President’s Comer Progress Reports by Marcia Balestri H appy New Year! I stopped making New Year's resolutions a long time ago, and by the time this column is published, any that I may have entertained have long been forgotten. However, I am one for setting goals, and based on the survey we did last year, several carryover projects from Janet's administration, and some projects that I would like to see MOS take on, there is a long list of tasks that I am looking forward to undertaking, with your help, over the course of this year-things like the continuing Atlas activities, a birding trail for Maryland, a new sanctuary, and better communication, both from the board to the membership and among the chapters. I thought I might bring you up to date on some activities under way in some of these areas. Contrary to what you might have read, the Atlas project is not over until the paperwork is done! Seriously, there are still mini-routes to be run this summer, data to be analyzed, and of course the book has to be written and published. The Atlas Committee is working diligently to make sure all this happens, and they still need your help in both person-power and donations. Marcia Watson has agreed to head up the Birding Trail project, and she has assem- bled an energetic group of volunteers to make decisions on issues such as funding, format, site selection, and access issues. Their first meeting will be in February, so they are off to a great start. Brent Byers, Janet Millenson, and I had a conference call with Roger Lebbin from Mid-Atlantic Builders, the developer who is donating the new sanctuary in Prince (President’s Corner continues on page 2) Inside This Issue: President’s Corner 1 Birds of Note 1 DNR Reports: Bald Eagles 2 Conservation Connection 3 Raffle/Silent Auction 4 Board Bulletins 4 BirdBrainTeaser 4 Luther Goldman Birding Trail 5 Telling Tales 5 Ft. Smallwood Park 6 Chapter Chatter 8 Calendar 10 Book Review: Marshes 20 Last Call 20 Q^aryland Ulowthroat Newsletter of the Maryland Ornithological Society f MARCH/APRIL 2007 VOL. 27, NO. 2 Birds of Note— by Les Roslund Christmas Counts usually turn up some unusual birds, and the counts of 2006 were no exception. Six participants in the Salisbury CBC on Dec 17 were treated to views of what was at first called a Myiarchus flycatcher. The bird was simultaneously spotted by Larry Fry and Pete Zerhusen. A flurry of excitement ensued, as numerous birders descended into Somerset County to view the bird and debate its identification. Finally, on Dec Tropical Kingbird photo taken by George Jett on December 27, 2006. 26, vocalizations heard by Don and Carol Broderick and Jim Stasz provided definitive evidence establishing the bird as a TROPICAL KINGBIRD. If the Maryland Records Committee agrees, this will be the first-ever confirmed sighting of a TROPICAL KINGBIRD in Maryland. • On Jan 14 Harry Armistead reported a distant view of a bird that showed field marks suggesting a female BARROW’S GOLDENEYE. The bird was in waters of the Chesapeake Bay west of Hooper’s Island in Dorchester County. The next day Diane Cole and Danny Poet successfully relocated the bird, a female goldeneye with a short, bright yellow bill. The bird flew away before they could take any photos, but what they saw strongly supported Harry’s initial suggestion — a female BARROW’S GOLDENEYE. Still, some photo- graphs and additional views will be needed in order to totally rule out the possibility of this being a female Common Goldeneye. • Also on Jan 14, Craig Turner spotted a WESTERN GREBE in the Potomac River from a viewing spot in Virginia. This bird was clearly in Maryland waters, in Charles County. Attempts to relocate the bird on Jan 15 were not successful. Back in November, Tyler Bell had reported a WESTERN GREBE in Virginia close to the Maryland line. Perhaps this is the same bird. • A second-year RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD was reported Dec 5 in Frederick County, having returned to the same yard and feeder where it was banded a year ago. The bird and the property owner have both been very cooperative; this bird continued regular visits for at least a week. (Birds of Note continues on page 4) 2 The Maryland Yelloivtbroat President’s Corner (continued, from page 1) George's County. The lawsuit challenging their ownership has been settled in their favor, and they are ready to finalize the paperwork and any of our requests for improvements. Brent is in touch with them to make the final arrange- ments for us to take over the ownership of the property. Things are also happening with the MOS Listserve, the administrative tool that we are setting up to conduct MOS business. We have chosen a software package, and Howard Lefkowitz has agreed to be our administrator. In the next month or so, we will be doing a trial run with a few people, expanding it to board members to further shake out any bugs, and then open it to all members. I think this will provide us with a very efficient way for the Board to communicate to the membership in a timely manner. It will also provide a mecha- nism to put out late-breaking conservation news, share ideas among the chapters, and publicize MOS activities across the state. Someone once said, "Never mistake activity for progress." Well, I am happy to report that there is a lot of activity out there, generated by some very industrious folks. I happen to think that there is a great deal of progress associated with it. The Maryland Yellowthroat Newsletter of the Maryland Ornithological Society, Inc. Editor: Layout: Lydia Schindler lydiaschindler@verizon .net 301-977-5252 Suzanne Probst msprobst2@verizon.net 410-992-3489 Calendar Editor: Andy Martin apmartin2@comcast.net 301-294-4805 Chapter Chatter: Jean Wheeler jswheeler44@msn.com Proofreader: Ann Weeks annweeks@erols.com Mailing list: Helen Horrocks hlh_3 7@yahoo .com 301-831-6135 MOS web site: http://www.mdbirds.org Webmaster: Taylor McLean taylormcl@comcast.net Anyone is welcome to contribute articles or ideas that would be of interest to other birders. Copy may be mailed or e-mailed to Lydia Schindler by March 20, 2007 for the May/June 2007 issue. Illustrations pages 1, 5 and 8 © M. Suzanne Probst. Photograph page 1 © George Jett. Map page 8 courtesy of Sue Ricciardi. DNR Reports by Glenn Therres: Bald Eagles T he recovery of the Bald Eagle in the lower 48 states is a tremendous success story for endangered species. Due to society’s abuse of the environment in the 1950s and 1960s, this majestic symbol of our nation once teetered on the brink of extinction within the United States, outside of Alaska. By 1963, only 417 Bald Eagle nesting pairs were documented in the lower 48. In 1967, the Bald Eagle was listed as an endangered species by the federal government, and efforts to save the species began. It took almost four decades, but the Bald Eagle is now a secure species and one that birders in Maryland see regularly. The single most important event leading to the eagle’s recovery was the Environmental Protection Agency’s 1972 ban on the use of DDT and other organochloride pesticides. That action ultimately turned the tide on the decline in Bald Eagle numbers. The recovery of the Bald Eagle population resulted from the efforts of many partners, not just the federal government. State wildlife agencies, including Maryland’s DNR, played a lead role in many aspects of Bald Eagle recovery. We documented nest sites, and, starting in 1977, we conducted annual monitor- ing of all known nests. We took the lead on nest site protection by working closely with the county planning and zoning agencies and the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Program to ensure that development and logging efforts did not disturb nesting eagles. We coordinated our state’s mid-winter eagle survey, part of a nationwide effort to document wintering Bald and Golden Eagle popula- tions. We educated the public through various forums, especially the media — newspapers, magazines, television, and radio. Many state wildlife agencies throughout the country assumed similar lead roles for eagle recovery in their states. We all worked cooperatively with our federal partners, of which the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was the national lead. Many other partners contributed to the recovery of the Bald Eagle. In Maryland, county planning and zoning agencies helped curtail impacts from development on nesting eagles. The National Wildlife Federation banded hun- dreds of nestling Bald Eagles in our state between 1977 and 1986. Virginia Tech University conducted valuable research in the upper Chesapeake Bay area on eagle ecology. The U.S. Army is to be congratulated for their management efforts at Aberdeen Proving Grounds. The Baltimore Zoo and Tri-State Bird Rescue served as Maryland’s primary rehabilitation facilities for injured eagles. Many Maryland citizens reported new eagle nests to us each year. The list goes on and on. Thanks to everyone who contributed! Through all of these efforts, the nesting population in Maryland soared from 41 breeding pairs in 1977 to more than 400 pairs today. Remember that the lower 48 states held only 417 known pairs in 1963. What a tremendous recov- ery! The recovery goals for the Chesapeake Bay Bald Eagle population, which includes Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, New Jersey, and southeastern Pennsylvania, were 300 to 400 nesting pairs; this region now hosts more than 900. The national estimate exceeds 7,000 breeding pairs in the lower 48 states. The recovery of the Bald Eagle symbolizes what can be done for endangered species if appropriate actions are taken. Society can correct its negative impacts on the environment and our wildlife, if we so choose to do so. Let’s hope the lessons learned from the Bald Eagle success story are widely applied. March /April 2007 3 The Conservation Connection by Maureen F. Harvey Hill A Chili] Proposed Delisting of Bald Eagle The MOS Conservation Committee wrote to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service about its proposal to remove the Bald Eagle (. Haliaeetus leucocephalus ) in the 48 contiguous States from the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). In general, MOS supports delisting the Bald Eagle in the lower 48 states, where it has recovered dramatically. (See DNR Reports, page 2.) The eagle’s recovery is a testament to the effectiveness of the ESA. However, MOS is concerned that the plan to delist the Bald Eagle introduces a new regulatory definition of the term “disturb” to help landowners and developers understand the protections that will apply even after the birds are no longer listed as “threatened.” In the Federal Register (Vol. 71, No. 32), the USFWS seeks to define “disturb” as "... to agitate or bother a Bald or Golden Eagle to the degree that it interferes with or interrupts normal breeding, feeding or sheltering habits, causing injury, death or nest abandonment. ” MOS objects to the phrase “causing injury, death or nest abandonment,” because we believe it would be almost impossible to enforce against any action that falls short of killing or wounding an eagle or causing immediate abandonment of an active nest. Our letter proposes striking the problematic phrase. This produces a clearer definition and one that will also make it easier for the Service to enforce the requirements of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. Cerulean Warbler Wintering-Ground Protection The American Bird Conservancy (ABC) announced that Cerulean Warbler Conservation Coffee is now available for sale to the public. This shade-grown coffee comes from planta- tions in central Colombia where the Cerulean Warbler winters. Proceeds from the coffee sales will be used to maintain the shade plantations and an adjacent Cerulean Warbler forest reserve. In addition, Bird Conservation Alliance (through ABC) has a project called “Saving the Cerulean Warbler” to fund the purchase of additional acreage for the forest reserve. The Conservation Committee plans to donate $500 to this fund. Cerulean Warbler Conservation