Presidents Comer Why Join A Bird Club? by Mark Johnson O ver the years I have asked this question in various forms to better understand what direct value the organization has to its members. Moreover, this question is probably one that that comes up either consciously or unconsciously when writing out that membership check ever year. With declining enrollment and increasing dues, it is an important one if our organization is going to recruit new members and be true to our current constituency. The technical abilities of our member- ship are largely outstanding, and we should be proud of that. There are many who join to learn from others. However, what value does this club bring to those who have already tuned identification skills? For many, it’s the increased opportunities for camaraderie— the chance to spend more time with friends who have similar interests. The Annual Conference is one such opportunity for old friends to get reacquainted— and the pattern of regular attendees seems to reflect this. I have also continued on page 2 Inside This Issue President’s Corner 1 Atlas Debuts in November 1 What’s your line? 1 President Mark Johnson 2 Fall Count 2010 3 Conservation Connection 3 YMOS: The Next Generation 4 YMOS News 5 Dave Weesner Wins Award 5 Birds of Note 6 Records Committee Decisions 7 Chapter Chatter 8 2010 MOS Conference 11 The Birder’s Vest 12 Red-cockaded Woodpeckers 13 Webmaster John Hays Christy 13 MOS Scholarships 14 Telling Tales 14 Strangers in the Night 15 MOS Pin Contest 15 A Rail-Split Fence 15 Calendar 13 Book Review: Life List 24 Last Call 24 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2010 VOL. 30, NO. 4 Atlas Debuts in November T he Second Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Maryland and the District of Columbia is scheduled to be published in mid-November, even earlier than the MOS Atlas Committee had anticipated. The Atlas is the product of a stupendous volunteer effort, not only by the Atlas Committee but also by County Coordinators and scores of MOS volunteers who systematically surveyed the area’s 1,282 “blocks” for each of five years. Thirty area photographers contributed the illustrations. Walter Ellison coordinated the project; the foreword was written by Chan Robbins. The book is priced at $75. Johns Hopkins University Press is offering a 25% pre-publication discount; ordering information is available on the MOS web site. Amazon.com is also offering the Atlas at a pre- publication rate. Confirmed in Charles County: The nest-building Osprey gracing the Atlas cover was photographed by George Jett at Blossom Point, Charles County, March 16, 2006. What's your line? Whatever your expertise, we have a job for you! Currently MOS — which relies on the generosity of volunteers — is looking for: ★ Treasurer ★ Education Committee chair A Environmental Fund for Maryland rep A Investment Committee chair A Membership Committee chair A World Series of Birding Committee chair A Yellowthroat Calendar editor To volunteer yourself — or one of your talented pals — contact: President Mark Johnson (mark.steven.johnson@comcast.net) or talk to any of the other officers or Board members. 2 The Maryland Yellowthroat President's Corner continued from page 1 noticed that many chapters tend to have two subgroups, one that regularly attends the field trips and one that attends the dinner meetings. Of course, there is some mixing of the two but it seems both provide valuable opportunities to bring avian enthusiasts together. Chapters and MOS at large are challenged to expand opportunities to bring members together and to recruit new members, and we need to explore new approaches. Our future is tied to bringing in new and younger members; this means providing more learning and beginning birding themes. Targeting youth through YMOS backpacks and birding excursions in the programs developed by George Radcliffe and Wayne Bell has helped bring in kids across the state. To get kids excited about birds or nature in general requires a holistic approach that includes an understanding of child psychology as well as encouragement. Getting kids interested by “setting the hook” with memorable experiences tied to The Maryland Yellowthroat Newsletter of the Maryland Ornithological Society, Inc. Editor: Lydia Schindler lydiaschindler@verizon.net 301-977-5252 Designer: 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 Mailing list: Helen Horrocks hlh_3 7 @yahoo .com 301-831-6315 MOS web site: http://www.mdbirds.org Webmaster: John Hays Christy SiteMa ven@md birds . org 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 September 20,2010 for the November /December 2010 issue. Illustrations pp. 1, 8, 12, 14 © M. Suzanne Probst. Arias cover photographer p. 1 © George Jett. Photograph p. 4© Alisa Glassman. Photograph p. 13 (top) © Chris Wright. Photograph p. 13 ( bottom ) © Bill Hubick. interesting facts and bringing in peers also helps. Using new means for contact, like Facebook or MySpace, is another way to help get the word out. Also, hands-on visits to banding stations tend to bring birds up close to those initially binocular-challenged. It is also interesting that not every member is a lister. Some are general naturalists who appreciate the time outdoors and the hike as well as seeing something new for the year. Some are also interested in insects, plants, dragonflies, butterflies, and even fungi. For many of these like-minded people, identification is not enough. They yearn to learn more about life history, ecology, and even anatomy and physiology. Endeavors to President Mark Johnson ...has a lifelong interest in birds; he enjoyed drawing them when he was just a kid (including Evening Grosbeaks at the family’s feeder in Harford County in the early 70s). At Bel Air High School he joined a friend in the birdwatching club, and a close-up view of a Black-throated Blue Warbler right outside of school soon hooked him. Camping was a passion, and he and his friends tried to hit every Maryland State Park, mixing in some birding. “Sometimes Chan’s guide would word-for-word nail the experience for me,” he says. Art and biology were Mark’s two great interests. After a brief career as an electronic technician, he decided to return to college and pursue a vocation in biology. “I knew a career in art was out because it would take something I love and make ‘work’ out of it." After receiving a BS from Towson in biology, he studied the population ecology of Wood Thrushes at University of Delaware; there Dr. Roland Roth had monitored every breeding pair of Wood Thrush for ~20 years and it was Mark’s job to try to understand more about the dynamics of productivity. “Specifically, I investigated age-related aspects of productivity (fledgling production) and three key components, historical territory production, parent defense, and nest concealment. I co-wrote the Wood Thrush account on the Birds of North America and another manuscript on the influence of nest concealment on fledgling