9Hotline: Voice of the Naturalist
Date: 5/30/2017
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.
This is the Voice of the Naturalist, a service of the Audubon Naturalist
Society. This report covers the week starting Tuesday, May 23 and was
completed on Tuesday, May 30 at 9:30 a.m.
Information on noteworthy birds is presented below in taxonomic order, as
set forth in the American Ornithologists¹ Union Checklist for North and
Middle American birds, as revised through the 57th Supplement (July 2016).
The top birds this week were WOOD STORK* in VA and SWALLOW-TAILED KITE in
DE, MD and VA.
Other birds of interest this week included CACKLING GOOSE, TRUMPETER and
TUNDRA SWANS, GADWALL, CANVASBACK, GREATER SCAUP, COMMON EIDER, SURF SCOTER,
LONG-TAILED DUCK, BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO, KING RAIL, COMMON GALLINULE, SANDHILL
CRANE, AMERICAN AVOCET, BLACK-BELLIED and AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS, RED KNOT,
WHIMBREL, WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER, RED-NECKED PHALAROPE, BONAPARTE¹S GULL,
GULL-BILLED and BLACK TERNS, RED-THROATED LOON, SOOTY SHEARWATER, ANHINGA,
AMERICAN and LEAST BITTERNS, TRICOLORED HERON, WHITE IBIS, MISSISSIPPI KITE,
OLIVE-SIDED, YELLOW-BELLIED and ALDER FLYCATCHERS, LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE,
BICKNELL¹S THRUSH, GOLDEN-WINGED, MOURNING and CERULEAN WARBLERS, VESPER,
NELSON¹S and LINCOLN¹S SPARROWS and DICKCISSEL.
TOP BIRDS
On May 27 an immature WOOD STORK* briefly stopped at a pond along Long
Meadow Road in Augusta Co, VA.
On May 26-29 a high of three SWALLOW-TAILED KITES and, as noted below, many
MISSISSIPPI KITES were seen in flight along Route 13 south of Eastville and
along nearby Culls Drive and Gregory Lane in Northampton Co, VA. In Maryland
a SWALLOW-TAILED KITE was seen along Route 144 near the intersection with
Waterville and Hardy Roads in Howard Co on May 25 and at the Blue Mash
Nature Trail and nearby in Montgomery Co on May 29. A SWALLOW-TAILED KITE
also was observed just outside the reporting area in northern Delaware, near
the intersection of Route 273 and S Old Baltimore Pike in New Castle Co on
May 25.
OTHER BIRDS OF INTEREST
On May 29 a TRUMPETER SWAN was found in the marsh at Swan Harbor Farm Park
in Harford Co, MD. A continuing and possibly injured TUNDRA SWAN was seen
along 1409 Pleasant Ridge Road in Virginia Beach, VA most recently on May
26, and a continuing TUNDRA SWAN along Green Dumpster Road on Deal Island in
Somerset Co, MD was seen on May 29. A continuing CACKLING GOOSE at the
Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center (Horsehead) in Queen Anne¹s Co, MD was
most recently seen on May 29.
Lingering waterfowl also included small numbers of many migratory duck
species. Noteworthy sightings included a continuing GADWALL at the Stonegate
Scenic Easement in Alexandria, VA and on Poplar Island in Talbot Co, MD on
May 24. Lingering diving ducks included a CANVASBACK at Rock Creek in Anne
Arundel Co, MD on May 27 and Governor Nice Bridge in Charles Co, MD on May
24; a GREATER SCAUP at Marshy Point Nature Center in Baltimore Co, MD on May
23; two continuing COMMON EIDERS at Metompkin Island, Accomack Co, VA on May
27 and a single COMMON EIDER at the Ocean City Inlet in Worcester Co, MD on
May 24 and Point Lookout SP in St. Mary¹s Co, MD on May 28. SURF SCOTERS
were seen at several locations, including a high of four continuing
individuals at Big Water Farm (private) in Queen Anne¹s Co, MD on May 27 and
29; one individual at Terrapin Nature Park in Queen Anne¹s Co, MD on May 26;
and 1-2 individuals at Rudee Inlet and Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel-Island
No. 1 in Virginia Beach, VA on May 24 and 25. Two LONG-TAILED DUCKS were
seen off Poplar Island and Black Walnut Point in Talbot Co, MD on May 24 and
29, respectively, and one LONG-TAILED DUCK was spotted off Kent Point in
Queen Anne¹s Co, MD on May 28.
