Hotline: Voice of the Naturalist
Date: 10/16/2018
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.anshome.org
<http://www.anshome.org/> .
This is the Voice of the Naturalist, a service of the Audubon
Naturalist Society. This report covers the week starting Tuesday,
October 9 and was completed on Tuesday, October 16 at 7:45 a.m.
Information on noteworthy birds is presented below in taxonomic order,
as set forth in the American Ornithological Society Checklist for
North and Middle American Birds, as revised through the 59th
Supplement (June 2018). This report does not provide information about
likely escaped or released birds (e.g. various parrots and parakeets
and a continuing Ruddy Shelduck in Delaware), non-established feral
birds (e.g., Muscovy Duck) and introduced game birds (e.g.,
Ring-necked Pheasant).
The top birds this week were BLACK-HEADED GULL in Washington, DC and
REDDISH EGRET* in Delaware.
Other birds of interest this week included SNOW and CACKLING GEESE,
TUNDRA SWAN, EURASIAN WIGEON, REDHEAD, RING-NECKED DUCK, GREATER
SCAUP, LONG-TAILED DUCK, COMMON MERGANSER, HORNED GREBE, BLACK-BILLED
CUCKOO, COMMON NIGHTHAWK, RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD, KING RAIL, COMMON
GALLINULE, SANDHILL and WHOOPING CRANES, AMERICAN AVOCET, PIPING
PLOVER, WHIMBREL, HUDSONIAN GODWIT, WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER,
LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER, RED-NECKED PHALAROPE, POMARINE JAEGER,
BONAPARTE'S and LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS, AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN,
AMERICAN BITTERN, GREAT and CATTLE EGRETS, YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON,
WHITE and GLOSSY IBIS, MISSISSIPPI KITE, RED-HEADED WOODPECKER,
EASTERN KINGBIRD, LEAST FLYCATCHER, LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE, PHILADELPHIA
VIREO, COMMON RAVEN, RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, SEDGE and MARSH WRENS,
PURPLE FINCH, PINE SISKIN, CLAY-COLORED, LARK and WHITE-CROWNED
(GAMBEL'S) SPARROWS, ORANGE-CROWNED, CONNECTICUT and MOURNING
WARBLERS, SUMMER TANAGER and DICKCISSEL.
TOP BIRDS
A continuing juvenile/first winter BLACK-HEADED GULL was seen at
Georgetown Waterfront Park in Washington, DC on October 9, 10 and 14
and in flight over Hains Point in Washington, DC on October 12. Human
sources of food undoubtedly have contributed to this bird's fidelity
to Georgetown Waterfront Park.
A young REDDISH EGRET* was an unexpected visitor at Gordon's Pond in
Cape Henlopen SP, Sussex Co, DE on October 13 and 14.
OTHER BIRDS OF INTEREST
Waterfowl highlights during the week included a SNOW GOOSE
photographed at the Signature Golf Course in Virginia Beach, VA on
October 15 and a CACKLING GOOSE spotted among the CANADA GEESE at
Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens in Washington, DC on October 13. An injured
TUNDRA SWAN continues at Kinder Farm Park in Anne Arundel Co, MD. An
early TUNDRA SWAN was heard at Hurlock WWTP in Dorchester Co, MD on
October 12.
Migratory dabbling ducks included a EURASIAN WIGEON reported at
Chincoteague NWR-Wash Flats, Accomack Co, VA on October 10 and a
retention pond northwest of Cedar Lane and SR 164 in Portsmouth, VA on
October 14. Noteworthy diving ducks included a continuing RING-NECKED
DUCK at Silver Lake in Rockingham Co, VA and a continuing REDHEAD at
the Kerr Reservoir-Tailrace Park in Mecklenburg Co, VA, which were
seen most recently on October 14 and 13, respectively. Migratory
diving ducks continued to arrive in the reporting area, with
highlights including a GREATER SCAUP found at the Cheriton Landfill in
Northampton Co, VA on October 13; a LONG-TAILED DUCK spotted off Hains
Point in Washington, DC on October 13; and three or fewer COMMON
MERGANSERS at Bladensburg Waterfront Park in Prince George's Co, MD
and Lapidum in Harford Co, MD on October 11 and Jug Bay Wetlands
Sanctuary in Anne Arundel Co, MD on October 13.
On October 13 a HORNED GREBE was spotted at Violette's Lock on the C &
O Canal in Montgomery Co, MD.
A BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO was seen in a residential yard in
Charlottesville, VA on October 14 and at Trout Run WWTP in Garrett Co,
MD on October 14.
COMMON NIGHTHAWKS continued to move through the reporting area during
the week, with a high of 35 individuals counted at dusk at Ken-Gar
Palisades Park in Montgomery Co, MD on October 10.
RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS were seen at many locations in the
reporting area but by the end of the week there were fewer reports of
them at area feeders.
Several KING RAILS were heard and one was filmed at Occoquan Bay NWR
in Prince William Co, VA on October 14. Highlights of a Northern
Virginia Bird Club visit to Leopold's Preserve in Prince William Co,
VA on October 13 included a VIRGINIA RAIL and a SORA. A high of six
COMMON GALLINULES visited the West Ocean City Pond in Worcester Co, MD
on October 9-12. A continuing COMMON GALLINULE was seen at
Greenfield-Botetourt Center in Botetourt Co, VA on October 10.
SANDHILL CRANES continued near a private pond along Peat Moss Road in
Garrett Co, MD, with 3-6 individuals seen all week. During the week
the endangered WHOOPING CRANE also was in the news as the U. S.
Geological Survey's Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Laurel, MD
began the process of relocating all of its about 75 captive breeders
to zoos and other facilities in the United States that will take over
its captive breeding and reintroduction efforts.
Large numbers of AMERICAN AVOCETS continued at Bombay Hook NWR in Kent
Co, DE and the Craney Island Disposal Area (restricted/no public
access) in Portsmouth, VA, with a week high whopping 748 and 235
individuals counted by experienced birders at these respective
locations on October 10. Elsewhere, one continuing AMERICAN AVOCET was
observed at Gordon's Pond in Cape Henlopen SP, Sussex Co, DE on
October 12 and 13, and three continuing AMERICAN AVOCETS were seen at
Figg's Landing in Worcester Co, MD on October 9 and 12.
PIPING PLOVERS continued to move through the area, with sightings
including several individuals at Cape Henlopen SP in Sussex Co, DE on
October 9 and 12 and farther south at Assateague Island NS in
Worcester Co, MD on October 9. Shorebird highlights during the week
also included a WHIMBREL in flight at Rudee Inlet in Virginia Beach,
VA on October 12 and three HUDSONIAN GODWITS and three LONG-BILLED
DOWITCHERS at Chincoteague NWR-Wash Flats, Accomack Co, VA on October
10. One to six WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS were found during the week at
the Craney Island Disposal Area (restricted/no public access) in
Portsmouth, VA, Chincoteague NWR-Wash Flats, Accomack Co, VA and
Bombay Hook NWR, Kent Co, DE, all on October 10. A RED-NECKED
PHALAROPE was photographed at First Landing SP in Virginia Beach, VA
on October 12.
Some fortunate observers at the Cape Henlopen Hawk Watch in Sussex Co,
DE enjoyed watching a POMARINE JAEGER harass gulls on October 12 and
15.
On October 14 a BONAPARTE'S GULL was spotted among the other gulls at
George Washington Birthplace NM in Westmoreland Co, VA. A LAUGHING
GULL was photographed over a pond along Cabell Road in Nelson County,
VA on October 15 and reported in flight over Walnut Creek Park in
Albemarle Co, VA on October 13, an apparent first record for each of
these inland Piedmont counties. On October 11 a LESSER BLACK-BACKED
GULL was found at Chesapeake Beach in Calvert Co, MD and Sandy Point
SP in Anne Arundel Co, MD.
A summering AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN at Blackwater NWR in Dorchester Co,
MD was reported most recently on October 10.
An AMERICAN BITTERN was encountered at Lilypons Water Gardens in
Frederick Co, MD on October 13 and 15; Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens in
Washington, DC on October 14; and Pleasure House Point NA in Virginia
Beach, VA on October 14.
Observers at the Kiptopeke Hawk Watch in Northampton Co, VA did not
expect to count a southwest-bound flock containing 56 GREAT EGRETS on
October 12. Also unexpected and possibly storm related were four
CATTLE EGRETS observed flying up the Potomac River from Violette's
Lock on the C & O Canal in Montgomery Co, MD on the same day.
YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS continued at Baker Park in Frederick Co,
MD, with 2-3 individuals seen on October 10 and 12.
The northernmost WHITE IBIS seen in the reporting area during the week
were a high of 14 individuals at Cape Henlopen SP-Gordon's Pond in
Sussex Co, DE on October 10 and 12-14. On October 14 three GLOSSY IBIS
were photographed at the Princess Anne WMA-Whitehurst Tract in
Virginia Beach, VA.
Raptor highlights during the week included a southbound MISSISSIPPI
KITE at the Kiptopeke Hawk Watch in Northampton Co, VA on October 10.
On October 10 a RED-HEADED WOODPECKER was encountered at Bombay Hook
NWR, Kent Co, DE.