production.” provide this information as an organization could also help in retaining members and hopefully their less-than-zealous spouses. These are only anecdotal musings, and I look forward to gathering more ideas as I meet with Society members. Please do not hesitate to pass your ideas along! Also, please consider in helping the Society through one of our vacant positions. Currently, these include treasurer, investment chair, education chair, EFM, membership, World Series of Birding committee, and Yellowthroat Calendar editor. No prior experience necessary. We are a volunteer organization and really need everyone’s help to continue. Thanks!! During this time Mark met the late Barbara Ross (Yellowthroat March/April 2009), who became his mentor in bird banding. She introduced him to Chan Robbins and Barbara Dowell at USGS, and for a few weeks during four winters he assisted them banding birds in Guatemala and Belize. After receiving a MS at UD, Mark worked as an intern for the US Army Environmental Hygiene Agency in the area of ecological risk assessment, “where we tried to understand how chemical exposure affects wildlife." He pursued a Ph.D. at the Virginia-Maryland Veterinary School at Virginia Tech in the area of wildlife toxicology while continuing to work at the Army (now Army Public Health Command), where he is currently the Program Manager for the Health Effects Research Program. “We continue to conduct studies in wildlife toxicology— one of only two government laboratories that conduct such work. We also occasionally conduct autopsies on dead Bald Eagles when they show up on post to understand the cause and how we can mitigate it.” Since 2000 Mark has run a banding station at Eden Mill. He also contributes to the Mid- Atlantic Flyway Report. He ascribes his continuing involvement with MOS and “coordinated” birdwatching to good friends found in the Harford Bird Club. He lives in Baldwin with Denise, his wife of 23 years, and their two sons, Chris, 17, and Ryan, 13. September/October 2010 3 JaCC Count 2010 /The annual Fall Seasonal Count sponsored by MOS ^ will take place in the MD/DC on the third weekend in September, as customary, either Saturday, September 1 8 and/or Sunday, September 19. The MOS Board has left the choice of day to local chapters and coordinators. Everyone is encouraged to participate, regardless of skill level. Every pair of eyes helps, and it is great fun. The guidelines for this count are the same as those used for all seasonal counts. Local coordinators will assign volunteers to areas, honoring requests whenever possible. Party leaders are responsible for tracking party miles and times, names of participants, and documentation for unusual sightings. A checklist compilation form is available on the MOS website, in the “Annual Counts” section: http://www. mdbirds.org/counts/fall/fallcounts.html. The list includes the species one would expect to find in Maryland during this season. Species requiring further written documentation are noted with asterisks, and all write-ins require full details. The county coordinators who have volunteered so far are listed on the MOS web site. Anyone already organizing a count or interested in volunteering as a coordinator for another county without a coordinator are encouraged to contact the state coordinator. In areas without an identified coordinator, individual parties submit their results directly to the statewide coordinator. If you don’t have web access or you are interested in counting in a county without a coordinator, you can contact the state coordinator directly. Individual parties or other groups (e.g., hawk watch sites, field trips) who count in areas without a coordinator, but have data for the count period, are asked to submit their data, along with details on the area that was covered, participants, and coverage statistics, directly to the state coordinator by October 16. Deadline for submitting completed reports to your county coordinator is no later than October 8, 2010. County compilers are asked to submit compilations to the state coordinator by October 31. Please plan to join the fun and have a great day birding! Chuck Stirrat Fall Count Coordinator Hunt Ridge, Ellicott City, MD 21042-1155 Home phone: 410-531 -24 1 7 E-mail: ChuckS@msualum.com A The Conservation Connection by Kurt Schwarz Mill Mill Another Reason to Keep Fluffy Indoors S tudies at Johns Hopkins University have recently revealed a potential link between cats and human schizophrenia. As recently reported in the Baltimore Sun (Aug 1, 2010), cats can carry the microbial parasite Toxoplasma gondii. T. gondii is able to invade the human brain, where it can trigger a chemical imbalance that in some people could result in schizophrenia. The microbe infects the brains of rodents, altering their behavior and making them more vulnerable to cat predation — for example, by making cat urine attractive to rodents! The microbe then reproduces in the gut of the cat, producing oocysts or eggs, which are shed in the feces. The cat’s owner risks being exposed to the microbe when changing and cleaning the litter pan. Apparently, once the cat passes the oocysts, it will be free from re-infection. Centers for Disease Control data from the first part of the decade indicate that nine percent of people aged 12 to 49 carry this parasite. Fortunately, most people who are infected with T. gondii never develop schizophrenia. And the precise link between T. gondii and developing schizophrenia is unclear. However, such infections occur in a higher proportion of people with mood disorders than within the general population. The solution is quite simple. Keep the cat indoors, where it will be unable to catch rodents and potentially infect itself, and possibly, ultimately, you. Of course, if you have mice— or worse— in the house, and you have a cat with reasonably intact hunting instincts, infection may still pose a threat. But in general, keeping the cat indoors should solve this and many other problems. For this and other benefits to your cat and the birds we all love, see the American Bird Conservancy’s Cats Indoors campaign at http://www.abcbirds.org/abcprograms/policy/cats/index.html. One way to give you cat the benefit of fresh air while avoiding the dangers of the great outdoors is, if you can afford it, to build a “catio.” Of course, you would want to insure it was rodent-free. But you can get some ideas, some that should be relatively inexpensive, at http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/17/garden/17catio.html and http://catioshowcase.com/. 