SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 'ellowthroat Newsletter of the Maryland Ornithological Society VOL. 34, NO. 4 President’s Corner by Tom Strikwerda Value Proposition What is MOS’s Value Proposition? A friend of mine who has held leadership positions in several large non-profits loaned me a book on the future of associations in this rapidly changing world of technology. Although much of the book dealt with issues relevant to organizations with paid staff and significant fund raising efforts, and budgets that dwarf those of MOS, still there were nuggets that I found relevant to MOS. Perhaps one of the most thought-provoking was to focus some of attention on our organization’s “value proposition”. Basically, why does MOS exist and what’s our value to our members? Our Bylaws are pretty straightforward at stating our mission: “The purpose of this organization is to further educational , scientific , and charitable pursuits relating to birdlife in Maryland. ” Pretty simple, but how do we accomplish that purpose, and how effectively are we doing it? And do these core elements reflect the values of you, our members? I like to think so, but it’s worthwhile to examine these from time to time. I’m amazed when I look at the range of committees and activities that comprise MOS... just how many manifestations there are to achieving our purpose. Over time, as our organization grew, we expanded on each of the three elements of our purpose (educational, scientific, and charitable) and now have some 30 committees and projects. I believe each of these can be linked to our purpose and reflect the diversity of thought, interests and skills of our membership. However, in the context of the “value proposition”, what do these committees and activities bring to the whole of MOS, how effective are they, and how do we measure the value? Should we adjust our programs? And just as importantly, are these activities sufficiently important to potential new members to attract them to join us? I’ve been a MOS member for many years and attended many Board Meetings and Conferences and believe we’re doing an excellent job of carrying out our purpose. As President, and with your help, I hope to gain insight into more of these programs. I encourage you to give this topic some thought also. One significant step in this self-evaluation has already been kicked off: the Long Range Planning Survey that Colin Rees and his committee members assembled and invited members to answer several months ago. Colin tells me the team is analyzing the results and hopes to present the results in the next edition of the Yellowthroat. And a questionnaire has also been sent to some of our local “sister” organizations to solicit their views and input. That information, too, could help us with evaluating our mission. I look forward to seeing the results and hope you are, too. 2015 MOS Pin Contest - Call for entries by Ellen Lawler Although fall migration is just getting underway, it’s already time to start working on entries for the 2015 contest! What species will grace the 2015 pin and represent the conference at Hagerstown next May? Perhaps an upland hardwood forest species such as Wood Thrush, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Eastern Wood-pewee or White-breasted Nuthatch? Maybe a familiar garden bird such as Northern Cardinal, American Robin or Tufted Titmouse or perhaps an LBJ - a Song, Field continued on page 2 Inside This Issue President’s Comer 1 Pin Contest 1 Welcome to the ABA 2 MOS Scholarships 2 Book Review: 10,000 Birds 2 Conservation Committee 3 Chapter Chatter 4 Editorial Note 7 YMOS Raucous Gull Big Day 8 Book Review: Field Guide 9 Birds of Note 10 Report on 2014 MOS Conference 11 Duck Stamps 1 1 YMOS World Series of Birding ... 12 Remembering Sam Dyke 12 Book Review: Birds of a Feather. 13 MD/DC Records Committee 13 Ulaan Bataar, Mongolia 14 Calendar 15 2 The Maryland Yellowthroat Pin Contest continued from page 1 or Chipping sparrow? The deadline for the receipt of entries is January 17, 2015. The rules are simple: the bird must be appropriate for the conference site (Washington County), the design must include the phrases “MOS” and “2015”, the artist must be an MOS member, and the entries must be in hard copy. Put your name, address, email, phone number and chapter affiliation on the back of each entry. Send entries to Ellen Lawler, 412 Monticello Ave., Salisbury, MD 21801. To see the complete rules and tips about designing entries for the contest visit the MOS web site f http://www.mdbirds .or g/ activities/conference/annual.htmP or contact me at 410-546- 9056 or emlawler@salisbury.edu . Also, email me if you’d like to have your name added to the artist’s list to receive reminders of the contest deadline. Announcement: Welcome to the ABA September3, 2014 Elkton, MD The American Birding Association is relocating its headquarters to historic Delaware City, DE (right next door to Maryland). As most MOS members know, the ABA is one of the premier birding organizations in North America. It represents the birding community and supports birders through publications, conferences, workshops, tours, partnerships and networks. Its education programs promote birding skills, knowledge, and development of a conservation ethic. The Cecil Bird Club is welcoming the ABA as a new neighbor at its September meeting and is inviting all MOS members to join them for an informational meeting and party. The program for the evening will include a presentation of Cecil County birding hotspots by CBC President Sean McCandless, and ABA President Jeff Gordon will highlight some of the current ABA programs. There will be ample opportunity to explore areas of mutual interest, make new friends, and visit with old ones. The meeting will occur Wednesday, September 3 from 7 to approximately 9 PM. The location is the Cecil County Administration Building (Senior Center), 200 Upper Chesapeake Corporate Center, Elkton, MD 21921. If you wish to attend, please RSVP to Pat Valdata at pvaldata@zoominternet.net by 25 August 2014. Hope to see you there! MOS 2015 Scholarships Announced by Kate Tufts If you are a teacher or naturalist involved with conservation and environmental education here is your chance to apply for a scholarship to the truly magical world of the Hog Island Audubon Camp in Bremen, Maine. The Maryland Ornithological Society (MOS) annually awards a number of scholarships which include tuition, room and board and a five or six-day intensive course of study in ornithology, ecology, conservation and natural history. Travel arrangements and costs are the recipient’s responsibility. The Hog Island Audubon Camps are known for their high levels of instruction by top-notch educators such as Pete Dunne, Scott Weidensaul and Steve Kress. The location is stunning and the food is first rate healthy and comfort cuisine and totally delicious. Courses offered for 2015 scholarships will be: Maine Seabird Biology & Conservation, May 31-June 6, or Sept 6-1 1 Joy of Birding, June 7-12 Field Ornithology, June 14—19 Sharing Nature: an Educator’s Week, July 19-24 For details regarding the application process, please check the MOS web site: www.mdbirds.org and click on “Education.” Scholarships are also available for the Maryland Bird and Bird Habitats program co-sponsored with Washington College Center for Environment and Society, Chestertown, Maryland. Details to follow on www.mdbirds.org . Book Review: Ten thousand birds: Ornithology since Darwin , by Tim Birkhead, Jo Wimpenny and Bob Montgomerie. Princeton University Press, 2014. 524 pp. Histories of science abound, but accounts of specialized fields, especially those dedicated to a single group of animals are scarce. Histories of ornithology are an exception with some good ones in existence already but they are also not commonplace. This volume lists many important contributions in an appendix, just twelve in book form, with most of these evincing a strong western European bias. This volume tends to lean that way as well, with two British authors complemented by one Canadian. There is also a slight tilt toward behavioral research, understandable given the co-authors’ research preferences. This book is noteworthy in presenting an excellent broad overview of developments in ornithology over the last fifty years. Earlier accounts have been more concerned with how the field originated. This also is a lucidly written, engaging account that makes it clear that the study of birds is a human endeavor and a labor of love for those who engage in it. Instead of aiming for a unified account of bird study since 1860, the book is subdivided into accounts of eleven major sub-disciplines where the study of birds has made key continued on page 3 September/October 2014 3 Book Review continued from page 2 contributions to biology, particularly to the study of vertebrate evolution andbehavior.Thesebeginwithpaleontology, including avian origins covering the evolution of feathers and powered flight, and proceed through speciation, the relationships among major groups of birds (phylogeny), migration and navigation, physiology and neurobiology, breeding ecology, bird behavior (three chapters), population ecology, and wrapping up with conservation biology. The latter has very good concise accounts of the ruinous trade in bird feathers for fashion, the pesticide controversies of the 1940s to 1970s, and Herculean recovery programs for several critically endangered birds. Each chapter has a one page timeline illustrating the major benchmarks for its topic. At the end of the chapters there are one or two personal accounts by major players from each sub-discipline including such luminaries as Steve Emlen (migration and cooperative breeding), Peter and Rosemary Grant (Galapagos finch evolution), Ellen Ketterson (field endocrinology of juncos), Ernst Mayr (evolution and systematics), Fernando Nottebohm (neurobiology), and Rick Prum (origins of birds and feathers). The volume is generously illustrated with bird photos; portraits of bird biologists (it’s disappointing to see how few are shown actually working with birds); and beautiful full page paintings in a wide variety of styles at the beginning of each chapter. All chapters receive a final coda that summarizes the contributions of the field to bird study and vice versa, looks toward future research opportunities, and presents some ongoing work of interest. The soul of this book is in the historical accounting of ideas and the people who championed them. Accounts give both biographies of the scientists and of the concepts and how those ideas evolved from speculation, to testable ideas, to refinement in the crucible of critical experiment with tempering through robust criticism. Although this is not an exhaustive survey of bird biology it is comprehensive and I agree with the authors in their choices of key fields and concepts that continue to have relevance. Although the presentation is not overly technical there is enough jargon to make the book less than a page-turner for a few readers. Some of the key controversies covered include the origin of birds from dinosaurs, the role of male competition versus female choice in the evolution of male traits, nature versus nurture, avian cognition (including the controversial Irene Pepperburg and Alex), and the target of natural selection - the individual or the group. The latter controversy led to the publication of E. O. Wilson’s Sociobiology and Richard Dawkins’ The Selfish Gene. Above all this book provides an account of how science is done in the real world by real people with all of the strengths, flaws and vanities of real people. It shows how good science is done and that even scientific dead-ends and near misses are valuable in contributing to good and lasting agreement in science. Finally it shows how hard biologists work in both the field and laboratory to wrest the truth from a resistant and often paradoxically complex reality. Witness Peter and Rosemary Grant’s decades of camping rough on tiny Daphne Major in the Galapagos to learn what really was going on in the evolution of the beak of the finch. This is a good book for dipping into or consuming whole. The authors offer the following quote by Nobel-winning physicist Richard Feynman in their Afterword: “ You can know the name of a bird in all the languages of the world, but when you’re finished, you’ll know absolutely nothing whatever about the bird. . .. So let’s look at the bird and see what it’s doing - that’s what counts. 1 learned very early the difference between knowing the name of something and knowing something.” If you want to know more than the birds’ names this book will give you a good place to start. Walter G. Ellison Kent County Bird Club What has the Conservation Committee Been Up To? by Kurt Schwarz, Chair Since the MOS Conference in May, the Committee has been busy. At the request of Tyler Bell, we wrote to the St. Mary’s County Commissioners about a proposal to adopt trap-neuter- release (TNR) for management of feral cats. We pointed out the detrimental effect of free-roaming cats on wildlife and public health and also that TNR has been proven to be neither effective in reducing cat numbers, nor is it healthy for the cats themselves. In June we wrote the Department of Agriculture to remind them that for their newly introduced spay-neuter grant program should not support TNR efforts, as this would violate state law. DOA, however, contended that the new law voided the neglect and abandonment provisions, when, in fact, it does not. We also signed on to a joint letter to Congress in opposition to the Sportsmen’s Act of 2014, which would have gutted EPA efforts to limit lead in the environment. This bill fortunately died in Congress. In July, we delivered a briefing to the Dorchester County Commissioners on the proposed wind turbines for Somerset County, which MOS has opposed as detrimental to eagle and other bird populations. The briefing was received positively. Also in July we wrote the Frederick County Board of Appeals in opposition to proposed firing ranges adjacent to Sugarloaf Mountain. In face of massive public opposition, the Board postponed the hearing for a month. Frederick Chapter members will attend the Board Meeting. Lastly, we wrote the Baltimore County Planning Board and Howard County Council seeking to have Patapsco Valley State Park removed from the boundaries of the proposed Patapsco Heritage Greenway, as we are concerned about inappropriate economic development within the park, if it is incorporated within the Greenway. Howard Council, however, approved the concept, after receiving assurances that within the Park’s boundaries, DNR would have final say. 4 The Maryland Yellowthroat ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY Ross Geredien writes— ”So far this spring and summer I’ve taken three fantastic birding trips to hot spot destinations on the Gulf Coast and in Colorado and California. I have had three business trips, and I incorporated some vacation time so that I could work on my life list. The adventures began in early April while attending a conference in New Orleans. As part of the conference, we had the chance to go into the field with field biologists from the Louisiana Natural Heritage Program. We saw over 100 species, including 19 warblers, and the highlight was my lifer Swainson’s Warbler. After the conference, I rented a car and drove to the east-Texas coast. I visited such famed hotspots as Sabine Woods and Anahuac NWR. Conditions were relatively slow, but it was great to explore this area, and I did add many state birds in both states as well as dozens of year birds. “I was in Denver for a workshop in May, and I decided to take a few extra days to seek target species. The two Sage- grouse proved remarkably easy to find on May 9 and 10, still on the lek. The Greater Sage-grouse lek was especially active, with 54 birds displaying, many close-by. I also found my first Prairie Falcon and Brown-capped Rosy-finches, followed by McCown’s Longspur at Pawnee National Grasslands. After the workshop, I headed south to Pueblo Lake State Park for three additional lifers in just three hours: Scaled Quail, Canyon Towhee, and Cassin’s Kingbird. Rounding out the trip was lifer #8, a Juniper Titmouse at Brush Hollow Reservoir. The trip total for Colorado was 176 species. “Finally, in July I attended a convention in San Diego. I hired a car and headed east into the desert. Within two hours I found my lifer Abert’s Towhee and Gila Woodpecker in Brawley. Heading north to the Salton Sea, I found four adult Yellow-legged Gulls along the distant shoreline from Red Hill Marina. After the best Mexican meal of my life in the valley, I decided to leave the desert and head for the San Bernardino Mountains, where I spent an amazing night under the stars and was awakened before first light to hear my lifer Common Poorwill, followed shortly by the distinctive call of a first-ever Northern Pygmy-owl. The Angeles National Forest is remarkably like the Sierras: White-headed Woodpeckers, Red- breasted Sapsuckers, and Clark’s Nutcrackers were all in good numbers. Day 3 was filled with action thanks to a pelagic trip out of Dana Point, CA. I highly recommend these trips, as they are run in partnership with the nonprofit Ocean Institute. We were very lucky to have John Dunn as our leader, and he did not disappoint. These trips are short, only 8 hours, but they are jam- packed with