Coffee can be ordered from www.abcbirds.org or by calling 800-648-6491. Laysan Albatross and Lead Paint Government buildings on Midway Atoll NWR are shedding lead paint, and the paint is being eaten by curious albatrosses. Midway is home to the world’s largest breeding colony of Laysan Albatrosses, a species already listed as globally vulnera- ble to extinction. Lead poisoning from the peeling paint is predicted to kill 100,000 of these magnificent ocean wanderers in the next ten years unless action is taken soon. Midway is part of the newly designated Northwest Hawaiian Islands National Marine Monument. It is the responsibility of the federal government to eliminate the hazard posed by their buildings on a wildlife refuge that is now part of a national monument. Clean-up funds ($56 million required) have yet to be allocated. At press time, environmental groups were encouraging President George Bush to include this funding in his 2008 budget (due out Feb 5). International Scene: Grenada, Malta, Europe Grenada. In collaboration with the Conservation Committee, MOS President Marcia Balestri has sent a letter to Keith Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada, West Indies, protesting the proposed development of a hotel and luxury resort within the country’s Mt. Hartman National Park. This park was estab- lished to preserve the principal breeding habitat of the critically endangered Grenada Dove ( Leptotila wellsi), the National Bird of Grenada. Following establishment of Mt. Hartman, the Grenada Dove has prospered and repopulated nearby — but less desirable — forested areas. The core population continues to reside in the better habitat of the National Park, and the dove is unlikely to continue to thrive without the park lands as a base. Thus, the lure for birders to visit Grenada would be gone. Rich Dolesh provided these telling words to include in our letter: “It is the presence of unique and valuable natural resources and watchable wildlife that will bring sustainable heritage tourism and the manifold economic benefits associated with it, and these benefits will be much greater than the presence of one more luxury hotel that effectively destroys the very uniqueness of the attraction to birders and nature lovers from around the world.” Malta. Renowned Hawk Mountain, PA ornithologist Donald S. Heintzelman contacted MOS to help put pressure on the Republic of Malta to stop illegal shooting and trapping of migratory birds. We responded with letters and e-mail to the U.S. Embassy in Malta as well as several Maltese officials, including the President and Prime Minister. MOS’s message supported Dr. Heintzelman’s proposal that the Maltese should adopt the Hawk Mountain, PA model. In PA, after hawk shooting was outlawed, the region became a destina- tion for scientists, students, birders, and others who enjoy watching wildlife, thus boosting the local economy with ecotourism dollars. The Republic of Malta’s islands are an important rest stop in the spring and fall for birds migrating between Europe and Africa. Most of these birds are legally protected by the European Union’s Bird Directive provisions. Nevertheless, they are met with barrages of bullets as they attempt to stop for a rest on the islands, as documented by Dr. Natalino Fenech in his book, Fatal Flight: The Maltese Obsession with Killing Birds. All Maltese would benefit from an end to this senseless slaughter. Once the shooting is stopped, tourists would be drawn to observe the migration phenomenon. Although the European Union’s courts are poised to deal with Malta if the illegal killings aren’t stopped this spring, a court solution could take years. We hope our little bit of pressure will add to that of other conservation and ecotourism organizations to gain positive action from the Maltese government. Europe. The European Union voted unanimously to perma- nently prohibit the import of wild birds, primarily to prevent the introduction of infectious diseases, including avian influenza. As a result, as many as four million birds a year will remain in the wild, spared from the international pet trade. This follows a temporary ban placed on the import of wild birds in 2005, when ( Conservation Connection continues on page 4) 4 The Maryland Yellowtbroat Conservation Connection ( continued from page 3) a bird infected with a highly pathogenic strain of avian flu was found in a quarantine facility in the United Kingdom. Prior to 2005, the EU constituted 90 percent of the world market for wild birds, importing some two million birds annually. Bird conservation experts estimate that roughly half of the birds harvested for sale in the EU died during capture and transport. Many of these birds, such as the African Gray Parrot and the Scarlet Macaw, are rare and endangered species. Over the last two years, a coalition of some 240 conservation and animal welfare groups urged the EU to end all such imports because of infectious disease, wild bird conservation, and animal welfare concerns. World Parrot Trust, Defenders of Wildlife, and ABC, along with partners in the BCA and groups in the EU, led this effort. “Europe has crossed an important threshold by banning this archaic trade,” said Mike Parr, ABC Vice President. “The bird trade has killed millions more wild birds than the bird flu this ban seeks to stem. Congratulations to the commissioners on this decision, which will certainly have a positive impact on rare bird species throughout the world.” Birds of Note (continued, from page 1) • SANDHILL CRANES periodically choose to spend portions of the winter in Maryland. This year three have been seen in Baltimore County on two occasions, and two others were seen in Anne Arundel County. The first Baltimore County sighting was by Tim Male on Dec 6. A month later, Jan 6, Bob Ringler and Debbie Terry found the three again in the same general area, after a bit of careful searching. The Anne Arundel County sighting of two SANDHILL CRANES was made by Fred Fallon on Dec 12. • An OVENBIRD is taking advantage of mild winter conditions in our area. This bird was first noticed by James Felley as he birded the Mary Ripley Garden on the Smithsonian Institution grounds in DC on Dec 6. Since then the observations have been so regular that a Smithsonian staff member has nicknamed the bird “Buddy.” The OVENBIRD was still present on Jan 20. calling all pach ms Now is the time to plow through all those piles of "stuff." Weed out unwanted books and "birdy" items and bring them to the Silent Auction. We'll find a new home for your treasures! But don't limit yourself to "things." The Silent Auction also wants YOU. Remember that we also auction off personal items. Perhaps you've got a small boat and can take two, four, or maybe more winners on a birding trip. Or come up with a better idea. There's sure to be someone willing to buy your service. It's fun and you get to contribute to a good cause. BOARD BULLETINS From the December 2, 2006 meeting at Washington College, Chestertown, and hosted by the Kent County Chapter. • Atlas: Jane Coskren reported that the writing phase of the Atlas is getting under way, with Walter Ellison handling this assignment. The Committee continues to seek funding for the on-going project. The project will employ mini-routes again this year. • Investments: Martha Waugh reported that the Investments committee had met with their broker, reviewed the portfolio, and made some adjustments. Income this fiscal year to date was $41,728. • Scholarships: Tom Strikwerda has mailed scholarship information to private schools across the state, and will be sending a second mailing to public schools. • Youth Programs: YMOS activities in the works include a raptor day, held in conjunction with Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center, a youth team at the World Series of Birding, and a science fair award. George Radcliffe and Wayne Bell will publicize YMOS at an annual conference of Maryland educators at Ocean City in February. BirdBrainTeaser Black-crowned Night-Heron: Can you figure out why Heron is capitalized and crowned is not? Consider also the Black- bellied Whistling-Duck and the Band-rumped Storm-Petrel. Or Screech-Owl and Saw-whet Owl. Maryanne Dolan Chair, Silent Auction and Raffle March /April 2007 5 Blazing the Luther Goldman Birding Trail A few months ago, a group of friends and former colleagues of the late Luther Goldman detailed plans for a memorial tribute to Luther, renowned wildlife biolo- gist, photographer, nature tour leader, and beloved long- time MOS member, by proposing a birding trail on public lands in his name. We are pleased to share the news that on September 21, 2006, the Prince George’s County Planning Board unanimously approved designating a portion of existing trails of the Anacostia Tributary Trail System near Lake Artemesia, close to College Park, as the Luther Goldman Birding Trail. The 2.2-mile trail, which is on parklands of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, will begin at the entrance to Lake Artemesia, loop around the lake and its wetlands, and extend up Indian Creek, returning to the parking lot at the entrance to the park. A dedication ceremony is planned for the late spring or early summer of 2007. Lake Artemesia is situated near the floodplain of the upper Anacostia River, and this beautifully landscaped and environmentally diverse site draws a wide range of bird species on a year-round basis. Luther, who lived in nearby Berwyn Heights, loved to bird this area and contributed many records to the site’s checklist. The entrance to the trail will be marked by a sign commemorating Luther’s life and work and showing a map of the trail. Brochures and bird checklists will also be available at the trail’s entrance. The M-NCPPC will install nine interpretive signs along the trail, describing song- birds, waterfowl, mammals, fish, and other natural history topics of interest at this site. A number of volunteers from local birding clubs and conservation organizations are donating their time and talents to making the project a reality. The LGBT committee — Don Messersmith, Matt Perry, Greg Kearns, Mike Donovan, Rich Dolesh, and Maureen Blades — is working with Park and Planning staff on the design of signs, a trail map, a brochure, and a comprehensive bird checklist. Dave Mozurkewich, with support from other knowledgeable birders, has committed to writing a detailed birding site guide. Don Messersmith is already researching a history of birding in Prince George’s County to be incor- porated into the guide, as well as educational materials for the trail. Rich Dolesh and Maureen Blades are working with Park and Planning on text for interpretive and entrance signs. The committee members are extremely grateful to those groups and their members who have donated time and funds for this project, including the Prince George’s Audubon Society, the Montgomery Bird Club, the Patuxent Bird Club, the Anacostia Trails Heritage Area, and Washington Biologists Field Club. The owners of the Old Town Bowie Wild Bird Center, Chris and Lisa Garrett, have pledged their support, and a number of individuals have made donations. Now that the LGBT has been officially approved and a tax-exempt charitable organization (the Prince George’s Audubon Society) has agreed to accept donations for the project, your donations will be welcome. No contribution is too small. Individuals and groups may mail a check to: Prince George’s Audubon Society, P.O. Box 2598, Laurel, MD 20709-2598. Please mark your memo line Luther Goldman Birding Trail or LGBT. In the meantime, the committee is applying for grants to fund individual com- ponents of the project, as well as for research. For more information, contact Maureen Blades at 301-262-5148 (mblades@comcast.net), or Rich Dolesh at 202-887-0290 (w) (dolesh@erols.com). If you or your club is interested in conducting research, including monitoring of birds or other wildlife, or other nature study at the site, a possibility exists to submit such projects for small-grant funding to the Washington Biologists Field Club. Contact Rich for more information. This first-of-its-kind birding trail in the Anacostia watershed could also serve as a catalyst for a larger Anacostia River Birding Trail. Many birders in the metro- politan DC area have expressed interest in an Anacostia Birding Trail. If you are interested in this concept, please contact Rich. While there is much work yet to be done, we are buoyed by the interest and support shown for this fitting tribute to a truly fine man. We will keep you apprised of the progress on this project. The PGAS has agreed to host a description of the project on its web site: www.pgaudubon.org; this is a work in progress, so keep checking that space. There will also be many opportunities for volunteer leaders to conduct birding and nature walks on the trail. This effort will be coordinated through the M-NCPPC, and more information will be available soon on opportunities for volunteering. So plan to join us at the dedication ceremony, and make plans to add the Luther Goldman Birding Trail to your field trip destinations! — Rich Dolesh and Maureen Blades Luther Goldman Birding Trail Committee Telling Tales The owner of the dog that was splashing across the Hughes Hollow impoundment apologized to Chris Barnard for disturbing the birds. "No problem at all," Chris grinned. The dog had just flushed Chris's lifer Least Bittern. 