4 The Maryland Yellowthroat Reaching the Next Generation by George Radcliffe # YMOS Director, and Wayne Bell A bout the same time as the Annual Conference, with its biennial change in MOS administrators, another transition is often taking place. That is the graduation of each “class” of experienced young birders. Off they go to college and/or careers that may or may not be related to birding. Of course, we hope that they have gained a lifelong enthusiasm from their association with the MOS. But their loss threatens the continuity of our youth-oriented programs; the next generation of MOS members is not assured. Our newest committee, Youth MOS (YMOS) can address this problem in part. While its young members may not have permanent tenure with us, middle and high schoolers especially can and do participate for several years. YMOS itself represents a long-term commitment — multi-generational, if you will — to youth birding. Many MOS chapters have participated in its backpack program, an attempt both to identify promising local young birders and to network them. Recently, YMOS has established a presence on Facebook. Administered by a junior birder (but overseen by members of the senior staff), the page presents field trip schedules and provides a familiar medium young people can use to share interesting information and keep in touch under YMOS auspices. Although YMOS and its predecessor activities have helped train junior teams for the World Series of Birding and Big Day in Cape May, NJ, the program emphasis is on MD birds and includes both field training and research opportunities. Its progenitor was the 2002-2006 MD/ DC Breeding Bird Atlas program, truly a gold mine of opportunity for young birders to learn how to identify resident species and to take a “second look” at behavior, and to contribute their “authentic” data to a significant professional resource. As the excellent eBird workshop at the 2010 Annual Conference demonstrated, this rapidly burgeoning on-line resource provides another opportunity for young birders to report and share data from almost any field trip while at the same time contributing to a global information resource on bird distribution, population trends, and migration patterns. It is in this context that YMOS conducted a new summer field camp, Maryland Birds and Bird Habitats. This residential program was based at Washington College and offered in collaboration with the Center for Environment and Society on June 20-25, 2010, with us as co-directors. We were very pleased to have an enrollment of five students (grades 8-10) from Baltimore, Carroll, and Queen Anne’s Counties plus three educators from the DC and Baltimore areas. We were able to tailor much of the program content to their specific interests and needs. Two aspiring young birders and one perspiring teacher follow George Radcliffe’s lead toward a spectacular look at a Scarlet Tanager at Adkins Arboretum. Photo courtesy of Alisa Glassman. The workshop’s theme underscored the relationship between birds, habitats, and the “working landscapes” that are characteristic of Maryland. Each day included a field trip or field exercise, beginning with a “habitat competition” game that pitted forest/wetland against field/ scrub lands at the Adkins Arboretum (the forest team won, 34 species vs. 24). Other field trips included a night search for owls and nightjars, a visit to agricultural lands and a bluebird trail in Dorchester County, a waterbird trip to Bombay Hook NWR, and a bird banding demonstration at the Chesapeake Field Research Center (formerly Chino Farms). A final trip to C&O Canal habitats in Montgomery County gave everyone a chance to apply what they had learned about field identification. Total tally for the workshop: 111 species heard, with almost all of them actually seen by the majority of the class. In addition, participants learned how to use hand-held global positioning devices to geo-reference observation locations and were able to practice applying this information in entering their field data on eBird. It was a successful first experience for everyone. One of the educators has produced a workshop video for presentation to the MOS Board of Directors; it will be accessible via the YMOS Facebook page and MOS web site shortly thereafter. Do these activities guarantee continuity in reaching the next generation? We hope they help by developing a program core that transcends individual youths and, for that matter, the next cadre of MOS administrators. Many MOS chapters have reported outreach to environmental education centers and local youth groups. May the YMOS draw on all our collective successes by providing a research and training context for the young birders who just might become tomorrow’s most dedicated members. September/October 2010 5 YMOS Backpacks Again this year YMOS will be giving each chapter a backpack to award to a promising young birder. The pack will contain a pair of Eagle Optics Triumph 8x42 binoculars, Bill Thompson’s Young Birder’s Guide , the MOS “yellow book” Birds of Maryland, and a lens pen. Each chapter is asked to contribute a field guide to the pack. Many of the chapters have devised their own methods of awarding the pack. These include having youths submit a birding list for a period of time, keeping a birding journal with descriptions and drawings, and writing an essay about a favorite bird. The backpacks will be distributed at the September Board meeting. YMOS Facebook Page The MOS Youth group now has its own Facebook page. Developed by youth members and maintained by both staff and youth, the site provides young MOS members with trip information, useful web sites, and information to help them develop as birders. The site also allows MOS youth members to interact with one another and share experiences. To find the site, when in Facebook, search for “Youth Maryland Ornithological Society.” Direct any interested youth you know to this site. YMOS Summer Programs This past June a group of students and teachers from across the state met at Washington College for the first annual Maryland Birds and Habitats summer workshop. In addition to a wide variety of field activities, the group learned how to collect and report data on eBird. The program will be repeated Jun 19-24, 2011, and application information will be posted on both the MOS web page and the YMOS Facebook page in September. YMOS Birding Trips and the World Series of Birding YMOS runs trips during the year for interested youth. Although each chapter offers trips that young people can participate in, YMOS trips provide an opportunity for youth from different chapters to meet and learn together. The trip dates are found on the YMOS Facebook page. The trips are also used to identify and prepare a youth team for the 2011 World Series of Birding in Cape May. All chapters should actively search for young people in their areas with a particular interest in birds. Get them out on a trip with your chapter, introduce them to the YMOS Facebook page, link them up with a YMOS trip, and direct them to George Radcliffe at radclifg@gmail.com if they would be interested in participating on a World Series of Birding team. Experience is not necessary; love of the natural world is. Dave Weesner, Washington County, Wins Top State Award Dave Weesner, a long-time WCBC member and past president, this spring received the Edmund