Maryland birdlife

ISSN 0147-9725

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

Bulletin of tlid GxnittioCo^ Lcu[ <£oc.U.biji JJtm.

SEPTEMBER 1979
VOLUME 35
NUMBER 3

MARYLAND ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY, INC.

Cylburn Mansion, 4915 Greenspring Ave . , Baltimore, Maryland 21209

STATE OFFICERS FOR MAY 5, 1979 TO MAY 4, 1980
President; Mr. James W. Cheevers, 2855 So. Haven Rd, Annapolis 21401 224-2061
First V.P.: Miss Martha Chestem, 10850 Faulkner Ridge Cir., Columbia 730-1527

Second V.P.; Dr. Benjamin Poscover, 302-A Garden Rd. Baltimore 21204 823-2548

Treasurer: Mr. W. Gordon MacGregor, 5009 Greenleaf Rd., Balto 21210 435-3044

Secy/Exec. Secy: Mrs. Helen M. Ford, 408 Beach Drive, Annapolis 21403 267-8417

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

Mr. Joseph Blair R.D. 3, Box 307, Chestertown MD 21620 778-4133

Mr. Norman Chamberlin 1502 W. 10th St., Frederick MD 21701 662-1812

Mr. Samuel Droege 6710 W. Park Drive, Hyattsville MD 20782 422-2316

Mrs. Emily Joyce 1550 Ellsworth Ave., Crofton MD 21114 721-2239

Mrs. Dorothea Malec 36 Robinhood Drive, LaVale MD 21502 729-4936

Mr. Ellis Porter 415 Roberts Way, Aberdeen MD 21001

Dr. Frank Witebsky 9912 Brixton Lane, Bethesda MD 20034 365-2944

STATE TRUSTEES

Allegany:

*Mrs. Dorothea Malec

Harford:

*Mr. Ellis Porter

Mr. Robert Hiegel

Miss Roenna Fahrney

Mr. John Workmeister

Mr. Eldred Johnson

Anne Arundel:

*Mrs. Emily Joyce

Howard: *Ms

. Eileen McCormack-Clegg

Mrs. Carol Swartz

Mr. John Clegg

Mr. Tad Eareckson

Kent :

*Mr. Joseph Blair

Baltimore:

*Mr. John Cullom

Mrs. Dorothy Mendinhall

Mrs. C. Lockard Conley
Mrs. Raymond Geddes

Montgomery:

*Dr . Frank G. Witebsky

Dr. Roger Herriott

Mr. Philip A. DuMont

Mrs. Martin G. Larrabee

M. Kathleen Klimkiewicz

Mrs. Edward A. Metcalf

Mr. Edgar H. Smith

Dr. Benjamin F. Poscover
Dr. Alan Ross

Patuxent :

*Mr. Samuel Droege

Dr. Lawrence Zeleny

Caroline :

*Mr. Oliver Smith

Mr. A. J. Fletcher

Talbot:

*Mrs. David S. Spain

Mr. G. Curtis Engel

Carroll:

Mrs. Geraldine Newton

Dr. Robert Trever

Mr. William D. Ellis

Washington:

*Mrs. Alberta Thurmond

Frederick:

*Mr. Norman Chamberlin

Mr. Truman Doyle

Mr. Charles L. Mullican

Wicomico:

*Mrs. Lee Meinsermann

*Denotes Chapter President

Mr. Karl Zickrick

Active Membership (adults)

Student Membership (full-time students)
Junior Membership (under 18 years)

$ 5.00

2.00
1.00

plus local chapter
plus local chapter
plus local chapter

dues

dues

dues

Family Membership (Mr. & Mrs.)
Sustaining Membership
Life Membership

6.00

10.00

200.00

plus local chapter dues
plus local chapter dues
(payable in 4 annual
installments)

Member-at- Large

5.00

Cover: Orphan Osprey in duck blind nest with two other U-week-old

young at Blackwater Refuge. See story on page 70.

.Photo by Steve Gniadek, June 9, 1978-

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

I’wllll

Volume 35 September 1979 Number 3

' ROSEATE SPOONBILL - ACCIDENTAL VISITOR TO SMITH ISLAND

Donald R. Baugh

A Roseate Spoonbill ( Ajaia ajaja ) , a rare long-legged wading bird
indigenous in North America only to southern Florida, southern Texas,
Mexico, and the West Indies, was a visitor to Smith Island, Maryland, this
past spring and summer. The spoonbill was sighted numerous times between
April lU and September 19, 1979-

Smith Island is a 5,000 acre island in the lower Chesapeake Bay in
Somerset County, Maryland, and Accomack County, Virginia. It's habitat
is primarily undisturbed salt marsh with several wooded hammocks.

The spoonbill was first sighted by the author, a teacher with the
Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) , and a group of ten students from Western
Senior High participating in an outdoor program at CBF's Smith Island
Estuarine Study Center. The spoonbill flew about fifty feet overhead, was
recognized by its distinctive bill, outstretched neck, and a slight trace
of pink on the feathers. It was at this time in immature plumage, lacking
the bright pink and red plumage of the adult. The author was familiar
with the spoonbill frcm his canoe trips in the Everglades backcountry.

The next sighting, on June 20, by Chris Marshall, a native Islander,
surprised most involved in the search for the spoonbill because more than
two months lapsed since the previous sighting and the bird was thought to
have left Smith Island. Mr. Marshall initially thought he saw a blood-
stained "crane" (Great Egret), but on closer examination he saw that the
pink feathers were natural and he noticed the rounded, compressed bill.

He later identified the bird he saw as the Roseate Spoonbill depicted in ■
Robbins' Birds of North America . The spoonbill apparently had reached the
adult plumage at this time.

Numerous sightings followed, most by native Islanders who chanced up-
on this unusual bird. All attempts at locating the bird were unsuccessful
because of the intricate nature of the marshes. The following sightings
were reported:

July 25: Edward Marshall, Clarence Tyler, Karen Marshall, Kathleen

Marshall, and others aboard the ferry Captain Jason , saw the spoonbill in

1/ The CBF is a non-profit citizens' group working to conserve the re-
sources of Chesapeake Bay. CEF's Smith Island Estuarine Study Center
operates year-round natural history-oriented field trips for students of
all ages. Contact the CBF Annapolis office at 268-8816 for details.

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

Vol. 35, No, 3

the company of several Great Egrets at a distance of about 20 yards.
Captain Marshall, an Island authority on marsh birds, recognized the
characteristic back and forth feeding behavior of the spoonbill and the
pink color from television films he has seen.

July 30: William E. Somers saw the spoonbill and having not heard

of the previous sightings, he notified Henry T. Armistead of Philadelphia
of his findings. Mr. Armistead went to Smith Island to search [for the
bird. He did not find the spoonbill, but he did reveal the previous
sightings. This represented the first totally independent sighting.

August 9: Dallas and Jim Jiradshaw and Waver ly Evans chanced upon

the spoonbill in a marsh creek.

i

Septanber 19: Michael Harrison from the Glenn L. Martin National

Wildlife Refuge and three other Fish and Wildlife Service employees saw
the spoonbill after months of concerted investigation. Ironically, they
chanced upon the spoonbill when they did observe it. They came within
fifty feet of it and had a clear view of the distinctive bill and the
coloration.

All the sightings were within a two-mile radius, most were made
when the tide was low, exposing the mud-flats, and the spoonbill often
was in the company of at least several Great Egrets. Unfortunately,
there were no pictures taken of the bird.

The origin of the spoonbill is certainly unclear. Possibly, the bird
was caught as an immature in a northward moving tropical storm and blown-
off course. The author rananbers two such strong storms from the south in
the weeks before the first sighting. The possibility of the spoonbill be-
ing a zoo escapee apparently is rather small. Richard Ryan, an authority
on zoo escapes, determined that there are only six Roseate Spoonbills in
zoos of the middle Atlantic and northern states and that none of them is
reported missing. Mr. Ryan further reported that the likelihood that this
species would be in any private collection is extremely low, primarily
because of the illegality of owning one.

Previous records reveal sightings of the spoonbill in Pennsylvania in
1844 (Poole, Pennsylvania Birds, 1964) and in 1968 (Audubon Field Notes:
22: 524). John Jackson Elliott, a noted ornithologist, mentioned to Mr.
Ryan that he had seen a Roseate Spoonbill at Sable Island, Nova Scotia, in
1948. No other records of spoonbill sightings in the northeast Atlantic
Coast were found. These recent sightings represent an extremely misplaced
bird. The spoonbill provided excitement to myself and I am sure to the
entire birding community. It also provided excitement for the Islanders,
who too often take their precious salt marsh environment for granted.

I acknowledge the assistance of Henry T. Armistead who researched
the previous sightings and who contacted Richard Ryan. I also thank
Richard Ryan for his contributions on the possibility of the spoonbill
being an escaped bird.

Chesapeake Bay Foundation

162 Prince George St., Annapolis 21401

Septanber 1979

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

69

WESTERN KINGBIRD IN CALVERT COUNTY

John H. Fates

At 1:1.5 p.m. on Septanber 25, 1977, while driving on Plum Point Road,
one mile east of Rt. h in Calvert County, Maryland, I saw a Western King-
bird ( Tyrannus vevticalis ) on a power line. I stopped and observed the
bird for several minutes until it suddenly took flight and left. It was
surprising to see this species in Southern Maryland. The day was mostly
cloudy, and the tanperature was 76° F.

The weeks that followed this observation were mostly milder than
usual, and it was not until the morning of November 12 that a bit of ice
occurred as well as snow flurries. It became'clear later, and at 3:30 p.m.
I found a Western Kingbird in my yard at Plum Point. It was constantly in
view since it perched most of the time. I saw it eat a dogwood berry that
it picked from a small tree. Yellow-rumped Warblers were present, and one
appeared to follow or pursue the kingbird. The kingbird was seen by three
other persons.

The following day was clear and cold (L4°F). The kingbird appeared
again at 3:45 p.m. It flew close by with tail spread as it plucked a dog-
wood berry in flight. The white tail edges and yellow feathers showed well
It flew away for a while but returned again. Two days later it was milder
(58° F), and the kingbird was first seen at 9:00 a.m. It remained around
the premise all day, and in the afternoon it was catching insects on the
wing. I was away the next day.

