FYI Joe Coleman
-----Original Message-----
Hotline: Voice of the Naturalist
Date: 9/12/2017
Coverage: MD/DC/VA/central and southern DE/WV panhandle
Reports, comments and questions: voice@xxxxxxxxxxx
Compiler: Gerry Hawkins
Sponsor: Audubon Naturalist Society of the Central
Atlantic States (independent of NAS)
Transcriber: Steve Cordle
Please consider joining ANS, especially if you are a regular user of the
Voice of the Naturalist (Individual $50; Family $65; Nature Steward $100;
Audubon Advocate $200). The membership number is 301-652-9188, option 12;
the address is 8940 Jones Mill Road, Chevy Chase, MD 20815; and the web site
is http://www.AudubonNaturalist.org.
This is the Voice of the Naturalist, a service of the Audubon Naturalist
Society. This report covers the week starting Tuesday, September 5 and was
completed on Tuesday, September 12 at 8:15 a.m.
Information on noteworthy birds is presented below in taxonomic order, as
set forth in the American Ornithological Society Checklist for North and
Middle American Birds, as revised through the 58th Supplement (July 2017).
The top birds this week were SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER* in MD, SABINE'S GULL*
in DC and MD, FRANKLIN'S GULL* in MD, ROSEATE SPOONBILL* in VA,
YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD in MD and WESTERN TANAGER* in VA.
Other birds of interest this week included TRUMPETER SWAN, BLACK SCOTER,
BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO, AMERICAN AVOCET, AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER, WHIMBREL,
HUDSONIAN GODWIT, RED KNOT, STILT, BAIRD'S, WHITE-RUMPED and BUFF-BREASTED
SANDPIPERS, WILLET, LESSER YELLOWLEGS, WILSON'S and RED-NECKED PHALAROPES,
PARASITIC JAEGER, GULL-BILLED and BLACK TERNS, RED-THROATED and COMMON
LOONS, TRICOLORED HERON, WHITE and GLOSSY IBIS, MISSISSIPPI KITE, GOLDEN
EAGLE, OLIVE-SIDED, ALDER and YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHERS, LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE,
COMMON RAVEN, WINTER WREN, CLAY-COLORED, LARK and LINCOLN'S SPARROWS,
GOLDEN-WINGED, CONNECTICUT, MOURNING and CERULEAN WARBLERS and DICKCISSEL.
TOP BIRDS
A continuing first Maryland record SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER* was seen again at
Swan Creek Wetland-Cox Creek DMCF (restricted access) in Anne Arundel Co, MD
on September 5 and 6 and possibly on September 7.
A juvenile SABINE'S GULL* that was spotted on September 4 over hydrilla mats
in the Potomac River (DC waters) from the Washington Sailing Marina in
Alexandria, VA was seen all week from there and adjacent but
inappropriately-named Daingerfield Island. Incredibly, another young
SABINE'S GULL* was observed over the Potomac River from Sycamore Landing on
the C&O Canal in Montgomery Co, MD on September 7-11 and farther upriver at
Edwards Ferry in Montgomery Co on September 11. Finally, on September 8 yet
another young SABINE'S GULL was photographed on Poplar Island in Talbot Co,
MD.
On September 11 a birder reported seeing a FRANKLIN'S GULL* with LAUGHING
GULLS along the Patuxent River near Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary in Prince
George's Co, MD.
On September 5 a ROSEATE SPOONBILL* was seen again at Back Bay NWR, Virginia
Beach, VA.
Highlights during the week at Swan Creek Wetland-Cox Creek DMCF (restricted
access) in Anne Arundel Co, MD included two YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRDS on
September 6. Another YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD was picked out of a large flock
of RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS on Poplar Island in Talbot Co, MD on September 8.
On September 7 a WESTERN TANAGER* was found in a mixed species flock at the
Kiptopeke SP Hawkwatch in Northampton Co, VA.
OTHER BIRDS OF INTEREST
On September 10 three banded TRUMPETER SWANS were seen at a local pond near
the Environmental Studies on the Piedmont, Clifton Farm field station
(private access) in Fauquier Co, Virginia, where they are resident.
