Hotline: Voice of the Naturalist
Date: 11/7/2017
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
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This is the Voice of the Naturalist, a service of the Audubon
Naturalist Society. This report covers the week starting Tuesday,
October 31 and was completed on Tuesday, November 7 at 8:00 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 58th
Supplement (July 2017).
The top birds this week were WHITE-WINGED DOVE in VA, POMARINE JAEGER
in DE and VA, PARASITIC JAEGER in DE, MD and VA, LONG-TAILED JAEGER*
in VA, DOVEKIE* in VA, BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE* in VA, FRANKLIN'S GULL*
in VA, PACIFIC LOON* in VA and WESTERN TANAGER* in VA.
Other birds of interest this week included SNOW GOOSE, GREATER
WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE, BRANT, CACKLING GOOSE, TRUMPETER SWAN, EURASIAN
WIGEON, CANVASBACK, REDHEAD, HARLEQUIN DUCK, SURF, WHITE-WINGED and
BLACK SCOTERS, LONG-TAILED DUCK, RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, NORTHERN
BOBWHITE, RED-NECKED GREBE, RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD, SANDHILL CRANE,
AMERICAN AVOCET, BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER, STILT
SANDPIPER, DUNLIN, PURPLE and WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS, AMERICAN
WOODCOCK, SPOTTED SANDPIPER, RED-NECKED PHALAROPE, BONAPARTE'S GULL,
COMMON TERN, RED-THROATED and COMMON LOONS, GREAT CORMORANT, AMERICAN
WHITE and BROWN PELICANS, AMERICAN BITTERN, GREAT EGRET, LITTLE BLUE
HERON, CATTLE EGRET, WHITE and GLOSSY IBIS, OSPREY, BROAD-WINGED HAWK,
"NORTHERN" RED-TAILED HAWK, ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, GOLDEN EAGLE,
LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE, NORTHERN SHRIKE*, YELLOW-THROATED VIREO, SEDGE
WREN, LAPLAND LONGSPUR, CLAY-COLORED, VESPER, NELSON'S, LINCOLN'S, FOX
and WHITE-CROWNED (GAMBEL'S)SPARROWS, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER and
several other migratory warbler species, and ORCHARD ORIOLE.
TOP BIRDS
On November 4 a WHITE-WINGED DOVE visited the Kiptopeke Hawkwatch in
Northampton Co, VA before a COOPER'S HAWK chased it to nearby pine
trees.
During the week many southbound jaegers were observed at several
coastal locations in southeastern Virginia, especially the Cape
Charles Coastal Habitat NAP in Northampton Co and Fort Story, Little
Island Park and Back Bay NWR in Virginia Beach. Highlights included a
LONG-TAILED JAEGER* at Cape Charles Coastal Habitat NAP on November 3;
a total of seven POMARINE JAEGERS at Cape Charles Coastal Habitat NAP,
Fort Story and Back Bay NWR on November 3-6; and over 150 PARASITIC
JAEGERS identified during the week, including 15, 24 and 37
individuals at the Cape Charles Coastal Habitat NAP on November 3, 4
and 5, respectively, and 63 and 22 individuals at Little Island Park
on November 4 and 5, respectively. Elsewhere, single POMARINE and
PARASITIC JAEGERS were spotted at the Cape Henlopen Hawk Watch in
Sussex Co, DE on November 3; a single PARASITIC JAEGER was seen at the
Indian River Inlet in Sussex Co, DE on October 31; and a total of
seven PARASITIC JAEGERS were seen at the Ocean City Inlet in Worcester
Co, MD on November 5 and 6.
On November 4 a DOVEKIE* was spotted in flight at Little Island Park
in Virginia Beach, VA.
On November 5 a young BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE* was photographed in
flight at Back Bay NWR, Virginia Beach, VA. On the same day an adult
FRANKLIN'S GULL* was spotted with LAUGHING GULLS in the James River
from City Point Waterfront Park in Hopewell, VA.
Early in the morning on November 4 a PACIFIC LOON* made a very brief
stop at the Cape Charles Coastal Habitat NAP in Northampton Co, VA
before heading south.
On November 3 a female WESTERN TANAGER* reportedly visited a feeder in
the Alanton neighborhood in Virginia Beach, VA, which hosted a female
WESTERN TANAGER last winter.
