FYI - this report is for sightings from July 13 through July 19 and was
compiled by Joe Coleman & transcribed by Steve Cordle.
Joe Coleman
Hotline: Voice of the Naturalist
Date: 7/20/2010
Coverage: MD/DC/VA/DE
Telephone: 301-652-1088 option 1
Reports (voice): 301-652-1088 option 2
(email): voice@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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 (Individual $40; Family $50; Nature Steward $75; Audubon
Advocate $150). 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 was completed Tuesday, July 20, at
9:00 AM.
Top bird this week is BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING DUCK* in VA.
Birds of interest this week include LEAST BITTERN, TRICOLORED HERON,
night-herons, WHITE IBIS, GLOSSY IBIS, MISSISSIPPI KITE, BROAD-WINGED
HAWK, rails including BLACK, COMMON MOORHEN, SANDHILL CRANE,
shorebirds, LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, BLACK TERN, PURPLE MARTIN, CLIFF
SWALLOW, and DICKCISSEL.
A BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING DUCK* has been on Lake Audubon in Reston,
Fairfax Co, VA with a flock of Mallards since approximately July 6. A
number of photographs taken of the bird show all its claws intact.
A TRICOLORED HERON, a GLOSSY IBIS, and an immature YELLOW-CROWNED
NIGHT-HERON were seen along with several other waders at the North
Beach marsh in Calvert Co, MD on July 18. The TRICOLORED HERON, a
PECTORAL SANDPIPER, and a STILT SANDPIPER were found there on the
19th. Among the many birds seen during the July 15 survey at Poplar
Island, Talbot Co, MD were three TRICOLORED HERONS. On July 19 a
TRICOLORED HERON was found at Fairhaven, Anne Arundel Co, MD, perched
on a fallen tree towards the south end of the lake.
A juvenile YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON was found July 14 at Chesapeake
Farms, Kent Co, MD; another immature has been seen at Herrington
Harbour, Anne Arundel Co, MD.
Two juvenile WHITE IBIS were among the many waders and shorebirds at
the Dulles Greenway Wetlands Mitigation Project, Loudoun Co, VA, on
July 17. On July 20 an immature WHITE IBIS was found on a pond in
Washington Co, MD, that is at the end of farm lane (10807) on the east
side of Rte 66 just north of Horseshoe Lane and about 2.5 miles north
of I-70.
Two MISSISSIPPI KITES were seen July 14 in the Kings Park subdivision,
Springfield, Fairfax Co, VA.
A BROAD-WINGED HAWK was observed July 14 in Keeling off of Rte 360
near Slatesville Rd, Pittsylvania Co, VA.
The evening of July 14 a BLACK RAIL was seen crossing the road on
Elliott Island Rd, Dorchester Co, MD. Also seen during the same
birding trip along Elliott Island Rd were 5 LEAST BITTERNS, 1 CLAPPER
RAIL, 6 VIRGINIA RAILS, and one COMMON MOORHEN.
A COMMON MOORHEN continues at Schoolhouse Pond, Upper Marlboro,
Prince George's Co, MD, with sightings through July 17.
A SANDHILL CRANE was found July 13 at Eder Park and relocated in West
Meadow Park off of Delaware Ave, Rte 7 in Elkton, Cecil Co, MD that
day and through the 18th.
Shorebird, gull, and tern reports increased throughout the area this
past week, with the largest concentrations being reported on the
coast. Prime Hook NWR, DE and the area around it was especially
productive.
Among the many birds seen during the July 15 survey at Poplar Island,
Talbot Co, MD were 21 AMERICAN AVOCETS, 15 WESTERN SANDPIPERS, and
five STILTS.
A MARBLED GODWIT was found July 17 and 18 along with several
shorebirds and waders including a TRICOLORED HERON and a STILT
SANDPIPER on July 18 at Hughlett Point NAP, Northumberland County, VA.
A STILT SANDPIPER in alternate plumage was seen July 17 and 18 at
Chesapeake Farms, Kent Co, MD along with a lot of other shorebirds. A
STILT SANDPIPER with a trace of a rufous facemask was seen July 17 at
the pond at Brown Station Rd recycling center in Upper Marlboro Prince
George's Co, MD. There was also a STILT SANDPIPER on July 18 at
Papermill Flats, Baltimore Co, MD.
Three SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS continue to be reported from Blue Mash,
Montgomery Co, MD, with a sighting from July 14.
A LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was seen July 13 at Sandy Point SP, Anne
Arundel Co, MD.
In addition to the numerous waders and shorebirds there, a BLACK TERN
was seen July 15 at Poplar Island, Talbot Co, MD. Two BLACK TERNS were
found July 17 at Ted Harvey Conservation Area, DE.
PURPLE MARTINS are beginning to gather in large flocks at different
locations. Almost 3,000, along with PEREGRINE FALCONS who are hunting
them, are now gathering in Richmond, VA, along 18th Street by the 17th
Street Farmer's Market. Three CLIFF SWALLOWS were seen July 14 at
Brookview Bridge, Dorchester Co, MD.
A DICKCISSEL was heard July 15 at the pond at Brown Station Rd
recycling center in Upper Marlboro Prince George's Co, MD.
Some of this week's reports have been gleaned from the MDOsprey,
VA-Bird, 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 and select menu
option 2. 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
