FYI Joe Coleman
-----Original Message-----
Hotline: Voice of the Naturalist
Date: 9/18/2018
Coverage: MD/DC/VA/central and southern DE/WV panhandle
Reports, comments and questions: voice@xxxxxxxxxxx
Compiler: Joe Coleman
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.anshome.org.
This is the Voice of the Naturalist, a service of the Audubon Naturalist
Society. This report covers the week starting Tuesday, Sept 11 and was
completed on Tuesday, Sept 18 at 11:00 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 59th Supplement (June 2018).
The top birds this week were SABINE'S GULL* in VA, SOOTY TERN* in VA,
SANDWICH TERN* in VA; and SWALLOW-TAILED KITE* in VA.
Other birds of interest this week included waterfowl, HORNED GREBE,
BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO, SANDHILL CRANE, shorebirds, PARASITIC JAEGER, terns,
BLACK SKIMMER, CORY'S and GREAT SHEARWATER, ANHINGA, AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN,
AMERICAN BITTERN, TRICOLORED HERON, GLOSSY IBIS, GOLDEN EAGLE, flycatchers,
LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE, PURPLE FINCH, warblers including GOLDEN-WINGED,
CONNECTICUT, and MOURNING, SUMMER TANAGER, and DICKCISSEL.
TOP BIRDS
A SABINE'S GULL* was found at the John H. Kerr Reservoir, Mecklenburg Co, VA
on Sept 15 near the dam; it was seen from various other close-by locations
such as the Lower Lake Overlook the same day and on the 16th and from Palmer
Point the 16th and 17th and also from the parking lot next to the dam on the
17th.
A SOOTY TERN* was seen Sept 14 at Little Island Park, Virginia Beach, VA.
Two SOOTY TERNS* were seen on the John H. Kerr Reservoir from Palmer Point
on Sept 17.
Seven SANDWICH TERNS* were seen at the Occoquan Sewage Plant, Fairfax Co, VA
on Sept 15. As many as 3 SANDWICH TERNS* were seen at the John H. Kerr
Reservoir, Mecklenburg Co, VA from Palmer Point on Sept 17. Two SANDWICH
TERNS were also seen Sept 14 at the King-Lincoln Park, Newport News, VA.
The SWALLOW-TAILED KITE* seen from a private location on Far Hills Rd in
Albemarle Co, VA, was seen again the 12th, 13th, 14th, and 17th.
OTHER BIRDS OF INTEREST
A resident injured TUNDRA SWAN continues at Kinder Farm Park in Anne Arundel
Co, MD with the most recent sighting from Sept 16. The continuing male
REDHEAD on the John. H. Kerr Reservoir near Tailrace Park, Mecklenburg Co,
VA was seen throughout the week. Out-of-season diving ducks included two
continuing RING-NECKED DUCKS at Loch Raven Reservoir Point, Baltimore Co,
MD, and one at the Broadway WWTF, New Market Rd, Rockingham Co, VA. Another
RING-NECKED DUCK was seen on Sept 16 at the Duvall Farm Ponds, Talbot Co,
MD.
A HORNED GREBE was seen throughout the week from the Lower Lake Overlook of
the John H. Kerr Reservoir, Mecklenburg Co, VA.
A BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO was seen Sept 13 in a yard in Taylorstown, Loudoun Co,
VA. A BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO was also seen Sept 15 in East King George, King
George Co, VA; and another was reported at Theodore Roosevelt Island, NW DC
on Sept 12.
Three SANDHILL CRANES were found Sept 14 at 24461-24499 Old River Rd and
seen there and near the Patton Turf Farm on River Rd, Poolesville,
Montgomery Co, MD that day and on the 15th.
This past week was a good one for finding numerous shorebirds throughout the
area:
- AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS were seen in a number of locations including
two continuing birds at the sod farm (check-in at office required) next to
the Aldino Airpark, Harford Co, MD; 7 AMERICAN-GOLDEN PLOVERS on the 14th
and 15th along Gregg Rd, Frederick Co, MD and 4 there on the 16th and 17th;
4 on the 14th and one on the 16th along Captain Yancey Rd, Rockingham Co,
VA; at Mt Pony Farm, Culpeper Co, VA on Sept 15; one on Sept 15 and 17 at
Woodbury Rd turf field just east of Walkerton Rd. in King William Co, VA; 3
at the Turner Sod Farm, Rockingham Co, VA on Sept 12; 7 on the 16th at the
Woodward Turf Farm, Culpeper Co, VA and smaller numbers there much of the
rest of the week.
