Hotline: Voice of the Naturalist
Date: 3/7/2017
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
<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,
February 28 and was completed on Tuesday, March 7 at 8:30 a.m.
Information on noteworthy birds is presented below in taxonomic order,
as set forth in the American Ornithologists' Union Checklist for North
and Middle American birds, as revised through the 57th Supplement
(July 2016).
The top birds this week were PINK-FOOTED GOOSE* in DE, GREEN-WINGED
TEAL (EURASIAN) in MD, RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD in MD, SCISSOR-TAILED
FLYCATCHER* in MD, WESTERN TANAGER* in VA and YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD
in MD. In addition, a Neotropical BLACK-BACKED ORIOLE* continues a
short distance outside the reporting area in PA.
Other birds of interest this week included GREATER WHITE-FRONTED,
ROSS'S and CACKLING GEESE, TRUMPETER SWAN, EURASIAN WIGEOEN, COMMON
EIDER, RED-NECKED and EARED GREBES, EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE, SANDHILL
CRANE, AMERICAN AVOCET, PIPING PLOVER, MARBLED GODWIT, LONG-BILLED
DOWITCHER, AMERICAN WOODCOCK, RAZORBILL, GLAUCOUS GULL, GREAT
CORMORANT, AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN, TRICOLORED and GREEN HERONS, GOLDEN
EAGLE, LOGGERHEAD and NORTHERN SHRIKES, NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW,
BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE, MARSH WREN, BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER, RED
CROSSBILL, LAPLAND LONGSPUR, SNOW BUNTING, BLACK-AND-WHITE,
ORANGE-CROWNED and NASHVILLE WARBLERS, COMMON YELLOWTHROAT, AMERICAN
TREE, CLAY-COLORED and LINCOLN'S SPARROWS, PAINTED BUNTING, BREWER'S
BLACKBIRD and BALTIMORE ORIOLE.
TOP BIRDS
A continuing PINK-FOOTED GOOSE* near Prime Hook NWR in Sussex Co, DE
was seen all week in large flocks of SNOW GEESE along Cods Road and
nearby Fowler Beach and Prime Hook Roads. This is the second record of
this species in Delaware, and the first since 1953.
On March 6 a male of the Eurasian subspecies of the GREEN-WINGED TEAL,
which is considered a separate species known as EURASIAN or COMMON
TEAL by many authorities, was found in the wetland across from the
Home Depot on Route 40 in Edgewood, Harford Co, MD.
A continuing young female RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD in the Wildewood
neighborhood in St. Mary's Co, MD was seen most recently on March 4.
On March 1, 4, 5 and 6 a SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER* was observed
actively foraging at the bay-side ball field bordered by 3rd and 4th
Streets, and to a lesser extent an adjacent ball park bordered by
these same streets, in Ocean City, MD.
A male WESTERN TANAGER* that returned to a residential feeder in
Settlers' Mill, Williamsburg, VA on November 4 for the eighth winter
in a row was last seen on March 5.
On February 28 a YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD was seen for the second
consecutive day at a feeder along Raley Road in St. Mary's Co, MD.
A continuing BLACK-BACKED ORIOLE*, a Central American endemic that has
been recorded in the ABA checklist area only one other time, was seen
all week a short distance outside the reporting area at 20 and 21
Indiana Avenue in Sinking Spring, Berks Co, PA.
OTHER BIRDS OF INTEREST
On March 4 a GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE was spotted in a large flock
of SNOW GEESE along Draper Road in Sussex Co, DE. On February 28 and
March 2-5 1-2 ROSS'S GEESE also were spotted in large flocks of SNOW
GEESE in Sussex Co, DE, near the intersection of Fowler Beach and Cods
Roads, the intersection of Cods and 13 Curves Roads and along Prime
Hook Road. On February 28 a single ROSS'S GOOSE was spotted at Bombay
Hook NWR, Kent Co, DE. A continuing ROSS'S GOOSE was seen at Falls
Mills Lake in Tazewell Co, VA on February 28 and along Bell's Lane in
Staunton, VA on March 6. On March 4 and 5 two CACKLING GEESE were at
Broadford Lake in Garrett Co, MD.
A longstanding, tagged TRUMPETER SWAN continues at Lake Churchill in
Montgomery Co, MD, with the latest sighting on March 5.
A EURASIAN WIGEON was reported at Swan Cove and along the Wildlife
Loop at Chincoteague NWR, Accomack Co, VA on March 1 and 3,
respectively. Noteworthy diving ducks included COMMON EIDERS at
several locations, including a single individual at The Point in Point
Lookout SP, Worcester Co, MD on March 3 and 5; a high of seven
individuals at the Ocean City Inlet, Worcester Co, MD on March 2, 4
and 6; and four individuals at Island No. 3 at the Chesapeake Bay
Bridge-Tunnel, Northampton Co, VA on March 4.