The 17th was rainy in the morning and clear in the afternoon, and
the kingbird was seen all day. In the afternoon it perched for a long
time near the top of a tall maple that had seme leaves ronaining. Shortly
before a thunderstorm broke the Western Kingbird flew off. It gained some
altitude immediately, and flew out of sight over a swamp toward a wooded
area to the north and was not seen again.

These observations were very interesting in that this bird stayed in
the same area from November 12 to 17. Most of the Western Kingbird rec-
ords noted by Stewart and Robbins {1958) were frcm the Eastern Shore be-
tween Septanber 9 and December 23 of various years. The only record frcm
Southern Maryland was an observation by Alexander Wetmore in St. Marys
County on Septanber l8, 1938, when two Western Kingbirds occurred to-
gether at St. Marys City.

The records given here are probably the first for this species in
Calvert County. Beal (1912) did not mention the finding of dogwood berries
in the stomachs of Western Kingbirds.

LITERATURE CITED

Beal, F.E.L. 1912. Food of our more important flycatchers. U.S. Dept. Agr
Biol. Surv. Bull. 44.

Stewart, R. E. , and Robbins, C.S. 1958. Birds of Maryland and the District
of Columbia. North American Fauna No. 62: 1-401.

2809 Ridge Road, Neeld Estate, Huntingtovn, Md. 20639

TO

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE Vol. 35, No. 3

SUCCESSFUL TRANSPLANT OF YOUNG OSPREY AT BLACKWATER REFUGE

Guy W. Willey

On June 8, 1978, a resident of southern Dorchester County contacted my
residence to advise that a friend had found a young Osprey (Pandion haliae-
tus) that had washed ashore near their home, and they had brought the bird
to her. I advised her that the bird was protected by law and she could not
hold it legally. She then said that she would bring it to Blackwater Ref-
uge early the next morning.

As the bird was only about four weeks old, refuge personnel decided
to try placing it in a foster nest. We checked several nests to find young
of the same age. We located a nest with two healthy four-week young on an
old duck blind in the Little Blackwater River. James Applegate, Steve
Gniadek and I, all employees of Blackwater Refuge, placed the orphan in the
nest, and Steve and James took photographs, one of which appears on the
cover of this issue. As we departed from the nest, after 15 or 20 minutes,
the foster parents returned directly. They appeared not to be too upset by
the addition to the family.

On June 19 when Joseph Cornish and I revisited the nest, all three
young were in good shape and about the same size. Again the adults re-
turned directly to the nest after we made our check. On July 6 all three
birds were standing on the edge of the nest. On July 13 all three flew
from the nest and circled overhead. Two returned to the nest after I
moved away, the other perched on another blind about 200 feet to the east.
After July 13, we observed repeatedly five Ospreys using the general area
and we believe the adoption was a success. All the birds departed south
in early October.

The purpose of this report is to record this incident in the hope
that it may help save a percentage of the young abandoned Ospreys that
would otherwise perish.

Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, Cambridge 2l6l3

☆

LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE HOOPOE

Eleanor B. Johnson

Most people think of bird-watching as an outdoor past-time in which
the participant, binoculars and guide in hand, tramps through the woods or
fields trying to spot as many species as possible. Although I spend a
great deal of time at this pursuit, my most fascinating and time-consuming
birding is quite different since the bird for which I search is not even
found in the Western Hemisphere.

It all started about ten years ago. We were going to Tunisia, where
my husband was to work for Medico-Care in the Tunis Hospital for a month.
Being avid bird watchers, we purchased the best available book for the area,
"A Field Guide to the Birds of Britain and Europe' 1 by Peterson, Mountfort

Septanber 1979

MARYLAND BIRPLIFE

71

and Hollan. (Since that time a better reference, "The Birds of Britain
and Europe with North Africa and the Middle East" by Heinzel, Fitter and
Parslow has been published.) There on the cover of the Guide was the im-
print of a unique crested bird with striped wings, the likes of which I
had never seen or even heard of before. I was hooked and determined to
see the Hoopoe ( Upupa epops ) , which the book described as "unmistakable...
boldly barred black and white wings and tail, long black-tipped erectile
crest and long curved bill."

We were fortunate enough to sight one Hoopoe on that trip, and on a
later trip we saw innumerable Hoopoes in Efeypt. This jaunty, jay-sized
bird is a year-round resident of North Africa and southern Asia, a migrant
to southern Europe and other Mediterranean countries and a rare visitor to
Great Britain and northern Europe. His habits are both conical and filthy-
he prances and bobs around on the ground looking for grubs and neglects to
clean his nest, which is notorious for its stench. He is a hole-nester,
building in hollow trees or crevices of cliffs and sometimes in the cracks
of ancient monuments.

But the Hoopoes I have sighted with binoculars cannot compare in num-
ber or interest to the Hoopoes I have been sighting ever since in art,
archaeology and literature. Because of its flamboyant plumage and amusing
behavior, the bird has captured the imagination of artists and authors
throughout the ages. For me, finding it has become an intellectual pur-
suit in libraries, museums and stores of the United States and Europe, or
wherever we travel.

Last year, for instance, in northern Italy I found Hoopoes painted
on the frescoed ceiling of a sixteenth century palace, a fine porcelain
Hoopoe on the mantel of an l8th century villa and I was able to buy a
, pottery plate crudely decorated with a likeness of the bird. In England
I spotted a Hoopoe embellishing an eighteenth century Meissen soup tureen
in a manor house belonging to the British National Trust, and again on a
papyrus in the British Museum. In the United States I came across an
unmistakable Hoopoe in a seventeenth century Dutch still-life at the Den-
ver Art Museum, and there are several works at the Metropolitan in New
York and one at the Cleveland Museum of Art that have Hoopoes in than.

Here in Baltimore I have been able to purchase a lacquer box, a lampshade
and greeting cards with the bird's image on than.

Going way back in history, perhaps the earliest Hoopoes were aboard
Noah's Ark, for the Queen Mother of England owns a Jacob Bassano oil
painting that shows two of than in a tree awaiting their turn to anbark.

In Egypt there are many fine examples of the bird on tomb carvings,
paintings and papyri. At Sakkhara , the site of the ancient step pyramid,
in a tomb of a king dated to 2^00 B.C. there are Hoopoes on a frieze, and
high in the cliff tombs at Beni Hasan (1900 B.C.) is a ranarkably pre-
served painting with a Hoopoe perched among other recognizable North
African species. One of King Tut's many treasures contains a likeness of
the bird, and there are others in the Cairo Museum. On Crete, the Minoans
regarded him as a culinary delicacy, and he is pictured on the walls of
the Palace of Minos (1500 B.C.) as a game bird.

72

MARYLAND BIRD LIFE

Vol. 35, No. 3

Turning to literature, the Old Testament (Leviticus XI: 19) lists the
Hoopoe along with vultures, owls, bats, etc., among the forbidden meats in
the dietary laws; he was considered unclean because of his filthy habits.
There are numerous Hebrew legends about the Hoopoe, some referring to the
bird's appearance in the wilderness at the time of the Exodus and many var-
iations of the role he played in bringing the Queen of Sheba to King Solo-
mon's court. In one tale the Hoopoe carries an invitation frcm the king
to the queen requesting her to visit, and in another the bird is rewarded
with a golden crown for shielding Sheba frcm the sun as she crossed the
desert. An ancient Canaanite story refers to the Hoopoe's nest as a hid-
ing place for the jewels of the god Baal, because the cavity's smell was
so bad no one could get close.

Also in the B.C. period,- my favorite feathered friend plays a lead
role in Aristophanes' "The Birds" ( i+lU B.C.); and Plato, in "Phaedo" (380
B.C.) has Socrates mention the Hoopoe. In anthologies of Greek and Reman
mythology the naughty Tereus, who seduced his sister-in-law Procne and
then plucked out her tongue so she couldn't recount his crime, is pun-
ished by being turned into a Hoopoe, condemned forever to a filthy nest.

Interest in the species has continued through the centuries. The
Brothers Grimm, in the early l800's, write of a worthless farmer who is
turned into a Hoopoe and forced to fly around forever calling "up, up, up"
[the Hoopoe's cuckoo-like song — Ed.] because he failed to nourish his cat-
tle and they became too weak to stand. Contemporary writers frequently
mention the Hoopoe. James Michener includes him in both "Iberia" and
"The Source"; in the latter book a character is nick-named "Hoopoe" and
several pages are devoted to a description of the bird and legends about
it. Mary Renault's novels about Greece mention the bird, and Julian Hux-
ley in "Frcm an Ancient Land" describes it as a "strange and lovely
creature that is sure to gather legends around it."

In addition to his association with Noah, Moses and Solanon, the
Hoopoe is also found in the company of St. Francis of Assisi. Tadeo di
Bartolo, a fourteenth century painter, depicts the bird as a devout
listener to the preacher. He can be seen, too, in the presence of King
Baber, founder of the early sixteenth century Moghul dynasty; two Persian
miniatures include the Hoopoe in hunting scenes. It would appear that
the Moghuls, like the Minoans, regarded the bird as an appetizing treat.

There once was a live Hoopoe at the Washington Zoo but now there
apparently are none in the United States, although they evidently survive
well in captivity. Mounted birds are on exhibit at the Smithsonian and
the Museum of Natural History in New York.

Since my Hoopoe watching is by necessity a sedentary and indoor
activity, I restrict it to the winter months. When the juncos, white-
throats and siskins begin to leave, I put aside my spectacles, take up
my binoculars and head for the fields, the marshes and the woods to catch
the warblers in migration and the orioles, tanagers and grosbeaks return-
ing to the North. The Hoopoe hunt is neglected until winter sets in again.

Brooklandville , Md.

Septenber 1979

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

73

THE SEASON

SPRING MIGRATION, MARCH 1 - MAY 31, 1979

. Robert F. Ringler

There was no severe weather during this period, hut birding was by
no means always pleasant as wind and water often arrived on weekends.
Temperatures averaged +3.5° from normal in March, -1.5° in April, and
near normal in May. Precipitation for the three months was near normal
with March the driest and most of the rain falling in the second half of
May, following a torrid week of exceptionally high temperatures. The
last measurable snowfall was two inches at McHenry on April 1 6 . Most of
the state was' clear of snow for the entire period; the exception was the
mountainous areas, which had snow cover for the first week of March only.