Several species of migratory dabbling ducks, including BLUE-WINGED TEAL,
NORTHERN SHOVELER, GADWALL and NORTHERN PINTAIL, were seen at various
locations in the reporting area during the week. Migratory diving ducks
included BLACK SCOTERS at several locations, including five individuals
along 9119 Bay Avenue in North Beach, Calvert Co, MD on September 6; two
individuals on Poplar Island, Talbot Co, MD on September 8; and one
individual at the Ocean City Inlet in Worcester Co, MD on September 6.
Non-raptor highlights at the Kiptopeke SP Hawkwatch in Northampton Co, VA on
September 9 included a flyover BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO.
Birders who visited Swan Creek Wetland-Cox Creek DMCF (restricted access) in
Anne Arundel Co, MD to see the above-noted SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER also
enjoyed seeing a wide variety of other shorebirds, with noteworthy sightings
including a single AMERICAN AVOCET on September 5-8 and 11; a single
AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER on September 6, 7 and 11; three HUDSONIAN GODWITS on
September 5-7; a high of 54 STILT SANDPIPERS on September 5-8 and 11; a high
of five BAIRD'S SANDPIPERS on September 5-7; a high of six WHITE-RUMPED
SANDPIPERS on September 5-8 and 11; and a high of three WILSON'S PHALAROPES
on September 5-7 and 11.
High numbers of AMERICAN AVOCETS continued at Bombay Hook NWR, Kent Co, DE
and the Craney Island Disposal Area (restricted access) in Portsmouth, VA,
with a high of 100 and 450 individuals reported at these respective
locations on September 7. Poplar Island in Talbot Co, MD also hosted a large
number of AMERICAN AVOCETS, with 89 individuals counted there on September
8. A single AMERICAN AVOCET was seen along 1000 Kembo Road in Anne Arundel
Co, MD on September 6.
AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS were found at several locations. In Virginia
sightings included a high of nine individuals at Staunton River SP in
Halifax Co and Staunton Public Use Area in Mecklenburg Co on September 5, 6,
8 and 9; 1-2 individuals at a pond along Oakwood Drive in Rockingham Co on
September 6, 9 and 11; and one individual at the Craney Island Disposal Area
(restricted access) in Portsmouth on September 7. Sightings of AMERICAN
GOLDEN-PLOVER in Maryland included four continuing individuals at the Aldino
Sod Farm in Harford Co on September 5 and a single individual at the Harford
Co Airport on September 5.
On September 10 an uncommon WHIMBREL was photographed in flight at Sandy
Point SP in Anne Arundel Co, MD. A single HUDSONIAN GODWIT was spotted at
Bombay Hook NWR, Kent Co, DE on September 7, 9 and 10. Away from the coast a
single RED KNOT was seen on Poplar Island in Talbot Co, MD on September 8
and the Craney Island Disposal Area (restricted access) in Portsmouth, VA on
September 7. An inland STILT SANDPIPER was found in the Potomac River (DC
waters) from a location near Tide Lock Park in Alexandria, VA on September
8; at the Hunting Creek Bridge in Fairfax Co, VA on September 9; and at
Rocky Gorge Reservoir-Browns Bridge in Howard Co, MD on September 9 and 10.
A single BAIRD'S SANDPIPER was spotted at the Craney Island Disposal Area
(restricted access) in Portsmouth, VA on September 7 and the Log Cabin Road
turf farm in Wicomico Co, MD on September 11. Sightings of the similar
WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER included a reporting area high 26 individuals counted
on Poplar Island in Talbot Co, MD on September 8; a high of four individuals
at Bombay Hook NWR, Kent Co, DE on September 7, 8 and 10; five individuals
at a turf farm along Log Cabin Road in Wicomico Co, MD on September 8; five
individuals at the Craney Island Disposal Area (restricted access) in
Portsmouth, VA on September 7; two individuals at Eastern Shore of Virginia
NWR in Northampton Co, VA on September 10; and a single continuing
individual at Staunton River SP in Halifax Co, VA on September 7. Three
BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS were found on Poplar Island in Talbot Co, MD on
September 8. BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS also continued at the Shiloh Church
Turf Farm in Dorchester Co, MD, with a high of seven individuals seen on
September 5, 8 and 9. Sightings of BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER in Virginia
included two continuing individuals along 3066 to 4108 Lumber Mill Road in
Dayton, Rockingham Co on September 6; two continuing individuals at the
Staunton View Public Use Area in Mecklenburg Co on September 6; one
continuing individual at the King Family Vineyard in Albemarle Co on
September 7; and one individual at the Craney Island Disposal Area
(restricted access) in Portsmouth on September 7. On September 5 six inland
WILLETS were observed in flight at Leesylvania SP in Prince William Co, VA.