birds. I had six lifers in all, plus a lifer Hammerhead Shark at very close range. New birds for me included: Elegant Tem, Black-vented Shearwater, Scripp’s Murrelet, Craveri’s Murrelet, and Black and Ashy Storm-petrels. I was now at a very tantalizing 597 species for the ABA, with two more “easy” lifers to get: California Gnatcatchers at the Dana Point Headlands Preserve, and, the following day, Nutmeg Mannikin at Tecolote Canyon Natural Park. This was a perfect ending to a great season, and I now can target what my 600 th ABA bird will be. I’m thinking Varied Bunting, but who knows?” On June 24th I left to drive with a non-birding friend to North Dakota, where my daughter Renee Wells is employed by USGS for the 3rd season of a 5-year study of nesting Piping Plovers. The plovers are listed as threatened in the state. In part, the study looks at individual movement, time of migration, and overall numbers of plovers in the area. In the Great Plains, Piping Plovers nest in scrapes on the gravel banks of rivers and alkaline lakes which dot the prairies. Renee had spent the early weeks of summer searching for nests in a 180-acre Nature Conservancy tract near the Town of Turtle Lake (dead center of the state.) With my friend off on a side trip, I spent a day with Renee visiting many of the 30+ nests she monitors. We drove and hiked through the grasslands among several lakes, trapping an un-banded adult plover, floating eggs from a new nest to determine incubation status, looking for the astonishingly cryptic precocial chicks, and re- sighting birds she and her crew had banded earlier. Many nesting birds circled us in the air as we walked through the habitat. The plovers’ “peep-lo”s were accompanied by the constant alarm calls of Willets, Upland Sandpipers, Wilson’s Phalaropes, Marbled Godwits, Killdeer, and American Avocets, all nesting in the grasses or lake banks . Savannah, Clay- colored and Grasshopper Sparrow abounded (no Baird’s— oh, well). Bobolinks and Chestnut-collared Longspurs in breeding plumage were a dazzling treat. Black-crowned Night Heron, White-faced Ibis, pelicans and cormorants streamed by all day. Caspian and Common Tern and California Gull were abundant, as were Gadwall, Northern Shoveler and Blue-winged Teal and their ducklings. We were delighted by American Coot babies, looking punk-ish with their shock of day-glow orange head fuzz. We saw over 85 Eared Grebes, and counted three Swainson’s Hawks. It was an exhausting day of walking over rolling prairies and marshes, but the landscape was exhilarating and beautiful. Another thrill— Interstate 94 bisects Cottonwood Lake east of Bismarck. From the road I saw dozens of Western Grebe pairs on this lake (June 26). Driving back three days later there were none, and I saw them nowhere else. We also saw several Black Tern near this site. Barbara Johnson CAROLINE COUNTY The Caroline County Bird Club participated in Camp Todd’s Earth Day again this year, teaching girl scouts some basic birding skills. The Girl Scout camp is located outside of continued on page 5 September/October 2014 5 Chatter continued from page 4 Denton and has a variety of bird habitats to teach the scouts about. One of the highlights was the girls getting to see a pair of Red-shouldered Hawks nesting near one of the Girl Scout lodges. They loved learning how to use the binoculars, many of which the Caroline Bird Club donated to the camp, along with birding field guides. Bird Club members Bill Scudder and Dave Reinecke showing visited the Acropolis, Poseidon’s Temple and several other famous places. After the Congress, we went with a guide for some birding and found 119 species in the three days. These included six lifers, - Tawny Owl, Bonelli’s Eagle, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Levant Sparrowhawk, Middle Spotted Woodpecker, and Olive-tree Warbler. In the Meteora region of almost inaccessible sandstone peaks, monks settled on these ‘columns of the sky’ from the 11th century onwards. Twenty -four of these monasteries were built, despite incredible difficulties, at the time of the great revival of the eremitic ideal in the 15th century. Their 16th- century frescoes mark a key stage in the development of post-Byzantine painting. ‘Suspended in the air’ (the meaning of Meteora in Greek), these monasteries represent a unique artistic achievement and are one of the most powerful examples of the architectural transformation of a site into a place of retreat, meditation and prayer. The Meteora is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. At one time the only access to these monasteries was by a basket cranked up the hillside. Today some of the remaining monasteries have narrow paths carved into the hillside. (See the attached picture.) One of these was used in a James Bond movie. . . .Dave and Maureen Harvey CECIL COUNTY some scouts and their leader how to use binoculars. As part of Project Clean Stream Day, members of the Caroline County Bird Club held a Pelot Sanctuary and nearby area cleanup on April 5 in conjunction with the Lriends of Gravelly Branch. Several bags of garbage, old tires and other trash were collected to haul to the landfill. Some of the members went on a bird walk in Pelot on April 27. Debby Bennett Caroline County Bird Club members Ann Reinecke, Dawn Brownlee -Tomas so , Debby Bennett and Dave Reinecke. CARROLL COUNTY Maureen and Dave Harvey attended the International Submarine Congress in Athens Greece from May 27 to May 31 and then spent the next three days birding in the Athens, Meteora (central Greece), and Lake Karla areas. The Congress had submarine veterans representing 20 countries this year. With this group we Meteora monastery perched atop a sandstone peak. continued on page 6 The Maryland Yellowthroat Chatter continued from page 5 The Cecil Bird Club lost one of its last remaining charter members when Charlie Gant passed away on May 14th of this year. Charlie was 94 years old. As a club member he was instrumental in founding the Turkey Point Hawk Watch and enjoyed many a fall day at the point over the years. Those lucky enough to have spent any time with him at the point will remember his infectious stories about the early days of birding Hawk Mountain. Charlie was a wildly enthusiastic birder whose positive energy could not help but rub off onto anyone he came in contact with. He and his wife Jimmy traveled the world on birding vacations. He will be missed by everyone who knew him. On April 26th club members Beverly Sutton Lawrence, and Ken Drier manned the club’s informational table at Mount Harmon Plantation’s First Annual Earth Day Event and 5K Race. Beverly was kind enough to hold down the table by herself as Ken participated in the race picking up a silver medal in his division. Ken will return to Mount Harmon August 2nd to set up for their annual Lotus Festival. This rare water lily relative is the largest wildflower in North America. This event has been a staple on the club’s calendar for several years. June 21st found club member Van Funk setting up our table at the annual Wade In event at Elk Neck State Park. Here people walk into the water to see how far they can go before losing sight of their feet. Over 300 individuals participated in the event. Fair Hill Natural Resource Management Area invited club Co- presidents Sean McCandless and Ken Drier to a meeting with the Maryland Equine Park Association to voice their concerns or issues over an expanded equestrian presence at Fair Hill. Sean put together a PowerPoint presentation expressing our concerns regarding the Bobolinks and other ground nesting species that may be impacted by scheduling more events at the facility. The American Birding Association (ABA) is moving their national headquarters from Colorado to Delaware City Delaware this summer with Delaware native Jeff Gordon at the helm as president. Since the Cecil Club is next door to Delaware the club has decided to throw a welcoming party for the ABA. The September monthly club meeting will be dedicated to welcoming Jeff and his group to our area. All are welcome to attend this event on September 3 rd (see note about this event on p. 1). Ken Drier’s next door neighbor Kristi Eisenberg at one time had the privilege of teaching Pete Dunne of Cape May fame. While recently being honored he requested that Kristi be present. This led to her spending the weekend of June 28th returning to Cape May to bird with Pete, David Sibley and Kenn Kaufman. Pete asked her to set up a fall trip and bring some friends along. Guess who gets to go next time? Late May into early June found Kim and Ken Drier in Turkey. Though not a birding trip Ken did manage to add 8 new species to his life list including Woodchat Shrike, Rock Nuthatch, Crested Lark and Black-eared Wheatear. Also they saw nesting White Storks on the minarets of mosques while in the country side as well as the always cool Hoopoe with its giant crest. Richard Donham and Deborah Allen recently returned from a trip to Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Richard says every day and evening was a highlight, and they took away many memories, new friends, a kabillion photos, and over 100 life birds. Particularly thrilling was seeing a leopard kill an impala and then drag it straight up the trunk of a large tree, escaping by seconds spotted hyena that were closing in. * Ken Drier HARFORD COUNTY Birding Beautiful Belize Before dawn on June 19 th , 12 members and friends of the Harford Bird Club including Bob and Susan Hood, Ken and Jeanne Montgomery, Mark and Denise Johnson, Amanda Koss, Joe Subolefsky, Jerry Strickroth, Valerie Strickroth, Bob Werrlein, and Diane Jones, boarded a big Boeing at BWI bound for Belize and 10 days of birding. By lunch, our group had landed in Belize City and were bouncing along back roads to a boat ramp along the New River where we were met by our hosts from the Lamanai Outpost village which was our first base of operations for 3 nights. Birders wishing to see inland freshwater shore species and jungle specialties will find Lamanai ideally situated along the river for these birds. Besides the bird life, there were many opportunities to visit ancient Mayan temples in the area. Believe it or not, the park system will allow you to climb some of these magnificent structures, some of which rise several hundred feet above the canopy where the view is beautiful! Back on the boat for 2 special evening tours, we enjoyed a spotlighted tour of the shores around Lamanai and a relaxing, twilight ride on the river which also featured local Belizean beverages! Bidding Lamanai farewell, we next traveled a bumpy overland road through farming communities and fields to Chan Chich. Beyond the van windows, we were all bedazzled with the difference in the scenery of the area surrounding Chan Chich, which is located west towards the highlands. By contrast, Chan Chich is a denser rainforest habitat and the bird species reflected that during our four night visit. By lucky co- incidence, a group of summer volunteers and students from Texas were staying at Chan Chich during our visit as well. Before dinner one evening, we had an opportunity to hear about their digs which have been going on in the area for several years and had this year yielded some exciting finds of pottery in a previously undiscovered burial chamber. Belizean coffee is some of the best in Central America and we had a tour of the coffee plantation in the nearby village of Gallon Jug during our stay. By air, we traveled from Chan Chich/ Gallon Jug to our final location of San Pedro on Ambergris Caye near the coral reef that protects these Barrier Islands. Besides the approximately 200 mile length of this reef along Belize, the reef continues north to Yucatan Peninsula and south to Honduras making it 2 nd in length only to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Both of our days spent at Victoria House in San Pedro offered us opportunities to snorkel the reef and explore locations nearby, including an island rookery of White-faced Ibis and Reddish Egret. By now, I’m sure you will want to book your own trip to this beautiful location, so let me list some of our 171 Best Birds! Agami Heron, Oscillated Turkey, Bat Falcon, Grey- continued on page 7 September/October 2014 7 Chatter continued from page 6 necked Wood-Rail, Sun Grebe, Black-and-white Owl, Long- billed Hermit, Green-breasted Mango, King Vulture, Yellow- tailed Oriole, and Spot-breasted Wren. Bob Hood HOWARD COUNTY Kevin Heffernan and Karen Darcy took a three week birding tour to northern Peru (“Northern Peru : Endemics Galore”) in November 2013. Although it focused on the endemic birds of that area, more than 500 bird species were seen or heard with highlights including the Marvelous Spatuletail Hummingbird, the very rare White-winged Guan, and a well-heard Long- whiskered Owlet. The tour started and ended in Lima with flights to and from the north where the tour bus took a circular route from Chiclayo to Cajamarca. It included two nights of outfitted camping and a four-night stay at the Owlet Lodge at Abra Patricia. The scenery was spectacular and included high mountains, river valleys, and the sea coast. — Karen Darcy MONTGOMERY COUNTY Recently Sally Wechsler spent two nights on Skomer Island, Wales, a rat-free nature reserve where there are huge colonies of breeding Manx Shearwaters, puffins, fulmers, razorbills and guillemots . Sally wrote: “Boarded the ferry to the island despite high tide and high waves, successfully made it to the island and up the steep steps . There was a one mile walk to farm bunkhouse in gorgeous sunny warm 70’s weather. Because of the full moon we were able to see and hear hundreds of Manx Shearwaters coming to their burrows. Quite a fantastic spectacle! They say on moonless nights there would be even more birds coming in. There were also great views of glowworms and the island endemic toads that come out at night. A few shearwaters could be heard calling during the day. Volunteers on the island are able to walk the entire coastline in 4 hours. Inland there were breeding Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, oystercatchers and a few passerines. Not every day you can hear screaming shearwaters !” For a webcam video http://www. youtube. com/watch?v=gMFkl mvPoOs —Chris Wright TALBOT COUNTY Geographers Go into the Field as Birders In April near Tampa, Florida, Cathy Cooper arranged a birding trip to Lettuce Lake County Park, approximately a half-hour dive northeast of the downtown waterfront and River Walk. A representative of Florida Audubon’s Florida Coastal Islands Sanctuary guided the 18 participants on a two-hour morning walk along the boardwalk through a cypress swamp along the Hillsborough River. Birding highlights were Limpkin, Anhinga, Little Blue Heron in second summer white plumage, female Summer Tanager, and Prothonotary Warbler. The occasion was a field trip associated with the meeting of the Association of American Geographers, and Cathy was pleased to make the arrangements for colleagues, some of whom were experienced birders and photographers and some of whom were birding newcomers. Participants came from different parts of the U.S. and two foreign countries. Cathy Cooper Bay side Options at Assateague National Seashore Three Tri -County Bird Club members, Carol Broderick and Larry and Jean Fry , participated in a public input workshop on Saturday, June 7 at Assateague National Seashore to discuss possible plans for the Bayside area parking lot. Any birder who has been to that area during migration knows that it is a hotspot that needs to be preserved. Participants at each of three tables were given plat maps with markers and cut- out symbols to explore options for moving Campground #1, creating a walking trail, making a picnic area, designating a kayak launch site, and moving the parking lot, all the while making the area less susceptible to damage from erosion and safe-guarding bird habitat. Input came from not only the birding community but also from kayakers and picnickers. Once viable alternatives are chosen, they will be cycled back for additional public comment. The park wifi be developing action alternatives. “It was an idea gathering exercise,” said Liz Davis, assistant chief of Interpretation and Education for the Assateague National Seashore. “Nothing is off the table. We’d like to hear as many ideas as we can for making this important day-use area more functional,” said park superintendent Debbie Darden. The three Tri-County Bird Club members tried to speak up for the birds! Jean Fry Editorial Note This issue begins my third year as Editor of The Maryland Yellowthroat . When I took over this job, I worried a bit about the writing of a newsletter that runs to 20+ pages five times a year. In retrospect, that was unnecessary and a bit silly, because the newsletter is the product of a group of regular and occasional contributors. And, since I haven’t done an Editorial Note before, I want to take the opportunity to thank them all for the excellent work they do, they make my task easy. The purpose of the newsletter is to communicate to MOS members about past and future activities of the organization, its chapters and committees, and other members. In addition, the newsletter is a forum for all sorts of thoughtful discussions that may occur about understanding and protecting Maryland’s birdlife and encouraging wildlife conservation writ large. Although the relevance of print seems