Open water was available inland and the waterfowl took advantage of
it by moving fran their wintering grounds slightly early this year. The
relatively mild weather seaned to accelerate plant growth, and the dearth
of any substantial frontal systsns forced the migrant land birds through
our area quickly. The minor fronts of April 27, May 1+, 13, 19, and 2^
provided the few good days of woodland birding.

Observers across the state commented on the rather lackluster show-
ing of the passerine species this spring:

Pope: "A small surge of warblers near the end of April seaned to be

the peak of their migration."

Wierenga: "The spring season around Annapolis seemed rather dull

and unexciting."

Parks: " . . .there were no large movements of birds or waves (of

warblers ) . "

Hewitt: "This has been a very poor spring migration for migrant

warblers and migrant thrushes."

Armistead: . . it was lousy weather for birding."

Shorebirds suffered much the same fate with commentary such as:

"poor showing", "few highlights", and "unremarkable, dull", summing up
people's feelings. However, highlights there were, so let's get to them
after we take a look at the people who make these reports possible.

Contributors :

Western Maryland’ (Garrett, Allegany and Washington Counties) - Fran Pope,

Sallie Thayer, Jim Paulus, Ann and Paul Snith, Dr. David H. Wallace,

Dan Boone.

Frederick/Carroll - Charles L. Mullican, Dr. David H. Wallace, Dr. John

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

Vol. 35, No. 3

Table 1. Spring Arrival Dates, 1979

Median

Species 10-Yr 1979

Canmon Loon 4/12 4/ 7

Horned Grebe 3/15 4/ 7

Pied-billed Grebe 3/18 3/31

Double-cr. Cormorant 4/1 4 3/31

Great Blue' Heron 3/18 3/20

W.Md F/Ca Balt

4/10 4/ 7 3/31
3/24 3/18 3/ 7
3/20 4/12 3/25
4/21 5/ 5 3/31
3/17 — 3/14

Howa Mont Pr .G

4/19 4/28 —

4/34/7 0

4/ 3 4/ 7 3/3
0—0
2/ 4 4/21 3/29

AnAr S.Md K/QA

3/29 — 4/ 6
4/10 W 4/12
4/ 5 3/25 —
3/31 3/31 3/16
3/10 3/24 5/ 5

Caro Talb T.FS

— 4/9 3/31
0 4/12 W

0 0 3/31

05/9 3/31

W

Green Heron 4/18 4/l8

Little Blue Heron 4/27 4/25

Cattle Eferet 4/10 4/21

Great Eferet 4/l4 4/15

Snowy Eferet 4/17 4/21

4/i8 4/24 4/13
0 0 5/13

0 0 0
4/8 0 3/17

0 0 4/21

4/ 8 4/29 4/22
0 0 4/22

0 0 4/21

0 0 4/27

0 0 4/17

4/22 — 4/15
4/6 05/5
4/13 5/ 5 4/14
4/22 5/ 5 3/l4
4/21 5/ 5 4/29

4/28 4/15 4/l6
0 4/22 4/28
5/ 5 4/21 3/31
0 5/. 9 3/31
0 4/ 9 3/31

Least Bittern

American Bittern 4/l6 —
Whistling Swan 3/63/3
Canada Goose 3/23/2
Gadwall 3/9 —

0 0 5/ 5

o —4/1
3/17 3/23/3
3/ 7 2/28 2/28
3/24 3/20 3/ 3

0 0 0

0 4/ 2 —
2/22 3/6 —
2/2? 3/33/1
0 0 —

4/21 — 5/ 7

4/8 0 4/22

3/3 W 3/ 1

3/ 3 — W

0 0 3/10

0 0 4/28

0 0 —

— W w

— 4/17 w

0 0 —

Canmon Pintail 3/33/3

Green-winged Teal 3/20 3/23

Blue-vinged Teal 3/22 3/17

American Wigeon 3/5 3/4

Northern Shovel er 3/18 3/29

3/53/13/3
4/ 3 3/20 3/23
3/28 3/13 3/10
3/53/63/3
3/30 4/7 3/ 9

3/03/33/3
3/17 4/13/3
3/17 3/17 3/14
3/83/33/3
2/44/7 0

371 0 2/26

4/15 03/1

3/14 0 3/16

w w 2/26

0 0 3/10

371? 0 “

0 4/22 W
4/21 4/22 3/16
3/16 W —
3/29 0 —

Wood Duck 3/ 9 3/15
Redhead 3/ T 3/ 5
Ring-necked Duck 3/ 6 3/12
Canvasback 3/l4 —
Lesser Scaup 3/63/3

3/18 3/83/6
3/11 3/18 —

3/ 9 3/ 6 3/3
4/10 W
3/11 3/18 2/27

3/19 3/ 3 3/18
3/15 03/3

3/12 3/24 3/ 3
0 0 3/3

2/27 03/3

3/14 3/25 3/10
3/3 0 2/26

W 3/25 3/20
w 0 2/26

W 0 2/26

0 0 3/16

3/5 0 —

4/10 0 —

3/5 w —

3/ 5 — —

Canmon Goldeneye 3/33/4
Buffleheed 3/12 3/ 5
Oldsquav 3/22 4/ 3
Hooded Merganser 3/73/6
Canmon Merganser 3/ 4 3/3

3/9 2/20 2/27
3/28 3/ 2 3/13
4/34/84/2
3/53/6 W
— 3/6 2/27

0 0 3/11

3/8 03/3

4/3 0 0

3/20 03/3

0 3/33/3

W 0 2'/26

W 0 2/26

3/21 0 2/26

0 0 3/15

— 0 3/14

4/10 W W

0 w w

4/10 w w

0 0 w

0 0 —

Red-breasted Merganser 3/15 3/10

Sharp-shinned Hawk 3/11 3/ 5

Red-tailed Hawk 2/28 2/28

Broad-winged Hawk 4/17 4/15

Osprey 3/26 3/20

3/24 0 3/11
3/ 8 2/lU 3/ 7
3/ 9 3/18 2/28
4/11 4/19 4/ 5
4/ l 4/12 3/31

7/ 8 3/10 0“

3/ 8 w W

2/28 W W

— — 4/19

4/12 4/lU 3/24

3710 0 2/26
3/ 1 2/20 3/ 3
2/27 W W
4/ 5 — —
3/16 3/17 3/16

0 — w

W 3/31 W

WWW

0 0 4/28

3/10 3/10 3/16

American Kestrel " 3/ 3 3 / 2 ~

Sora 4/27

American Coot 4/l6 3/1 6

Ssnipalmated Plover 5/55/5

Killdeer 2/28 3/ 2

3/ 4 3/18 3/ 6
0 0 4/29

4/ 6 3/18 3/11
0 5/10 5/12

3/11 2/28 2/27

2727 W 3/26

0 0 0

3/16 0 —

0 0 4/24

2/28 3/ 2 3/18

2/25 w w -
4/8 05/4

— — 3/16

5/5 05/1

3/2 W 2/27

WWW

0 0 4/28

0 0 —

5/ 5 5/ 9 5/5
W 3/23 W

Black-bellied Plover 5/2 5/3
Greater Yellovlegs 3/24 3/26
Lesser Yellovlegs 4/1 6 3/31
Solitary Sandpiper 4/30 4/23
Spotted Sandpiper 4/27 4/25

0 0 5/5
5/53/7 3/31
4/27 3/16 3/28
4/27 4/26 3/18
4/18 4/26 4/22

0 0 5/5
4/27 '0 3/18
5/ 5 0 3/10
4/14 4/22 4/22
4/27 4/22 4/24

5/ 5 3/17 5/ 1
3/24 0 3/29
4/22 0 3/29
4/22 — 4/25
4/27 — 5/ 1

0 0 3/31

3/12 4/21 3/16
5/ 1 — 3/31
5/ 5 — 4/28
4/l6 — 4/28

American Woodcock 2/28 3/10

Canmon Snipe 3/13 3/16

Ssnipalmated Sandpiper 5/45/5
Least Sandpiper 5/ 1 4/19

Pectoral Sandpiper 4/13 3/29

3/21 3/10 3/ 3
3/28 3/ 9 3/17
0 5/ 15/2
5/ 5 4/16 4/13
0 3/13 3/29

3/33/5 3/19
3/17 3/33/2
0 5/5

0 0 —

3/13 — 2/14

3/14 W 3/23

— 5/ 5 4/26
4/25 0 4/19

3/30 0 3/29

“ — 3/l£>

4/13 0 3/16

5/ 5-5/5
— 5/ 9 4/1 4
4/12 0 4/1 4

Dunlin 4/28 4/26
Laughing Gull 4/9 3/31
Bonaparte's Gull 3/31 3/31
Canmon Tern 5/ 1 —
Little Tern 5/45/5

0 4/26 5/ 5
0 0 3/28

3/30 4/15 3/ 3
0 0 5/5

0 0 5/2

0 0 0

0 0 0

0 4/ 1 0

0 0 0

0 0 0

3/24 0 4/16

3/24 — 4/ 3

3/9 0 4/17

4/2 6 0 5/ 5

5/12 5/55/5

5/5 0 W

4/ 9 4/13 3/25
0 4/15 3/16
0 0 4/28

0 0 4/28

Caspian Tern 4/28 —

Yellow-billed Cuckoo 5/65/2

Black-billed Cuckoo 5/65/5

Chuck-will' s-vidow 5/ 3 4/29

Whip-poor-will 4/24 4/24

5/ 5 0 4/11

5/55/5 4/23
0 5/19
0 0 4/22

5/ 5 4/24 4/22

0 0 0

5/ 3 — 5/2

5/55/55/5
0 0 —

4/12 5/ 5 4/30

4/8 0 0

4/26 5/55/1
0 05/8

4/21 5/ 5 4/29
4/23 5/ 5 4/29

0 0 —

4/29 4/26 5/ 5
0 0 5/5

4/21 5/55/5
4/24 0 4/i4

Common Nighthavk 5/65/5
Chimney Swift 4/l8 4/20
Ruby-thr. Hummingbird 4/30 5/ 1
Belted Kingfisher 3/15 3/21
Eastern Kingbird 4/28 4/24

5/ 5 0 5/5
4/21 4/n 4/17
4/28 5/15/4
3/ 8- - -
5/ 5 4/20 4/22

5/ 5 5/ 5 “57 5
4/19 4/23 4/20
5/ 2 4/26 5/ 5
3/25 3/17 3/29
4/22 5/ 2 4/24

57^ 0 5 / t»

3/31 4/25 4/18
4/25 5/ 5 4/28
3/31 — 3/ 1

4/22 5/ 5 4/24

57“5 0 4/28

4/lB 4/21 4/20
5/ 1 — 5/2
WWW

4/22 5/ 6 4/l6

Gt. Crested Flycatcher 5/ 1 4/28
Eastern Phoebe 3/18 3/18
Acadian Flycatcher 5/55/5
Willow Flycatcher 5/20 5/16
Least Flycatcher 5/65/5
Eastern Pewee 5/55/5

5/ 2 5/TV28
3/19 3/18 3/ 8
— 5/20 5/ 1

5/29 5/13 5/17
5/8 05/2

5/55/95/5

5/10 5/ 5 4/22
3/19 3/11 3/11
5/55/55 / 5
5/16 0 0
5/17 5/ 5 0
4/30 5/ 5. .4/25

4/22 4/28 4/29
3/23 3/17 3/21
5/55/55/5
0 0 5/5

0 0 5/5

5/ -5. ?/??/?