6 The Maryland Yelloivtbroat Fort Smallwood Park A Site Guide Prepared by Sue Ricciardi F ort Smallwood Park has long been nationally recog- nized as a prominent spring hawk watch site, likely the best along the East Coast. Several recent events have not only reinforced that notion, but have also reinstated it in the top tier of parks in Anne Arundel County. During the 1930s and ’40s, the park was a popular steamship destination for beach-going Baltimoreans. Unfortunately, over the ensuing years a gradual but severe decline took place, and in 2006 Anne Arundel County took over the park’s long-term management from owner Baltimore City. Since then the park has undergone exten- sive renovations, with still more to come, and it now offers regular year-round public access with refurbished recreational facilities and programs and an on-site staff. A county-appointed committee will convene soon to make recommendations for a master plan for the park. Moreover, Anne Arundel County has acquired 232 acres of new parkland within a quarter-mile of Fort Smallwood Park. This mostly forested waterfront park, named Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Park, has already attracted area birders to see Red-headed Woodpecker and Connecticut and Mourning Warblers. Finally, and largely because of the hawk watch, the park has recently been designated a state Important Bird Area by Audubon Maryland-DC, in partnership with BirdFife International. All of this is good news for birdwatchers, who are now welcomed to enjoy not only a superb spring hawk migration but also a plenti- ful array of wintering water birds and an excellent spring migration of water birds and passerines. Hawk Watch: The best months to view the spring raptor migration are mid-March through mid-May, and during that time volunteer counters are present nearly every day (except in bad weather). Southwest winds are most favor- able, but any fair-weather day with westerly winds can be good. Days with more than 1,000 raptors occur annually, typically in mid-to-late April. (See table of raptor migra- tion data.) Counts are reported to the Hawk Migration Association of North America. Water Birds: Fort Smallwood Park is also a great place to observe wintering and migrating water birds. Ducks are attracted not only to the waters of the Patapsco River and Chesapeake Bay, but also to the park’s large freshwater pond. Canvasbacks, scaup, Fong-tailed Ducks, Buffleheads, Common Goldeneyes, Red-breasted Mergansers, and Ruddy Ducks prefer the Bay side, while Wood Ducks, Gadwalls, American Wigeons, Green-winged Teals, Ring- necked Ducks and Hooded Mergansers may be found on the pond. Also to be seen are Common and Red-throated Toons, Pied-billed, Horned and Red-necked Grebes, and Bonaparte’s Gulls. Herons and shorebirds are also present in good numbers during spring migration; in early spring, Horned Grebes often use the Patapsco River as a staging area, sometimes gathering by the hundreds. Cormorants tend to congregate on the rocks offshore on the park’s northwest side, and Great Cormorant has been recorded among the many Double-cresteds. Other Migrants: Besides raptors and water birds, many other bird species migrate past the park, particularly in the spring. From the hawk lookout one can see significant numbers of migrant Northern Flickers, Eastern Kingbirds, swallows, Blue Jays, Cedar Waxwings, Bobolinks, Baltimore Orioles, and American Goldfinches. Swallows and Blue Jays are especially numerous, totaling in the tens to hundreds of thousands. On April 20, 2005, an amazing 99 Blue-gray Gnatcatchers were counted as they migrated north. Additionally, the trail that parallels the woods on the park’s south side can be especially good for migrant warblers. Other Bird Life: The pond, ringed with trees, shrubs, vines, and aquatic vegetation, and the trees, shrubs, and brushy and swampy areas in other parts of the Park offer good habitat for a variety of birds. Bald Eagles and Ospreys often perch in the trees surrounding the pond, where the latter species frequently devours fish it has caught in the pond or river. Over the years, 25 species of warblers have been recorded, as well as many rare birds, including Northern Gannet, American White Pelican, Golden Eagle, Common Moorhen, Franklin’s Gull, and Common Raven, just to name a few. The number of nesting species is close to 40. The park bird list stands at an impressive 243 species, with the last one added, a Brown-headed Nuthatch, in 2006. A checklist of the park’s bird species will soon be available. Fall Migration: In the early 1980s, observers documented a significant fall raptor migration. (This was described in an article in the Yellowthroat , September/October 1985, by Hal Wierenga and Wayne Klockner.) Although the hawk watch has rarely been covered in fall since then, due to larger spring migration numbers, those who visit the park from September to November are likely to be rewarded, especially on northwest winds. Data on other fall migrants are spotty, and it is possible that a terrific autumn show is just waiting to be discovered. Park Information as of January, 2007 Hours: 7 a.m. to dusk; closed on Wednesdays. Office: 410-222-0087; open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays. Entry Fees: $5 per vehicle, $25 annual vehicle entry permit, $30 lifetime senior citizen pass (age 60+). Address: 9500 Fort Smallwood Road, Pasadena, MD. Directions: Fort Smallwood Park is located at the eastern terminus of Fort Smallwood Road in northeastern Anne Arundel County. From Rte 100 east, exit left onto Rte 607. Two lights later, turn right onto Rte 173, Fort Smallwood Road, and follow the road to its end (about 3 miles). To get March /April 2007 7 to the hawk watch site, bear left onto the loop road after the gatehouse, and where the road comes to a T, turn right and park in the lot to the right of the fort. The favored spot for raptor observation is about midway down the east- facing shoreline. Proceed about 200 yards south on the path past the buildings on the right, and stop where the view broadens across the pond. Information Online: A.A. Co. Recreation and Parks website: www.co.anne- arundel.md.us/RecParks/parks/ftsmallwood_park/index.cfm MOS website: www.mdbirds.org/sites/mdsites/hawks/hawkwatch.html Invitation to Visit If you haven’t visited Fort Smallwood Park or Weinberg Park, put them on your list of places to go. Watch for announcements of periodic bird walks either on the MDOsprey listserve or on the Anne Arundel County Recreation and Parks web- site. More volunteer counters are needed at the hawk watch in order to increase the number of observation hours and times with multiple observers. Questions about the hawk watch may be directed to the hawk watch compiler, Sue Ricciardi, 410-647-9513, susier@starpower.net. Spring Raptor Migration Data, Fort Smallwood Park Average Count 2002-2006 Highest Season Count Highest Daily Count Peak Flight Black Vulture 205 324 (2006) 65 (3/20/99) March thru 1 st wk April Turkey Vulture 4447 5071 (1996) 1457 (3/23/03) 2 nd wk March thru 1 st wk April Osprey 466 824 (1999) 269 (4/25/84) 2 nd thru 4 th wk April Swallow-tailed Kite 1 2 (2003) *1 (5/02/03) — Mississippi Kite 3 11 (2001) 6(5/23/01) 2 nd thru 4 th wk May Bald Eagle 57 *75 (2001) 9(5/12/03) — Northern Harrier 122 221 (1981) 59 (4/11/83) 1 st thru 3 rd wk April Sharp-shinned Hawk 2299 5153 (1981) 992 (5/03/89) 2 nd wk April thru 1 st wk May Cooper's Hawk 531 704 (1994) 102 (4/07/04) 2 nd wk April thru 1 st wk May Northern Goshawk 1 3 (1996) *1 (4/04/05) — Red-shouldered Hawk 168 413 (1997) 264 (3/08/97) March Broad-winged Hawk 901 4596 (1999) 1897 (4/16/99) 4/13-4/26 and 5/10-5/25 Red-tailed Hawk 310 743 (1996) 112 (4/12/96) March thru 2 nd wk April American Kestrel 401 1331 (1993) 387 (4/09/04) 4 th wk March thru 2 nd wk April Merlin 74 106 (2004) 51 (4/26/83) 2 nd thru 4 th wk April Peregrine Falcon 4 11 (1998) 3 (4/17/84) — Unidentified 41 — — * Most recent of multiple dates Total 10030** 15012 (1999) 2630 (4/16/99) ** Average number of hours of observation per season, 2002-2006:418 8 The Maryland Yelloivtbroat ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY Arizona Birding Pat and Juanita Tate had the good fortune of birding in SE Arizona while visiting family in December. In the San Pedro Riparian area they spotted a pair of Green Kingfishers at Kingfisher Pond. They also found Lesser Goldfinch, Gila Woodpecker, White-crowned Sparrow, and Vesper Sparrow near the San Pedro house. Other highlights included Say’s Phoebe, Loggerhead Shrike, and Chihuahuan Raven. A visit to Ramsey Canyon with their granddaughter yielded Mexican Jay, Hammond’s Llycatcher, Western Bluebird, and Painted Redstart, among many others. Downs Park Bird Trip Ten hardy souls from AABC braved the fierce winter weather (70°L, cloudy and light winds) to look for the birds of Downs Park on Saturday, January 6. Tom and Sharon Bradford, Paul Lofonoff, Kim Hudyma, Bobbi Reichwein, Juanita and Pat Tate, Sandy Teliak, Van Vogel, and Susan Zevin managed to find 38 species, including White-winged Scoter and Common Goldeneye. — Pat Tate Kenya Safari Sharon and Tom Bradford, accompanied by Tom’s brother Robert and his wife Karen, spent the entire month of November on a once-in-a-lifetime birding safari in Kenya. Traveling by car over the infamous Kenyan roads, they roamed from the Indian Ocean to the Great Rift Valley, Lake Victoria, and the Masai Mara, and along the way saw some 620 species of birds (573 lifers), 16 antelope species, three kinds of giraffes, lions galore, leopards, cheetahs, hippos, elephants, rhinoceros (both black and white), warthogs, baboons, monkeys, and assorted other African specialties. They greatly enjoyed the many land birds such as the Secretary Bird, 1 1 species of hornbill including the amazing Southern Ground Hornbill, and Kori Bustard. Brightening up the skies were the numerous intensely colored sunbirds, bee-eaters, turacos, and the ubiquitous weavers. The magnificent raptors included Martial, Long- crested, and Tawny Eagles and Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl (clutching a Vervid monkey). They also saw rarities such as the Taita Thrush and the Ovampo Sparrowhawk, and of course many magnificent examples of starlings that they wish might have been released here instead of the European Starling. Lastly, let’s not forget those cisticolas, prinias, eremomelas, crombecs, and akalats. What a trip! CARROLL COUNTY Tammy Schwaab reports that six Carroll and two non- Carroll birders attended a private, behind-the-scenes tour of the bird files at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History on January 27. Dr. Carla Dove, who works in the feather identification laboratory, hosted the event. Dr. Dove