Prince Award, an honor given annually to the State’s top park ranger. And when Dave was introduced at the MOS conference dinner, the group greeted him with enthusiastic and sustained applause. Dave has been a ranger at Washington Monument State Park (where he lives in a ranger residence) since 2006; prior to that he worked as a law enforcement ranger for the Maryland Park Service in the South Mountain Recreation Area (which encompasses Greenbrier, Washington Monument and Gathland state parks, South Mountain State Battlefield, and part of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail). An enthusiastic bird watcher since childhood, Dave frequently leads bird walks for park visitors. Another of his duties is marking the park’s 150 miles of boundaries; tromping though the backcountry brush gives him the opportunity to see lots of birds, especially migrating hawks in spring and fall. In addition to supervising seasonal park rangers and maintenance staff, Dave works with volunteer groups and Boy Scouts doing service projects in the park. According to the co-worker who nominated him for the award, “He can fix just about anything, give excellent interpretive programs (especially on birding), [and] knows more about the daily operation of the parks than just about anyone.” Several times a year, Dave teaches Washington County elementary school children about pedestrian, bicycle, and outdoor safety. Every few weeks in the summer, he leads a Saturday evening program for campers; he usually talks about birds and wildlife. He also teaches continuing education courses on birding at Hagerstown Community College. The weekend of the May Count, Dave and his team (including Pol Heiney and Tarry Balinsky) earned an Honorable Mention in the Ruth Ann Dean Memorial Birdathon, recording over 100 species. The Edmund Prince Award is named for Maryland’s first park ranger and is meant to honor those who personify the culture, heritage and tradition of the state park service. 6 The Maryland Yellowthroat Birds of Note— -by Les Roslvmd • In May birders typically look for first-of-year sightings in places the birds frequented in prior years. But the search for new arrivals can also lead to some surprises, especially for careful observers who manage to be in the right place at the right time. One such careful observer was Paul Pisano of Arlington, VA who chose to linger at Hains Point in DC for a “seawatch” on the morning of May 8. Before reaching the tip of the point from the channel side he was treated to a great view of a LONG-TAILED JAEGER leisurely soaring upstream over the Potomac River. Quick work with his scope and a good viewing angle revealed a clean dark cap, light yellow throat and upper breast, chocolate brown wings and upper body, and a long, pointed tail that was nearly as long as the rest of the bird. And then the bird was gone, pushed upstream by the wind until fully obscured by shoreline trees. Though he alerted some birders upstream to be on the lookout, there were no additional reports. • Hains Point continued to be a hotspot throughout May. On May 15 Gary Allport of DC reported a first-year male PAINTED BUNTING at the Hains Point maintenance yard; attempts to relocate this bird were not successful. On May 23 Paul Pisano and Frank Hawkins caught good views of a flock of 25 WHIMBREL flying south over the Potomac near the tip of Hains Point. These birds were so low that their call notes were audible. They circled a few times, then passed above the airport and became lost in the clouds as they proceeded downstream above the river. • In early May several phalaropes were found at mid- shore sites. On May 3 Mike Ostrowski of Montgomery County discovered a female WILSON’S PHALAROPE at Blackwater NWR, in a rain-filled pond along Key Wallace Drive; later attempts to relocate the bird were not successful. On May 5 Hans Holbrook of Crofton found another female WILSON’S in a rainwater pond north of Sudlersville in Queen Anne’s County; this bird stayed around for the next several days and granted excellent views to many birders of the region. On May 10 Hans found yet another phalarope, a RED-NECKED PHALAROPE, at Pickering Creek Audubon Center in Talbot County. Hans quickly circulated the sighting report, making it possible for several birders to share the enjoyment. The bird stayed through much of the day, but in early evening it was flushed by a large snapping turtle and was not seen again. • Birding in June at the Ocean City Inlet yielded a WILSON’S STORM-PETREL on June 15. Kevin Graff of Harford County found this bird while getting some birding in during the annual Firefighters’ Convention. On June 28 several birders observed four COMMON EIDERS at the Inlet; Ron Gutberlet of Salisbury provided the report. • One of the best finds of the summer was an ARCTIC TERN that Dave Czaplak discovered near Violette’s Lock in Montgomery County on June 29. Adding to the delight, the bird stayed in the same general area for several days, allowing good views for many birders and some quite good photos. • July birding got off to a great start with a July 4 report of five BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCKS in a pond in Arbutus, Baltimore County. The first report came from Saundra Byrd of Baltimore, who had heard via Brian Sykes that people were visiting the Arbutus site and photographing these unusual birds. The pond being used by the birds was on the private property of Charlestown Retirement Community, but they could be observed from several locations in an adjacent shopping center. Word spread quickly, and many birders filed reports over the next few days, carefully noting hind toe status that supported the likelihood of these birds being wild. Successful viewing continued until at least July 7. Over the past several years visits by vagrant BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCKS seem to have become a bit more regular. • On July 10, Dave Czaplak found five AMERICAN AVOCETS on the Potomac River near Violette’s Lock. Later the same morning John Hubbell of DC and Robert Ostrowski reported five AMERICAN AVOCETS at the Brown Station Road pond in Prince George’s County. The two sites are certainly close enough to support the idea that the same group of AVOCETS visited both counties that day. It seems to have been a good year for AVOCETS in the region, for on July 15 Jan Reese of St. Michaels, MD observed 21 of them in the ponds of Poplar Island in Talbot County. • The July visitor that gave the most joy to the most viewers was a SANDHILL CRANE that showed up in Elkton, Cecil County, on July 13. As is often the case with SANDHILL CRANES, non-birders were the first to find the bird. Pat Valdata of Elkton learned that the bird was being seen and photographed in Eder Park and promptly passed the word to the birding community. At first the bird was elusive, but within a few days this bird demonstrated little fear of adults with cameras and scopes. It was quite skittish in the