JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016 VOL. 36, NO 1 President’s Corner by Tom Strikwerda Field Margins and Buffer Strips I’m writing this column during my Thanksgiving vacation, visiting family in Iowa and Minnesota, helping out with several projects as well as enjoying time together. While our airplane was en route to Minneapolis, Iowa was experiencing its first significant winter storm of the season. The next day, after the storm, we drove deep into Iowa and saw first¬ hand the large number of abandoned cars in the ditches. After our first, mid-day engagement in Iowa, we headed west in the late afternoon. With a northerly wind buffeting the pickup truck we were using, I began to focus on the environment around us instead of traffic and abandoned cars. In contrast to these winter visits, my attention in summer is captured by the abundance and the lushness of the com and soybean crops in the rich Iowa soil. Now, in the bright winter sunshine and snow covered landscape, I realized how devoid of hedgerows and buffers the farm landscape was; the harvested fields were now stubble, poking through the new-fallen snow. Yes, there was the occasional stream valley with its own “river” of trees across the landscape, and the farmstead groves, but one had to look hard to find a hedgerow or field margin. Without hedgerows, and no fences, the wind- driven snow partially covered the road, forming small drifts across our lane, even though the road had been plowed and the sun’s rays were attempting to melt the snow. Occasionally we passed a field with a row of shrubs and, not surprisingly, no snowdrifts were forming across the road, an obvious benefit to the traveler. The next day, while running an errand to town, I noticed some farmers installing a snow fence across the highway from a farmhouse, presumably to prevent snowdrifts in their immediate area. I thought, wouldn’t a hedgerow or grove offer a more permanent solution, rather than having to work in wind and cold for a temporary fix? What a pity that more farmers aren’t heeding, or perhaps aren’t even aware of, the evidence that hedgerows benefit wildlife, road safety, the environment, and possibly their bottom line. I recalled previous winter visits in which the snow was covered with a fine layer of black rich farm soil. I wonder how much of that ended up as run-off into streams. One of my relatives reported that during her many years driving through Iowa to visit her daughter, she witnessed a steady decline in the traditional farm groves, certainly due in part to the loss of small family farms but possibly due to the changing farm culture as well. Since most fields are used only for crops, there is no need of fencing, and farmers seek to maximize yields by planting right up to property boundaries. We can’t necessarily fault them for reaching for that goal, but we can hope they will reconsider once they understand the full environmental impact of their practice. Fortunately there are government programs as well as a number of state programs, many with incentives and Table of Contents President's Corner.1 MOS Annual Conference.2 The 2016 MOS pin contest.2 YMOS Birdathon Returns.2 World Series of Birding 2015:.3 2016 Timeline for Maryland Birdlife.5 Chapter Chatter.5 Scholarships to Hog Island, Maine.9 Review of Birds of South America .9 Birds of Note.10 Maryland/DC Records Committee.11 MOS Calendar.13 Bird Conservation in Japan.23 Jan/Feb 2016 2 backed up by scientific studies, to encourage a change in these methods. I’m not a businessman or farmer so I don’t know the economics of these programs but the environmental impact of the current trends is obvious. As birders, we know all too well the decline of field species such as bobwhite, pheasants and meadowlarks. My Iowa thoughts reminded me of analogous environment issues on the east coast. Here farmers allow cattle to graze to the streambeds, causing extensive erosion and pollution that eventually finds its way to the Chesapeake Bay. Given the hillier environment and more forested areas, we may not see these sites as readily as the lack of hedgerows in Iowa, but the impact is no less severe. And, as in midcontinent, there are government programs to encourage farmers to revise their practices and benefit the environment and their bottom line. These programs give me hope that as evidence mounts about the benefits of hedgerows and streamside buffer zones, and regulations are imposed in some areas, more farmers will willingly modify their practices. For our part, we can learn more about these programs and support them, even though perhaps they aren’t as dramatic as preserving a wetland or wilderness area. And, of course, we should consider putting these concepts into practice by adding appropriate runoff buffers to our own landscape. MOS Annual Conference Note from MOS President, Tom Strikwerda: "Hold the Date: MOS Annual Conference 10-12 June 2016 at Salisbury University. Stay tuned for details.” The 2016 MOS pin contest What artist wouldn’t like to see their work grace a piece of jewelry worn by hundreds of people? Well, for those of you who love painting birds as well as watching them, now’s your chance; the winning entry for the 2016 contest will be featured on the pin given to all the attendees at next June’s conference in Salisbury. There is a shorter turn-around time this year, so start working on your design of a bird appropriate for Wicomico County and the Lower Eastern Shore. Forests along the Pocomoke River and Nassawango Creek are home to many warblers, including Prothonotary and Yellow-throated, which would make excellent subjects. Or perhaps a common grassland species such as Indigo bunting, or the Willet, a shorebird which breeds in in the area? Or maybe a familiar yard bird such as Northern Cardinal, American Robin or Tufted Titmouse? The deadline for the receipt of entries is March 17, 2016. The rules are simple; the bird must be appropriate for the conference site (Wicomico County); the design must include the phrases “MOS” and “2016”; the artist must be an MOS member and the entries must be in hard copy. Put your name, address, e-mail address, phone number and chapter affiliation on the back of each entry. Send entries to Ellen Lawler, 412 Monticello Ave., Salisbury, MD 21801. To see the complete rules and tips about designing entries for the contest visit the MOS web site (annual conference pages) or contact Ellen at 410-982-8695 or emlawler534@comcast.net . Ellen Lawler YMOS Birdathon Returns... ’’Like a Good Penny” March 14-15 2016 The Birdathon is the annual fund raiser for activities conducted by the Youth Program of the Maryland Ornithological Society (YMOS). The principal allocations are for youth participation in the World Series of Birding (WSB) at Cape May, NJ, in May, and for scholarships to attend the Resident Summer Workshop at Washington College in June. Contributions last year supported three WSB teams in two divisions: The YMOS Marsh Gigglers (191 species) won their division and set a new WSB middle school record. YMOS Kingpishers (169 species) placed 3rd in the high school division. With 216 3 The Maryland Yellowthroat species, the YMOS Raucous Gulls not only won the high school division, but also had the highest number of species for the entire competition, sharing the coveted Urner Stone Cup with the Cornell Redheads! Your support also enabled the summer workshop to be fully enrolled with 12 youth and two teacher participants who expanded their knowledge of "Maryland Birds and Bird Habitats." You can help the YMOS in 2016 by pledging $0.25, $0.50, or $1.00 per species seen on the Eastern Shore during the 2-day Birdathon. This is not your grandfather's birdathon. The youngsters construct a 100-species Must-See list in advance and need to record two species for each one missed on the list. Winning this challenge requires planning and decision-making for the species quest, and 90% of the participants must see or hear each species identified. In addition to honing identification skills, the Birdathon promotes a high level of collaboration and sharing that is a hallmark of the YMOS. You can pledge any time prior to the Birdathon by emailing George Radcliffe (radclifg@gmail.com) or Wayne Bell (wbell2@washcoll.edu). Those who pledge will receive an advance copy of the Must-See list. After the Birdathon, we will mail out a report of all species identified, and the amount owed based on the net species seen after any penalty deductions. Thank you in advance for your interest and support. -George Radcliffe and Wayne Bell S) World Series of Birding 2015: YMOS Members Achieve Great Success! Editor's Note: Several members of YMOS participated in the World Series ofBirding. Both of these items first appeared in the August issue of the Montgomery Bird Club's The Chat. Patrick Newcombe and Alex Wiebe, members of the Middle School and High School teams, respectively, wrote the following accounts of their experiences. The YMOS Marsh Gigglers (Middle School) At 11:57 p.m. on May 9, 2015 the YMOS Marsh Gigglers Middle School team, made up of Daniel Irons, Jonathan Irons, Jack Pearse, and Patrick Newcombe tumbled out of the car for the first stop on our Big Day. Our first bird was Canada Goose in the Lewisburg Marsh. We ticked off Barred and Great¬ horned Owls, as well as a number of night migrants including both cuckoos, an Indigo Bunting, and an unexpected Least Sandpiper by flight calls. At 12:20 a.m., we raced back to our car and headed to Wood Duck Trail, where our patience paid off with a Sora. We picked up a surprise Least Bittern at Rockport Marsh, then ticked off Eastern Screech Owl. We then heard a Barn Owl shriek—an amazing and unexpected find! After ticking Grasshopper Sparrow, we headed back to the Wantage Grasslands, where we added Bobolink and Eastern Meadowlark. It was now dawn and we already had 40 species—a great start. We raced through High Point State Park, where we caught a brief look at an Eastern Whip-poor-will, and were pleased to hear the muffled, vibrating sound of the Ruffed Grouse at the exact same time as the Cornell Redheads. Both teams sprung into their cars, and Cornell speed off in the other direction. As we flew along the road, my head sticking out of the sunroof, we continued hearing more and more warblers and other migrants. We heard a chipping Canada Warbler in Stokes State Forest. Culvers Lake gave us multiple new species for the day including House Sparrow and European Starling. We heard a White-crowned Sparrow in the Layton Grasslands. Van Auken Road gave us a Belted Kingfisher, and we added Common Merganser at the nearby Dingmans Ferry. We added Winter Wren at Bluett Track, Worm¬ eating Warbler on Pompey Road, and Cliff Swallow at the old DOT Barn. We left the north with a satisfying 123 species. We sighted Merlin on the drive south, then added Summer Tanager at the Railroad Tracks. We found many more marsh and south-only birds at Turkey Point and Strawberry Avenue, then quickly checked off a Horned Lark at Paper Mill Road. Heisslerville produced multiple new shorebirds including Whimbrel. A Cattle Egret was at the former Retirement Center. A quick stop at the meadows yielded Stilt Sandpiper, American Oystercatcher, and Gadwall. Due to the frustrating fog, our sea watch produced only Black Scoter and Common Tern. We worked our way up the coast to Stone Harbor, where we added a Piping Plover which blended into the sand and fog incredibly well. We also added Sanderling and Purple Sandpiper. Jan/Feb 2016 4 Avalon yielded a Yellow-crowned Night Heron before we made the drive up to Forsythe NWR. We had 186 species, and our goal had been to hit 178, the new middle school record for the World Series. Forsythe was disappointingly slow due to the fog, but we still managed five new species including Gull-billed Tern, Ruddy Turnstone, Blue-winged Teal, and Saltmarsh Sparrow. At dusk, we heard a “peenting” American Woodcock, in addition to the numerous Eastern Whip- poor-wills. We opted to stop birding and head to the finish line because safety is number one, and our driver had driven the whole scouting week as well as the Big Day and was understandably tired. Just making it through the Big Day as a driver was a truly incredible feat. We ended the day with 191 species, the new Middle School record for the World Series of Birding! We came in first place in the middle school division and fourth place overall. The Big Day was very memorable; not only because of the birds we found, but because of the way we operated as a team. In the years to come, it is our teamwork that I will never forget. —Patrick Newcombe The YMOS Raucous Gulls (High School) The members on the YMOS Raucous Gulls for this year’s competition were Matthew Addicks, Kevin Ebert, and Alex Wiebe. We scouted the north for a full week before the big day, starting in the south and heading up to scout the north on Monday. Thanks everyone who helped us before and during scouting! As we walked into the entrance of Great Swamp NWR, another team showed us a pair of calling Long¬ eared Owls! At midnight we walked out into the marsh, where we heard a Common Gallinule bleating, a species we did not expect to find there. We stopped to hear a stakeout Sora and picked up a Savannah Sparrow by flight call. Continuing north, we had several Black-billed Cuckoos and a few other birds fly over at Wolfpit Road. At about 4:10 a.m., we picked up a Brown Thrasher, and drove to the Kuser Bog in High Point State Park. At the Kuser Bog, some tooting produced a calling Northern Saw-whet Owl at about 4:40 a.m., and we waited for our first daytime songbirds of the day: Hermit Thrush, Northern Waterthrush, and Canada Warbler. On our way out, we tallied the stakeout Dark¬ eyed Junco singing upslope from the bog. At the AT&T Tower in High Point State Park, we found Cooper’s Hawk and Common Raven on nests and heard a Purple Finch sing. We drove down to our Ruffed Grouse spot on Sawmill Rd at 5:30 a.m. and heard it drum at 5:35 a.m. A quick stop at Clove Road got us a Golden-winged Warbler. Back in High Point, we drove down Ridge Road, picking up most of our forest breeders like Hairy Woodpecker and Least Flycatcher, along with a few nice migrants, including Nashville and Tennessee Warblers. In Stokes State Forest, we ran into the Steammill Campground to scope our Broad-winged Hawk on a nest; then at the entrance to the Ocquittunk Campground, we heard a couple Brown Creepers and a Ruby-crowned Kinglet. We also heard Winter Wren and picked up a bonus Eastern Wood-Pewee.As we pulled into the Layton Grasslands, we heard an Eastern Meadowlark singing. We also heard a White-crowned Sparrow and saw a couple Eastern Bluebirds here. We heard a Wilson’s Warbler singing and stopped at Dingman’s Ferry to pick up Common Merganser and Spotted Sandpiper. Heading south, we stopped at the Blewett Tract, where we called in a Red-breasted Nuthatch and heard a Golden-crowned Kinglet. On to the Delaware Water Gap, where we heard our first Blackpoll Warbler of the year, and also had the usual Worm¬ eating Warbler. At the DOT Barn we picked up Cliff Swallow and Orchard Oriole. We crossed the 1-80 at 9:50 am with 137 species, but then tallied Mallard, Rock Pigeon, and Black Vulture to make it 140. Our one stop before the south was in Westville, where we whistled up a Northern Bobwhite in three minutes. Driving into Dividing Creek, we picked up Blue Grosbeak and White-eyed Vireo, but missed Kentucky Warbler. At Railroad Avenue we quickly swept through the rest of the southern breeders, in¬ cluding Prothonotary Warbler and Summer Tanager. Shortly after stepping out of the car at Strawberry Avenue, we heard a Yellow-breasted Chat. We were running a little late coming into Heislerville, and we picked out White-rumped Sandpiper, Red Knot, and Ruddy Duck. We stopped at the Paper Mill Sod Farm to pick up Horned Lark, before heading over to Jakes Landing Road, where we found a Northern Harrier and Seaside and Saltmarsh sparrows. We got a Cattle Egret from the car and were on our way to Cape May! At the Meadows, we picked out a pair of Gadwall and ran to the beach, where we encountered the fog for the first time. I picked out a first-year Lesser Black- backed Gull on the jetty, a flock of Black and Surf Scoters, and a small group of Ruddy Turnstones. In the 5 The Maryland Yellowthroat next fifteen minutes, we managed to pull most of our seawatch targets out of the fog, including Royal Tern, Red-throated Loon, Parasitic Jaeger, and a Northern Gannet Matt picked out in the fog. On Stone Harbor Boulevard, we picked up the nesting Green Heron at the Wetlands Institute. At Stone Harbor Point, we ran all the way out to get Purple Sandpiper on the jetty and Piping Plover down the beach. We drove up to get the Yellow-crowned Night- Heron at the 37th Street colony and were on our way to Brigantine! When we arrived at Brigantine at 6:40 p.m., the fog was really rolling in. We saw a Caspian Tern fly by and heard an American Coot calling from the edge of the impoundment, but birding was getting really tough. At a pond at the end of the loop, we found Bufflehead and Ring-necked Duck, and we had one of our biggest surprises of the day, a Sharp-shinned Hawk that flew behind us, chasing an Eastern Kingbird. A second time around the loop gave us a flyby Wilson’s Snipe, and we heard our Chuck-will’s- widow near the refuge exit. The fog prevented us from getting a Common Nighthawk at Brigantine, so we drove north to their breeding grounds in Wharton State Forest, where we heard one call. We made our way back to Cape May County to pick up the Black Rail at Stipson’s Island Road. At 11:49, we heard a Blue-winged Teal, and decided to submit our checklist. We had totaled 216 species, breaking the existing high school record of 215 species! We placed first in the youth division and shared the Urner Stone Cup for first place overall with Cornell’s Redheads, who won the adult division with 208 species. What a day! — Alex Wiebe 2016 Timeline for Maryland Birdlife Spring 2016, Volume 65, Number 1 February 1: First drafts due May 1: Issue goes to press June: Issue in your hands Fall 2016, Volume 65, Number 2 August 1: First drafts due November 1: Issue goes to press December: Issue in your hands Associate Editor Mark Johnson and I thank everyone who contributed a manuscript for the 2015 issues of Maryland Birdlife. We look forward to receiving the 2016 submittals. Please consider submitting an article or note for an upcoming issue. Guidelines can be found on the inside back cover of the journal. Send your first drafts to me at ejscarp@comcast.net. Thanks for your participation in Maryland Birdlife. - - Gene Scarpulla, Editor Chapter Chatter ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY My husband Paul and I (Sally Vavrek ) spent 3 weeks in October on a Rockjumper birding trip in South Africa. The trip began with 3 days in Kruger NP, seeing their big 5 (leopard, lion, buffalo, elephant and rhino) every day, as well as 4 species of Hornbill, Rollers, White-faced owls, hoopoes and the gorgeous Green Wood-Hoopoe. We visited 5 locations in Eastern South Africa—Wakkerstroom, home of many endemic larks, korhaans, and the elegant Blue Crane; St. Lucia, for Livingstone's Turaco, Gorgeous Bushshrike, and adorable Green Twinspots; the Dlinza Forest for the Spotted Ground-thrush; Richmond for the endangered Blue Swallow; and finally up the spectacular Sani Pass into Lesotho, for the endemic Drakensburg Rockjumper, Barrett's Warbler, as well as a Lanner Falcon and Bearded Vulture. After flying from Durham to Cape Town, we spent 6 days birding Cape Point, Stony Point penguin colony, and Rooi Els, where we saw the Cape Rockjumper. At Kirstenbosch Botanical gardens sugar birds were on the protea plants and we saw a nest of Spotted Eagle Owls in West Coast NP. The last 2 days we birded in the Karoo, where we spotted the Karoo Chat, Karoo Lark, and the Rufous-eared Warbler. Jan/Feb 2016 6 The trip was fantastic, and included 360 birds and 48 mammals. We were very pleased with Rockjumper—our leader was very qualified, accommodations excellent, and group size kept at 6 plus guide. South Africa is a gorgeous country, with varied ecosystems, all spectacular in unique ways. It had been a dream of ours to go, and now we dream of returning. Sally Vavrek Photo of Wood Hoopoe by Sally Vavrek CAROLINE COUNTY Caroline County Bird Club mourns the loss of long time member Ethel Quidas Engle of Preston, MD. Ethel passed away on Tuesday, October 6, 2015 at her home. She was 92 years old. Ethel Engle with daughter Irene Engle Wheatley at the 60th Anniversary celebration of the Caroline County Bird Club March 2011. Ethel served as Caroline County Bird Club's Vice President 1970-72 and President 1972-76. She coordinated Caroline County’s May Bird Counts and Fall Bird Counts for many years. She was a teacher and mentor to younger members in the Club. Ethel instilled the love of nature and birding among her extended family and friends, who continue to be actively involved with the Club. Debby Bennett CARROLL COUNTY My husband, Ken , and I just returned from a road trip inspired by, of all things, a U-Haul truck! On a recent drive down 1-70, we passed a U-Haul adorned with an enormous picture of a red-crowned bird, and Ken slowed the car so I could read that it was a Mississippi Sandhill Crane. I’ve seen many sandhill cranes before, notably in New Mexico, and I didn’t know that the cranes in Mississippi were any different from those. Information on the website of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (www.fws.gov/refuge/Mississippi Sandhill Crane) explains that the sandhill crane is one of the two species of the 15 species of crane worldwide that are found in North America (the other being the endangered whooping crane). There are 6 subspecies of sandhill crane, and while there are many sandhill cranes in the migratory subspecies, those in the three non-migratory subspecies are at risk: the Florida subspecies is threatened, and the Mississippi and Cuba subspecies are listed as endangered. All of the Mississippi cranes live within the Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge or on land adjacent to it. According to our volunteer guide, the Refuge was established as a compromise with environmentalists when route I-10 was being built across southern Mississippi. On Refuge lands, naturalists are maintaining the vanishing wet pine savannah environment that the cranes need for survival, and they are attempting to reestablish the pristine pine savannah (where longleaf pines number only 3 per acre) that is considered the cranes' optimal habitat. The population of Mississippi cranes has grown from a low of about 30 to the current number of about 110, including 20-25 nesting pairs. We were very fortunate on our trip to the Refuge; we were able to see two of the cranes (albeit very briefly) flying in. If you decide to visit, though, be sure you make viewing the savannah itself your goal, or pick an alternate goal altogether - with only 110 birds about, even birds as big as sandhill cranes, there is no guarantee you’ll get to see one! We actually did have an alternate goal, which was to visit for the first time friends in Anniston, AL. It turns out that Anniston has a small museum of natural history that houses an incredible collection of preserved birds. While I didn’t expect to really “enjoy” seeing in one place so many birds that used to be alive, 7 The Maryland Yellowthroat I admit that the Regar-Werner Ornithology Collection, in which more than 400 species are represented, was impressive: the display beautiful and the variety unbelievable. Being able to see so closely so many birds both familiar and unfamiliar was rewarding; standing before the display of an ivory-billed woodpecker (along with several other extinct birds) was a profound experience. If you are ever anywhere near Anniston, go to the Museum; it is well worth your time. The Museum’s website is at www.annistonmuseum.org . CJMcAuliffe CECIL COUNTY Cecil Bird Club member Ken Drier was on the road again. This time in the Deep South, Prairie Cajun Country, in Jennings,Louisiana at the Yellow Rail and Rice Festival over Halloween weekend. This festival coincides with the harvesting of the rice fields where Yellow, Virginia, King Rails and Sora make their fall and winter homes. Participants join the farmers as they run their giant combines through the fields flushing birds as they harvest the rice. Everyone has the opportunity to climb up onto the combine and take a loop or two through the rice fields. Ken was no exception making several combine rides over the course of a couple of days. The first day started with a lecture about rice farming and what could be expected once everyone was in the fields. Ken was able to see all the different rails being flushed that first morning. LeConte Sparrows also made themselves visible in the brush next to the flooded rice fields. There are three national wildlife refuges in close proximity to the festival and flocks of Greater White-fronted Geese and both White-faced and White Ibis could be seen flying overhead and foraging in the fields nearby. The first day ended with a Cajun dinner and band at a small church next to the rice fields. The second day started with a field trip to Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge which was about an hour's drive from festival headquarters located in the Hampton Inn in Jennings. Roseate Spoonbills were the big attraction until we located a Vermillion Flycatcher. It flew right into the tree next to where the group was scanning for ducks allowing the entire group excellent views for about ten minutes. Flocks of both Blue and Green-winged Teal dropped down into the impoundments along with Mottled Ducks and the coveted Fulvous Whistling- Ducks. Heading back to the rice fields for the afternoon session the group passed harvested fields holding thousands of Greater White-fronted Geese with smaller groupings of Snow Geese and several Ross’s Geese. A quick stop behind a convenience store turned up four Crested Caracara sitting on the fence posts. Very cool! Back at the rice fields the volunteers from Louisiana State University had set up mist nets and a banding station. As the combines cleared the fields of rice the birds flew into the nets set up at the end of the fields. That afternoon 46 rails, mostly Sora, and a few sparrows were banded. Those banding were kept quite busy. Hurricane Patricia, after pounding the western coast of Mexico, was forecast to dump a good deal of rain in the festival area for the remaining days. Fortunately, it held off for the third morning allowing a field trip to Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge. Shorebirds were in abundance on the mud flats of the impoundments. Least, Western, both Yellowlegs, Avocet, Black-necked Stilts, and Pectoral Sandpipers were observed. The highlight of the morning was a small track of pine trees known to house Bam Owls. The group flushed a good dozen from the trees plus one Great Horned Owl. That basically concluded the day as the rain came down in buckets while the group attempted one more stop for Sprague's Pipit that had to be abandoned. The festival concluded that evening with a Cajun restaurant catering an affaire in a local museum. The mayor of the town and the president of the state's rice growing association were in attendance to thank the group for their participation in the festival. Festival goer Ken had 102 species recorded as well as seven life birds including the Yellow Rail for which the festival was founded. Ken Drier We {Dong and Mikki Senn ) recently returned from a two-week trip to Belize, our first foray into Central America. As a result, 60 life birds were added to Doug’s list. First stop was Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, which is supported by Audubon. The ranger there took us on a personal walk and we picked up Northern Jacana, Roseate Spoonbill, Boat-billed Heron, Rose-throated Becard, as well as a sizable crocodile. A Bat Falcon and Barred-forest Falcon were also active near the river. Several trips were made into the jungle to see Mayan ruins and we quickly learned to mention we were bird watchers, as most of the guides know a lot about the local flora and fauna. On a river trip to Lamanai, our guide Carlos called out to us whenever he spotted something and we got to see a Pale-billed Woodpecker staring at us from a hollow tree, Collared and Black-headed Trogons, and the national bird, the Keel-billed Toucan . On the return boat trip, Carlos casually mentioned he had nothing else to do the rest of the afternoon and would take us birding if we weren’t too tired. We jumped at the offer and he took us into the back farm country near where he grew up and to the edge of the jungle where we could hear howler monkeys roaring back and forth. Since we used our car, Carlos could keep his eyes peeled for birds and found some that even surprised him - White-necked Puffbird, Green Kingfisher, Altamira Oriole and Laughing Falcon. Belize has a Jan/Feb 2016 wide variety of habitats for a small country, ranging from the Mayan Highlands in the southwest to the marshes along the coast and many offshore islands along the coral reef. —Dong and Mikki Senn HARFORD COUNTY Harford Bird Club celebrated long-time member Mary Silling' s 99th birthday at its November meeting. Mary comes to bird club meetings faithfully and enjoys visiting with members. She enjoys the various presentations because “there are so many interesting things in this world.” In honor of her 99th, Mary was presented with a beautiful bouquet and a cake which was enjoyed by all. — Jean Wheeler Photo of Mary Silling , photo by Jean Wheeler. MONTGOMERY COUNTY Karen Grisez writes that she and Lyndon Selby attended the Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival in Harlingen, TX from Nov. 3-8. “Due to the heavy rains in Texas immediately before the festival, the mosquitoes were bad at some sites early in the week but the birding was very good. Highlights were Blue- throated Hummingbirds and a Dusky-capped Flycatcher seen at Estero Llano Grande, and several excellent views of White-tailed Hawks in a variety of locations around the Valley.” Don Simonson writes that he and Marcia spent eight weeks exploring Australia and New Zealand in 2015. “Don made life sketches in the field of every species they encountered and added 250 lifers to his world list.” Max Wilson of Kensington sent the following account of birding across the southwest US. “I recently returned from a birding odyssey across Louisiana, Texas, and Arizona. In ten days of (mostly) birding, we drove 2000 miles and I got 15 life birds. The trip began at the Yellow Rails and Rice Festival in SW Louisiana, which is an excellent event. The organizers have partnered with a rice farmer in Thornwell, LA to host three afternoons of birding in conjunction with the rice harvest. Birders can ride a combine harvesting rice or walk through the fields to get terrific views of Yellow, Virginia, and King Rails, as well of Soras flying out of the rice ahead of the harvester. On the second day of harvesting, a local researcher sets up mist nets to band as many of the rails as they can catch, providing a terrific opportunity to see the rails in-hand. “When the weather turned sour toward the end of the festival, a friend and I decided to make a run down to the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) of Texas to see the juvenile Northern Jacana at Estero Llano Grande SP and any other rarities that might be hanging around. Arriving at Estero after a long drive, we ran into Jim Brighton and Tom Feild who helped us find the juvenile Northern Jacana among the other South Texas specialties. Jim relayed a recent report he received about a Greater Pewee at Anzalduas, so we headed there next. With only thirty minutes until the park closed and with other birders working off the same tip, we were able to relocate the Greater Pewee. We had several hours to bird the next morning before we had to start our drive back to Houston, and we spent that time at the hawk watch tower at Bentsen State Park hoping to find a Hook-billed Kite. We ended up getting distant views of at least one female. On the next leg of my trip, I spent several days in Arizona for work-related