showed them many bird skins, some dating to 1830! Some of the skins they saw during this amazing tour included Ivory-billed Woodpecker, Passenger Pigeon (including “Martha,” the last survivor of the species), Great Auk, Teddy Roosevelt’s collection of birds, and a few of Darwin’s bird collections. Dr. Dove works specifically with bird strikes from air- craft. Pilots send her remains of birds that the ornithologists call “snarf.” Prom these remains they must determine what bird collided with the aircraft, in hopes of preventing future collisions. At the conclusion of the tour, Dr. Dove asked everyone what bird they would most like to see, and then the participants roamed the aisles to find their bird. The Smithsonian houses 650,000 bird skins, the third largest collection in the world. It’s amazing how beautiful these birds are, even after 100 years in a file. Tammy extends her thanks to Dr. Dove for showing them around. CECIL COUNTY Turkey Point Hawk Watch, 2006 This fall’s Turkey Point team of volunteers logged a combined total of 256 hours and tallied 3,522 individuals. Overall, the numbers were somewhat low. If any two adjectives could capture the essence of the entire season, they would be WET and WARM. We started by being rained out by the remnant of tropical storm Ernesto; before we were done no fewer than 1 1 days were rainouts (half again as many as we would usually expect), and several other days saw our hawk watchers sticking it out through varying degrees of drizzle and showers. Temperatures were noticeably above the norms, especially in November. As the season progressed, there was much speculation that the warm weather was discour- aging hawks from migrating — why migrate if it doesn’t get cold? The warm temperatures were widespread, and other hawk watchers and ornithologists have been thinking along the same lines. Migrations of many bird species in the Northern Hemisphere have been late or even absent this year, to the point that Reuter’s news service ran an article on the phenomenon. At the individual species level, our most common raptor was again Sharp-shinned Hawk, with 1,667 individuals, or 46% of all counted birds — about the usual percentage. Of note is the upsurge in numbers of Cooper’s Hawks, at 362 their highest count in at least the last seven years. Broad- winged Hawks were scarce, with only 49 tallied. American March /April 2007 9 Kestrel numbers showed an alarming decline. Indeed, for the first time that I am aware, Merlin (55) beat out American Kestrel (51) as the most common migrating falcon seen at Turkey Point! A big Hurrah for all the hawk watchers who put in time at Turkey Point. It is their knowledge and dedication that make the hawk watch possible year after year. — Dave Kimball HARFORD COUNTY Birding Australia Carol Flora along with Jean and Larry Fry (formerly Harford but now Tri-County) traveled to Western Australia with Don Messersmith in September. The three arrived in Darwin and birded some before meeting up with the tour group; they quickly got a taste of what was to come when their first excursion produced spectacular birds like Blue- faced Honeyeater, Brahiminy Kite, and Red-collared Lorikeet. The tour started in Kunururra and traveled west and south. The many and diversified habitats produced a wide variety of bird and animal sightings. They found some Australian rarities, including Gouldian Finch, Purple- crowned Fairy Wren, Superb and Splendid Fairy Wrens, Yellow Chat, Elegant Parrot, Western Whipbird, Scarlet Robin, and Kookaburra. A special treat was the Crested Shrike-Tit at the Stirling Range Retreat. An arduous journey to the Mitchell Plateau resulted in the sighting of the elusive Black Grasswren. During the 3 -week tour, they saw a total of 264 species. The Harford threesome then traveled to Brisbane and O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat, where they added another 34 species, including Golden and Satin Bowerbirds, Green Catbird, Eastern Whipbird, Rose Robin, King Parrot, and Logrunner. They spent a couple of days in Sydney before taking the long flight home. HOWARD COUNTY Belize Birds A Thanksgiving trip to Belize gave Karen Darcy and Kevin Heffernan a lot to be thankful for, namely, 123 life birds and a total species count of 241. While their list of favorite sightings is lengthy, standouts include Solitary Eagle, Keel- billed Toucan, Gray-throated Chat, and Jabiru. Birding forays from the Hidden Valley Inn on the Mountain Pine Ridge were enlivened by the presence of armed guards who also proved to be good bird spotters. Frostbite Foray Howard County’s Frostbite Foray to the Delaware Shore should be renamed the Tropical Trek. Over the MLK week- end 13 ecstatic birders enjoyed balmy temperatures and sunshine the entire weekend. Down coats and gloves were discarded in favor of light jackets and even shirtsleeves. The group covered sites ranging from Woodland Beach and Bombay Hook to Cape Henlopen and Rehoboth Beach. Not wanting to call an end to the trip since the weather was so wonderful, the group added a final foray to Indian River Inlet. That was fortuitous, as a Little Gull was sighted there. More than a few life birds were tallied, including the Little Gull, thanks to the keen gull-eye of Gene Scarpulla, on loan from the Baltimore Bird Club. Altogether 90 species were counted, and not one resulted in frostbite. Also of special note was a Northern Shrike at Prime Hook. Snow Geese looked like snowflakes falling from the sky, blanketing the ponds at Broadkill. The ferry dock at Cape Henlopen provided a variety of waterfowl, including Black Scoter and Surf Scoter. Even a Monarch butterfly put in an appearance, to the delight of everyone. KENT COUNTY A Move to Seattle The KCBC lost its Vice President at the end of December when Peter Mann and Nancy Everds relocated to Seattle, where Nancy took on a new job. They have kept their house here, however, and Peter says he will likely reappear from time to time and might even be able to present another program featuring Nancy’s wonderful photographs for the club next year. MONTGOMERY COUNTY Artist at Work Diane Ford will be among the artists exhibiting at the 18 th annual Patuxent Wildlife Research Center art show, March 30-April 1. Diane has also shown her work — featuring birds and other animals — at the MOS conference. TALBOT COUNTY In a ceremony held January 24 at the Department of the Interior, Josh Stone received the William T. Hornaday Silver Medal for distinguished service in conservation. Josh’s four major conservation projects involved reforestation at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, invasive species control at the Jean Ellen DuPont Shehan Audubon Sanctuary, shoreline restoration at Wye Island Natural Resources Management Area, and water quality studies for the Blackwater River Watershed. Josh has been an active birder for many years, as has his father. His grandmother carried a great interest in birding and started a family tradition by joining the Talbot Bird Club around 40 years ago. His great-aunt, Jean Crump, has been a member for 25 years, and she continues to be one of the leaders of the club. Josh is currently a first-year student at Messiah College in Pennsylvania. — Les Roslund WASHINGTON COUNTY Theodore Banvard, a long-time (though not current) MOS member in the Washington County chapter, died December 31 in Frederick. A graduate of the US Naval Academy (1939), WW II vet, and retired Navy captain, Theodore Banvard was a coordinator in the inaugural Maryland Breeding Bird Atlas project, and he participated in multiple bird counts. He is survived by a large family, including Richard Banvard of Ashton, who worked with him on MOS projects. 10 The Maryland Yellowthroat Thursday, March 1 Meeting. Frederick. Kathy Marmet from Fox Haven will describe “Fox Haven Community Efforts toward Ecologically Responsible Living.” Come learn about the wonderful ini- tiatives at this ecological learning center. 7 PM in the Community Rm, C. Burr Artz Library, Frederick. Friday, March 2 Meeting. Harford. Birdwatcher’s Digest columnist Jeffrey A. Gordon presents “The Birdsong Grammys.” Contact Russ Kovach, 443-386-4787, or visit www.HarfordBirdClub.org for add’l info. 7 PM at Churchville Presbyterian Church, Churchville, MD. Saturday, March 3 A Baltimore. Horsehead Wetlands. Winter waterfowl and passerines. Meet 7:30 AM at Nursery Rd P&R off Balt Beltway (1-695) exit 8 (not 8a), or 8:30 AM at the Horsehead Visitor Center lot. Leader: Kevin Graff, 410-557-2456 or ocean_city2001@yahoo.com. A Frederick. Timberdoodles at Audrey Carroll. Doug Parker will lead us on a search for American Woodcocks. Meet 5:30 PM at the Rte 75 P&R just south of 1-70. Bring a flashlight. For info call Doug at 301-663-1909. A Howard. Woodcock and Owl Search. Meet 1:30 PM (for owls) and 5:30 PM (for woodcock) at the horse trailer parking lot on Annapolis Rock Rd about halfway between Hipsley Mill and MD 94. We will stay until darkness descends if the weather is reasonably conducive for owls flying and woodcock displaying. Contact Jay Sheppard, JMSheppar@aol.com for more info. Mos Board Meeting. Howard Co Conservancy, Woodstock, 10:00 AM. Hosted by Howard Co Bird Club. Contact Janet Shields at janet- bill@prodigy.net for more info. A Patuxent. Fran Uhler NA. Meet 7:30 AM at the end of Lemon Bridge Rd off MD 197, just north of Bowie State U and the MARC line. No reservations required. Sunday, March 4 A Anne Arundel. Wooten’s Landing. Woodcocks. Breakfast at a location TBA. Meet 4:30 AM at the Parole P&R located off Harry Truman Pkwy. Leader: Katherine Lambert, 410-867-4056. A Baltimore. Loch Raven Reservoir. Waterfowl and landbirds. Possible Bald Eagles and bluebirds. Two-mile level walk. Meet 8 AM. Beginning birders welcome. Scopes useful. From 1-695, take exit 27 Dulaney Valley Rd north, go several miles, cross large bridge over reservoir, and bear right immediately. Continue to first left, Stone Hill Rd. Go about 100 yards and park on your right. All cars need to park on the same side of the road. Leader: Debbie Terry, 410-252-8771 or gt5s@bcpl.net. A Howard. Centennial Park. Meet 8 AM in West parking lot on Centennial Ln. Easy walking around the lake on paved path. Leader: Kevin Heffernan, 410-418-8731. Tuesday, March 6 Meeting. Baltimore. Speaker and topic TBA in BBC newsletter and on club website. 7:30 PM at the Cylburn Arboretum, 4915 Greenspring Ave. Info: Pete Webb, 410-486-1217 or pete_webb@juno.com. Wednesday, March 7 A Baltimore. First Wednesdays at Ft. McHenry. Meet 8 AM at Visitor Center. Monthly survey of bird activity at the wetland. Folding chair and scope useful. Cancelled in bad weather (rain, sleet, snow, fog, etc.). From Balt Beltway (1-695) southwest of the city, take exit 1 1/1-95 north towards the city. Get off at exit 55, Hanover St. Turn right (east) on McComas St, left (north) on Key Hwy. Take first left onto Lawrence St and turn left onto Fort Ave; continue through gateway into the park. Leader: Mary Chetelat, 410-665-0769. Meeting. Carroll. Dave Smith will present “Birding Cape Town, South Africa.” 7:30 PM at the Senior Center, 125 Stoner Ave, Westminster. Contact Tammy Schwaab, 410-857- 4913, for more info. A Montgomery. Informal Evening Walks until dusk. Meet at the end of Riley’s Lock Rd on the C&O Canal bridge at 5 PM. After checking out the river, we will proceed to Hughes Hollow. Highlights here will include waterfowl flying in to roost (a great ID challenge at twilight). No promises, but if displaying American Woodcock have been located in the vicinity, we will try for them. Bring a scope, flashlight, and wear “muddy conditions” footwear. Reservations not required — all are welcome. Leader: Jim Green, 301-208-2393 or jgreen@smokeyglenfarm.com. Thursday, March 8 Meeting. Howard. “Movin’ in March— It’s All So Brown!” by David Holmes. Expect some pointers on difficult-to-identify birds in early migration. Hospitality and club bookstore, 7:30 PM; meeting/ program, 8 PM at Howard Co Rec and Parks, 7210 Oakland Mills Rd, Columbia. Info: Kevin Heffernan, 410-418-8731. Meeting. Talbot. Nick Carter will present “How Watersheds Work.” Visual examples from the Choptank and other Chesapeake drainage basins illustrate, in lay terms, the March /April 2007 11 principles and mechanisms of watersheds and other ecosystems. Conservation/environmental problems of the Chesapeake area are shown to result from societal failure to live by these principles. 