presence of children and dogs, but otherwise would even approach people in cars, as if it had been accustomed to living in a densely populated area (such as Florida, of course). This bird was been seen at Eder Park nearly every day through July 26. • On July 20, perhaps confused by the high temperatures of our region, an immature WHITE IBIS showed up in Washington County. Jim Green, a diligent birder from Montgomery County, found the bird in a pond near Rte 66 north of 1-70; it stayed around to entertain birders, especially county listers, until July 24. On July 21, Dave Czaplak yet again discovered a prize at Violette’s Lock, an immature WHITE IBIS. Although this bird lingered less than an hour before heading upstream, on July 24 an immature WHITE IBIS-thought to be the same bird-was tracked down by Robert Ostrowski a little more than a mile above Riley’s Lock; it was there again the following day. September/October 2010 7 Maryland/DC Records Committee Status Report as of July 21 , 201 0 by Phil Davis # MD/DCRC Secretary T he MD/DCRC has reached the following record decisions since the last committee status report was published in The Maryland Yellowthroat. This report covers MD/DCRC review packages 130 through 132. MD/DCRC report numbers are in brackets. These records will be addressed in additional detail in a future issue of Maryland Birdlife. New “state” species include Allen’s Hummingbird for Maryland, bringing the total number of species on the Official List of the Birds of Maryland to 436. More information on the MD/DCRC can be found on the committee’s web pages: http://www.mdbirds.org/mddcrc/ rcindex.html MD RECORDS ACCEPTED: Yellow-nosed Albatross, Thalassarche chlororhynchos [MD/2009-055] Assateague Island National Seashore, Berlin, Worcester County 06-Jun-2009 Neotropic Cormorant, Phalacrocorax brasilianus [MD/2009-059] Violette’s Lock, Seneca, Montgomery County 17-Jun-2009 through 30-Jun-2009 White-faced Ibis, Plegadis chihi [MD/2009-086] Assateague Island National Seashore, Berlin, Worcester County ll-Oct-2009 Roseate Spoonbill, Platalea ajaja [MD/2009-061] 146th Street, Ocean City, Worcester County 24-Jun-2009 through 01-Jul-2009 Yellow Rail, Coturnicops noveboracensis [MD/2009-097] Cambridge, Dorchester County 17-Nov-2009 “European” Whimbrel, Numenius pbaeopus phaeopus [MD/2009-047] Assateague Island National Seashore, Berlin, Worcester County 24-Apr-2009 White-winged Dove, Zenaida asiatica [MD/2000-030] Stoney Ridge Farm, Dailsville, Dorchester County 04-Nov-1977 Allen’s Hummingbird, Selasphorus sasin [MD/2008-166] Prince Frederick, Calvert County 22-Dec-2008 through 29-Dec-2008 Say’s Phoebe, Sayornis saya [MD/2009-087] Foreman’s Branch Bird Observatory, Kingston, Queen Anne’s County 07-0ct-2009 Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Tyrannus forficatus [MD/2009-054] Eastern Neck NWR, Rock Hall, Kent County 26-May-2009 through 27-May-2009 Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Tyrannus forficatus [MD/2009-081] Millington Road, Sudlersville, Queen Anne’s County 22-Aug-2009 through 23-Sep-2009 Loggerhead Shrike, Lanius ludovicianus [MD/200 8-047] Patuxent Research Refuge, Laurel, Prince George’s County 16-May-2008 through 17-May-2008 Loggerhead Shrike, Lanius ludovicianus [MD/2009-078] Sedgwick Way, Hagerstown, Washington County 05-Aug-2009 through 05-Sep-2009 Black-throated Gray Warbler, Dendroica nigrescens [MD/2008-0 86] Kinder Farm Park, Millersville, Anne Arundel County 13-0ct-2008 Harris’s Sparrow, Zonotrichia querula [MD/2009-034] Columbia, Howard County 19-Mar-2009 through 04-May-2009 Western Meadowlark, Sturnella neglecta [MD/2008-064] Hurlock, Dorchester County 31 -Aug-2008 through 13-Sep-2008 MD RECORDS NOT ACCEPTED: “Great White” Heron, Ardea herodias occidentalis [MD/2009-052] Chestertown, Kent County 30-Apr-2009 “Western” White-fronted Goose, Anser albifrons frontalis/ gambeli [MD/2007-138] Little Meadows Lake, Grantsville, Garrett County 26-Nov-2007 Thick-billed Murre, Uria lomvia [MD/2009-024] Ocean City Inlet, Ocean City, Worcester County 19-Feb-2004 Black Guillemot, Cepphus grylle [MD/2009-025] Ocean City Inlet, Ocean City, Worcester County 16-Feb-2004 Ruddy Quail-Dove, Geotrygon montana [MD/2008-033] Fort McHenry, Baltimore City, Baltimore County 05-Mar-2008 Cave Swallow, Petrochelidon fulva [MD/2007-127] Havre de Grace, Harford County 15-Nov-2007 Le Conte’s Sparrow, Ammodramus leconteii [MD/200 1-02 8] Girdletree, Worcester County 11 -Nov-2000 Western Meadowlark, Sturnella neglecta [MD/2008-065] Swindler’s Park, Berlin, Worcester County 28-Dec-2007 8 The Maryland Yellowthroat by Jean .Wheeler, ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY Pierre and Danalee Henkart departed snowy Maryland for a tour of Panama in February, hitting some nice beach resorts as well as a great Canal transit. “Although our guide was only modestly inclined towards natural history, our island tour in Bocas del Toro took us to nesting Red-billed Tropicbirds and Brown Boobies, and we saw plenty of great neotropical birds at all our stops by roaming on our own. We’d heard about the great rainforest birding at Pipeline Road near Gamboa, and we reserved a few days after the end of the tour to bird there, staying at a B&B a 20-minute walk (or 5-minute ride) away. We walked Pipeline Road on our own on each of two days, encountering guided birder groups from the nearby Canopy Tower. The roadway provided welcome visibility for spotting birds in dense vegetation, and we saw dozens of rainforest species, including Fasciated Antshrike and several antwrens, Crimson-crested and Lineated Woodpeckers, Rufous and Broad-billed Motmots, Violaceous and White-tailed Trogons, Bay Wren, and Black-breasted Puffbird, to name a few. Of course the howler and white-faced Capuchin monkeys, abundant Morpho butterflies, and some spectacular orchids added to the experience. The highlight was seeing the specialized cohort of birds actively foraging low to the ground over an ant swarm: Ocellated and Bicolored Antbirds, Gray-headed Tanager, and Plain-brown Woodcreeper. Although Panama’s ecotourist infrastructure doesn’t match Costa Rica’s, and sandflies and chiggers were intimately experienced, this is a great destination for any nature lover.” — Pierre Henkart Leo Weigant spent three and a half days birding along the Rio Grande near Brownsville, Texas, in early June. It turned out to be a great trip despite the fact that two favorite spots (Sabal Palm and the campground south of Falcon Dam) were closed “for national security reasons” — i.e., “The Fence.” Getting up early each morning, he managed to almost double his hoped-for goal of 30 new species for 2010, even with spending the afternoons in an air-conditioned siesta. The very first day a Lesser Nighthawk fluttered up from the grass to alight on his car. Sunrise at Santa Ana NWR meant breaking the night’s spider webs on the trails — and seeing Olive Sparrows, Clay-colored Thrushes, and several Myiarchus flycatchers. That