OTHER BIRDS OF INTEREST
On November 4 two SNOW GEESE were spotted in a flock of CANADA GEESE
flying over the Potomac River (DC waters) from the waterfront in
Alexandria, VA, and 48 SNOW GEESE flew over Dry Seneca Creek Park in
Montgomery Co, MD. On November 1-3 a GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE was
seen at Western Regional Park in Howard Co, MD, and on November 2 a
CACKLING GOOSE also was seen at this location. Noncoastal BRANT
included an individual seen in flight at Big Water Farm (private) in
Queen Anne's Co, MD on November 1 and three individuals seen in flight
at a residential community known as Cedarhurst in Anne Arundel Co, MD
on November 5. On November 5 a resident of Round Hill, Loudoun Co, VA
saw and heard a banded and an unbanded TRUMPETER SWAN, which likely
are part of the nonmigratory Airlee population of this species about
ten miles south of this location in northern Fauquier Co, VA.
Dabbling ducks included a EURASIAN WIGEON found at the Cape Charles
Coastal Habitat NAP in Northampton Co, VA on October 31 and Swan Cove
at Chincoteague NWR in Accomack Co, VA on November 4. Migrating diving
ducks increased in numbers and diversity during the week. Highlights
included single CANVASBACKS at Eastern Neck NWR in Kent Co, MD on
November 4 and Swift Creek Reservoir in Chesterfield Co, VA on
November 5. Single REDHEADS were found at Swan Creek Wetland-Cox Creek
DMCF (restricted access) on November 2 and Eastern Neck NWR, Kent Co,
MD on November 4. Sightings of REDHEADS in Virginia consisted of 1-2
individuals at Silver Lake in Rockingham Co on November 4-6; one
individual at Lake Shenandoah in Rockingham Co on November 5; two
individuals at Swift Creek Reservoir in Chesterfield Co on November 5;
and two individuals at the King George ponds (private) in King George
Co on November 5.
On November 6 two first-of-season HARLEQUIN DUCKS were seen at the
Ocean City Inlet in Worcester Co, MD. Inland two SURF SCOTERS were
photographed at Chris Greene Lake in Albemarle Co, VA on November 5,
and a BLACK SCOTER was found at Hallowing Point Association Park in
Fairfax Co, VA on November 5 and the C&O Canal-Violette's Lock in
Montgomery Co, MD on November 6. WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS were seen at
several locations, including a high of nine individuals counted at the
Cape Henlopen Hawk Watch in Sussex Co, DE on November 1-6; two
individuals at the Ocean City Inlet in Worcester Co, MD on November 6;
three individuals at Black Marsh NA/North Point SP in Baltimore Co, MD
on November 5 and 6; three individuals at Snug Harbor Park (private)
in Anne Arundel Co, MD on November 6; and 2-4 individuals at North
Beach in Calvert Co, MD on November 4 and 5. Sightings of WHITE-WINGED
SCOTERS in Virginia consisted of two individuals at Chincoteague NWR,
Accomack Co, VA on November 5; 1-3 individuals at the Cape Charles
Coastal Habitat NAP in Northampton Co, VA on November 2 and 5; and 1-3
individuals at Fort Story and Little Island Park in Virginia Beach, VA
on November 2 and 4. LONG-TAILED DUCKS also were seen at several
locations, including in Maryland 12 individuals at Big Water Farm
(private) in Queen Anne's Co on November 5; six individuals at Black
Walnut Point in Talbot Co on November 3; five individuals at Snug
Harbor Park (private) in Anne Arundel Co on November 4; two
individuals at Jonas Green Park in Anne Arundel Co on November 1; and
two individuals at nearby Sandy Point SP in Anne Arundel Co on
November 5. In Virginia, a single LONG-TAILED DUCK was spotted at the
Cape Charles Coastal Habitat NAP in Northampton Co on November 4. A
RED-BREASTED MERGANSER was observed at Hains Point in Washington, DC
on November 4.
Two continuing NORTHERN BOBWHITES were encountered at Chino
Farms-Foreman's Branch Bird Observatory in Queen Anne's Co, MD on
November 2.
On November 6 two RED-NECKED GREBES were photographed at the Broad
Creek Bridge on Route 623 in Harford Co, MD.
On November 3 and 5 a late young male RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD was
photographed at a residential feeder in Virginia Beach, VA.
On November 3 and 5 three SANDHILL CRANES were seen along 5159-6147
Rock Lodge Road and nearby in Garrett Co, MD.
High numbers of AMERICAN AVOCETS continued at Bombay Hook NWR, Kent
Co, DE and the Craney Island Disposal Area (restricted access) in
Portsmouth, VA, with high counts of 400 and 200 individuals reported
at these respective locations on November 1 and 6, respectively. A
continuing AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER was seen among the BLACK-BELLIED
PLOVERS at Swan Creek Wetland-Cox Creek DMCF (restricted access) in
Anne Arundel Co, MD on October 31 and November 1 and 2, and two
AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS were found at Eastern Neck NWR, Kent Co, MD on
November 4. In Virginia, a single AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER was found at
the Craney Island Disposal Area (restricted access) in Portsmouth on
November 2, and two were photographed near the fishing pier in
Kiptopeke SP, Northampton Co, VA on November 6. In addition, 1-2
AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS were reported inland at Oakwood Pond (private)
on the west side of the intersection of Routes 11 and 740 in
Rockingham Co on November 3 and 5.