meetings. I had a free day before the meetings and spent that time birding the eastern slope of the Huachuca Mountains, beginning in Huachuca Canyon where I ticked the Sinaloa Wren that has been reported on and off for much of the last year. Next was Ramsey Canyon where I hoped to re- find the Tufted Flycatchers that attempted to nest this summer. The flycatchers seemed to have moved on, but I did get good looks at a small covey of Montezuma Quail. I also dipped on my search for Rufous-capped Warblers in Hunter Canyon. I birded some Phoenix area parks and saw the newly countable Rosy-faced Lovebirds. Once my meetings were over, I made a dash down to the little mining town of Ajo where a few Rufous-backed Robins had been found. I got on them at first light and stuck around to get a few pictures before heading to the famous Thrasher Spot west of Phoenix. I found a Sagebrush Sparrow, Bendire’s Thrasher, and LeConte’s Thrasher, but no luck with a Crissal before I had to head back to the airport.” Chris Wright 9 The Maryland Yellowthroat Five Naturalists to Receive Scholarships to Hog Island, Maine By: Kate Tufts The Maryland Ornithological Society is happy to announce that it is awarding five scholarships to the National Audubon Society’s Hog Island camps in Maine for the summer of 2016. Representing Howard County is Josh Detweiler, an Environmental Educator at the Robinson Nature Center. Josh has a Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Science from Penn State University. He will be attending the Raptor Rapture camp in July thanks to the Frances Covington/Etta Wedge Memorial scholarship. Mary Helen Gillen has chosen to attend the Field Ornithology camp. She is a Teacher Naturalist and Climate Programs Coordinator at the Pickering Creek Audubon Center near Easton and active in the MOS Talbot Chapter. Mary Helen’s scholarship is made possible through the generosity of the Kent County chapter’s Gibson-Mendinhall scholarship fund. Montgomery County has two scholarship awardees this year. Alex Rausch studied Environmental Education/Interpretation in college and is working in that field at the Audubon Naturalist Society in Chevy Chase. Alex has chosen the Sharing Nature camp. Also, representing Montgomery County this year is Brady Hartley, a Park Naturalist at Brookside Nature Center in Wheaton. Brady develops and leads education programs, including one on birds of the area. She is looking forward to participating in a new program at Hog Island this year, Hands on Bird Science. Brady is this year’s recipient of the Chandler Robbins scholarship. The Baltimore Bird Club recommended Alexa White for a scholarship to attend the ever- popular Sharing Nature camp. Alexa is a Chesapeake Conservation Corps Fellow at the Patterson Park Audubon Center where she designs and teaches the Green Leaders after school program for middle school students. Congratulations to the Hog Island campers for 2016 and a special “Thank you” to the chapters which supported them. The campers have so much to look forward to. As Grant Melville, one of this year’s campers stated, “The whole experience was amazing, and I feel that many of the things that I learned I will take with me for the rest of my life.” Review of Birds of South America (Passerines) Written and illustrated by Ber van Perlo, 464 pp., Princeton Illustrated checklist There are over 1,950 species of passerines (perching birds) in South America, and the latest “illustrated checklist” from Princeton displays each one along with a range map and very brief description. Species are phylogenetically arranged according to family. Throughout the book, range maps and descriptions are on the left and the plates are on the right. Each description is a paragraph at most, and descriptions include specific physical characteristics important in identification, voice descriptions, and notes on habitat, in that order. The author has written books like this for many regions of the world; he is also the illustrator. That one individual is responsible for every rendering is an amazing act; however, if readers are expecting illustrations with an attention to detail, this isn’t it. The author contends his illustrations are to do what we expect; to highlight the specific characteristics that are important in identification and not designed to necessarily be detailed. But isn’t this precisely why birders appreciate illustrations more than photographs that tend to be situation (e.g. light, age, shadow, etc.) specific? Plates were painted in gouache, an opaque watercolor that allows the illustrator more flexibility. However, some plates (e.g., p. 90, Ground Tyrants and p. Phyllomyias Tyrannulets, p. 65) show few differences that will be helpful in identification. These plates are rare, and the illustrations of tanagers and blackbirds are excellent and should be helpful to anyone planning a trip. The handbook is a reasonable size to carry on travel and provides an excellent balance of information and artwork while providing accounts of every known passerine species for this avian-diverse continent. It currently retails for $29.95 and seems reasonable for all of the information contained within. The only significant drawback is that it is passerine-specific - birders wanting the other taxa will need to take the companion guide to non-passerines with them (Mata et al. 2006. Birds of South America: Non-passerines , HarperCollins). Thank God for smart phones and the hope that someday there will be an app for this! Mark S. Johnson Jan/Feb 2016 10 Birds of Note - by Les Roslvmd The two BROWN BOOBIES of September in Baltimore Harbor must have taken a liking to our area, for as of Nov 18, over two months after their first discovery, the adult bird is still here. The juvenile disappeared a few weeks ago but the adult continues to provide excitement and enjoyment for all the visitors who manage to see her. She must be finding adequate food, but surely the time will eventually come when she will notice that the Maryland winter is not as nice as she would like it to be. Another visitor from warmer climates was discovered in Ocean City, Worcester County on Sep 28. This was a REDDISH EGRET, making use of Skimmer Island and viewed readily from the Rte 50 bridge. Dan Small of Chestertown, Kent County, was the first to notice this bird. Word of Dan's discovery spread rapidly, so many other birders had the joy of seeing this bird. The observations continued through Oct 6, with the last report being filed by Art Drauglis of Washington, DC. Maryland records show one previous REDDISH EGRET sighting in the state. That was back in June of 2003 and the visiting bird was also first seen on Skimmer Island. On Oct 21 another unusual bird was found in Ocean City. This was a ROCK WREN, providing only the second Maryland record for the species. The wren turned up in Sunset Park, and the skillful finder was Scott Houston. Normally ROCK WRENS are found in rocky and dry regions of the western part of the nation, notably in west Texas, New Mexico and beyond. Their breeding range extends far to the north through Montana and into Canada. However, after breeding season is over they are prone to do a little wandering, even to the eastern states. They just have not wandered into Maryland very often. This bird continued to demonstrate that wandering urge. It gave delightful views to many birders on Oct 22, and then it disappeared. It was not seen again. On Oct 12 a BELL'S VIREO was discovered on the grounds of the National Arboretum in Washington, DC. This provided the first reported sighting of BELL'S VIREO in DC. Hugh McGuinness of DC was the first to see the bird and described it as a member of the eastern population. It was an immature bird, apparently doing some exploring into areas outside of the normal breeding range. Most BELL'S VIREOS nest beyond the western edge of Indiana, so only the occasional wanderers can be expected around here. This bird remained in our area for several days and usually was seen near the same fence and parking lot where it was originally found. The final report came from Rob Hilton and Lisa Shannon who saw the bird during the morning of Oct 18th. Three Phalarope species occasionally are found in Maryland during migration, but the RED PHALAROPE is the least likely to be here. Therefore, finding one in our state is a real treat. This year on Oct 3 one was found on the C & O Canal near Violette's lock, Montgomery County. The finders were Dave Czaplak and Mike Ostrowski of Montgomery County. Mike and Dave attained about 45 minutes of viewing time as the bird, an immature, spun on the water or flew around near the shoreline. Not surprisingly, the bird proved to be a "one day wonder". It departed around noon on Oct 3 and was not seen again. Autumn in Maryland means arrival time for the many species of waterfowl that winter here after nesting quite far to our north. Birders tend to enjoy them all but are always on the lookout for the first arrivals of each species. This year one of the earliest arriving groups of GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE chose to show up on Nov 8 at Eastern Neck NWR in Kent County. That day had also been selected by the Talbot Bird Club for a Sunday morning Eastern Neck visit. Mark Schilling of Queen Anne's County, a member of the Talbot Club, arrived early at Eastern Neck and became the finder of five GREATER WHITE-FRONTS near the bridge that leads into the refuge. These birds were buried within a flock of several dozen CANADA GEESE. The WHITE- FRONTS stayed around long enough to give most of the club members a chance to record them as first - of - season species. Later in the morning all five lifted up and flew south while providing a charming version of their calling. Such calling is not often heard in our area. Later in the day the group returned. However there were no reports of them being seen by other birding groups. During migration time some birders watch carefully for arrival of selected species. Amongst the sparrows, FOX SPARROWS capture that kind of attention. This year FOX SPARROWS suddenly were being widely reported during the first week of November. On Nov 1 Mike Hudson of Chestertown found one FOX SPARROW in the Millington WMA in Kent County. On Nov 2 Bob Ringler of Eldersburg reported one in Hughes Hollow. The next day Mike Bowen of 11 The Maryland Yellowthroat Bethesda sighted two of them along the Blue Mash Nature Trail in Montgomery County. Before long that lovely bird will be showing up in many brushy wooded areas of Maryland. This year the weather and wind conditions combined to push an unprecedented number of FRANKLIN'S GULLS away from the Great Lakes and into eastern states prior to their migration. Suddenly dozens or even hundreds of these gulls were being reported in states north and east of us. Maryland birders watching for the Franklin's Gull arrival did not have long to wait. The first lucky birders were David Yeany, Joshua Emm and Matthew Webb who reported finding four FRANKLIN'S GULLS near the Ocean City Inlet at 6:10 a.m. on Friday, November 13th. Word of this find spread quickly and brought a deluge of birders to the site, partly aided by the fact that the November Rarities Round-up in Worcester County was underway at the time. Numerous birders shared in the viewing, photographing and reporting throughout the next several days. A fine total number of FRANKLIN'S GULLS was eventually tallied, with the count reaching 25 at one point in the afternoon of Nov 13. Over the next several days, sightings of FRANKLIN'S GULLS were reported by Andy Beiderman ( Loch Raven Reservoir, Baltimore, Nov 13), Kevin Graff (Baltimore Harbor, Nov 15), Walter Ellison and Nancy Martin ( Chestertown WWTP, Nov 15) and Dan Haas (Sandy Point State Park, Nov 16). It is quite likely that additional reports will come in, for as of this writing (Nov 18) some of the birds may still be around. At the Ocean City part of the Rarities Round-up an additional thrill was provided by the arrival of highly unusual numbers of CAVE SWALLOWS. Perhaps they were also brought to the region by the wind conditions that carried the FRANKLIN'S GULLS into the area. High counts for these birds first came from Taylor's Landing on Nov 14 where 25 of the birds were reported by Jared Fisher and Ryan Johnson. The Rarity Round-up total for CAVE SWALLOWS eventually reached 44, a record high number for the state. 2 > Maryland/DC Records Committee Status Report as of November 25, 2015 (v05) Phil Davis, MD/DCRC Secretary The Maryland/DC Records Committee (MD/DCRC) has reached the following record decisions since the latest committee status report was published in The Maryland Yellowthroat. This report covers MD/DCRC review package 161. MD/DCRC accession numbers are shown in brackets. Results Summary. The MD/DCRC recently reviewed 20 documented Maryland Trumpeter Swan reports that occurred between 1983 and 2010. Accepted. Six of these reports were accepted by the committee. ID OK/Exotic Origin. Seven reports were found to correctly identify Trumpeter Swans; however, at the time of the observations, the birds’ origins were deemed to either have come from reintroduction program populations in the northeast that had not yet become established (i.e., self-sustaining), or the birds were hand-reared. These seven reports were classified by the committee as “Identification (ID) OK/Exotic Origin.” Not Accepted. One of the reports described characteristics of a hybrid and the identification could not be confirmed by the committee as a pure Trumpeter Swan, based on the documentation submitted. This report was, therefore, not accepted. Recirculations. Votes were split for six reports and these reports will be recirculated for further deliberations until a decision is reached. Decision Factors. The committee dealt with issues of: (1) identification and separation of Trumpeter and Tundra Swans; (2) identification and elimination of hybrid “Trumpling” (Trumpeter X Tundra) Swans which were known to be present in Maryland during this time frame due to a relationship between the Swan Research Program at Arlie in Warrenton, VA and the Columbia Association’s [MD] waterfowl management program in Howard County; (3) the use of Maryland during this time frame as a stopover and wintering grounds for the Swan Research Program’s “Operation Migration” Jan/Feb 2016 12 experiment using ultralight aircraft and imprinting of both Trumpling and Trumpeter Swans; and (4) the evolving status, from the 1980s through 2010, of the “Interior Population” Trumpeter Swan reintroduction programs in the northeast. Reintroduction program subfactors of concern included the evolving self-sustaining status of the various northeast populations and the initial methods used to reintroduce and raise young swans (for example, hand-raised from incubated or surrogate parents vs. wild hatching). These unusual factors and a lack of precedence for reviewing records of birds from migrating reintroduction populations caused the committee to dynamically create some new review guidelines and processes. Future Detailed Decision Report. Details on the committee’s review process and deliberations, and of the specific decisions, will be published in the future. Official List Status. An immediate impact of these current decisions is to change the status of Trumpeter Swan on the Official List of the Birds of Maryland from an extirpated species to a regular species. However, at this time, the only current officially accepted MD/DCRC Maryland records of Trumpeter Swan, between 1983 and 2010, are the records, listed below, that were accepted by the committee in this review package. Specifically, these recently accepted records include the 2009-2010 Fairlee Creek (Kent County) flocks, the two 2009 Lakeside Business Park (Edgewood, Harford County) birds, and the 2009 Potomac River (Seneca, Montgomery County) flock. Upcoming Reviews. The committee will continue to review Trumpeter Swan reports, including reports submitted between 2011 to 2015, that are already in our queue, along with the report recirculations from this package. MD/DCRC Information. More information on the MD/DCRC can be found on the committee's web pages at the following URL: http://www.mdbirds.org/mddcrc/rcindex.ht ml MD Records Accepted: Trumpeter Swan, Cygnus buccinator [MD/2006- 008] Fairgale Farms, Chestertown, Kent County. 05-Feb-2006 through 15-Feb-2006. Two birds. Trumpeter Swan, Cygnus buccinator [MD/2006- 286] Fairgale Farms, Chestertown, Kent County. 15-Dec-2006 through 16-Dec-2006. A pair, with five juveniles. Trumpeter Swan, Cygnus buccinator [MD/2008- 109] Fairgale Farms, Chestertown, Kent County. 29-Nov-2008 through 01-Dec-2008. One pair with at least four cygnets. Trumpeter Swan, Cygnus buccinator [MD/2009- 019] Lakeside Business Park, Edgewood, Harford County. 08-Feb-2009 through 31-Mar-2009. Two first winter birds. Trumpeter Swan, Cygnus buccinator [MD/2009- 028] Potomac River, Seneca, Montgomery County. 22-Feb-2009 through 17-Mar-2009. Up to four birds. Trumpeter Swan, Cygnus buccinator [MD/2010- 019] Fairgale Farms, Chestertown, Kent County. 01-Mar-2010 through 03-Mar-2010. Five birds. MD Records ID OK/Exotic Origin: Trumpeter Swan, Cygnus buccinator [MD/2011- 028] Lover's Lane, Cambridge, Dorchester County. 25-May-1998. One hatch-year (HY) female. Trumpeter Swan, Cygnus buccinator [MD/2011- 029] Wildfowl Trust of North America/Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center, Grasonville, Queen Anne's County. 03-Jan-1999. One after-hatch-year (AHY) female. Trumpeter Swan, Cygnus buccinator [MD/2011- 030] Mullbery Point, St. Michaels, Talbot County. 13-Jan-2001. One AHY male. Trumpeter Swan, Cygnus buccinator [MD/2011- 031] Mullbery Point, St. Michaels, Talbot County. 21-Jan-2001. One male. Trumpeter Swan, Cygnus buccinator [MD/2005- 031] Forrest Lakes, Forest Hill, Harford County. 13 The Maryland Yellowthroat 01-Apr-2005 through 05-Apr-2005. One female. Trumpeter Swan, Cygnus buccinator [MD/2006- 038] Schoolhouse Pond, Upper Marlboro, Prince George's County. 02-May-2006 through 23-Mar-2009. One bird. Trumpeter Swan, Cygnus buccinator [MD/2006- 043] Indian Creek, Benedict, Charles County. 04-May-2006 through 17-Feb-2009. One bird. MD Records Not Accepted: ** Howard. Howard Conservancy - Mount Pleasant Farm. Start your year list. Easy walking on paved paths and woodland trails. Plan to carpool to different locations to find as many species as possible. The one day of the year where every bird is new! Facilities available. 8 AM. Leader Bonnie Ott, bonnieott@verizon.net or 443-285-3302. ft Montgomery. Earliest bird walk at Georgetown Reservoir and DC hotspots. Half day. Start the New Year right. 8 AM. Meet at Georgetown Reservoir, DC, by the gate leading to the dike between the pools. Reservations required. Strict limit 20 participants. Leader Mike Bowen, 301-530-5764 or dhmbo wen@y ahoo .com. Trumpeter Swan, Cygnus buccinator [MD/1997- 177] Lily pons Water Gardens, Buckeystown, Frederick County. 15-M-1994 through ~31-Jul-1994. One bird. MOS Calendar Jan-Feb 2016 By Marilyn Veek For the most current calendar information please consult the links to the particular chapters on the back page of the newsletter. Friday, January 1 ft Baltimore. Loch Raven Reservoir. Start the New Year birding. Varied habitats including woods, fields and the reservoir. Possibly also birding other sites for a “Big Day” in Baltimore City & County. 8:30 AM. Leader Kevin Graff, keyweststyle2001 @gmail.com or 410-557-2456. ft Harford. Perryman Area. Celebrate the New Year/recover from New Year’s Eve by birding the always productive Perryman Area. 8:30 AM. Meet at the Rt. 40 Aberdeen Walmart parking lot. Leader Phil Powers, 410-679-4116 or birdsinmd@verizon.net. Christmas COUNT. Bowie. Compiler David Mozurkewich, mozurk@bellAtlantic.net or 301-509- 2212 . Saturday, January 2 ft Eastern Neck NWR. Guided Winterfowl Walk. Conditions permitting, hundreds, if not thousands, of Canada Geese, Tundra Swans, Scaup, Ruddy Ducks, Buffleheads, Mallards, Black Ducks, Canvasbacks, Mergansers, and others can be spotted. Bald Eagles are often observed at Eastern Neck, as well as other local wildlife. The walks will include Hail Creek, Shipyard Creek, Cedar Point, and Panhandle Point, all sanctuary areas ordinarily off-limits to the public. Spotting scopes will be available. Bring a camera. A local birding expert will accompany each walk. Event will cover approximately two miles and last about two hours, with cocoa and cookies served at the Refuge headquarters afterward. Wear boots and dress warmly! No rain dates. Registration is limited to 20. Free, but donations to Friends of Eastern Neck appreciated. 8 AM. For more information and for reservations, contact Gren Whitman, easternneckwalks@gmail.com or 443-691-9370. ft Patuxent. Walk at the Fran Uhler Natural Area jointly with PG Audubon. 7:30 AM. Meet at the end of Lemon’s Br Rd, off Rt 197 just n of Bowie State College. No reservations needed. Contact Bill Sefton, kiwisuits@msn.com. CHRISTMAS COUNT. Ft. Belvoir, VA and MD. Compilers: main/VA: Kurt Gaskill, Jan/Feb 2016 14 kurtcapt87@verizon.net; MD: Lynne Wheeler, comstockel@aol.com. CHRISTMAS count. Calmes Neck, VA. The cut off date to join this count is 12/21/15 as it is difficult to coordinate and place people at the last minute. This circle covers parts of Clarke and Loudoun counties in VA. Compiler: Margaret Wester, margaretwester@hotmail.com or 540-837-2799. ^4 CHRISTMAS COUNT. Inwood, WV. Compiler: Bob Dean, 304-671-4995 or dean8189@gmail.com. *4 CHRISTMAS COUNT. Middle River. Tally at McFauTs on Cromwell Bridge Road at 5 PM. Compiler Pete Webb, 443-904-6314 or pete_webb@juno.com, or Kevin Graff, keyweststyle2001@gmail.com. Sunday, January 3 Christmas COUNT. Annapolis and Gibson Island. Compilers: Hal Wierenga or Lynn Davidson (410-647-7439, hal.lynn@comcast.net) or Sue Ricciardi (410-647-9513, susiericc@comcast.net.) *4 CHRISTMAS COUNT. Sugarloaf Mountain, MD. Compiler: Janet Millenson, janet@twocrows.com or 301-983-9337. <4 CHRISTMAS COUNT. Lancaster, PA. Compiler: Barbara Hunsberger, phunsberger@comcast.net. Wednesday, January 6 ft Baltimore. First Wednesday Walk at Fort McHenry. Continuing a series of morning surveys of bird activity at the Fort and wetland. Telescopes useful. Cancelled in inclement weather. 8 AM - noon. Park outside the main entrance gate, in lot on left, and meet at the gate. Leader Mary Chetelat, 410-665-0769. Thursday, January 7 Meeting. Frederick. Dave Brinker will tell us about his Snowy Owl project, and whet our appetites for possible winter sightings. 7 PM. Homewood at Crumland Farms. ** Patuxent. Walk at Lake Artemesia, jointly with PG Audubon. 3 PM. Meet at the parking lot at end of Berwyn Rd in Berwyn Hts. No reservations needed. Contact David Mozurkewich, mozurk@bellAtlantic.net. Saturday, January 9 ft Baltimore. Special Youth Birding trip in Harford County. First stop Conowingo Dam to see lots of Bald Eagles, ducks, gulls, and numerous other birds enjoying the fish that get swept through the generating system. Second stop Swan Harbor Farm in Havre de Grace where we can expect a variety of wintering land and water birds. Dress for the weather - it may be quite cold and windy, so warm coats, gloves and hats are recommended. Pre-registration is mandatory. 9 AM. Meet at the Wawa on Rt. 1 at the intersection of Rt. 136 (Whiteford Rd.) Carpooling should be arranged ahead of time. Leader John Robinson, 443-810-9059 (c), 410-483-6620 (h), or icrobin@jhmi.edu . Audrey Carroll Mid-winter Count. Frederick. Meet at the sanctuary at 6:30 AM, and be prepared to visit all parts of the sanctuary’s 129 acres. You may want your waterproof boots. Compiler: David Smith, 410-549-7082. ft Baltimore. New Design Road in Frederick County. Bring ‘scopes - we will be viewing winter field birds south of Frederick. For Horned Larks and possible Lapland Longspurs, slight chance of Snow Buntings. Optional visit to nearby Lily Pons aquatic farm for winter sparrows and surprises. 9 AM. Meet at the 1-70 P&R lot inside Beltway. Leaders Pete Webb, 443-904- 6314 or pete_webb@juno.com, and Kevin Graff, keyweststyle2001@gmail.com. Meeting. Carroll. Annual Holiday Party at the Yinglings, 70 Ridge Road, Westminster. 7:30 PM. Talk birds, eat, drink, and have fun with fellow birders. Sue and Splinter Yingling, hostess/host. Please coordinate with the Yinglings to bring a dish, syingling@mac.com or 410-857-0902. ft Kent. Eastern Neck NWR. Kick off your birding year with a half-day search for waterfowl, eagles, and winter land birds. 8 AM. Meet at the Dollar General parking lot (off Philosopher’s Terrace) in Chestertown. Leaders Walter Ellison and Nancy 15 The Maryland Yellowthroat Martin, 410-778-9568 or e-mail boreal dee@gmail. com. Sunday, January 10 Anne Arundel. Cabin Branch Restoration Area. This is a monthly trip with easy access to a restored stream valley, around the corner from Annapolis Mall. The Severn River Keeper Program has worked to turn around a degraded section of property into a lovely area which throughout the year should be a good place to go birding and could be very good for migrant birds. 8-11 AM. Meet at Annapolis Bowl, 2057 Generals Hwy. Leader David Gillum, 410-266-8775 or dagmapper@verizon. net. ft Baltimore. Marshy Point Nature Center. Easy half¬ day walk through varied habitats for feeder birds and other songbirds, raptors, and waterfowl. Half-mile trail leads to point overlooking Dundee Creek. Boots advisable, telescopes useful. 9 AM. Leaders Brent and Mary Byers, 410-686-7294 or bay puffin@hotmail. com. Covered Dish Dinner and Lecture. Baltimore. At the Vollmer Center at Cylburn. Tonight’s featured talk: " The Biodiversity Project" with Jim Brighton. Please contact Kevin Graff in advance at keyweststyle2001@gmail.com, to let him know you are coming, and what food you plan to bring. Fred Archibald Mid-Winter Count. Frederick. Meet at the Sanctuary at 6:30 AM, and be ready to cover 140 acres. Don’t forget waterproof boots. Compiler: David Smith, 410-549-7082. ft Tri-county. Coastal Birding Trip from Ocean City Inlet to Cape Henlopen. Meet at the Ward museum parking lot at 7:30 AM or the OC Inlet at 8:30 AM. Bring lunch, snacks, and drinks. For information, contact Mike Walsh, 410-422-0428 or mik.walsh@comcast.net. Tuesday, January 12 Meeting. Baltimore. Board meeting. While only authorized Board members have a vote, any Club member is welcome to attend and participate in discussions. Call any club officer or board member for details. 7 PM. Greenhouse Classroom, Cylburn Arboretum, Baltimore. MEETING. Patuxent. (Joint meeting with Prince Georges Audubon Society). “Know your Thrips”, by Cheryle O’Donnell , USDA entomologist in the National Identification Services, Beltsville. Hospitality 7 PM, meeting 7:30 at College Park Aviation Museum, Cpl Scott Dr, College Park, MD. Wednesday, January 13 ft Montgomery. Blue Mash. A mid-week walk to this popular site seeking winter birds: the expected cardinals, towhees and mockingbirds as well as raptors (Northern Harrier a possibility) and sparrows. We'll check for ducks on the pond. Expect to walk (waterproof boots suggested!) about a mile on level trails. The trip will be cancelled or postponed in case of sleet, ice or rain. 8 AM. Reservations not necessary. For directions or more information contact leader Stephanie Lovell, ctlovelll@yahoo.com or 240-242- 3235. Thursday, January 14 Meeting. Howard. "Our East African Safaris," by Barry Miller and Michelle Stewart. A passion for bird photography has led this couple to travel to Africa 12 times since 2004. They will share photos and videos of birds and mammals they have seen there. Hospitality 7 PM; meeting/program 7:30 PM at Robinson Nature Center, 6692 Cedar Lane, Columbia. Info: Robin Todd, 410-491-5333. Friday, January 15 Meeting. Harford. "African Adventure" - Amanda Koss will share details, stories and pictures taken while birding and enjoying African wildlife with Joe Subolefsky, Dennis and Jean Kirkwood. The meeting will begin with a social at 6:15 PM at the Churchville Presbyterian Church. Reservations are recommended. For more information, contact Johanne Henrickson, j ohen24@gmail. com. Saturday, January 16 ft Anne Arundel. Thomas Point Park, looking for birds on the Bay and other possible land birds in this area. Dress for the weather as it will probably be windy and colder than you would think since Thomas Point Park has water on three sides. 8 AM (half-day). Meet Jan/Feb 2016 16 at Parole P&R. Leader Dan Haas, 443-756-6207 or nervousbirds@gmail. com. ft Anne Arundel. Ducks Soup. Warm up after Dan’s trip. Barbara Johnson and her husband Barry Wells have graciously opened up their home for the Bird Club to warm up after Dan's birding trip. Please bring a change of shoes as well as bring soup, bread, drinks, or appetizers. We can do some civilized birding from inside Barbara’s and Barry's home since they are well equipped with bird feeders. 11:30 AM. Meet at 1905 Kingswood Court, Annapolis. RSVP Barbara Johnson, 410-703-4664 or barbarajohnson222@gmail.com. ft Baltimore. Saturday Morning Monitoring Walk at Fort McHenry. Continuing survey of bird activity at the Fort. Telescopes useful. Cancelled in bad weather. 8 AM - noon. Park outside the main entrance gate, in lot on left, and meet at the gate. Leader Ben Poscover, 410-882-1309. Mid-Winter Count. Carroll. Contact Don Jewell to verify your bird counting area (jewelldg@gmail.com or 410-259-4716) Tally Rally will be hosted by Amy Hoffman at her home. Please RSVP to Amy (410-549- 3598) no later than Wednesday, January 14 and plan on bringing a food item or cash donation ($5). ft Frederick. Blackwater NWR. Full day trip for wintering waterfowl. Leader Kathy Calvert, 301-810- 5677. ft Harford. Gull/Eagle Watch. Dave Webb leads this morning’s survey from Fisherman’s Park just below the Conowingo Dam on the Harford County side of the Susquehanna. Sightings could include Bald Eagles, various gulls, waterfowl, and perhaps some prospect for a Golden Eagle. 8:30 AM. Contact Dave at porzana@comcast.net or 410-939-3537. ft Patuxent. Walk at Governor Bridge Park, jointly with PG Audubon .7:30 AM. Meet at the parking lot off Governor Bridge Rd. Contact Bill Sefton, kiwisuits@msn.com. Youth Christmas count. Harford. 2nd Annual. Each participant, accompanied by an adult, will be part of a small birding team headed by an experienced birder. Each team will record the number of bird species spotted along a pre-determined route. All teams will tally their results, and add the data to eBird inside the center. Age groups 4-7 and 8-16. 8 AM. Swan Harbor Farm, Havre de Grace. For additional information contact Harfordyouthbirding@yahoo.com. Sunday, January 17 ft Montgomery. Black Hill Regional Park. All birders, but especially new birders, are welcome on this half day trip, which will focus on the identification of ducks at this premiere county spot for winter waterfowl. 8 AM. Meet at the Visitors Center, and bring a spotting scope if you have one. For reservations (required) and more information, contact leader Gerry Hawkins at maineusa@comcast.net or 571-277-8406 (cell). Wednesday, January 20 Meeting. Anne Arundel. "Feeding Wild Birds in America: Culture, Commerce and Conservation" with Margaret Barker and Paul Baicich. You will learn how bird feeding evolved, from decade to decade, and get insights into little-known stories of feeding development. Most importantly, you will learn about current developments in bird feeding, including the “top ten bird foods for bird feeding” and the “five steps to double the number of bird species at your feeders.” 7-9 PM, Quiet Waters Park, Blue Heron Center. Contact Barbara Johnson, 410-703-4664 or barbarajohnson222@gmail.com. Meeting. Montgomery. Clive Harris , Bird Quiz - test your knowledge against a selection of photos of birds that occur in the region. 7 PM. Potomac Presbyterian Church, 10301 River Rd, Potomac. Thursday, January 21 Meeting. Caroline. Movie "Saving Songbirds". Join outdoor adventurer Willem Lange as he meets those colorful and melodic migratory birds like the Black- throated Blue Warbler and the researchers who employ creative means to assess the health of bird populations, including work done in Cape May, NJ. 7:30 PM. Caroline County Public Library, 100 Market St., Denton. 17 The Maryland Yellowthroat ft Patuxent. Walk at Lake Artemesia, jointly with PG Audubon. 