7 PM at William Hill Manor, Dutchmans Ln, Easton. Saturday, March 10 A Cecil. Horsehead Wetlands Center. 7 AM at Big Elk Mall parking lot (corner of Rtes 40 and 213), Elkton, near the Dunkin’ Donuts. Leader: Richard Donham, donhamr@zoominternet.net. A Harford. John Smith Park, Bush River. Two veteran birders and trip leaders take you in search of waterfowl, eagles, and late winter migrants. Meet 7:30 AM in at the John Smith parking lot on Rte 40 just south of Anita C. Leight Center. Leaders: Dennis Kirkwood, 410-692- 5905, and Lynn Davis. A Patuxent. Fran Uhler NA Cleanup. Check the Prince George’s ANS website for details. A Anne Arundel. Wye Island NRMA. Waterfowl, shorebirds, and landbirds. Bring a lunch and meet 7:30 AM at the Bay 50 Shopping Center parking lot off Rte 50 on White Hall Rd. Leader: Bobbi Reichwein, 410-798-5940. A Howard. Waterfowl Search. Meet 8 AM at Broken Land Pkwy P&R. We’ll carpool to search Howard Co waterways for ducks, grebes, mer- gansers, and loons. Leader: Kevin Heffernan, 410-418-8731. A Montgomery. Jug Bay, Prince George’s County. Half day. Joint trip with ANS. Possible Rusty Blackbirds, migrating Wilson’s Snipe, and courtship display of Ospreys. Meet 8 AM. Call leader for details and driving instructions. Check ANS News for more info. Reservations required. Leader: John Bjerke, 240-401-1643. Sunday, March 11 A Baltimore. Middle Creek WMA. All-day trip (bring lunch) to visit this major gathering place north of Lancaster, PA for Snow Geese and other waterfowl. There is also an excellent display of mounted birds at the Visitor Center. Note: Trip may go elsewhere if Middle Creek is frozen over. Meet 8 AM at Timonium P&R on Greenspring Dr/Deereco Rd off Timonium Rd just east of 1-83. Leader: Steve Sanford, 410-922-5103 or scartan@verizon.net. A Howard. Centennial Park. Meet 8 AM in west parking lot on Centennial Ln. Easy walking around the lake on paved path. Leader: Ward Ebert, 301-490-5807. It Talbot. Easton WWTP for grassland birds, waterfowl, and rails. Depart 7 AM Tred Avon Shopping Center parking lot in front of Acme, Easton. Leader: Terry Allen, 410-822-8132. Breakfast host: Patty Allen. Monday, March 12 A Baltimore. Poplar Island. This environmental restoration project, similar to Hart-Miller, will, when completed, provide approximately 570 acres of wetland and 570 acres of upland habitat. The island is reached by a 20-30 minute boat ride from Tilghman Island. Meet 7 AM at Nursery Rd P&R or 9 AM at Tilghman Is. Scopes helpful. Facilities available. Bring snacks if desired. Lunch will be at a local restaurant. Reservations required. Leader: Chrissy Albanese. Coordinator: Gail Frantz, 410-833- 7135 or guineabird@aol.com. Tuesday, March 13 Meeting. Kent. Speaker TBA. 7:30 PM. Wesley Hall, Heron Pt, E Campus Ave, Chestertown. For info contact Nancy Martin, 410-778-9568. Meeting. Patuxent. “The Natural History and Preservation of Box Turtles” by Chris Swarth. 7:30 PM at the College Park Airport Annex. Call Fred Shaffer at 410-721-1744 for add’l info. Meeting. Allegany. Speaker TBA. 7 PM at the Main Library, 31 Washington St, Cumberland. Located across the street from the Board of Ed Bldg. A Montgomery. Informal Evening Walks until dusk. See Mar 7 listing. Wednesday, March 14 A Harford. Timberdoodle Watch. An early evening trip designed to take you into the mating arena of one of North America’s most bizarre birds, the American Woodcock. Dress warmly and meet 6 PM in the north- east corner of the Aberdeen Wal-Mart parking lot adjacent to Rte 7 and furthest from the bldg. Leader: Colleen Webster, 410-942-0867. Thursday, March 15 Meeting. Anne Arundel. Richard E. Heise, Jr. Annual Wildlife Lecture. “Discovery of a Lost World: A Fascinating Trip to an Undiscovered Garden of Eden.” Presented by Dr. Bruce Beehler , VP of the Melanesia Center for Biodiversity Conservation. 8 PM in the Blue Heron Rm at Quiet Waters Park, 600 Quiet Waters Park Rd, Annapolis. Meeting. Caroline. “Goshawks: Birds Driven by Their Prey, and When the Next Invasion Might Be Due” presented by Dave Brinker. 7:30 PM at the Caroline Co Public Library, 100 Market St, Denton. Saturday, March 17 A Baltimore. Saturday Monitoring Walks at Ft. McHenry. Meet 8 AM at Visitor Center. Monthly survey of bird activity at the wetland. Folding chair and scope useful. Cancelled in bad weather (rain, sleet, snow, fog, etc.). See Mar 7 listing for directions. Leader: Jim Peters, 410-429-0966. A Indicates Field Trip (MOS Calendar continues on page 12) 12 The Maryland Yellowthroat MOS Calendar (continued from page 11) ft Cecil. Blackwater NWR. Full day. Meet 6 AM at Big Elk Mall (corner of Rtes 40 and 213), Elkton, near the Dunkin’ Donuts. Leader: Sean McCandless, seanmccandlessl@comcast.net. A Kent. Prime Hook NWR, DE. Early spring birding for waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors, rails, and spar- rows. Meet 7 AM at Dollar General parking lot, Chestertown. Leader: Walter Ellison, 410-778-9568. ft Montgomery. Lingering Waterfowl and Sparrows. Half day. Meet at Riley’s Lock at 7 AM, then follow leader to a sequence of inter- esting places. Reservations not required. Leader: Dave Powell, 301-540-8776. A Patuxent. Governor Bridge Park. Meet 7:30 AM at Governor Bridge parking lot. No reservations are required. Park is located on Governor Bridge Rd, approximately 1 mile east of MD 301. A Tri-County. Prime Hook NWR and Cape Henlopen SP, DE. Waterfowl and other early migrants. Meet 7:30 AM at Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art parking lot on S Schumaker Dr on Beaglin Park Dr in Salisbury. Contact leader Mike Walsh, 410-543-1853, for more details. Bring lunch. ft Washington. Blue Ridge Environmental Center. Meet 7 AM at Rte 66 P&R. Contact Anna Hutzell, 301-797-8454, to participate. Sunday, March 18 A Frederick. Hughes Hollow. One of Jim Green’s favorite birding haunts. All are welcome! The plan is to bird Hughes Hollow and surrounding areas for a half-day. Bring wet-weather footwear and scope. For meeting time, directions, and info, contact Jim at 301-208-2393 or jgreen@smokeyglenfarm.com. A Harford. Harford Waterfowl Tour. Marvel at thousands of Lesser Scaup and search for species that are tough to find locally, such as Surf Scoter, Redhead, Long-tailed Duck, and Northern Shoveler. Beginners interested in learning the basics of waterfowl identification and experi- enced watchers searching for rarities will enjoy this morning trip to the Upper Bay and Havre de Grace areas. Scopes are helpful. Dress warmly and be sure to bring photo ID. Meet 6 AM in back lot of the Rte 40 McDonald’s in Edgewood. Contact trip leader Dave Webb, 410- 939-3537, for more info. A Howard. Centennial Park. Meet 8 AM in west parking lot on Centennial Ln. Easy walking around the lake on paved path. Leader: Ralph Cullison, 410-442-2181. A Talbot. Ferry Neck for resident and migrant landbirds and water- fowl. Depart 7 AM St. Michaels Village Shopping Center parking lot adjacent to Talbot Bank, St. Michaels. Or depart 7 AM Tred Avon Shopping Center parking lot in front of Acme, Easton. Both groups proceed to intersection of Bellevue Rd and Ferry Neck Rd. Leaders: Harry Armistead, 215-248-4120 or harryarmistead@hotmail.com, and Les Coble. Breakfast hosts: Myra and Bill Novak. Tuesday, March 20 A Montgomery. Informal Evening Walks until dusk. See Mar 7 listing. Friday, March 23 Annual Social. Montgomery. Woodend, Chevy Chase, 6:30 PM. Guest of Honor: Jim Green. The dinner is being provided through the kind donation of Smokey Glen Farm of Gaithersburg. Limit: 90. Acceptances and checks ($10 per person) to John Williamson, 3919 Oliver St, Chevy Chase, MD 20815 or jwilliamsonl2@yahoo.com. Saturday, March 24 A Cecil. Woodlawn Nature Preserve. Meet 7 AM at Big Elk Mall parking lot (corner of Rtes 40 and 213) Elkton, near the Dunkin’ Donuts. Leaders: Richard Donham, donhamr@zoominternet.net, and Ken Drier. A Harford. Annie’s Playground. An easily accessible location not only for children but also birders out for some feathered sightings. Meet the leaders, Randy Robertson and Colleen Webster, in the parking lot at 8 AM. Contact Colleen at 410-942-0867 for details. A Patuxent. Merkle WMA and Southern Prince George’s Co. Early migrants and waterfowl. Meet 7:30 AM. Contact Fred Shaffer, 410-721- 1744, for add’l info and meeting place. This will be a joint trip with SMAS. Saturday-Sunday, March 24-25 A Baltimore. Ocean City Inlet SeaWatch. Join us in the inlet parking lot for full-day watch for gannets galore and other seabirds headed north. Expect to see Brant, scoters, a variety of gulls, and (with a little luck) pelagic birds close to shore. A Red Phalarope was seen at SeaWatch on Mar 27, 2004. Stay over Fri night for early start on Sat. Dress for cold weather. Bring lawn chair, scope, and warm drinks. Leader will provide snacks. Bring lunch or buy it at nearby shops. Dinner/Tally Sat evening at local restaurant. Optional stay over Sat night for birding the inlet Sun morning, then birding stops on way home. Contact leader for motel reser- vations, meeting place/time, and add’l info. Leader: Kevin Graff, 410-557- 2456 or ocean_city2001@yahoo.com. Sunday, March 25 A Howard. Centennial Park. Meet 8 AM in west end parking lot on Centennial Ln. Easy walking around the lake on paved path. For info, contact Kevin Heffernan, 410-418-8731. A Indicates Field Trip March /April 2007 13 A Montgomery. McKee-Beshers WMA. Meet at the end of Riley’s Lock Rd on the C&O Canal bridge at 7 AM. We will then cover other parts of the WMA, including Hughes Hollow and Sycamore Landing Rd. Birds of interest include lingering waterfowl, early migrants, swallows, and sparrows. Reservations required. Limit 15. Leader: Jim Green, 301- 208-2393 or jgreen@smokeyglen- farm.com. A Talbot. Jean Ellen duPont Shehan Audubon Sanctuary. Depart 7 AM from St. Michaels Village Shopping Center parking lot adjacent to Talbot Bank, St. Michaels. Leader: Les Roslund, 410-763-8169 or lroslund@bluecrab.org. Breakfast host: Linda Makosky. Monday, March 26 Annual Dinner Meeting. Tri- County. Speaker: Bob Ringler , long- time MOS member and world travel- er. 6 PM at Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art, Salisbury. Tuesday, March 27 Meeting. Washington. Program TBA. 7:30 PM at the Mt. Aetna Nature Center, Hagerstown. Wednesday, March 28 A Baltimore. Loudon Park Cemetery. Meet 9:30 AM. Directions: from 1-695, take exit 13, Rte 144/ Frederick Rd, east towards the city (away from Catonsville). Go about 2.5 miles. Just past Mount St. Joseph HS, turn right into the cemetery’s main entrance. Leader: Joy Wheeler, 410-825-1204. Saturday, March 31 A Baltimore. Cromwell Valley Park. Diverse habitat includes stream, woods, and fields. Expect to see a variety of resident and migrant birds. Meet 8 AM. From 1-695, take Exit 29 A Cromwell Bridge Rd. Turn north (away from the city) onto Cromwell Bridge Rd. At 1.3 miles, turn left at the “Sherwood Farm entrance.” Follow entrance road, then turn right after bridge to the Willow Grove Farm parking lot. A new access road has been built to connect the two sides of the park (Sherwood Farm and Willow Grove Farm). If the access road is closed, return to Cromwell Bridge Rd and go left to the next entrance, “Willow Grove Farm,” and try there, go in across stream to lot on left. (On- going construction keeps changing which entrance to use). Feader: Kevin Graff, 410-557-2456 or ocean_city2001@yahoo.com. A Harford. Swan Harbor Snipe Hunt. Ever wanted to actually see one of those undercover and hard- to-find birds that we just know are out there? Here is your chance! Join Swan Harbor’s own caretaker John Gallo for a personal tour around the wetlands in search of snipe. Meet in the parking lot at 7:30 AM. Contact John at 410-459-0548 for more