4/24 5/ 6 4/26
3/10 3/30 3/31
5/ 2-5/5
0 0 0

0 0 0

4/26 — -

Septmber 1979

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

75

TabLe 1 (cont. ) Spring Arrival Dates, 1979

Median

Species 10- Yr 1979

Tree Swallow 3/29 3/29

Bank Swallow 5/ 1 4/20

Rough-winged Swallow 4/17 4/17

Barn Swallow 4/ 7 V 5

Cliff Swallow 5/3 5/1

W.Md F/Ca Balt

3/29 3/27 3/31
4/27 5/ 1 4/i8
4/27 4/16 3/30
4/18 4/ 1 3/31
4/27 3/27 4/19

Howa Mont Pr.G
4/ 1 3/31 3/22

4/24 — —

4/13 4/22 4/25
4/ 1 4/15 4/17

AnAr S.Md K/QA

3/23 3/25 3/29
4/15 5/ 5 4/26
3/31 5/54/6
4/ 1 4/17 4/ 5
5/5 0 0

Caro Talb LES

4/10 4/13 3/16
5/ 5 0 4/28
4/10 - -
4/11 3/31 4/11
5/ 5 0 5/5

Purple Martin it/ 3 3/30
House Wren 4/21 4/22
Marsh Wren 5/ 2 4/30
Gray Catbird 4/25 4/22
Brown Thrasher 4/ 8 4/12

5/ 5 3/27 4/ 8
4/19 4/22 4/10
0 0 4/21

5/ 2 4/22 4/22
4/23 4/ 7 3/10

4/ 1 -- 3/30

4/19 4/22 4/19
0 0 —
4/11 4/16 4/23
4/ 8 4/15 4/11

3/29 4/i 4 3/19
4/25 5/- 5 4/24
4/25 5/55/3
4/23 4/22 4/19
4/ 1 4/24 4/l4

3/21 — 3/31
4/23 4/21 4/28
5/ 5 - 4/28
4/30 — 4/28
3/29 4/21 4/28

American Robin 2/22 3/ 4
Wood Thrush 4/23 4/24
Swainson's Thrush 5/65/5
Gray-cheeked Thrush 5/ 9 5/10
Veery 5/ 3 4/30

3/ 9 3/18 3/ 1
4/24 5/ 2 4/21
5/55/75/4
5/9 0 0
4/21 — 4/29

2/43/73/2
4/25 4/24 4/24
5/ 4 5/ 5 5/5
0 5/55/5
4/29 4/28 5/ 2

W w 2/23

4/23 4/25 4/25
5/35/5 5/14
5/21 0 5/14

5/5 05/5

WWW
4/24 — 4/23
0 5/12

0 0 5/12

5/1 0 —

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 4/12 4/ 9
Golden -crowned Kinglet 3/25 3/25
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4/10 4/10
Water Pipit 3/23 —

White-eyed Vireo 4/22 4/21

4/ 8 4/12 4/ 5
3/25 3/16 3/26
4/ l 4/10 4/io
0 3/11 2/27

4/23 4/21 4/21

4/11 4/ 7 3/31
w 4/ 7 w
3/27 w 3/29
0 0 0
4/20 4/21 4/22

4/ 0 4/l4 4/15
3/10 3/25 W
4/11 w 4/11
3/10 — 4/ 2
4/21 4/22 4/15

4/ 5 4/22 4/15
3/29 w W

w

0 0 0

4/22 4/22 4/22

Yellow-throated Vireo 4/30 4/30
Solitary Vireo 4/26 4/24
Red-eyed Vireo 4/30 4/24
Warhling Vireo 5/ 1 4/30
Black-&-white Warbler 4/22 4/22

- — 5/ 1
4/22 — 4/22
5/ 5 4/29 4/22
5/55/5 4/24
4/22 4/29 4/21

__ __ 4/22
4/22 5/ 4 4/24
4/29 — 4/22
4/29 4/22 5/ 1
4/21 4/22 4/19

4/30 — 4/17
5/5 0 4/25

4/24 4/22 4/25
0 0 4/26

4/20 4/22 4/11

5/ 5 — --

4/25 0 4/22

4/24 4/22 4/28
5/5 0 0

4/23 — 4/15

Prothonotary Warbler 4/24 4/23

Worm-eating Warbler 5/ 2 4/29

Golden-winged Warbler 5/35/2

Blue-winged Warbler 5/ 3 4/29

Tennessee Warbler 5/55/5

4/l6 0 3/31
5/ 5 — 4/23
4/24 5/85/5
— 5/ 5 4/22
5/ 5 5/12 5/ 5

4/29 4/28 4/22
4/15 4/28 4/30
4/30 5/ 5 4/25
4/29 4/29 4/22
5/11 5/55/2

4/22 4/28 4/24
5/55/5 4/11
0 0 0
4/28 5/ 5 4/30
5/ 5 0 4/30

4/23 — 4/28
5/ 5 0 4/28

0 0 0

4/30 0 5/ 5

0 0 0

Nashville Warbler 5/ 2 5/ 5”
Parula Warbler 4/25 4/25
Yellow Warbler 4/26 4/25
Magnolia Warbler 5/55/5
Cape May Warbler 5/4 5/3

4/19 05/4
5/55/1 4/15
4/24 4/26 4/24
5/ 5 5/12 5/ 4
5/ 4 4/28 5/ 5

0 5/55/2
4/25 4/15 4/15
4/23 4/26 4/24
5/ 1-5/5
5/ 3 5/ 5 5/1

5/5 05/5

4/22 4/22 4/29
4/22 5/ 5 4/24
- 5/55/5
0 5/4

0 0 0

4/26 — 4/28
4/30 5/ 5 4/28
0 5/5
5/3 0 0

Black-thr . Blue Warbler 5/ 4 5/5
Yellow-rumped Warbler 4/15 4/19
Black-thr. Green Warb. 5/4 5/1
Cerulean Warbler 5/3 5/5

Hlackburnian Warbler 5/5 5/5

5/ 5 5/10 4/22
4/20 4/26 4/10
4/23 — 5/ 1
5/ 5 — 4/29
5/55/55/4

5/ 5 4/25 5/ 1
4/20 4/26 4/19
5/15/55/1
5/55/5
5/55/55/1

5/5 05/1

W 4/11 3/21
0 0 5/4

5/55/5 5/14
0 0 5/2

5/ 5 0 5/12

4/l4 4/22 W
0 0 5/5

5/5 0 0

0 05/8

Yellow-thr. Warbler 4/17 4/21

Chestnut-sided Warbler 5/5 5/5

Bay-breasted Warbler 5/7 5/5

Blackpoll Warbler 5/5 5/5

Pine War taler 3/17 3/17

— 4/22 4/20
5/ 5 5/12 4/25
5/ 5 — 5/7
5/12 5/11 5/ 3
4/9 0 3/17

4/20 3/31 0

5/ 7 5/ 5 5/5
0 5/5 —
5/65/35/2
0 0 3/2

4/22 5/55/5
0 0 5/3

0 5/ 5 5/17

5/45/5 4/24
3/31 3/17 3/15

~ 0 4/ It

0 0 0

0 0 0

5/16 5/95/5
0 4/22 3/16

Prairie Warbler 4/25" 4 /22~

Palm Warbler 4/15 4/17

Ovenbird 4/24 4/22

Northern Waterthrush 5/ 1 4/25

Louisiana Waterthrush 4/74/5

4/23 4/22 4/22
4/23 0 3/31
5/ 5 5/ 8 4/23
5/55/1 4/23
4/12 4/24/5

4/23 — 4/22
4/23 4/15 4/19
4/22 4/22 4/19
4/lU 4/22 4/22
4/ 5 4/21 3/31

4/22 4/24 5/ 1
0 3/23
4/21 4/22 4/24
4/28 05/1

4/28 4/22 3/14

5/ 5 4/22 4/22
0 0 W

4/22 4/22 4/15
5/ 5 4/22 -

4/ 5 - 4/8

Kentucky Warbler 5/3 5/3

Cannon Yellovthroat 4/21 4/22

Yellow-breasted Chat 5/45/5

Hooded Warbler 5/ 1 4/25

Wilson's Warbler 5/ 6 —

— — 5/ 1

4/29 4/26 4/17
4/29 5/ 5 4/29
5/ 5 - 4/25
.0 05/5

5/ 5 4/28 —

4/22 4/22 4/22
5/55/5 —
1/22 __ 4/23
0 5/5 0

5/55/55/ 3
4/22 4/22 4/16
5/ 5 5/ 5 5/ 1
5/ 5 4/22 0
5/U_ 0 0

4/26 - -

4/19 4/21 4/14
5/ 4 — 5/5
— — 4/28

0 0 0

Canada Warbler 5/7 5/8

American Redstart 5/ 1 4/24

Bobolink 5/5 5/5

Orchard Oriole 5/25/2

Northern Oriole 4/30 5/ 1

5/ 8 5/12 5/ 4
4/24 5/ 2 4/24
5/ 5 5/ 7 5/2
— 5/ 5 4/21
5/25/1 4/26

5/15 5/85/5
4/25 4/28 4/22
5/ 3 5/ 5 5/5
5/ 4 — 5/5
4/25 — 5/ 1

5/5 05/5
4/22 4/22 4/15
4/25 5/55/5
4/23 5/ 5 4/30
4/24 5/ 3 5Z_1

5/] 6 0 0
— — 5/ 5

5/ 5 — 4/28
4/29 5/ 6 4/28
4/17 05/5

Scarlet Tanager 5/ 1 4/2T _
Summer Tanager 5/5 5/5
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 5/45/5
Blue Grosbeak 5/55/5
Indigo Bunting 5/ 1 4/29