On September 10 an unusually high number (228) of LESSER YELLOWLEGS was
counted inland at Staunton River SP in Halifax Co, VA.
On September 7 an area-high 50 WILSON'S PHALAROPES and 25 RED-NECKED
PHALAROPES were recorded at the Craney Island Disposal Area (restricted
access) in Portsmouth, VA. Sightings of WILSON'S PHALAROPE also included two
continuing individuals reported at Bombay Hook NWR, Kent Co, DE on September
9; two individuals along 1000 Kembo Road in Anne Arundel Co, MD on September
6; two individuals on Poplar Island in Talbot Co, MD on September 8; one
individual at a turf farm along Log Cabin Road in Wicomico Co, MD on
September 8; and one individual at Staunton River SP in Halifax Co, VA on
September 5. Eleven RED-NECKED PHALAROPES were counted on Poplar Island in
Talbot Co, MD on September 8, and 1-2 RED-NECKED PHALAROPES were seen again
in the Potomac River (DC waters) from the waterfront in Alexandria, VA on
September 5 and 8.
Observers at the Kiptopeke SP Hawkwatch in Northampton Co, VA on September 6
were surprised to see a PARASITIC JAEGER in flight over land.
The only GULL-BILLED TERNS reported in the reporting area during the week
were two individuals at Chincoteague NWR, Accomack Co, VA on September 8.
BLACK TERNS were reported at many locations, including a reporting area-high
50 individuals at the Craney Island Disposal Area (restricted access) in
Portsmouth, VA on September 7. Sightings of BLACK TERN elsewhere in Virginia
included a single individual spotted in flight at the Kiptopeke SP Hawkwatch
in Northampton Co on September 6 and Occoquan Bay NWR in Prince William Co
on September 8. During the week BLACK TERNS also were observed over the
Potomac River (DC waters) from the Washington Sailing Marina and other
waterfront locations in Alexandria, VA, with a high of nine individuals
reported on September 8. Sightings of BLACK TERNS in Maryland included 15
individuals reported at Perryville Community Park in Cecil Co on September
9; 15 individuals at a private pond along Peat Moss Road in Garrett Co, MD
on September 5; a single individual over a flooded field along Pea Patch
Road in Garrett Co on September 7; and a single individual at Flag Ponds
Nature Park in Calvert Co, MD on September 10. A single BLACK TERN was seen
at the Milford Neck Wildlife Area in Kent Co, DE on September 8 and 9.
Noteworthy tern sightings also included a COMMON TERN seen again over the
Potomac River (DC waters) from Tide Lock Park in Alexandria, VA on September
5, and a COMMON TERN seen along the C&O Canal-Sycamore Landing in Montgomery
Co, MD on September 7.
On September 10 a RED-THROATED LOON was observed in flight at the Kiptopeke
SP Hawkwatch in Northampton Co, VA, and on September 10 a COMMON LOON was
seen in flight at the Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch in Waynesboro, VA.
Two TRICOLORED HERONS were found on Poplar Island in Talbot Co, MD on
September 8, and a continuing TRICOLORED HERON at Swan Creek Wetland-Cox
Creek DMCF (restricted access) in Anne Arundel Co, MD was seen on September
7 and 8.
The northernmost WHITE IBIS seen in the reporting area during the week was a
single individual at Bombay Hook NWR, Kent Co, DE on September 9-11 and four
individuals at the Milford Neck Wildlife Area in Kent Co, DE on September 7.