info. A Kent. Owl Prowl. Meet at the Eastern Neck NWR Fodge at 6 PM. Following an introduction to local species and their calls, this field trip will hopefully bring us face to face with owls. Feader: Walter Ellison, 410-778-9568. Sunday, April 1 A Baltimore. Cylburn Nature Walk. 2 hrs. First in a series of 4 walks in April. Watch spring progress with a delightful variety of flowers, trees, and bushes along Cylburn’s nature trails. Expect to find a variety of migrant and resi- dent birds. No designated leader. Meet 8:30 AM at mansion’s front porch, 4915 Greenspring Ave. Coordinator: Joe Fewandowski, 410-358-7834 or ilenel@juno.com. A Frederick. Huntley Meadows, VA. Kathy Calvert will lead us on a trip to a great birding spot in our southern neighbor’s territory to look for rails and other marsh birds. Meet 6:30 AM Urbana P&R. Pack a lunch. Contact Kathy at 301-698-1298, for more info. A Talbot. Dorchester County. Depart 7 AM from Tred Avon Shopping Center parking lot in front of Acme, Easton. Feader: Cathy Cooper, 301-718-1691. Tuesday, April 3 A Baltimore. Fake Roland. First in a series of weekly walks to follow the progress of spring migration. Habitats include woods, lake, streams, and marsh. Meet 8:30 AM at footbridge. From 1-695, take Jones Falls Expy (1-83 south) to Northern Pkwy exit, and go left (east) to next light, Falls Rd. Go left (north) and stay in right lane, go past second light (Fake Ave), turn right (east) before south end of Falls Rd bridge (just north of Fake Ave), follow right-left-right turns to avoid Fight Rail entrance and continue 0.5 mile to intersection. Park and walk to footbridge. Feader: Matilda Weiss, 410-337-2732. Meeting. Baltimore. “Catching, Banding, and Hypnotizing Birds.” Dr David Thorndill , who has a quarter century of banding experi- ence in Balt Co, will describe the why’s and how’s of catching and banding birds and bird hypnosis. 7:30 PM at the Cylburn Arboretum, 4915 Greenspring Ave. Info: Pete Webb, 410-486-1217 or pete_webb@juno.com. Wednesday, April 4 A Baltimore. First Wednesdays at Ft. McHenry. Monthly survey of bird activity at the wetland. Folding chair and scope useful. Cancelled in bad weather (rain, sleet, snow, fog, etc.). Meet 8 AM outside the Visitor Center. See Mar 7 listing for directions. Feader: Mary Chetelat, 410-665-0769. Meeting. Carroll. Dave Harvey will present “Birding in Dominica.” 7:30 PM at Senior Center, 125 Stoner Ave, Westminster. Info: Karen Mobley, karenm657@comcast.net. Thursday, April 5 Meeting. Frederick. Mike Bowen and Linda Friedland will present a condensed version of their acclaimed “Warbler Workshop” from last (MOS Calendar continues on page 14) 14 The Maryland Yellowthroat MOS Calendar (continued from page 13) year’s MOS conference at Rocky Gap. Come see this popular and informative presentation just in time for migration. 7 PM in the Community Rm, C. Burr Artz Library in downtown Frederick. Friday, April 6 Meeting. Anne Arundel. Pierre Henkart will present “The Birds of Tropical Queensland, Australia, and the Albatrosses and Penguins of New Zealand.” 8 PM at Arlington Echo Outdoor Education Center, 975 Indian Landing Rd, Millersville. Saturday, April 7 ft Allegany. Garrett County Ponds. Meet 9 AM at Parkside School in La Vale. Pack lunch for a picnic at New Germany SP — if we don’t freeze first! Call leader, Roy Brown, at 301-724-7769 for more info. A Baltimore. Cromwell Valley Park. Meet 8 AM. See Mar 31 listing for trip description and directions. Leader: Kevin Graff, 410-557-2456 or ocean_city2001@yahoo.com. A Carroll. Morgan Run. Looking for early migrants. Meet 7 AM at the parking lot located at the end of Ben Rose Ln. Leader: Bill Ellis, 443-402-9033. A Harford. Harford Glen. A sure favorite with both birds and birders. This local gem will host forest dwellers and some waterbirds. Get out early in this about-to-be-spring month with two long-time birders, Carol Flora and Jean Wheeler, as they lead trip-goers in a search for migrants and residents. Meet in the upper parking lot at 7:30 AM. Contact Jean at 410-879-7424 for more info. A Howard. Alpha Ridge Landfill. Half day. Meet at Alpha Ridge Park at 7:45 AM to carpool to landfill. Moderate walking over hills and fields of the landfill. Vesper Sparrow and other field birds likely. Meadowlarks, kestrels, and other open-country birds expected. Rarities possible. Leader: Ralph Cullison, 410-442-2181. Facilities available. A Patuxent. Fran Uhler NA. Meet 7:30 AM at the end of Lemon Bridge Rd off MD 197, just north of Bowie State U and the MARC line. No reservations required. Sunday, April 8 A Baltimore. Cylburn Nature Walk. See Apr 1 listing. Coordinator: Joe Lewandowski, 410-358-7834 or ilenel@juno.com. A Talbot. Pickering Creek Audubon Center. Waterfowl, grass- land birds, and more! Depart 7 AM from Tred Avon Shopping Center parking lot in front of Acme, Easton. Leader: Jan Reese, 410-745-2875. Breakfast host: Jean Crump. Tuesday, April 10 Meeting. Allegany. Speaker TBA. 7 PM at the Main Library, 31 Washington St, Cumberland. Located across the street from the Board of Ed Bldg. A Baltimore. Lake Roland. See Apr 3 for details. Leader: Mary Chetelat, 410-665-0769. Meeting. Kent. Speaker TBA. 7:30 PM. Wesley Hall, Heron Pt., E Campus Ave, Chestertown. For info contact Nancy Martin, 410-778-9568. Meeting. Patuxent. “Polar Bears, Snowy Owls, and the Ecology of the Frozen North” by Matt Perry. 7:30 PM at the College Park Airport Annex. Call Fred Shaffer at 410-721-1744 for add’l info. Thursday, April 12 Meeting. Howard. “The Ecology of American Redstarts during Winter: No Tropical Vacation!” by Colin Studds. Hospitality and club book- store, 7:30 PM: meeting/program, 8 PM at Howard Co Rec and Parks, 7210 Oakland Mills Rd, Columbia. Info: Kevin Heffernan, 410-418-8731. Meeting. Talbot. Linda Friedland and Michael Bowen of the Montgomery Bird Club will present “Warblers of Maryland.” The program covers all 37 warbler species that breed in or migrate through our state. Identification pointers and songs are emphasized. The presentation uses high-resolution photos taken by some of NA’s finest nature photographers and song tracks from the Stokes Birdsong series. 7 PM at William Hill Manor, Dutchmans Lane, Easton. Saturday, April 14 A Baltimore. Smith Island. Full day. All-day trip to see the herons, egrets, and other birds on the island, plus gannets, sea ducks, and possible pelagic species up close during the boat rides to and from. Bring lunch, snacks, and beverages; the General Store on the island will be open, offering sandwiches, drinks, and snacks. Rental bicycles and golfcart are available. Car pool from Nursery Rd P&R at 6:30 AM or meet at the Pt. Lookout boat dock at 9 AM. The boat leaves at 9:30 AM, arrives at the island about 1 1 AM, and picks up about 2:30 PM (negotiable) for the ride back to Pt. Lookout. The trip costs $35 cash per person, payable at the Pt. Lookout boat dock. For reservations (limit 30), contact Pete Webb, 410 486-1217 or pete_webb@juno.com. A Frederick. Fox Haven. Beth Zang will take us to Fox Haven to look for late lingerers, sparrows, and early migrants. Meet at Jefferson P& R on Rte 340 and Lander Rd at 8 AM. Call Beth at 301-371-7936, for info. A Montgomery. Bird Pedal. Half day. Leisurely ride with frequent stops at birding habitats, following the Mt. Vernon Trail beside the Potomac River in VA. Start at the Jones Pt. Park parking lot under the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, cycle south on even, paved bike trail, bird at Dyke Marsh, and continue to bike south towards Mt. Vernon. Drive to coffee break at Firehook Bakery after A Indicates Field Trip March /April 2007 15 return by bike to Jones Pt. Make reservations (required) with leader. NOTE THAT MEETING PLACE IS DIFFERENT FROM 2006. Leader: Mike Bowen, 301-530-5764 or dhmbowen@yahoo.com. Sunday, April 15 A Anne Arundel. Little Patuxent Oxbow Lake Preserve. Half day. Meet 7:30 AM at Parole P&R located off Harry Truman Pkwy. Leader: Marcy Stutzman. For more info, contact Tom Bradford, 410-987-0674. A Baltimore. Cylburn Nature Walk. See Apr 1 listing. Coordinator: Joe Lewandowski, 410-358-7834 or ilenel@juno.com. A Howard. Beginner’s Birding by Ear. Gwynn Acres Trail. Meet on Old Columbia Rd and Ram’s Horn Row at 8 AM. Walk the paved path along wooded stream. Learn the basics of birding by ear. Leader: Kevin Heffernan, 410-418-8731. No facilities. A Talbot. Wye Island NRMA. For waterfowl and early songbirds. Depart 7 AM from Tred Avon Shopping Center parking lot in front of Acme, Easton, or 7:15 AM from Rte 404/Rte 50 P&R. Leader: Danny Poet, 410-827-8651 or dannypoet@hotmail.com. Tuesday, April 17 A Baltimore. Lake Roland. See Apr 3 listing for details and directions. Leader: Dot Gustafson, 410-584-9509 or dotsg@bcpl.net. A Howard. Centennial Park. 2-3 hrs. Meet at west end lot at 8:30 AM. Easy walking around the lake on paved path. Migrant passerines should be moving through. Possible terns and other waterbirds. Leaders: Joe Byrnes, 410-730-5329, and Jeff Culler. Facilities available. Wednesday, April 18 A Baltimore. Evening walks at Ft. McHenry. Monthly survey of bird activity at the wetland. Folding chair and scope useful. Cancelled in bad weather (rain, sleet, snow, fog, etc.). Meet 6 PM at main gate. From 1-95: take Hanover St, exit 55, McComas St (last exit before tunnel eastbound, first after tunnel westbound), north on Key Hwy which turns west, first left Lawrence St, left onto Fort Ave, continue east to Ft. McHenry entrance gate at end. From the JFX, 1-83, south to St. Paul St exit, south on St. Paul St which becomes Light St, then left (east) onto Fort Ave, continue to end as above. Park on Wallace St (left just before the gate). Leader: Jim Peters, 410-429-0966. Meeting. Montgomery. “The Longest Pelagic” by Gail Mackiernan , MBC. In 2003-2004, Gail, her husband Barry Cooper, and four friends took a 10,000-mile, 24-day cruise from Cape Town, SA, to Tristan da Cunha, Antarctica, the Falklands, Tierra del Fuego and up the west coast of S. America. They saw more than 100 species of seabirds, many rarely observed by birders, and they also did land-birding at all the ports. Gail will show slides and video from this unique voyage. 7:30 PM at the Potomac Presbyterian Church, 10301 River Rd, Potomac. Thursday, April 19 Meeting. Caroline. “Hone Your Skills Identifying Warblers.” Presented by Danny Poet. 7:30 PM at the Caroline Co Public Library, 100 Market St, Denton. Saturday, April 21 A Anne Arundel. Pocomoke River Canoe Trip. For details, check Anne Arundel Bird Club newsletter or call leader Larry Zoller at 410-987-9354. A Baltimore. Huntley Meadows, VA. Bring picnic lunch for three- quarter-day trip to northern VA woods and freshwater marsh with boardwalk trail, for resident wildlife and early spring migrants. American Bittern and Sora both possible. Three-hour level walk on paved paths and boardwalks. Meet 7:30 AM at Nursery Rd P&R, Leader: Pete Webb, 410-486-1217 or pete_webb@juno.com. A Baltimore. Saturday Monitoring Walks at Ft. McHenry. See Mar 7 listing for details and directions. Leader: Jim Peters, 410-429-0966. A Cecil. Mt. Harmon Plantation and Grove Neck Sanctuary. Meet 7 AM at Big Elk Mall parking lot (corner of Rtes 40 and 213) Elkton, near the Dunkin’ Donuts. Leader: Parke John, parke@del.net. A Frederick. Earth Day Big Day. Join us for our fourth annual “fun”d-raising event at Lilypons to benefit MOS projects. Contact Chuck Finley, 301-865-3524, for further info and to sign up. A Harford. Gettysburg, PA. Just when you thought you knew every- thing about the famous battlefields, Dave Webb leads a tour to help us re-vision Gettysburg. Join this enthusi- astic leader as he takes you through fields and wooded areas, looking for Red-headed Woodpecker, Rusty Blackbird, and Wilson’s Snipe. Pack a lunch and meet in front of Klein’s grocery store, intersection of MD 23 and MD 24 at 6 AM. For more details, call Dave at 410-939-3537. A Howard. Hawks at Fort Smallwood Park, Anne Arundel Co. Meet 9 AM near the Hollywood Video Store in the parking lot of the Lyndwood shopping center on Marshalee Dr