Migrating BLACK-BILLED CUCKOOS included single individuals at Rock Creek in
Anne Arundel Co, MD on May 26; Piney Run Park in Carroll Co, MD on May 29;
and the Middle Patuxent Environmental Area in Howard Co, MD on May 29. A
BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO also was spotted flying over Hains Point in Washington,
DC on May 29.
Reporting area KING RAILS included at least one individual encountered at
Patuxent River Park-Wooton's Landing in Anne Arundel Co, MD on May 27 and 28
and Swan Harbor Farm Park in Harford Co, MD on May 29.
COMMON GALLINULES were encountered at several locations in Maryland,
including four individuals along 26952819 Elliott Island Road in Dorchester
Co on May 28; two individuals on each of Hart-Miller Island in Baltimore Co
and Poplar Island in Talbot Co on May 24; one individual at Swan Harbor Farm
Park in Harford Co on May 23 and 28; and one individual at Hughes Hollow in
Montgomery Co on May 29. In Virginia, one COMMON GALLINULE was found at Back
Bay NWR near the border with False Cape SP in Virginia Beach on May 28.
On May 27 a SANDHILL CRANE was heard calling in flight over the Patuxent
Research Refuge-South Tract in Prince George¹s Co, MD.
A small number of AMERICAN AVOCETS continue in the reporting area, with a
high of 25 individuals counted at Bombay Hook NWR, Kent Co, DE on May 24-27,
11 individuals at Prime Hook NWR, Sussex Co, DE on May 26 and one individual
spotted during the weekly survey at the Craney Island Disposal Area in
Portsmouth, VA on May 25. On May 26 and 27 three BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS were
seen at a pond along Route 213 south of Redners in Cecil Co, MD. On May 25
an AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER was spotted in a flock containing over 1,800
BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS along Seaside Road a short distance south of the
intersection with Island View Lane in Northampton Co, VA.
During the week many persons enjoyed the annual migration of RED KNOTS at
various coastal locations in the reporting area, including such traditional
spots in Delaware as the DuPont Nature Center (Mispillion) and Prime Hook
NWR in Sussex Co, DE, which had estimated high counts of 1,800 and 1,000
individuals on May 28 and 26, respectively.
Sightings of migrating WHIMBRELS included an area high 62 individuals
counted at Hillsmere Beach in Anne Arundel Co, MD on May 23. Inland
sightings of WHIMBREL included one individual in flight over Hains Point in
Washington, DC on May 28; one individual at a private pond along Peat Moss
Road in Garrett Co, MD on May 26; and ten individuals at the Woodward Turf
Farm in Fauquier Co, VA on May 26. Reports of WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER in
Virginia included three individuals at the Craney Island Disposal Area in
Portsmouth on May 25; two individuals at Back Bay NWR in Virginia Beach on
May 29; and single individuals at the Roanoke STP in Roanoke Co on May 25
and 26; a pond at the corner of Routes 11 and 704 in Rockingham Co on May
27; and along 6350-16370 Rogers Clark Blvd. in Caroline Co on May 25. In
Maryland, a high of 12 WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS were found at a private pond
along Peat Moss Road in Garrett Co on May 27 and 28. Noteworthy shorebirds
also included a RED-NECKED PHALAROPE that visited Lake Needwood in
Montgomery Co, MD on May 27 and Swan Harbor Farm Park in Harford Co, MD on
May 29.
On May 27 a single BONAPARTE¹S GULL was photographed in a corn stubble field
along Big Pool Road in Washington Co, MD. GULL-BILLED TERNS were seen at
several locations in southeastern Virginia, the only location that this
species regularly breeds in the reporting area, with a high of 16
individuals counted at Box Tree Marsh in Northampton Co on May 24. A single
BLACK TERN was seen at Back Bay NWR, Virginia Beach, VA on May 23; the
Craney Island Disposal Area in Portsmouth, VA on May 25; and along Figgs
Landing Road in Worcester Co, MD on May 28.
Late RED-THROATED LOONS were found at several locations, including two
individuals at the James Farm Ecological Preserve in Sussex Co, DE on May
25; one individual at Thomas Point Park in Anne Arundel Co, MD on May 25 and
one individual at Back Bay NWR in Virginia Beach, VA on May 29.