A continuing RED-NECKED GREBE at Loch Raven Reservoir-Loch Raven Point
in Baltimore Co, MD was seen most recently on March 5. A RED-NECKED
GREBE also was reported at Island Nos. 1 and 3 at the Chesapeake Bay
Bridge-Tunnel in VA on March 5 and 4, respectively, and at Little
Island Park in Virginia Beach, VA on March 2. A continuing EARED GREBE
off Black Walnut Point in Talbot Co, MD was seen most recently on
March 5. On the same day a continuing EARED GREBE also was seen again
at Buckroe Beach in Hampton, VA.
On March 1 a continuing EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE was photographed at 7
West McCabe Street, Selbyville, Sussex County, DE.
On March 4 two continuing SANDHILL CRANES were seen along the
Sanctuary Trail in Algonkian Nature Preserve, Loudoun Co, VA.
Wintering AMERICAN AVOCETS included an area high 111 individuals at
Broadkill Marsh and other locations in Prime Hook NWR, Sussex Co, DE
on March 1-6; a high of ten individuals at Bombay Hook NWR, Kent Co,
DE on February 28 and March 3; and 62 individuals counted during the
weekly survey at the Craney Island Disposal Area in Portsmouth, VA on
March 2. A distant PIPING PLOVER was seen from Castaways Campground
(Eagle's Nest) in Worcester Co, MD on March 4 and 6. A continuing
MARBLED GODWIT also was seen from this location on March 1. During the
week many birders enjoyed encounters with migrating AMERICAN
WOODCOCKS, including at such traditional locations as Bombay Hook NWR,
Kent Co, DE, Sycamore Landing Road in Montgomery Co, MD, the hike-bike
trail at Huntley Meadows Park, Fairfax Co, VA and Kenilworth Park in
Washington, DC. Migrating shorebirds also included 12 LONG-BILLED
DOWITCHERS reported at Truitt's Landing in Worcester Co, MD on March 4
and eight LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS at Prime Hook NWR, Sussex Co, DE on
March 6. The early stage of shorebird migration also was indicated by
GREATER and LESSER YELLOWLEGS and PECTORAL SANDPIPERS at several
locations.
Northward moving RAZORBILLS continue to be observed at several
locations in Virginia Beach, VA, including 133 individuals at Rudee
Inlet on March 3 and a high of 117 individuals at Little Island Park
on February 28 and March 2 and 6. RAZORBILLS also were observed a
short distance north at Island No. 4 at the Chesapeake Bay
Bridge-Tunnel in Northampton Co, VA, with a high of five individuals
seen on March 4 and 5. Elsewhere, 1-2 RAZORBILLS were seen at the
Indian River Inlet in Sussex Co, DE on February 28 and March 3-5, and
a high of six RAZORBILLS were seen at the Ocean City Inlet in
Worcester Co, MD on February 28 and March 4-6.
A GLAUCOUS GULL was found at the ponds near the Walmart in Colonial
Heights, VA on March 1 and at the Salisbury Landfill-Naylor Mill Rd.
Pond in Wicomico Co, MD on March 2.
A small number of GREAT CORMORANTS was seen at expected coastal
locations, with multiple sightings consisting of a high of 10
individuals from the Lewes-Cape May Ferry on March 3 and 5; two
individuals at the Indian River Inlet in Sussex Co, DE on February 28;
a high of four individuals at Black Walnut Point, Talbot Co, MD on
February 28 and March 5; and two individuals at each of Island Nos. 3
and 4 at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel in VA on March 4.
A high of 27 continuing AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS were seen at Hog
Island WMA, Surry Co, VA on March 1 and 6. A single continuing
AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN was seen during the weekly survey of
Hart-Miller Island, Baltimore Co, MD on March 6. AMERICAN WHITE
PELICANS continue to winter at and near Blackwater NWR in Dorchester
Co, MD, with a high of 48 individuals counted along nearby DeCoursey
Bridge Road on March 5.
A continuing TRICOLORED HERON was seen at the Indian River Inlet in
Sussex Co, DE on March 2 and nearby at Delaware Seashore SP-Burton's
Island on March 3, which may be the same bird. A wintering GREEN HERON
continues at Ben Brenman Park in Alexandria, VA, with the most recent
sighting on March 4.