3 PM. Meet at parking lot at end of Berwyn Rd in Berwyn Hts. No reservations needed. Contact David Mozurkewich, mozurk@bellAtlantic.net. Friday - Sunday, January 22-24 ft Carroll. Weekend foray to Chincoteague, VA. Meet at the P&R on Route 32 just south of Rte 26 in Eldersburg at 8 AM Friday. For more information, contact Dave Hudgins at 443-791-4250. Saturday, January 23 ft Anne Arundel. Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC). The many trails meander through hardwoods, farmland and along the Rhode River with a marsh boardwalk. Moderately difficult walking. Facilities available. 8 AM (half-day). Meet at Parole P&R. Leader David Gillum, 410-266-8775 or dagmapper@verizon. net. Mid-Winter Count. Baltimore. To participate in post-migration bird count in your choice of location in Baltimore City or County, call Pete Webb, 443 904- 6314 or pete_webb@juno.com. C&O Canal Mid-Winter Count. See audubondc.org/co-canal-count/ for instructions on how to sign up. Contact: Zach Slavin, DC Audubon, zslavin@audubon.org. Mid-Winter Count. Harford. Participate in this opportunity to measure birdlife abundance in our area. Feeder counters are especially welcome. Compiler: Rick Cheicante, rickcheicante@cs.com or 410-803- 2712. ft Howard. Alpha Ridge Landfill. Half day. Reservations required. Carpooling is required. Moderate walking over hills and fields of the landfill. We will search for Short-eared Owls with no guarantee of finding one. Other possibilities are Northern Harrier, American Kestrel, Horned Lark, American Pipit, and Eastern Meadowlark. If we finish early, we may go to Mount Pleasant and look for wintering sparrows. Facilities at Alpha Ridge Park. Limited to a maximum of five cars. Contact Joe Hanfman for reservations, aukl844@gmail.com or 410-772-8424. ft Kent. Ocean City. Our annual search for winter specialties including gannet, sea ducks, alcids, gulls, Purple Sandpipers, and wintering songbirds. Full day. Dress warmly, bring lunch and warm beverages. 8 AM. Meet at the Dollar General parking lot (off Philosopher’s Terrace) in Chestertown. Leaders Walter Ellison and Nancy Martin, 410-778-9568 or e- mail borealdee@gmail.com. ft Tri-County. Look for wintering waterfowl at the Cambridge waterfront, Blackwater, and wetlands and marshes in southern Dorchester. Dress warmly. Bring lunch, snacks, and drinks. Meet at the Royal Farms on Route 50 west of Salisbury at 7:30 AM. For information, contact Mike Walsh, 410-422-0428 or mik.walsh@comcast.net. ft Washington. Final Attack Trail at Antietam Battlefield. Trip is co-sponsored with Potomac Valley Audubon Society. 8 AM. Meet at the Burnside Bridge parking lot. Contact Sandy Sagalkin, monsansagalkin@myactv.net or 240-291-6465. Monday, January 25 Meeting. Tri-County. Program will be “Birding in Southern Ireland,” presented by Jean and Larry Fry.l PM. Asbury United Methodist Church, south entrance, Salisbury. For information, contact Mike Walsh, 410- 422-0428 or mik.walsh@comcast.net. Tuesday, January 26 Meeting. Washington. Film Animal Homes, The Nest. Pot-luck dinner begins at 6 PM at the Mt. Aetna Nature Center. Bring your own place setting, drink, and a dish to share. Meeting follows at 7. Call 301 - 797-8454 for more information. Friday, January 29 - Sunday, January 31 ft Winter Delmarva Birding Weekend. Field trips in Worcester County, MD and Sussex County, DE. Options will include Bald Eagle boat trips on the Pocomoke, nearshore boat trips leaving Lewes, DE, and driving tours along the coastal marshes and inlets. This event is sponsored by Worcester County Tourism and managed by Conservation Community Consulting. Information can be found at www.DelmarvaBirding.org Registration after December 1,2015. For questions, contact Jim Rapp at 443-614-0261 or dlitedirector@comcast.net. Jan/Feb 2016 18 Saturday, January 30 ft Anne Arundel. Piney Orchard Nature Preserve and surrounding areas, including Horizon Dairy Farm and Patuxent North Track. If the weather permits, we will walk some trails or do a driving tour and make stops at various areas to listen, look, and scope for winter birds. 8 AM (half-day). Meet at Parole P&R. Leader Peter Hanan, 301-580-2785 or hanan.peter@verizon.net. ft Baltimore. Patterson Park. Come see what birding action abounds amid the varied habitats of this green oasis in the middle of Baltimore. 8 - 9:30 AM. For questions or to arrange to borrow binoculars for the walk, contact Patterson Park Audubon Center, 410 558-2473 or ppaudubon@gmail.com. Sunday, January 31 Mid-Winter Count. Frederick. This is the last, but not the least, of Frederick county's winter counts! The reward afterwards is the enjoyable tally-rally at David and Carol's house. Compiler: David Smith, 410-549- 7082. ft Montgomery. Winter waterfowl on the Potomac. Half day. We'll plan to check the river for wintering ducks in a portion of the Urban Zone (a no firearms discharge area) between the mouth of Watt's Branch and Great Falls. Expect some winter passerines along the C&O Canal as well. 8 AM. Meet in the Swain's Lock parking lot. Bring a scope if you have one. Trip will be canceled if icy conditions along canal towpath make walking treacherous. For reservations (required) and more info, contact leader Andy Martin, martinap2@verizon.net or 301-529-2066. Wednesday, February 3 ft Baltimore. First Wednesday Walk at Fort McHenry. Continuing a series of morning surveys of bird activity at the Fort and wetland. Telescopes useful. Can celled in inclement weather. 8 AM - noon. Park outside the main entrance gate, in lot on left, and meet at the gate. Leader Mary Chetelat, 410-665-0769. Meeting. Carroll. "Osprey", by Greg Kearns. Meeting begins at 7 PM at the Carroll Nonprofit Center, 255 Clifton Blvd, Westminster with a brief period for socializing, followed by the guest lecturer. Afterward, there will be a short business meeting. Contact Don Jewell atjewelldg@gmail.com. Thursday, February 4 Meeting. Frederick. Members’ Night. This will feature a variety of short presentations of photos, slides, and/or videos from our members. Who knows where it may take us! Please let Kathy Brown know in advance if you want to be on the agenda (301-865- 1369.) ft Patuxent. Walk at Lake Artemesia, jointly with PG Audubon. 3 PM. Meet at parking lot at end of Berwyn Rd in Berwyn Hts. No reservations needed. Contact David Mozurkewich, mozurk@bellAtlantic.net. Saturday, February 6 ft Baltimore. Waterfowl at Piscataway Park. We'll be checking out several sites in search for ducks, geese and other waterfowl along the shoreline of the Potomac River south of Washington D.C. in Prince George’s Co. Bring your ‘scopes if you have them. 8 AM. Meet at Cromwell Bridge Road P&R. Leader Kevin Graff, keyweststyle2001@gmail.com. ft Eastern Neck NWR. See description for January 2 . ft Harford. Bradenbaugh Flats/Soup Event. Dennis Kirkwood leads us on a pleasant tour through NW Harford County’s agricultural area to find wintering field birds and waterfowl. Expect Horned Larks, Ring¬ necked Ducks, and maybe Cackling Geese, Longspurs and Snow Buntings. The trip ends at the leader’s house with hot soup, breads, and good conversation. 8 AM. Meet at Jarrettsville Elementary School parking lot. Contact Dennis at newarkfarms@gmail.com or 410- 692-5905. Mid-Winter Count. Howard. Contact Joe Hanfman, aukl844@gmail.com or 410-772-8424. ft Patuxent. Walk at the Fran Uhler Natural Area, jointly with PG Audubon. 7:30 AM. Meet at the end of Lemon’s Br Rd, off Rt 197 just n. of Bowie State College. No reservations needed. Contact Bill Sefton, kiwisuits@msn.com. 19 The Maryland Yellowthroat ft Washington. Half-day trip to Black Hill Regional Park. 8 AM. Meet at Route 66 P&R. Contact leader Doris Berger at 301-739-8907 to register. Sunday, February 7 ft Anne Arundel. Feeder Watch. We need volunteers who can open their homes to a limited number of club members (10). Please contact Peter Hanan, 301-580-2785 or hanan.peter@verizon.net to volunteer your home on feeder watch day. Winter Count. Kent. Contact Walter Ellison and Nancy Martin, 410-778-9568 or e-mail boreal dee@gmail .com. ft Montgomery. Oaks Landfill, Laytonsville. Bundle up for a late afternoon search for wintering sparrows and raptors, including possible Northern Harriers and Short-eared Owls. Mostly open terrain with some ponds, which we will check if not frozen over. Leader will have scope for distant birds. We have special permission to enter this “closed to the public” landfill so reservations are essential. Limit 16. 3:30 PM. Meet on landfill entrance drive at 6001 Rt. 108, Laytonsville. Contact the leader for reservations and more information: Mark England 240-375-4500 (cell) or markengland@canamcontractors.com. YMOS. Annual Ocean City trip. We’ll begin at the Jetty looking for eiders, loons, gannets, razorbills, and scoters. We’ll move inland for ducks and wintering birds. Simple lodging available Sat. night. Saturday birding is also a possibility. More detailed information will be sent out in advance of the trip. Email George Radcliffe, radclifg@gmail.com, of your intent to go at least 2 weeks in advance of the trip. Tuesday, February 9 Meeting. Allegany/Garrett. Amateur night - Come with your pictures of birds you have seen far afield or in your back yard (bring on a flash drive), birding stories, poems, anything you would like to share with the Club. We will also discuss the newest birding technology (what everybody is using now!) Should be a fun evening for all! 7 PM. Compton Hall, Room TBA, Frostburg State University. Contact Mary Huebner for more information, marybrd22@gmail .com Meeting. Baltimore. Board meeting. While only authorized Board members have a vote, any Club member is welcome to attend and participate in discussions. Call any club officer or board member for details. 7 PM. Greenhouse Classroom, Cylbum Arboretum, Baltimore. MEETING. Patuxent. (Joint meeting with Prince Georges Audubon Society). “Butterflies“, by Sparky Sparks , volunteer at the Patuxent Wildlife Refuge North Tract and custodian of the butterfly garden there. Hospitality 7 PM, meeting 7:30 at College Park Aviation Museum, Cpl Scott Dr, College Park, MD. Thursday, February 11 Meeting. Howard. "James Bond and the Orioles of the Caribbean: How a Spy's Namesake Set the Stage for Research on the Endangered Bahama Oriole," by Dr. Kevin Omland , biology professor UMBC. Hospitality 7 PM; meeting/program 7:30 PM. Robinson Nature Center, 6692 Cedar Lane, Columbia. Info: Robin Todd, 410-491-5333. Friday-Sunday, February 12-14 ft Allegany/Garrett. Club field trip to the Eastern Shore. If interested, please contact Mary Huebner, marybrd22@gmail.com. Friday-Monday, February 12-15 Great Backyard Bird Count. Fun and easy event for birders of all ages to count birds and create a real¬ time snapshot of bird populations. Count as little as 15 min., or as long as you wish on one or more days and report findings online at www.birdcount.org. For beginning birders to experts. Saturday, February 13 ft Anne Arundel. Trip to Maryland and/or Delaware coastal areas looking for winter birds based on recent sightings. Possible locations could be Henlopen State Park, Bombay Hook NWR, and Delaware coastal areas down to Ocean City, MD. This should be a full- day trip with possible dinner along the coast before heading home. If members show interest in a 3-day trip, we can enlarge the scope of this trip. Leader Peter Hanan, 301-580-2785 or hanan.peter@verizon.net. Jan/Feb 2016 20 ft Baltimore. Youth Birding at Marshy Point Park. This easy walk through widely varied habitats is good for feeder birds and winter residents of land, marsh and water varieties, including possible Fox Sparrows, Swamp Sparrows and Purple Finches. 9 AM. Leader John Robinson, 443-810-9059 (cell), 410-483-6620 (home), icrobin@jhmi.edu . H Harford. Journey to Southern New Jersey in search of winter residents and strays. Possible targets include Eurasian Wigeon, Orange-crowned Warbler, Harlequin Duck, both Common and King Eiders, Great Cormorant, plus many others along the Delaware Bay and Cape May coastlines. In the afternoon we will take the 2:30 PM run of the Cape May - Lewes Ferry where all three scoters can be expected in addition to Gannet, Common and Red- throated Loon, and a shot at potential pelagic birds as well. The birding trip is free but the ferry charges $27 for car and driver and an additional $8 per additional adult ($51 for a car full of four adults). 6 AM. Meet at the Havre de Grace P&R (155/1-95). Contact Russ Kovach for more information, RusselLkovach@gmaU.com or 443-386-4787. ^ Winter Count. YMOS. We’ll spend time looking at the large array of ducks, before heading south to Blackwater Refuge and Shorter’s Wharf to look for Short-eared Owls and Rough-legged Hawks. Bring a lunch and money for dinner and plenty of warm clothing. More detailed information will be sent out in advance of the trip. 8 AM. Meet at the Sailwinds Center immediately across the Choptank River Bridge in Cambridge. Email George Radcliffe, radclifg@gmail.com, of your intent to go at least 2 weeks in advance of the trip. Saturday-Sunday, February 13-14 ft Baltimore. Henlopen to Ocean City coastal weekend. Birding south from Cape Henlopen, DE to Ocean City, MD with stops along the way for winter waterfowl and other birds. Bring ‘scopes if you have them, and bundle up - the coast can be windy and brutally cold, but the birds are worth it! Possible scoters, Red-throated Loons, Great Cormorant, Peregrine Falcon, slight chance for Snow Buntings, Sanderlings, Purple Sandpipers, Long-tailed Ducks, possible Common Eiders, Snow Geese, Bonaparte’s Gulls, Short-eared or Snowy Owl, and lots, lots more. Leaders Pete Webb, 443 904-6314 or pete webb@juno.com, and Kevin Graff, keyweststyle2001@gmail.com. Saturday-Monday, February 13-15 ** Carroll. Winter Weekend at the Beach. A great opportunity to freeze your bins off and see a lot of really great birds. Based on where the reports are coming in from, the group will work up and down the coast for winter waterfowl and other winter residents. 10 AM. Meet at the Bombay Hook Visitor's Center. Leader Bob Ringler. Contact him at 410-303-2792 if you plan on attending. Bill Ellis is offering his townhouse in Ocean City as our base of operations. Please contact Bill at 443-520-8809 to inquire about sleeping space. Saturday-Tuesday, February 13-16 ft Anne Arundel. Special 4-day Winter Trip to Sault Ste. Marie, MI. This is a special Club members-only trip for a rare collection of winter birds, Great Gray Owl, Hawk Owl, Snowy Owl, and a total of about 35 species. Please contact Peter Hanan, 301-580-2785 or hanan.peter@verizon.net to sign up and get additional information about this trip. Sunday, February 14 ft Anne Arundel. Cabin Branch Restoration Area. This is a monthly trip with easy access to a restored stream valley, around the corner from Annapolis Mall. The Severn River Keeper Program has worked to turn around a degraded section of property into a lovely area which throughout the year should be a good place to go birding and could be very good for migrant birds. 8-11 AM. Meet at Annapolis Bowl, 2057 Generals Hwy. Leader: David Gillum, 410-266-8775 or dagmapper@verizon. net. ft Baltimore. Marshy Point Nature Center. Easy half¬ day walk through varied habitats for feeder birds and other songbirds, raptors, and waterfowl. Half-mile trail leads to point overlooking Dundee Creek. Fox Sparrows, Swamp Sparrows and Purple Finches possible. Boots advisable, telescopes useful. 9 AM. Leaders Brent and Mary Byers, 410-686-7294 or baypuffin@hotmail. com. 21 The Maryland Yellowthroat ft Patuxent. Trip to Ocean City, Indian R inlet, Burton’s Is. Park, and adjacent areas. 7 AM. Meet at the Bowie P&R off Rt 197. Dinner and overnight stay the night before a possible option. Leader: Fred Fallon, fwfallon@ymail. com. Wednesday, February 17 Meeting. Anne Arundel. “Exploring New Guinea’s Lost Worlds and Elusive Birds of Paradise” with Dr. Bruce Beehler. In this popular lecture, illustrated with still and video images, Smithsonian naturalist Bruce Beehler describes his nearly four decades of field study of the birds and rainforests of the great island of New Guinea. 7-9 PM. Quiet Waters Park, Blue Heron Center. Contact: Barbara Johnson, 410-703-4664 or barbarajohnson222@gmail.com. Thursday, February 18 Meeting. Caroline. “Wild Bees and the Environment” presented by Sam Droege , Patuxent Wildlife Research Center. His current research activities include work on developing native bee survey techniques and monitoring programs. 7:30 PM. Caroline County Public Library, 100 Market St, Denton. ft Patuxent. Walk at Lake Artemesia, jointly with PG Audubon. 3 PM. Meet at parking lot at end of Berwyn Rd in Berwyn Hts. No reservations needed. Contact David Mozurkewich mozurk@bellAtlantic.net. Saturday, February 20 ft Anne Arundel. Fort Smallwood Park looking for early migrants. Waterfowl should be moving on the water surrounding the Park and some raptors should be in the area, also. Meet 8:30 AM at Parole P&R or 9 AM at Fort Smallwood. Leader: Barbara Johnson, 410-703-4664 or barbarajohnson222@gmail.com. ft Baltimore. Saturday Morning Monitoring Walk at Fort McHenry. Continuing survey of bird activity at the Fort. Telescopes useful. Cancelled in bad weather. 8 AM - noon. Park outside the main entrance gate, in lot on left, and meet at the gate. Leader Ben Poscover, 410 882-1309. ft Howard. How to find an owl trip. Learn how to find owls by habitat and signs. Target species are Long-eared, Saw-whet, and other owls. No facilities. 1 PM, possibility of birding till dusk for owls and early woodcocks. Meet at Annapolis Rock Rd horse trailer parking lot, midway between Hipsley Mill Rd and Rt. 94. Leader Jay Sheppard, JMSheppar@aol.com (preferred) or 301-725-5559. ft Patuxent. Walk at Governor Bridge Park, jointly with PG Audubon. 7:30 AM. Meet at the parking lot off Governor Bridge Rd. Contact Bill Sefton, kiwisuits@msn.com. Sunday, February 21 ft Harford. Loch Raven watershed. Enjoy the rich habitat of Baltimore’s premier watershed for wintering migrant songbirds, waterfowl, and raptors. 7:30 AM. Meet at the P&R on Rt.152 just north of Rt.147 near Fallston. Leaders Dave Larkin, larkin3001@comcast.net or 410-569-8319, and Phil Powers, birdsinmd@verizon.net or 410-679-4116. ft Kent. Chesapeake Farms, Kent County. Wintering waterfowl, raptors, White-crowned and other sparrows. Half day, bring snacks. 8 AM. Meet at the Dollar General parking lot (off Philosopher’s Terrace) in Chestertown. Leaders Walter Ellison and Nancy Martin, 410-778-9568 or borealdee@gmail.com. ft Tri-County. Pocomoke Sound WMA to look for wintering waterfowl and other species. Meet at the Ward Museum at 7:30 AM or at the Princess Anne P&R at the Texaco station on Mt. Vernon Rd at 8 AM. Dress warmly. Bring lunch, snacks and drinks. For information, contact leaders Bob and Jennifer Elmer, 410-202-6338 or streamwalk2@aol.com. Monday, February 22 Meeting. Tri-County. Program will be on “IBA Areas in MD” with an emphasis on the Eastern Shore, presented by Dave Wilson. 7 PM in the Library of Asbury United Methodist Church on Camden Avenue, Salisbury. Use the south entrance. For information, contact Mike Walsh, 410-422-0428 or mik.walsh@comcast.net. Tuesday, February 23 Meeting. Washington. Program TBA. 7 PM. Mt. Aetna Nature Center. Call 301-797-8454 for more information. Jan/Feb 2016 22 Saturday, February 27 ft Baltimore. Patterson Park. Come see what birding action abounds amid the varied habitats of this green oasis in the middle of Baltimore. 8 - 9:30 AM. For questions or to arrange to borrow binoculars for the walk, contact Patterson Park Audubon Center, 410 558-2473 or ppaudubon@gmail.com. ft Frederick. Check Frederick county hot spots for waterfowl. Leader Mike Welch, 301-685-3561. ft Harford. Havre de Grace Promenade - morning stroll on the boardwalk along the water’s edge to look for waterfowl. This will be followed by an optional lunch afterwards at the Laurrapin Restaurant. 9 AM Meet in the Tydings Park parking lot by the Promenade Grill. Contact Colleen Webster at 410- 459-4577 or cwebster@harford.edu (calls and emails welcome, no text messages, please) or Sue Procell at procellmd@gmail.com or 443-417-4919. ft Washington. Final Attack Trail at Antietam Battlefield. Trip is co-sponsored with Potomac Valley Audubon Society. 8 AM. Meet at the Burnside Bridge parking lot. Contact Sandy Sagalkin, monsansagalkin@myactv.net or 240-291-6465. Tuesday, March 1 Meeting. Baltimore. Tuesday Evening Lecture at Cylburn’s Greenhouse Classroom. Continuing a series of monthly feature presentations and slide shows. Topic TBA. Doors open at Cylbum at 7 PM for socializing and snacks, show starts about 7:15 PM. Wednesday, March 2 ft Baltimore. First Wednesday Walk at Fort McHenry. Continuing survey of bird activity at the Fort and wetland. Telescopes useful. Cancelled in inclement weather. 8 AM - noon. Park outside the main entrance gate, in lot on left, and meet at the gate. Leader Mary Chetelat, 410-665-0769. Meeting. Carroll. "Project SNOWstorm, Tracking the Periodic Invasions of Snowy Owls" by Dave Brinker. 7 PM. Carroll Nonprofit Center in Westminster. Contact Don Jewell at j ewelldg@gmail .com. Thursday, March 3 Meeting. Frederick. Mark Abdy will tell us about beautiful Costa Rica and its gorgeous birds. 7 PM. Homewood at Crumland Farms. ft Patuxent. Walk at Lake Artemesia jointly with PG Audubon. 3 PM. Meet at parking lot at end of Berwyn Rd in Berwyn Hts. No reservations needed. Contact David Mozurkewich mozurk@bellAtlantic.net Saturday, March 5 ft Eastern Neck NWR. See description for January 2 . ft Harford. Waterfowl Tour of local open water locations that often produce sightings of Surf Scoter, Red Head, Long-tailed Duck and Northern Shoveler. Beginners interested in learning the basics of waterfowl identification and experienced watchers searching for rarities will enjoy this morning trip to the Gunpowder River and the Havre de Grace waterfront. Scopes are helpful, although not necessary. Dress warmly and bring photo ID for entrance to APG. 6:45 AM. Meet at the McDonalds on Rt. 40 in Edgewood. Leader Dave Webb, porzana@comcast.net or 410- 939-3537. ft Howard. Waterfowl search. Half day. We’ll carpool to search Howard County waterways for ducks, grebes, mergansers and loons. Chance of an early migrant. 8 AM. Meet at Lake Elkhorn Broken Land Pkwy parking lot. Leader Kurt Schwarz, 410- 461-1643 or krschwal@verizon.net. ft Kent. Pickering Creek Audubon Center, Talbot Co. Impoundments, woods and fields attract waterfowl, raptors (including the occasional Golden Eagle), sparrows and other migrants. Bring lunch. 8 AM. Meet at the Dollar General parking lot (off Philosopher’s Terrace) in Chestertown. Leaders Walter Ellison and Nancy Martin, 410-778-9568 or boreal dee@gmail. com. ft Patuxent. Walk at the Fran Uhler Natural Area, jointly with PG Audubon. 7:30 AM. Meet at the end of Lemon’s Br Rd, off Rt 197 just n. of Bowie State College. No reservations needed. Contact Bill Sefton, kiwisuits@msn.com. 23 The Maryland Yellowthroat MOS Board Meeting. Hosted by Frederick Bird Club. Location TBA. Bird Conservation in Japan. A short stay in Japan enabled me to appreciate one of the country’s ancient rituals: sakaami-ryo duck hunting. It is a 300 -year old practice performed during winter in the Kaga region mid the beautiful, pristine hills in the eastern part of Ishikawa Prefecture. In a cold dusk, hunters hidden in clumps of trees wait for the ducks to fly overhead to feed in nearby rice paddies. As twilight advances, the tense silence is broken as hundreds take flight and hunters move from the shadows, leaping into the air while throwing heavy wooden poles with large basketball-like nets strait into the sky. It is a daunting skill with hard work rarely rewarded. When a duck is caught, the hunter works with amazing speed to wrap the net around the fluttering bird. In modern Japan, duck hunting (and cuisine) is hobby aimed at preserving the Kaga samurai legacy. A Duck Hunting Area Cooperative has been launched to preserve the traditional skills of earlier generations. Hunting licenses are given to hunters skilled in the ancient technique. Those licensed are required to teach the younger generation that sakaami-ryo embodies bushido values and skills and coexitance with nature. It is tradition that respects the conservation of the duck populations. Not surprisingly, the Kaga hunters protested the use of firearms by Allied Forces governing Japan at the end of WWII. -Colin Rees Jan/Feb 2016 24 POSTMASTER: TIME-DATED MATERIAL—PLEASE EXPEDITE! MARYLAND ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY, INC. P. O. Box 105, Monrovia, MD 21770-0105 MOS Chapter Web Sites (to be consulted for the most up-to-date trip/meeting info) Allegany/Garrett: westemmdbirding.com/ Anne Arundel: aabirdclub.org/ Baltimore baltimorebirdclub.org/ Caroline: carolinebirdclubmos.blogspot.com/ Carroll: mdbirds.org/about/chapters/carroll.html Cecil: cecilbirds.org/ Frederick: frederickbirdclub.org/ Harford: harfordbirdclub. org / Howard: howardbirds.org/ Kent: kentcounty.com/recreation/birding/birding-club Montgomery: montgomerybirdclub.org/ Patuxent/PG: pgaudubon.org/ Talbot: mdbirds.org/about/chapters/talbot.html Tri-County (Wicomico, Worcester, Somerset): tricountybirdclub. weebly. com/ Washington: washingtoncountybirdclub.webs.com/ YMOS: ymos.org/ The Maryland Yellowthroal Newsletter of the Maryland Ornithological Society, Inc. Editor: Richard Donham rdonham8 @gmail. com Designer: Eric Skrzypczak eric skrz@gmail .com Calendar Editor: Marilyn Veek mveekmos @y ahoo. com Chapter Chatter: Jean Wheeler jswheeler3@verizon.net Mailing list: Martha Crouse crouse.martha8@gmail.com MOS web site: http://www.mdbirds.org Webmaster: John Hays Christy SiteMaven@mdbirds .org Anyone is welcome to contribute articles, photos, or ideas that would be of interest to other birders. Copy may be e-mailed to Richard Donham by Jan 25, 2016 for the Mar/Apr 2016 issue. Illustrations pp. 1,5 ©M. Suzanne Probst Nonprofit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID at Hagerstown, MD Permit No. 184 MARCH/APRIL 2016 VOL. 36, NO 2 President's Corner by Tom Strikwerda Conference Thoughts During the Blizzard Seems I have a bit of a streak going here with snowstorms. For our last issue, I wrote about driving through Iowa just after a snowstorm, and I am writing this column in the midst of our epic January snowstorm. While Iowa can handle snow quite well, we're brought to our knees. Granted, this one is for the record books! In any case, it's a good time to concentrate on writing this column. My thoughts this morning are focused on events in warmer times, in particular our Annual Conference. Actually, they've been on my mind for months. You may have noticed the alert in the last issue that we will, indeed, have a conference in 2016. There was also an article by Ellen Lawler soliciting entries for the pin contest. Lacking a conference chair, I decided to accept the challenge this year. I'm proceeding with both satisfaction and unease: satisfaction that many people are assisting and that we'll visit a locale we haven't been to for some time, and feeling unease that I've forgotten something. Our conference will be held June 10-12, 2016, at Salisbury University, last visited in late July of 2007. Our last Eastern Shore conference, you may recall, was at Ocean City in the winter of 2012. While some board members suggested we again hold the conference there, time was too short to ramp up. But we definitely hope to return there soon. Salisbury offers excellent conference and dining facilities. Housing options, however, are more limited. The University offers student apartments, which may be less accommodating than hotel venues, but there are a number of hotels in the area for those seeking more comfortable lodging. The birding should be excellent at that time with a wide range of habitat for birders to visit. Fortunately, many people have stepped up to help continue our conference tradition, both those who have led key elements of the effort in the past as well as fresh faces. We'll need additional helping hands at the conference, I'm sure. Two local chapters, Tri-County and Talbot, offered to assist where they can to help make the conference a success, but more volunteers will be much appreciated. A highlight of most conferences is our conference speaker. Thanks to Kate Tufts, our retiring scholarship committee chair, we've arranged with Dr. Stephen Kress, the Director of National Audubon Society's Seabird Restoration Program and Hog Island Audubon Camp to be our keynote speaker on Friday evening. He'll speak on "Restoring Endangered Seabirds: Lessons from Puffins and Terns". Table of Contents: President's Corner.1 Last Call for the 2016 MOS pin contest... 2 Field Trip Leaders Wanted.2 Seeking a Mid-Winter Count Compiler .... 