- A SEMIPALMATED PLOVER was seen along Hibler Rd, Loudoun Co VA on
Sept 11, 12, and 13.
- The Hughes Rd (Montgomery Co, MD) Polo Fields were an excellent
place to see a variety of shorebirds with a report of an UPLAND SANDPIPER
there on the 15th, as many as 20 WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS there on the 14th
and 10 on Sept 15, and 2 WESTERN SANDPIPERS there on the 13th and one on the
14th.
- Two HUDSONIAN GODWITS were seen Sept 16 at Bombay Hook NWR, Kent Co,
DE. Two MARBLED GODWITS were seen Sept 16 and 17 at Skimmer Island, Ocean
City, Worcester Co, MD.
- Numerous shorebird species were found in the vicinity of the
Shenandoah Valley Produce, Dayton, Rockingham Co, VA including a RUDDY
TURNSTONE on Sept 11, 12, and 15; and 4 WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS on Sept 12
and 2 on the 16th.
- Among the shorebirds seen along Captain Yancey Rd in Rockingham Co,
VA were STILT SANDPIPERS with two there on the 11th; six SANDERLINGS on the
11th; three BAIRD'S SANDPIPERS on the 14th; ; and a WILSON'S PHALAROPE on
the 11th and 12th.
- A STILT SANDPIPER was seen at Leonard's Pond, Rockingham Co, VA on
Sept 13 and 14.
- The following were found at Stuarts Draft along and near Patton Farm
Rd, Rockingham Co, VA: a RUDDY TURNSTONE on Sept 13; a STILT SANDPIPER on
Sept 16; 9 WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS on the 13th, 13 on the 14th, 8 on the
15th; 13 on the 16th, and 10 on the 17th; and a BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER on
Sept 13, 14, and 15 and three on the 17th.
- A SANDERLING was seen Sept 12 at Chris Green Lake, Albemarle Co, VA.
- A BAIRD'S SANDPIPER and a BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER were seen Sept 16
feeding in a flooded field at the corner of Ennalls and Palmer Mill Rds,
Dorchester Co, VA. A WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER and a BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER
was seen Sept 15 along Wright Rd across from Guard Rd, Caroline Co, MD; the
BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER was seen again on Sept 16.
- Shorebirds found at Woodward Turf Farm this past week included
BAIRD'S SANDPIPERS (3 on the 16th); multiple WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS on the
15th and 16th; and two BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS on the 15th.
- In addition to the several locations already mentioned WHITE-RUMPED
SANDPIPERS also turned up at a number of other locations in VA.
- Three BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS were seen Sept 16 at Mt. Pony Farm,
Culpeper Co, VA.
- A WILSON'S PHALAROPE was seen Sept 15 and 16 at the Hurlock WWTP,
Dorchester Co, MD. Two RED-NECKED PHALAROPES were at the Broadway WWTP,
Rockingham Co, MD on Sept 17. A RED-NECKED PHALAROPE was at Botetourt
Center, Greenfield, Botetourt Co, VA on Sept 17 and two were seen Sept 17 at
Shiloh Church Turf Farm, Dorchester Co, MD.
A PARASITIC JAEGER was reported flying off the coast at Assateague SP,
Worchester Co, MD on Sept 14. A PARASITIC JAEGER flew by the Cape Henlopen
Hawk Watch, Sussex Co, DE on Sept 11.
Sightings of BLACK TERNS included one on Sept 13 and 16 and 5 on Sept 17 at
Big Water Farm (private), and over the Chesapeake Bay on the 13th and 15th,
both locations in Queen Anne's Co, MD; throughout the week at John H. Kerr
Reservoir, Mecklenburg Co, VA; at Sandybottom Turf Farm, Charles City, VA on
Sept 14; and at Willow Lake, Rockbridge Co, VA on Sept 17. A high count of
70 COMMON TERNS were seen in DC waters on the 15th with lesser numbers other
days this week. COMMON TERNS were also seen from Violette's Lock, C&O Canal,
Montgomery Co, MD on the 14th and 15th with a high of 37 there on the 17th
as well as 27 from Fort Washington National Park, PG Co, MD on the 16th.