Inland a high of ten WHITE IBIS and one GLOSSY IBIS were counted at Staunton
River SP in Halifax Co, VA and the Staunton View Public Use Area in
Mecklenburg Co, VA on September 5-6 and 8-10. A continuing GLOSSY IBIS was
seen along the Blue Mash Nature Trail in Montgomery Co, MD on September 5
and 6.
Noteworthy reports at the Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch in Waynesboro, VA included
an early GOLDEN EAGLE on September 8 and a MISSISSIPPI KITE on September 10
and 11. The only other MISSISSIPPI KITES recorded in the reporting area
during the week were a total of four individuals along Moultrie Court and
nearby White House Lane in Virginia Beach, VA on September 6 and 9.
In Virginia an OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER was found at the intersection of Park
Road and Jefferson Park Circle in Charlottesville on September 5; a private
yard in Fredericksburg on September 5; Goose Creek-Kephart Bridge Landing in
Loudoun Co on September 7; Conway-Robinson State Forest in Prince William Co
on September 10; and Chincoteague NWR in Accomack Co on September 10. In
Maryland an OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER was seen at Mt. Pleasant Farm in Howard
Co on September 6; Cromwell Valley Park in Baltimore Co on September 7-9 and
11; Irvine Nature Center in Baltimore Co on September 7; Fort Frederick SP
in Washington Co on September 8; Hughes Hollow in Montgomery Co on September
9; BARC-Research Road in Prince George's Co on September 9; along the Blue
Mash Nature Trail in Montgomery Co on September 5, 7 and 8; and at Black
Walnut Point in Talbot Co, MD on September 10. In addition, two OLIVE-SIDED
FLYCATCHERS were seen at Friend's Delight at Sang Run in Garrett Co, MD on
September 8. An OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATER also was found at the Maintenance Yard
in Rock Creek Park in Washington, DC on September 6.
Empid highlights included an ALDER FLYCATCHER found at the Maintenance Yard
in Rock Creek Park in Washington, DC on September 7, and two ALDER
FLYCATCHERS found at Wheaton Regional Park in Montgomery Co, MD on September
9. YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER was reported at numerous locations, including a
single individual at Battery Kemble Park in Washington, DC on September 9.
In Maryland, reports of YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER included single
individuals at Elk Neck SP-Turkey Point in Cecil Co on September 7;
Patterson Park in Baltimore Co on September 7; Susquehanna SP in Harford Co
on September 7; Black Walnut Point in Talbot Co on September 8, 9 and 11;
Cromwell Valley Park in Baltimore Co on September 9 and 10; C&O
Canal-Sycamore Landing in Montgomery Co on September 9; Patuxent Research
Refuge-North Tract in Anne Arundel Co on September 9; Mount Pleasant
Farm-Howard County Conservancy in Howard Co on September 10; Seneca Greenway
Trail in Montgomery Co on September 10; and Blue Mash Nature Trail in
Montgomery Co on September 10. In addition, two YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHERS
were reported at Wheaton Regional Park in Montgomery Co, MD on September 9,
and one was reported there on September 11. Sightings of YELLOW-BELLIED
FLYCATCHER in Virginia included four individuals at Sunset Beach in
Northampton Co on September 10; one individual at the Kiptopeke SP Hawkwatch
in Northampton Co on September 9; one individual at the Switzer Lake area in
Rockingham Co on September 10; and one individual caught in a mist net at
the Environmental Studies on the Piedmont, Clifton Farm field station
(private access) in Fauquier Co on September 11.
A high of six continuing LOGGERHEAD SHRIKES was seen at the Smith Farm in
Lunenburg Co, VA on September 10 and 11.
Lowland COMMON RAVENS included an individual seen at Tide Lock Park in
Alexandria, VA and over the adjacent Potomac River (DC waters) on September
9.
Early arriving winter residents in the reporting area included a WINTER WREN
spotted at the Maintenance Yard in Rock Creek Park in Washington, DC on
September 5 and 7 and at Occoquan Bay NWR in Prince William Co, VA on
September 5.