to be under question in these days of Facebook and Pinterest and Twitter, it seems to me that the need for a variety of communication tools has never been greater and the roles that they serve are as varied as the tools. The Maryland Yellowthroat occupies one niche and will be a vital part of the MOS as long as it is used by the membership and helps build coherence as an organization. As you probably know (but I wifi mention, in case you don’t), each issue of the Yellowthroat is posted on the MOS Website t http://www.mdbirds .org/ t . There are a couple advantages to getting your newsletter online: it is posted before the hardcopy shows up in the mailbox; and it saves printing and postage costs (also, it is published in dazzling color!). The Calendar is also posted on the MOS site, so you have several ways of accessing upcoming trips and meetings. Don’t hesitate to write me if you have suggestions. Richard Donham TRI-COUNTY The Maryland Yellowthroat World Series of Birding 2014 - The YMOS Raucous Gulls’ Big Day by Alex Wiebe, Montgomery County The members on the YMOS Raucous Gulls were Callum MacLellan-O’Brien, Kevin Ebert, Matt Addicks, and myself. We scouted the north for five days before the big day, and the other high school and middle school teams from the YMOS scouted the south for us. Thanks to everyone who helped us before and during scouting! We started at Great Swamp NWR, as many teams do, waiting for our first night birds along a trail off of Pleasant Plains Rd. At exactly midnight, a Least Bittern sounded off, and in the next minute we picked up Solitary Sandpiper, Marsh Wren, and Wood Duck. On to our next spot in Great Swamp after just fifteen minutes. We heard some nocturnal migrants and a peeping Green- winged Teal, and as we walked back to the car, we heard an American Bittern ‘quark’ at us from the marsh. We were off to a great start! At Lewisburg Swamp, a Common Gallinule called and a Barred Owl hooted near some houses at one end of the lake. On to Owens Station Marsh in Sussex County. As we walked out into the marsh, we heard a distant Eastern Screech-Owl, and another much closer. We all thought the closer one sounded a little off, and sure enough, a couple minutes later, the Cornell team walked past us out of the forest! At Black Dirt Marsh we heard a Sora call a few times. It would be the only Sora we heard all day. Into the Wantage Grasslands ahead of schedule and with most of our night birds out of the way, we were confident as we climbed to the top of Vesper Hill. After cleaning up Black-billed Cuckoo by flight call, we waited for a Vesper Sparrow. After a couple of teams left a weird Song Sparrow sounded off, and we managed to hear a Vesper Sparrow a bit farther. We ran down the hill and drove quickly to our stakeout Savannah and Grasshopper Sparrow spots, where both of our target birds sang in short time. At Beemer Rd we heard a White- crowned Sparrow by the farm pond and a Brown Thrasher further down the road, but we were still missing Ring-necked Pheasant. Nevertheless, at 5:35 AM we decided to give up on the pheasants and head to High Point State Park to maximize our chances at forest songbirds. The ravens were at the AT&T Tower as we pulled in, and within the first few minutes on Sawmill Rd we got many of the more common forest species, including Cerulean Warbler and Blue-headed Vireo. After Sawmill Rd, we drove up Ridge Rd, stopping first at the Black Spruce Bog. A Northern Waterthrush sang at the front of the bog, but we had to run a couple hundred yards to get a chipping Canada Warbler. Further up the road, we waited five minutes for our staked out Cooper’s Hawk to count it under the raptor nest rule. We passed a couple other teams, but they were going the other direction! We didn’t hear any Ruffed Grouse at the bench, but we did hear a singing Lincoln’s Sparrow in the marsh overlook by the bench. In general. High Point gave us all of the expected birds, although the Pileated Woodpeckers held off until we heard one sound off on our way out. We ended up hearing them elsewhere too. On the way to Stokes State Forest, a Dark-eyed Junco chipped as it flushed off the road in the exact same place we had one the day before. We waited five minutes at the Steam Mill Campground for our Sharp-shinned Hawk, but the pair of Common Mergansers that had been there all week didn’t show. At the turnoff to the Lake Ocquittunk Campground, we got out of the car and walked along the little spruce grove to the bathrooms. Brown Creeper, both Kinglets, Magnolia Warbler, Eastern Wood-Pewee, and a migrant Acadian Flycatcher made it one of our best stops of the day. A quick drive to the Stone Bridge produced a Louisiana Waterthrush that sang before we had a chance to get out of the car, and at Hiram’s Grove Rd, our last stop in Stokes, we picked up the scouted Red-shouldered Hawk under the watchful eyes of a nearby resident. Matt picked out our scouted Bufflehead on the drive to the church at Culver’s Lake. Common Loon and Bonaparte’s Gull were good pickups there, and for the second day in a row we had Cliff Swallows with the other swallows out over the lake. A drive around the neighborhood netted us a few more migrants, including a silent Bay-breasted Warbler Kevin spotted. As we were about to pack up, a team member spotted something odd in a resident’s backyard, and a closer look revealed a female Ring-necked Pheasant. Redemption! We picked up Bobolink and Eastern Meadowlark in Layton and Common Merganser at the Dingman’s Ferry Bridge in record time, but the Blewett Tract yielded neither the scouted Red-breasted Nuthatch nor Belted Kingfisher. The Delaware Water Gap went a little better as we heard Worm- eating Warblers at Pompey Road and Prairie Warbler and Ruby- throated Hummingbird nearby. A pair of soaring Broad-winged Hawks should have been the last new birds of the north, but as we drove down Millbrook Rd, an unexpected American Woodcock bobbed across the road. We crossed the 1-80 at 9:30 AM with 133 species. Our first stop in the south, Millville Airport, didn’t have the expected Horned Larks. The wind was high and there was a motorcycle show nearby. Our luck changed at Dividing Creek when we picked up most of the southern breeders in just four stops, including a Kentucky Warbler singing away in the afternoon heat. Turkey Point had both night-herons and a Harrier, and Strawberry Ave harbored a Blue Grosbeak and a Yellow-breasted Chat, as well as a bonus Peregrine Falcon. At Heislerville WMA we picked out Pectoral Sandpiper, Red Knot, and Gadwall among the necessary birds. After passing a car driving the wrong way on the one way road and almost tipping off the dike, I picked out a Royal Tem over the water. A quick stop at the Paper Mill Sod Farm produced our backup Horned Larks, and the Cattle Egrets off Route 9 received our memo to stay outside. So far so good in the south. Seawatches at the State Park and the St. Peter’s Jetty produced Parasitic Jaeger, Gannet, all three scoters, and a Red- throated Loon, but the tide was too high for Purple Sandpiper. A tiring run out to the dunes at the Meadows produced a Lesser Black-backed Gull, after passing the Upper Main Line YMCA adult team. Efficient stops at Cove Pool and Cape May Harbor produced Blue-winged Teal, Stilt Sandpiper, and Red-breasted Merganser. We were good on time, but on the drive north, we still decided to skip Nummy Island in favor of more time at Brigantine (Forsythe NWR). continued on page 9 September/October 2014 9 YMOS continued from page 8 We didn’t know it at the time, but our Gull-billed Tem from the Gull Pond Tower at Brig would be our 194th bird for the day. The stakeout Tundra Swan was in the adjacent pond, looking pathetic in stature (sorry buddy) but regal on our checklist. After Caspian Tem, Whimbrel, and a few other birds, Callum spotted a Little Blue Heron for our 200th bird. Further down the loop, an American Avocet stood next to the road with a flock of shorebirds and a Saltmarsh sparrow sang from, well, the saltmarsh. A Chuck- will’s Widow at dusk was our last bird of the day. In the end, 203 species was good enough to win the youth division and place third overall. The Cornell Redheads placed first with 218 species. We’ve already started planning for next year. Something about a midnight Monk Parakeet piques my interest... Book Review: Field Guide to the Natural World of Washington , D.C., by Howard Youth. Johns Hopkins University Press, 2014. 393 pp. It’s an unaccustomed pleasure to be able to review a book by a local birder - albeit, in this case, a local who hasn’t lived in the state for a few years. Howard Youth is a freelance writer whose nature writing many of us will know from the interesting pieces he has written for the magazine of the Friends of the National Zoo (FONZ) and Bird Watcher’s Digest. Currently living in Ottawa, Canada, after a stint in Quito, Ecuador, Youth is looking forward to returning to the District of Columbia and Montgomery County, where his birding heart plainly belongs, but the return will have to wait, as his next living area is Nicaragua. It has to be said right away that this fine little book is not primarily for birders, nor does it cover any part of the adjacent close-in suburbs in the State of Maryland. Rather, it is a guide to nature - including birds, mammals, trees, insects, plants, and shrubs - that can be found entirely within the relatively small area Washington, DC, (just 68 square miles). The only gull covered in detail is Ring-billed and the only wren is Carolina, so it’s not intended as a substitute for a field guide or as a comprehensive description of the 200-plus bird species that occur regularly or sporadically in the federal city. But other birds are also mentioned in the text, particularly within the site descriptions. The tree, mammal, amphibian and plant descriptions cover most everything that a conscientious nature lover could expect to see and want to identify. The best things about this book, in addition to Youth’s pithy and informative writing, are the sparkling illustrations by Mark Klingler, some of which are reminiscent of John James Audubon’s best work. They give part of the book a pleasantly 19 th century feel. My absolute favorites are the in- your-face Channel Catfish and the ghoulish Black Rat Snake. Montgomery Bird Club’s Bob Mumford provided the photos, not just of birds but of most of the locations Youth describes in the text. Gemma Radko provided the workmanlike maps, which should help the neophyte find the way to some of these places, like Fort Dupont, that are otherwise practically unfindable by the uninitiated. I didn’t set out to look for errors, which are relatively few, but I did notice that a map showing Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens indicates an entrance to “Anacostia Park,” whereas in fact the entrance is to Kenilworth Park. No matter, though, as Kenilworth Park is one of the few open areas in DC that is not covered in the book. A consistently fascinating aspect of the book is the historical background provided. Want to find out how that heap of building stones came to be in the Maintenance Yard, haunt of migrant watchers in spring or fall, or why there’s a vista that recalls the Parthenon in the National Arboretum? This book explains all. When I retired in 1997 I was substantially unfamiliar with most of the birdable places in the District of Columbia, even though I had worked in DC for 3 1 years. It took me more than ten more years to find out that DC has so many great natural places - all of them described in this book. If only the book had been available then, my learning process would have been much faster. There are relatively few regular birders in Washington, DC, and we all know each other. Read this book and you may be tempted to join them in the field. Field Guide to the Natural World of Washington, D.C., would make a most appropriate gift for anyone with an interest in nature who is moving to DC for the first time or visiting for a few days or weeks. It provides a delightful and in many ways surprising series of insights into a city that is so much more than a home for politicians and faceless bureaucrats. Youth puts it well in his preface: “I hope this book will help residents and visitors look more closely at the wildlife that shares with us the nation’s capital - from pines to pillbugs to pileated woodpeckers.” D.H. Michael Bowen Montgomery Bird Club FIELD GUIDE s i TO THE NATURAL WORLD of WASHINGTON, D.C. 10 The Maryland Yellowthroat Birds of Note — by Les Roslund The best bird sighting for this reporting period was of a SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER foraging along the beach at Fort Smallwood Park, Anne Arundel County on April 12. The finder was Kojo Baidoo, a 12-year-old birder who was there with his father, Kwamena Baidoo. The bird was near where the Fort Smallwood Spring Hawk Watch was underway, so the hawk watchers rushed over to share the joy of this find, and to help send the news to the birding community. Sue Ricciardi, who so skillfully runs the hawk watch, was one of the first of the birders to get confirming photos of this flycatcher. Shortly after 9:00 AM the word was out. For the rest of the day birders poured into the park to see and photograph and enjoy this beautiful bird. Most of the time the bird cooperated quite well. This was the first time that a SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER had been reported in Anne Arundel County. When first seen, the bird was feeding in the phragmites along the beach. Later it moved into more open sites near the maintenance yard. Report descriptions included mention of flycatcher body, very long dark tail feathers, nearly white head and breast, dark wings and orangy-rose underwing coverts. Often it was actively catching insects, using the strategy of darting out and returning to the initial perch that is so characteristic of flycatchers. On April 13 birders again descended on the site and the bird was promptly relocated. Throughout the day numerous birders attained rewarding sightings. The final report for the 13th came from Matt Stevens who said the bird was still putting on a show in the maintenance yard at 5:30 PM. The next morning, April 14, the bird was gone. Attempts to relocate it over the next few days were unsuccessful. On April 27 another rare bird was discovered. This was a RUFF, discovered by Dave Palmer of Easton, Talbot County. The bird was in a little-known wetland beside Todd’s Corner Road near Easton. The RUFF was feeding on a muddy flat in the wetland and was in the company of other sandpipers, including pectoral, least, greater and lesser yellowlegs and one solitary sandpiper. Excellent photos of the bird were attained and posted by Dave and others. The RUFF appeared to be a male that was transitioning into breeding plumage but at this time no big ruff of feathers had developed. The current plumage included dark, nearly black head and nape, with buff- colored throat and neck. White arcs could be seen above and below the eyes. Underparts of the bird were white and there were black splotches on the white shoulders. A black back along with covert feathers with white fringes gave the back and wings a scalloped look. The RUFF remained at the site until early evening of April 29, even though a spring squall moved in with hard wind and heavy rain. The final observation report came from Jake Hall of Washington, DC, who had raced to the site after work in DC and attained a 5-minute view in the rain before the bird lifted up and flew away. It was not relocated though several attempts were made over the next few days. SWALLOW-TAILED KITES are always fun to see and there were three reported sightings of them passing over our region this spring. The first one was a high-flying bird spotted by the sharp eyes of Kevin Graff as it flew over Cockeysville, Baltimore County, on April 12. Kevin noted that the location was within a mile of where he had seen a bird of the same species fly over in April of 2005. On April 22 Harry Fink of Howard County saw a SWALLOW-TAILED KITE fly over his home a few miles west of Columbia. Harry was treated to good viewing in great lighting conditions which allowed easy detection of the major field marks. During most of the observation time the bird was on a glide mode, but it made one circle as it passed over Harry’s property. A third sighting of a SWALLOW-TAILED KITE occurred on May 3 in early afternoon at Assateague Island National Seashore, Worcester County. This find was reported by Rose Weber who was treated to a splendid view of the bird on a very windy day. A wind gust stalled the bird in mid-air about twenty feet over Rose’s head, making field mark identification very easy. Each year a few birders of this area have the good fortune of seeing fly-over views of an ANHINGA. Two such sightings have been recently reported. The first report came on May 15 from Jason Berry of Washington, DC. Jason was having lunch with two friends in Mitchell Park, DC, around 1:00 PM when a single bird soared over the park ahead of a quite strong weather front. The view clearly showed the long, thin neck and the long, pointed beak. Neck and head looked tiny compared to the rest of the body. The forward edge of the wings appeared quite straight and the tail was large and wedged and pinched at the base while rounded at the end. One of the friends also managed to see and enjoy the bird. Another ANHINGA was