evening, at the Valley Nature Center in Weslaco, he checked out Kiskadees, Buff-bellied Hummer, Yellow-crowned Night- Herons (at least 24 nests), and a flock of Red-crowned Parrots coming in to roost like raucous teen-agers. The next day at Boca Chica on the Gulf, the lagoon just before the beach drew dancing Reddish Egrets, White-faced Ibis, Chihuahuan Raven, and a single Wilson’s Plover — plus a White-tailed Hawk perched on an old wooden utility pole; many Black Terns cruised the beach. Later at the South Padre Island Birding Center he saw two families of chicks in the marsh: fuzzy black balls of Clapper Rails and mottled gray fuzz balls on long legs watched over by Black-necked Stilt parents. At Laguna Atascosa NWR an American Bittern sat, unconcerned, on a tree right by the entrance to the Wildlife Drive; the last two miles were filled with Wilson’s Plovers, Bronzed Cowbirds, Green Jays, and Couch’s Kingbirds. Bentsen-Rio Grande SP at sunrise offered Groove-billed Anis nesting in the garden by the gift shop, and the usual sought-fors: Black-crested Titmice, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, and a male Altamira Oriole bringing food to the 2-foot- long “sock” of a nest. Later at the Hawk Tower was the Bird-of-the-Trip, a fly-over Red-billed Pigeon, only the third Leo had seen in more than 20 years of birding Texas. On the way back, “Sparrow Alley” north of La Joya offered Pyrrhuloxia sitting near cardinals, a Lark Sparrow, 4 Caracaras, and a Swainson’s Hawk. He spent his last morning at Estero Llano Grande SP south of Weslaco; no one else showed up for a scheduled bird walk, so Leo got a special tour into some back places inhabited by a half-dozen Least Bitterns, alligators, White-tailed Kite, Wood Storks, and Anhinga; a fly-by, in bright sunlight, chocolate-colored Chuck-will’s-widow surprised him by its large size. It was a satisfied trip home-spent updating records, of course. — Leo Weigant CAROLINE COUNTY Caroline County Bird Club is proud to announce that its first-ever Youth Birdwatching Backpack Contest was a success. Open to all youth ages 10 through 17 who were residents of Caroline County, the contest required participants to note date, name of species, habitat, and location (within Caroline County). The winner, 14-year-old Peter Anderson , was awarded a YMOS backpack, provided by MOS, on July 8. A true September/October 2010 9 novice at birding, Peter listed 27 bird species, including some firsts found during a bird walk at Tuckahoe SP with leader Danny Poet. Both Peter and his mother, Lisa , have shown a real appreciation and enthusiasm for birding. (Lisa is a biology teacher at North Caroline High School and very active with after- school environmental clubs.) We hope to see both of them join us for future birding ventures. We would like to thank other MOS Bird Clubs for great ideas for youth backpack contests. Next, we hope to work with Camp Todd Ranger Bob Foote to create a Camp Todd birding badge and perhaps tie in a youth backpack as a prize. — Debby Bennett CARROLL COUNTY Maureen and Dave Harvey went on a birding tour to Spain, then spent four days birding in Israel before attending an International Submarine Veterans Congress in Netanya, Israel. They saw 170 species in Spain and 95 in Israel. “While birding back roads in Israel, we came across signs reading ‘Danger: Mines.’ You become very careful when chasing birds under these circumstances.” — Dave Harvey HARFORD COUNTY Nine members of the Harford Bird Club — Dennis Kirkwood, Volney Ford, Elaine Beery, Marty Crouse, Bob and Susan Hood, Joe and Melody Stevens, and Jane Scocca — took a 12-day tour of South and West Texas in late June and early July. “We side- stepped the hurricane, which actually made the temperatures more pleasant. Several participants got over 100 life birds in this unique habitat, and the total trip list was 184 species. Highlights included Colima Warbler, Black-chinned Sparrow, Lucifer Hummingbird, Muscovy Duck, White-collared Seedeater, Ferruginous Pygmy Owl, and Tropical Parula. We covered 2,450 miles of Texas, from Big Bend and the Davis Mountains to Brownsville, starting and ending in San Antonio.” — Dennis Kirkwood As part of the MOS outreach to youth, Harford Bird Club held its first youth birding contest. Youngsters were required to provide brief documentation of each species they found and to describe the type of habitat. The two winners were Colin Mosley and Matt Addicks , and they both were awarded an MOS Birding Backpack at the club’s summer social at Anita Leight Estuary Center. We hope to see them soon on field trips. — Jean Wheeler HOWARD COUNTY Lisa and Lou Colangelo made their first trip to Tuscon, AZ in April, and every bird was a life bird for Lisa. She was able to add the Curved- bill Thrasher, Cactus Wren, Verdin, Phainopepla, Pyrrhuloxia, and Lesser Goldfinch to her life list from the comfort of her host’s patio. A short walk from the house produced a Gambel’s Quail and a Greater Roadrunner. A field trip to Sabino Canyon added Broad-billed and Black- chinned Hummingbirds. Karchner’s Caverns and the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum were also part of the itinerary. The coyote serenade outside of their back door was a special bonus. — Kate Tufts MONTGOMERY COUNTY Stephanie Lovell traveled to Alaska in June with Victor Emanuel Nature Tours. Starting in Anchorage, her trip continued to Nome, Seward- Kenai fiord, and Denali, and ended with a two-day extension to Barrow. The weather was a mixture of rain, fog, and sun with temps in the 40 ’s to 50’s but dipping to the 30’s in Barrow. Leaders Barry Zimmer and Brennan Mulrooney delivered the birds! Fantastic views of Bluethroat in Nome, Kittlitz’s Murrelet (Brennan’s 700 th bird) in the Kenai Fiord, four Bristle-thighed Curlews on very difficult tundra terrain, twirling Red Phalaropes in bright breeding plumage with babies galore, hooting calls of the Pectoral Sandpiper, three species of jaeger, all four eider species, a rare Arctic Loon, and an Aleutian Tern. The bus ride through Denali yielded all five majors: caribou, grizzly, Dali sheep, wolf, and moose — plus a Great Horned Owl with chick and three Northern Hawk Owls. “It was a terrific trip and added 21 birds to my life list.” — Stephanie Lovell In mid-June Don and Sherry Messersmith were invited to Wisconsin by one of Don’s students to see two of America’s rarest birds. For the last 3 or 4 years Kirtland’s Warblers have been nesting in Wisconsin in Jack Pine habitats that they regularly use in Central Michigan, where Don first saw them in 1961. Through special arrangements with the Wisconsin DNR, a biologist led them to a singing male that they observed for several minutes; this is one of about 20 now known to be in Wisconsin. The next day at Neceda NWR, the Messersmiths observed Whooping Cranes, which are now nesting and beginning to raise young there. This successful reintroduction of cranes was made possible through