Late flycatchers included an EASTERN KINGBIRD at New Quarter Park in
York Co, VA on October 9 and a LEAST FLYCATCHER at the Cape Henlopen
Hawk Watch in Sussex Co, DE on October 12 and Rock Creek
Park-Maintenance Yard in Washington, DC on October 14 and 15.
On October 9 a LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE was observed a short distance north
of Bethlehem Baptist Church along Cartersville Road in Cumberland Co,
VA.
The unassuming and often undetected PHILADELPHIA VIREO was seen at
several locations, including Cromwell Valley Park in Baltimore Co, MD
on October 10; Schoolhouse Pond in Prince George's Co, MD on October
11; Wheaton RP in Montgomery Co, MD on October 12; Cape Henlopen
SP-Herring Point in Sussex Co, DE on October 14; and Back Bay NWR in
Virginia Beach, VA on October 14.
Lowland COMMON RAVENS included an individual photographed soaring over
Swan Harbor Farm Park in Harford Co, MD on October 9.
As a result of poor conifer seed crops in most of the eastern boreal
forest, RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES are now being encountered in wooded
habitats throughout the reporting area.
A SEDGE WREN was found at the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center
(Horsehead) in Queen Anne's Co, MD on October 13 and photographed at
Hog Island WMA in Surry Co, VA on October 14. Migrating MARSH WRENS
included a continuing individual at Kenilworth Park in Washington, DC
that was encountered most recently on October 13 and two individuals
encountered at the National Arboretum in Washington, DC on October 9.
Seemingly omnipresent PURPLE FINCHES and small numbers of PINE SISKINS
at several locations in the reporting area further confirmed the
predicted irruption season for boreal forest finches.
The early stage of sparrow migration was evident at many locations.
Noteworthy sightings included a CLAY-COLORED SPARROW that briefly
visited a residential yard in Bethesda, Montgomery Co, MD on October
9. On October 13 a LARK SPARROW was photographed at Newport News Park
in Newport News, VA. A GRASSHOPPER SPARROW was seen in Kenilworth Park
in Washington, DC on October 8, 9 and 13. The identification challenge
of separating NELSON'S and SALTMARSH SPARROWS was experienced at
several locations in Virginia Beach, VA and other coastal locations in
the reporting area during the week. On October 14 an AMERICAN TREE
SPARROW was found at Sky Meadows SP in Fauquier Co, VA, and on the
same day a first-of-season FOX SPARROW made an appearance at the
Irvine Nature Center in Baltimore Co, MD. LINCOLN'S SPARROWS were
found at many locations during the week, as were WHITE-CROWNED
SPARROWS, which included an apparent pale-lored member of the
western Gambel's subspecies photographed at the Cheriton Landfill in
Northampton Co, VA on October 13.
Migratory warblers continued to move through the reporting area in
good numbers and diversity and included several species that were in
the later part of their historical migratory timing. Highlights
included an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER at several locations, including
Azalea Park in Charlottesville, VA on October 13; Kiptopeke Hawk Watch
in Northampton Co, VA on October 13; Occoquan Bay NWR in Prince
William Co, VA on October 14; and Rock Creek Park in Washington, DC on
October 15. The always desired CONNECTICUT WARBLER was reported at
several locations, including Bombay Hook NWR, Kent Co, DE on October
10; Finzel Swamp in Garrett Co, MD on October 10; Gymnociadus Way
(private) in Calvert Co, MD on October 12; Allegheny Highlands
Trail-Helmstetter's Curve in Alleghany Co, MD on October 13; and Jack
Creek Park in Anne Arundel Co, MD on October 14. In Washington, DC a
CONNECTICUT WARBLER was reported at the Rock Creek Park Maintenance
Yard on October 12 and the Hains Point Maintenance Yard on October 13.
On October 14 members of the Blue Ridge Young Birders Club reported
two apparent MOURNING WARBLERS along the Rockfish Valley Trail in
Nelson Co, VA, which was the only report of this species in the
reporting area during the week.
A late SUMMER TANAGER was spotted in a residential yard in South
Boston, Halifax Co, VA on October 11 and 15 and along Glenorchy Drive
in Albemarle Co, VA on October 14.
A single DICKCISSEL was observed at several locations, including Swan
Harbor Farm Park in Harford Co, MD on October 9; Kauffman's Mill Road
in Page Co, VA on October 11; and Rock Creek Park-Dog Run in
Washington, DC on October 14 and 15, where this bird was seen by some
within 30 feet in a mixed-species flock that included an
ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER and a LINCOLN'S SPARROW.
Finally, on behalf of the birding community, thanks much again to
Wallace Kornack for compiling and reporting on a daily basis in spring
and fall noteworthy migrants in Rock Creek Park in Washington, DC.
Many birders, including this compiler, look forward to reading
Wallace's daily reports.
***
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/naturalist-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