2 Chapter Chatter.3 2016 Environmental Film Festival.9 Birds of Note.11 MOS Calendar.12 Mar/Apr 2016 2 After his talk he'll sign his new book "Project Puffin: The Improbable Quest to Bring a Beloved Seabird Back to Egg Rock". You may recall, MOS has been sending our scholarship recipients to Hog Island for years, contributing a large percentage of their attendees to some of the workshops, and, as a result, Dr. Kress was very interested in being our speaker and meeting members as this annual event. We're pleased, to say the least, and look forward to his visit. While planning the conference I haven't had time to reflect on whether the conference is meeting your needs. Here's where you come in. Should we continue to have an annual conference? What do you want? Has the format gotten stale? Do we need to make any changes or do you like it as it is? What new features should we consider, and drop others? Perhaps we'll pose some alternatives to choose from. Feel free to send your ideas, complaints and suggestions to me at president@mdbirds.org prior to the conference, or anytime, really. We may be able to implement some changes this year or include your ideas on a questionnaire. And I promise that if we do distribute a questionnaire, we won't ask you to rate the food! ( S\PQ^S) Last Call for the 2016 MOS pin contest - deadline fast approaching! The deadline for the receipt of entries for the 2016 MOS Pin contest is March 17, 2016. The rules are simple; the bird must be appropriate for the conference site (Wicomico County); the design must include the phrases "MOS" and "2016"; the artist must be an MOS member and the entries must be in hard copy. Put your name, address, e-mail address, phone number and chapter affiliation on the back of each entry. Send entries to Ellen Lawler, 412 Monticello Ave., Salisbury, MD 21801. To see the complete rules and tips about designing entries for the contest, visit the MOS web site (annual conference pages) or contact Ellen at 410-982-8695 or emlawler534@comcast.net . -Ellen Lawler Field Trip Leaders Wanted Our next MOS Conference is scheduled for June 10-12, 2016 at Salisbury University in Wicomico County, MD. Our conference committee is planning a top-notch meeting and we are all looking forward to birding the Lower Eastern Shore in a comprehensive way. As we develop the agenda, I am looking for individuals who are familiar with local hot spots to lead trips reachable from this central location. Please let me know if you are interested in leading a trip or two in this area. Naturally, I am hoping for help from members from our local Tri-County Chapter to help lead. If you are interested, please contact me at Mark.StevenJohnson@comcast.net or at 410-692-5978. All leaders will have an exclusive early opportunity to sign up for other trips planned for the weekend. Leaders need not be outstanding birdwatchers, but knowledge of the location is required. Thanks!! -Mark Johnson Seeking a Mid-Winter Count Compiler Join the team! A statewide compiler is needed for the Maryland Mid-Winter Bird Count. There are four annual bird counts in Maryland—the May Count, the Fall Count, the Christmas Bird Counts, and the Mid-Winter Count. Three of the counts have statewide compilers—Mike Welch for the May Count, Chuck Stirrat for the Fall 3 The Maryland Yellowthroat Count, and J.B. Churchill (Maryland/Delaware Regional Editor) for the Christmas Bird Counts. All three volunteers do an excellent job compiling the data summaries submitted by the individual chapters and then writing a short report of their statewide count for publication in Maryland Birdlife. There currently is no compiler for the Mid- Winter Count and hence the data are not published anywhere. Rather than letting the data languish in limbo, the Maryland Ornithological Society is seeking a volunteer to compile the data summaries received from the individual chapters and prepare an annual short report for publication in Maryland Birdlife. If you might be interested in volunteering, but would like more information about what is involved, contact Mike, Chuck, or J.B. Their e-mail addresses can be found with their annual reports in the 2015 issues of Maryland Birdlife. The goal is for Maryland Birdlife to publish the May Count and Fall Count summaries in the spring issues, and the Christmas Bird Count and Mid-Winter Count summaries in the fall issues. Join the team and put the Mid-Winter Count data in print! Thanks. — Gene Scarpulla, Editor, Maryland Birdlife ; ejscarp@comcast.net ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY Keoladeo While visiting Delhi in late December, I made a day trip to re-visit Keoladeo National Park, a World Heritage Site located in Eastern Rajasthan and considered one of the world's best habitats for birds. Keoladeo (named after an on-site Vishnu shrine) was created in the early 1800s as a hunting ground for the Maharajas of Bharatpur. In 1838, Lord Linlithgow famously killed over 4000 birds in a single shot. Keoladeo is an unrivaled breeding site for herons, storks and cormorants, as well as an important wintering ground for migrants. Its 11 square miles are filled with fresh water swamps, wetlands, grasslands, and woodlands. I birded by cycle rickshaw and rowboat. My favorite sight was the hundreds of breeding Painted Storks on treetop nests feeding, preening, napping, fighting, and mating - less than 20 feet away from my comfortable vantage point with only a reflective stream separating us. Other memorable sights included masses of Eurasian Spoonbill, Sarus Crane, Indian Pond Heron, Shelduck, Black-headed Ibis, Pied Avocet, and Bar-headed Geese from among the Park's 300+ residents, regular breeders and migrants. - Joy Chambers Mar/Apr 2016 4 Painted Storks, photo by Joy Chambers Juanita and Pat Tate went to Tucson this past December to visit their daughter and do some birding. Although it was colder in AZ than in MD, they were pleased with the birds that they saw and heard. They even managed to squeeze in an evening session at the Kitt Peak National Observatory to see the stars and planets. It was cold, educational, and enjoyable. Birding sites included Sweetwater (2 trips), Catalina State Park, and Aqua Caliente (all in Tucson); and San Pedro and Ramsey Canyon in Sierra Vista. At Catalina State Park they even saw a bobcat prowling around looking for a quick snack, hopefully not an avian one. Some highlights of the birding were: Broad-billed, Anna's, and Magnificent Hummingbirds; several Greater Roadrunner; Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker and Gila Woodpecker; Vermillion Flycatcher, Bridled Titmouse, and Bewick's Wren; Phainopepla, Townsend's Warbler, Green-tailed Towhee, Pyrrhuloxia, and Lawrence's Goldfinch. All together they had 78 species. - Pat Tate BALTIMORE COUNTY For 16 days in December, my daughter, Lisa, and I (Duvall Sollers ) enjoyed a wonderful 2 week birding trip to Thailand. The flight to Thailand is tough, about 20 hours total in the air. Once there, however, the adventure is well worth the effort! We travelled with Naturescape Tours, a small independent birding company located in Minnesota. I have used this company for 6 different trips now and have found them to be exceptionally competent in all aspects. Our guide was Kim Risen, owner of the company, who has led trips around the world and in the US for over 25 years. Kim limits participants to a maximum of 6-8, insuring that everyone gets an opportunity to see just about every bird spotted. Except for our time in Bangkok where we stayed in a very nice hotel, accommodations were simple but quite adequate, using local bird lodges/camps and eating wonderful Thai food in mostly local restaurants. This helps support local communities as well as keeping the cost of the trip quite reasonable! Our trip began in Bangkok where we spent 6 days birding the surrounding area. Our in-country guide was Kampol Sukhumalind (Tui for short), an exceptional birder who has written several books on birds, nature, and wildlife of Thailand. Our first few days were spent birding in local parks and preserves. The highlight of these days (and the trip) was to visit the Pak Thale salt pans to search among thousands of shorebirds for Spoonbill Sandpiper. We were most excited to spot 2 individuals of this most critically endangered species. What a thrill! We also took a short boat ride out to a large sand spit at Lame Pak Bia where we got closeup views of Pacific Reef Egret, Chinese Egret, Indian Cormorant, Pied Avocet, Malaysian Plover, Asian Dowitcher, Pallas's and Black-tailed Gull, Spotted and Common Redshank, among many others. Also of interest was a single specimen of Nordmann's Greenshank, and several Alexandrine Parakeets - both truly rare birds. Another day took us to the Kaeng Krachan foothills and dry forest habitats. Highlights here included Oriental-pied and Great HornbilI, several different Bulbuls, Red-wattled Lapwing, Bronze and Ashy Drongos, Sultan Tit (the world's largest Tit and a real beauty), Common and Greater Flameback Woodpeckers, as well as Bee- eaters and Green-eared Barbet. Mammals we were fortunate to see here included Indian elephant, hawk badger, white- 5 The Maryland Yellowthroat handed gibbon, and both banded and long¬ tailed langer. While in Bangkok, we spent a half¬ day soaking up some of the Thai culture by visiting several temple complexes. All were beautiful, but one was outstanding. It was a huge complex of temples that made you feel as if you were an extra in the movie "The King and I". This complex included the world's largest reclining Buddha, a massive statue lying on its side and stretching several hundred feet. The statue is so large it was completed out in the open, and then the building was constructed around it at a later time! We next took a 50-minute flight up to Chiang Mai located in the northwest part of the country. A 3-hour drive took us up to the Doi Inthanon mountain area along the Myanmar (Burma) border. The remainder of our trip was in this mountainous area timed to meet the peak of migration. We had some wild rides on rough roads up to the highest point in Thailand for some great birding. Some really nice raptors were spotted including Oriental Honey-buzzard, Black-eared Kite, Short-toed Snake Eagle, Steppe and Bonelli's Eagle, Mountain and Changeable Hawk Eagle, and Pied Harrier. Colorful birds were in abundance. Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Blossom-headed Parakeet, Long¬ tailed and Short-billed Minivet, several leaf warblers, Rufous-winged Fulvetta, Silver¬ eared Laughing Thrush, Chestnut-tailed Minla, Blue Whistling Thrush, White- capped Redstart, plus absolutely gorgeous Sunbirds - Purple, Green-tailed, and Mrs. Gould's. All in all, this was one of my favorite birding trips - an exotic location, wonderful scenery, interesting customs, and exceptional birding. Our group found over 350 different species. 260 were life birds for me and over 300 were life birds for Lisa. I would highly recommend Thailand to anyone interested in international birding. What a wonderful experience! - Duvall Sollers ^Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, photo by Duvall Sollers CECIL COUNTY Two years ago while Maryanne Dolan was President of the Cecil Bird Club she secured a grant from The Maryland Ornithological Society for educational signs to be designed and then placed at the Fair Hill Natural Resource Management Area. This was after the CBC did a survey of some of the open field areas for nesting Bobolinks. These signs were to inform the public about the ground nesting Bobolinks that breed at Fair Hill. Moving forward, CBC Co-Presidents Sean McCandless and Ken Drier along with club member David Francis met with Fair Hill's administrative staff to try to get the park to run a "delayed" mowing schedule which would allow the area's ground nesting birds to have an opportunity to successfully breed and fledge their young. Besides Bobolinks, Eastern Meadowlarks and Grasshopper Sparrows successfully nest at Fair Hill. The Mar/Apr 2016 6 group was able to agree upon a 100-acre tract of open land that would be monitored and have the mowing schedule modified in hopes of having a more successful ground breeding season there. This past year Cecil County had its first-ever breeding Savannah Sparrows also use this property. Current CBC President Sean McCandless has designed the educational signs, which are now ready for installation at Fair Hill. The club is very pleased to have been able to partner with Fair Hill and MOS to be able to provide both habitat for these species, which are greatly diminished in population, and also educational information to the public at large. Keep your eyes peeled to upcoming Chapter Chatters to learn more about the signs' unveiling and dedication ceremony to be held in the spring before the Bobolinks return. - Ken Drier CARROLL COUNTY The Carroll County Bird Club is sponsoring a Youth Art contest for Carroll County youth entitled "Wild About Birds - Beauty in Carroll's Backyards". The backpacks donated by the YMOS backpack program will be awarded as prizes, along with other prizes donated by Bowman's Home and Gardens and also by our club members. The artwork will be exhibited at Bear Branch Nature Center from March 19 until April 16, with an opening reception on March 19 at 5:30 P.M. - Mary Jewell The Harveys' Chilean Adventure What a wonderful country! In October and November 2015, Dave and Maureen Harvey joined a Field Guides, Inc., birding tour of Chile. The time zone adjustment was minimal, but our autumnal equinox is their spring equinox, and several towns we passed through were having Fiestas de la Primavera on the town square with music, food, and craft vendors galore. Halloween is just catching on there, and we saw a few children in costumes in Punta Arenas, and a hotel restaurant decorated with huge fake spiders and webs, but the two following days - Nov 1, All Saints Day (go to church) and Nov 2, Day of the Dead (visit and clean the graves) - were more noticeably observed. No big parades as in Mexico but clearly a time when families get together. Our trip included a variety of habitats in an attempt to find most of the birds endemic or near-endemic to Chile: the island of Tierra del Fuego from the austral tundra to the eastern Pacific coast; Andean alpine venues from the chilly southern, to the more temperate central, and finally, the dry northern region, including a few oases in the dry, dry Atacama Desert in the north, near Peru and Bolivia. On one day we visited three different ski resorts for the special species found in the snow zones! For seabirds, we enjoyed ferry crossings to and from Tierra del Fuego and two pelagic birding ventures, one from Valparaiso on the central coast and the other from Arica in the north. Great birding with sea lions, dolphins, and a couple of whales, too, and no one got sea sick! Our Chile bird lists hit 265 species for Dave and 253 species for Maureen. She missed a few birds here and there but especially on the day we drove up above 15,000 feet to Lago Chungara in Lauca National Park; an altitude-induced headache and tummy discomfort sent her back to rest in the bus. Once back at our accommodations in Putre, a nap and a pot of herbal tea provided by the local Aymara women took care of her malaise. - Maureen Harvey For more details plus scenery shots and bird photos, come to the May meeting! Dave and Maureen will be providing more details about the trip, plus scenery shots and bird photos, at the Carroll County club meeting on May 4. Everyone is welcome to join us! - CJ McAuliffe MONTGOMERY COUNTY Our expat member, Tom Marko, recently moved from Ansbach, Germany to Vicenza, Italy. Tom writes he has now linked up with the Verona Bird Club and recently participated in their annual waterfowl survey along a stretch of the shores of Lake Garda. "After finally feeling comfortable with the names of many European birds in German, learning the 7 The Maryland Yellowthroat names in Italian presents another linguistic challenge. Say 'Piccione' the next time you see a Rock Dove fly by!" Our mega-traveller, Gail Mackiernan, submitted the following epic while en route to Easter Island in January (another tale to come, surely). " Gail Mackiernan, Barry Cooper and Bob Mumford joined Greg Anderson (former MBC member now living in Australia) and two friends from the UK on a 3-week trip to Madagascar in November 2015. We explored the "Eighth Continent" from south to north, seeing over 115 endemic species of birds and 25 kinds of lemurs, as well as a host of colorful chameleons, frogs and insects. Highlights were seeing all 5 ground-rollers, an endemic Malagasy bird family, as well as the amazing Helmet Vanga, in the remote Masoala National Park. The group was guided by Ken Behrens, who lives in Madagascar,and is an expert on all aspects of the island's unique ecology. "Our adventure started in the south, in the spiny forest around Tulear, dominated by strange baobabs and indigenous thorny plants which resemble cacti but are only found in Madagascar. Here birders seek the rare Long-tailed Ground-roller, which is found only in a tiny area of the country. Our group was successful, getting amazing views (and many photographs) of this charismatic species. Other special sightings included Sickle-billed Vanga at its nest, and several species of Coua, a ground-dwelling cuckoo relative somewhat reminiscent of a Roadrunner. One day we visited an off¬ shore island which is a breeding area for Red-tailed Tropicbirds, and were escorted en route by a pod of several hundred Pacific spinner dolphins! "Leaving the spiny forest and driving north from Tulear, several stops en route led to close encounters with ring¬ tailed lemurs and Verraeux's sifakas, as well as some astounding panther chameleons in vivid hues of blue or orange. Oh yes, birds were also seen, including White-browed Owl and Madagascar Sandgrouse. Continuing north, our group left the dry southwest and arrived at the rainforest area of Perinet. Here the target were several species of ground-roller, including the brilliant pitta-like ground- roller, as well as a host of other birds and lemurs, such as the indri (the largest, and loudest, lemur). It took several days to explore all of the area, but we were rewarded with great looks at their most- wanted species, although not always without effort! "The next stop on the group's tour was to be Masaola National Park on the remote Masaola peninsula. Here the island's most extensive rainforest reaches to sea level, and some of the country's rarest inhabitants can be found. However, first you have to get there! Having tickets on Air Madagascar is not enough, the plane also has to fly and today, it was not going to! Even though boarding passes had been issued, and luggage stowed, the airline decided that there were too many people for the size of the plane, so the "best" course of action was to cancel the flight. Not to be dissuaded, our fearless leader chartered a private aircraft to take us to the town from which one then takes a small boat across to Masaola. This accomplished, everyone luxuriated for four days at the tented Masaola Forest Lodge, enjoying fine food, snorkeling and of course, birds and other critters. Here we searched for the unique Helmet Vanga and the endangered, beautiful red-ruffed lemur, and were rewarded with great views of both. "All too soon, the great adventure was drawing to a close. Repeating the boat trip and chartered flight back to the Malagasy capital of Antananarivo, the group had a day to visit some local historical sights, a lake with breeding water birds, and enjoy more excellent French food before it was time to fly back home. Madagascar is a unique destination that should be visited by anyone interested in birds, wildlife, or evolution. It is one of the poorest countries in the world, but is trying Mar/Apr 2016 8 to protect its biological heritage. Ecotourism is growing in importance, and provides needed resources for this protection. There are now excellent and comfortable lodges near the major reserves, and we were amazed at the superb quality of the accommodations and food wherever we went. (Unfortunately the same cannot be said of the roads, which remain a challenge in most areas!)" - Chris Wright Helmet Vanga, photo by Gail MacKiernan. TALBOT COUNTY Harry Armistead writes about his trip to Israel: "L/z and Harry Armistead made a brief trip to Israel, in June-July 2015. Activities were about 1/3 each social (with son-in-law Michael Solomonov's family and friends), ordinary tourism, and birding. For 2 days Meidad Goren was our guide, an excellent all-around birder, with a special interest in the Sooty Falcon, conducting related research in the Negev Desert. I'd certainly recommend anyone going to Israel to contact the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel at: international@spni.org.il. We knew mid¬ summer wasn't the birdiest time there but it had to be then and we had a great time anyway. "We were guests of Judy Yaron and Tony Rose in Kfar Saba, seeing from their apartment Laughing Dove, Palestinian Sunbird, Yellow-vented Bulbul, Rose- ringed Parakeet, and Common Swift. On July 2 we went to Caesarea on the Mediterranean Coast, netting Yellow¬ legged Gull, Hoopoe (Israel's national bird), Spur-winged Plover (Lapwing) and Red-rumped Swallow, and exotics such as Mandarin Duck, nutria, and huge soft- shelled turtles at Turtle Park along the Alexander River. "July 3: Off to the productive fish ponds at Ma'ayan Zvi E of Caesarea with Meidad: Little Reed Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Little Tern, Greater Sand Plover, Black-winged Stilt, Greenshanks, Grey Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, Glossy Ibis, Pygmy Cormorant, Common Sandpiper, Graceful Prinia, Squacco Heron, Little Egret, Spur-winged Lapwing, Slender-billed Gull, and a mongoose. It's a wonder they're able to raise any fish! "On the way to the Hula Valley where there are other fish ponds, we saw Short-toed Eagle and some of the same birds as at Ma'ayan Zvi, plus Purple Heron, Pygmy Cormorant, European Bee-eater, Clamorous Reed Warbler, European Reed Warbler, Syrian Woodpecker, Pied Kingfisher, Greenfinch, Spur-winged Lapwing, Little Grebe, Red-rumped Swallow, Crested Lark, Whiskered Tern, and Woodchat Shrike, plus a hyena, a jungle cat (Fe//s chaus ), and a jackal. "Going to our B&B at Neve Atie on the slopes of Mt. Hermon: Sardinian Warbler, House Martin, Eurasian Jay, and Common Blackbird. On July 4 we went up Mt. Hermon (9,232 ft. but the highest parts are in forbidden Syria). Where we go gets up to 7,336 ft (via a scary ski lift). It's a good place for fancy passerines including: Syrian Serin (a near endemic), Lesser Whitethroat, Linnet, Northern Wheatear, European Goldfinch, Black-headed Bunting, Blackstart, Rock Bunting, Western Rock Nuthatch, Rock Sparrow, Woodlark, 9 The Maryland Yellowthroat and Sombre Tit, and Long-legged Buzzard. Next we went down to the Golan Heights, much of it uninhabited (heavily mined) with lovely grasslands. We made a stop at the spectacular gorge of Gamla Nature Reserve where pathetic remnant populations of some raptors survive: Bonelli's Eagle, Short-toed Eagle plus Little Swifts. On my own I found nests of Griffon Vulture and Egyptian Vulture. "Jerusalem, July 7. We saw some of the sights including the surprising Elvis American Restaurant. Right in the Old City area are Eurasian Kestrels, a lifetime supply of Hooded Crows, and what looked like a jackal. At the Hotel Mamilla one chooses from among 80 items of the breakfast buffet, including anchovies and sardines. It is ironic to make a 12-hour, 6,000-mile flight to see Mallard, Barn Swallow, Rock Pigeon, House Sparrow, Glossy Ibis, Black-crowned Night Heron, Common Tern, and Cattle Egret plus Eurasian Collared-Dove, yet nice (mostly) to see these old friends. "Some good books on the region: Drawing Inspiration From the Hula Valley by Zev Labinger & Edna Gorney, (Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, 2011, 153 pp., terrific artwork). The Birds of Israel, by Hadoram Shirihai (Academic Press, 1996, 692 pp., an 8- pounder!!). Shirihai has also authored 2 detailed bird-finding guides to North and South Israel respectively. The Mammals of Israel, by Walter W. Ferguson (Gefen Books, 2002, 160 pp., an underappreciated, very fine, artist). Birds of the Middle East, R. F. Porter et al. (Princeton, 2004, 460 pp., I think there is a later edition). ”George Armistead authored 2 books published in November 2015. First, Better Birding: Tips , Tools & Concepts for the Field (Princeton University Press, 318 pp., 350 color photographs). Co-authored by Brian L. Sullivan, it deals with 24 groups posing identification challenges, such as loons, Atlantic gadfly petrels, the screech-owl complex, yellow-bellied kingbirds, longspurs et al. Second, Field Guide to Birds of Pennsylvania (Scott & Nix, Inc., 286 pp., deals with 250 species) features color photography by Brian E. Small, is one of the series of state books sponsored by the American Birding Association (A.B.A.), of which George is the Events Coordinator. Finally, Harry Armistead's review of Witmer Stone: The Fascination of Nature by Scott McConnell (published by Scott, 2014, 411 pages) is in The Auk: Ornithological Advances, vol. 132: 955- 957. Stone worked at Philadelphia's Academy of Natural Sciences for 51 years, was a founder of the Delaware Valley Ornithological Club, of which George is the Secretary and also a Councilor." - Harry Armistead submitted by Margie Steffens ENVIRONMENTAL ^^l^^FILM FESTIVAL \1H) IN THE NATION’S CAPITAL Contact: Helen Strong, helen@dceff.org 2016 Environmental Film Festival Will Present 130+ Films Across the City from March 15-26 The 24 th annual Environmental Film Festival in the Nation's Capital, the largest and longest-running environmental film festival in the country, will present 130+ films selected to provide fresh perspectives on a wide variety of environmental issues facing the earth, from March 15-26. "Parks: Protecting Wild," exploring the vital role of parks and protected areas on our planet, will be the focus of a selection of 2016 Festival films. A number of films about birds and birding will also be shown - see list below. Screenings will include discussion with filmmakers, scientists and policy makers, and many are free. The complete Festival schedule will be posted in mid-February at www.dceff.org . Please check for any updates to programs. Mar/Apr 2016 10 Bluebird Man , Winner of the EFF's Eric Moe Sustainability Film Award (USA, 2014, 28 min.) Washington , D.C. Premiere People call Al Larson "The Bluebird Man" for good reason: at 92, this self-taught conservationist has dedicated 35 years of his life to saving North America's bluebirds by maintaining a network of over 300 "nestboxes" in the highlands of Idaho that provide vital support to a population in recovery. Bluebird Man aims to inspire our next generation of citizen scientists, showing all the humble effort and natural beauty of Larson's endeavor and the grandeur of the birds he's fighting to save. Directed by Neil Paprocki and Matthew Podolsky. Discussion with "Bluebird Man" Al Larson and filmmaker Neil Paprocki follows screening. Screening on March 17 at 7:00 p.m. Carnegie Institution for Science, 1530 P St., NW Tickets, $10. Purchase at http://moeproqram.bpt.me/ Puffin Patrol (USA, 2015, 50 min.) U.S. Premiere On the remote coastlines of Maine, Wales, and Newfoundland, scientists observe the annual life cycle of the Atlantic Puffin to discover what this intriguing little bird can teach us about the dangers facing our natural world, while environmentalists fight to protect vulnerable chicks. Join our team of experts and puffin lovers on Puffin Patrol! Directed by Scott Dobson and produced by Charlotte Engel and Rosemary House. Screening on Tuesday , March 15 at 6:00 p.m . Discussion with director Scott Dobson follows screening. FREE. Reservations required. Reserve at https://puffinpatrol.eventbrite.com . Embassy of Canada, 501 Pennsylvania Ave., NW Poached (UK, 2015, 90 min.) Egg thieves rob the nests of rare birds while a national UK police initiative named "Operation Easter" tries to stop them, confiscating thousands of eggs found strapped under beds, beneath floorboards, and in secret rooms. The offenders are motivated not by money but by desire for the beauty of the egg and the thrill of the chase, but their apparently harmless compulsion has disastrous effects on an already threatened ecosystem. With unprecedented access to the most notorious and inconspicuous perpetrators, Poached delves into the psychology of the egg collectors as they confront their destructive obsession. Directed by Timothy Wheeler and produced by Steve Brown. Check dceff.org for screening information. The Bird Ranger (Netherlands, 2015, 68 min.) Washington, D.C. Premiere The "bird rangers" of the Boschplaat nature reserve, on the northern Dutch island of Terschelling, have always done much more than just guard the wetlands: they're full- fledged scientists, closely monitoring the island's varied avian life: Rifs, Red Knots, Curlews, Godwits, and many other species. Oene de Jong, the National Forestry Service's last professional bird ranger, takes us on a revelatory trip through the reserve that chronicles a rich history of conservation and speaks to the dire need for citizen science in the present day. Directed by Hans den Hartog. Screening Wednesday, March 16 at 6:00 p.m. at the Royal Netherlands Embassy. Reception and discussion with filmmaker follows screening. FREE. Reservations by email required at was-rsvp@minbuza.nl or call 202-274- 2736. The Art of Flying (Netherlands, 2015, 7 min.) Washington, D.C. Premiere Every night, all over Europe and North America, populations of Common Starling gather at dusk to perform a stunning air show in vast, amorphous flocks called "murmurations." Their ability to fly in such dense swarms without colliding still baffles scientists, and produces one of the most unreal spectacles nature has to offer. Jan van IJken captures this phenomenon in crisp black and white over Dutch farmland, 11 The Maryland Yellowthroat distilling its beauty and mystery. Directed by Jan van Uken. Screening on March 20 at 12:30 p.m. as part of Visionary Green Shorts Program FREE Carnegie Institution for Science, 1530 P St., NW Birds of Note - by Les Roslvmd The birds featured in this Birds of Note column were those that provided joy to birders during the mild winter weather conditions in Maryland prior to the blizzard conditions of 22-23 January. If winter storm JONAS helped drive some of the fine January birds into our state, then that role is certainly appreciated. Top excitement during this period was generated by a VERMILION FLYCATCHER found in Kent County near Millington by Amanda Spears and Jim and Trish Gruber on 27 Dec. This bird was an immature female with brownish upper parts, light brown streaking on chest and sides and a darkish line through the eye. The chest and belly were off white that graded to peach coloring on the sides and under the tail. The bird was discovered on the grounds of Quail Run Nursery during the 2015 Chesterville Christmas Bird Count. It proved to be a very cooperative individual. The property owner graciously gave permission to birders to come back onto the property while attempting to relocate the bird. Many birders were successful from Dec 29 through Jan 20. The final sighting was reported by Al Guarante shortly before noon on Jan 20. This was the first VERMILION FLYCATCHER sighting for Kent County and there have been only two previous accepted sightings of this species in Maryland. Also during the 27 Dec Chesterville CBC the same birding team that found the VERMILION FLYCATCHER discovered a LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE along Carroll Clark Rd near Massey, Kent Co. The Massey site was only about a mile away from Quail Run Nursery so many birders took advantage of this chance to record two great county birds within a matter of minutes. The SHRIKE chose to rest and hawk for insects from shrubs or phragmites clumps beside Edmunds Creek, and made occasional use of a nearby set of power lines. Scope views were essential in order to attain gratifying views of this bird. With help from a scope birders could distinguish details of bill size and shape and also see the fine features of the eye patch of this handsome bird. A steady parade of visitors came by from Dec 28 through Jan 20, with the final report again being filed by Al Guarante. In early January Maryland birders were hoping for reports of a visit by a SNOWY OWL. The first such report came from Mike Walsh who found and photographed a beautiful SNOWY OWL beside Frenchtown Rd, Somerset County on Jan 2. This bird was resting on the roof of a crab shack right beside the road in the remote but charming marsh lands of Fairmont WMA. Attempts by others to relocate the bird were not successful. A few days later, on Jan 11, another SNOWY OWL showed up. This one was on Kent Island in Queen Anne's County. It was found by Mark Schilling of Stevensville. Mark photographed the bird preening while roosting on the roof of a condo beside Kent Narrows Pointe Drive. Over the next several days many birders relocated and enjoyed this bird. The final sightings were reported on Jan 14. Even before the SNOWY OWL was gone, birding attention had shifted to a rather drab and innocuous flycatcher discovered on Jan 13 in Montgomery County by Robert Parsons of Gaithersburg. Though this bird looked much like a GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER, photos revealed it to be an Mar/Apr 2016 12 ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER, a first time visitor to Montgomery County. Word of its presence spread rapidly and many birders got good looks and fine photographs of a bird that is usually seen in the open and dry habitat of central Texas and westward. The bird chose to forage in a wooded area along Turkey Foot Road near Crossland Lane in Darnestown. It drew attention to itself by making pip or pwik calls that experienced ears could distinguish from the more wheep-like calls of others in the genus. This bird remained in the same general area and was enjoyed daily by area birders through Jan 18. The final sighting was reported by Wayne Baumgartner on that date. Weather conditions were so mild in early January that even BARN SWALLOWS were seen in Montgomery County as they foraged above the river near Violette's Lock. The first report was from an early morning sighting by Dave Czaplak on Jan 3. Through the mist at sunrise Dave saw three of the birds perched on branches at the head of the rapids of the river. While he watched, they made several feeding forays up river, followed by returning to their original perching places. At least two of these birds stayed in the area, for Dave found them again early in the morning of Jan 12 at the same site. A small number of other birders also relocated the birds between those dates. On Jan 18 a LARK SPARROW was found by near the entrance to the Hughes Rd Polo Fields south of Poolesville, Montgomery Co. The lucky finders were Francis Dirren and Yoli Del Buono. This was a very rare species for Montgomery County and was successfully relocated for the next four days. Many birders managed to share this sighting and obtain excellent photos before the arrival of winter storm JONAS pushed the bird away from that location. The last observation was reported by Thomas Doebel who saw and photographed the bird on Jan 22 shortly after noon. With such a mild winter, birders began to notice a shortage of some of our regular winter visitors. HORNED LARKS seemed to be fewer than usual, and the LAPLAND LONGSPURS were not being reported at all. That trend was nicely broken on Jan 7th by Jeff Shenot who managed to find five LAPLAND LONGSPURS near a large flock of HORNED LARKS during a visit to the Homestead Farm property in Montgomery County. Over the next ten days several birders succeeded in relocating some of these birds, including at least one LONGSPUR. Perhaps weather conditions after passage of JONAS will lead to the arrival of our normal set of wintering species. A second mid-winter visit by a swallow occurred Jan 16 at Swan Creek Wetland-- Cox Creek DMCF, Anne Arundel County. On that date, beginning around 8:00 AM ten birders shared the fun of watching an out-of-season NORTHERN ROUGH¬ WINGED SWALLOW feed over the wetlands of the property. Brenton Reyner was the first to notice and call attention to this bird, but eventually everyone got excellent views and some obtained very good photographs. This bird fell into the category of "one-day-wonder" for it was not seen again after the first morning of viewing. MOS Calendar Mar - April 2016 By Marilyn Veek Tuesday, March 1 Meeting. Baltimore. Tuesday Evening Lecture at Cylburn's Greenhouse Classroom. Continuing a series of monthly feature presentations and slide shows. Topic TBA. Doors open at Cylburn at 7 PM for socializing and snacks, show starts about 7:15 PM. 13 The Maryland Ye! low throat Wednesday, March 2 ft Baltimore. First Wednesday Walk at Fort McFlenry. Continuing survey of bird activity at the Fort and wetland. Telescopes useful. Cancelled in inclement weather. 