High counts of COMMON TERNS were also seen in VA at a number of locations
including 45 on the 17th at Carvins Cove Recreation Area, Botetourt Co, VA;
52 on the 15th at Lake Merriweather (private), Rockbridge Co, VA; and 29 on
the 15th at Swift Creek Reservoir, Chesterfield Co, VA.
A BLACK SKIMMER was seen Sept 14 from the Lowe Dam Overlook at the John H.
Kerr Dam, Mecklenburg Co, VA.
Both a CORY'S and a GREAT SHEARWATER were reported flying over the ocean at
Assateague SP, Worchester Co, MD on Sept 14.
An ANHINGA was reported at Newport News Park, Newport News, VA on Sept 16.
An AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN was seen flying over the John H. Kerr Reservoir,
Mecklenburg Co, VA throughout the week.
An AMERICAN BITTERN was seen Sept 17 at Fort C. F. Smith Park, Arlington.
The TRICOLORED HERON at Oxbow Lake, Anne Arundel Co, MD was seen again on
Sept 13. A TRICOLORED HERON was also seen Sept 15 at Lowe's Point (private),
Talbot Co, MD.
A GLOSSY IBIS was seen and photographed at the Georgetown Reservoir on Sept
12.
The Snicker's Gap Hawkwatch on the Loudoun/Clarke Co, VA line reported its
first GOLDEN EAGLE of the season on Sept 16.
Single OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHERS were seen Sept 15 at West Friendship Park,
Howard Co, MD and at Schooley Mill Park, Howard Co, MD; and on the 16th at
Pennyfield Lock, C&O Canal, Montgomery Co, MD. Others were seen at Merkle
WMA, Prince George's Co, MD, on Sept 16 and at Schoolhouse Pond, Upper
Marlboro, Prince George's Co, MD on Sept 17. A YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER was
reported Sept 15 at Cromwell Valley Park, Baltimore Co, MD. One was also
seen Sept 16 at Black Walnut Point, Talbot Co, MD. A YELLOW-BELLIED
FLYCATCHER was also seen Sept 16 at Leesylvania SP, Prince William Co, VA.
Another was reported from the Switzer lake Area, Rockingham Co, VA on Sept
15 and one at Forestgate, Prince George's Co, MD on Sept 17. An ALDER
FLYCATCHER was seen and heard Sept 11 at Lickinghole Creek, Albemarle Co,
VA.
A WESTERN KINGBIRD was seen Sept 16 at the Woodward Turf Farm, Culpeper Co,
VA. One was also seen the same day at Dyke Marsh, Fairfax Co, VA.
A LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE was seen Sept 14 at Smith Farm, Lunenburg Co, VA.
A few PURPLE FINCHES were reported this past week with one on Sept 11 along
Old Forge Rd, Washington Co, MD; one on Sept 15 along E Wallace Ave, North
East, Cecil Co, MD; and on Sept 16 at Lake Roland, Baltimore Co, MD.
Migratory warblers were seen in decent numbers the few times the weather
cooperated. A GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER was reported at Milford Mill Park,
Baltimore Co, MD on Sept 15. Another GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER was seen Sept 16
at Cromwell Valley Park, Baltimore Co, MD. An immature CONNECTICUT WARBLER
in Woodbine, Carroll Co, MD on Sept 16 was a great yard bird. A CONNECTICUT
WARBLER was also seen the same day from a house in Herndon, Fairfax Co, VA
and at Patterson Park, Baltimore Co, MD. A MOURNING WARBLER was seen Sept 13
at Greenbury Pt, Anne Arundel Co, MD. Another MOURNING WARBLER was seen at
the Irvine Nature Center, Baltimore Co, MD on Sept 15. On Sept 17 a
MOURNING WARBLER was seen at Cromwell Valley Park, Baltimore Co, MD.
A SUMMER TANAGER was seen Sept 11 at Monticello Park, Alexandria, VA. One
was also seen Sept 15 at Schaeffer farm, Seneca Creek Park, Montgomery Co,
MD.
A DICKCISSEL was seen Sept 13 at Schoolhouse Pond, Prince George's Co, MD.
***
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,
https://anshome.org/naturalist-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
