Hi all,
In winter 1954-1955, Maryland and Virginia got their first records of
Boreal Chickadee.
The Maryland bird was collected 19 December, but the Virginia bird was not.
It was observed at the home of Edward and Mary Bennington at Dyke, on the
Mount Vernon Highway, 29 or 30 January 1955 through the end of winter
(apparently 29 March). The bird was identified to species "by Washington
authorities" according to Audubon Field Notes. As is usual when Boreal
Chickadees appear south of the boreal forest, there was a heavy flight of
Black-capped Chickadees that winter.
Subsequently, one Boreal Chickadee was banded at Warrenton, 2 November
1969, and one was seen and apparently photographed at Falls Church 19-21
March 1978.
Virginia still has no verified record of this species, and it would be
great if anyone knows about the whereabouts of photographs of any of these
birds. The Virginia Avian Records Committee would be keen to get copies of
the images. Aberrant Carolina and Black-capped Chickadees have been
recorded often, including erythristic and leucistic birds, so it's ideal to
have archived evidence for Boreal Chickadee so far south of range. The
Virginia reports would appear to be the southernmost anywhere.
Ned Brinkley
Cape Charles, VA