reported on June 1 from the yard of Kevin Graff in Jarrettsville, Harford County. Kevin carefully called attention to the snake- like neck along with a long, thick tail. EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVES continue to be rare birds in Maryland but this spring and summer there have been sightings of them in three locations. On Apr 26 a single bird was reported in Havre de Grace, Harford County, by Joshua Emm and Ryan Johnson. This bird was not relocated. On Jun 7 another single bird was found by Fred Shaffer near Reidtown Road, Washington County. This bird was regularly relocated several times, with the latest reported sighting coming on Jun 22. On Jun 29 a EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE was seen in a third location. This one, again a single bird, was seen perched on a fence near Persimmon Tree Road, Potomac, Montgomery County. The finder was Stephen Liberatori, who readily recognized the bird due to having seen them many times in Florida. No additional sightings of the species near this location have been reported. Springtime warbler viewing caught the attention of hordes of birders in 2014, with some of the species requiring serious planned trips in order to be found. One of the hard ones to find is the LAWRENCE’S WARBLER, but there were two reports of success with this bird this spring. The first came from Garrett County where Rob Ostrowski of Greenbelt, Prince Georges County, with his brother, Mike, paid a visit to Cunningham Swamp WMA on May 17. Their praise for this site was quite high and their list of species was quite fascinating, continued on page 11 September/October 2014 11 Birds of Note continued from page 10 highlighted by the report of a male golden-winged warbler paired with a female LAWRENCE’S WARBLER. Photographs were obtained and shared, and careful discussion of field marks with other birding experts led to this identification - a great bird indeed! Another LAWRENCE’S WARBLER was reported from a June 3 visit to Washington County by Jim Green of Montgomery County. Jim was in Fort Frederick State Park near the end of Shanktown Road when he came across several singing warblers. One was providing a song like a Blue-winged Warbler, but when he traced down the bird and attained a good view he concluded it was a LAWRENCE’S adult male. Another great find! The first hurricane of the season, Hurricane Arthur, offered promise of carrying unusual species to our region, so two brave birders, Joe Hanfman and Jeff Culler of Columbia, Howard County, headed to Ocean City on Jul 10 to try their luck in the rain and wind. Their efforts were rewarded by sightings of several WILSON’S STORM-PETRELS in the Ocean City Inlet. When the rain paused they were able to search for offshore birds, and one that passed by was a SOOTY SHEARWATER. Closer to home and in better weather conditions, a NEOTROPIC CORMORANT was reported on the Potomac River near Violettes Lock in Montgomery County. Dave Czaplak discovered the bird on Jul 22 and it is still in that area as of Jul 26. Numerous birders have relocated and photographed the bird, with observers calling attention to features of body size and tail shape that clearly separate it from the numerous Double-crested Cormorants that frequent the same waters. Report on the 2014 MOS Conference Solomons, MD This year 197 people attended the conference. The 2014 conference was a little different. Our keynote speakers were Bill Hubick and Jim Brighton and their subject biodiversity. This biodiversity theme was carried throughout the conference. There were special field trips emphasizing biodiversity. Of course, birds were not neglected during these field trips. Along with the Friday and Saturday evening trips to find night birds there were both nights an opportunity to watch and learn how to photograph moths. The Saturday evening Poster Session also represented biodiversity with Gene Scarpulla’s amazing posters and information on bees; quite a show! Our field trips took place under the excellent management of Tyler Bell. Tyler not only coordinated the biodiversity field trips, the regular birding trips, and the night trips, but added several bonus trips that were quite popular. The Saturday morning Fossils trip with Dr. Stephen Godfrey and Joe Turner was quite a success. A lucky eight people got to go on the kayak trip to Warrior’s Rest Sanctuary via Parker’s Creek; thanks to Leslie Starr for coordinating it with the American Chestnut Landing Trust. The eight kayak people thoroughly enjoyed the trip. There were biodiversity trips available throughout the conference for those interested but birds were also a part of these trips. Also, a wide variety of wonderful birding trips were available, as always. Thank you, Tyler, for an amazing job of arranging and coordinating the field trips. The Friday afternoon workshop was quite popular, as usual. Sean McCandless gave a seminar on Raptor ID. While mid May is not the ideal time to spot raptors, Sean led a birding field trip on Sunday morning and paid special attention to any raptors seen. The Silent Auction and Raffle were well run under the capable management of Barbara Johnson, President of the Anne Arundel Bird Club. Barbara did an outstanding job of soliciting donations and seeing that everything went smoothly. The combined money ($2375) from the Silent Auction and the Raffle was donated to the Mattawoman Watershed Society. This is an organization dedicated to preserving, protecting, and restoring Mattawoman Creek. Bob Ringler ended the conference Sunday after lunch with a tally of the 163 species seen. This is my last conference, and Maureen Harvey (tangara@comcast.net or 410-795-3117), will be taking over until someone steps forward to become Conference Chair in 2015. Please contact Maureen if you would like to help with the conference or would consider becoming chair. The 2015 Conference will be held at the Clarion Hotel in Hagerstown, May 15-17. Janet Shields Conference Chair Duck Stamps and Wildlife Conservation Many of you are familiar with the Duck Stamp, issued by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Purchase of a stamp will provide free admission to any National Wildlife Refuge that charges admission, such as Blackwater or Bombay Hook. Funds from Duck Stamps buy habitat, 98 cents on the dollar go to habitat. While the Duck Stamp is available at some Post Offices, and can be purchased at NWRs, office hours of NWRs often do not correspond with prime birding time. Now you can purchase a duck stamp via the internet, and not worry if the Post Office has them or the NWR office will be open. The American Birding Association is carrying the Duck Stamp, and if you purchase through them, they can quantify the number of birders buying the stamp, which will only add to our voice when it comes time to comment on usage issues. So you can buy habitat, and increase our voice in managing NWRs at the same time. See http : // shop .aba .org/index .php/ f ederal -duck- stamp/ duck- stamp-20 14-20 15.html Kurt Schwarz Conservation Chair Maryland Ornithological Society krschwal @ verizon .net 12 The Maryland Yellowthroat YMOS News: 2014 World Series of Birding by George Radcliffe On May 10, fifteen Maryland youth supported by parents and coaches participated in the 3 1 st World Series of Birding in Cape May, NJ. Four Maryland youth teams spent from 3-5 days scouting New Jersey and then set out at 12 midnight on the Big Day for 24 hours of tracking down species (see Alex Wiebe’s essay on p. 7). Despite a mediocre migration fall-out that day, the group excelled. Two of the four teams placed first in their age level. This was also the first time YMOS had a team bird the entire State. The Marsh Gigglers, a middle school team, placed 1 st in their division with 163 species identified. Consisting of Daniel, Jack, and Jonathan, all from Queen Anne’s County, they won their division for the 2 nd year in a row. The Go Bird or Go Home team, consisting of Emma, Malaika, and Kara, all from Baltimore, increased their total by 20 species over last year. The White-winged Scopers placed 4th in the high school division with 155 species. This team consisted of Jake (Montgomery), Eli (Queen Anne’s), Miles (Baltimore), and Caroline (our import from Canada). The other high school team, the Raucous Gulls, birded the entire State, placing first in the high school division and third among all teams with an impressive 203 species. This team consisted of Alex and Kevin from Montgomery County and Matt and Callum from Harford County. We were only able to field these great teams with the support of the many MOS members who pledged money during last March’s record-setting Birdathon. Our sincere thanks go out to all of you. YMOS Backpacks A backpack will be given out to each chapter again this year. The pack will contain a pair of Eagle Optics Shrike 8 x 42 binoculars, a field guide, and the yellow MOS publication, Birds of Maryland. Many of the chapters have devised their own method of awarding the pack. These include having youth submit a birding list for a period of time and keeping a birding journal with descriptions and drawings. Each chapter will be given a pack at the September Board Meeting. YMOS Summer Program This past June a group of students and adults from across the state met at Washington College for the fifth annual Maryland Birds and Habitats summer workshop. The group, including eight students and five educators, learned how to enter and retrieve data from eBird, use bird breeding atlas protocols, and set up a bird monitoring site. On the final day the group was treated to a bird banding activity at Chino Farms. The program will be repeated June 21-26, 2015, and both detailed program information and application are posted on the YMOS webpage. YMOS Birding Trips and the World Series of Birding YMOS runs trips during the year for interested youth. Each chapter offers trips which young people can participate in, but the YMOS trips provide an opportunity for youth from different chapters to meet and learn together. The trip dates are found on the YMOS webpage, www.ymos.org . The trips will also be used to identify and prepare youth teams for the 2015 World Series of Birding Remembering Sam Dyke The Tri -County Bird Club, MOS and the Maryland birding community have suffered a great loss with the passing in June of Samuel H. Dyke, who served as Tri-County president for the past 15 years. Sam was one of the most experienced and knowledgeable birders on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, and played integral roles in establishing the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art and the Nassawango Creek Nature Preserve. After receiving a master’s degree in forestry from Yale University and serving in the U.S. Army, Sam moved to the Eastern Shore to work for Glatfelter Paper Company. With his experience in forestry and extensive knowledge of the Eastern Shore, he advocated for the preservation of critical habitat including lands along the Nassawango Creek in Wicomico and Worcester Counties. These lands ultimately became part of the Nassawango Creek Nature Preserve, the largest Nature Conservancy holding in Maryland and one of the richest areas in the state for Neotropical migrants and other species associated with bald cypress swamp habitat. Sam’s love of birds and the local environment included a passion for the heritage of waterfowl hunting and carving associated with the area. As such, he was one of a group who in 1975 founded the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art with its mission of promoting and preserving this traditional American art form. The Ward Museum now houses one of the finest collections of waterfowl continued on page 13 September/October 2014 13 Sam Dyke continued from page 12 carving in the country, presents first-class exhibits on various aspects of art, nature and culture and provides a range of environmental education programs for youth and adults. Sam remained actively involved with the Ward Museum throughout his lifetime, serving many years on the board of directors (currently as chairman), as exhibits curator and for a time as the museum’s director. He also influenced future generations through his work with the local Boy Scouts, serving as scoutmaster. Sam was a valued and highly respected member of the Tri-County Bird Club and local birding community. He participated in numerous Christmas Bird Counts and conducted Breeding Bird Surveys in Wicomico and Worcester County for almost 50 years. Sam’s knowledge of birdlife on the Lower Eastern Shore, based on countless hours of careful observation over decades, was unparalleled. His personal Wicomico County list of 304 species almost equals the official county list (309); many Wicomico species (including recent additions of Hudsonian and Marbled godwits) are the result of Sam’s exceptional field work. Sam generously shared his expertise by leading many field trips and presenting many club programs over the years. His calm and engaging personality, his wry wit and his extensive knowledge were mainstays of club meetings. Sam also enjoyed birding further afield and in recent years he entertained the club with presentations about trips to exotic locations such as Antarctica, Alaska, Ecuador, Botswana and Zambia. With Sam’s passing we have lost a dear friend, a fount of avian knowledge, and a champion of Delmarva’s wild places. But Sam’s legacy will live on through the Tri-County Bird Club, the Ward Museum, the Nassawango Preserve, and the many lives he touched. Ellen Lawler Book Review: Birds of a Feather: Seasonal Changes on Both Sides of the Atlantic , by Colin Rees and Derek Thomas. Troubador Publishing Ltd., 376 pp. Birds of a Feather: Seasonal Changes on Both Sides of the Atlantic , a collaboration between friends who truly have flocked together, will be a particular treasure to residents of the homes of its authors, Colin Rees (Anne Arundel County Bird Club past- president and current vice-president) and Derek Thomas. But this book reaches far beyond the Chesapeake Bay and South Wales. Beginning January 1, 2010, the narrative chronicles seasons of the year that saw an Icelandic volcano eruption, the devastating Gulf of Mexico oil spill, and the mid-Atlantic’s “Snowmageddon”. Drs Rees and Thomas exchange short and almost daily observations on their ramblings both local and distant, and their musings on the conditions of local and global ecosystems. Although Colin has spent his adult life mostly in the USA, both men are engagingly British in their weather-absorption and their sprinklings of Yeats and Browning. The authors scout their respective regions, from their own gardens to parks and preserves, and to outlying sites such as the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew and Madeira Canyon in Arizona. Trekking through Gower marshes, roaming the Jug Bay Wetlands or watching chimney swifts in downtown Annapolis, the writers take equal pleasure in the unexpected and the ordinary. The literary, almost poetically-written descriptions of animals (predominantly birds), plants and topography make the body of the book, but the authors frequently dive into related detail. Throughout are pithy bits about ornithologists, bird names and habits, and historical and geological history of places. Delightful as the birding and butterflying is, the authors repeatedly call attention to conservation and the immediate and long-term threats to shrinking populations and habitat (Colin reports on the Gulf oil disaster with palpable pain) . The authors’ long and warm friendship has an important place in the book, as do their families, their birding communities and friends, and even Colin’s dog Zorba, the Cavalier King Charles spaniel. Derek and his ornithologist son, Chris, bird together. Fronting each chapter in the book are exquisite pencil drawings by Colin’s son, Ian. This is a beautiful book to be savored. Its feel and format could lend to reading it as a daily meditation. Birds of a Feather is an enlightening walk with two accomplished scientists and nature observers whose careers have given them extraordinary global perspective, but whose childlike delight in wild things never left them. The book is available through Amazon, both as paperback and e-book. Barbara Johnson President, Anne Arundel County Bird Club Maryland/DC Records Committee Status Report as of July 25, 2014 by Phil Davis, MD/DCRC Secretary The 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 155 through 156. MD/DCRC report numbers are in brackets. These records will be addressed in additional detail in a future issue of Maryland Birdlife. More information on the MD/DCRC can be found on the committee’s web pages at the following URL: http : //w w w.mdbirds .or g/ mddcrc/ rcindex .html continued on page 14 14 The Maryland Yellowthroat Records Committee continued from page 13 MD Records Accepted: Barrow’s Goldeneye, Bucephala islandica [MD/2013-091] Elms Environmental Education Center, Dameron, Saint Mary’s County 21 - Dec-20 13 through 12-Jan-2014 Pacific Loon, Gavia pacifica [MD/2013-071] Point Lookout State Park, Scotland, Saint Mary’s County 19-Oct-2013 through 21-Oct-2013 Northern Goshawk, Accipiter gentilis [MD/2013-069] [Private location], Barton, Garrett County 01 -Jan-20 13 through 22 -Apr-20 14 Sabine’s Gull, Xema sabini [MD/2013-024] Atlantic Ocean, Pelagic Zone, Worcester County 06-Sep-2012 Arctic Tern, Sterna paradisaea [MD/2013-022] Violette’s