailed Hawk William S, Clark 21 Coming Events 22 MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Published Quarterly by the Maryland Ornithological Society, Inc. to Record and Encourage and Study the Birds in Maryland Editor: Chandler S. Robbins, Patuxent Research Center, Laurel Mel Garland, 36 Burke Ave. , Towson, Md. 21204 Asst. Editor: Editorial Board: C. Douglas Hackman, Vernon Kleen, Mrs, C. Gordon Taylor Production : Ethel Cobb, Gladys Cole, Mildred Cole, Jane Daniels Ceil N alley, Edj Rykiel, Jr. , Ted Van Velzen. Jla&tln^S -Wi iramar Ocean City, Maryland On the Boardwalk — Open All Year 90 ROOMS, 60 WITH BATH Phone: Ocean City : ATIantic 9-7417 EXCELLENT MEALS 30 BEAUTIFUL APARTMENTS PARKING SPACE SPECIAL RATES FOR BIRDERS