8 AM - noon. Park outside the main entrance gate, in lot on left, and meet at the gate. Leader Mary Chetelat, 410-665-0769. Meeting. Carroll. "Project SNOWstorm, Tracking the Periodic Invasions of Snowy Owls" by Dave Brinker. 7 PM. Carroll Nonprofit Center in Westminster. Contact Don Jewell atjewelldg@gmail.com Meeting. Cecil. Speaker TBA. 7 to 8:30 PM at Elkton Library. For more information, contact Sean McCandless, seanmccandless@comcast.net. Thursday, March 3 Meeting. Frederick. Mark Abdy will tell us about Costa Rica and its gorgeous birds. 7 PM. Flomewood at Crumland Farms. ft Patuxent. Walk at Lake Artemesia jointly with PG Audubon. 3 PM. Meet at parking lot at end of Berwyn Rd in Berwyn Hts. No reservations needed. Contact David Mozurkewich, mozurk@bellAtlantic.net Friday, March 4 Meeting. Harford. "Identification of Warblers." With an eye toward Spring, Sean McCandless will present our members with a holistic approach to recognizing nesting and migratory Warblers by sight, sound, habitat and behavior. The meeting will begin with a catered dinner at 6:15 PM, at the Churchville Presbyterian Church, 2844 Churchville Rd, Churchville. Reservations are necessary for the dinner. For more information, contact Johanne Henrickson, johen24@gmail.com. Saturday, March 5 ft Eastern Neck NWR. Guided Winterfowl Walk. Conditions permitting, hundreds, if not thousands, of Canada Geese, Tundra Swans, Scaup, Ruddy Ducks, Buffleheads, Mallards, Black Ducks, Canvasbacks, Mergansers, and others can be spotted. Bald Eagles are often observed at Eastern Neck, as well as other local wildlife. The walks will include Hail Creek, Shipyard Creek, Cedar Point, and Panhandle Point, all sanctuary areas ordinarily off-limits to the public. Spotting scopes will be available. Bring a camera. A local birding expert will accompany each walk. Event will cover approximately two miles and last about two hours, with cocoa and cookies served at the Refuge headquarters afterward. Wear boots and dress warmly! No rain dates. Registration is limited to 20. Free, but donations to Friends of Eastern Neck appreciated. 8 AM. For more information and for reservations, contact Gren Whitman, easternneckwalks@gmail.com or 443-691-9370. ft Harford. Waterfowl Tour of local open water locations that often produce sightings of Surf Scoter, Redhead, Long¬ tailed Duck and Northern Shoveler. Beginners interested in learning the basics of waterfowl identification and experienced watchers searching for rarities will enjoy this morning trip to the Gunpowder River and the Havre de Grace waterfront. Scopes are helpful, although not necessary. Dress warmly and bring photo ID for entrance to APG. 6:45 AM. Meet at the McDonalds on Rt. 40 in Edgewood. Leader Dave Webb, porzana@comcast.net or 410-939-3537. ft Howard. Waterfowl Search. Meet at Lake Elkhorn Broken Land Pkwy parking lot at 8 AM. We'll carpool to search the Howard County waterways for ducks, grebes, mergansers and loons. Chance of an early migrant. Leader Kurt Schwarz, 410-461- 1643, krschwal@verizon.net. ft Kent. Pickering Creek Audubon Center, Talbot Co. Impoundments, woods and fields attract waterfowl, raptors (including the occasional Golden Eagle), sparrows and other migrants. Bring lunch. 8 AM. Meet at the Dollar General parking lot (off Philosopher's Terrace) in Chestertown. Leaders Walter Ellison and Nancy Martin, 410-778-9568 or borealdee@gmail.com. Mar/Apr 2016 14 ft Patuxent. Walk at the Fran Uhler Natural Area, jointly with PG Audubon. 7:30 AM. Meet at the end of Lemon's Br Rd, off Rt 197 just n. of Bowie State College. No reservations needed. Contact Bill Sefton, kiwisuits@msn.com. Meeting. MOS Board Meeting. Hosted by Frederick Bird Club. 8 AM bird walk at Monocacy Battlefield. 10 AM meeting at Urbana Regional Library, 9030 Amelung Dr, Urbana. Contact Kathy Brown, kathybrown07@verizon.net. Sunday, March 6 ft Cecil. A half-day of seeking out lingering winter waterfowl at various Cecil County locations: North East and Perryville Community Parks, and along the Susquehanna River. Dress for extreme cold and wind. Bring scope if you have one. A mix of driving and some walking. Meet at the North East Community Park at the end of Walnut St at 8 AM. Leader Ken Drier, kdrier@zoominternet.net ft Howard. Centennial Park. Easy walking around the lake on paved path. Facilities available. Waterfowl expected early migrant passerines possible. 8 AM, 2-3 hours. West end parking lot. Leader Jeff Culler, cullersfuls@hotmail.com, 410-465- 9006. ft Talbot. Late afternoon and evening at Pickering Creek. Early March is peak time for hearing and possibly seeing the elusive "timber doodle" (or American Woodcock to most of us). The fields around Pickering Creek can be filled with peenting woodcock at sunset. Before the show begins, look for sparrows, Rusty Blackbirds and other woodland species. Depart Easton Acme parking lot 2:30 PM or meet at Pickering Creek parking lot at about 3 PM. Leader Les Coble (410-820-6165) Tuesday, March 8 Meeting. Allegany/Garrett. Mark Abdy will speak on "Birding Costa Rica." 7 PM, Compton Hall, Room TBA, Frostburg State University. Meeting. Baltimore. Board meeting. While only authorized Board members have a vote, any Club member is welcome to attend and participate in discussions. Call any club officer or board member for details. 7 PM. Greenhouse Classroom, Cylburn Arboretum, Baltimore. Meeting. Patuxent. "Birding in the Americas" presented by Benjamin Skolnick. 7:30 PM. College Park Aviation Museum. Wednesday, March 9 ft Montgomery. Informal Late Afternoon Walk until dusk. Joint trip with ANS. Meet promptly at 5 PM at the end of Seneca Rd at Riley's Lock "on the bridge". After checking out the river, we will proceed to Hughes Hollow. Highlights here will include waterfowl flying into roost. We will try for displaying woodcock if they are in the vicinity. Bring scope, flashlight and wear "muddy conditions" footwear. Reservations not required- all are welcome. For more info call leader Jim Green, 301-742-0036 . Thursday, March 10 Meeting. Howard. "Rachel Carson and Her Maryland Legacy," by Dr. Robert K. Musil, President and CEO of the Rachel Carson Council. Hospitality 7 PM; meeting/program 7:30 PM at Robinson Nature Center, 6692 Cedar Lane, Columbia. Info: Robin Todd, 410-491- 5333. Friday, March 11 Meeting. Montgomery. MBC Social. Audubon Naturalist Society, Woodend. 7 PM. Saturday, March 12 ftAnne Arundel. Kinder Farm Park Timber Doodle trip. Dress for a chilly evening experience. Alan and Sue Young have seen and heard Woodcocks in the Park for many years; hearing and/or seeing an owl also is a possibility. 5 PM. Leaders Alan and Sue Young, 410-991-8300 or alnmyoung@aol.com. 15 The Maryland Ye! low throat ft Baltimore. Youth Birding at North Point State Park. We will walk down the Black Marsh loop and back, and then go to the main parking area overlooking the Bay, looking for late ducks and early migrants. Rusty Blackbird possible. The walk is free, but there is a $3 charge to enter the park. Wear good footwear, the trail can be mucky. 9 AM. Meet at the small parking area on the left, just past the toll booth at the entrance. Leader John Robinson, 443- 810-9059 (cell), 410-483-6620 (home), jcrobin@jhmi.edu. ft Carroll. Woodcock Walk at Morgan Run. Come strain your eyes and ears to appreciate these curious birds as they perform their annual courting ritual. Last year we found around 20 of this species! 6 PM. Meet at the parking lot at the end of Ben Rose Lane. Contact Bill Ellis at 443- 520-8809 if you plan to attend. Cecil. Cabin Fever. This family-friendly and fun community outreach event will take place between 11 AM and 2 PM. We'll have supplies for children's activities. Volunteers are requested to greet families and tell them how great the Cecil Bird Club is. Moore's Chapel United Methodist Church, 392 Blake Road, Elkton. For more information contact Ken Drier, kdrier@zoominternet.net. ft Frederick. Woodcock search, location TBD. Contact David Smith at 410-549- 7082. ft Harford. Swan Harbor Farm Park. This Harford County gem with three impoundments, a commanding view of the Bay, wooded trails, and open fields has developed into a fine location for a broad spectrum of bird life including waterfowl, marsh species, raptors, and sparrows. Meet at 8 AM at the parking lot adjacent to the Agricultural Education Center at the end of the driveway. Leaders are Josh Emm and Tom Gibson. Contact them at apistopanchax@gmail.com or 410-937- 6790 / gibsonlld@aol.com or 410-734- 4135. ft Montgomery. Patuxent River Park, Jug Bay Natural Area. Joint trip with Audubon Naturalist Society. Waterfowl, Wilson's Snipe, winter and early spring songbirds, Ospreys displaying. Meet 8 AM (half day) at parking by park hdqtrs. Wear muddy conditions footgear. Reservation required (15-person limit) Leader John Bjerke, 240- 401-1643. ft Patuxent. Field trip for displaying Woodcock at location TBD. Meet at 5:30 PM. Reservations required. Contact leader David Mozurkewich, mozurk@bellAtlantic.net . Sunday, March 13 (Daylight Saving Time starts) ft Anne Arundel. Cabin Branch Restoration Area. This is a monthly trip with easy access to a restored stream valley, around the corner from Annapolis Mall. Could be very good for migrant birds. 8 AM (3 hours). Meet at Annapolis Bowl, 2057 Generals Hwy. Leader David Gillum, 410-266-8775 or dagmapper@verizon.net. ft Baltimore. Marshy Point Nature Center. Easy half-day walk through varied habitats for feeder birds and other songbirds, raptors, and waterfowl. Half-mile trail leads to point overlooking Dundee Creek. Fox Sparrows, Swamp Sparrows and Purple Finches possible. Boots advisable, telescopes useful. 9 AM. Leaders Brent and Mary Byers, 410-686-7294 or baypuffin@hotmail.com. ft Howard. Centennial Park. Easy walking around the lake on paved path. Facilities available. Waterfowl expected early migrant passerines possible. 8 AM, 2-3 hours. West end parking lot. Leader Allen Lewis, allenrlewis@gmail.com. ft Talbot. Explore Queen Anne's Co with two of the Eastern Shore's premier young birders, Daniel and Jonathon Irons. Possible visit to Big Water Farm that, thanks to the Irons, boasts one of the largest "yard lists" in the country. Depart Easton Acme parking lot at 7 AM. Leader Mar/Apr 2016 16 Wayne Bell (410-820-6002) and the Irons boys. Monday, March 14 Meeting. Talbot. George Armistead, recently published author of "Better Birding: Tips, Tools, and Concepts for the Field" will give a presentation entitled "Crying Wolf: The good, the bad and the ugly of using audio lures." 7 PM at Bayleigh Chase Auditorium (aka William Hill Manor Auditorium), 501 Dutchman's Ln, Easton. Tuesday, March 15 ft Montgomery. Informal Late Afternoon Walk until dusk. Joint trip with ANS. Meet promptly at 5 PM at the end of Seneca Rd at Riley's Lock "on the bridge." After checking out the river, we will proceed to Hughes Hollow. Highlights here will include waterfowl flying into roost. We will try for displaying Woodcock if they are in the vicinity. Bring scope, flashlight and wear "muddy conditions" footwear. Reservations not required- all are welcome. For more info call leader Jim Green, 3 01-742-0036 . Wednesday, March 16 Meeting. Anne Arundel. "Native Bee Attitudes: Integrating them back into our yards" with Sam Droege. Our 400-plus Maryland species of indigenous bees are nothing like honey bees. No honey, no stinging (well almost no stinging), and no multi-year colonies. Did you know that they are already in your lawns and gardens and doing most of the pollination duties there? This talk explores the corners of this largely unknown universe where bees craft their favorite flowers and plants poison the competition; where 75% of all native plants depend on insects for ultimate survival; and where you can make a difference with simple things like growing native plants and maintaining permanent open meadowlands in parks, roadsides, and rights-of-way. Conservation of bees is not the conservation of our forefathers— preserving wolves and bison— it's in the hands of local residents and their little quarter acre refuges. 7-9 PM, Quiet Waters Park, Blue Heron Center. Contact Barbara Johnson, 410-703-4664 or barbarajohnson222@gmail.com. ft Harford. Timberdoodle Search. Meet at 6:45 PM at the Edgewood Home Depot on Rt.40 to try to catch a glimpse of this very elusive bird performing his elaborate twilight mating aerobatics. Leader Phil Powers, birdsinmd@verizon.net or 410- 679-4116. Thursday, March 17 Meeting. Caroline. Update on Tuckahoe & Martinak State Parks along with Scales and Tales presented by Park Manager John Ohler. 7:30 PM, Caroline County Public Library, 100 Market St., Denton. ft Montgomery. Informal Late Afternoon Walk until dusk. Joint trip with ANS. Meet promptly at 5 PM at the end of Seneca Rd at Riley's Lock "on the bridge". After checking out the river, we will proceed to Hughes Hollow. Highlights here will include waterfowl flying into roost. We will try for displaying woodcock if they are in the vicinity. Bring scope, flashlight and wear "muddy conditions" footwear. Reservations not required- all are welcome. For more info call leader Jim Green, 301-742-0036 . ft Patuxent. Walk at Lake Artemesia jointly with PG Audubon. 3 PM. Meet at parking lot at end of Berwyn Rd in Berwyn Hts. No reservations needed. Contact David Mozurkewich, mozurk@bellAtlantic.net Saturday, March 19 ft Joint Allegany/Garrett and Washington. Waterfowl at Rocky Gap State Park, Mason Road pond, and the C&O Canal Terminus area. Leaders: Ray Kiddy & Mark Abdy. 8 AM. Meet at Western MD Train Station parking lot. Contact: Ray Kiddy, rrkiddy@atlanticbb.net. ft Anne Arundel. Governors Bridge Road is an easily accessible birding area off of Route 301 in Bowie Maryland. It is a mixed habitat with some wet areas, which attracts a wide variety of birds and should be a nice 17 The Maryland Ye! low throat location for a half-day walk in early spring. 7 AM (half-day), meet at Parole P&R. Leader Barbara Ricciardi, 202-230-8492 or barbararicciardi27@gmail.com. ft Baltimore. Saturday Monitoring Walk at Fort McHenry. Continuing survey of bird activity at the Fort. Telescopes useful. Cancelled in bad weather. 8 AM (half day). Park outside the main entrance gate, in lot on left, and meet at the gate. Leader David Sandler, 410-370-0747. Contest. Carroll. The Carroll County Bird Club is sponsoring a Youth Art contest for Carroll County youth entitled "Wild About Birds - Beauty in Carroll's Backyards." The backpacks donated by the YMOS backpack program will be awarded as prizes, along with other prizes donated by Bowman's Home and Gardens and also by our club members. The artwork will be exhibited at Bear Branch Nature Center from March 19 until April 16, with an opening reception on March 19 at 5:30 PM. Contact Mary Jewell at 410-967-9404 for more information. ft Cecil. Blackwater & Beyond. This trip is designed to see large numbers of waterfowl during the height of spring staging season, at Blackwater NWR. Bald Eagles are a bonus feature. Ospreys may be newly arrived and if so, will be setting up territories. Some early shorebirds might be on the move. Meet at the parking lot of Blackwater Headquarters at 8 AM for a full- day trip. (To carpool, arrange to meet near Dunkin' Donuts in Big Elk Mall, intersection of Rt. 40 and Rt. 213 in Elkton, at 5:30 AM). Bring breakfast, lunch and snacks; there are few opportunities to purchase food in the vicinity. Dress for possible extreme cold and wind. Bring scope if you have one. Some easy walking on level ground. Leader Sean McCandless, seanmccandlessl@comcast.net ft Frederick. Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area (north of Lancaster, PA). All-day trip. Thousands of Snow Geese and Tundra Swans, in addition to other waterfowl and overwintering birds. Leader Pat Caro, 240-651-5651. ft Harford. Emory Knoll Farm. This trip offers a great chance to find late winter/early spring songbirds including Fox Sparrow, Pine Warbler and Tree Sparrow. We will walk the gentle trails on this beautiful Northern Harford County farm for about one mile at a leisurely pace. Meet at the 165/543 P&R in Pylesville at 8 AM. Leader Dennis Kirkwood, newarkfarms@gmail.com or 410-692- 5905. ft Howard. Sharps At Waterford Farm. Moderate walking over crop stubble, farm roads and paths on this working farm. Fields with crop residue, extensive woodlands, Cattail Creek and floodplain, three ponds and five shallow waterfowl impoundments make for diverse habitats and good birding opportunities. Port-a-pots available. Knee-high waterproof footwear required for part of walk. 8 AM (half day). Meet at farm parking area, through barns on right. Rte. 97 S to right on Jennings Chapel Rd, 1 mile to right into farm at sign. Leader Wes Earp, wesandsue@gmail.com, 410-531-3197 ft Kent. Prime Hook NWR, DE. Spring birding for late waterfowl, raptors, early shorebirds and songbirds. Full day, bring lunch. 8 AM. Meet at the Dollar General parking lot (off Philosopher's Terrace) in Chestertown. Leaders Walter Ellison and Nancy Martin, 410-778-9568 or borealdee@gmail.com. ft Patuxent. Walk at the Governor Bridge Park, jointly with PG Audubon. Meet at 7:30 AM at the parking lot off Governor Bridge Rd. Contact Bill Sefton at kiwisuits@msn.com. ft Tri-County. Field trip to Pickering Creek Audubon Center. Meet at the Royal Farms on Route 50 west of Salisbury at 7:30 AM. Bring lunch, drinks, and snacks. For information, contact Mike Walsh at 410- 422-0428. ft Washington. Field Trip to Rocky Gap SP and surrounding area. Leave from the DMV Mar/Apr 2016 18 parking lot at 7:30 AM. Contact Mark Abdy at 301-432-7696 to participate. Saturday, March 20 and Sunday, March 21 YMOS. Maryland Youth Birdathon. Fund raising for the World Series of Birding teams. The group will begin in Ocean City at 4 AM Saturday and end up in Dorchester County by evening. The search will resume Sunday morning in Dorchester and conclude in Cecil County late Sunday afternoon. Lodging will be available at local homes for Friday night in Ocean City and for Saturday night in Dorchester County. Students will need money for meals. Logistics and specific times will be coordinated once we know who is going. Participants can participate in either or both days. More detailed information will be sent out in advance of the trip. Email George Radcliffe (radclifg@gmail.com) of your intent to go at least 2 weeks in advance of the trip. Sunday, March 20 ft Anne Arundel. Sandy Point State Park. This park is in Dan's home turf birding area, so he'll have all the good species lined up for everybody to see. If he can bring in owls at a concert who knows what he will find when he's focused on birding. 7:30 AM (half-day), meet at Bay 50 Shopping Ctr. Leader Dan Flaas, 443-756-6207 or nervousbirds@gmail.com. ft Carroll. Piney Run Park for waterfowl and whatever else turns up. 8 AM. Meet at the parking lot outside the gate to Piney Run Park on Martz Rd off of White Rock Rd. Leaders Dave and Maureen Flarvey, 410- 795-3117. ft Howard. Centennial Park. Easy walking around the lake on paved path. Facilities available. Waterfowl expected, woodland trails for passerines. 8 AM, 2-3 hours. West end parking lot. Leaders Richard and Renee Peters, Richard@rrrrpeters.org. ft Talbot. Harford County and Conowingo Dam. Visit Conowingo Dam for great views of late season Bald Eagles, numerous gulls and waterfowl. Also plan to visit Swan Harbor Farm, one of Harford County's premier birding locations for field, marsh and woodland birding. Depart Easton Acme parking lot at 6:30 AM. Leader Les Coble, 410-820-6165. Tuesday, March 22 Meeting. Washington. Annette Cormany from the University of Maryland Extension office will share tips on gardening for birds and other wildlife. 7 PM at the Mt. Aetna Nature Center. Call 301-797-8454 for more information. Wednesday, March 23 ft Harford. Timberdoodle Search. Meet at the Havre de Grace P&R at Rt.155 and 1-95 at 7 PM for a second try at catching the Woodcocks' evening mating display. Leaders Elaine Beery, ehbeery@yahoo.com or 410-272-6037 and Jane Scocca, jane@scocca.org or 410-272-8870. Saturday, March 26 ft Baltimore. Patterson Park. Early spring migrants found in this urban park may include Caspian Tern, Merlin, Pine Warbler, Fox Sparrow or Woodcock! 8 AM. For questions or to borrow binoculars for the walk, contact Patterson Park Audubon Center at 410-558-2473 or ppaudubon@gmail.com. ft Washington. Birding along the Final Attack Trail at Antietam Battlefield. Trip is co-sponsored with Potomac Valley Audubon Society. Meet 8 AM at the Burnside Bridge parking lot. Contact Sandy at monsansagalkin@myactv.net or 240-291- 6465. Sunday, March 27 ft Howard. Centennial Park. Easy walking around the lake on paved path. Facilities available. Waterfowl expected, early migrant passerines possible. 8 AM, 2-3 hours. West end parking lot. Leader Mike Kerwin, m63kerwin@verizon.net or 410- 461-2408. ft Talbot. East of Route 50 in search of arriving northbound transient species in 19 The Maryland Yellowthroat forested bottomlands in close proximity to Easton. Depart Easton Acme parking lot 7 AM. Leader Jan Reese, 410-745-2875. Monday, March 28 Meeting. Tri-County. "Important Bird Areas in Maryland/' presented by Dave Wilson . Meeting at the Library of As bury United Methodist Church in Salisbury, just south of the university, at 7 PM. Use south entrance. For information, contact Mike Walsh at 410-422-0428. Saturday, April 2 ft Allegany/Garrett. Field trip to Allegany/Garrett ponds. We'll visit Finzel Swamp, Piney Reservoir, Meadows Lake and Campground, and New Germany State Park (if time permits). Meet at Parkside School in LaVale. 9 AM. Pack a lunch for a picnic at New Germany State Park. Contact: Mary Huebner 301-876-7545 or marybrd22@gmail.com. ft Harford. Gull Migration at Susquehanna SP. Last year we had 9 Little Gulls and frozen fingers! Hopefully this year will be even better. Meet at 7 AM at the Lapidum Boat Launch for a morning of river watching. Leader Matt Hafner, hafner.matt@gmail.com or 410-971-3203. ft Howard. Mt. Pleasant Beginners' Walk. Gentle ramble around rough pastures, brushy thickets and stream valleys. Early migrants arriving and resident birds starting to nest. Good chance for beginners to learn bird ID and habits before the spring migration brings in a profusion ( = confusion) of later migrants. Facilities available. 8 AM (2-3 hours). Meet in parking lot. Leaders John Harris, jaybee.harris@gmail.com or 240-755- 0183, and Robin Todd, totnesman@aol.com or 410-491-5333. ft Kent. Blackwater NWR Dorchester Co. Prime waterfowl and eagle country; pelicans and other surprises? Full day, bring lunch. 8 AM. Meet at the Dollar General parking lot (off Philosopher's Terrace) in Chestertown. Leaders Walter Ellison and Nancy Martin, 410-778-9568 or borealdee@gmail.com. ft Patuxent. Walk at the Fran Uhler Natural Area, jointly with PG Audubon. 7:30 AM. Meet at the end of Lemon's Br Rd, off Rt 197 just n. of Bowie State College. No reservations needed. Contact Bill Sefton, kiwisuits@msn.com. Sunday, April 3 ft Talbot. Urban Birding. We will again (our 8 th year) bird the variety of habitats around the Target Shopping Center as well as nearby locations in search of wintering birds and early spring migrants. Every year we have seen our FOY Rough-winged Swallows on this trip. We will scan fields, open water, tidal guts, wood margins and hedgerows for early arriving migrants as well as wintering birds. Depart Easton Acme parking lot at 7 AM. Leader Terry Allen, 410-829-5840. Tuesday, April 5 Meeting. Baltimore. Tuesday Evening Lecture at Cylburn's Greenhouse Classroom. Continuing a series of monthly feature presentations and slide shows. Topic TBA. Doors open at Cylburn at 7 PM for socializing and snacks, show starts about 7:15 PM. Wednesday, April 6 ft Baltimore. First Wednesday Walks at Fort McHenry. Continuing survey of bird activity at the Fort and wetland. Telescopes useful. Cancelled in inclement weather. 8 AM (half day.) Park outside the main entrance gate, in lot on left, and meet at the gate. Leader: Mary Chetelat, 410-665- 0769. Meeting. Carroll. "Warbler ID Workshop" by Michael Bowen, Linda Friedland, and Jim Nelson at Carroll Nonprofit Center in Westminster. 7 PM. Contact Don Jewell at jewelldg@gmail.com. Meeting. Cecil. Doug Tallamy, author of "T/7e Living Landscape" (with Rick Darke) and ” Bringing Nature Home" will speak about how we can all help birds and other wildlife by using native plants in our yards. Mar/Apr 2016 20 Find out which plants support the most species, and why caterpillars are especially important to nesting birds. Elkton Library, 7 to 8:30 PM. For more information, contact Sean McCandless, seanmccandlessl@comcast.net Meeting. Frederick. Chris Tawney will tell us about restoration of the grasslands at Antietam battlefield. 7 PM at Flomewood at Crumland Farms. Thursday, April 7 ft Patuxent. Walk at Lake Artemesia jointly with PG Audubon. 6 PM (note change in time.) Meet at parking lot at end of Berwyn Rd in Berwyn Hts. No reservations needed. Contact David Mozurkewich, mozurk@bellAtlantic.net Saturday, April 9 ft Anne Arundel. Fort Smallwood Park. Sue Ricciardi will show us the fine art of hawk watching and look for early spring arrivals. Sue will review the subtle details of those specks in the sky. This way you'll have some hope of being able to identify those specks in the future. Occasionally a few of those hawks may come down and give you a good flyby look. Sue suggests bringing a chair. 8:30 AM (half-day.) Meet at Park entrance, $6 fee per vehicle. Leader:Sue Ricciardi, 410-647-9513 or susiericc@comcast.net. ft Baltimore. Irvine Nature Center. Joint trip with our Youth Birding Group. The easy trails wind through woods and fields, and we'll be looking for early migrants, especially sparrows. We can look for possible Rusty Blackbirds, White-Crowned, Vesper, Fox and Tree Sparrows, Wilson's Snipe, Eastern Bluebirds, and migrating hawks, among other nice birds. Wear boots for muddy spots. Spotting telescopes can help view distant perched birds. Last year's highlights included Wilson's Snipe and Vesper Sparrow. Beginning birders welcome. 9 AM. Leader: John Robinson, 443-810-9059 (cell), 410-483-6620 (home), orjcrobin@jhmi.edu. ft Frederick. Antietam Battlefield to look for birds taking advantage of the restored grasslands. Leader Don Hambright, 301- 371-7411. ft Harford. Harford Glen. We will begin the tour with sightings from the parking lot, then proceed to survey the triple riparian habitats of Atkinson Reservoir, the faster flowing Winter's Run, and the tributary Plumtree Run. The woodland trails, wetlands and some open meadow offer great opportunities for good spring birding. Meet at 8 AM at the Glen (west end of Wheel Rd.). Leader Ruth Bergstrom, ruthb22@yahoo.com or 443-752-1967. ft Howard. Alpha Ridge Landfill. Moderate walking over hills and fields of the landfill. Vesper Sparrow and other field birds possible. Meadowlarks, Kestrels and other open country birds expected. Rarities possible. Facilities at Alpha Ridge Park. Half day. Meet at Alpha Ridge Park at 7:45 AM to carpool to landfill. Carpooling required. Leader Joe Hanfman, aukl844@gmail.com or 410-772-8424. ft Washington. Enjoy a morning of birding at Altona Marsh near Charlestown, WV. Total walking distance is approximately 2 miles on railroad tracks that bisect the marsh. Trip leaves from the Antietam Battlefield visitor's center parking lot at 7:30 AM and will return there by noon. Call Mark Abdy, 301-432-7696 to register. Sunday, April 10 ft Joint Anne Arundel/Talbot. Jug Bay in Anne Arundel Co followed by Governor Bridge Natural Area in Prince Georges Co. We will be looking for early migrants and waterfowl lingering in the area. All day trip. Bring lunch. $6 entrance fee for Jug Bay. Depart Easton Acme parking lot at 6:30 AM. Meet at Governors Bridge Parking Area at 7:30 AM. Leaders Wayne Bell at 410- 820-6002 and Vince DeSanctis at 410-886- 2009. ft Anne Arundel. Kinder Farm Park Family & Beginner Bird Walk. Plan to go off the 21 The Maryland Yellowthroat paved trail to travel Stacy's bluebird box path and count eggs and hatchlings through the spring. See the birds close-up, observe behavior, and assist with completion of the data form for each box. Meet at 8 AM at the first parking lot on the left after the entry hut (free entry). Walks last 2 to 3 hours but participants can leave at any time as energy and interests dictate. Trips are canceled if it is raining. Leader: Stacy Epperson, 410-987-7533 or stac.epperson@gmail.com. ft Anne Arundel. Cabin Branch Restoration Area. This is a monthly trip with easy access to a restored stream valley, around the corner from Annapolis Mall. The Severn River Keeper Program has worked to turn around a degraded section of property into a lovely area which throughout the year should be a good place to go birding and could be very good for migrant birds. 8 AM. Meet at Annapolis Bowl, 2057 Generals Hwy. Leader: David Gillum, 410-266-8775 or dagmapper@verizon.net. ft Baltimore. Marshy Point Nature Center. Easy half-day walk through varied habitats for feeder birds and other songbirds, raptors, and waterfowl. Half-mile trail leads to point overlooking Dundee Creek. Boots advisable, telescopes useful. 8:30 AM. Leaders Brent and Mary Byers, 410-686- 7294 or baypuffin@hotmail.com. ft Cecil. Conowingo Wildflowers and Birds. The Wildflower Trail at Conowingo goes south from Fisherman's Park along the bank of the Susquehanna, through wooded wetlands and along the base of cliffs that are, at this season, blanketed with dutchman's breeches, Virginia bluebells, trillium, and other spring wildflowers. The earlier spring migrants, Phoebes and Louisiana Waterthrushes, may be seen, and maybe some lingering winter visitors, like Winter Wren. We may also spend some time scoping the waters below the dam to see what's about. Meet at Fisherman's Park below the Dam at 8 AM for a half-day trip. Dress warmly if the weather is unseasonably cold. Easy walking on a level, well-graded trail (short stretches may be a bit muddy). Leader Pat Valdata, pvaldata@zoominternet.net. ft Montgomery. Hughes Hollow and Vicinity. We will explore the wetlands of Hughes Hollow and Sycamore Landing. Species to be expected include Red-headed Woodpeckers, Wood Ducks, Blue-winged Teal, and many other marsh dwellers. A chance for several warblers including Prothonotary. Meet at Hughes Hollow parking lot in the McKee-Beshers WMA at 7 AM (half day.) Reservations are not required. For more information, contact leader Jim Nelson, kingfishers2@verizon.net or 240-515- 4517. Monday, April 11 Meeting. Talbot. Program TBA. 7 PM at Bayleigh Chase (aka William Hill Manor) Auditorium, 501 Dutchman's Ln, Easton. Tuesday, April 12 Meeting. Allegany/Garrett. Gwen Brewer & George Jett will speak on Birding Sri Lanka. 