and carpool. Though primarily a hawkwatching trip, the park has the potential for a number of other kinds of birds. Bring lunch, drinks, sunscreen, and a chair. The park has portable toilets but no drinking water. A 100-yard walk is all that is involved. Weinberg Park is nearby, for those interested. There is a nominal admission charge. Leader: Ralph Geuder, 410-788-3764. A Kent. Beginner’s Bird Walk. 2 hrs. An Earth Day walk geared toward beginning birders, but all are welcome. Meet 9 AM at Eastern Neck NWR HQ. (MOS Calendar continues on page 1 6) 16 The Maryland Yellowthroat MOS Calendar (continued from page 15) A Montgomery. Blue Mash. Half day. Interesting walk at a very birdy site. Waterproof boots (Wellies preferred) essential. Meet 7:30 AM at Zion Rd parking lot. Call leader for reservations and directions. Limit 8-10. Leader: Mark England, 240-252-4218 or markengland@ canamcontractors.com. A Patuxent. Governor Bridge Park. Meet 7:30 AM at Governor Bridge parking lot. No reservations are required. Park is located on Governor Bridge Rd, approximately 1 mile east of MD 301. A Tri-County. Nassawango Creek Preserve. Vireos, warblers, and other swamp forest birds. Meet 7 AM at parking lot of Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art on S. Schumaker Dr on Beaglin Park Dr in Salisbury. Contact leader, Betty Pitney, 410-543-1853, for more details. Bring lunch. Sunday, April 22 A Baltimore. Patapsco Valley SP- Granite Area. Join the search for early migrants along the Patapsco River and neighboring forest. Several species of warblers and both orioles possible. Boots recommended. Meet 7:30 AM. Directions: from 1-695 take Liberty Rd (exit 18/MD 26) west for 2 miles to Old Court Rd (MD 125). Turn left on Old Court Rd, and drive 5.5 miles through Granite to the Patapsco River. Cross the bridge and park just beyond the railroad tracks. Leader: Keith Eric Costley, 443-985-6489 or oriolekecl@comcast.net. A Baltimore. Cylburn Nature Walk. See Apr 1 listing. Coordinator: Joe Lewandowski, 410-358-7834 or ilenel@juno.com. A Baltimore. Chimney Swifts at Dusk in Hampden. See migrating Chimney Swifts as they pour into chimneys at the Bookbindery and/or the Mill Center. Meet 7:45 PM at Mill Center parking lot. Come at 7:30 PM if the weather is cloudy or gray. Cancelled if raining. For more info and directions, contact: Carol Schreter, 410-664-5151, and Joan Cwi, cwijs@battelle.org. A Carroll. Earthworks Festival- Hashawha Environmental Center. Come help us represent the club at the CCBC booth. For more info, contact Bill Ellis at 443-402-9033. A Howard. University of Maryland Farm. Meet at farm parking lot. Walk through the wetlands and dry fields of the central farm looking for sparrows, ducks, and marsh birds. Tall boots and waterproof pants a must. Difficult walking at times. Limit 12. Call Bonnie Ott, 410-461- 3361, to reserve a spot and get meeting time. No facilities. A Montgomery. Hughes Hollow to Violette’s Lock. Half day. We will look for waterbirds on the move as well as early songbird migrants. This is a good time frame for bumping into possible Purple Finches, Blue- winged Teal, swallows, and maybe even an American Bittern. Meet 6:30 AM at Hughes Hollow parking lot in McKee-Beshers WMA. Anyone interested in seeking woodcocks before this walk can contact the leader about meeting earlier to look for the birds along River Rd. Reservations required. Leader: Howard Youth, 301-915-0071 or howard.youth@starpower.net. A Talbot. Bluestem (formerly Chino) Farms, Chestertown. Grassland birds and more! Depart 7 AM from Tred Avon Shopping Center parking lot in front of Acme, Easton. Leader: Wayne Bell, 410- 820-6002 or wbell2@washcoll.edu. No breakfast. Bring lunch. Monday, April 23 Meeting. Tri-County. We will show the “Warbler Workshop” video pre- pared by Mike Bowen for the 2006 MOS Conference. 7 PM at Asbury Methodist Church, Fox Rm, south entrance, Camden Ave, Salisbury. Tuesday, April 24 A Baltimore. Rain Date for Chimney Swifts at Dusk in Hampden. See April 22 listing. A Baltimore. Lake Roland. See Apr 3 listing for details and directions. Leader: Debbie Terry, 410-252-8771 or gt5s@bcpl.net. Meeting. Washington. Program TBA. 7:30 PM at the Mt. Aetna Nature Center, Hagerstown. Wednesday, April 25 it Baltimore. Evening walks at Ft. McHenry. Monthly survey of bird activity at the wetland. Folding chair and scope useful. Cancelled in bad weather (rain, sleet, snow, fog, etc). Meet 6 PM at main gate. See Apr 18 listing for directions. Leader: Jim Peters, 410-429-0966. Thursday, April 26 A Montgomery. Rock Creek Park, DC. One-third day. Migrant warblers, vireos, etc. Meet 7AM at Picnic Area 18, one-half mile below the Nature Center on Ridge Rd. Call leader for more info or specific directions. Reservations required. Leader: Rob Hilton, 301-587-6136. Friday, April 27 A Harford. Eden Mill Nature Center Bird Banding. A very good trip for beginners and experienced birders alike, as veteran bander Mark Johnson leads a workshop on the details of banding and helps us experience a variety of migrants close up and fresh out of the nets. Meet at the Joe Vangrin Memorial Pavilion about one-half mile beyond the mill on Eden Mill Rd at 8 AM. Les Eastman will lead a bird walk through the trails after the work- shop. Contact Les for details at 410-734-6969. Saturday, April 28 A Allegany. Carey Run Work Day. 8 AM until you drop. Hard workers needed to come and help us out at the MOS Carey Run Sanctuary in Finzel. Be sure to bring your picks and shovels. Yard tools such as rakes, shovels, and chainsaws will be useful. For lunch, bring a place setting and a covered dish to share. Beverages will March /April 2007 17 be supplied. From 1-68, take the Finzel exit and turn left (south) until it dead- ends. Turn right, go straight at the fork in the road, and make your first right turn onto the unpaved road. Cross the bridge and then turn right; look for MOS Sanctuary signs. Contact: Barbara Gaffney, 301-895- 4646, for info. A Anne Arundel. Nanjemoy Creek Preserve, Charles County. Great Blue Heron Rookery. Meet 8 AM Parole P&R located off Harry Truman Pkwy. Limit 15. To reserve a spot, call leader Gerald Winegrad at 410-280-8956. A Baltimore. Marriottsville Warblers. Resident warblers include Prothonotary and Worm-eating. Yellow-throated Warbler and Barred Owl also possible. Meet 8 AM. From 1-695 exit 18 (Liberty Rd), go west 4.9 miles to Marriottsville Rd. Four miles past the quarry and rifle range, turn left to unmarked, narrow road with mailboxes. Just before bridge, turn right, continue to small unpaved parking lot on left. Leader: Paul Noell, 410-243-2652 or myconut@verizon.net. ft Frederick. Audubon Native Plant Sale at Audrey Carroll. Starts at 9 AM. A Howard. Butterflies and Wildflowers at Mount Pleasant. 2 hrs. Meet 9:30 AM in the parking lot. Walk the meadows and fields of the Howard Conservancy property to enjoy the butterflies and wildflowers of the farm. Leaders: Dick Smith for butterflies and Bob Solem for wild- flowers. Call Bob, 410-725-5037, for more info. Facilities available. A Howard. Middle Patuxent NEA. Half day. Meet at Trotter Rd lot. Moderate walking through the wooded paths and along the river. This is a fabulous area for many species of passerines, and a grass field may host sparrows. Warblers and vireos expected. Boots recommended; grass can be tall and paths may be A Indicates Field Trip muddy. Contact leader, Stan Arnold, 410-768-0155, for meeting time. ft Kent. Heron Point. 2 hrs. A leisurely walk along the Chester River waterfront and wooded edges around the Heron Pt. community. Meet 8 AM at Dollar General park- ing lot, Chestertown. A Washington. Hancock to Sideling Hill. Contact Dave Weesner, 301-432-7718, for meeting place and time. Sunday, April 29 A Baltimore. Breakfast with the Birds at Cylburn Arboretum, 4915 Greenspring Ave. Co-hosted by Cylburn Arboretum Association. Breakfast at 8 AM; birding starts at 8:30 AM. For reservations, call 410-367-2217. A Baltimore. Cylburn Nature Walk. See Apr 1 listing. Coordinator: Joe Lewandowski, 410-358-7834 or ilenel@juno.com. A Baltimore. Druid Hill Park. Just about anything could show up in this large urban park with varied habitats. Meet 8 AM. From 1-83, take the Druid Hill Park exit, which puts you onto Druid Park Lake Dr. Turn right into the main park entrance on Swan Dr and park on road margins at the northwest corner of the lake. Leader: Bryce Butler, 410-728-0646 or capitano.bryce@verizon.net. A Frederick. C&O Canal Walk. We will go from Point of Rocks to Landers for migrating warblers. Be sure to do your neck exercises beforehand. Meet 6:30 AM at Baker Park. Leader: Kathy Calvert, 301-698-1298. A Harford. Palmer SP. Girls-Gone- Wildflower. The club visits an often overlooked Palmer SP to witness its impressive assortment of wild- flowers and early migrants. Led by experienced birder Sue Purcell and wildflower guru Colleen Webster, trip goers are likely to see early spring migrants like Blue-headed Vireo and an array of wildflowers, likely including yellow ladyslipper. Moderate hiking on dirt paths. Meet 7:30 AM at the Rte 1/MD 136 Wawa. Contact Colleen at 410-942- 0867 for more info. A Montgomery. Dry Seneca Creek Horse Trails. Half day. Start the day at Riley’s Lock (Seneca) with a quick scan of the river and then explore some brushy riparian habitats along Dry Seneca Crk for migrants and breeders. Meet 7 AM at Riley’s Lock on the C&O Canal bridge. Limit 8- 10. Reservations required. Leader: Andy Martin, 301-294-4805 or apmartin2@comcast.net. A Talbot. Cottingham West on Goldsboro Neck. Migrants, water- fowl, and field birds. Depart 7 AM from Tred Avon Shopping Center parking lot in front of Acme, Easton. Leader: Les Roslund, 410-763-8169 or lroslund@bluecrab.org. Breakfast hosts: Les and Carolyn Roslund. Tuesday, May 1 A Baltimore. Lake Roland. See Apr 3 listing for details and directions. Leader: Shirley Geddes, 410-377- 6583 or srgeddes@comcast.net. Meeting. Baltimore. “The Miracle Pond.” Author and photographer Middleton Evans illustrates the birdlife of Patterson Park in down- town Baltimore, with a focus on the reconstructed boat lake. Over the past 6 years, Middleton has pho- tographed nearly 115 species in the park. 7:30 PM at the Cylburn Arboretum, 4915 Greenspring Ave. Info: Pete Webb, 410-486-1217 or pete_webb@juno.com. Wednesday, May 2 A Baltimore. First Wednesdays at Ft. McHenry. Monthly survey of bird activity at the wetland. Folding chair and scope useful. Cancelled in bad weather (rain, sleet, snow, fog, etc.). Meet 8 AM outside the Visitor Center. See Mar 7 listing for direc- tions. Leader: Mary Chetelat, 410-665-0769. (MOS Calendar continues on page 18) 18 The Maryland Yellowthroat MOS Calendar (continued, from page 17) A Baltimore. Evening walks at Ft. McHenry. Monthly survey of bird activity at the wetland. Folding chair and scope useful. Cancelled in bad weather (rain, sleet, snow, fog, etc.). Meet 6 PM at main gate. See Apr 18 listing for directions, header: Jim Peters, 410-429-0966. Meeting. Carroll. “The Final Exam.” 7:30 PM at Senior Center, 125 Stoner Ave, Westminster. Info: Karen Mobley, karenm657@comcast.net. A Howard. Bon Secours. 2 hrs. Meet at Visitor parking lot. Easy walking around the lovely grounds of this spiritual center. Woodlands and fields offer a variety of habitat. Contact leader, Michelle Wright, 410-465-6057, for more info and meeting time. Facilities available. A Montgomery. Flag Ponds, Calvert County. Two-thirds day. Focal expert Arlene Ripley leads us though woods, bog, and beach of this limited-access nature park to see migrants as well as arriving breeders, notably Yellow-throated Warbler. Fimit 12. Reservations required. Get details and directions from coordina- tors, Fydia Schindler, 301-977-5252, or Finda Friedland, 301-983-2136. Thursday, May 3 Meeting. Frederick. Mary Wood , our scholarship winner from Kemptown ES, will report on her activities at the ME Audubon Workshop last summer. 