several organizations, including the International Crane Foundation, which recently recognized Don for his help in organizing an expedition to Lake Poyang in China to help rediscover the wintering grounds of the rare Siberian Cranes. continued, on page 1 0 10 The Maryland Yellowthroat Chapter Chatter continued from page 9 Gail Mackiernan and Barry Cooper made their second trip to Bhutan this spring. “Our first trip there (in 2005) was in late winter, when we enjoyed great views of rare Black-necked Cranes and huge mixed wintering flocks,” Gail wrote. “But we missed many breeding species and migrants so decided we had to go back in spring. A tribute to this place is that almost all of our original group from ‘05 also repeated! Again we arranged everything (as a private tour) through Bhutan Birding and Heritage Travels. Our guide was Chubzang Tangbi, a young man now studying in Wales who returned to Bhutan to lead our trip. Our field crew contained some good birders as well, so we had lots of eyes. We saw over 280 species in 22 days. Highlights included all of Bhutan’s “big three”: Beautiful Nuthatch, Ward’s Trogon, and Satyr Tragopan, with multiples of each-plus Wedge-billed (Sikkim), Long-billed, and Rufous-throated Wren-Babblers, Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Black-necked Crane, Black-tailed Crake, Ibisbill, Pallas’s Fish-Eagle, Himalayan Monal, Blood Pheasant, etc. “We did notice many changes in the country since our first visit five years ago. There is a lot of construction (hotels, hydroelectric plants, etc) and many more cars and trucks on the roads. Most of the local people have mobile phones, and satellite television is everywhere. (The country didn’t have TV until 1999!) Most importantly, Bhutan is now the world 1 s newest democracy, having established a parliamentary system of government with a new, young king since our first visit. The goal of the country remains the concept of Gross National Happiness. Bhutan is still a brilliant place to visit. Most of the development is in the more populous western portion of the country; the eastern and southern regions have changed very little. The forest still extends as far as the eye can see and per the new Bhutanese Constitution, it should remain so into the future.” — Gail Mackiernan TRI-COUNTY Members of Tri-County headed far north this summer. During the last week of May and the first week of June, Carol Broderick was at the Pribilofs and Gambell hoping to see rarities blown in from the west. Unfortunately, there were 50 mph winds from the east most days (same thing happened to me last year!). Being in the Bering Sea, though, some birds were tough enough to fly and we did get to see breeding Stellar’s and Spectacled Eiders, Lesser Sand-Plover, Common Ringed Plover, Ivory Gull , Brambling, and Rustic Bunting. Also, it was fun to meet MOS member Jay Sheppard for the first time. He was gallant enough to pull me from a deep hole in which I was sinking fast. Thanks, Jay. Later in June, Sam Dyke and Jo Ann and Paul Wilbur took a 15-day Bering Sea cruise. They boarded the Clipper Odyssey at Nome and visited or landed on King Island (Russia), Gambell, Hall and St. Matthews Islands, the Pribilofs, the Baby Islands, and then eastward along the Alaska peninsula to Seward. The birding highlights were numerous: Red-faced Cormorants, Red-legged Kittiwakes, Ivory Gull, Aleutian Terns, Whiskered Auklets, and McKay’s Buntings — with a continuous backdrop of uncountable numbers of Black-legged Kittiwakes, murres, guillemots, auklets, and puffins. The trip finale was a motor- coach trip through Denali National Park with two days at Kantishna. It was difficult to focus on Golden Eagles and Gyrfalcons when wolves, grizzly bears, moose, caribou, and Dali sheep were in view. What a trip! All I can say is start saving your money! — Carol Broderick WASHINGTON COUNTY On May 21, a group from the WCBC — Ann Mitchell, Anna Hutzell, Doris Berger, and Shirley Ford — traveled to Delaware to see the horseshoe crab/Red Knot spring spectacle. This year the Red Knots were there, smaller groups divided up among numerous locations, and they were feasting on horseshoe crab eggs. A highlight of the trip was a visit to the DuPont Nature Center located at the edge of a harbor where the Mispillion River empties into the Delaware Bay. The Center has a nice observation deck for looking out over the water to see shorebirds. After leaving the Nature Center, one more surprising sight to behold — a Clapper Rail taking a quick bath on the side of the road; it shook off and ran back into the grassy reeds as fast as it could! Just a few months earlier, in February 2010, 14 members and friends of the Washington County Bird Club, including Linda and Bruce Field, Mark and Heather Abdy, Tammy and Paul Needy, Anna and Doug Hutzell, and Shirley Ford traveled to Costa Rica for a week-long birding trip. This was the second visit for most of the travelers, who last year had birded in the northern lowlands and the southern mountains. This trip concentrated on the Arenal Volcano area and the Pacific coast. The group’s total species count was 238 and included an unusual sighting of a Black-crested Coquette. Birding by boat along two rivers provided them with an excellent view of five species of Kingfisher, missing only the Green-and-rufous. Also missed were the two snowstorms that buried the Washington area with nearly 2 feet of snow. — Linda Field September/October 2010 11 2010 MOS Conference June 11-13 Washington College, Chestertown H ere are some of the words that come to mind describing the 2010 conference for me. Cozy is a good way to portray 2010, with 177 people registered; seeing old friends and making new is still one of the major reasons people attend. Informative with Doug Gill’s Chino Farms update, Marshall Iliff’s eBird workshop, and the research posters. Exhilarating applies when talking about field trips; almost everyone’s favorite conference activity. Appreciative for two new 50-year members; for the Holiday Inn Express’ giving access to the Tufted Duck; for Emy Holdridge’s years of service as MOS Treasurer; for all of our conference volunteers and field trips leaders. Friday night’s keynote address by Doug Gill was a highlight. Everyone was eager for an update on his Chino Farms project, and we weren’t disappointed. His enthusiasm for the project is contagious. The research team has encountered some setbacks but is also making important discoveries about grassland restoration. We were extremely lucky to have Chino Farms located close to the conference and, with field trips led by Doug Gill, to be able to tour the area for a first-hand look at the project — and its grassland birds. On Friday afternoon Marshall Iliff presided over an eBird Workshop. As it was located in one of the college’s theater areas, attendance was unlimited; conference-goers were encouraged to drop in at any time, even after a Saturday afternoon field trip that ended early, and many