5/ 5 4/30 4/25
0 0 —
5/55/7 4/28
5/55/55/5
5/55/55/1

4/27 — 4/22
5/ 5 0 5/5
5/55/55/4
5/75/5 4/30
4/28 4/28 4/27

4/28 4/22 5/ 1
5/ 5 5/ 5 5/8
5/55/55/3
5/55/55/1
5/ 4 4/28 4/23

4/27 - 5/ 5
4/26 0 4/28
5/ 4 - 5/5
4/28 5/11 5/ 5
- 5/ 5

Rufous-sided Towhee 3/24 3/23
Savannah Sparrow 3/22 3/13
Grasshopper Sparrow 5/ 2 4/27
Vesper Sparrow 4/ 5 3/31
Chipping Sparrow 4/ 4 3/30

— 3/18 3/10
4/27 — 3/ 3
— 5/ 4 4/24
4/ 3 — 3/31
4/ 2 3/31 3/29

3/27 — 3/29
4/11 — 3/18
4/23 4/20 5/ 5
3/29 3/26 4/ 5
4/11 4/ 1 3/21

3/30 — 3/20
3/9 02/9
4/26 5/ 5 4/25
3/23 — 4/14
3/18 3/21 3/30

WWW
WWW
5/ 5 — 4/28
4/10 w
3/19 4/14 3/31

76

MARYLAND ■ BIRDLIFE

Vol. 35,. No. 3

Table 2. Spring Departure Dates, 1979

Species

Median
10-Yr 1979

Garr

Fred

Carr.

Balt

Howa Mont

Pr.G AnAr

3.Md

Kent Caro

Talb

LES

Ccmmon Loon
Horned Grebe
Pied-billed Grebe
Double-cr. Cormorant
Whistling Swan

5/ 9 5/15
5/25/5
- 5/ 5
5/17 5/ 9
5/24/3

5/31 0

5/ 5 4/10
5/5 0

0

3/25 4/16

5/10
5/ 5

6/ 3
6/ 2
4/21
6/ 9
3/22

5/10 5 /' 5
5/ 5 -
4/13 —

0 5/5
4/ 6 —

5/ 5 5/24-
0 4/10
51- 5 5/ 5
0 6/ 8
— 4/13

5/~5

5/ 5 5/17
0

3/16 0
5/5 0
5/ 5 3/31

5/20

0

6/10

5/13

5/13

3/31

Canada Goose

5/55/5

5/22 5/ 5

4/24

5/ 5

5/ 8

—

4/24 4/22 5/ 5

6/ 2

5/30

—

Snow Goose

—

0

0

0

3/13

0

0

0- 0

0

5/ 5 2/28

0

5/ 5

Gad wall

4/26 4/26

4/ 8

0

4/26

5/ 5

0

0

5/5 0

0

4/16

0

0

—

Ccmmon Pintail

5/ 3 3/19

3/ 9

0

4/26

3/31 3/ 8 4/26

3/22 3/13

0

5/26 3/16

0

4/28

Green-winged Teal

4/29 4/28

4/ 0 4/18 4/26

It/29

5/ 5 4/15__

0

5/2 6

0

—

5/21

American Wigeon

4/19 4/19

5/ 5

0

TJ 2 E

4/17 4/19

—

4/14/8

—

5/ 1 3/16

—

5/21

northern Shoveler

4/15 4/1 4

3/30

0

4/ 7

4/17 3/22

—

0 0

0

5/ 2 4/i6

0

It /lit

Redhead

4/ 6 3/20

5/ 5

0

3/18

3/22 3/15

0

4/ 1 -

0

3/20 3/ 5

0

—

Ring -necked Duck

4/15 4/16

4/18

0

4/19

3/17 4/20

—

5/54/8

—

4/l6 4/10

0

3/16

Canvasbaek

4/15 3/31

4/ 8

0

0

3/22

0

0

3/22 4/l4

0

4/17 3/ 5

—

3/31

Greater Scaup

—

0

0

0

0

0

0

3/18 4/28

0

5/ 5

0

0

3/16

Lesser Scaup

5/ 1 V25

5/ 5

0

4/19

5/31 4/28

0

5/ 5 4/21

0

4/21 3/ 5 4/21 4/28

Common Goldeneye

4/27 4/14

3/21

—

4/19

4/17

0

0

3/11 4/21

0

4/17 4/10

3/31

Bufflehead

5/ 2 4/27

5/30

4/19

5/27 4/27

0

5/ 5 4/15

0

4/20

0

4/21 4/28

Old squaw

4/12 4/10

4/10

0

4/19

4/ 3

0

0 4/8

0

3/15 4/10 4/15 5/ 5

White-winged Scoter

4/14 —

4/10

0

0

2/24

0

.0

0 5/19

0

0

0

0

51 5

Ruddy Duck

5/ 5 5/17

5/30

0

5/10

5/27

0

0

0 5/24

0

51 8

0

0

3/31

Hooded Merganser

4/20 4/ 8

4/ 8

0

4/15

4/21 4/ 8

0

3/19 0

0

3/29

0

0

3/16

Common Merganser

4/ 9 3/28

—

—

3/18

3/24

0

5/ 5

4/19 —

0

3/14

0

0

3/31

Red-br. Merganser

5/55/5

4/17

0

0

5/ 5

5/9 5/5

0 5/24

0

4/17

0

4/14 5/13

Rough-legged Kawk

3/30 U/ll

0

0

0

4/20

4/20

0

0 4/11

0

2/14

0

0

3/31

Northerp ■Harrier

- 5/ 5

0

5/ 5

0

5/55/5

5/ 5

5/55/65/5

4/19 5/ 5

0

— ■

American Coot

5/45/5

5/ 5

—

4/24

5/ 5 4/20

0

5/56/1

—

4/ 9

0

0

—

San ipal mated Plover

5/26 5/25

0

5/21

—

5/27

0

0

- 6/ 2

0

5/26 5/ 5

5/25

5/21

Black-bellied Plover

5/23 —

0

0

0

5/27

0

0

— 6/ 5

0

5/10

0

0

5/13

Greater Yellowlegs

5/85/5

5/5 5/5 4/24

5/27

5/17

5/ 5

5/ 5 5/23

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/5 5/9

f>/ 1

Lesser Yellowlegs

5/85/8

5/55/5

0

5/19 5/16 5/ 5

5/ 7 5/23

5/ 5

5/11

5/ 5 5/ 9 6/1

Solitary Sandpiper

5/12 5/1 6

5/ 5 5/26

—

5/27 5/16

—

5/16 5/ 5

5 / 5

5/26 5/55/6 5/21

Spotted Sandpiper

5/22 5/27

5/30

5/27

—

6/ 5

5/31

—

— 6/11 5/ 5

5/26

—

51 9 5/21

Common Snipe

5/55/5

5/55/5 4/26

5/ 5

—

5/ 5

5/ 5 5/12

0

5/ 5

?/ 5

0

4/28

Short-billed Dowitcher 5/27 —

5/13

0

J 0 .

0

0

0

- 6/ 4

0

6/ 2

0

0

6/ 1

Ssnipalmated Sandpiper 5/26 5/30

0

—

0

5/27 5/16

0

0 6/11 5/ 5

6/ 2

0

5/25 6/ 1

Least Sandpiper

5/18 5/16

5/55/2 4/26

6/3

5/16

0

5/5 6/7

0

5/26 5 / 55/ 9 6/1

Pectoral Sandpiper

5/85/5

0

5/21

0

5/ 5

0

0/

5/55/5

0

5/11

5/ 5

0

5/12

Dunlin

5/22 6/ 1

0

0

—

5/ 5

0

0

0 6/ 4

0

6/ 2

?/ 5

0

6/ 1

Bonaparte's Gull

5/ 3 4/19

4/19

0

4/19

5/ 5

0

5/ 5

0 5/25

0

4/17

0

—

3/31

Short -eared Owl

—

0

0

0

4/ 8

0

0

0 4/15

0

2/ 8

0

0

4/14

Yellow-bell. Sapsucker 5/ 2 —

4/ 9

—

—

5/10

—

—

—

—

4/29

—

—

—

Red-breasted Nuthatch

5/55/5

5/ 5

—

4/15

5/55/5

5/ 5

- 5/ 1

0

5/55/5

0

0

Brown Creeper

4/24 4/27

5/21

—

4/19

5/ 5 V 5 5/5,

5/54/1

—

4/19 5/ 5

—

3/31

Winter Wren

4/26 -

0

0

0

4/23

0

0

4/10 0

0

3/27

0

0

0

Hermit Thrush

5/45/5

5/18

0

It/15

5/55/5 5/16

— 5/ 5

0

4/20 4/30

0

0

Swainson's Thrush

5/24 5/24

0

5/26 5/29

6/ 2

5/17 5/30

5/24 5/24

—

5/14 5/22

0

5/12

Gray -cheeked Thrush

5/22 5/18

5/ 9

0

0

0

0

5/30

5/30 5/22

0

5/l4

0

0

5/13

Veery

5/19 5/24

—

—

0

6/ 5 5/28 9/21

- 5/12

0

5/26 5/ 1

0

—

Golden-crowned Kinglet 4/16 3/29

51 5

—

—

5/ 5

—

—

5/ 5 3/10 3/25

3/29

—

3/16

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

5/65/5

5/55/5

—

5/15 5/55/6

5/55/5 4/29

5/ 5

—

—

4/28

Water Pipit

5/ 1* 5/ 5

0

5/ 5

—

5/ 8

0

0

0 5/12

—

4/45/5

0

0

Solitary Vireo

5/65/5

—

—

0

—

—

5/ 5

5/55/5

0

5/11 5/ 5

0

5/ 5

Tennessee Warbler

- 5/18 5/12

5/ 5 5/12

0

5/27

5/28

—

0

5/ 4

0

0

0

Nashville Warbler

5/10 —

—

0

0

0

5/ 6

- 5/ 5

0

5/14

0

0

0

Magnolia Warbler

5/22 5/25

—

5/12

0

6/ 2

5/17

5/30

5/25 5/25

—

5/30 5/21

0

5/12

Cape May Warbler

5/13 5/ 5

5/55/5

0

5/65/5

—

5/14 5/i4

0

5/ 5

—

0

0

Black-thr . Hlue Warbler 5/16 5/24

—

0

—

5/27 5/22 5/29

5/17 5/24

0

5/ 8 5/30

5/25 5/12

Yellow-rumped Warbler

5/14 5/14

5/ 5 5/12

—

5/21 5/17 5/20

5/14 5/15 5/ 5

5/14

—

5/ 6 51 12

Black-thr. Green Warbler 5/14 —

—

0

5/27

5/24

—

0'