Lock, Seneca, Montgomery County 09-May-2013 Eurasian Collared-Dove, Streptopelia decaocto [MD/201 1-373] Assateague Island National Seashore, Berlin, Worcester County ll-Sep-2011 Western Kingbird, Tyr annus verticalis [MD/201 0-051] Claiborne, Talbot County 22- May- 1956 through 23 -May- 1956 Loggerhead Shrike, Lanius ludovicianus [MD/2013-072] Assateague Island National Seashore, Berlin, Worcester County 21-Oct-2013 Henslow’s Sparrow, Ammodramus henslowii [MD/20 13- 023] Jennings Chapel Road, Glenwood, Howard County ll-May-2013 through 15-Jun-2013 Le Conte’s Sparrow, Ammodramus leconteii [MD/20 13-068] Hydes Road Park, Carroll Manor, Baltimore County 29-Sep-2013 through 06-0ct-2013 Le Conte’s Sparrow, Ammodramus leconteii [MD/20 13-080] Assateague Island National Seashore, Berlin, Worcester County 09- Nov-2013 through 17-Nov-2013 Le Conte’s Sparrow, Ammodramus leconteii [MD/20 13 -081] Loch Raven Reservoir, Phoenix, Baltimore County 16- Nov-2013 Bullock’s Oriole, Icterus bullockii [MD/20 13 -093] White Hall, Harford County 26-Nov-2013 through 05-Feb-2014 MD Records Not Accepted: Barrow’s Goldeneye, Bucephala islandica [MD/20 13 -095] Deal Island WMA, Dame’s Quarter, Somerset County 31-Dec-2013 Western Greb e, Aechmophorus occidentalis [MD/2013-013] Ocean City, Worcester County 10- Feb-2013 Northern Goshawk, Accipiter gentilis [MD/20 13 -096] College Creek headwaters, Annapolis, Anne Arundel County 17- Dec-2013 Yellow Rail, Coturnicops noveboracensis [MD/20 13 -076] Parsons Creek, Madison, Dorchester County 21-Sep-2013 Arctic Tern, Sterna paradisaea [MD/20 11 -374] Ferry Neck, Royal Oak, Talbot County 28-Aug-2011 Loggerhead Shrike, Lanius ludovicianus [MD/20 13 -005] Rohrersville, Washington County 27-Jan-2013 Loggerhead Shrike, Lanius ludovicianus [MD/2013-031] Ferry Landing Road, Berlin, Worcester County 10-Aug-2013 DC Records Accepted: Lark Sparrow, Chondestes grammacus [DC/2013-084] DC Village 26-Sep-1983 through 02-Oct-1983 Henslow’s Sparrow, Ammodramus henslowii [DC/2012-107] Kenilworth Park 21 -Oct-20 12 Henslow’s Sparrow, Ammodramus henslowii [DC/2013-070] Kenilworth Park 19-Oct-2013 Ulaan Bataar, Mongolia, in Mid- winter and Early Spring by Colin Rees While at the Beijing Airport, to exercise and ensure I don’t fall asleep and miss my connecting flight, I perused the number of bird species displayed in Chinese paintings and carvings, the most popular being roosters, geese and cranes. In Chinese, the rooster’s name is a homophony for “blessing” and the bird has been endowed with many virtues: ambition, confidence, fearlessness, generosity and alarm clocks that never fail. Geese are another favorite as they personify the qualities of a perfect gentleman and devoted lovers. Their depiction as lonely individuals is likened to people whose talent has gone unrecognized or illustrating despair with prevailing social conditions and I found this theme in a painting by Chen Zhito titled “Chilly Waterside and Lonely Wild Goose”. Traditionally, the Chinese people commission a painting of Mandarin ducks for their weddings being the incarnation of a devoted young couple. However, observations note that they do not remain single after the loss of a mate as do geese but soon find a new mate! Cranes represent long life and fidelity. In late January it is minus 8 F when I arrive in Ulaan Bataar (UB) in an entirely white landscape. The snow has molded hills and valleys into elegant curves and the scene is reminiscent of sand dunes. From a taxi I spot a Carrion Crow pulling at the ground. Flying away an Upland Buzzard beats its ponderous wings as it disappears over a hill. A few Eurasian Tree Sparrows grub about the hotel entrance and I wonder about their survival; indeed, that of any bird in this harsh climate. In the elevator, I overhear someone say that they have just come from Bangladesh where it is 83 F! continued on page 15 September/October 2014 15 Ulaan Bataar continued from page 14 The following morning I walk the busy streets and find Carrion Crows and Ravens calling and occasionally displaying. Dr. Tseveenmyadag, Head of the Ornithology Laboratory, Mongolian Academy of Sciences, tells me that 10 species of birds remain in UB in winter (down from 200 in summer), the commonest, apart the Crows and Ravens, being the Eurasian Tree and House Sparrows, Eurasian Magpie and Eurasian Jay. All survive by roosting in the dilapidated roofs of apartments and houses and woodland trees (what little remains) and by digging the soil for seeds and scavenging waste tips. Hill and Rock Pigeons hang around temples, given food by worshipers. Apparently, some 300 Ruddy Shelduck are feeding on the Tuul River running through UB . Further discussion with Dr. Tseveenmyadag led me to You Tube entries on Golden Eagles in Mongolia. There I found videos of Kazakhs hunting with trained birds, a tradition going back some 6000 years and, at the time of the great Khan, involving thousands of people and horses. These magnificent birds weigh nearly seven kilograms with a wingspan of seven to eight feet. Hunters choose either to snatch a few-months old chick from nests or trap young bird and are kept for a month or two during which they are fed with meat. After the first snow falls, the hunter wanders on horseback among the rugged, snow topped mountains holding hunting eagles on his left arm aided by a wooden support tied to the saddle. Often young boys will accompany the hunters and help them to flush foxes, marmots and other game resplendent in new winter fur. When the hunter spots a chance, he throws the eagle into the air towards the quarry. The bird goes up to size the target and then moves in a crescendo of speed, falling with shocking force on the escaping animal with its iron paws breaking it spine. It remains thus until the hunter approaches. I returned to UB in early April and discover that despite the cold, there are some signs of spring. Temperatures are less severe and as I walk to work I see people capless and in open-necked attire. There are more domestic pigeons than last time and they wheel in from the rooftops to rummage in the dusty soil and piles of rubbish. They also gather on electricity lines to coo in the morning sun. In an embassy garden, I spot a Bohemian Waxwing preening in a Larch Tree and catch a Eurasian Magpie shaping a nest. It repositions a twig, sits for a while, does a full walking circle and then flies off presumably to gather more nesting material . Above the roar of the traffic, pair of Eurasian/Common Crows call out and angle into the sky to join their brethren heading down the long valley of UB. I walk on and hear a familiar “teacher, teacher” call (often likened to a squeaky wheel -barrow). It takes me back to my childhood for it is a Great Tit singing its heart out from the top of a Larch Tree planted along a main road. I stand entranced, being buffeted by bemused commuters although a mother and child do stop and join me giving a seraphic smile before they depart. At UB Airport, I bump into Chris Leathy from the Mass Audubon Society. He has been in the field and tells me that larks and pipits have returned to the grasslands. Temperatures in UB are now above freezing but I see only wrinkled brown hills, streaked with snow grow into snow-capped mountains as I fly to Beijing. MOS Calendar March - April 2014 By Andy Martin Saturday, August 30 A Baltimore. Patterson Park. Come see what birding action abounds amid the varied habitats of this green oasis in the middle of Balt. Meet 8 AM at the White House just inside the west edge of the park at intersection of S. Patterson Park Ave and Lombard St. For questions, contact Patterson Park Audubon Center at ppaudubon@gmail.com or 410-558-2473. A Cecil. Turkey Point Migrants and Hawk Watch Kickoff. Join us for the traditional kick-off to the annual Turkey Point Hawk Watch, which runs every day from Labor Day weekend through Thanksgiving. Walk through the woods and fields for migrant songbirds. The pace will be leisurely. Most of the walking is on a gravel road with good footing, but there are hilly sections. Bring drinks and/or snacks. Meet 7 AM at the Turkey Point parking lot. Leader: Sean “Bird Dog” McCandless, seanmccandlessl @ comcast .net. H Howard. Butterflies through Binoculars. 2-3 hours. Meet 9:30 AM at Elkhorn Garden Plots (Oakland Mills Rd opposite Dasher Ct). Enjoy searching for late-summer butterflies, and receive expert instruction on their identification. Easy walking in the garden plot and on paved paths near the right-of-way alongside open, flowery wet meadows and brushy hillsides. Bring close-focus binoculars to view nectaring behavior. Dick will also use net and jars to provide brief close-up examinations. Cancelled if raining or overcast. No facilities. Leader: Dick Smith, 410-997-7439. Sunday, August 31 H Talbot. Tilghman’s Island in search of late local nesting species, plus early arriving south-bound transient swallows flycatchers, vireos, and warblers. Leader: Jan Reese, 410-745- 2875. Depart St. Michael’s Village Shopping Center 7 AM or meet leaders at Black Walnut parking lot at 7:30 AM. For more info, contact Terry Allen at pattyallenlO@hotmail.com or 410- 829-5840. Breakfast Hosts: Francine and Vince DeSanctis. Tuesday, September 2 H Baltimore. Cromwell Valley Park. A series of casual fall walks to follow the progress of migration. Beginning birders welcome. Meet 8 AM. Directions: At the Willow Grove Farm Entrance, follow road, cross a small bridge, and park in lot on left. Leader: Debbie Terry, 410 252-8771 or dterryl2@verizon. net. Meeting. Baltimore. Tuesday Evening Lecture at Cylburn, continued on page 16 16 The Maryland Yellowthroat Calendar continued from page 15 4915 Greenspring Ave. Tonight: David Curson, NAS Director of Bird Conservation in MD, will discuss Audubon’s study and conservation initiative, using science and partnerships, for protecting MD’s salt marsh birds and habitat threatened by rising sea levels. Doors open at 7 PM for socializing and snacks, show starts about 7:15 PM. Info: Pete Webb, 443-904- 6314 (cell) or pete_webb@juno.com. Wednesday, September 3 ft Baltimore. First Wednesdays at Fort McHenry. A continuing series of monthly morning surveys of bird activity at the Fort and wetland. Scope can be useful. Cancelled in inclement weather. Meet 8 AM in the park, outside the Visitor Center. Leader: Mary Chetelat, 410-665-0769. Meeting. Carroll. “A Year on the Road with North American Birds” by Ron Gutberlet. 1 PM at the Carroll Nonprofit Center, 255 Clifton Blvd, Westminster. Contact Don Jewell at jewelldg@gmail.com for more info. Meeting. Cecil. Welcoming the American Birding Association (ABA) to the Mid-Atlantic. This Fall ABA is relocating its HQ to historic Delaware City, DE. The Cecil Bird Club invites you to help welcome the ABA as our new neighbor. Light refreshments, coffee, and soft drinks will be provided (see also announcement on p 1 of this newsletter). 7 PM at Elkton HS, 110 James St, Elkton, Rm B120. For more info, contact Sean McCandless, seanmccandlessl @comcast.net. Thursday, September 4 Meeting. Frederick. Dan Small will present “The Chester River Research Station: Bird Banding, Population Monitoring and Grassland Management for Breeding Birds.” 7 PM at Homewood at Crumland Farms (7407 Willow Rd) in Frederick. For info contact Tom Humphrey, Pres@FrederickBirdClub.org or 301-696-8540. ft Patuxent. Lake Artemesia (Luther Goldman Birding Trail). Joint trip with PGAS. We will walk the paved trail around the lake as well as the trail through the woods along Indian Creek. Meet 3 PM at the parking lot at Berwyn Rd and Ballew Ave in Berwyn Heights. No reservations needed. Call David Mozurkewich, 301-509-2212 for more info. Saturday, September 6 n Anne Arundel. Swan Creek. The Swan Creek wetlands are adjacent to the Port of Balt’s dredged material placement site at Cox Crk, near Key Bridge. It is a very limited access area that has quickly developed into a magnet for all types of birds moving up and down the bay. We’ll meet at 7 AM at the Sevema Park P&R located on the corner of Jones Station Rd and Ritchie Hwy. There are no facilities. Scopes are recommended for the large ponds. Leader: Kevin Smith, 410-761-0755 or ravens3 077 @ yahoo .com . n Baltimore. North Point SP. Meet 8: 15 AM in the parking lot just after the toll booth. There is a fee of $3 per car to enter the park. We will walk down the path to Black Marsh Wildlands, a great spot for various wetland birds, raptors, warblers, and flycatchers. Scopes are very useful. Path tends to be very muddy, and don’t forget your bug spray. Leader: Peter Lev, plev@comcast.net, or 410-823-2962. n Frederick. Hughes Hollow/McKee-Beshers WMA. Birds and butterflies. Contact leader: Pat Caro, 240-651-5651, for meet place and time. n Harford. Ma and Pa Trail . We return to this newest segment of Harford Co’s iconic rails-to-trails efforts. Diverse habitat along the way promises a variety of birds. Meet at Annie’s playground on Smith Ln off Connolly Rd in Fallston at 7 AM. The leader is Susan Hood, 410-877-0574 or susanjhood@ comcast.net. n Howard. Rockburn Branch Park. Meet 8 AM in parking lot on the left just past the restored schoolhouse. The park gate is just beyond Rockburn ES. Moderate walking through the woods and fields of our largest county park looking for migrants. Paths may be muddy. Facilities available. Leader: Allen Lewis, allenrlewis@gmail.com. A Montgomery. Patuxent River Park, Jug Bay NA. Half day. Joint trip with ANS. Driftboat on Patuxent River followed by trail walk. Search for Sora, also migrant and resident songbirds and waterbirds. Meeting time/place: 7 AM at park entrance gate. Bring fee of $5/person for park program; boat trip can be cool and a bit damp. Leaders: Greg Keams and John Bjerke. Limit: 15. Make reservations with John Bjerke at 240-401-1643 or j ohnbj erke 1 @ mac .com . A Patuxent. Fran Uhler NA. Joint trip with PGAS. Habitat includes brushy fields, woods, and hedgerows for a good mix of species. Side trip to freshwater wetland at Horsepen Branch also possible. 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. If you have questions, contact trip leader Bill Sefton at kiwisuits@msn.com or David Mozurkewich at mozurk@bellAtlantic.net for more info. Sunday, September 7 n Anne Arundel. Family Bird Walk at Kinder Farm Park. Meet 8 AM in the parking area next to Visitor Center. Park has paved, level trails. Leader: Stacy Epperson, 410-987-7533 or stac.epperson@gmail.com. $6/car entry fee. A Baltimore. Cylburn Self-guided Walk. Meet 8:30 AM at the Vollmer Center parking lot (4915 Greenspring Ave) for easy birding in Cylbum’s gardens and urban forest. Beginning birders welcome. No designated leader. Coordinator: Joe continued on page 1 7 September/October 2014 17 Calendar continued from page 16 Lewandowski, 410-358-7834 or ilenel@juno.com. ft Caroline. Tuckahoe SP (Tuckahoe Creek IB A). Leader: Eli Anders . Meet at the Caroline Co side of lake parking lot at 8 AM. Contact Debby Bennett at dabennettl996@gmail.com for more info. ft Talbot. Tilghman’s Island in search of late local nesting species, plus early arriving south bound transient swallows, flycatchers, vireos, and warblers. Leader: Jan Reese, 410-745- 2875. Depart St. Michael’s Village Shopping Center 7 AM or meet leaders at Black Walnut parking lot at 7:30 AM. For more info, contact Terry Allen at pattyallenlO@hotmail.com or 410- 829-5840. Breakfast Hosts: Francine and Vince DeSanctis. Monday, September 8 Meeting. Talbot. 7 PM at Wm. Hill Manor, 501 Dutchman’s Ln, Easton. Speaker and topic TBA. For more info, contact Terry Allen at pattyallenlO@hotmail.com or 410-829-5840. Tuesday, September 9 Meeting. Allegany/Garrett. The speaker will be Gwen Brewer and the title will be “Solving the Mysteries of Bird Migration (fascinating things that we have learned through technological advances).” 7 PM in Rm 224 at Compton Hall, Frostburg State U., Frostburg. For info contact Mary Huebner at marybrd22@ gmail.com. H Baltimore. Cromwell Valley Park. A series of casual fall walks to follow the progress of migration. Beginning birders welcome. Meet 8 AM. Directions: At the Willow Grove Farm Entrance, follow road, cross a small bridge, and park in lot on left. Leader: Mary Chetelat, 410 665-0769. Meeting. Kent. Program and Speaker TBA. 7:30 pm, Wesley Hall at Heron Point, off East Campus Ave, Chestertown. If you have questions, please contact Walter Ellison and Nancy Martin, 410-778-9568 or borealdee@gmail.com. ft Montgomery. Rock Creek Park, DC. One-third day. Migrant warblers, vireos, and sparrows. Meet 7 AM at Picnic Area 18 (on Ridge Rd, half-mile below the Nature Center). Reservations required. For reservations and directions, call the leader: Wallace Kornack, 202-338-7859. Meeting. Patuxent. “Argentina and Chile Adventure” with George Jett and Dr. Gwen Brewer, Photographers and Naturalists. In November of 2010 George and Gwen traveled to Argentina and Chile in search of stuff to photograph and study. 