Shorebird highlights also included a late STILT SANDPIPER found at
Back Bay-Campbell's Landing Road in Virginia Beach, VA on October 31
and the Craney Island Disposal Area (restricted access) in Portsmouth,
VA on November 6, as well as two late WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS spotted
at the latter location on November 6, which were the only ones
reported during the week. The only PURPLE SANDPIPERS reported during
the week were two individuals at the Ocean City Inlet in Worcester Co,
MD on November 6. Shorebird highlights in DC during the week included
a total of 14 DUNLIN seen in flight over the Potomac River (DC waters)
from Hains Point and the waterfront in Alexandria, VA on November 4
and 5. In addition, a stunned AMERICAN WOODCOCK was found on the
ground at the City Center Complex in DC on November 3, and another
AMERICAN WOODCOCK was flushed at the Rock Creek Park Nature Center
area on November 4. Late SPOTTED SANDPIPERS included an individual
seen at the C&O Canal-Violette's Lock in Montgomery Co, MD on November
2, 4 and 5. On November 6 a RED-NECKED PHALAROPE was found at the
Craney Island Disposal Area (restricted access) in Portsmouth, VA.
BONAPARTE'S GULLS were seen at many locations, mostly in small
numbers, with double digit counts of 40 individuals at Skimmer Island
in Ocean City, Worcester Co, MD on November 6; 25 individuals at Snug
Harbor Park (private) in Anne Arundel Co, MD on November 6; 11
individuals at the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry in James City Co, VA on
October 31; and a high of 14 individuals at the Cape Charles Coastal
Habitat NAP in Northampton Co, VA on November 2-5. Noteworthy tern
sightings included a single COMMON TERN reported at Sandy Point SP in
Anne Arundel Co, MD on November 1; Ferry Park in Rock Hall, Kent Co,
MD on November 4; and the Cape Charles Coastal Habitat NAP in
Northampton Co, VA on November 3.
Inland migrating loons included 14 COMMON LOONS that visited Lake
Frederick in Frederick Co, VA on November 5 and a RED-THROATED LOON
found in the Rivanna River-Water Treatment Boat Ramp in Albemarle Co,
VA on November 6.
Sightings of GREAT CORMORANT included single individuals at the Indian
River Inlet in Sussex Co, DE on October 31 and November 4; Swan Creek
Wetland-Cox Creek DMCF (restricted access) in Anne Arundel Co, MD on
November 2; and the Hampton River in Hampton, VA on October 31.In
addition, on November 3 two GREAT CORMORANTS were found at Point
Lookout SP in St. Mary's Co, MD.
A southbound AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN and six BROWN PELICANS were
somewhat surprising sightings at the Cape Henlopen Hawk Watch in
Sussex Co, DE on November 2. A high of eight AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS
were seen at Blackwater NWR in Dorchester Co, MD on October 31 and
November 3 and 5.
On November 3 an AMERICAN BITTERN was seen at Kenilworth Aquatic
Gardens in Washington, DC.
Noteworthy herons and egrets included a young LITTLE BLUE HERON
photographed at Black Marsh NA/North Point SP in Baltimore Co, MD on
November 6 and a continuing inland GREAT EGRET at C. M. Crockett Park
in Fauquier Co, VA on November 1 and 4. Sightings of CATTLE EGRETS
included a high of 13 individuals in a field along 321-409 Romacoke
Road and nearby in Stevensville, Queen Anne's Co, MD on November 1, 2,
4 and 6, and four individuals in flight over Assateague I. NS-Life of
the Marsh in Worcester Co, MD on October 31.
A high of nine WHITE IBIS were seen as far north as Gordon's Pond in
Cape Henlopen SP, Sussex Co, DE on October 31 and November 2. Inland a
continuing young WHITE IBIS was seen at Mill Creek Lake Park in
Amherst Co, VA on November 4 and 5. Sightings of GLOSSY IBIS included
ten individuals that flew by the Cape Henlopen Hawk Watch in Sussex
Co, DE on November 2.