A GOLDEN EAGLE was observed in flight from West Old Philadelphia Road
in Cecil Co, MD on March 2 and at the Fort Smallwood Park Hawk Watch
in Anne Arundel Co, MD on March 6.
A LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE was found along Walkers Creek Valley Road in Giles
Co, VA on March 6, and a continuing LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE at the Smith
Farm in Lunenburg Co, VA was seen again on March 1. On March 3 a
NORTHERN SHRIKE was found along the Observation Point Trail in Prime
Hook NWR, Sussex Co, DE. A NORTHERN SHRIKE* that has been present at
the Sully Woodlands in Fairfax Co, VA since at least early October
2016 was seen most recently on March 1.
On March 4 an early NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW was spotted in
flight with a large number of TREE SWALLOWS at Dick Cross WMA,
Mecklenburg Co, VA.
Confirmed sightings of irruptive BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES included
single individuals at Loch Raven Reservoir-Skeet and Trap Club in
Baltimore Co, MD on February 28; 39 Gammy Drive in Elkton, Cecil Co,
MD on February 28; and Mariner Point Park in Harford Co, MD on March
4. In addition, on March 1 and 6 two continuing BLACK-CAPPED
CHICKADEES were seen at Swan Harbor Farm Park in Harford Co, MD.
On February 28 a wintering MARSH WREN was seen again at Swan Creek
Wetland-Cox Creek in Anne Arundel Co, MD.
On March 2 an apparent wintering BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER was seen again
at Camp Pendleton State Military Reservation (restricted access) in
Virginia Beach, VA.
On March 5 a high of 39 RED CROSSBILLS were counted at Briery Branch
Gap in Rockingham Co, VA.
On March 4 a LAPLAND LONGSPUR was spotted with HORNED LARKS at Curles
Neck Farm (restricted access), Henrico County, VA. A continuing SNOW
BUNTING was seen at The Point at Point Lookout SP, St. Mary's Co, MD
on March 1-3 and 5. SNOW BUNTINGS also continue at the Craney Island
Disposal Area in Portsmouth, VA, with a high of 15 individuals
reported on March 2 and 3, and at Fort Monroe in Hampton, VA, where
seven individuals were seen on March 5.
An ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was found at several locations in Sussex Co,
DE, consisting of a private yard in Selbyville on March 3; along Cods
Road on March 5; a private yard in Lewes on March 1, 4 and 5; and a
private yard in Rehoboth Beach on March 5. In Maryland a continuing
ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was seen at Masonville Cove in Baltimore Co on
February 28 and Swan Harbor Farm Park in Harford Co on March 5, and a
single individual was found at Bayside Development Marsh in Worcester
Co on March 6. On February 28 an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was seen on
Kingman Island in Washington, DC. In Virginia a continuing
ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was seen near the intersection of Bayview and
Charlie Roads in Occoquan Bay NWR, Prince William Co on February 28
and March 4 and 5. Other sightings of this species in Virginia
included a high of three individuals at Elizabeth River Park in
Chesapeake on March 2 and 4.
On February 28 a wintering NASHVILLE WARBLER was seen again on Kingman
Island in Washington, DC. On March 2 a BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER was
photographed at Deep Creek Lock Park in Chesapeake, VA and a COMMON
YELLOWTHROAT was found at Fort Holabird Park in Baltimore Co, MD.
A small number of AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS was seen at several
locations, with multiple sightings outside of Garrett Co, MD limited
to 3-4 individuals at the Irvine Nature Center in Baltimore Co, MD on
March 4 and 5, and two individuals at the Oaks Landfill (private) in
Montgomery Co, MD on March 5. A continuing CLAY-COLORED SPARROW was
seen most recently at Big Water Farm (private) in Queen Anne's Co, MD
and at 103 Exeter Court in James City Co, VA on March 6. A wintering
LINCOLN'S SPARROW at Occoquan Bay NWR, Prince William Co, VA also was
seen most recently on March 6.
On March 4 a continuing male PAINTED BUNTING was photographed at a
residence along Chesapeake Circle in Chesapeake, VA.
On March 3 ten continuing BREWER'S BLACKBIRDS were observed near the
intersection of West Gibbs and Blackwater Roads in Virginia Beach, VA.
On February 28 and March 2 a continuing male BALTIMORE ORIOLE was seen
at Barboursville Vineyard in Orange Co, VA. On March 4 another
wintering male BALTIMORE ORIOLE was reported at 188 Farmville Lake
Road in Prince Edward Co, VA. On March 5 a continuing male BALTIMORE
ORIOLE was photographed at a feeder in a residential yard in Berlin,
Worcester 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, 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