7:30 PM, Location TBD. For location update call 301-509- 2212 or go to www.pgaudubon.org/programs.html. Thursday, September 11 ft Howard. Middle Patuxent FA. Meet 7:30 AM at the Clegg Meadow off Southwind Cir, Columbia. Moderate walking through wooded trails and along the river. Great area for migrants of all species. Field edges and thickets provide sparrow habitat. If time and birds warrant, we will also do the Trotter Rd Loop. Prepare for wet grass and mud on the trails. No facilities. Leader: Joe Hanfman, aukl844@gmail.com or 410-772-8424. Meeting. Howard. “Extinction of the Passenger Pigeon: ecological and policy impacts a century later,” by Dr. David Blockstein, senior scientist of the National Council for Science and one of the leaders of Project Passenger Pigeon. Hospitality 7:30 PM; meeting/program 8 PM at Robinson Nature Center, 6692 Cedar Ln, Columbia. Info: Robin Todd, 410-491-5333. Saturday, September 13 Fall Count. Allegany/Garrett. Chuck Hager will be the compiler for the 24th annual Fall Count. Contact Chuck at 301- 689-5344 or drhager@verizon.net for area assignments. h Anne Arundel. Cromwell Valley for Hawk Watching. Meet 8 AM at the Severna Park P&R located on the corner of Jones Station Rd and Ritchie Hwy. Leader: Sue Ricciardi, 410-647- 9513 or susiericc@comcast.net. H Baltimore. Hawks over Cromwell Valley Park. Meet 8 AM at the park. Joint trip with our youth birding group. Jim Meyers will take us for a short walk along a stream-side path to explore one of the best birding areas near Baltimore for sparrows and late warblers, along with lingering summer residents, then head up to the hawk watch site for Broad-winged Hawks and other raptors. Beginning birders welcome. Bring lunch. Leader: Jim Meyers, 410-665-2440 or jamesleomeyers@mac.com. Youth Leader: John Robinson, 443-810-9059 (cell), 410-483-6620 (home) orjcrobin@jhmi.edu. h Cecil. Turkey Point Migrants. Join peerless warbler finder Sean McCandless at Turkey Point, where the fall warblers are plentiful. Be prepared for a round-trip hike to the Point, a distance of about two miles. The pace will be leisurely. Bring drinks and/or snacks. Meet 7 AM at the Turkey Point Parking Lot for a half-day trip. From the town of North East, go south on Rte 272 about 11 miles. The road ends at the parking lot. Leader: Sean “Bird Dog” McCandless, seanmccandlessl@ comcast.net. H Harford. Eden Mill Park Bird Banding. A bird banding operation offers the possibility for up-close examination of warblers. When banding expert, Dr. Mark Johnson, retrieves captured birds for data collection and banding you will have a unique opportunity to appreciate the beauty, identifying markings and personalities of each variety. Meet 8 AM at the Joe Vangrin Banding Pavilion on Eden Mill Rd. Contact Mark for more info, 410-692-5978 or Mark.Steven.Johnson@ comcast.net. continued on page 18 18 The Maryland Yellowthroat Calendar continued from page 1 7 A Montgomery. Rock Creek Park, DC. One-third day. Migrant warblers, vireos, and sparrows. Meet 6:45 AM at Picnic Area 18 (on Ridge Rd, half-mile below the Nature Center). Note the earlier meeting time necessary to secure a parking spot. Reservations required. For reservations and directions, call the leader: Wallace Kornack, 202-338-7859. MOS. Board Meeting. 10 AM. Hosted by Kent County Bird Club. Location TBD. Contact Maryanne Dolan, maryanne. dolan@gmail.com for add’l info. A Patuxent. Patuxent River Park, Jug Bay. Boat Trip and Picnic. Joint Trip with PGAS. Join Greg Keams on a pontoon boat to search for Soras, Least Bitterns, and other marshbirds followed by land birding and a pot-luck picnic. Reservations required ($5 charge to cover the cost of the boat) .Bring cash for the boat (exact amount appreciated) and a potluck lunch dish to share. Meet at Patuxent River Park; boat will cast off at 7:30 AM. Contact Maureen Blades, mblades@comcast.net for directions and reservations. Sunday, September 14 ft Baltimore. Marshy Point Nature Center. Half-day trip for early waterfowl, raptors, passerines. Half-mile trail leads to point overlooking Dundee Crk. Boots advisable, scopes useful. Meet 9 AM (contact leaders for meet location). Leaders: Brent and Mary Byers, 410-626-7294 or baypuffin@hotmail.com. ft Carroll. Cromwell Valley Hawk Watch. Meet 9 AM at the parking lot at the intersection of Rtes 32 and 97 to form carpools. Cromwell Valley is a great place to see hawks locally. Contact Don Jewell at 410-259-4716 orjewelldg@gmail.com. A Montgomery. Little Bennett RP. Half day. Meet 7:30 AM to bird some of the trails of Little Bennett RP for migrant and resident birds. Expect to walk 2-3 miles on gravel and dirt trails, with some uphill. Beginners welcome! Reservations required. Limit: 8. For reservations and directions, contact Claire Wolfe, 301-972-4278 or c_wolfe2003@yahoo.com. ft Talbot. Adkin’s Arboretum for residents and early fall migrants. One of Dave’s favorite spots to bird on the mid-shore. Let’s find that Connecticut Warbler! Leader: Dave Palmer, 410- 829-3376. Depart Easton Acme parking lot 7 AM or meet at the entrance to Adkin’s Arboretum at 7:30 AM. Contact Dave for directions to the arboretum if needed. Tuesday, September 16 ft Baltimore. Cromwell Valley Park. A series of casual fall walks to follow the progress of migration. Beginning birders welcome. Meet 8 AM. Directions: At the Willow Grove Farm Entrance, follow road, cross a small bridge, and park in lot on left. Leader: Chris Davidson, 410 828-1325. Wednesday, September 17 Meeting. Anne Arundel. 7 PM at the Blue Heron Center at Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis. Annual welcome back meeting with presentations on: “Birds to See in Quiet Waters Park; “Birding Hotspots in AA Co; “Birding Along Powerlines; and “Citizen Science in Birding” as well as optic equipment demonstrations and youth birding info. More info: Barbara Johnson, 410-703-4664 or barbarajohnson222@gmail.com. ft Howard. Mt. Pleasant Farm, Howard Co Conservancy. Meet 7:30 AM at parking lot. Easy walking through the fields of Mt. Pleasant Farm. Tree lines, hedgerows, and streams provide opportunity for non-meadow species. Prime time for sparrows. Great opportunity for flyovers. Facilities available. Leader: Warren Cummings, wcummings9@gmail.com, 410-925-1809. Meeting. Montgomery. “Birds and Other Wildlife in Botswana and Zimbabwe.” Suzanne Dater will present a slide show of the landscape, birds, mammals, and reptiles of southern Africa. 7:30 PM at Potomac Presbyterian Church, 10301 River Rd, Potomac. For more info contact Ed Patten at epattenl022@ verizon.net. Thursday, September 18 Meeting. Caroline. Program: “Maryland Biodiversity Project.” Speaker: Jim Brighton. 7:30 PM, Caroline Co Public Library, 100 Market St, Denton. Contact Debby Bennett at dabennettl996@gmail.com for more info. A Patuxent. Lake Artemesia (Luther Goldman Birding Trail). Joint trip with PGAS. We will walk the paved trail around the lake as well as the trail through the woods along Indian Creek. Meet 3 PM at the parking lot at Berwyn Rd and Ballew Ave in Berwyn Heights. No reservations needed. Call David Mozurkewich, 301-509-2212 for more info. Saturday, September 20 A Anne Arundel. Patuxent River boat trip for rails and other marshbirds. Meet 6 AM at the Parole P&R located on Harry Truman Pkwy, between Riva and South Haven Rds. Leader: Greg Kearns, 301-627-6074 or greg.kearns@pgparks.com. $6/ car entry fee. ft Baltimore. Milford Mill Park. One-mile level walk on paved path for migrant warblers thrushes, tanagers, grosbeaks and other songbirds. Meet 7:30 AM. Leader: Leslie Starr, 410- 664-3133 or tumstar@aol.com. n Baltimore. Saturday Monitoring Walks at Fort McHenry. Continuing survey of bird activity at the Fort and wetland. Cancelled in inclement weather. Meet 8 AM in the park, outside the Visitor Center. Leader: Wendy Alexander, 410-788-4080 or drbeanes @ verizon .net . continued on page 19 September/October 2014 19 Calendar continued from page 18 H Harford. Susquehanna SP. Visit a prime Harford Co birding spot. The various habitats found here attract a diverse variety of passerines, raptors, and waterfowl. Meet 8 AM at the Rock Run Mill. The group is limited to the first 15 who contact leader, Tim Houghton at thoughton@loyola.edu, or 410-510-7504. A Montgomery. Snickers Gap, VA. Two-thirds day. Joint trip with ANS. Peak time for Broad-winged Hawks. Meet at 10:30 AM at commuter parking lot at VA 7 and VA 601 or arrive at 8:30 if you wish to join the morning bird walk at nearby Shenandoah River Campus at Cool Spring Battlefield. Make reservations (required) with leaders: Joan Boudreau and Bob Abrams at icepeep@aol.com or 703-734-1238. Bring tripods, scopes, chairs, pack lunch, and rain/wind gear. Call leaders for directions. H Patuxent. Governor Bridge NA. Joint trip with PGAS. Habitat includes mature woods along the Patuxent River, brushy fields, and a network of freshwater wetlands, ponds and small streams. Meet 7:30 AM at the parking lot for Governor Bridge NA . No reservations required. The NA is located on the south side of Governor Bridge Rd, approximately 1 mile east of MD 301. If you have questions, contact trip leader Bill Sefton at kiwisuits@msn.com or David Mozurkewich at mozurk@ bellAtlantic.net. Fall Count. Baltimore. Compiler: Joel Martin, 410-744-9211 or j cdlmartin @ aol .com . Fall Count. Anne Arundel. Birders of all levels are encouraged to participate in this day-long activity. Contact Dave Gillum at 410-266-8775 or dagmapper@verizon.net to coordinate your counting location. Fall Count. Caroline. Contact Debby Bennett at dabennettl996@gmail.com to help out. Fall Count. Carroll. Full day. Parties of counters will set their own schedules in their pre-arranged areas, to count resident and late migrant bird species throughout the County. Contact Don Jewell to verify your bird counting area (jewelldg@gmail. com or 410-259-4716). Tally Rally will be hosted by Maureen Harvey at her home. If you will be attending the Tally, please RSVP to Maureen at 410-795-3117 no later than Sep 17 and bring a cash donation ($5) or food item. Fall Count. Dorchester: Compiler: Henry T. Armistead, 215- 248-4120, harryarmistead@hotmail.com. Fall Count. Harford. Contact Rick Cheicante for details at 410-803-2712 or rcheicante@cs.com. Fall Count. Howard. Compiler: Mike McClure, 410-531-2780 or Michael.McClure@jhuapl.edu. Please go to the following link to sign up, http//howardbirds . org/ho ward/counts .htm. Fall Count. Washington. Contact Doris Berger at 301-739- 8907 to participate. Fall Count. YMOS. Taylor’s Island, Dorchester Co. This is one of the Fall Bird Counts held around the State. We’ll begin early (4 AM), but there will be overnight lodging provided near the location for participating birders. The trip is open to anyone, but because it is a very long day, it is not recommended for beginning birders. Contact George Radcliffe, radclifg@gmail. com for details if interested. Sunday, September 21 A Baltimore. Quarry Lake. Popular and scenic birding location with level, often paved, pathways with excellent views down (not up!) into the treetops surrounding Quarry Lake. Meet 8 AM at the benches where the 3 flags are flying on Quarry Lake Dr. Cancelled if raining. Leader: John Dennehy, 410-653-5214 or jedennehy @ verizon .net . A Baltimore. Chimney Swifts at dusk. Join the BBC Swift- Watch Team for “Swift Night Out” as Chimney Swifts pour into one of their favorite chimneys. This trip will meet 6:45 PM. Swifts have been switching nightly roosting sites in recent years, so check the BBC website (http:// baltimorebirdclub.org/) and Facebook page (www.facebook. com/groups/382565775 136349/members/) on Fri, Sep 20 to see if this event will involve two locations simultaneously. Come a half hour early if the weather is cloudy or gray. Cancelled if raining. Leader: Joan Cwi, 410-467-5352 or jafjsc@verizon. net. H Frederick. Frederick Watershed. Search for migrating fall warblers. Contact leader: Lois Kauffman, 301-845-6690, for meet place and time. A Howard. Hawk Watch at Meadowbrook. Meet 9:30 AM at hawk watch site on hilltop. Bring a chair and sustenance for however long you plan to stay. Harry will provide tips on separating species in flight. The park provides paved path for walking. Ponds and great sparrow habitat should provide other birding opportunities. Sun protection is recommended. Facilities available. Cancelled in inclement weather. Leader: Harry Fink, harry@mdphelp.com or 410-446-4747. A Montgomery. Pennyfield to Violette’s Bird Stalk. Half day. For folks who prefer a somewhat later start to their birding, we will meet at 9 AM at Violette’s Lock parking lot, at the end of Violette’s Lock Rd. We will carpool to Pennyfield Lock and walk up the C&O Canal towpath to Violette’s Lock. For reservations, contact leader Jim Nelson at kingfishers2@ verizon.net or 301-530-6574. continued on page 20 20 The Maryland Yellowthroat Calendar continued from page 19 fft Talbot. Dorchester County and Spocott Farm in search of early waterfowl, meadowlarks, bobwhite, kinglets, thrushes, migrating hawks, and lots of Bald Eagles. Leaders: George Radcliffe, 410-228-7670 and Wayne Bell, 410-820-6002. Depart Easton Acme parking lot 6:30 A.M. Breakfast Hosts: Jackie and George Radcliffe. Fall Count. Kent. Full day. Help us count birds in as much of Kent Co as possible in a single day; join a field party or cover your neighborhood anywhere in the county. Contact one of the leaders for more info. Leaders: Walter Ellison and Nancy Martin, 410-778-9568 or rossgull61@gmail.com or borealdee @ gmail .com . Fall Count. Prince George’s. Compiler: Dave Mozurkewich, 301-509-2212 or mozurk@bellAtlantic.net. Fall Count. Calvert. Compiler: Sherman Suter, sjsuter29@ verizon.net. Tuesday, September 23 Washington. Meeting. 7 PM at Mt. Aetna Nature Center. Program: Steve Huy will discuss his research work with migrating Northern Saw-whet and Snowy Owls. Call 301-797- 8454 for details. ft Baltimore. Cromwell Valley Park. A series of casual fall walks to follow the progress of migration. Beginning birders welcome. Meet 8 AM. Directions: At the Willow Grove Farm Entrance, follow road, cross a small bridge, and park in lot on left. Leader: Mary Anne Fluke, 443 690-4319 or mfluke62@ gmail.com. Wednesday, September 24 ft Washington. Washington Monument Hawk Watch. Trip is co-sponsored with the Potomac Valley Audubon Society. Meet Sandy Sagalkin in the upper parking lot near the monument at 9:30 AM. Contact Sandy at monsansagalkin@myactv.net or 240-291-6465. Registration strongly encouraged. Saturday, September 27 ft Anne Arundel. Tree ID and Bird Locating with David Gillum and Barbara Johnson at Smithsonian Environmental Research Station (SERC) in Edgewater. Meet at Parole P&R at 8 AM or directly at SERC 9 AM. For more info contact Dave Gillum, 410-266-8775 or dagmapper@verizon.net. n Baltimore. Patterson Park. Come see what birding action abounds amid the varied habitats of this green oasis in the middle of Balt. Meet 8 AM at the White House just inside the west edge of the park at intersection of S. Patterson Park Ave and Lombard St. For questions, contact Patterson Park Audubon Center at ppaudubon@gmail.com or 410-558-2473. ft Kent. Bombay Hook NWR. The salt marshes of DE Bay host large numbers of waterfowl, gulls, marshbirds, shorebirds, and raptors. All day, bring lunch. Meet 8 AM at the Dollar General parking lot (off Philosopher’s Terr) in Chestertown. If you have questions, please contact the trip leaders: Walter Ellison and Nancy Martin, 410-778-9568 or rossgull61 @ gmail. com or borealdee@gmail.com. ft Washington. Leave from the Hagerstown MVA parking lot (18306 Col Henry K Douglas Dr) at 7AM for a trip to Blandy Experimental Farm, home of the State Arboretum of VA, and nearby Sky Meadows SP. Bring a packed lunch. Call Anna Hutzell, 301-797-8454 to register and get add’l info. Saturday and Sunday, September 27 and 28 ft Talbot. Cape May, NJ. Fall migration at it’s best at one of the greatest concentration points for migrants and vagrants on the East Coast. Leader: Charles Hopkins, 410-763-8742. Call Charles for itinerary and departure info. Sunday, September 28 ft Caroline. Bird Banding observation in Chestertown with Jim Gruber, Bander. 8 AM. Great for kids. Adults welcome too. To register and for directions, contact Danny Poet at 410-827- 8651 orbirder231@hotmail.com. ft Cecil. Woodlawn Wildlife Area. Woodlawn is a restored landfill that is a model for transforming an eyesore into a sight for sore eyes. Join us for a leisurely stroll around the fields and woods of this re-awakening natural area. Meet 7 AM at the Woodlawn Parking Area for a 14 day nature walk. For more detailed directions, see the Cecil Bird Club website schedule at http://www.cecilbirds.org/calendar.html. Leader: Parke John, parke @ del .net. ft Harford. Perry ville Community Park and Elk River Park. These two parks have proved good birding areas for Fall migrants; Perry ville for migrating warblers, waterfowl, and terns; Elk River for sparrows, gulls and waterfowl. Join leaders Dave Larkin, 410-569-8319 or dlarkin@towson.edu and Phil Powers, 410-679-4116 or birdsinmd@verizon.net at the Rte 155 P&R off of 1-95 near Havre de Grace at 7: 15AM. The trip can last into the early afternoon so bring something to eat and drink. ft Howard. Western RP. Meet 8 AM at Carr’s Mill Rd lot. Moderate walking along field edges and woodland trails. Opportunities for warblers, sparrows, thrushes, and flyovers. Small pond may host shorebirds. Facilities available. Leader: Bonnie Ott, bonnieott@verizon.net or 443-285-3302. n Howard. Afternoon Fungi Search. Explore local parkland for a variety of fall fungi. Site, time, and meet place TBD by leaders. May be cancelled if weather has been exceedingly dry. Contact Bob/Jo Solem at odenata@msn.com for more info. continued on page 21 September/October 2014 21 Calendar continued from page 20 ft Montgomery. Catoctin Mountains. Full day to dusk. Bring food and water. Focus on migrant songbirds, but time will be spent discussing wildflowers, insects, and other general natural history topics. Reservations required. Limit: 14. For reservations and directions, contact one of the Co-leaders: Jim Brighton at jimbrighton3@gmail.com or Tom Feild at Thomas .C.Feild@ nasa.gov. ft Talbot . Til ghman’s Island and Master ’s Property. If conditions are right, this can be a very hot spot indeed! Possibilities include 10 or more species of warblers, grosbeaks, Baltimore Orioles, flycatchers, and several species of raptors. Ticks and chiggers abound so bring insect repellant! Park along the roadway across from Hickory Ridge Farm as our birding day will start at the Master’s. Depart St. Michael’s Village Shopping Center 7 AM or meet Vince at Master’s property at 7:30 AM. Leader: Vince DeSanctis, 410-886-2009 or vdesanctis@verizon.net. Tuesday, September 30 ft Baltimore. Cromwell Valley Park. A series of casual fall walks to follow the progress of migration. Beginning birders welcome. Meet 8 AM. Directions: At the Willow Grove Farm Entrance, follow road, cross a small bridge, and park in lot on left. Leader: John Landers, 410-292-9549 or dadolbw@aol. com. Wednesday, October 1 ft Baltimore. First Wednesdays at Fort McHenry. A continuing series of monthly morning surveys of bird activity at the Fort and wetland. Scope can be useful. Cancelled in inclement weather. Meet 8 AM in the park, outside the Visitor Center. Leader: Mary Chetelat, 410-665-0769. Meeting. Carroll. “Of Rice and Rails” by Greg Kearns. 