7 PM in the Community Rm, C. Burr Artz Fibrary in downtown Frederick. Friday, May 4 Meeting. Harford. Focal biologist Dr. Kim Derrickson shares highlights of his research on the Wood Thrush and other local favorites. Contact Russ Kovach, 443-386-4787 or visit www.HarfordBirdClub.org for add’l info. Meeting at Harford Glen Outdoor Environmental Education Center, Bel Air, MD. A Montgomery. Pennyfield Fock, C&O Canal. Half day. Birding by ear (with specified intervals for talking). Migrant and nesting landbirds. Meet at the end of Pennyfield Fock Rd at 7 AM. Reservations required, headers: Cyndie Foeper, 301-530-8226, and Ann Fucy, 301-229-8810. Saturday, May 5 A Anne Arundel. Pickering Creek Audubon Center, Talbot County. Director Mark Scallion will lead us to all habitats and birds. Meet 7 AM at the Bay 50 Shopping Center park- ing lot off Rte 50 on White Hall Rd. For info, contact Tom Bradford at 410-987-0674. A Baltimore. Soldiers Delight. Warblers, flycatchers, and tanagers are featured as spring migration heats up in this globally rare ecosystem. Meet 7:30 AM. From 1-695 Beltway exit 1 8/Fiberty Rd, go west 4 miles, bear right onto Deer Park Rd just before traffic light and water tower, go 2 miles to historical marker, overlook, and gravel lot on left, header: Keith Eric Costley, 443-985-6849 or oriolekecl@comcast.net. A Carroll. Towpath off Norris Ave in Sykesville, MD. hooking for orioles, header: Amy Hoffman, 410-549-3598. H Fred Archibald May Count. Frederick. Meet at the Sanctuary at 6 AM. Contact Bob Schaefer, 301-831- 5660 or rjs30@erols.com for info. A Howard. Big Day. Intense birding to garner as many species in the county as possible. Bring food and drinks and plan to bird from dawn to dusk. Facilities at some areas. Expect all types of terrain and difficult walking in some areas. Fimit 12. Call Bonnie Ott, 410-461- 3361, to reserve a spot. A Montgomery. Upper Watts Branch, Rockville. Half day. Migrant warblers, vireos, thrushes, and assorted woodland residents, including possible Red-shouldered Hawks. Meet 7:30 AM at corner of Princeton Pi and Fordham St in Rockville. Fimit: 12. Reservations required, header: Paul O’Brien, 301-424-6491. A Patuxent. Fran Uhler NA. Meet 7:30 AM at the end of Femon Bridge Rd off MD 197, just north of Bowie State U and the MARC line. No reservations required. Sunday, May 6 A Baltimore. Patuxent North Tract (Research Refuge). Bring lunch for all-day trip to Anne Arundel Co site for Summer Tanager, Blue Grosbeak, chat, and other southern specialty birds. Prothonotary Warbler possi- ble. Meet 8 AM at Nursery Rd P&R, 1-695 exit 8. header: Steve Sanford, 410-922-5103 or scartan@verizon.net. A Baltimore. Cylburn Nature Walk. See Apr 1 listing. Coordinator: Joe Fewandowski, 410-358-7834 or ilenel@juno.com. A Baltimore. Spring Butterflies at Soldiers Delight. Butterfly expert Dick Smith will lead us through this globally rare ecosystem. In addition to spring butterflies such as the orange falcate and eastern pine elfin, expect many native grasses and flow- ers. Meet 1 PM. From 1-695, take exit 1 8 Fiberty Rd, go west 4 miles, bear right onto Deer Park Rd just before traffic light and water tower, go approximately 1 mile to the Soldiers Delight Visitor/Nature Center on left. Cancelled if raining. Call or e-mail to confirm date. Coordinator: Gail Frantz, 410-833- 7135 or guineabird@aol.com. A Cecil. Cecil Migrant Hotspots. Meet 8 AM at Big Elk Mall parking lot (corner of Rte 40 and 213) Elkton, near the Dunkin’ Donuts, header: Marcia Watson, mww@udel.edu. H Audrey Carroll May Count. Frederick. Meet at the Sanctuary at 6 AM. Call Dave Smith, 410-549- 7082 for info. A Howard. Beginners Bird Walk. 2 hrs. Meet at Meadowbrook parking lot near pavilion at 8:30 AM. Walk the paved paths of this new county park. Fearn basic bird identification March /April 2007 19 skills and binocular use. Leaders: Mike and Grazina McClure, 410-531- 2780. Facilities available. ft Montgomery. Little Bennett RP. Half day. Near peak migration for warblers and vireos, including those breeding in this varied habitat. Contact the leader for time and direc- tions. Reservations required. Leader: Gemma Radko, 301-607-4374. A Talbot. Pocomoke Swamp Stream Bottoms. Warblers and other migrants. Bring lunch. Depart 6:30 AM from Tred Avon Shopping Center parking lot in front of Acme, Easton. Leader: Terry Allen, 410-822-8132. Tuesday, May 8 ft Baltimore. Lake Roland. See Apr 3 listing for details and directions. Leader: Kevin Graff, 410-557-2456 or ocean_city2001@yahoo.com. Meeting. Kent. Speaker TBA. 7:30 PM. Wesley Hall, Heron Pt., E Campus Ave, Chestertown. For info contact Nancy Martin, 410-778-9568. Meeting. Patuxent. “The Birds and Natural Areas of Florida” by Bob Mumford. 7:30 PM at the College Park Airport Annex. Call Fred Shaffer at 410-721-1744 for add’l info. Wednesday, May 9 A Baltimore. Evening walks at Ft. McHenry. Monthly survey of bird activity at the wetland. Folding chair and scope useful. Cancelled in bad weather (rain, sleet, snow, fog, etc.). Meet 6 PM at main gate. See Apr 18 listing for directions. Leader: Jim Peters, 410-429-0966. Thursday, May 10 ft Montgomery. Patuxent River Drift Boat Trip, Prince George’s County. Half day. Joint trip with ANS. Peak migration time for song- birds; also marsh and waterbirds. Waterproof footwear and insect repellent advisable. Read ANS News for directions to the park. Meet 6:30 AM at park entrance gate. Possible Patuxent Park fee. Reservations required. Leader: Paul DuMont, 703-931-8994. Meeting. Howard. “Birding in Belize,” by Kevin Heffernan and Karen Darcey. Hospitality and club bookstore, 7:30 PM; meeting/program, 8 PM at Howard Co Rec and Parks, 7210 Oakland Mills Rd, Columbia. Info: Kevin Heffernan, 410-418-8731. Saturday, May 12 0 May Count. Allegany, Garrett. To participate in Allegany Co, contact J.B. Churchill, 301-689-8344 (h), 301-697- 1223 (m), or jchurchi@atlanticbb.net. To participate in Garrett Co, contact Fran Pope, 301-334-4908 or fpope@gcnetmail.net. No tally rally this year. 0 May Count. Anne Arundel. Compiler: Dotty Mumford, 410-849-8336. 0 May Count. Baltimore. All-day count of birds in Balt City and Co. For area assignments, contact com- piler Joel Martin at 410-744-9211 or jcdlmartin@aol.com. 0 May Count. Caroline. Contact Debby Bennett, firefly@hotmail.com. 0 May Count. Carroll. Contact Bill Ellis, 443-402-9033, to coordinate count locations. Tally rally to be held at Laura and Jerry Tarbells. RSVP to Tarbells at birdersforever@erols.com if you will be attending the rally. Please bring a $ donation or a food item. 0 May Count. Kent. An all-day effort to census all birds in Kent Co. Join a field party or count in your neighborhood. Contact Nancy Martin, 410-778-9568, for details. 0 May Count. Montgomery. Compiler and contact person: Rick Sussman, 301-774-1185 or warbler- ick@aol.com. 0 May Count. Patuxent. Contact Fred Fallen at 301-249-1518 for add’l info. 0 May Count. Tri-County. Everyone can participate. Contact Ellen Lawler for details and check- list: 410-546-9056. n Baltimore. Saturday Monitoring Walks at Ft. McHenry. See Mar 7 listing for details and directions. Leader: Jim Peters, 410-429-0966. Sunday, May 13 A Baltimore. Milford Mill Park. Migrant warblers, thrushes, and other songbirds. Wilson’s Warbler possible. Meet 7:30 AM on Milford Mill Rd. From 1-695, exit 18/Liberty Rd, proceed west to first light at Washington Ave. Turn right, proceed to light on Milford Mill Rd just after the overhead bridge. Leader: Bryce Butler, 410-728-0646 or capitano.bryce@verizon.net. A Baltimore. Cylburn Nature Walk. See Apr 1 listing. Coordinator: Joe Lewandowski, 410-358-7834 or ilenel@juno.com. 0 May Count. Cecil. Coordinator, Parke John, Parke@del.net. 0 May Count. Frederick. Join the crowd for our local countywide count. Contact Mike Welch, 301-874-5828 to assist. 0 May Count. Howard. Compiler, Kevin Heffernan, 410-418-8731. ft Talbot. Thendara 4-H Camp / Hurlock WWTP. A new walk for us! Expect migrants in a variety of habi- tats. Depart 7 AM from Tred Avon Shopping Center parking lot in front of Acme, Easton. Leaders: Chuck Mock and Shirley Bailey, 443-249- 0153. Breakfast hosts: Nancy and Marty O’Connor. A Indicates Field Trip 20 The Maryland Yelloivtbroat • Yale University Press, April 2007. 192 pages, 92 color illustrations. $35.00 hardcover. BOOK REVIEW Marshes: The Disappearing Edens, by William Burt It is clear from the very beginning of Marshes: The Disappearing Edens that William Burt loves his subject. He has been drawn to marshes since childhood because . they are such mysterious and concealing places with this lure of the forbidden and the out-of-bounds.” He also views them as “the last oases of real wilderness anywhere in much of our tame and reconfigured world, the last wisps of frontier. ” And Burt has been drawn to marshes because they are full of “hidden treasures” — birds. As he states, “No other acreage I know so artfully conceals so many different birds — the strange, elusive, tantalizing birds, such as the prowling rails and bitterns, gallinules, furtive wrens and sparrows, dashing blackbirds, and a whole circus of aquatic kinds that honk and hoot and quack and splash and dabble, dive, and sink like submarines.” Burt’s writing, as well as his 92 full-color photographs, evokes the wildness and the beauty of the marshes and their denizens. The elusive Black Rails at Elliot Island in Maryland, Least Bitterns in Old Lyme, Connecticut, and American Bittern babies in Stutsman County, North Dakota are all presented in loving, close-up detail. Silverweed, salt-marsh asters, spartina, fleabanes, and countless other flora are all artfully presented. While Marshes covers a large geographic area, from the East Coast to the West Coast and from the Canadian provinces to the Everglades of Florida, a special affection seems to spring forth when the author talks about the marsh areas of Maryland and specifically Elliot Island. This most pristine tract of marsh on the East Coast rates as one of Burt’s three or so favorite places in the world. The size alone of this marsh is awe-inspiring: 30 square miles. Then there is an item of further enticement, that rarity of marsh birds, the Black Rail. Determined to photograph the rail, Burt spent many seasons of searching, learning, and relearning and rebuilding his equip- ment, and weeks at a time in the field, to get the pictures that are presented in this book. Of special interest to readers of the The Maryland Yellowthroat are the comments of MOS member Harry Armistead, whom the author interviewed. Armistead recounts the successful efforts to eliminate nutria from Elliot Island as well as concerns regarding winter burning, diked impound- ments, and phragmites. Burt’s prose is as picture-sharp as his photography. Marshes: The Disappearing Edens compellingly evokes the mystery and beauty of his subject. A resident of Old Lyme, Burt is the author of two previous books. Shadowbirds, A Quest for Rails, appeared in 1994. The 2001 Rare and Elusive Birds of North America ranges more widely, to include, for example, Connecticut Warbler and Sedge Wren and Henslow’s Sparrow. Burt’s photographs — hailed years ago by Roger Tory Peterson as “unquestionably the finest ever taken” — along with his stories have appeared in Smithsonian, Audubon, National Wildlife , and other magazines. His traveling exhibitions have shown in 26 museums across the U.S. and Canada; this year, June through December, his work will be on display at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels. — Kate Tufts, Howard County Bird Club POSTMASTER: TIME-DATED MATERIAL— PLEASE EXPEDITE! LAST CALL . . .for Posters for the July conference in Salisbury. If you would like to share the results of any research on the natural history of Maryland bird life — banding activities, hawk watches, even small research projects — present it in poster format during the Wine and Cheese Social on July 28. For more information, contact Gwen Brewer, 301-843-3524 or glbrewer@comcast.net. MARYLAND ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY, INC. Cylburn Mansion 4915 Greenspring Avenue Baltimore, MD 21290-4698 Nonprofit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID at Hagerstown, MD Permit No. 1 84