7 PM. Compton Hall, Room TBA, Frostburg State University. Contact Mary Huebner at marybrd22@gmail.com. Meeting. Baltimore. Board meeting. While only authorized Board members have a vote, any Club member is welcome to attend and participate in discussions. Call any club officer or board member for details. 7 PM. Greenhouse Classroom, Cylburn Arboretum, Baltimore. Meeting. Patuxent. "Eagles and Peregrine Falcons," presented by Craig Koppie, eagle/raptor biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. He promises to reveal where we can locate Golden Eagles wintering with us. Mr. Koppie has an extensive 30-year history with Bald Eagle research and recovery initiatives. He and a coauthor recently published the book, "Inside a Bald Eagle's Nest." 7:30 PM. College Park Aviation Museum. Mar/Apr 2016 22 Thursday, April 14 Meeting. Howard. "By the Shores of Gitche Gummee..." by Sue and H/es Earp. Located within the boreal forest, Lake Superior provides provides both a pathway and an obstacle for migrant birds. Hospitality 7 PM; meeting/program 7:30 PM at Robinson Nature Center, 6692 Cedar Lane, Columbia. Info: Robin Todd, 410-491- 5333. Saturday, April 16 ft Anne Arundel. Horizon Dairy Farm, Gambrills & Oxbow Lake, Russett. The Horizon Dairy farm in Gambrills has an extensive field area which attracts grassland birds with the possibility of Grasshopper Sparrows and Bobolinks. Time permitting a visit to the Oxbow Lake in Russett will change the group's focus to a water habitat. The Oxbow is a small water area that attracts a wide variety of shorebirds. A short walk to the lake will allow the group to scan for birds. A scope would be good for both areas. 7:30 AM (half-day). Meet at Parole P&R. Leader Kevin Smith, 410-761-0755 or ravens3077@yahoo.com. ft Anne Arundel. Earth Day Celebration at Quiet Waters Park. Pat and Juanita Tate will lead bird walks for people visiting the park on Earth Day. 10:30 AM. Meeting location for this trip will probably be at the Blue Heron parking lot but please check for any changes in the schedule at the park. Leaders Pat & Juanita Tate, 410-266-6043 or jpt8@earthlink.net. ft Baltimore. Saturday Monitoring Walk at Fort McHenry. Continuing survey of bird activity at the Fort. Telescopes useful. Cancelled in bad weather. 8 AM (halfday). Park outside the main entrance gate, in lot on left, and meet at the gate. Leader Wendy Alexander, 410-788-4080 or drbeanes@verizon.net. ft Frederick. Hughes Hollow Birds And Butterflies. A great trip for beginners as well as experienced birders. Leader Pat Caro, 240-651-5651. ft Kent. Beginner's Bird Walk, Eastern Neck NWR. In honor of Earth Day, we'll spend 2 to 3 hours exploring several of the Refuge's trails and overlooks, looking for a variety of migrants, from raptors to warblers. Half day, bring snacks. Meet at the Tundra Swan Boardwalk at 12 Noon. Leaders Walter Ellison and Nancy Martin, 410-778-9568 or borealdee@gmail.com. ft Patuxent. Walk at Governor Bridge Park, jointly with PG Audubon. Meet at 7:30 AM at the parking lot off Governor Bridge Rd. Contact Bill Sefton at kiwisuits@msn.com for more info. ft Tri-County. Field trip to Nassawango area for migrating warblers. Meet at the Ward Museum parking lot in Salisbury at 7:30 AM. Bring lunch, drinks, and snacks. Leaders are Ellen Lawler and Betty Pitney. For information contact Betty Pitney at 410-543-1853. YMOS. Lower Eastern Shore Early Migrant Search. Nassawango Creek, Elliott's Island, and Blackwater NWR. Full day trip. Meet at Sailwinds Park in Cambridge at 7 AM. More detailed information will be sent out in advance of the trip. Email George Radcliffe (radclifg@gmail.com) of your intent to go at least 2 weeks in advance of the trip. Sunday, April 17 ft Cecil. Woodlawn Wildlife Area and Conowingo Park, Woodlawn is a restored landfill that is a model for transforming an eyesore into a sight for sore eyes. Join us for a leisurely stroll around the fields and woods of this re-awakening and very birdy natural area. Then we'll go to Conowingo Park along the Susquehanna River, a great spot for forest birds and waterfowl. Meet at 8 AM at the Woodlawn Parking Area on Firetower Rd for a V 2 day nature walk. Carpooling is encouraged. Leader Ken Drier, kdrier@zoominternet.net. ft Harford. Cromwell Valley Park. Take an avian excursion through this Baltimore County preserve which attracts many spring migrants. Meet at 7:30 AM at the 23 The Maryland Yellowthroat commuter lot on the west side of Rt.152 (Fallston Rd.) just north of Rt.147 (Harford Rd.) Veterans Phil Powers, birdsinmd@verizon.net or 410-679-4116, and Dave Larkin, Iarkin3001@comcast.net or 410-569-8319, are leading this trip. ft Talbot. Annual spring trip to the Pocomoke Swamp, a little earlier than usual. We will bird the edge of the Nassawango Creek Preserve along Johnson Rd in search of migrant and resident songbirds with a focus on wood warblers. Also expect vireos, tanagers, Indigo Buntings, Blue Grosbeaks and Red¬ shouldered Hawk. All day trip. Bring lunch, drinks and snacks. Depart Easton Acme parking lot at 6:30 AM. Leader Terry Allen (410-829-5840). Wednesday, April 20 Meeting. Anne Arundel. "Birds of a Feather: Seasonal Changes on Both Sides of the Atlantic." Speaker: Colin Rees. In 2010, Colin began a year-long exchange with fellow Welshman Derek Thomas in which they shared daily explorations of their regions. " Birds of a Feather" is the delightful and thought-provoking diary- style book that sprang from their wanderings and musings on landscape, birds, birding, and conservation. Colin describes the project with readings and photography. The book is available for sale at the event. 7 PM, Quiet Waters Park, Blue Heron Center. Contact Barbara Johnson, 410-703-4664 or barbarajohnson222@gmail.com. ft Baltimore. Wednesday Evening Walk at Fort McHenry. Resuming a series of evening bird walks at the Fort. Telescopes useful. Cancelled in bad weather. 6-8 PM. Park outside the main entrance gate, in lot on left, and meet at the gate. Leader Joe Supik, 443 417-5015. Meeting. Montgomery. Andy Brown will speak on "Sea Turtles of the Mid-Atlantic." 7:30PM at Potomac Presbyterian Church. Thursday, April 21 Meeting. Caroline. "Status of the Red Knot" presented by Michael Hudson , founder of Friends of the Red Knot. The Red Knot was recently added as a threatened subspecies under the Endangered Species Act and was voted the 2015 Shorebird of the Year before this year's World Shorebirds Day in September. 7:30 PM, Caroline County Public Library, 100 Market St., Denton. ft Patuxent. Walk at Lake Artemesia jointly with PG Audubon. 6 PM (note change in time). Meet at parking lot at end of Berwyn Rd in Berwyn Hts. No reservations needed. Contact David Mozurkewich, mozurk@bellAtlantic.net Friday, April 22 ft Harford. Jerusalem Mill Park. Visit this appealing stretch of the Little Gunpowder River marking Harford County's western border. Meet at 7:30 AM at the mill on Jerusalem Rd, (off Rt.152). Leader Phil Powers, birdsinmd@verizon.net or 410- 679-4116. ft Washington. Field trip at Kiwanis Park. Co-sponsored with Hagerstown Parks and Recreation. Meet at 8 AM. Contact Sandy Sagalkin at 240-291-6465 for directions. Saturday, April 23 ft Anne Arundel. Pocomoke River Canoe Trip. This is a great trip to see Prothonotary Warblers very close, so bring your camera. You can bring your own canoe or kayak or Nick can help you arrange for a rental at the site and he has a few extras you could borrow. 6 AM (all day trip). Meet at Bay 50 Shopping Center. Leader Nick Nicholson, 410-353-3329 or nickinchrist@netzero.net. ft Harford. Warblers and Wildflowers. Enjoy a pleasant stroll among the emerging spring wildflowers of beautiful Susquehanna SP while also looking for early migrant songbirds and lingering winter visitors. Meet at the parking area at the confluence of Deer Creek and the Susquehanna River just north of Rock Run Mar/Apr 2016 24 Mill at 8:30 AM. Leaders Colleen Webster, 410-459-4577 or cwebster@harford.edu (calls and emails welcome, no text messages please) and Sue Procell, 443- 417-4919 or procellmd@gmail.com. ft Howard. Mt. Pleasant Farm. Earth Day Walk in conjunction with the Howard County Conservancy. Easy walking through fields. Tree lines, hedgerows and streams provide opportunity for non-meadow species. Great opportunity for flyovers. Facilities available. 8 AM, 2-3 hours. Meet at parking lot near the barn. Leader Anthony VanSchoor, tonyvanschoor@gmail.com ft Montgomery. Blue Mash Nature Trail/Oaks Landfill. Interesting walk at these adjacent and surprisingly birdy sites in Montgomery County. Waterproof boots helpful at Blue Mash, but not needed at the landfill. Half day. Meet at 7:30 AM at Zion Rd parking lot. Call leader for reservations and directions. Trip is limited to 8-10 participants. Leader Mark England 240- 207-3132, cell 240-375-4500. ft Talbot. Smith Island excursion. Arrangements through Delmarva Birding Weekend. Always a nice mix of waterbirds, herons, egrets, Brown Pelicans and a few migrant songbirds. Cost to be determined, includes crab cake lunch. All day trip. Depart Somer's Cove Marina in Crisfield at 8 AM; travel across Tangier Sound and make stops on Smith Island at the villages of Ewell and Tylerton to bird and take in the sights. Directions and more information will follow via our listserv. Leader Terry Allen, 410-829-5840 or pattyallenlO@hotmail.com. ft Washington. Birding along the Final Attack Trail at Antietam Battlefield. Trip is co-sponsored with Potomac Valley Audubon Society. Meet 8 AM at the Burnside Bridge parking lot. Contact Sandy at monsansagalkin@myactv.net or 240-291- 6465. Sunday, April 24 ft Caroline. Big Day in Caroline County. A warm-up for May Bird Count and fundraiser forTuckahoe State Park's Scales and Tales program. The Bird Club will donate a dollar for every species counted in Caroline this day. Contact Debby Bennett at dabennettl996@gmail.com for more information. ft Montgomery. Hugh Mahanes Presidents' Walk at Hughes: Hughes Hollow. Participation of all former Chapter Presidents is encouraged, and everyone is welcome. This is a wonderful chance for newer birders to be in the field with "old hands" who enjoy sharing what they know. With a variety of habitats, Hughes Hollow is always interesting in spring. We will look for water birds on the move and early songbird migrants. Possible birds include Purple Finches, Blue-winged Teal, swallows, and maybe even an American Bittern. Meet at 7 AM at the Hughes Hollow parking lot. Reservations required. For more information, directions, and reservations contact leader Ed Patten, epattenl022@verizon.net. ft Talbot. Hope House Farm. This property provides a mixed habitat of forest, forest edge, fields and tidal waterfront. We will be looking for new spring arrivals including thrush species, flycatchers and orioles. Numerous sparrows should be present, and the property provides nesting sites for a full range of woodpeckers. Lingering waterfowl may be seen on the broad reach of water that can be viewed. Raptors may also be around, especially nesting Eagles and Osprey. Depart Easton Acme parking lot at 7 AM. Leader Les Roslund, 410-763-8169. Breakfast hosts Carolyn and Les Roslund. Monday, April 25 Meeting. Tri-County. "Costa Rica" presented by Mike Walsh and Chris Dominick. Meeting at 7 PM in Library of Asbury United Methodist Church in Salisbury, just s of the university. Use south entrance. For information, contact Mike Walsh at 410-422-0428. 25 The Maryland Yellowthroat Tuesday, April 26 ft Washington. Mills Park walk co¬ sponsored with Hagerstown Parks and Recreation. Mills Park is a small area and walk should be about 1 hour. Meet at 8 AM at the Park lot accessed from Belview Ave. Call Anna Hutzell at 301-797-8454. Meeting. Washington. "Birding Costa Rica" with MarkAbdy and Bruce Field. 7 PM at the Mt. Aetna Nature Center. Call 301- 797-8454 for additional information. Wednesday, April 27 ft Baltimore. Wednesday Evening Walk at Fort McHenry. Resuming a series of evening bird walks at the Fort. Telescopes useful. Cancelled in bad weather. 6-8 PM. Park outside the main entrance gate, in lot on left, and meet at the gate. Leader Joe Supik, 443 417-5015. Saturday, April 30 ft Baltimore. Patterson Park. Early spring migrants found in this urban park may include Caspian Tern, Merlin, Pine Warbler, Fox Sparrow or Woodcock! 8 AM. For questions or to borrow binoculars for the walk, contact Patterson Park Audubon Center at 410 558-2473 or ppaudubon@qmail.com . ft Carroll. Liberty Watershed off Bollinger Mill Rd in Eldersburg. Great for early migrant warblers. Moderate hiking which, depending on the weather could be a little muddy. 8 AM (half day). Meet in the small parking lot at the end of Bollinger Mill Rd. Contact Maureen and Dave Harvey at 410- 795-3117. Native Plant Sale of the Audubon Society of Central Maryland, held at the Audrey Carroll Audubon Sanctuary, 13030 Old Annapolis Rd, Mt. Airy. Please support this sale at one of our favorite and most productive birding hot spots. More information can be found at www.centralmdaudubon.orq. ft Washington. Catoctin Park and Manahan Rd in Frederick Co. Meet at the Rt 66 P&R at 7:30 AM. Contact Shirley Ford at 301-491-3020. Sunday, May 1 ft Kent. Millington NRMA. Spring migrants, woodland nesters, and open-country birds. Warbler migration should be in high gear in the woods & meadows of this excellent location for migrants & breeding forest birds. 8 AM. Meet at the Dollar General parking lot (off Philosopher's Terrace) in Chestertown. Leaders Walter Ellison and Nancy Martin, 410-778-9568 or borealdee@gmail.com. ft Montgomery. Occoquan Bay NWR. Explore the diverse habitats in this one- square mile refuge at the confluence of the Potomac and Occoquan Rivers in Woodbridge, VA. A variety of raptors and migratory warblers, vireos, thrushes and flycatchers should be present, and rails and bitterns are possibilities. Meet at the parking lot in the center of the refuge at 7:30 AM. Reservations required. Limit:25. Leaders Mike Bowen, 301-530-5764 or dhmbown@yahoo.com, and Gerry Hawkins, 571-277-8406 or maineuse@comcast.net. ft Montgomery. Little Bennett RP. Near peak migration for warblers and vireos, including those breeding in this varied habitat. Contact the leader for time and directions. Reservations required. Leader Gemma Radko, 301-514-2894 ft Patuxent. Trip to National Arboretum. Meet at Bowie P&R at 7 AM. Leader Jeannine Dorothy, OZGirl2@verizon.net. ft Talbot. Millington WMA. Prime migration location; possibly 12-15 warbler species (including Hooded & Kentucky), vireos, thrushes, flycatchers. Possible breakfast stop at Two Trees restaurant. Since space is limited at the restaurant, please advise leader if interested. Depart Easton Acme at 6:30 AM. Leader Vince DeSanctis (410- 886-2009). YMOS. Western Shore Migrant Search. Cecil, Harford, and Baltimore Co. Full day Mar/Apr 2016 26 trip. Meet at Elkton McDonalds (Rt 40/213) at 5:45 AM. Daybreak at Elk Neck State Forest for warblers and early migrants. Swan Harbor for King Rail, Sora, Least Bittern. Rock Run, Susquehanna SP, old canal area for Cerulean Warbler, Yellow- throated and Warbling Vireo. More detailed information will be sent out in advance of the trip. Email George Radcliffe (radclifg@gmail.com) of your intent to go at least 2 weeks in advance of the trip. Monday, May 2 Meeting. Baltimore. Tuesday Evening Lecture at Cylburn's Greenhouse Classroom. Continuing a series of monthly feature presentations and slide shows. Topic TBA. Doors open at Cylburn at 7 PM for socializing and snacks, show starts about 7:15 PM. ft Montgomery. Rock Creek Park, DC. Early migrant warblers, vireos, etc. Meet at 7:00 AM at Picnic Area #18, one-half mile below the Nature Center on Ridge Rd. Reservations required. Call the leader for more information or specific directions. Leader Wallace Kornack, (202) 338-7859. Wednesday, May 4 ft Baltimore. First Wednesday Walks at Fort McHenry. Continuing survey of bird activity at the Fort and wetland. Telescopes useful. Cancelled in inclement weather. 8 AM (half day.) Park outside the main entrance gate, in lot on left, and meet at the gate. Leader: Mary Chetelat, 410-665- 0769. ft Baltimore. Wednesday Evening Walk at Fort McHenry. Resuming a series of evening bird walks at the Fort. Telescopes useful. Cancelled in bad weather. 6-8 PM. Park outside the main entrance gate, in lot on left, and meet at the gate. Leader Joe Supik, 443-417-5015. Meeting. Carroll. "Birding Chile" by Dave Harvey at Carroll Nonprofit Center in Westminster. 7 PM. Contact Don Jewell at jewelldg@gmail.com. Meeting. Cecil. Speaker TBA. 7 to 8:30 PM at Elkton Library. For more information, contact Sean McCandless, seanmccandlessl@comcast.net. ft Washington. Trip to Sideling Hill leaves the MVA parking lot at 7 AM or meet the group at 7:30 at the Sideling Hill Visitor's Ctr. Contact Sandy Sagalkin at 240-291- 6465 to register. Thursday, May 5 Meeting. Frederick. "Behind the Scenes of the MD/DC Records Committee" with Phil Davis. 7 PM. Heritage Room at Frederick HS. ft Patuxent. Walk at Lake Artemesia jointly with PG Audubon. 6 PM (note change in time.) Meet at parking lot at end of Berwyn Rd in Berwyn Hts. No reservations needed. Contact David Mozurkewich mozurk@bellAtlantic.net Friday, May 6 ft Montgomery. Birding By Ear at Hughes Hollow. Tune up your ears as we listen for and learn to identify the songs and calls of migrant and local breeding birds. The trip will be geared to new birders but all are welcome. Meet at 7 AM at the parking lot at Hughes Hollow. Limit 10. Reservations required. For more information email leader Paul Woodward at grackling@att.net. Saturday, May 7 ft Allegany/Garrett. Field trip to Green Ridge State Forest for warblers! Meet at AN Ghan & Christie Rds P&R, Exit 46 off 1-68. 8 AM to noon. Contact: Mary Huebner (marybrd22@gmail.com). ft Anne Arundel. Susquehanna State Park. Last year's trip was very successful and everybody got great looks at Cerulean Warblers. There were also lots of orioles along the river areas. We should be in prime time for seeing some nice warblers and other spring migrants. 6 AM (all day trip). Meet at Severna Park P&R. Leaders Jean Wheeler & Peter Hanan, 301-580- 2785 or peterhanan@verizon.net. 27 The Maryland Yellowthroat ft Cecil. Fair Hill NRMA. Fair Hill in May is one of Cecil County's birdiest spots. A variety of habitats, including woods, fields and wetlands, means that we will see a number of different spring migrants. Portions of the trail may be muddy, so boots are recommended. Meet at 7 AM for this half-day trip at the Foxcatcher Farm Covered Bridge parking lot near the Fair Hill Nature and Environmental Center on Tawes Dr. There is an honor system daily fee ($3 Maryland residents; $4 out-of-state visitors). Leader Ken Drier, kdrier@zoominternet.net. ft Frederick. Thompson Wildlife Management Area (near Front Royal, VA). Warblers and wildflowers! Leader Lois Kauffman, 301-845-6690. ft Harford. Epic Birding Contest. Meet at 6:30 AM at Rock Run Mill for team selections and rules review. The first seven of these contests have been a real hoot (although no owls have been spotted yet)! So make room on your calendar and join us at Susquehanna SP. Counting will begin at 6:45 AM and end at 11:30 AM. A rally/celebration will occur at noon at the Laurrapin Restaurant in Havre de Grace. Family members and others are welcome to join the contestants for the celebration. Coordinators are Tom Gibson, gibsonlld@aol.com or 410-734-4135 and Sue Procell, procellmd@gmail.com or 443- 417-4919. ft Patuxent. Walk at the Fran Uhler Natural Area, jointly with PG Audubon. 7:30 AM. Meet at the end of Lemon's Br Rd, off Rt 197 just n of Bowie State College. No reservations needed. Contact Bill Sefton, kiwisuits@msn.com. ft Washington. Field trip at Kiwanis Park. Co-sponsored with Hagerstown Parks and Recreation. Meet at 8 AM. Contact Sandy Sagalkin at 240-291-6465 for directions. Sunday, May 8 ft Anne Arundel. Kinder Farm Park Family & Beginner Bird Walk. Plan to go off the paved trail to travel Stacy's bluebird box path and count eggs and hatchlings through the spring. See the birds close-up, observe behavior, and assist with completion of the data form for each box. Meet at 8 AM at the first parking lot on the left after the entry hut (free entry). Walks last 2 to 3 hours but participants can leave at any time as energy and interests dictate. Trips are canceled if it is raining. Leader: Stacy Epperson, 410-987-7533, stac.epperson@gmail.com. Fred Archibald May Count. Frederick. Meet at the Sanctuary at 6:00 AM. Coordinator David Smith, 410-549-7082. ft Montgomery. Izaak Walton League Conservation Farm. Once again, the B-CC Chapter is generously providing us access to this large private property south of Poolesville. Woods, hedgerows, streams, fields, and ponds provide a wide range of bird habitats, and migration should be well underway. Half day. Trip will start at 7 AM at the League's Chapterhouse. Reservations required, limit 12. Driving directions will be provided to those who make reservations. Contact leader Jim Nelson at kingfishers2@verizon.net or 240- 515-4517. ft Patuxent. Trip to McKeldin area of the Patapsco SP for migrants and breeding Cerulean Warblers. Meet at Bowie P&R at 6:30 AM (1 hr drive to park.) Leader TBA. ft Talbot. Delaware Coast birding hotspots from Kitts Hummock south to Prime Hook NWR. Plenty of shorebirds will be seen at the DuPont Nature Center. New moon should bring in the horseshoe crabs, followed by thousands of shorebirds including Red Knots. All day trip. Bring lunch, drinks and snacks. Depart Easton Acme parking lot at 6:30 AM. Leader Dave Palmer (410-829-3376). Mar/Apr 2016 28 POSTMASTER: TIME-DATED MATERIAL—PLEASE EXPEDITE! MARYLAND ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY, INC. P. O. Box 105, Monrovia, MD 21770-0105 MOS Chapter Web Sites (to be consulted for the most up-to-date trip/meeting info) Allegany/Garrett: westernmdbirding.com/ Anne Arundel: aabirdclub.org/ Baltimore baltimorebirdclub.org/ Caroline: carolinebirdclubmos.blogspot.com/ Carroll: mdbirds.org/about/chapters/carroll.html Cecil: cecilbirds.org/ Frederick: frederickbirdclub.org/ Harford: harfordbirdclub.org/ Howard: howardbirds.org/ Kent: kentcounty.com/recreation/birding/birding-club Montgomery: montgomerybirdclub.org/ Patuxent/PG: pgaudubon.org/ Talbot: mdbirds.org/about/chapters/talbot.html Tri-County (Wicomico, Worcester, Somerset): tricountybirdclub.weebly.com/ Washington: washingtoncountybirdclub.webs.com/ YMOS: ymos.org/ The Maryland Yellowthroat Newsletter of the Maryland Ornithological Society, Inc. Editor: Richard Donham rdonham8@gmail.com Designer: Eric Skrzypczak ericskrz@gmail.com Calendar Editor: Marilyn Veek mveekmos@yahoo.com Chapter Chatter: Jean Wheeler jswheeler3@verizon. net Mailing list: MOS web site: Webmaster: Martha Crouse crouse.martha8@gmail.com http://www.mdbirds.org John Hays Christy SiteMaven@mdbirds.org Anyone is welcome to contribute articles, photos, or ideas that would be of interest to other birders. Copy may be e-mailed to Richard Donham by Mar 25, 2016 for the May/June 2016 issue. Illustrations pp. 1,3 ©M. Suzanne Probst Nonprofit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID at Hagerstown, MD Permit No. 184 MAY/JUNE 2016 VOL. 36, NO 3 President's Corner by Tom Strikwerda Back to Basics What's it like to be a novice birder? Most of us have been birding for so many years we've forgotten those early, tentative, and frustrating steps of learning the birds families and genera, and trying to key on distinguishing field marks. Or perhaps we acquired our birding skills so gradually we never had to fumble through a field guide, instead growing more comfortable with a field guide over time in a relaxed manner. In contrast, I recently experienced the confusion and frantic searching a bird field guide much like a novice. Namibia was my destination for a two-week trip to bird and relax. My do-it-yourself itinerary was designed to accommodate my wife's one- week work schedule, leaving me time to explore and bird for a week, followed by time together to bird, tour and relax at several lodges. With a busy work schedule prior to leaving (and ramping things down at work in preparation for my retirement!), I barely had time to make lodging and car rental arrangements, let alone study the major bird families of southern Africa. On the long fight from New York to Johannesburg, I finally thumbed through my recently purchased field guide and came to grips with the challenge I faced. So this is what it's like to be a novice birder, I thought. The sheer number of birds is huge and many in a given family are very similar. My first bird, just outside the Windhoek airport, a Southern Masked Weaver, wasn't too difficult, but a check of the field guide revealed there are a number of yellow weavers, and many others in the family with different coloration. I had better be careful. In the days ahead I tried to do what we've been taught: focus on key characteristics such as bill shape, wing bars, length of the tail, overall size, colors etc. but I still felt like I had to look through pages and pages of the guide before I felt comfortable claiming an identification. The tremendous number of species in Africa (and the field guide only covered the southern part, just seven countries) makes birding in our area seem easy. Well, OK, the little brown jobs and fall warblers are right up there on challenges. Most of the time we were on our own but a few times we had guides for several hours. I really appreciated their talent and help in finding and quickly identifying a number of species I would have either missed or given up on. Table of Contents: President's Corner.1 MOS Annual Conference Registration.2 Calling All Bird Photographers.2 What You Can Do for Your County.2 Chapter Chatter.3 Conference Pins Sought.8 Conservation Committee News.8 Birds of Note.9 Support MOS at AmazonSmile.10 MOS Calendar.10 2015 Financial Report.27 Mav/June 2016 2 On the other hand, it revealed once again how easy it would be to miss-identify a bird because you're not familiar with similar species in the area. These are skills we acquire with experience but it's worth noting that the novice isn't picking up all the subtle cues you see. So the lesson learned is to be patient and put yourself in the novice's shoes when you try to explain the difference between two similar species. Overall my trip was fabulous. I liked the identification challenge and look forward to returning to southern Africa, eager to apply the knowledge I gained on this trip. Our journey sampled only a small portion of the habitat range and just one country so there's plenty more to see. And who knows, maybe I'll be ready to tackle identifying trees, or insects, or flowers? MOS Annual Conference Registration Deadline Approaching! The MOS Annual Conference will be hosted by Salisbury University, June 10-12, 2016. The Keynote Address will be by Dr. Stephen Kress, Director of National Audubon Society's Seabird Restoration Program and Hog Island Audubon Camp, speaking on "Restoring Endangered Seabirds: Lessons From Puffins and Terns". Field trip destinations include Assateague National Seashore, Blackwater NWR, Elliot Island and Fishing Bay areas, Bombay Hook NWR, Chincoteague NWR, Irish Grove Sanctuary, Tangier Sound (by boat), and Wicomico State Forest. Ikumi Kumaya will repeat her popular sketching workshop. Treasures will be found at the Audubon Naturalist Society Store, the annual silent auction and raffle. The Salisbury University apartments are attractive and commodious, and other accommodations are suggested in the brochure that arrived in member's mail recently. Find the conference brochure or electronic registration at www.MDbirds.org under "Activities and Events". The deadline for registration is May 1. Calling All Bird Photographers This year's MOS conference at Salisbury University will feature the inaugural Conference Photography Contest. This no- fee event is open to any registered conference attendee. Sign-up will run from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday, June 10. Participants then have until 3:30 p.m. the next day to take photographs of birds found during the conference, either on the group field trips or on their own. Winning photographs will be determined by a panel of judges and announced after the Saturday dinner. Prizes will be awarded to the top three photographers. Look for contest rules and further details on the 2016 conference webpage. Point of contact is Dave Webb, porzana@comcast.net. What You Can Do for Your County By Joan Cwi, jafjsc@verizon.net What does every other "birdy" state have that Maryland doesn't? A statewide online birding guide, of course! But that is about to change. MOS is in the process of developing a website covering all Maryland counties and Washington DC that will allow you to search for the best birding spots in each county. It will be called the Maryland/DC Birding Guide. It is a work in progress, and we are currently 3 The Maryland Yellowthroat gathering information on over 200 sites. More can be added later once we get online, hopefully by mid-year. In the meantime, we are asking for your help. The web architect is JB Churchill, the web designer is Keith Costly, and many of you have donated time for the content. Below is a representation of the Home Page. In addition to the Home tab, there will be four more, titled Regions, About Us, Year-round Birding, and Business. The tab contents will be self-evident by the title. Regions will contain the site information. You will click on the region of interest, and the counties will appear. Click on the county, and site names will appear. Click on the site of interest, and a full page of descriptive materials appear such as address, a general description of the site, what type of birds are likely to be seen, contact information, hours, parking, directions, special features, etc. Clickable links are provided to site website, trail guides, and the eBird Checklist for that site, as well as other informative sites. There will also be a searchable Google map and a row of icons demonstrating park features (such as picnic tables, pet friendly, handicap accessibility, etc.). Each page will be as beautiful as the one depicted below. And the bird photos will constantly change as one clicks on new tabs. So, what can you do for your County? Give us a hand with site descriptions. Personal knowledge of a site makes for a much better write-up. We are only talking about a couple of concise paragraphs describing the location, and another one or two describing the birdlife. Here are the counties most in need of help: Allegany, Carroll, Charles, St. Mary's, and all eastern shore counties. If you think you can help, please contact me (email above) and I can give you specifics. All we are missing for a launch date is this material on missing sites, so your help would be greatly appreciated! ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY On January 8 th , Barbara Ricciardi and I boarded a plane for Orlando, FL, then traveled to Titusville for a 4 day visit with AABC member Marilyn Taylor. Titusville is on the intra-coastal waterway and Marilyn's abode is very close to the bridge connecting the mainland to Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge. Directly upon arrival, we got in the car and drove to the refuge before dark, and saw 40+ species. Highlights included 11 species of herons, egrets, and ibis, several species of ducks and grebes, and Sandhill Crane. During our free moments, we enjoyed the balcony of the condo overlooking the waterway to see Common Loons, Manatee, Dolphin and several species of ducks, terns and gulls. On Day 2, our first full day of birding, we traveled to the Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area in central FL, meeting Lloyd Lewis (AABC), and local birder Phyllis Mansfield en route. We birded Lakes Marian, Jackson and Kissimmee and identified 65 species adding Snail Kite, Mav/June 2016 4 Crested Caracara, Common Gallinule, Limpkin and three species of dove to our lists. On Day 3 we were met again by Phyllis and also by George Thomas, former AABC member who has relocated to Melbourne. For those of you who know George, he is just as much fun as ever and has spent many days birding. We spent all day in the refuge again, birding Black Point mainly. Eighty-five species were seen, including many ducks, waders, shore birds, both Pelicans, gulls, terns, Skimmers and several Scrub Jays, a threatened species. Day 4, while our hostess was volunteering at the Refuge, Lloyd, Barbara and I went to Gator Road in the Refuge- there were so many more birds than we'd anticipated seeing, especially coots, ducks, and waders. After lunch we went to the Blue Heron Water Treatment Facility in Titusville, a very visitor friendly spot and not to be missed if you are in the area. We added Yellow-rumped and Palm Warblers, Common Yellowthroat, and Swamp Sparrow to our lists as well as an American Bittern, which we observed swallowing a water snake after wrenching it away from a reed that it was desperately clinging to. We also observed a Pied-billed Grebe consuming a frog. Mother Nature can be cruel! After dark we ventured back to the refuge to go owling. The Refuge is never closed, our guide said, but it sure was quiet in there, and with luck we heard both Eastern Screech and Barred Owls. Our visit was short but sweet, we totaled 117 species seen. Not bad for 4 days. —Bobbi Reich we in CARROLL COUNTY Youth Art Contest: "Beauty in Carroll's Backyards" You don't often see Bob Ringler looking up a bird in a field guide, but that is exactly what he had to do while judging the recent Carroll County Bird Club's youth art contest, "Wild about Birds: Beauty in Carroll's Backyards." It wasn't a question of identifying a bird in the field, though. It was to check the accuracy of an artist's conception of a particular bird in the field. Bob and four other judges spent the afternoon of March 18th evaluating entries from all over the county. They judged not just for accuracy, but for technique and artistic merit as well. It was a challenge: there were 34 total entries in four different age categories (Kindergarten-2nd Grade, 3rd-5th Grade, Middle School, and High School). The Awards Ceremony/Reception was held at 5:30 pm on March 19 at Bear Branch Nature Center. First, second, and third-place prizes were awarded in each age category, and four special awards were also given. First-place winners in the three oldest age groups received one of the backpacks supplied by the YMOS, which contain binoculars, field guides, and other birding goodies. Second-place winners each received a bird feeder and bird seed, donated by Bowman's Home and Garden in Westminster. Third-prize and special- award winners received gift certificates to a local art supply store. The artists who produced more than half of the contest entries agreed to make their works available for silent auction, with the proceeds of the auction to be donated to the Bear Branch Nature Center to help fund the excellent nature programs provided there. The auction was held during the reception, and we are pleased to report that it raised $222.00 for Bear Branch. All of the entries were exhibited for viewing during the ceremony/reception, and all of them, whether auctioned or not, will remain on exhibit at Bear Branch through April 16. We hope that many visitors will enjoy seeing the wonderful art produced by the young people of Carroll County. Everyone involved in planning and then running the contest was amazed at how much work there was to do! However, we were thrilled with the level of participation and the excitement the contest generated. So, we plan on holding another contest next year, and we hope that it will become an annual event. Encouraging young people in the county to become more interested in birds is important; our youth art contest seems like one good way to do just that. - Don Jewell 5 The Maryland Yellowthroat CAROLINE COUNTY As part of Project Clean Stream Day, the Caroline County Bird Club will be holding a garbage cleanup of the Myrtle Simon Pelot Sanctuary and nearby area on Saturday, April 2 in conjunction with the Friends of Gravelly Branch. Caroline County Bird Club is proud to announce that its youngest member, Eli Anders has been accepted to attend Hog Island Audubon Camp's Field Ornithology/Coastal Maine Bird Studies for Teens education program this coming June. - Debby Bennett CECIL COUNTY The Cecil Bird Club participated in their first-of-the-year community outreach program on Saturday March 12th. The Moore's Chapel United Methodist Church annual Cabin Fever Event has been a staple on the Cecil calendar for at least five years now. This is a free community event bringing together families to explore various local venders and organizations that cater to outdoor activities. It always occurs on the second Saturday of March when people are itching to get out of the house and starting to look for the first signs of Spring. It is also a way for the club to interact and network with other local organizations that share some common interests. It was estimated that over 200 people attended the event this year. Club members Theda and Warren Ellis are just back from a swing through Texas that included both South Padre Island and Big Bend National Park. They were of course impressed with the Roseate Spoonbills, who wouldn't be? They also reported having early sightings of the Colima Warbler in Big Bend which they were able to photograph as well. Pretty special indeed. - Ken Drier HARFORD COUNTY HBC Certificates of Recognition On Friday 4 March 2016, Certificates of Recognition were awarded to 4 outstanding members, and 2 esteemed friends of the Harford County Bird Club (HBC). The awards serve to promote the HBC mission of enjoying birdlife in our region, and encouraging positive attitudes toward conservation of natural resources. Five birding categories were considered along with individuals who have distinguished themselves in those service areas. Recipients of the 2015 annual awards were selected by a concerted decision of the HBC Executive Board, and were presented at the March dinner meeting held at the Churchville Presbyterian Church. " Birder of the Year " went to Aunt Mary Silling (Age 99) for an enduring birding life of extraordinary commitment to the programs and activities that enrich the lives of Harford County Birders. " Rookie of the Year " was awarded to Mary Murray, retired Harford County teacher, and new HBC member (July '15) for accepting executive responsibility as Education Chairperson, and for her enthusiastic development and support of several youth birding programs. " Volunteer of the Year " was awarded to Bob Hood, for being our reliable "Go-to-guy" for technical and logistical support, and for always "Going the extra mile" as he did in rescuing a member's trip to Belize by volunteering as substitute for the original, sidelined guide and escort. " Bird of the Year " to Dan and Karen Vaughan for graciously hosting numerous birding visits to their Harford County farm ("The Daily Crises"); and providing rare opportunities for our members to observe nesting pairs of Red-headed Woodpeckers, which are uncommon and strikingly beautiful "must see birds" for all serious birders. " Lister of the Year " went to Volney H. Ford became only our 2nd member ever to record and exceed 700 species of ABA listed birds. He topped the year by adding a Yellow Rail, and reaching a lofty 722 species on his life list. — Bob Werrlein Mav/June 2016 6 The awardees. Photo by Jerry Strickroth In late January, ten members of the Harford Bird Club had the good fortune to miss the blizzard of 2016 and visit Southern California instead. Leaders were Dennis and Jean Kirkwood and participants included Tom Gibson, Tom Congersky, Phil Powers, Jerry Strickroth, JiIlian Watts, Sarah McClellan, Marcia Mundrick, and Joanne Henrickson. The trip began and ended in San Diego with a loop that included Anza Borrego State Park, the Salton Sea, Joshua Tree National Park, Big Morongo Canyon, the Cuyama Valley, Ventura, Channel Islands National Park, and Bolsa Chica. A day was spent at the San Diego Zoo where the exotic bird list was quite spectacular! A total of 179 species were seen over 12 days including both California endemics, Island Scrub Jay and Yellow-billed Magpie, as well as Lawrence's Goldfinch and Ridgway's Rail. All this and no snow! - Dennis Kirkwood My latest birding adventure was a 26 day exploration of China. China is almost as large as the US, so there were lots of internal flights and many long bus rides. None of which I would have left out. Although the trip was titled "China Bird Watching", we also took in the many cultural sites and musts of a China trip whilst birding. I climbed to a tower on the Great Wall, stood in Tiananmen Square, experienced the splendor of the Forbidden City, enjoyed the grounds of the Summer Palace, and was thrilled by the over 2000- year old Terra Cotta Warriors near Xi'an. We saw 200 bird species including Siberian and Black-necked Cranes, Golden, Silver, Elliott's, and Koklass Pheasants, Cabot's and Temminck's Tragopan. What spectacular birds! Other highlights were 6 species of geese, the rare Crested Ibis, and many endemics like Barred and Elliiott's Laughingthrush. Many unique animals were also sighted including Takin, Reeve's Muntjac, Chinese Serow, Tufted Deer, Long-tailed Gorel. We enjoyed the antics of Tibetan Macaques and Golden sub-nosed Monkeys. Although we did not see Giant Panda in the wild, we thrilled at this Chinese icon at the Chengu Giant Panda Breeding Center. The trip was organized through EcoQuestTravel. www.Ecoquesttravel.net - Jean Wheeler MONTGOMERY COUNTY Jim Tate offered the following urban wildlife report from across the border in the District: "A neighbor alerted me to the takeover of an unoccupied house in NW DC by Black Vultures. A young woman apparently owns the house but lives elsewhere in the same neighborhood. My neighbor reports that up to four Black Vultures come and go through a hole in the roof. At this time they probably do not have eggs, but I suppose anything is possible with this aggressive carrion eater. There is one known nest of Black Vultures, on a downtown roof, in DC." Robert Parsons , recently spent ten days in the far north-western section of Ecuador. "This is called the Choco region and has one of the highest concentrations of endemics. Most of our time was spent just south of Columbia at a lodge, which is a two hour canoe ride up a river from the end of the last dirt road in the area. Although the lodge had no hot water and only had electricity for an hour a day, the birding was fabulous. Over ten days, we saw 350 species of birds, including 40 Choco endemics." Your correspondent ( Chris Wright ) would like to report a life bird from a recent Florida vacation. Several years ago I was 7 The Maryland Yellowthroat entertained on a long pelagic cruise by Leslie Starr's photos of American Flamingos at a secret location in the Everglades. For years afterward I hoped to hire the same guide to see these fabulous birds. Then, this spring a real-life wild Flamingo turned up in super urbanized West Coast Florida, right next to the bridge to Sanibel Island. It was thoroughly tracked in the Florida birding listserves and eBird. I drove to the causeway, looked around, and there was the Flamingo standing right in the bay next to a red channel marker. It looked to be the same color as the marker. As someone said on the listserve, 'looks like someone threw a lawn ornament overboard/ Maybe, but it was still a lifer for me. Mike Bowen writes that he escaped February's cold weather for a couple of weeks as he went on a Wildside Tours trip to Belize (formerly British Flonduras), "the only English-speaking country in Central America and a land of great contrasts, Mayan sites and extensive nature reserves. The trip made a detour for two days into Tikal National Park in bordering Guatemala, site of one of the Americas' finest Mayan cities, which has been extensively revealed by years of patient archaeology. There were lots of avian highlights on the trip: Great Cassowaries roaming the grounds at the La Milpa Reserve, Vermilion Flycatchers everywhere near the village of Crooked Tree, 20+ species of wintering wood warblers (with old favorites like Magnolia, Black-and-White, American Redstart, Northern Waterthrush and Hooded almost "trash birds"), giant Ocellated Turkeys strolling on the lawn at the Tikal Inn while Montezuma Oropendolas vocalized in the trees, colorful Euphonias coming to the feeders at Black Rock Lodge in company of Wood Thrushes, Black-cheeked Woodpeckers and Collared Aracaris. Especially enjoyable were the small-boat trips on narrow waterways where one could get point-blank views of a Boat-billed Heron colony and sneak up on a Sungrebe or a beautiful raptor like Laughing Falcon or Black-collared Hawk. Mammalian highlights included great views of Spider Monkeys several places (the prehensile tails are just amazing) and the blood¬ curdling sounds of an alpha male Howler Monkey at Belize's Lamanai Mayan site. Of the 271 bird species I saw on the trip, 15 were "lifers." My favorite bird of the trip, because I was able to photograph it at point-blank range in pouring rain: Rufous¬ tailed Jacamar." - Chris Wright Rufous-tailed Jacamar by Mike Bowen Black-collared Hawk by Mike Bowen May/June 2016 8 Conference Pins from 1987, 2010 and 2011 sought Thanks to John Malcolm and Joy Aso, MOS has one complete collection of the conference pins and, thanks to Emily Joyce, another almost complete collection. Only a few pins are needed to complete this second set - the pins from 1987 (the first pin featuring an Osprey), 2010 (Tundra swan) and 2011 (Hooded warbler). It would be ideal to have two complete pin sets, kept in two locations, to preserve the history of this special component of the MOS conferences. If you have any of these pins and would be willing to donate them, please contact Ellen Lawler at emlawler534@comcast.net or 410-982- 8695. Thanks for considering this! Ellen Lawler Conservation Committee News The winter quarter was fortunately relatively quiet, since I was largely occupied with caring for my mother in Pennsylvania from November well into January. Nevertheless, some actions were accomplished. During the quarter we signed two joint letters that were penned by the Smart Growth Alliance for Charles County (SGACC), one to support creation of the Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary and expand the size of the proposed Sanctuary. The other was to encourage the expansion upward of big box stores in Charles County. We also became a permanent member of SGACC. We also signed an ABC (American Bird Conservancy) letter to the United States Senate requesting an oversight hearing on the President's memo "Mitigating Impacts on Natural Resources from Development and Encouraging Related Private Investment." Serious action awaited my return in late January, when upon an alert from Audubon Maryland-DC, a letter to the Federal Railroad Administration was written to protest one alternative of a rail corridor which would slice 60 acres off the Patuxent Research Refuge. Alerts on this were sent to MOS chapters and to mdbirding.com. Two bills in the State Legislature caught our attention. We were contacted by the Maryland Pesticide Education Network/Safe on Pesticides Coalition (MOS is a member of SOP) to support the Pollinator Protection Act of 2016. Letters to the appropriate Maryland House and Senate Committees were written, and I testified on a panel of experts before both Committees. Maureen Harvey and I also engaged in a Lobby Day for the bill on February 24, where we were part of 4-6 person groups visiting Delegates and Senators to answer any questions they might have on the bills, and encourage them to support it. Two alerts were posted to mdbirding.com and one was sent to MOS Chapters to contact their senators and delegates. The bill passed the Senate Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee, which cut the labeling requirement for plants treated with neonicotinoids. A follow up letter was sent the House Environment and Transportation Committee Chair Kumar Barve, asking him to move the bill forward. Both chambers passed the bill in March, and it awaits reconciliation and Governor's signature. The other bill would establish a Trust Fund for Program Open Space. Letters to the Maryland House Appropriations Committee members were sent in late February and earned high praise from the Committee Chair and bill sponsors. Letters were sent to the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee members as well. Both bills remain in committee as of this writing. Kurt Schwarz, Chair Conservation Committee 9 The Maryland Yellowthroat Birds of Note - by Les Roslvmd On Feb 29 a TUFTED DUCK was reported from Tydings Flats in Flavre de Grace, Flarford County. Josh Emm of Flarford County provided the report. The bird was buried within an immense duck flock, estimated at 5000 birds that had been present on those waters for the prior few days. Josh reported that the TUFTED DUCK was still present on Mar 3. There were no later reports. Unfortunately, the only viewing of this bird was from private property, so it was not available to most members of the birding community. Several weeks ago during the Worcester County Christmas Count another highly unusual bird bird, a LAZULI BUNTING, was discovered. The finding team included Kevin Graff, Bob Ringler and Jeff Shenot. This bird was on private property. It turned out to be regularly visiting a bird feeder on the property of Ayers Creek Family Farm in Berlin, Worcester County. Much to the delight of the birding community, Ayers Creek Farm permitted visits by birders as long as permission was requested. Many people eventually managed to see and photograph this bird. LAZULI BUNTINGS are only rarely sighted away from their normal habitat in dry and brushy regions of the west. Remote sightings in the winter months are even more unusual. This bird was a non-breeding adult male. Mark Hoffman reported the first sighting on Dec 28, 2015 and also provided the final report, which occurred on Feb 16, 2016. Mild weather conditions of December and January may have led to a few more wintering-over attempts by birds in our area this year. In mid-February several HOUSE WRENS and several BALTIMORE ORIOLES fluttered up from the snow. Some of them surely were surprised. On Maryland's Eastern Shore HOUSE WRENS were reported from Long View, Talbot County (Feb 13), Wetipquin Rd, Wicomico County (Feb 14) and Manokin Court, Somerset County (Feb 14). On the Western Shore BALTIMORE ORIOLES seemed braver than usual as they showed up at feeders in Friendship, Anne Arundel County (Feb 12- a female type), Carroll County (Feb 13 - an adult male), Lake Elkhorn, Columbia, Howard County (Feb 11 - Feb 28 - a female type) and Merkle WMA, Prince Georges County (Feb 15-28 - a female type). In addition, LINCOLN'S SPARROWS were reported Feb 12-14 in Meadowbrook Park, Howard County, and throughout the winter at Big Water Farm, Queen Anne's County. At Big Water Farm two YMOS members, Daniel and Jonathan Irons have managed to relocate the bird and obtain photographs on a regular basis. Additional February highlight species were found at several locations as birders took to roads and fields after a few days of being snow bound. On Feb 16 a RED PHALAROPE was found resting on a rock in the waters of Isle of Wight WMA, Worcester County. The finder was Daniel Taylor and he obtained excellent photos of this adult bird in winter plumage. On Feb 20 a NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL was seen by a full set of Howard County Bird Club members who were on a field trip in Patuxent River State Park, Howard County, and on Feb 22 the weekly survey of Hart- Miller Island in Baltimore County turned up 44 SNOW BUNTINGS. The observers were Kevin Graff, Joe Hanfman and Jeff Culler. Also, on Feb 28 a COMMON REDPOLL was discovered by Jeff Shenot in Point Lookout State Park, St Mary's County. This bird was initially heard from a distance, but gradually it made its way to where Jeff was standing and came close enough to allow recognition of field marks. It continued calling while it circled overhead, then made a few large loops in the air before disappearing into the pines near the picnic area. Attempts to relocate it were not successful. Mav/June 2016 10 Ayers Creek Family Farm seems to have emerged as a very attractive place to find wintering species this year. In addition to previously mentioned rarities, an immature COMMON GALLINULE has been present on their grounds for much of the winter. Joe Flanfman of Floward County relocated this bird on March 1 st and obtained photographs. Quite recently, on March 16 th Ryan Johnson discovered and photographed a DICKCISSEL near one of the feeders maintained by the owners of the property. No additional sightings of this bird have been reported. Support MOS at AmazonSmile MOS is now a registered charity with AmazonSmile! If you're not already familiar with this program, it's a simple and automatic way for you to support MOS every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you'll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate 0.5% of the purchase price to MOS. So, how do you get started? Go to smile.amazon.com (there is no www prefix to this address). Place your cursor over the orange word "Supporting" near the upper left of the page. When the small pop-up window appears, click on "Change your charity". In the "Pick your own charity" field, type "Maryland Ornithological Society", and click on "Search". Select the entry located in Baltimore, and you are now ready to start shopping. There are no hidden fees and you enjoy the same prices, selection and features as Amazon.com. Flappy shopping! Dave Webb, Treasurer Maryland Ornithological Society MOS Calendar May - August 2016 By Marilyn Veek Sunday, May 1 ft Baltimore. Cylburn Self-guided Walk. First in a series of casual spring walks. Beginning birders welcome. Expect to find a variety of migrant and resident birds. 8:30 AM. Meet at the main Vollmer Center parking lot. No designated leader. Coordinator Mark Linardi, 443-834-8413 or mlinardi@outlook.com. ft Baltimore. Chimney Swifts at Dusk. Join the BBC Swift Watch Team as Chimney Swifts enter a favorite chimney at sunset. Due to the fact that the swifts routinely change migration roosting chimneys, this year's spring site will be posted on the BBC website and Facebook page by Friday, Apr 29. 7:45 - 8:30 PM. Come a half hour early if the weather is cloudy or gray. Directions will be provided. Canceled if raining. Leader Joan Cwi, 410-467-5352 or jafjsc@verizon.net. ft Kent. Millington NRMA. Spring migrants, woodland nesters, and open-country birds. Warbler migration should be in high gear in the woods and meadows of this excellent location for migrants and breeding forest birds. 8 AM. Meet at the Dollar General parking lot (off Philosopher's Terrace) in Chestertown. Leaders Walter Ellison and Nancy Martin, 410-778-9568 or borealdee@gmail.com. ft Montgomery. Occoquan Bay NWR. Explore the diverse habitats in this one- square mile refuge at the confluence of the Potomac and Occoquan Rivers in Woodbridge, VA. A variety of raptors and migratory warblers, vireos, thrushes and flycatchers should be present, and rails and bitterns are possibilities. Meet at the 11 The Maryland Yellowthroat parking lot in the center of the refuge at 7:30 AM. Reservations required. Limit: 25. Leaders Mike Bowen, 301-530-5764 or dhmbown@yahoo.com, and Gerry Hawkins, 571-277-8406 or maineuse@comcast.net. ft Montgomery. Little Bennett RP. Near peak migration for warblers and vireos, including those breeding in this varied habitat. Contact the leader for time and directions. Reservations required. Leader Gemma Radko, 301-514-2894 ft Patuxent. Trip to National Arboretum. Meet at Bowie P&R at 7 AM. Leader Jeannine Dorothy, OZGirl2@verizon.net. ft Talbot. Millington WMA. Prime migration location; possibly 12-15 warbler species (including Hooded & Kentucky), vireos, thrushes, flycatchers. Possible breakfast stop at Two Trees restaurant. Since space is limited at the restaurant, please advise leader if interested. Depart Easton Acme at 6:30 AM. Leader Vince DeSanctis, 410- 886-2009. YMOS. Western Shore Migrant Search. Cecil, Harford, and Baltimore Co. Full day trip. Meet at Elkton McDonalds (Rt 40/213) at 5:45 AM. Daybreak at Elk Neck State Forest for warblers and early migrants. Swan Harbor for King Rail, Sora, Least Bittern. Rock Run, Susquehanna SP, old canal area for Cerulean Warbler, Yellow- throated and Warbling Vireo. More detailed information will be sent out in advance of the trip. Email George Radcliffe (radclifg@gmail.com) of your intent to go at least 2 weeks in advance of the trip. Week of May 1 (exact date TBD) ft Cecil. The Delaware Ornithological Society holds an annual Bird-A-Thon to raise awareness (and funding!) for shorebirds, especially the Red Knot, whose numbers have declined precipitously in just a few years. Our club has participated many times, and it is always fun. We have counted as many as 82 species! We will go to Fort DuPont and Thousand Acre Marsh. Meet near Dunkin' Donuts in Big Elk Mall, intersection of Rt. 40 and Rt. 213 in Elkton at 7 AM for a half-day trip. Sunscreen and bug spray recommended. Please note that if you can't participate in the walk, you can make a donation. Contact Pat directly for information on how to pledge your support and for details on where and when to meet. Leader Pat Valdata, pvaldata@zoominternet.net. Monday, May 2 ft Montgomery. Rock Creek Park, DC. Early migrant warblers, vireos, etc. Meet at 7 AM at Picnic Area #18, one-half mile below the Nature Center on Ridge Rd. Reservations required. Call the leader for more information or specific directions. Leader Wallace Kornack, 202-338-7859. Tuesday, May 3 ft Baltimore. Lake Roland (formerly Robert E. Lee Park.) Weekly walks following the progress of spring migration. Beginning birders welcome. 8 AM. Leader Mary Anne Fluke, 443-690-4319 or mfluke62@gmail.com. Meeting. Baltimore. Tuesday Evening Lecture at Cylburn's Greenhouse Classroom. Tonight's topic: "Bird photography, safari experiences, and the large ongoing project to restore Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique", with Neil Dampier, safari leader, photographer and conservationist. Doors open at Cylburn at 7 PM for socializing and snacks, show starts about 7:15 PM. Wednesday, May 4 ft Baltimore. First Wednesday Walks at Fort McHenry. Continuing survey of bird activity at the Fort and wetland. Telescopes useful. Cancelled in inclement weather. 8 AM (half day.) Park outside the main May/June 2016 12 entrance gate, in lot on left, and meet at the gate. Leader Mary Chetelat, 410-665- 0769. ft Baltimore. Wednesday Evening Walk at Fort McHenry. Resuming a series of evening bird walks at the Fort. Telescopes useful. Canceled in bad weather. 6-8 PM. Park outside the main entrance gate, in lot on left, and meet at the gate. Leader Joe Supik, 443-417-5015. Meeting. Carroll. "Birding Chile" by Dave Harvey at Carroll Nonprofit Center in Westminster. 7 PM. Contact Don Jewell at jewelldg@gmail.com. Meeting. Cecil. Speaker TBA. 7 to 8:30 PM at Elkton Library. For more information, contact Sean McCandless, seanmccandlessl@comcast.net. ft Washington. Trip to Sideling Hill leaves the MVA parking lot at 7 AM or meet the group at 7:30 AM at the Sideling Hill Visitor's Ctr. Contact Sandy Sagalkin at 240-291-6465 to register. Thursday, May 5 ft Baltimore. Phoenix Pond and NCR trail. Good spot for migrant and nesting passerines, plus herons on the pond. Warblers, vireos, thrushes, Scarlet Tanager, Indigo Bunting, both orioles, and many more songbirds are possible. Meet at NCR trail lot on Phoenix Rd, across from the pond. 7:30 AM. Leaders Kevin Graff, keyweststyle2001@gmail.com, and Peter Lev, 410-823-2962 or plev@comcast.net. Meeting. Frederick. "Behind the Scenes of the MD/DC Records Committee" with Phil Davis. 7 PM. Homewood at Crumland Farms (note change of location.) ft Patuxent. Walk at Lake Artemesia jointly with PG Audubon. 6 PM (note change in time.) Meet at parking lot at end of Berwyn Rd in Berwyn Hts. No reservations needed. Contact David Mozurkewich, mozurk@bellAtlantic.net Friday, May 6 Meeting. Harford. "Head West Young Birder: Prospecting across mid-California claims feathered pay dirt - an introduction to birding the American West." If you like birds, California, and Horace Greeley misquotes, then join us when David Ziolkowski presents what is sure to be informative and entertaining. The meeting at the Harford Glen Environmental Education Center, 502 W. Wheel Rd, Bel Air, will begin with rounds of pizza and salad at 6:15 PM. Reservations are necessary. For more information contact Johanne Henrickson, johen24@gmail.com. ft Montgomery. Birding By Ear at Hughes Hollow. Tune up your ears as we listen for and learn to identify the songs and calls of migrant and local breeding birds. The trip will be geared to new birders but all are welcome. Meet at 7 AM at the parking lot at Hughes Hollow. Limit 10. Reservations required. For more information email leader Paul Woodward at grackling@att.net. Friday, May 6 - Sunday, May 8 ft Allegany/Garrett. Garrett Bird Fest. Contact Connie Skipper, 301-387-7067 or connieskipper@hohnet.net. Saturday, May 7 ft Anne Arundel. Susquehanna SP. Last year's trip was very successful and everybody got great looks at Cerulean Warblers. There were also lots of orioles along the river areas. We should be in prime time for seeing some nice warblers and other spring migrants. 6 AM (all day trip). Meet at Severna Park P&R. Leaders Jean Wheeler & Peter Hanan, 301-580- 2785 or peterhanan@verizon.net. 13 The Maryland Yellowthroat ft Baltimore. Susquehanna SP, Rock Run area, and Swan Harbor Farm. Trip to Harford Co for resident Cerulean and Prothonotary Warblers and a collection of spring migrants. Potentially one of the best spring warbler watching sites in Maryland; 18 to 24 warbler species possible on a good day. Bring a picnic lunch for the wrap-up of what could be an excellent morning of birding. Optional extension after lunch to Swan Harbor Farm for rails, herons and shorebirds. Glossy Ibis possible. 6:30 AM at Cromwell Bridge Rd P&R or 7:30 AM at the lot next to the old mill building in the park. Leader Mary Anne Fluke, 443-690- 4319 or mfluke62@gmail.com. ft Baltimore. Lake Roland Serpentine Barrens. We'll talk about the history and ecology of the Serpentine Barrens as we search for migratory and resident birds. The Serpentine area (SW corner of the park) is a globally rare ecosystem. Meet at the Ranger Station at 8 AM to carpool to the Serpentine. Trip involves 1-2 miles of moderately difficult walking. Ages 8 and up. Leader Peter Lev, 410-823-2962 or plev@comcast.net. ft Cecil. Fair Hill NRMA. Fair Hill in May is one of Cecil County's birdiest spots. A variety of habitats, including woods, fields and wetlands, means that we will see a number of different spring migrants. Portions of the trail may be muddy, so boots are recommended. Meet at 7 AM (half-day trip) at the Foxcatcher Farm Covered Bridge parking lot near the Fair Hill Nature and Environmental Center on Tawes Dr. There is an honor system daily fee ($3 Maryland residents; $4 out-of-state visitors). Leader Ken Drier, kdrier@zoominternet.net. May Count. Dorchester. 97 th Dorchester County May Count. Compiler Harry Armistead, harryarmistead@hotmail.com or 215-248-4120. ft Frederick. Thompson WMA (near Front Royal, VA). Warblers and wildflowers! Contact leader Lois Kauffman, 301-845- 6690 for time and location to meet for carpooling to site. ft Harford. Epic Birding Contest. Meet at 6:30 AM at Rock Run Mill for team selections and rules review. The first seven of these contests have been a real hoot (although no owls have been spotted yet)! So make room on your calendar and join us at Susquehanna SP. Counting will begin at 6:45 AM and end at 11:30 AM. A rally/celebration will occur at noon at the Laurrapin Restaurant in Havre de Grace. Family members and others are welcome to join the contestants for the celebration. Coordinators are Tom Gibson, gibsonlld@aol.com or 410-734-4135 and Sue Procell, procellmd@gmail.com or 443- 417-4919. ft Patuxent. Walk at the Fran Uhler Natural Area, jointly with PG Audubon. 