1 PM at the Carroll Nonprofit Center, 255 Clifton Blvd, Westminster. Contact Don Jewell at jewelldg@gmail.com or 410-259-4716 for more info. Meeting. Cecil. Program and Speaker: TBA. 7 PM at Elkton HS, 110 James St, Elkton, Rm B120. For more info contact Sean McCandless, seanmccandlessl@comcast.net. ft Washington. Washington Monument Hawk Watch. Trip is co-sponsored with the Potomac Valley Audubon Society. Meet Sandy Sagalkin in the upper parking lot near the monument at 9:30 AM. Contact Sandy at monsansagalkin@myactv.net or 240-291-6465. Registration strongly encouraged. Thursday, October 2 Meeting. Frederick. Gail Mackiernan will speak on her trip to the Philippines. 7 PM at Homewood at Crumland Farms (7407 Willow Rd) in Frederick. For info contact Tom Humphrey, Pres@FrederickBirdClub.org or 301-696-8540. ft Patuxent. Lake Artemesia (Luther Goldman Birding Trail). Joint trip with PGAS. We will walk the paved trail around the lake as well as the trail through the woods along Indian Creek. Meet 3 PM at the parking lot at Berwyn Rd and Ballew Ave in Berwyn Heights. No reservations needed. Call David Mozurkewich, 301-509-2212 for more info. Saturday, October 4 n Anne Arundel. Cabin Branch Restoration and Severn Run. New club trip to a restored habitat. Meet 9 AM at Bowling Alley north of Bestgate on Hwy 178. Leader: Barbara Johnson, 410-703-4664 or barbarajohnson222@gmail.com. n Carroll. Jug Bay Boat Trip. Meet 6 AM at the P&R on Rte 32 just north of 1-70. Carpool to Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary in Anne Arundel Co. Naturalist Greg Kearns will be our guide as we travel by boat to get close up views of rails. Afterwards, those wishing to continue can bird other nearby habitats. There is a $6 fee for the boat trip. Contact Don Jewell at 410-259- 4716 for more info. ft Cecil. Fair Hill NMRA. Half day. Fair Hill is one of Cecil Co’s loveliest birding spots. A variety of habitats, including woods, fields, and wetlands. Meet 8 AM at Foxcatcher Farm Covered Bridge parking lot, near the Fair Hill Nature Center on Tawes Dr. Fee required, $3 MD residents; $4 out-of-state visitors [bring small bills for honor box]). Enter Fair Hill off Rte 273 and follow signs to the Nature Center. Leader: Richard Donham, rdonham8 @ gmail .com . n Harford. Swan Harbor Farm Park. This preserved area near the upper bay provides prime habitat for waterfowl, song, marsh, and fieldbirds. Meet 7:30 AM at the parking lot at the end of the driveway. Contact leaders Josh Emm, 410-937-6790 or apistopanchax@gmail.com or Matt Hafner, hafner.matt@ gmail.com or 410-971-3203 for further info. n Howard. Lake Elkhorn. Meet 8 AM at Dockside parking lot. Easy walking along the lake and to Forbay Pond. Migrants will be moving through. Warblers are generally in abundance. The lake can turn up interesting surprises. Hawks are also possible flying over. No facilities. Leader: Allen Lewis, allenrlewis@ gmail.com. ft Patuxent. Fran Uhler NA. Joint trip with PGAS. Habitat includes brushy fields, woods, and hedgerows for a good mix of species. Side trip to freshwater wetland at Horsepen Branch also possible. 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. If you have questions, contact trip leader Bill Sefton at kiwisuits@msn.com or David Mozurkewich at mozurk@bellAtlantic.net for more info. YMOS. Youth birding trip to Cape May for Hawk Watch. continued on page 22 22 The Maryland Yellowthroat Calendar continued from page 21 Though a long day, this is a great trip for all levels of birders. Contact George Radcliffe, radclifg@gmail.com for details if interested. Saturday and Sunday, October 4 and 5 ft Patuxent. Kiptopeake. Joint trip with PGAS. Overnight trip to the southern tip of the Delmarva peninsula. The area has spectacular concentrations of migrant songbirds and hawks. Contact the leader, Marcia Watson, marshwren50@ Comcast, net for itinerary, reservations, and more info. Sunday, October 5 n Anne Arundel. Family Bird Walk at Kinder Farm Park. Meet 8 AM in the parking area next to Visitor Center. Park has paved, level trails. Leader: Stacy Epperson, 410-987-7533 or stac.epperson@gmail.com. $6/car entry fee. ft Howard. Mt. Pleasant Farm, Howard Co Conservancy. Meet 8 AM at parking lot. Easy walking through the fields of Mt. Pleasant Farm. Tree lines, hedgerows, and streams provide opportunity for non-meadow species. Prime time for sparrows. Great opportunity for flyovers. Facilities available. Leader: Russ Ruffing, ruff2@verizon.net. A Montgomery. Little Bennett RP. Half day. Meet 7:30 AM to bird some of the trails of Little Bennett RP for migrant and resident birds. Expect to walk 2-3 miles on gravel and dirt trails, with some uphill. Beginners welcome! Reservations required. Limit: 8. For reservations and directions, contact Claire Wolfe, 301-972-4278 or c_wolfe2003@yahoo.com. A Talbot. Tuckahoe SP and Adkins Arboretum. Round two of the fall at Adkins with a visit to Tuckahoe to boot. Leaders: Danny Poet, 410-827-8651 and Dave Palmer, 410-829-3376. Depart Easton Acme parking lot at 7 AM or meet Danny at boat ramp at Tuckahoe SP on the Queen Anne’s side at 7:30 AM. A Baltimore. Cylburn Self-guided Walk. Meet 8:30 AM at the Vollmer Center parking lot (4915 Greenspring Ave) for easy birding in Cylbum’s gardens and urban forest. Beginning birders welcome. No designated leader. Coordinator: Joe Lewandowski, 410-358-7834 or ilenel@juno.com. Tuesday, October 7 ft Baltimore. Cromwell Valley Park. A series of casual fall walks to follow the progress of migration. Beginning birders welcome. Meet 8 AM. Directions: At the Willow Grove Farm Entrance, follow road, cross a small bridge, and park in lot on left. Leader: Ron Davis, 410 821-1297 or 2athighl@ verizon. net. Meeting. Baltimore. Tuesday Evening Lecture at Cylburn, 4915 Greenspring Ave. Tonight: BBC Members 2014 Trip to Costa Rica: The Real Story. Joan Cwi, John Fleishman, Mary Anne Fluke, Mark Linardi, Bob Ringler, Carol Schreter. Six BBC members, along with seven other MOS members, spent nine days in southern central Costa Rica last April. Hear about the places we visited, the fun we had— and especially the birds we saw— 357 species ranging from the ridiculous to the sublime! Doors open at 7 PM for socializing and snacks, show starts about 7:15 PM. Info: Pete Webb, 443-904-6314 (cell) or pete_webb @j uno .com . Wednesday, October 8 A Montgomery. Sparrow Search. Meet 7 AM. Be prepared to walk in long, wet grass and in muddy areas. The meeting place will be determined by the leader at a later date. Likely sparrows: White-throated, Swamp, Song, maybe White- crowned. Possible more difficult species: Clay-colored and Nelson’s Sparrows. Limit: 8. For info and reservations, call the leader: Dave Powell at 301-540-8776. A Washington. Washington Monument Hawk Watch. Trip is co-sponsored with the Potomac Valley Audubon Society. Meet Sandy Sagalkin in the upper parking lot near the monument at 9:30 AM. Contact Sandy at monsansagalkin@myactv.net or 240-291-6465. Registration strongly encouraged. Thursday, October 9 Meeting. Howard. “Coming Home: Understanding the Causes and Consequences of Dispersal in a Migratory Bird, the American Redstart,” by Clark Rushing . This research uses scientific advances for studying birds as they return to their breeding grounds. Hospitality 7:30 PM; meeting/program 8 PM at Robinson Nature Center, 6692 Cedar Ln, Columbia. Info: Robin Todd, 410-491-5333. Saturday, October 11 A Allegany/Garrett. Hawk Watch Weekend at Town Hill. Meet Ray Kiddy to watch for migrating hawks at a time of year when there is still good hawk diversity but also when we may have a better chance for some more interesting birds like Golden Eagles. Meet 9 AM at the Ali Ghan and Christie Rds P&R (off 1-68, east of Cumberland). Bring lunch and a drink. Contact Ray at 301-729-1972 or rrkiddy@atlanticbb.net for info and to make a reservation. ft Baltimore. Cape May Hawk Watch. Meet 7 AM (sharp) at Cromwell Bridge Rd P&R. All-day excursion, bring lunch, to spend day mostly at the hawk watch platform at Cape May observing hawks flying by, with possible uncommon seabirds in view out over the water. Optional walks around the impoundment for migrant waterfowl, shorebirds, and songbirds. Leaders: Pete Webb, 443-904-6314 or pete_webb@juno.com, and Kevin Graff, keyweststyle2001@gmail.com. ft Baltimore. Youth birding at Oregon Ridge Park. We’ll explore the fields and woods for migrating birds, as well as late continued on page 23 September/October 2014 23 Calendar continued from page 22 insect migrants and residents. For those who have not visited the Nature Center before, we’ll spend some time admiring the displays and info available inside. Meet time 8 AM. Contact leader John Robinson, 443-810-9059 (cell), 410-483-6620 (home), jcrobin@jhmi.edu for more details and meet location. H Frederick. Big Pool. Search this lovely spot for late migrants and early waterfowl. Contact leaders: Dan Paul/ Miranda Nemeth, 724-470-3959, for meet place and time. Mike Welch will co-lead. H Harford. Rocks SP. Spend the morning on the trails of this Deer Crk woodland to enjoy the late fall avian spectacle. Gather at the ranger station parking area on Rocks Chrome Hill Rd at 7:30 AM. The leader is Dennis Kirkwood, 410-692-5905 or Newarkfarms @ gmail .com. H Howard. Sparrow Big Day. Full day. Limit: 12. Search the wetland and dry fields in this intensive search for as many sparrows as possible. Going for 12 species! Previous years have turned up non-sparrow rarities! Expect difficult walking for most of the day. Knee boots a must. Facilities at some spots. Contact Bonnie Ott, bonnieott@verizon.net, 443-285-3302 to sign up and get meet time and place. Big Sit. Anne Arundel. Ft. Smallwood Park. Bring a comfortable chair and snacks. Contact Coordinator: Tom Bradford, 410-987-0674 or tabslab@ aol.com for complete info. Big Sit. Caroline. Location: Tuckahoe SP gazebo on Caroline Co side of the lake. This is a joint event with Tuckahoe SP. Will run early morning into the evening for some owling. Contact Debby Bennett at dabennettl996@gmail.com for more details and meet time. Big Sit. Kent. Tubby Cove Platform, Eastern Neck NWR. Join the Kentish Plovers, starting at dawn or any time until mid- afternoon (early morning has best diversity). Contact leaders Walter Ellison and Nancy Martin for more info or to sign up: 410-778-9568 or rossgull61@gmail.com or boreal dee @ gmail. com. Note, Sunday, Oct 12 is a bad-weather backup date. Big Sit. Montgomery. Join the Sitting Ducks at Black Hill RP starting at dawn and continuing until? Come for the day or just a few hours. Meet at the dike across the road from the park boat ramp. For more info or directions, contact the leader: Chuck Parker at 240-446-8423 or chparker@access.kl2.wv.us. Sunday, October 12 ft Allegany/Garrett. Dan’s Rock (co-sponsored with Home Ground). Meet 9 AM at Dan’s Rock for hawk watching with Bird Club and Home Ground members . Contact Mary Huebner, marybrd22@gmail.com or 301-777-0545 for more info. H Baltimore. Marshy Point Nature Center. Half-day trip for early waterfowl, raptors, and passerines. Half-mile trail leads to point overlooking Dundee Crk. Boots advisable, scopes useful. Meet 9 AM (contact leaders for meet location). Leaders: Brent and Mary Byers, 410-626-7294 or baypuffin@hotmail.com. ft Talbot. Wade’s Point Inn and Hawk Watch. Trip will start at Claiborne Landing at 7:30 AM. We will then go the Wade’s Point Inn B&B in search of migrant and/or resident species of the season. When birding at Wade’s Point is complete, birders are invited to adjourn to Black Walnut Point for a hawk watch. Leader (Wades Inn portion): Les Roslund, 410-763-8169. Depart St. Michael’s Village Shopping Center 7 AM or meet Les in Claiborne by 7:30 AM. Leader (hawk watch): Andrew Bullen, 410-736-8156, convene at Black Walnut parking Lot after early birding at approx. 10:30-11 AM. Big Sit. Patuxent. Schoolhouse Pond, Upper Marlboro. Sit will start at sunrise and go at least until mid-afternoon. Drop in for as long as you like to join the PG Snipes Big Sit Team. Team Leader TBA. Contact David Mozurkewich at mozurk@ bellAtlantic.net for more info. Monday, October 13 H Howard. Elkhorn Garden Plots. The plots are on the east side of Oakland Mills Rd opposite Dasher Ct. The Garden Plots offer excellent opportunities for unusual sparrows, migrant passerines, and interesting late season butterflies. Meet 8:30 AM. No facilities. Leader: Jim Wilkinson, 410-381-9250 or lakekoshare @ gmail .com . ft Montgomery. Wheaton RP. Half day. Fall is the best time to find migrant warblers, vireos, and flycatchers (Yellow-bellied is a good possibility) in this interesting park. Reservations required. Limit: 10. For more information about meeting time and place and for reservations, contact the Co-leaders: Woody and Rae Dubois at denguel@verizon.net. Meeting. Talbot. Note new day. 7 PM at Wm. Hill Manor, 501 Dutchman’s Ln, Easton. Speaker and topic TBA. For more info, contact Terry Allen at pattyallenlO@hotmail.com or 410-829- 5840. Tuesday, October 14 Meeting. Allegany/Garrett. The speaker will be Carolyn Mathews and the topic will be “Invasive Plants”. 7 PM in Rm 224 at Compton Hall, Frostburg State U., Frostburg. For info contact Mary Huebner at marybrd22@gmail.com. Meeting. Kent. Program and Speaker TBA. 7:30 pm, Wesley Hall at Heron Point, off East Campus Ave, Chestertown. If you have questions, please contact Walter Ellison and Nancy Martin, 410-778-9568 or borealdee@gmail.com. Meeting. Patuxent. “Discovering the Mysteries of Bird continued on page 24 24 The Maryland Yellowthroat Calendar continued from page 23 Migration.” Gwen Brewer , Ph.D. Science Program Manager for the Natural Heritage Program, Wildlife and Heritage Service, MD DNR. The migration of birds has fascinated bird watchers and researchers alike for centuries. The amazing journeys of birds have been chronicled in song, poetry, and film, but how do they do it? This talk will summarize what we know about bird migration today.7:30 PM, Location TBD. For location update call 301-509-2212 or go to www.pgaudubon.org/programs. html. ft Baltimore. Cromwell Valley Park. A series of casual fall walks to follow the progress of migration. Beginning birders welcome. Meet 8 AM. Directions: At the Willow Grove Farm Entrance, follow road, cross a small bridge, and park in lot on left. Leader: Mary Chetelat, 410 665-0769. Wednesday, October 15 Meeting. Anne Arundel. 