0

5/ 8

0

0

5/12

Blackburnian Warbler

5/16 5/25

—

5/28

0

5/21 5/17

—

5/28 0

0

5/29

0

0

5/12

Chestnut-sided Warblei

5/17 5/20

5/12

0

5/28

5/21 5/20

0

0

5/ 5

0

0

0

Bay-breasted Warbler

5/20 —

—

5/29

0

—

0

—

5/24 0

—

5/29

0

0

0

Blackpoll Warbler

5/31 5/27

—

5/27

0

6/10 6/ 1 5/31

5/30_6A-i_57.i8_

5/26 5/23 5/24 5/12

September 1979

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

77

Table 2 (cont.) Spring Departure Dates, 1979

Species

Median

10- Yr 1979

Garr

Fred

Carr

Balt

Howa Mont

Pr.G

AnAr

S.Md

Kent

Caro

.O
•— 1
4

LES

Palm Warbler

5/ 4

5/ *i

*i/23

0

0

5/ 5

5/ 5

4/22

5/ 5

0

5/ 3

0

0

__

Northern Wat ert brush

5/19

5/2*1

—

—

0

5/27

5/24

5/30

—

5/24

0

5/15

5/23

—

5/12

Wilson's Warbler

5/2U

—

0

0

0

5/10

0

5/20

0

5/17

0

0

0

0

0

Canada Warbler

5/26

5/29

—

5/29

0

5/28

5/24

5/31

5/30

5/17

0

5/30

5/16

0

0

American Redstart

5/29

5/30

—

5/2 9

—

5/27

5/31

6/ 6

5/25

6/ 3

—

5/31

5/30

5/22

—

Bobolink

5/16

5/19

5/ 7

0

5/20

5/17

—

5/28

5/25

—

0

5/15

5/20

5/12

Rusty Blackbird

5/ 6

5/ *1

5/ 5

* 1/28

0

4/20

5/ 2

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/11

4/ 8

5/ 5

0

0

3/31

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

5/19

5/19

—

5/27

0

6/ 2

5/17

5/27

—

5/17

—

5/14

—

5/21

5/12

Evening Grosbeak

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/15

—

0

5/ 5

5/ 8

0

5/ 8

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 6

5/ 5

3/2 6

5/ 5

Purple Finch

5/ 5

5/ 5

—

5/ 5

0

—

5/ 7

5/ 6

5/JL

5/ 1

0

5/ 5

5/ 5

0

5/ 5

Savannah Sparrow

5/ 3

5/l*i

0

5/16

5/23

5/ 9

5/19

5/ 5

5/ 5

0

5/12

Northern Junco

5/ 3

5/ 5

5/ 5

4/22

5/ 5

—

5/19

5/ 5

5/ 8

4/25

4/22

5/ 5

5/ 9

—

3/16

Tree Sparrow

3/2*1

3/18

3/U

3/27

3/18

4/ 1

3/ 4

—

0

3/ 3

0

3/21

0

0

0

White-crowned Sparrow

5/ 9

5/ 5

5/ 7-

5/ 5

0

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/ 9

—

—

5/ 5

5/ 5

5/. 9

0

3/16

White-throated Sparrow

5/12

5/ 7

5/ 5

5/ 7

—

5/27

5M.

5/20,

1 / 16 .

o

OJ

LT\

5/ 7

5/ 7

—

5/ 5

Fox Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow

It/ 0 V 3
5/ 9 5/10

3/10 5/5 0

— 5/ 5 5/10

5/54/5 4/15
5/20 — 5/27

3/ 2
5/24

0

3/21
5/ 5

0

5/ 5

0

3/31

4/28

D. Helm III, Dr. John W. Richards, Phyllis and Dr. Howard M. Hodge,
Carolyn and Ken Maize, Serene Collmus, Dr. William G. Meredith,

William N. Shirey,- Chandler S. Robbins, David Holmes, Betsy Reeder,
Rick Blom, Bob Ringler, Bill Ellis, Gerry Newton.

Baltimore - Rick Blom, Bob Ringler, Mdie Slaughter, Paul Noell, Jim
Stasz, Ed Boyd, Haven Kolb, Steve Sapperstein, Stephen and Diana
Middleton, Steve Simon, Jim Orgain, Peter Knight, Mike Resch, Jeff
Bickart, John Cullom, Warren Bielenberg , Martin Brazeau, Charlie
Swift, David Holmes, Hank Kaestner, Tan Andres, Patsy Perlman,

Marian Glass, Barbara Ross, Joe Schreiber, Bob Jarboe.

Harford/Cecil - Joe Schreiber.

Howard - Mark D. Wallace, Jo Solan, V. and Marcia Krishnamoorthy , Joanne
Moroney, John and Brenda Bell, David Holmes, Alice and Terry Kretz,
Rosamond Munro, Sarah and Edith Haviland , Mary Hall, George Chase,

Paul Zucker, Steve Simon, Clio Leonard, Marty Chestem, Paul. Leif er.
Montgomery - Dr. John D. Heim III, Robert W. Warfield, Margaret Donnald,
John Weske.

Prince Georges - Chuck Dupree, Paul Leifer, Ric Conn, Danny Bystrak,

Steve Gniadek, Sam Droege, Chandler S. Robbins, Paul Nistico, Bob
Ringler .

Anne Arundel - Hal Wierenga, Danny Bystrak, Paul Leifer.

Southern Maryland {Charles, Calvert and St. Marys) - Paul Nistico.
Kent/Queen Annes - Floyd L. Parks, Jimmy Gruber, Jan Reese.

Talbot - Jan Reese, Jeff Ef finger, Alice Jones.

Caroline - A. J. and Roberta B. Fletcher, Marvin W. Hewitt, Ethel Engle,

K. McKee, Edwin Unger, Douglas Pyle, Steve Westre, Mariana Nuttle,
Alicia Knotts, Tom Robbins, C. Adams, W. Rittenhouse, C. Scudder.

Lower Eastern Shore (Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester Counties)
Henry T. Armi stead, Charles Vaughn.

All waterbird entries in the W. Md. column of Table 1 (except the
cormorant and Great Blue Heron) are from Garrett County, as are all but l8
of the landbirds. In the K/QA column all dates are for Kent County except
the grebe, snipe, terns. Barn Swallow and Bobolink. In the S.Md. column
of Table 2. all but some of the Mav 5 dates are from Charles Countv.

78

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

Vol. 35, No. 3

Loons , Gr ebes , Pelagic s , Cormorant s . Wierenga counted 1,039 Common
Loons passing over the Sandy Point /Annapolis area during the period with a
peak of ^9 on Apr. 22.. Frcm Dan's Rock, Paulus saw 31 flying over the
mountains on Apr. 21. Two Doubl e-crested Cormorants were also crossing
the ridge that day. A lingering Common Loon at Deep Creek Lake on May 31
(Pope) was probably a non-breeding vagrant. A Red-throated Loon at Seneca
on May 6 (Warfield) was both late and at an unusual location. The only
Red-necked Grebe seen this spring was in Baltimore Harbor, Mar. 6 through
May 7 (Bielenberg ) . The only pelagic trip of the season went out fran
Ocean City on May 12 and found a Manx and 2 Sooty Shearwaters with 1,500
Wilson's Storm Petrels. Armistead was delighted to see 3 Northern Gannets
from Hooper's I. as they flew up the bay on Mar. 31. J. M. Abbott estima-
ted that over 1,000 Double-crested Cormorants were at Colton's Pt. on
Mar. 13.

Herons , Ibis . A Green Heron seen by Mark Wallace in Howard County on
Mar. 20 may have spent the winter there. Out of place Little Blue Herons
included single birds at Annapolis on Apr. 6 (Wierenga), Mitchellville on
Apr. 22 (Liefer), Talbot County on Apr. 22 (Jones), Kent County on May 5
(Gruber), and Baltimore County on May 13 (Blom). Early Great Egrets ar-
rived in Kent County, Mar. 1^ (Gruber), in Baltimore (19 birds) on Mar. 19
(Stasz and Boyd), and at Broadford Reservoir in Garrett County on Apr. 8
(Pope). Caroline County's first Louisiana Herons were 3 at Tanyard, May 5
(Engles). A Yel 1 ow-crowned Night Heron arrived at the familiar nest site
in Mt. Washington near Baltimore on the record early date of Mar. 2h (Perl-
man). Another was in Kent County on May h (Parks), and Washington County's
third record was at Snyder's Landing in May (Truman Doyle). The first
Least Bittern arrived at Sandy Pt. on Apr. 21 (Wierenga). Glossy Ibis in
the northern bay region were 2 at Sandy Pt. on Apr. 5 (Wierenga), 3 there
on Apr. 27, and 1 at Back River on Apr. 22 (Knight, Stasz).

Waterfowl . The Mute Swan is usually found only in the northern part
of the bay on the Eastern Shore. Therefore, two records from the Piedmont
are of interest. An immature was at Piney Run in Carroll County on Apr. 26
(Blom) and one flew over Lilypons in Frederick County on May 5 (Mullican,
Wallace). The majority of migrating Whistling Swans passed through on the
night of Mar. 18-19- Eight' Brant flying north off Ocean City Inlet on May
13 (Reese and Ringler) were quite late. Parks observed 3 Greater White-
fronted Geese flying with a flock of Snow Geese near Golts in Kent County,
Apr. 11. Seventy Snow Geese flying over Essex in Baltimore County on Mar.