On May 29 a SOOTY SHEARWATER was spotted offshore from Swan Cove at
Chincoteague NWR in Accomack Co, VA.
On May 27 an ANHINGA was photographed flying south from a residence on
Gymnocladus Way (private) in Calvert Co, MD. On May 26 and 27 two continuing
ANHINGAS were seen at the Carson Wetland in Prince George Co, VA.
An AMERICAN BITTERN was seen at the Magothy Bay Natural Area Preserve in
Northampton Co, VA on May 24 and in Graves Mill in Madison Co, VA on May 25.
Encounters with the elusive LEAST BITTERN included four individuals along a
several mile stretch of Elliot Island Road in Dorchester Co, MD on May 28
and four individuals at Days Cove in Baltimore Co, MD on May 28.
A TRICOLORED HERON was found at the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center
(Horsehead) in Queen Anne¹s Co, MD on May 25. On May 25 a flock containing
18 WHITE IBIS flew over Marian R. Okie Memorial Wildlife Preserve in Sussex
Co, DE, and on May 29 a single WHITE IBIS was seen at Prime Hook NWR in
Sussex Co, DE.
Northward-moving MISSISSIPPI KITES were conspicuous in the reporting area,
especially in Northampton Co, VA, where sightings included an estimated 30
individuals seen at the Magothy Bay Natural Area Preserve on May 27.
Sightings of this species in Maryland included at least one individual seen
at several locations in Columbia, Howard Co, MD on May 29.
Sightings of OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER included single individuals at Patterson
Park in Baltimore Co, MD on May 27; a residential yard in Woodbine, Carroll
Co, MD on May 25; and Golden Sky Court and nearby in Columbia, Howard Co, MD
on May 29. Highlights at popular Monticello Park in Alexandria, VA on May 29
included a YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER that was seen and heard. Noteworthy
sightings of ALDER FLYCATCHER included singing individuals at several
locations in Washington, DC: the Rock Creek Park Nature Center area on May
26 and 27; Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens on May 27-29 and Hains Point on May
27.
A continuing LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE at the Smith Farm in Lunenberg Co, VA was
most recently seen on May 26.
The rarely detected BICKNELL¹S THRUSH was encountered at several locations
in Maryland, including two individuals at 1812 Cremen Road in Anne Arundel
Co on May 28; one individual at 7533-7599 Bratton Circle in Anne Arundel Co
on May 28; one individual at Double Rock Park in Baltimore Co on May 29; and
one individual at a private residence along Gymocladus Way in Calvert Co on
May 24 and 26 and in Anne Arundel Co on May 29.
Warbler highlights included a GOLDENWINGED WARBLER photographed along Old
Legislative Road in Allegany Co, MD on May 27. The always-desired MOURNING
WARBLER was seen along the Little Gunpowder Falls Trail in Harford Co, MD on
May 23; at the Rock Creek Park Nature Center area in Washington, DC on May
26; and at Maryland High Point in Garrett Co, MD on May 29. CERULEAN
WARBLER, a highly desired breeder in the reporting area, was reported at
several locations, with a high of seven individuals along Mt. Zion Road in
Garrett Co, MD on May 27 and six individuals at Susquehanna SP in Harford
Co, MD on May 29.
A VESPER SPARROW was reported along 2101-2233 Peterman Road in Baltimore Co,
MD on May 24 and 26. A migrating NELSON¹S SPARROW was found at the Craney
Island Disposal Area in Portsmouth, VA on May 25 and in Elkton Marsh in
Cecil Co, MD on May 27. A LINCOLN¹S SPARROW was found in Lower Senate Park
in Washington, DC on May 24.
On May 28 three DICKCISSELS were seen in a field on the east side of
Woodland Ferry Road in Sussex Co, DE. In Maryland sightings of DICKCISSELS
included a high of six individuals near the intersection of Underwood and
Old Frederick Roads in Howard Co on May 23-29; a high of five individuals
along Grimes Road in Frederick Co on May 25 and 27; and seven individuals
along Sixes Bridge Road in Carroll Co on May 23 and 27. Sightings of
DICKCISSEL in Virginia included two individuals at the Magothy Bay Natural
Area Preserve in Northampton Co on May 24-27 and one individual at a
traditional nesting location along Grassdale Road in Fauquier Co on May 26.
***
This week¹s 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