took advantage of this. Quite a few people made a point of saying how much they learned and enjoyed Marshall’s presentation. Kathy Calvert did a magnificent job of arranging field trips. St. Paul’s Church and millpond led by Jan Reese, Shehan Audubon Sanctuary led by Vince De Sanctis, and Libby’s Nature Trail/Merkle farm led by Gemma Radko were trips new to the conference this year. Wayne Bell was able to arrange birding trips to Royal Swan Farm and Andelot Farm, both private properties. There were listers’ trips to Cecil, Kent, and Queen Anne Counties. We missed having a nature store this year. We were looking forward to having Charles Studholme of One Good Tern in Alexandria. I have been told this is one of the best birding stores in the DC area, with an excellent stock of optics. Unfortunately, I got a call shortly before the conference; Charles had ruptured a tendon in his knee and was unable to participate. Hopefully we can arrange for him to be with us at WISP next year. As to the Silent Auction and Raffle, Maryanne Dolan performed her usual magic with the help of volunteers, including her core group — Tom and Joy Loomis and Gail Regester. Thanks to their efforts, Echo Hill Outdoor School received a check for $1,101. (Maryanne is already scouting for quality items for our May 2011 conference at WISP. She may be contacted at Maryanne. dolan@gmail.com. ) At Saturday evening’s dinner and Business Meeting, Wayne Bell, MOS President, presented an array of awards. Emy Holdridge was given a special award in appreciation of her years of service as MOS Treasurer. Another special award went to the Holiday Inn Express at Kent Narrows, acknowledging and thanking them for giving birders access to the Tufted Duck. Don Messersmith, MOS Historian, had certificates and pins for two new 50 -year MOS members: Burton Alexander, Baltimore Bird Club, was unable to attend, but happily William Scudder, Caroline Bird Club, joined us for dinner. A special thanks to Bob Ringler, who led what has become his traditional butterfly field trip, a highlight for many, on Friday — then rose early on Saturday for a trip to the Pacific Northwest. In Bob’s absence, Wayne Bell conducted Sunday’s bird tally, which recorded 152 species. One of the highlights was a Little Gull seen on Marcia Watsons and Gene Scarpula’s trip to Bombay Hook NWR. Another highlight, as posted by Joe Hanfman on MDOsprey, was seeing how excited Doug Gill was to find an Eastern Meadowlark, which has been uncommon at Chino Farms. We had a great conference! Many thanks to everyone who helped make it a success. Join us next year May 20-22, 2011 at WISP in Garrett County. — Janet Shields Chair, Conference Committee 12 The Maryland Yellowthroat ,,c Jt’s in the ®ag” all it a gear bag, a satchel, a man purse, or whatever, Indiana Jones carried one and that’s good enough for me! I’ve been carrying a shoulder bag for more than 25 years, always some variation of a postman’s bag, because as a birder I never like being without my binoculars. Though I have several backpacks, I find I don’t like their double straps. They are also roomier than I like, tempting me either to haul too much unnecessary gear or to carry around a lot of empty space. Hip-packs are another alternative but at the other extreme; I find they’re generally not roomy enough. I like a bag that has, at minimum, space for my binoculars, a book or field guide (or even my Kindle), eyeglasses case, wallet, cell phone, pen and paper, and maybe a point-and-shoot camera. And I prefer leather, though there are certainly many fine fabric bags available. There are very few birder-specific bags on the market. Jansport used to make one called the Roadrunner that was designed with birders in mind. I was lucky enough to purchase one from a small optics company in Ohio before they were discontinued. It is a single-strap cordura nylon bag with two roomy pockets for binoculars and a couple of field guides as well as several smaller pockets for accessories, and it has two deep round side pockets for a large water bottle and maybe a long camera lens. There is another small Velcroed pocket along the strap for a phone or digital voice recorder or small camera. The bag is designed to hug your hip in a wrap-around style which keeps it close to the body and prevents it from swaying when you walk — a feature unique to this bag. It sold for around $50 but as it is no longer made, eBay may be the only hope of finding one. Recently I have switched to a leather satchel made in India from camel hide, sold online by Far Horizon Traders. They have a large selection of messenger-style bags, travel satchels, and other styles and their prices are good. I bought a medium-sized messenger bag big enough for my binoculars and all my other daily essential gear for just under $65. A short list of other low- to medium-priced bags would include: • The National Geographic Society store sells an Explorer Shoulder Bag at around $125. Smaller and larger versions are also available. • The Territory Ahead has a Guy Stuff Travel Bag at $99 that looks like a great deal on a great bag. • Duluth Pack Company sells a few nice-looking, versatile bags including the Duluth Pack Haversack for $100 and the Field Satchel, which is a bit larger, for $120, both made in the U.S.A. • L. L .Bean markets various messenger bags, nicely styled and varying in price, with lifetime guarantees. • Timbuk2 makes several style messenger-type bags, all great quality (I have one), at reasonable prices. At the higher end, Roots sells a variety of leather bags priced from the mid $200s to low $400s. And a company called Renaissance Art (Fine Handcrafted Leather Books) sells their Essential Satchel and Adventure Satchel, medium to large in size and priced $200-$400. When traveling by train or plane, I sometimes switch over to a roomier leather bag as a carry-on. I have two that I alternate between depending on how much room I need. I use my Levenger Livingstone Gear Pack when I want a little extra room for a travel guide or for souvenir shopping in far-off places. For even more room, I use a bag I first saw in a luggage store in Manhattan made in Italy by Tuscany Leather (Valentino model). I purchased mine online directly from the manufacturer for just over $300. They have an ever-changing array of models so check frequently; it seems my bag is no longer available. These are heirloom quality bags and though not cheap, are so well made they should last a lifetime. For a more rugged look, try Saddleback Leather Company. They have a line of rather expensive leather satchels and messenger bags and a fun-to-browse web site. Their bags carry a 100-year guarantee! Think of the satchel as an extension of the birder’s vest, a place to carry essential gear for your day trips or worldly travels. You can personalize it too, as you would your favorite birding hat, with pins or patches from all the great places you visit. September/October 2010 13 /\ )e.iqhbcrinq JZ,e2-ccckab