FYI - this report is for sightings from Oct 25 through Nov 1 and was compiled
by Helen Patton & transcribed by Steve Cordle.
Joe Coleman
Hotline: Voice of the Naturalist
Date: 11/01/2011
Coverage: MD/DC/VA/DE/WV panhandle
Telephone: 301-652-1088 option 1
Reports (voice): 301-652-1088 option 2
(email): voice@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Compiler: Helen Patton
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 (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
website is http://www.AudubonNaturalist.org.
This is the Voice of the Naturalist, a service of the Audubon
Naturalist Society. This report was completed Tuesday, November 1, at
5:30 PM.
Top birds this week are WHITE-WINGED DOVE* in VA and GREEN VIOLETEAR
in MD.
Other birds of interest include waterfowl, grebes, AMERICAN BITTERN,
hawks, falcons, COMMON GALLINULE, BLACK-NECKED STILT, shorebirds,
LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, SANDWICH TERN, NORTHERN SHRIKE, warblers,
sparrows, and DICKCISSEL.
A WHITE-WINGED DOVE* was perched on a utility wire at the corner of
Sandpiper Road and Swordfish in Sandbridge, near Virginia Beach, VA on
October 26.
A GREEN VIOLETEAR paid a brief visit to a yard in Clarksville, Howard
Co, MD. It was first seen on October 24, but departed on October 26.
Four GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE were seen at the Kershner's Pond,
Frederick Co, MD on October 26. A flock of fifteen GREATER
WHITE-FRONTED GEESE landed near the Hurlock WWTP, Dorchester Co, MD
seen on October 29 and 30. Six SNOW GEESE were sitting on the beach at
Back Bay NWR, Virginia Beach, VA on October 25. Six BRANT flew north
of Black Walnut Point, Talbot Co, MD on October 28. Duck sightings
have increased throughout the region.
A raft of 150 PIED-BILLED GREBES was at Back Bay NWR on October 25. A
RED-NECKED GREBE was in the James River across from Lake Maury,
Newport News, VA on October 30.
An AMERICAN BITTERN was at the Swan Creek Dredge Containment Facility,
Anne Arundel Co, MD on October 27.
A NORTHERN GOSHAWK was recorded at Harvey's Knob on October 28 plus
two more on October 29. An adult NORTHERN GOSHAWK flew near a yard in
New Hope, Augusta Co, VA on October 29. The Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch
recorded a NORTHERN GOSHAWK on October 29 and another on October 30. A
GOLDEN EAGLE was at Pickering Creek Audubon Center, Talbot Co, MD on
October 28. Another GOLDEN EAGLE was at the Cromwell Valley Park Hawk
Watch, Baltimore Co, MD on October 31.
Two MERLIN were spotted at the Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch, VA on October
27 making a new season record of 24. Two PEREGRINE FALCONS were on
signs on Atlantic Ave in Virginia Beach, VA on October 31.
An immature COMMON GALLINULE was at Beauvue pond, St. Mary's Co, MD on
October 30.
A SANDHILL CRANE was at Occoquan Bay NWR, Prince William Co, VA on
November 1.
A late BLACK-NECKED STILT was in Raymond pool, Bombay Hook NWR, DE
this week.
A WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER and a STILT SANDPIPER were at Swan Creek
Dredge Containment Facility on October 28. A PECTORAL SANDPIPER was on
Aldino Road, Harford Co, MD on October 30. A visit to Hart-Miller
Island, Baltimore Co, MD on October 31 recorded 9 species of
shorebirds including BLACK-BELLIED and AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVERS,
WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER and WILSON'S SNIPE.
A LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was at the Swan Creek Dredge Containment
Facility on October 28. A lingering SANDWICH TERN was on the beach at
Back Bay NWR on October 25.
A NORTHERN SHRIKE was at Green Hill Farm wetland area just west of
Laytonsville on Huntmaster Road, Montgomery Co, MD on October 30 and
31.
Returning winter residents were widely reported this week, HERMIT
THRUSHES were especially noted.
Some warblers linger with several reports of TENNESSEE, NASHVILLE,
BLACKPOLL, BLACK-THROATED BLUE and YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT among
others. An ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was at Kinder Farm Park, Anne
Arundel Co, MD seen on October 26. Another ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was
at the Swan Creek Dredge Containment Facility on October 28.
Fall is a great time to look for sparrows. On October 25, 7 species of
sparrow were observed at Blandy Experimental Farm, Clarke Co, VA
including FIELD, SWAMP and WHITE-CROWNED. An AMERICAN TREE SPARROW was
at the Swan Creek Dredge Containment Facility on October 30. LINCOLN'S
and VESPER SPARROWS were seen in many locations. CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS
turned up in several spots: Winkler Botanical Preserve, Alexandria, VA
on October 25; Eastern Neck NWR, Kent Co, MD on October 26; Pickering
Creek Audubon Center, Talbot Co, MD on October 26 and 27; Nanticoke
River WMA, Wicomico Co, MD on October 30 and the Swan Creek Dredge
Containment Facility on October 30. A NELSON'S SPARROW was found on
the UMD Central Farm (private property), Howard Co, MD on October 26
and was relocated on October 29 along with 10 more sparrow species. A
NELSON'S SPARROW was at Swan Creek Dredge Containment Facility on
October 31. Two WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS were at Hains Point, DC on
October 28.
A DICKCISSEL was at the UMD Central Farm on October 26.
Most of this week's reports have been gleaned from the MDOsprey,
VA-Bird, West Virginia Birding List, and DE-Birds list servers.
The Audubon Sanctuary Shop (301-652-3606,
http://www.audubonnaturalist.org/default.asp?page=511) is an excellent
source for guidebooks and many other nature-related titles.
To report bird sightings, e-mail your report to
voice@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx or call 301-652-1088. Please post reports
before midnight Monday, identify the county as well as state, and
include your name and a Tuesday morning contact, either e-mail or
phone.
Thank you for calling, and GOOD BIRDING.
*Of interest to the records committee