Late OSPREYS included single individuals seen in the southern
Chesapeake Bay from a residence in Crisfield, Somerset Co, MD and over
the Potomac River (DC waters) from the Washington Sailing Marina in
Alexandria, VA on November 2. On November 4 a late BROAD-WINGED HAWK
reportedly flew over the Prospect United Methodist Church in Mount
Airy, Frederick Co, MD. On November 3 a so-called "NORTHERN"
RED-TAILED HAWK, a dark form that generally is not considered a
separate subspecies from the eastern form, was reported at Langford
Crossroads in Kent Co, DE. On November 4 a GOLDEN EAGLE was seen
flying over Fletcher's Cove in Washington, DC and the Oaks Landfill
(private) in Montgomery Co, MD. Raptor highlights at area hawk watches
included a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK and a GOLDEN EAGLE that flew by the Cape
Henlopen Hawk Watch in Sussex Co, DE on November 3, and a GOLDEN EAGLE
in flight above the Kiptopeke Hawkwatch in Northampton Co, VA on
November 1.
On October 31 six continuing LOGGERHEAD SHRIKES were seen at the Smith
Farm in Lunenburg Co, VA. A continuing LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE also was seen
at Innisfree Village in Albemarle Co, VA on November 2. A NORTHERN
SHRIKE* returned to the Sully Woodlands in Fairfax Co, VA for the
winter, with sightings on November 1-6.
On November 6 a late young YELLOW-THROATED VIREO was observed foraging
in low vegetation in University Park, Prince George's Co, MD.
A SEDGE WREN was found at Rumbly Point in Somerset Co, MD on November
2, Cape Charles Coastal Habitat NAP in Northampton Co, VA on November
3 and Back Bay NWR in Virginia Beach, VA on November 3.
On November 5 a birder heard and briefly saw a LAPLAND LONGSPUR in
flight over a residential community known as Cedarhurst in Anne
Arundel Co, MD.
On November 2 CLAY-COLORED, VESPER and LINCOLN'S SPARROWS were found
at Mount Pleasant Farm-Howard County Conservancy in Howard Co, MD. A
CLAY-COLORED SPARROW also was found at Swan Creek Wetland-Cox Creek
DMCF (restricted access) in Anne Arundel Co, MD on November 2 and Back
Bay NWR, Virginia Beach, VA on November 5. A VESPER SPARROW also was
reported at Oxford Conservation Park in Talbot Co, MD on November 2;
Davidson Farm Lane in Queen Anne's Co, MD on November 5; and South
Bakers Lane in Kent Co, MD on November 5. In addition, two VESPER
SPARROWS were found at Kenilworth Park in Washington, DC on November
4. Sightings of LINCOLN'S SPARROW also included an individual at the
Sully Woodlands in Fairfax Co, VA on November 4. Sightings of NELSON'S
SPARROWS included two individuals spotted at Rumbly Point in Somerset
Co, MD on October 31 and November 2. First-of-season FOX SPARROWS
included single individuals at Blandy Farm/State Arboretum of Virginia
in Clarke Co, VA on November 2 and the Rock Creek Park Nature Center
area in Washington, DC on November 4. A couple of sharp-eyed birders
found apparent WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS (GAMBEL'S), a western subspecies
that is prone to wander, at West Regional Park in Howard Co, MD on
November 1 and a location in Charles City Co, VA on November 5.
ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS were seen at several locations. In DC single
individuals were found at the Rock Creek Park Nature Center area on
October 31 and the maintenance yard at Hains Point on November 4.
Sightings of ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER in Maryland included single
individuals at the Gwynns Falls Trail South in Baltimore on November 1
and along Davidson Lane in Queen Anne's Co on November 5. In addition,
one and possibly two ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS were encountered at Swan
Creek Wetland-Cox Creek DMCF (restricted access) in Anne Arundel Co on
November 2. Sightings of ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER in Virginia included
single individuals found along the hike/bike trail at Huntley Meadows
Park in Fairfax Co on November 4 and at Abrams Creek Wetlands Preserve
in Frederick Co on November 5.
Several late migratory warblers were seen in Maryland during the week,
including OVENBIRD in the City of Baltimore, TENNESSEE WARBLER in
Montgomery Co, NASHVILLE WARBLER in Queen Anne's Co, AMERICAN REDSTART
in Kent Co, MAGNOLIA WARBLER in Montgomery and Howard Counties,
CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER in Baltimore Co, BLACKPOLL WARBLER in Queen
Anne's and Anne Arundel Counties and BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER in
Montgomery and Wicomico Counties. Late migratory warblers in Virginia
during the week included TENNESSEE WARBLER in Fairfax and Accomack
Counties and two CAPE MAY WARBLERS at Chincoteague NWR in Accomack Co.
Late migratory songbirds also included a male ORCHARD ORIOLE found at
Cromwell Valley Park in Baltimore Co, MD on November 2 and 5.
***
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