1 (Stasz) were unique on the Western Shore. A drake American Wigeon at
Blackwater Refuge on May 21 (Armistead) was lingering late. Diving ducks
moved through Garrett County in significant numbers in early April. Pope
found 55 Canvas backs and 90 Buffi eheads on Broadford Reservoir on Apr. 8,
and Thayer found 150 Oldsquaws and 12 White-winged Scoters on Deep Creek
Lake on Apr. 10. Other late migrants were a drake Bufflehead and 2 Ruddy
Ducks at Back River, May 21 {Knight). On the night of Apr. 2 Wierenga
heard approximately 40 flocks of Oldsquaws flying over Annapolis. On the
same night Steve Sapperstein recorded the calls of a flock going over his
house in Pikesville. Five White-winged Scoters on Piney Run Reservoir,

Apr. 3 (Blom), were the only ones reported from the Piedmont.

September 1979

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

79

Table 3- Migrant Vultures and Hawks at Dan's Rock,
Allegany County, Spring 1979

Species

Total

First

Last

Highest Counts

Black Vulture

2

4/21

2 on 4/21

Northern Goshawk

1

4/ 1

Sharp-shinned Hawk

200

4/ 1

4/24

83 on 4/21, 56 on 4/22

Cooper 1 s Hawk

18

4/ 1

4/24

6 on 4/21, 5 on 4/20

Red-tailed Hawk

54

4/ l

4/22

13 on 4/11 and 21, 12 on 4/20

Red-shouldered Hawk

15

4/ l

4/24

5 on 4/21

Broad -winged Hawk

1,311

4/11

4/24

662 on 4/21, 346 on 4/22

Golden Eagle

6

4/20

4/22

4 on 4/20, 1 also on 4/21

Bald Eagle

1

4/22

Northern Harrier

16

4/ 8

4/23

7 on 4/21, 5 on 4/22

Osprey

51

4/ 1

4/28

22 on 4/21, 20 on 4/22

American Kestrel

ll

4/ll

4/22

5 on 4/20

Unidentified

36

Total (9 days)

1,722

4/ l

4/28

815 on 4/21, 451 on 4/22

Table 4. Migrant Vultures and Hawks at Annapolis /Sandy Ft. ,
Anne Arundel County, Spring 1979

Spec ies

Total

First

Last

Highest Counts

Turkey Vulture

328

3/ 1

5/19

58 on 4/5, 42 on 3/27

Black Vulture

18

3/20

4/21

3 on 4/11 and 21

Sharp-shinned Hawk

542

3/ 1

5/10

75 on 4/30, 74 on 4/5

Cooper ' s Hawk

21

3/23

5/ 5

8 on 4/5

Red -tailed Hawk

80

2/27

5/ 1

19 on 3/27, 13 on 4/5

Red -shouldered Hawk

34

3/ 7

4/22

l4 on 4/5

Broad-winged Hawk

135

4/ 5

6/ 8

35 on 6/5, 21 on 4/30

Rough-legged Hawk

1

4/11

Bald Eagle

7

3/ 7

6/ 5

1

Northern Harrier

55

3/ 3

5/ 6

12 on 4/5, 5 on 3/31

Osprey

102

3/16

5/ 8

13 on 4/5, 9 on 4/10

Peregrine Falcon

4

3/ 7

5/ 9

1 also on 3/11 and 5/3

Merlin

9

4/18

5/15

2 on 4/22 and 5/3

American Kestrel

505

2/25

5/ 4

132 on 4/5, 48 on 3/26

Total

1,651

2/27

6/ 8

Vultur es , Hawks . Totals frcm two hawk watches are shown in Tables 3
and 4. Among the interesting records summarized there are 3 Black Vul-
tures that Wierenga found migrating on the record late date of Apr. 21
and 2 Black Vultures and 662 Broad-winged Hawks seen at Dan's Rock on the
same day by the 3niths. Among the latest migrants were a Sharp-shinned
Hawk at Blackwater on May 5 {Armistead and Edward W. Marshall) and a
Rough -legged Hawk flying over the Patapsco River at Woodstock on Apr. 20
(Blom and Bickart). In addition to the 6 Golden Eagles seen at Dan's
Rock, others were reported as follows: an immature at Blackwater on

Mar. 31 (Armistead), an adult over Edgemere, Baltimore County, Apr. 22
(Knight and Stasz), and an adult at Blackwater, May 5 (Armistead and
Marshall). Armistead also reported that Bald Eagle numbers seemed

8o

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

Vol. 35, No. 3

rather low. His highest count in Southern Dorchester County was 18 on
Mar. 31. Other Bald Eagles of note were single sightings at Tanyard in
Caroline County on Mar. 23, Apr. 15, and May 21 (Engle) and an immature
at the Mountain Lake Sewage Lagoons on May 5 (Pope). Armistead found
that 58 Ospreys had already arrived on their breeding territories in
Southern Dorchester County by Mar. 31. The only Peregrine Falcon reported
away fran Sandy Pt. was at Eastern Neck, Apr. 8 (Parks). Parks also re-
ported Merlins in Kent County on Mar. 2, 3, 15, and 21, and May 2 (2
birds). Other singles were reported fran Baltimore County: at Ruxton,
Apr. 18 (Peter Kaestner ) , at Back River, Apr. 22 (Knight), and near Hamp-
stead, May 5 (Hank Kaestner). The May 15 Merlin at Sandy Pt. tied the
state departure record.

Pheasant, Rails . Armistead found three Ring-necked Pheasants running
wild on Hooper I., Mar. 31. Engle found a King Rail at Tanyard, Apr. 21.

A Virginia Rail at Black Marsh on Mar. IT (Blom and Qrgain) may have spent
the winter. The early arrival at Sandy Pt. was on Apr. 7 (Wierenga). ;
Armistead heard 6 or 7 Virginia Rails on the Elliott Island Road marsh
on May 15 giving the oft-described "mystery call". The highest count of
Soras was 10 in Southern Dorchester County, May 5 (Armistead), and a mi-
grant was at Black Marsh, May l8 (Knight). Black Rails were found in
their accustomed locations. The first bird at Sandy Pt. was heard on
Apr. 26 (Wierenga) and the first at Black Marsh on May 5 (Blcm). Armi-
stead heard 10 in the Elliott marshes. May 12. Blcm saw a Common Gal 1 i -
nule at Sparrows Pt. on the early date of Apr. 9-

Shorebirds. Armistead found his first American Oystercatcher of
the year at Hooper's I. on Mar. l6. Wierenga counted l80 Killdeer near
Sandy Pt. on Mar. 1^. Parks found Lesser Golden Plover near Worton in
Kent County, Apr. 16-21, with 3 on the 19th. Notable B1 ack-bel 1 ied
Plovers were singles in St. Marys County on Mar. 17 (Bystrak) and at Back
River on May 27 (Knight). Whimbrels made an impressive showing in the
northern part of the bay in late May; Mark Hofftaan saw 3 at Sandy Pt.,

May 23, Wierenga found 1 there the next day, and Blom and Holmes saw lk
flying past Carroll Island on the 25th. Early reports of Upland Sand-
pipers came from Garrett County .with 5 near Gortner on Apr. 19 (Pope);

2 flew over Annapolis on Apr. 2k (Wierenga). A Willet and a Ruddy
Turnstone were at Carroll I. on May 2k (Blom). Blom also found 3 turn-
stones on Pleasure I. on May 13. All of these birds are rare in the
northern part of the bay. Extraordinary in the mountains was a fenale
Northern Phalarope at the Mountain Lake Sewage Lagoons, May 5 (Pope).

More expected were the 10 Northern and 20 Red Phalaropes seen off Ocean
City on the May 12 pelagic trip. The highest count of Common Snipe to
be reported was 37 in the Greenspring Valley on Mar. 21 by Rose Gerringer.
Parks found a Short-billed Dowitcher in Kent County on Apr. 9 and Pope
discovered 62 in a flooded field near the Mountain Lake Sewage Lagoons
on May 13. A Red Knot was on_Pleasure I., May 13 (Blcm), and 10 were at
Sandy Pt., May 2k (Wierenga). A Dunlin at Tanyard on May 5 (Engle) was
unusual inland.

Gulls . The only white-winged gull to be reported was a second -year
Glaucous Gull on Assateague, Mar. 18 (s. H. Dyke). Lesser Black-backed
Gulls were noted at Fort McHenry through Apr. 20 (Bielenberg ) , at Sandy

Septonber 1979

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

81

Pt. , Apr. 27 (Wierenga), and at Carroll I. , May 25 (Blom and Holmes). A
Black-headed Gull was' seen in the Back River area on Mar. 9> l 8 , and 30,
and May 5 (Stasz on the latter date). Bonaparte's Gulls ( l 8 l ) were un-
usual inland on Piney Run Reservoir, Apr. 12 (Blcrn). Two Little Gulls
were seen at Back River, Apr. 1 and 22 (Knight and Stasz). An adult Little
Gull was on the South River near Hillsmere, Mar. 29 (Wierenga).

Terns, Skimmer . Little Terns ( 73 ) were at Hooper's I. on May 5
(Armistead and Marshall). A Royal Tern at Denton the same day (Westre)
provided the first Caroline County record. Two Caspian Terns at Herring-
ton Manor, May 5 (Pope), were exceptional for Garrett County, and on May
26 Knight watched 30 kettling upward over Back River before heading north.
The only Black Terns reported were 2 by Pope at Deep Creek Lake, May 5-
A Black Skimmer at Sandy Pt. on May 2k (Wierenga) was rare for the Western
Shor e .

t

Cuckoos, Owls . Yellow-billed Cuckoos seaned quite common this year,
beginning with an early one at Loch Raven on Apr. 23 (Noell). On the
Eastern Shore, where they are less abundant, Armistead counted 63 in
Southern Dorchester County on May 15 • Wierenga heard 22 migrant Barn
Owls over his Annapolis home during the season from Mar. 2 through Apr.