Sparrow highlights included CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS at several locations,
including a high of three individuals at Back Bay NWR in Virginia Beach, VA
on September 8-11; one individual at Sunset Park in Ocean City, Worcester
Co, MD on September 8; and one individual at Assateague Island NS-Life of
the Marsh, Worcester Co, MD on September 9. A LARK SPARROW was seen at the
Irvine Nature Center in Baltimore Co, MD on September 7-9. In Virginia, two
LARK SPARROWS were seen at Back Bay NWR in Virginia Beach on September 8-11,
and a continuing LARK SPARROW was seen at Fisherman's Island NWR (restricted
access) in Northampton Co on September 11. Early LINCOLN'S SPARROWS included
single individuals reported at Gosnold's Hope Park in Hampton, VA on
September 7; Waples Mill Meadow Park in Fairfax Co, VA on September 10; and
Hone Quarry Recreation Area in Rockingham Co, VA on September 11; and two
individuals seen at the Woodlawn Wildlife Area in Cecil Co, MD on September
10.
Highlights of a substantial influx of migrant warblers during the latter
part of the week included a GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER at several locations,
including Battery Kemble Park in Washington, DC on September 9; the Nature
Center area in Rock Creek Park in Washington, DC on September 9; Hughes
Hollow in Montgomery Co, MD on September 9 and 10; Millington WMA-Black
Bottom Road in Kent Co, MD on September 10; Conway-Robinson State Forest in
Prince William Co, VA on September 10; Eastern Shore of Virginia NWR in
Northampton Co, VA on September 10; and the Nanticoke Wildlife Area in
Sussex Co, DE on September 10. An always-desired CONNECTICUT WARBLER was
reported at several locations in Maryland, including along the Blue Mash
Nature Trail in Montgomery Co on September 5; the Audrey Carroll Audubon
Sanctuary in Frederick Co on September 6; Big Water Farm (private) in Queen
Anne's Co on September 10; Freedom Park in Carroll Co on September 10; Great
Seneca Greenway Trail in Montgomery Co on September 10; and Oregon Ridge
Park in Baltimore Co on September 10. A CONNECTICUT WARBLER was found in the
Nature Center area in Rock Creek Park in Washington, DC on September 8. In
Virginia, a CONNECTICUT WARBLER was reported at Capeville in Northampton Co
on September 9; Great Falls NP in Fairfax Co on September 9; and the Switzer
Lake area in Rockingham Co on September 10. The similar MOURNING WARBLER was
found at Hughes Hollow in Montgomery Co, MD on September 7; Lower Senate
Park in Washington, DC on September 8; the Kiptopeke Condominiums in
Northampton Co, VA on September 9; Great Seneca Greenway Trail in Montgomery
Co, MD on September 10; and Big Water Farm (private) in Queen Anne's Co, MD
on September 11. Noteworthy warblers also included a CERULEAN WARBLER at
several locations in Maryland, including on the Eastern Shore, where it is a
very rare migrant. These sightings were at Assateague Island NS-Bayside
Campground in Worcester Co on September 9; Wheaton Regional Park in
Montgomery Co on September 9; Adkins Arboretum in Caroline Co on September
10; Big Water Farm (private) in Queen Anne's Co on September 10; and 11A
Laurel Hill Road in Prince George's Co on September 11.
Migrating DICKCISSELS included 1-2 individuals that flew by the Kiptopeke SP
Hawkwatch in Northampton Co, VA on September 6 and 10.
***
This week's report was based on reports on the DE, MD, VA, and WV list
servers, eBird records and various birding pages on Facebook.
The Audubon Sanctuary Shop (301-652-3606, http://anshome.org/shop)is an
excellent source for guidebooks and many other nature-related titles.
To report bird sightings, e-mail your report to voice@xxxxxxxxxxx.
Please post reports before midnight Monday, identify the county as well as
the state, and include your name and a Tuesday morning contact, e-mail or
phone.
Thank you for your interest, and enjoy the birds.
*Of interest to the applicable state records committee