7:30 PM at the Blue Heron Center at Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis. “Biodiversity Trends in MD’s Changing Landscape,” by Ron Gutberlet, MOS Vice President. More info: Colin Rees, 410-757-8570 or reescolin@hotmail. com. ft Montgomery. Leader’s Choice. Half-day morning trip targeting seasonal migrants as well as local birds. Reservations required. For reservations and details about meeting time and place, contact the leader: Jim Green at 301-742-0036 or jkgbirdman53 @gmail .com. Meeting. Montgomery. “Birds of a Feather: Seasonal Changes on Both Sides of the Atlantic.” Colin Rees , one of the co-authors of the book Birds of a Feather , will show snapshots/portraits of birds and landscapes observed over a year in the UK and the U.S. 7:30 PM at Potomac Presbyterian Church, 10301 River Rd, Potomac. For more info contact Ed Patten at epattenl022@ verizon.net. ft Washington. Fort Frederick. Meet 7:45 AM at the Hagerstown MVA parking lot (18306 Col Henry K Douglas Dr) for a Vi day trip to Fort Frederick. Call Bruce or Linda Field at 301-797-6189 to register. ft Washington. Washington Monument Hawk Watch. Trip is co-sponsored with the Potomac Valley Audubon Society. Meet Sandy Sagalkin in the upper parking lot near the monument at 9:30 AM. Contact Sandy at monsansagalkin@myactv.net or 240-291-6465. Registration strongly encouraged. Thursday, October 16 Meeting. Caroline. Program: “Cornell’s eBird Peru Collaboration with High School Students.” Presenter: Alison Vo oris. 7:30 PM, Caroline Co Public Library, 100 Market St, Denton. Contact Debby Bennett at dabennettl996@gmail.com for more info. ft Patuxent. Lake Artemesia (Luther Goldman Birding Trail). Joint trip with PGAS. We will walk the paved trail around the lake as well as the trail through the woods along Indian Creek. Meet 3 PM at the parking lot at Berwyn Rd and Ballew Ave in Berwyn Heights. No reservations needed. Call David Mozurkewich, 301-509-2212 for more info. Friday to Sunday, October 17 to 19 ft Anne Arundel. Kiptopeke/Fisherman’s Island. Three day trip to VA’s Eastern Shore. Reservations are required! Meet 8 AM at Bay 50 Shopping Center located off Rte 50 on Whitehall Rd. Contact leader, Peter Hanan, for questions and cost, 301- 580-2785 or peterhanan@verizon.net. ft Carroll. Cape May. A weekend at one of the premier migration spots on the East Coast. Who knows what species might show up? Center of operations for this trip will be the Buckingham Motel. Participants will be expected to make their own reservations. For complete trip details, contact Bob Ringler at 410-303-2792. Saturday, October 18 ft Caroline. Bird Walk at Adkins Arboretum. Leader: Danny Poet, 410-827-8651 or birder231@hotmail.com. Meet at the arboretum parking lot at 8 AM. ft Harford. Havre de Grace - Kayaking for Birds. We will launch kayaks from Tydings Park to maneuver for better views of waterfowl, shorebirds, and other birds along this shoreline of the upper Bay. Meet leaders Sue Procell and Colleen Webster there at 8:30 AM. Reservations required. Contact Colleen at cwebster@harford.edu or 410-459-4577 for info about kayak rental, reservations, or other details. n Patuxent. Governor Bridge NA. Joint trip with PGAS. Habitat includes mature woods along the Patuxent River, brushy fields, and a network of freshwater wetlands, ponds and small streams. Meet 7:30 AM at the parking lot for Governor Bridge NA . No reservations required. The NA is located on the south side of Governor Bridge Rd, approximately 1 mile east of MD 301. If you have questions, contact trip leader Bill Sefton at kiwisuits@msn.com or David Mozurkewich at mozurk@ bellAtlantic.net. ft Baltimore. Saturday Monitoring Walks at Fort McHenry. Continuing survey of bird activity at the Fort and wetland. Cancelled in inclement weather. Meet 8 AM in the park, outside the Visitor Center. Leader: Joe Supik, 443-417-5015. Sunday, October 19 ft Cecil. Environmental Education Day at Turkey Point Hawk Watch. Join Dave Kimball, Pat Valdata, and folks from Elk Neck SP to learn more about hawk watching. No experience continued on page 25 September/October 2014 25 Calendar continued from page 24 necessary! Free and open to the public. Bring binoculars if you have them but we’ll have extras, as well as spotting scopes. For more info, contact Sean McCandless, seanmccandlessl@ comcast.net. H Harford. Cromwell Valley Park. Expect surprises during late fall migration at this Balt Co park. Meet 7 AM at the P&R on Fallston Rd (Rte 152) just north of Harford Rd (Rte 147). The co-leaders are Dave Larkin, 410-569-8319 or dlarkin@ towson.edu and Phil Powers, 410-679-4116 or birdsinmd@ verizon.net. n Howard. West Friendship Park. Meet 7:45 AM at shopping center just west of Rtes 32 and 144. Will carpool to nearby park. Moderate walking along field edges and through stream valleys. Small ponds may have some surprises. Expect wet areas. Rustic facilities. Leader: Jeff Culler, cullersfuls@hotmail.com or 410- 465-9006. n Talbot. Ferry Neck. Broad expanses of water and field edges, with surrounding woodland offer chances for lingering landbirds, winter sparrows, and early water birds. If any fields have flooded areas, they may harbor shorebirds. The trip will take us to several sites that have been productive in the past and new areas will be planned pending owner approval. Leader: Les Coble, 410-820-6165. Breakfast Hosts: Priscilla and Paul Thut. Depart Easton Acme parking lot 7 AM. Tuesday, October 21 H Baltimore. Cromwell Valley Park. A series of casual fall walks to follow the progress of migration. Beginning birders welcome. Meet 8 AM. Directions: At the Willow Grove Farm Entrance, follow road, cross a small bridge, and park in lot on left. Leader: Ruth Culbertson, 410 825-1379 or ruthec@ verizon.net. Wednesday, October 22 A Washington. Washington Monument Hawk Watch. Trip is co-sponsored with the Potomac Valley Audubon Society. Meet Sandy Sagalkin in the upper parking lot near the monument at 9:30 AM. Contact Sandy at monsansagalkin@myactv.net or 240-291-6465. Registration strongly encouraged. Saturday, October 25 n Anne Arundel. Quiet Waters Park. Easy walking trip in mixed woodland. Meet 8 AM at the Parole P&R located on Harry Truman Pkwy, between Riva and South Haven Rds. Co- leaders: Pat and Juanita Tate, 410-266-6043 or jpt8@earthlink. net. it Baltimore. Northampton Furnace Trail. Special walk honoring the memory of Joy Wheeler, who led many walks here. Level trail through woods to water overlooks. Possible muddy spots, boots recommended. Meet 8 AM, contact leader for location. Scopes might be useful for waterfowl. Leaders: Pete Webb, 443-904-6314 or pete_webb@juno.com, and Marty Brazeau, 410-583-0275 or tropicbirder@verizon.net. n Baltimore. Patterson Park. Come see what birding action abounds amid the varied habitats of this green oasis in the middle of Balt. Meet 8 AM at the White House just inside the west edge of the park at intersection of S. Patterson Park Ave and Lombard St. For questions, contact Patterson Park Audubon Center at ppaudubon@gmail.com or 410-558-2473. it Carroll. Morgan Run. Meet 8 AM at the parking lot at the end of Ben Rose Ln. Moderate but long hike. Looking for late migrants or some early winter birds. Leader: Bill Ellis, 443- 520-8809. it Harford. Turkey Point and Hawk Watch. Meet bander Ken Heselton at 5:30 AM at his motor home that will be parked in the Turkey Point Trail parking lot. If he has had a successful night netting and banding owls he will be able to show us examples of these always fascinating nocturnal birds. Alternatively, meet 7 AM in the same parking lot to bird the trail. If you are not familiar with the route, call for directions. Leaders: Mark Magnani, 410-838-1778 or mwmagnani@gmail.com and Josh Emm, 410-937-6790 or apistopanchax@gmail.com. Please contact a leader to let them know if you are attending since they will be waiting at the Trail parking lot at either 5:30 AM (Owls) or 7 AM (General birding). H Kent. Prime Hook NWR, DE. Fall birding at one of the Delmarva’s premier refuges. Waterfowl, raptors, late shorebirds, late herons, sparrows, and other migrants. Meet 8 AM at the Dollar General parking lot (off Philosopher’s Terr) in Chestertown. All day, bring lunch. Contact leaders Walter Ellison and Nancy Martin for more info or to sign up: 410-778- 9568 or rossgull61@gmail.com or borealdee@gmail.com. Saturday and Sunday, October 25 and 26 it Frederick. Hawk Watch. Date/location dependent on weather. Reservations required. Contact leader: Tom Humphrey, Pres@FrederickBirdClub.org or 301-696-8540 for meet place and time. Sunday, October 26 A Anne Arundel. Jug Bay. Fall migrants in woods and marshes . Meet 8 AM at the Parole P&R located on Harry Truman Pkwy, between Riva and South Haven Rds. Leader: Dotty Mumford, 410-849-8336 or dottymum@comcast.net. $6/car entry fee. it Talbot. Cottingham Farm. A return visit to Cleo Braver’s organic farm in Goldsborough Neck. Prime time for migrant sparrows in the weedy fields and waterfowl in the impoundments. Lots of varied habitats equals a nice variety of birds. Leader: Wayne Bell, 410-820-6002. Breakfast Host: Cleo continued on page 26 26 The Maryland Yellowthroat Calendar continued from page 25 Braver. Depart Easton Acme parking lot 7 AM. Tuesday, October 28 Washington. Dinner Meeting. 7 PM, Mt. Aetna Nature Center. A pot-luck dinner starting at 6 PM will precede the meeting. Bring your own place setting, drink, and a dish to share. Program TBA. Call 301-797-8454 for details. Wednesday, October 29 ft Washington. Washington Monument Hawk Watch. Trip is co-sponsored with the Potomac Valley Audubon Society. Meet Sandy Sagalkin in the upper parking lot near the monument at 9:30 AM. Contact Sandy at monsansagalkin@myactv.net or 240-291-6465. Registration strongly encouraged. Friday, October 31 H Harford. Owl Prowl. Join Dave Webb (Porzana@ Comcast, net or 410-939-3537) in the search for some nocturnal birds of prey. Contact Dave for all trip details. Saturday, November 1 Annual Banquet. Allegany/Garrett. Speaker will be Dave Webb and the topic is “Whips in the Night: Nightjar Surveys at Aberdeen Proving Grounds.” Short business meeting, including election of officers. Gathering starts at 5:30 PM, dinner at 6 PM. Details of dinner TBA at a later date. For info contact Mary Huebner at marybrd22@gmail.com. ft Patuxent. Fran Uhler NA. Joint trip with PGAS. Habitat includes brushy fields, woods, and hedgerows for a good mix of species. Side trip to freshwater wetland at Horsepen Branch also possible. Meet 7:30 AM at the end of Demon Bridge Rd off MD 197, just north of Bowie State U. and the MARC line. No reservations required. If you have questions, contact trip leader Bill Sefton at kiwisuits@msn.com or David Mozurkewich at mozurk@bellAtlantic.net for more info. YMOS. Chincoteague NWR. Herons, waterfowl, skimmers, raptors, and thrushes. This is a great opportunity to get a good look at a lot of bird species. Waterfowl will be back, and Chincoteague provides a unique opportunity to explore many types of habitats. Full day, 5 AM to 8 PM. Dodging will be provided either Fri and/or Sat night for students coming from a distance. Contact George Radcliffe, radclifg@gmail.com for details if interested. Saturday and Sunday, November 1 and 2 MOS. Irish Grove Fall Workdays. Please contact Dotty Mumford, 410-849-8336 for more info and to RSVP. User fees are waived for the workdays. Sunday, November 2 ft Anne Arundel. Family Bird Walk at Kinder Farm Park. Meet 8 AM in the parking area next to Visitor Center. Park has paved, level trails. Deader: Stacy Epperson, 410-987-7533 or stac.epperson@gmail.com. $6/car entry fee. n Howard. Centennial Park. Meet 8 AM West end parking lot. Easy walking on paved path around Centennial Fake. Woodlands, fields, and water host a wide variety of species. Great view of the sky for flyovers. Early waterfowl, lingering migrants likely. Facilities available. Feaders: Kevin and Karen Heffernan 410-418-8731 or KJHeff@aol.com. ft Montgomery. Oaks Fandfill. Explore this now-closed landfill adjacent to the Blue Mash Nature Trail. Mostly open terrain on a gravel road, including two pond views and one hill climb of moderate difficulty. Possible sparrows, raptors, and waterfowl. Deader will have scope for distant birds. We have special permission to enter this “closed to the public” landfill so reservations are essential. Fimit: 16. Meet at 8 AM. Contact the leaders for reservations and more info. Co- leaders: Mark England, 240-207-3132 (h) or 240-375-4500 (m), and Ed Patten, 301-948-5648. Tuesday, November 4 Meeting. Baltimore. Tuesday Evening Fecture at Cylburn, 4915 Greenspring Ave. Tonight: “The Ordinary Extraordinary Junco.” Remarkable biology from a backyard bird. A film produced by the Junco Project at Indiana University. Doors open at 7 PM for socializing and snacks, show starts about 7:15 PM. Info: Pete Webb, 443-904-6314 (cell) or pete_ webb@juno.com. Wednesday, November 5 M Baltimore. First Wednesdays at Fort McHenry. A continuing series of monthly morning surveys of bird activity at the Fort and wetland. Scope can be useful. Cancelled in inclement weather. Meet 8 AM in the park, outside the Visitor Center. Deader: Mary Chetelat, 410-665-0769. Meeting. Carroll. “Playing Dr. Doolittle: Understanding the Complex Singing of Northern Mockingbirds and the Singing and Social Behavior of Dusky Antbirds and Wood Thrushes” by Kim Derricks on. 7 PM at the Carroll Nonprofit Center, 255 Clifton Blvd, Westminster. Contact Don Jewell at jewelldg@ gmail.com or 410-259-4716 for more info. Meeting. Cecil. Program and Speaker: TBA. 7 PM at Elkton HS, 110 James St, Elkton, Rm B120. For more info, contact Sean McCandless, seanmccandlessl@comcast.net. ft Washington. Washington Monument Hawk Watch. Trip is co-sponsored with the Potomac Valley Audubon Society. Meet Sandy Sagalkin in the upper parking lot near the monument at 9:30 AM. Contact Sandy at monsansagalkin@myactv.net or 240-291-6465. Registration strongly encouraged. continued on page 27 September/October 2014 27 Calendar continued from page 26 Thursday, November 6 Meeting. Frederick. “Bird Feeders/Boxes/Technology/Optics/ Resources” by Keith and Beth Hamilton, Kathy Calvert , and others. 7 PM at Homewood at Crumland Farms (7407 Willow Rd) in Frederick. For info contact Tom Humphrey, Pres@ FrederickBirdClub.org or 301-696-8540. APatuxent. Lake Artemesia (Luther Goldman Birding Trail). Joint trip with PGAS. We will walk the paved trail around the lake as well as the trail through the woods along Indian Creek. Meet 3 PM at the parking lot at Berwyn Rd and Ballew Ave in Berwyn Heights. No reservations needed. Call David Mozurkewich, 301-509-2212 for more info. Saturday, November 8 ft Cecil. Waggoner’s Gap Hawk Watch. Waggoner’s Gap has been a hawk watching site since 1948. Located near Carlisle, PA, on the ridges favored by migrating hawks, this site is known for an excellent place to see Golden Eagles. Pack a lunch and dress warmly, it can be very windy and cold up there. Also, be aware that this is a steep, rocky outcrop, so strong shoes or hiking boots are helpful, as is a seat cushion. Meet at the North East Food Lion parking lot on Rte 40 at 6 AM for an all-day trip. Leader: Parke John, parke@del.net or 410-287-6037. ft Harford. Rocks SP. Spend the morning on the trails of this Deer Crk woodland to enjoy the late fall avian spectacle. Gather at the ranger station parking area on Rocks Chrome Hill Rd at 8 AM. Leader: Mark Magnani, 410-838-1778 or mwmagnani@ gmail.com. ft Howard. Sharps at Waterford Farm. Meet 8 AM at farm parking area, through barns on right. Moderate walking over crop stubble, farm roads, and paths on this working farm. Port- a-pots available. Waterproof footware and clothing advisable in wet weather with one small stream crossing planned. Leader: Wes Earp, wesandsue@gmail.com or 410-531-3197. A Kent. Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center (Horsehead), Queen Anne’s Co. Varied habitat from wood-edge to marsh and protected cove provide shelter for birds of pine woods, waterfowl, and other late-season migrants. Meet 8 AM at the Dollar General parking lot (off Philosopher’s Terr) in Chestertown. Bring lunch. Contact leaders Walter Ellison and Nancy Martin for more info or to sign up: 410-778-9568 or rossgull61@gmail.com or borealdee@gmail.com. A Washington. Washington County Agriculture Education Center. Join George Warrick at 7:30 AM for birding followed by breakfast at the County Ag Center. Call George at 301-799- 9059 for exact meeting location. Sunday, November 9 n Anne Arundel. Wootens Landing for sparrows. Meet 7 AM at the Parole P&R located on Harry Truman Pkwy, between Riva and South Haven Rds. Leader: Kathy Lambert, 410-867- 4056 or kbert59@yahoo.com. n Baltimore. Marshy Point Nature Center. Half-day trip for early waterfowl, raptors, passerines. Half-mile trail leads to point overlooking Dundee Crk. Boots advisable, scopes useful. Meet 9 AM (contact leaders for meet location). Leaders: Brent and Mary Byers, 410-626-7294 or baypuffin@hotmail.com. n Caroline. Lynch Preserve, Two Johns. Meet 8 AM at the end of Robins Creek Rd. Co-leaders: Debby Bennett, dabennettl996@gmail.com and Danny Poet, 410-827-8651 or birder231@hotmail.com. For more info about the preserve, go to: http://www.eslc .org/20 1 2/ 07/lynch-preserve-now-open-to- public/. n Howard. Centennial Park. Meet 8 AM West end parking lot. Easy walking on paved path around Centennial Lake. Woodlands, fields, and water host a wide variety of species. Great view of the sky for flyovers. Early waterfowl, lingering migrants likely. Facilities available. Leader: Mike Kerwin, m63kerwin @ verizon .net, 410-46 1 -2408 . A Montgomery. Lois Y. Green Park: Remembering Lou. Half day. The second annual walk in honor of former MBC President and all-round naturalist Lou DeMouy who passed away in November of 2012. The trip will be led by current MBC President Ed Patten. Meet at 7:30 AM. Reservations required. For more info, reservations and meet location, contact the leader: Ed Patten at 301-948-5648. 28 The Maryland Yellowthroat POSTMASTER: TIME-DATED MATERIAL— PLEASE EXPEDITE! MARYLAND ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY, INC. P. O. Box 105, Monrovia, MD 21770-0105 Nonprofit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID at Hagerstown, MD Permit No. 184 The Maryland Yellowthroat Newsletter of the Maryland Ornithological Society, Inc. Editor: Richard Donham rdonham8@gmail.com Designer: Eric Skrzypczak ericskrz@gmail.com Calendar Editor: Andy Martin martinap2@verizon.net 301-294-4805 Chapter Chatter: Jean Wheeler jswheeler3@verizon.net Mailing list: Russell Johnson III mosmemberlist@gmail.com 301-696-9745 MOS web site: http://www.mdbirds.org Webmaster: John Hays Christy SiteMaven@mdbirds.org Anyone is welcome to contribute articles, photos, or ideas that would be of interest to other birders. Copy may be e-mailed to Richard Donham by Sep 25, 2014 for theNov/ Dec 2014 issue. Illustrations pp. 1,3 ©M. Suzanne Probst