30 with the most being 6 on Mar. 13. This was the earliest he has ever
heard than migrating. Four Long -eared Owls renained at Piney Run Park
through Mar. 6. One was at Loch Raven on Mar. 25. Migrant Short-eared
Owls were noted on Apr. 8 at Back River (Knight, et al.), Apr. l4 at Cam-
bridge (Armistead), and Apr. 15 at Sandy Pt . (Barry Cooper). The only
Saw-whet Owls were at Piney Run, Mar. 1 (Blam), and Loch Raven, Mar. l8
(Middletons ) .

Goatsuckers, Swifts . Bickart was surprised to flush a Chuck-will's-
widow from the ground in Wyman Park in Baltimore City during the day,

Apr. 25. Wierenga saw a very early Chimney Swift at Sandy Pt. on Mar. 31.

Flycatchers, Swallows . The only Olive-sided Flycatchers reported
this spring were in Frederick County on May 5 (Mullican, Wallace) and in
Baltimore County on May 25 (Clark Jeschke). Tree Swallows swept into the
state with the early warm weather i 15 were at the beaver dam at Mt. Nebo
in Garrett County on Mar. 29 (Pope). Also among the early arrivals was
a record-shattering Cliff Swallow seen at Lilypons on Mar. 27 by Helm and
his ornithology class.

Raven , Wrens . Resch saw a Northern Raven flying over the Johns Hop-
kins campus in Baltimore on May 2. The first Bewick's Wren arrived at
Dan's Rock on Apr. 23 (Smiths). Most extraordinary was a Bewick's Wren
banded in Towson on May 9 by Gladys Cole.

Pipits, Shrikes, Vireos . The highest count of Water Pipits was 100
in Kent County on Apr. 3 (Parks). Notable late birds were 10 at Greens-
boro on May 5 (Fletchers) and 1 at Sandy Pt. on May 12 (Wierenga). Log-
gerhead Shrikes are becoming increasingly rare in spring. The only birds
reported were singles in Howard County on Mar. 27 (Mark Wallace), in Her-
ring Run Park in Baltimore for three days in mid-April, and in Howard
County near Laurel on Apr. Ik (Ringler). Early Yel low-throated Vireos

82

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

Vol. 35, No. 3

were found in Kent County on Apr. 17 (Parks) and at Patuxent Wildlife
Research Center on Apr. 22 (Gniadek).

Warblers. A record-tying Prothonotary Warbler was seen at Back
River on Mar. 31 by the Middletons. Another early bird was near Deer Park
in Garrett County on Apr. 1 6 (Pope). In Kent County, Parks found a record-
tying Worm-eating Warbler on Apr. 11 and a Swainson's Warbler singing in
Howell Point Bog on May 17- David Wallace found an early Go! den-winged
Warbler in Washington County on Apr. 2b and Parks had 3 Tennessee Warblers
in Kent County on Apr. 30. Dan Boone broke the arrival record for Nash-
ville Warbler with one near Big Pool in Washington County, Apr. 19; this
observation was closely followed by a sighting by Thayer along the Yough-
iogheny River in Garrett County on Apr. 23. At the same locality Thayer
saw a B1 ack-throated Green Warbler the same day. Boone also set a record
for Cerulean Warblers when he counted 70 in Washington County west fran
Hancock on May 5. Rare on the Eastern Shore were a Cerulean in Denton,

May 5-6 (Nuttle), and 2 in Kent County, May ih (Parks). Joining the pa-
rade of early arrivals were a Yellow-throated Warbler at Seneca on Mar.

31 (Warfield), a Blackpoll Warbler in Kent County on Apr. 2b (Parks), and
a Palm Warbler at Loch Raven on Mar. 31 (Blam, Ringler). The 8 Palm War-
blers that Parks found in Kent County on Mar. 23 may have been wintering -
locally. Pope commented that Chestnut-sided Warblers were abundant
throughout May in Garrett County. The only Mourning Warblers recorded
this spring were 3 banded at Adventure Sanctuary in Montgomery County by
Margaret Donnald and 1 seen near Libertytown on May 27 by Robbins. Armi-
stead found a male Hooded Warbler on Hooper's I. where it is extranely
rare.

Blackbirds and Orioles . The highest count of Bobolinks reported
was 250 at Greensboro, May 5 (Fletchers). Four Brewer's Blackbirds were
seen in northern Baltimore County on Apr. 1 and a female was at a feeder
near Sparks on Apr. 22 (Kaestner). Another wintering "Baltimore" Oriole
spent three weeks in March coming to the feeder of Jeanne Woods in
Randall st own .

Finches . A Rose-breasted Grosbeak in Kent County, Mar. 5 (Parks),
was certainly wintering. The only Dickcissel noted was a male singing
at a feeder in downtown Baltimore, Apr. 9 (Stasz). Five Evening Gros-
beaks ranained at a feeder in Gartner through May 15 (Pope). Chuck
Graham saw a White-winged Crossbill in Towson on Mar. 2, the only report
of either crossbill this spring.

Sparrows . Wallace found early and late species in Howard County: a
Grasshopper Sparrow on Mar. 27 and a Savannah Sparrow on May 23 , the
latter perhaps breeding. Armistead noted his first 2 Henslow's Sparrows
on the Elliott Island Road on Apr. 28, Wierenga found a Sharp-tailed
Sparrow at Sandy Pt. on May b and Bielenberg saw one at Fort McHenry on
May 7. At the risk of being repetitious Wierenga found 3 Seaside /

Sparrows at Sandy Pt. on Apr. 25 and Bielenberg found one at Fort McHenry
on Apr. 30. Wallace rounded out the late departures with a Northern
Junco in Howard County on May 19, while the latest one for the Eastern
Shore was at Denton on May 9 (Knotts).

3501 Melody Lane, Baltimore 21207

Septanber 1979

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

83

BOOK REVIEW

THE IMPERATIVE CALL A Naturalist's Quest in Tsnperate and Tropical
America. Alexander Skutch, University Presses of Florida, Gainesville,
1979, 331 pp. , index, 48 b & w photos, 2 maps, $20.

Alexander Skutch's interest in nature study began when he was a
youngster in his native state of Maryland, many years before the MOS got
its start. In the overall schone of things, that was poor timing for us,
for Skutch would have been prime material for membership in our Society,
with his desire to discover as much as possible about his natural sur-
roundings and then to pass on to others that knowledge through leadership
and through publishing a large number of books and articles. However, we
lost him irretrievably when as a Hopkins graduate student in Botany he
was introduced to the tropics, "the headquarters of vegetable life." His
first trip, to Jamaica, provided him with the subject of his doctoral
dissertation and short term employment investigating the United Fruit
Canpany's prohlen banana crop: "The Anatomy of a Banana Leaf." Also on

this first visit Skutch suffered an illness frcm eating questionable
food, an occurrence that would happen time and again, sometimes fran
food, sometimes frcm insect bites, malaria or just plain exhaustion.

These illnesses, along with other deprivations, hazards to his life frcm
the terrain, from chancy transportation systans, frcm storms, frcm unre-
liable guides never diminished the excitanent he felt while studying the
tropics. By the time Skutch had made his second voyage, this time to
Panama, he was determined to work toward establishing a permanent base
from which to continue his lifetime of study of the natural history of
Central America.

It was a long time coming, botanical studies not being very profit-
able in the 1930* s, but his desired goal of a homestead was finally ac-
complished. In the meantime, his original interest in botany expanded
to include ornithology, frcm which he published the definitive work on
the subject, fives de Costa Rica. The Imperative Call contains accounts
of the vivid beauty of tropical birds as well as the details of their
behavior. Serious ornithologists along with serious birdwatchers can
depend on Skutch's details for information and delight. Nesting habits
of tropical birds received such careful scrutiny frcm Skutch that he was
among the first to recognize that first-year birds semetime assist their
parents in raising a second brood. No aspect of nature missed his care-
ful examination. Appropriately enough, at the same time that Mt. St.
Helens began erupting in Washington, I read his account of a night spent
on a Costa Rican volcano. Skutch's description of how he persuaded a
guide to lead him to the top of the 12,000 ft. high Volcan Santa Maria,
the lovely growth of plants particularly adapted to the cone, all en-
shrouded in mists and gases rising fran its crevises, helped clarify for
me the newspaper reports of the more recent eruption.

As The Imperative Call progresses it beccanes obvious that Skutch
has been an expert journal keeper. You'll easily recognize the special
Maryland qualities frcm his earlier entries. The interest he arouses in
his scientific studies is heightened by accounts of the people he met,
Costa Rican countrymen, Guatamalans, islanders from the Central American

MARYLAND BIRD LIFE

Vol. 35, No. 3

. 81*

coastal regions, as well as the ever present band of scientists, attract-
ed, as was Skutch, to the beauties and mysteries of the Tropics. For a
book that costs $20, T expected the pictures of those beauties to be in
color. However, the images evoked in my mind's eye by Skutch' s excellent
prose are far more colorful than any flat two dimensional photograph
could elicit. Turning his journals into a highly readable book proved
Skutch' s assertion in his Foreword that the call to find the meanings of
life in the study of nature is as strong a call as the invitation from
God to search for life's meanings in religion. His regard for life in
all its diverse forms is always in the forefront of his thoughts. .1 was
deeply moved by reading this book. Our complimentary copy is on the
shelf at Carey Run Sanctuary. J

Joy Wheeler

CONTENTS, SEPTEMBER

1979

Roseate Spoonbill - Accidental Visitor

to anith Island

Donald R. Baugh

67

Western Kingbird in Calvert County
Successful Transplant of Young Osprey

John H. Fates

69

at Blackwater Refuge

Guy W. Willey

70

Love Affair with the Hoopoe

Eleanor B. Johnson ,

70

Spring Migration, March 1 - May 31, 1979

Robert F. Ringler

73

Book Review: The Imperative Call by Skutch

Joy Wheeler

83

MARYLAND BIRDLIFE

Published Quarterly by the Maryland Ornithological Society, Inc.

To Record and Encourage the Study of Birds of Maryland

Editor:

Chandler S. Robbins, 7900 Brooklyn Bridge Road

Laurel, Md. 20810 (725-1176)

Asst. Editor:

Robert F. Ringler, 3501 Melody L. , Baltimore 21207

Production:

Lett I e Cullom

Mailing:

Barbara Larrabee and committee