7:30 AM. Meet at the end of Lemon's Br Rd, off Rt 197 just n. of Bowie State College. No reservations needed. Contact Bill Sefton, kiwisuits@msn.com. ft Washington. Field trip at Kiwanis Park. Co-sponsored with Hagerstown Parks and Recreation. Meet at 8 AM. Contact Sandy Sagalkin at 240-291-6465 for directions. Sunday, May 8 ft Anne Arundel. Kinder Farm Park Family & Beginner Bird Walk. Plan to go off the paved trail to travel Stacy's bluebird box path and count eggs and hatchlings through the spring. See the birds close-up, observe behavior, and assist with completion of the data form for each box. Meet at 8 AM at the first parking lot on the left after the entry hut (free entry). Walks last 2 to 3 hours but participants can leave at any time as energy and interests dictate. Trips are canceled if it is raining. Leader Mav/June 2016 14 Stacy Epperson, 410-987-7533 or stac.epperson@gmail.com. ft Baltimore. Marshy Point Nature Center. Easy half-day walk through varied habitats for feeder birds and other songbirds, raptors, and waterfowl. Half-mile trail leads to point overlooking Dundee Creek. Boots advisable, telescopes useful. 8:30 AM. Leaders Brent and Mary Byers, 410-686- 7294 or baypuffin@hotmail.com. Fred Archibald May Count. Frederick. Meet at the Sanctuary at 6 AM. Coordinator David Smith, 410-549-7082. ft Montgomery. Izaak Walton League Conservation Farm. Once again, the B-CC Chapter is generously providing us access to this large private property south of Poolesville. Woods, hedgerows, streams, fields, and ponds provide a wide range of bird habitats, and migration should be well underway. Half day. Trip will start at 7 AM at the League's Chapterhouse. Reservations required, limit 12. Driving directions will be provided to those who make reservations. Contact leader Jim Nelson at kingfishers2@verizon.net or 240- 515-4517. ft Patuxent. Trip to McKeldin area of the Patapsco SP for migrants and breeding Cerulean Warblers. Meet at Bowie P&R at 6:30 AM. Leader TBA. ft Talbot. Delaware Coast birding hotspots from Kitts Hummock south to Prime Hook NWR. Plenty of shorebirds will be seen at the DuPont Nature Center. New moon should bring in the horseshoe crabs, followed by thousands of shorebirds including Red Knots. All day trip. Bring lunch, drinks and snacks. Depart Easton Acme parking lot at 6:30 AM. Leader Dave Palmer, 410-829-3376. Tuesday, May 10 ft Baltimore. Lake Roland (formerly Robert E. Lee Park.) Weekly walks following the progress of spring migration. Beginning birders welcome. 8 AM. Leader Mary Chetelat, 410-665-0769. Meeting. Baltimore. Board meeting. While only authorized Board members have a vote, any Club member is welcome to attend and participate in discussions. Call any club officer or board member for details. 7 PM. Greenhouse Classroom, Cylburn Arboretum, Baltimore. Meeting. Kent. Jim Brighton will present a program on the Maryland Biodiversity Project. 7:30 PM in Wesley Hall at Heron Point of Chestertown, off East Campus Ave. Meeting. Patuxent. "Counting Birds on the Patuxent Refuge," presented by John Sauer. 7:30 PM. College Park Aviation Museum. Wednesday, May 11 ft Allegany/Garrett. Field trip to Mt. Nebo. Time TBA. Leader Connie Skipper, 301-387-7067 or connieskipper@hohnet.net. ft Baltimore. First Wednesday Walk at Fort McHenry. Continuing survey of bird activity at the Fort and wetland. Telescopes useful. Canceled in bad weather. 8 AM - noon. Park outside the main entrance gate, in lot on left, and meet at the gate. Leader Joe Supik, 443-417-5015. ft Washington. Contact Bruce or Linda Field, 301-797-6189, to enjoy birding Pangborn and Fairgrounds Parks. Meet 8 AM at the pond pavilion. Co-sponsored with Hagerstown Parks and Recreation. 15 The Maryland Yellowthroat Wednesday, May 11 - Sunday, May 15 World Series of Birding. YMOS. The team departs Wed 5 AM for 3 days of scouting. We'll participate in the Big Day on Saturday, trying to find as many species as we can in 1 day. We'll return Sunday after the Awards Brunch. The Birdathon fundraising will hopefully pay for the motel, the Awards Brunch, a T-Shirt, and most of the food costs. Contact George Radcliffe, radclifg@gmail.com. Thursday, May 12 Meeting. Howard. "Nature at its Finest Moments!" by Middleton Evans. This noted Maryland photographer has captured seasonal displays of wildlife over a 15 year period at a small naturalized pond in Baltimore. Hospitality 7 PM; meeting/program 7:30 PM at Robinson Nature Center, 6692 Cedar Lane, Columbia. Info: Robin Todd, 410-491- 5333. Saturday, May 14 May Count. Allegany. To participate in the Allegany Co count, contact compiler J.B. Churchill, 301-689-8344 (h), 301-697- 1223 orjbchurchi@atlanticbb.net. ft Allegany/Garrett. Native Plant Festival at New Germany State Park, Grantsville. May Count. Anne Arundel. This is an activity you can do on your own or with a group of like-minded birders. You can select an area and spend part of the day or all day noting the birds you see and also the numbers of birds you are observing. Please let Dotty know where you'll be counting so she can make sure two groups are not counting in the same area. Coordinator Dotty Mumford, 443-214-5154 or dottymum@comcast.net. ft Anne Arundel. Nick will lead a trip to various birding areas in Southern PG and Anne Arundel Cos. Patuxent River Park, Calvert Cliff SP, and Flag Ponds are usually on Nick's list as well as the Cypress Swamp and other areas. Good chance to see Red¬ headed Woodpecker and also Yellow- throated Warbler which are both uncommon in Anne Arundel Co. This will be an all-day trip so pack a lunch and some good shoes for walking on a number of trails. 6 AM. Meet at Parole P&R. Leader Nick Nicholson, 410-353-3329 or nickinchrist@netzero.net. May Count. Baltimore. All-day count of birds in Baltimore City and County. For area assignments contact compiler Joel Martin, 410 744-9211 or jcdlmartin@aol.com. ft Baltimore. Youth Birding at Cromwell Valley Park. Our return visit to this park is at one of the best times for migrating warblers and vireos. In addition to them, we can expect to see oodles of orioles, Bluebirds, Tree Swallows and other nesting birds, plus a wide variety of other migrants including cuckoos, thrushes, sparrows and whatnots. This trip is highly recommended. Leader John Robinson, 443-810-9059 (cell), 410-483-6620 (home), or jcrobin@jhmi.edu. May Count. Calvert. Contact Sherman Suter at 410-586-1073 or sjsuter29@verizon. net. May Count. Caroline. Contact Debby Bennett at 410-829-4952 or dabennettl996@gmail.com. May Count. Carroll. Contact Don Jewell to verify your bird counting area (jewelldg@gmail.com or 410-259-4716). The Tally Rally will be hosted by Susan Bollinger. Please RSVP to Susan (410-848- 2050) no later than Wednesday, May 11th. Plan on bringing a food item or a cash donation ($5). Mav/June 2016 16 May Count. Cecil. The Cecil Bird Club will cover Fair Hill NRMA, Elk Neck State Forest and Perryville Town Park. In addition, if you wish to count another area, or count yard birds and feeders, that's fine. Trip leaders are needed for all locations. This is the most fun you can have on a census! Please contact the compiler, Richard Donham, rdonham8@gmail.com or 610-932-0634, with your area preference and for the fairly simple observation records that are needed. May Count. Charles. Contact Michael Patterson, 301-752-5763 or bigbuteol@yahoo.com. May Count. Dorchester. 98 th Dorchester County May Count. Compiler Harry Armistead, harryarmistead@hotmail.com or 215-248-4120. May Count. Frederick. It's peak migration so this is the most fun you can have working on a census. Lots of eyes and ears are needed! Compiler Mike Welch, manddwelch@comcast.net or 301-685- 3561. May Count. Garrett. Compiler is Nadine Jakubowski, nmjak0527@gmail.com. May Count. Harford. Help contribute to this important data collection day and monitor migration throughout our locale. Contact coordinator Rick Cheicante at rickcheicante@cs.com or 410-803-2712. May Count. Howard. Compiler is Kevin Heffernan, kjheffl22@gmail.com or 410- 418-8731 (home), 443-668-7618 (mobile.) May Count. Kent. An all-day effort to census as much of Kent County as possible. Join a field party or count in your neighborhood. Contact Walter Ellison or Nancy Martin, 410-778-9568 or borealdee@gmail.com. for details. May Count. Montgomery. Compiler is Diane Ford, dmford455@yahoo.com. May Count. Patuxent. Count all day at a park/WMA or just a few hours around your yard and 'hood. Contact compiler Fred Fallon, fwfallon@ymail.com, for information, and coordination of areas covered. May Count. Somerset. Compiler is Paul Bystrak, shrike@comcast.net. May Count. St. Mary's. Contact Tyler Bell, 301-862-4623 or jtylerbell@yahoo.com. May Count. Talbot. Contact Dave Palmer at dpalmermd59@gmail.com. May Count. Wicomico. Contact Ellen Lawler at 410-546-9056. May Count. Worcester. Contact Marcia Balestri at 301-473-5098. May Count. Washington. Contact Mark Abdy at 301-432-7696. ft Washington. Meet 8 AM at the Hager House parking lot to bird Hagerstown's lovely City Park. Contact Larry Zaleski at 301-491-2866. Co-sponsored with Hagerstown Parks and Recreation. ft Washington. Bird watching by canoe and kayak starts 7:30 AM at Kiwanis Park. Details and registration can be found at hagerstownmd.org or contact Sandy Sagalkin at 240-291-6465. Co-sponsored with Hagerstown Parks and Recreation. 17 The Maryland Yellowthroat World Series of Birding. This is the 33 rd annual World Series of Birding, hosted by New Jersey Audubon. It is the country's largest and most prestigious birding competition and provides participants and sponsors with a fun and interactive way to raise money for critically needed conservation priorities. For more information, see worldseriesofbirding.org. Global Big Day. A single day, uniting birdwatchers worldwide across political boundaries and language barriers, all brought together by our shared passion for birds. For more information go to ebird.org/globalbigday. Sunday, May 15 ft Anne Arundel. Cabin Branch Restoration Area. Monthly trip with easy access to a restored stream valley, around the corner from Annapolis Mall. The Severn River Keeper Program has worked to turn around a degraded section of property into a lovely area which throughout the year should be a good place to go birding and could be very good for migrant birds. 8 - 11 AM, meet at Annapolis Bowl, 2057 Generals Hwy. Leader David Gillum, 410- 266-8775 or dagmapper@verizon.net. ft Baltimore. Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park. Please join us for a bird walk at the height of spring migration in Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park, a 120 acre wilderness park in west Baltimore City. The park contains mature and secondary forest as well as riparian habitats and some limited field habitat. 8 AM. Meet at the Winans Meadows parking lot at 4500 Franklintown Rd. Leaders Elise and Paul Kreiss, 410 367-8194, ekreiss@verizon.net, paullkreiss@verizon.net. Audrey Carroll May Count. Frederick. Meet at the Sanctuary at 6 AM. Coordinator David Smith, 410-549-7082. ft Talbot. North Dorchester Co. (N.Tara Road, Flurlock area), Chesapeake Forest/Brookview. Previous trips produced 70+ species. Meet at Easton Acme at 6:30 AM. Leader Dave Bent, 410-822-2133. Tuesday, May 17 ft Baltimore. Lake Roland (formerly Robert E. Lee Park.) Weekly walks following the progress of spring migration. Beginning birders welcome. 8 AM. Leader Mary Chetelat, 410-665-0769. Wednesday, May 18 Meeting. Anne Arundel. Ross Geredien will speak on "Birding in Colombia: The Only Risk is Missing Out." Ross traveled there in winter 2016, on his own and with local guides, to study this country's rich avifauna. He'll tell us about Colombia's endemic hotspots, including the world- famous Choco rainforest, and the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, home to 19 endemic species and also the world's highest coastal mountain range! Ross will share his adventures, and photos of many birds he found, and his newly acquired travel wisdom for anyone with the itch to head to this amazing birding destination. 7 PM at Quiet Waters Park, Blue Heron Center, Annapolis. Contact Barbara Johnson, 410-703-4664 or barbarajohnson222@gmail.com. Meeting. Montgomery. Bruce Beehler, naturalist and explorer, will give an illustrated lecture on "Exploring New Guinea's Lost Worlds and Elusive Birds of Paradise." In this popular lecture illustrated with still and video images, Smithsonian naturalist Bruce Beehler describes his nearly four decades of field study of the birds and rainforests of the great island of New Guinea. 7:30 PM at Potomac Presbyterian Church. Thursday, May 19 ft Allegany/Garrett. Savage River Lodge, Garrett Co. Trails & Lunch. Meeting time & Leader TBD. Meeting. Caroline. Members Night at Martinak SP. Includes a walk at dusk with Ranger Dave Reinecke. 7:30 PM, Martinak SP Visitor Center. ft Patuxent. Walk at Lake Artemesia jointly with PG Audubon. 6 PM (note Mav/June 2016 18 change in time.) Meet at parking lot at end of Berwyn Rd in Berwyn Hts. No reservations needed. Contact David Mozurkewich mozurk@bellAtlantic.net Saturday, May 21 ft Anne Arundel. Patuxent River Park. This park has a beautiful section of forests which for those who visited this park normally passed through to get to the water to see rails and water birds. Most birders have probably never walked the forest areas. This trip will explore forest areas as well as some marsh areas along the river. We will check with the naturalist staff to get recommendations on some of the better forested areas. We may be able to have one of the staff escort us on the different trails. Please wear hiking boots and be prepared for possible muddy trails. Meet 6:30 AM at Parole P&R. Leaders Chris Berry, 410-271-4540, and Elise Winder, elwinder@verizon.net. ft Baltimore. Saturday Monitoring Walk at Fort McHenry. Continuing survey of bird activity at the Fort. Telescopes useful. Canceled in bad weather. 8 AM - noon. Park outside the main entrance gate, in lot on left, and meet at the gate. Leader Joe Supik, 443-417-5015. ft Baltimore. Quarry Lake. Popular and scenic birding location with level, often paved, pathways with excellent views down (not up!) into the treetops surrounding Quarry Lake. Nesting Baltimore and Orchard Orioles, herons, late migrant songbirds. 8 AM. Meet at the benches where the 3 flags are flying on Quarry Lake Dr. Canceled if raining. Leader John Dennehy, 410-653-5214 or jedennehy@verizon.net. ft Harford. Kayak Trip at Perryville Town Park. Paddle the usually serene waters of the well protected Mill Creek and historic Furnace Bay. Eagles and Osprey are often seen soaring overhead, songbirds and woodland birds frequent the shoreline and heron and waterfowl are common sightings. No rental boats available. Meet at 9 AM at the launch at Stump Point. Trip leaders are Colleen Webster, 410-459- 4577 or cwebster@harford.edu (calls and emails only, no text messages, please.) and Sue Procell, procellmd@gmail.com or 443-417-4919. ft Patuxent. Walk at Governor Bridge Park, jointly with PG Audubon. Meet at 7:30 AM at the parking lot off Governor Bridge Rd. Contact Bill Sefton at kiwisuits@msn.com. ft Washington. Meet at the Route 66 P&R for a 7:30 AM departure to Catoctin Creek Park and Nature Center in Frederick Co. Contact Shirley Ford at 301-241-3020 to register for this half-day trip. Saturday, May 21 - Sunday, May 22 ft Frederick. Western MD. Two-day trip looking for Goshawks, warblers, Henslow's Sparrow, Alder Flycatcher and other mountain specialties. Leaders Mike Welch, 301-685-3561 and Pat Caro, 240-651- 5651. Sunday, May 22 ft Anne Arundel. Piney Orchard Nature Preserve. Peter will show you various areas in a community nature preserve including a heron rookery with as many as 60 Great Blue Heron nests. We will look for a variety of warblers and other species and can also inspect some nesting boxes to see who's nesting. We will be able to walk through the nature preserve and end up at Peter and Barbara Hanan's home on the other side of the park. Meet at 6 AM at Parole P&R. Leader Peter Hanan, 301-580-2785 or peter.hanan@icloud.com. ft Cecil. Delaware Shorebirds: Red Knots and Horseshoe Crabs. May is a spectacular time on the shores of Delaware Bay. Horseshoe crabs lay their eggs and huge flocks of shorebirds arrive to feed on them in preparation for the final leg of their trip to their northern breeding grounds. We'll 19 The Maryland Yellowthroat head to the best places in Delaware to see them. Carpool leaves from Dunkin' Donuts in Big Elk Mall, intersection of Rt. 40 and Rt. 213 in Elkton, at 7 AM for a full-day trip. Bring breakfast, lunch and snack, or money to buy take-out food on the way. Bring scope if you have one. Insect repellant and sunscreen are strongly recommended. Trip Leader Ken Drier, kdrier@zoominternet.net. ft Harford. Bombay Hook. Meet at 7 AM at the Havre de Grace P&R, Rt.155 and 1-95. Bring a lunch. Leaders are veterans Dave Larkin, Iarkin3001@comcast.net or 410- 569-8319, and Phil Powers, birdsinmd@verizon.net or 410-679-4116. ft Kent. Delaware Bay Shorebirds and Horseshoe Crabs. The annual May gathering of northbound shorebirds including large numbers of Red Knots and Ruddy Turnstones in bright breeding dress, feeding on Horseshoe Crab eggs along the shores of Delaware Bay is a migration spectacle. We will visit the Delaware Bay shore from Mispillion Light south to Prime Hook; an area also good for coastal marsh birds, gulls and terns. 8 AM. Full day, bring lunch. Meet at the "Dollar General" parking lot (off Philosopher's Terrace) in Chestertown. Leaders Walter Ellison and Nancy Martin, 410-778-9568 or borealdee@gmail.com. ft Talbot. Bombay Hook. One of the highlights of the birding year. Over 100 species possible. Full day trip, bring lunch & insect repellant. Depart Easton Acme parking lot 6:30 AM. Leader Charles Hopkins, 443-786-6332. Monday, May 23 Meeting. Tri-county. Annual Dinner. Program: "Brazil" presented by Marcia Balestri. 6 PM at the MAC Center in Salisbury. Everyone is asked to bring a casserole, side dish, salad or dessert. Paper goods will be provided. For information, contact Mike Walsh at 410-422-0428. ft Washington. Field trip. Meet 8 AM at the Mills Park lot accessed from Belview Ave. Contact Judy Lilga at 301-432-2276. Co-sponsored with Hagerstown Parks and Recreation. Tuesday, May 24 ft Baltimore. Lake Roland (formerly Robert E. Lee Park.) Weekly walks following the progress of spring migration. Beginning birders welcome. 8 AM. Leader Mary Chetelat, 410-665-0769. Meeting. Washington. Bring short presentation, photos, stories, or anything of interest to share for the always-popular Members Night. Meeting begins at 7 PM at the Mt. Aetna Nature Center. Call 301-797- 8454 for additional information. Wednesday, May 25 ft Washington. Meet 8 AM at the Kiwanis Park lot for a 1 Vi hour outing. Contact Sandy Sagalkin at 240-291-6465 to register. Co-sponsored with Hagerstown Parks and Recreation. Thursday, May 26 ft Allegany/Garrett. River Rd, Grantsville. Leader and Time TBD. Saturday, May 28 ft Baltimore. Bombay Hook. For a wide variety of migrating shorebirds. Possible breeding plumage Turnstones, Sanderlings, and Red Knots. Be prepared for heat and biting insects. Minimal walking. Bring lunch. Telescopes very useful. Meet at Nursery Rd P&R 7 AM OR Bombay Hook at 9:15 AM. Leader Pete Webb, 443-904-6314 or pete_webb@juno.com. May/June 2016 20 rt Baltimore. Patterson Park. Look for late spring migrants and resident Wood Ducks, American Kestrel, and surprises in this urban oasis. 8 AM. For questions or to borrow binoculars for the walk, contact Patterson Park Audubon Center at 410- 558-2473 or ppaudubon@gmail.com. rt Harford. Days Cove. Explore this rarely visited limited access area with experienced leader Phil Powers. Expect late migrants, shore birds and wetland inhabitants. Meet at the Joppatowne Plaza parking lot near the Pizza Hut on Joppa Farm Rd at 7:30 AM. For further information contact Phil at 410-679-4116 or birdsinmd@verizon.net. Meeting. Washington. Planning Meeting. 10 AM. Contact Anna Hutzell at 301-797- 8454 to attend. Saturday, May 28 - Monday, May 30 rt Carroll. Memorial Day Weekend at Carey Run. Join us for some great birding at this MOS sanctuary in Garrett County. We have the place reserved for our group. Meet at 8 AM at the P&R on Rt. 32 just south of Rt. 26 in Eldersburg to form carpools. For more information, contact Don Jewell at 410-259-4716. Sunday, May 29 rt Talbot. Adkins Arboretum and Tuckahoe SP. Nesting birds of field and woodland, and the ever-present chance of a late migrant, make this walk at Caroline County's premier SP a morning of "what is around the next corner?" We will search different areas of the wooded sections, both near the creek and upland adjacent the fields. Depart Easton Acme parking lot at 7 AM. Leaders Dave Palmer, 410-829- 3376, and Danny Poet, 410-827-8651. rt Washington. Meet 7:30 AM at the Burnside Bridge parking lot for birding along the Final Attack Trail at Antietam Battlefield. Trip is co-sponsored with Potomac Valley Audubon Society. Contact Sandy at monsansagalkin@myactv.net or 240-291-6465 to register. Monday, May 30 rt Harford. Bradenbaugh Flats. No one knows the "World Famous" Bradenbaugh Flats better than life-long resident, Dennis Kirkwood. Join him at 7 AM at Hidden Valley Park at the north end of Madonna Rd at Deer Creek. He will guide you through beautiful sites in northern Harford Co. finding late migrants, summer residents and, hopefully, a few rarities. Nesting sites are also possible. Contact Dennis at newarkfarms@gmail.com or 410-692- 5905. Tuesday, May 31 rt Baltimore. Lake Roland (formerly Robert E. Lee Park.) Weekly walks following the progress of spring migration. Beginning birders welcome. 8 AM. Leader Mary Chetelat, 410-665-0769. Wednesday, June 1 rt Baltimore. First Wednesday Walks at Fort McHenry. Continuing survey of bird activity at the Fort and wetland. Telescopes useful. Cancelled in inclement weather. 8 AM (half day.) Park outside the main entrance gate, in lot on left, and meet at the gate. Leader Mary Chetelat, 410-665- 0769. Thursday, June 2 Picnic. Frederick. Our favorite spot for our annual picnic is Pinecliff Park where there is a lovely pavilion just in case we have rain. Bring binoculars, a dish to share, plate, utensils and drink. We'll meet at 6 PM to eat and then do a bit of birding. rt Patuxent. Walk at Lake Artemesia jointly with PG Audubon. 6 PM (note change in time.) Meet at parking lot at end of Berwyn Rd in Berwyn Hts. No 21 The Maryland Yellowthroat reservations needed. Contact David Mozurkewich mozurk@bellAtlantic.net Saturday, June 4 ft Carroll. Grassland Birds of Carroll County. Join Bob Ringler as he leads us across the County in search of grassland birds and whatever else turns up. 8 AM, up to all day. Meet at the P&R on Rt. 32 just south of Rt. 26 in Eldersburg. Contact Bob at 410-303-2792. ft Cecil. Courthouse Point MHA is owned by the Army Corps of Engineers and managed for hunting by the Maryland DNR. Possible sightings include Northern Harrier, Little Blue Heron, Wild Turkey, Marsh Wren, Scarlet Tanager, Blue Grosbeak, Swamp Sparrow. This is one of the best spots in the county for the ever-elusive Yellow-breasted Chat, and is a good field trip for beginners. Meet near Dunkin' Donuts in Big Elk Mall, intersection of Rt. 40 and Rt. 213 in Elkton at 7:30 AM for a half-day trip. Easy walking on mostly level ground. Sunscreen and bug spray are strongly recommended. Binoculars and enthusiasm are required! Note: Parking permit is required for each car. There is no fee. Request permit online from DNR, or mail your request to Gwynnbrook Wildlife and Heritage Service Office, 3740 Gwynnbrook Avenue, Owings Mills, MD 21117. Leader Pat Valdata, pvaldata@zoominternet.net. ft Harford. Bird Banding at Eden Mill Nature Center. Long-time bird bander and accomplished birder and naturalist, Dr. Mark Johnson, and his able crew of volunteers will demonstrate and explain banding and scientific data collection techniques with actual in-hand birds. This is a way to get great looks up close at species we often only get to see far off or deep in thickets. This is also a wonderful outdoor experience for children. Join them at the Vangrin Bird Banding Station at the Eden Mill Nature Center between the hours of 8 and 11 AM. Contact Mark for further details at 410-692-5978 or mark.steven.johnson@comcast.net. Picnic. Montgomery. Please join us for the Montgomery Bird Club's inaugural picnic, which will be held at Black Hills Regional Park from 5-8PM on Saturday June 4th. Bring a dish to share - we will eat and then go for some birding in the early evening. Please remember no alcoholic drinks are allowed in the park - please bring sodas, water, iced tea. Families are most welcome! ft Patuxent. Walk at the Fran Uhler Natural Area, jointly with PG Audubon. 7:30 AM. Meet at the end of Lemon's Br Rd, off Rt. 197 just n. of Bowie State College. No reservations needed. Contact Bill Sefton, kiwisuits@msn.com. ft Washington. Meet 8 AM at the Kiwanis Park lot for a 1 Vi hour outing. Contact Sandy Sagalkin at 240-291-6465 to register. Co-sponsored with Hagerstown Parks and Recreation. Saturday, June 4 - Sunday, June 5 ft Talbot. Garrett, Allegheny and Washington Cos. Migration is still under way in the high country in addition to breeding warblers, vireos, and thrushes that are only seen during migration on the eastern shore. Plan to visit Finzel Swamp, Old Legislative Rd, New Germany SP and other notable birding locations. Leaving from the Acme parking lot Saturday morning, time TBD. Please contact Charles Hopkins, 443-786-6332, or Dave Palmer, 410-829-3376, if you are interested. Sunday, June 5 ft Baltimore. Marshy Point Nature Center. Easy half-day walk through varied habitats for feeder birds and other songbirds, raptors, and waterfowl. Half-mile trail leads to point overlooking Dundee Creek. Boots advisable, telescopes useful. 8:30 AM. May/June 2016 22 Leaders Brent and Mary Byers, 410-686- 7294 or baypuffin@hotmail.com. ft Harford. Birds and Blooms at Ladew Gardens. Rachel Hebert and Sue Procell are the leaders for this morning stroll through the gardens to look for summer residents, while enjoying the beautiful 22 acres of gardens. Pre-registration is preferred for this trip; gates will close behind us. Meet at 7:30 AM in the Ladew Topiary Gardens main parking lot. Contact Rachel at hebert.rachel2@gmail.com or 443-299- 8384, or Sue at procellmd@gmail.com or 443-417-4919. Monday, June 6 Meeting. Talbot. Fall Planning Meeting. Potluck dinner. Hosts Priscilla and Paul Thut, 410-745-6657. Tuesday, June 7 Meeting. Allegany/Garrett. This evening we will plan the schedule for the coming year, so bring your ideas for speakers, field trips, and other projects. For best results, we need your ideas at or before the meeting. All input is appreciated!! Frostburg Public Library, 6:30 PM. Wednesday, June 8 ft Washington. Meet 8 AM at the Kiwanis Park lot for a 1 V 2 hour outing. Contact Sandy Sagalkin at 240-291-6465 to register. Co-sponsored with Hagerstown Parks and Recreation. Thursday, June 9 Meeting. Frederick. Chapter Planning Meeting. Location TBA. Please come with your ideas for programs or field trips. Email suggestions to Kathy Brown, kathybrown07@verizon.net. Friday, June 10 - Sunday, June 12 MOS Conference. Full schedule of field trips, lectures, Silent Auction and other activities. Check your Conference Flier or go to mdbirds.org for more information. Saturday, June 11 MOS Board Meeting. To be held in conjunction with the Conference. Details to follow. Sunday, June 12 ft Anne Arundel. Kinder Farm Park Family & Beginner Bird Walk. Plan to go off the paved trail to travel Stacy's bluebird box path and count eggs and hatchlings through the spring. See the birds close-up, observe behavior, and assist with completion of the data form for each box. Meet at 8 AM at the first parking lot on the left after the entry hut (free entry). Walks last 2 to 3 hours but participants can leave at any time as energy and interests dictate. Trips are canceled if it is raining. Leader Stacy Epperson, 410-987-7533 or stac.epperson@gmail.com. ft Washington. Meet 8 AM at the Hager House parking lot to bird Hagerstown's lovely City Park. Contact Larry Zaleski at 301-491-2866. Tuesday, June 14 Meeting. Baltimore. Board meeting. While only authorized Board members have a vote, any Club member is welcome to attend and participate in discussions. Call any club officer or board member for details. 7 PM. Greenhouse Classroom, Cylburn Arboretum, Baltimore. Meeting. Patuxent. "The Big Trip: Cross¬ country Birding Adventures, Part II," presented by Don Messersmith. 7:30 PM. College Park Aviation Museum. Thursday, June 16 ft Patuxent. Walk at Lake Artemesia, jointly with PG Audubon. Meet at 6 PM (note change in time.) Meet at parking lot, at end of Berwyn Rd in Berwyn Hts. No reservations needed. Contact David Mozurkewich, mozurk@bellAtlantic.net, for more information. Friday, June 17 23 The Maryland Yellowthroat ft Harford. Rail Trail. Join experienced leader Dave Webb on the sunset trail for rails, bittern and other nocturnal species starting at Swan Harbor Farm Park, one of Maryland's "hot spots" of birding. Additional sites may be visited depending on what is being seen and where. Owls are a possibility. Meet at the parking lot near the Agricultural Education Center at 7:30 PM. For further information contact Dave, 410-939-3537 or porzana@comcast.net. Saturday, June 18 ft Allegany/Garrett. Field trip for Night Hawks, Whip-poor-wills, and Owls. Meet on the downtown Cumberland mall near Mark's Cafe at 8:15 PM for Night Hawks. From there we'll go in search of Whip-poor- wills and owls. Contact Melissa Hensel at mjhensel@yahoo.com. ft Patuxent. Walk at the Governor Bridge Park, jointly with PG Audubon. Meet at 7:30 AM at the parking lot off Governor Bridge Rd. Contact Bill Sefton at kiwisuits@msn.com. ft Washington. Bird watching by canoe and kayak starts 7:30 AM at Kiwanis Park. Details and registration can be found at hagerstownmd.org or contact Sandy Sagalkin at 240-291-6465. Co-sponsored with Hagerstown Parks and Recreation. Sunday, June 19 ft Cecil. 7th Annual Northeast River Wade- In. Join us as we pull up our pant legs and wade into the Upper Chesapeake Bay to measure water quality the way retired Maryland State Senator Bernie Fowler does with his "sneaker index." 10 AM - 2 PM, Northeast Beach location in Elk Neck SP. Rain or shine. Wear light-colored shoes that you don't mind getting wet. Free and open to the public—the more, the merrier! For details contact Sean McCandless, seanmccandlessl@comcast.net or 410- 996-5267. Wednesday, June 22 ft Washington. Meet 8 AM at the Kiwanis Park lot for a 1 Vi hour outing. Contact Sandy Sagalkin at 240-291-6465 to register. Co-sponsored with Hagerstown Parks and Recreation. Saturday, June 25 ft Baltimore. Patterson Park. Look for late spring migrants and resident Wood Ducks, American Kestrel, and surprises in this urban oasis. 8 AM. For questions or to borrow binoculars for the walk, contact Patterson Park Audubon Center at 410- 558-2473 or ppaudubon@gmail.com. Meeting. Carroll. Summer Picnic and Planning Meeting. Amy Hoffman will again be hosting our annual meeting. Enjoy good food, good company and help decide what future birding trips we are going to take. Bring your bathing suit if you are so inclined. Amy has a great pool. 1 PM. Contact her (410-549-3598) if you plan on attending and tell her what food item you will be bringing. ft Harford. Havre de Grace Kayak/Canoe Trip. The harbor areas of Havre de Grace are home to a great variety of water related species such as ducks, geese, swallows, osprey, gulls, terns, heron and many others. Add pleasant, scenic paddling and you have a perfect combination for a truly enjoyable evening. Meet leaders Colleen Webster, 410-459-4577 or cwebster@harford.edu, and Sue Procell 443-417-4919 or procellmd@gmail.com, at the parking lot by the launch ramp of Tydings Park in Havre de Grace at 5 PM. Bring your own craft. No rentals available. ft Washington. Contact Larry Zaleski, 301-491-2866, to enjoy birding Pangborn and Fairgrounds Parks. Meet 8 AM at the pond pavilion. Co-sponsored with Hagerstown Parks and Recreation. ft Washington. Meet 7:30 AM at the Burnside Bridge parking lot for birding Mav/June 2016 24 along the Final Attack Trail at Antietam Battlefield. Trip is co-sponsored with Potomac Valley Audubon Society. Contact Sandy at monsansagalkin@myactv.net or 240-291-6465 to register. Sunday, June 26 Picnic. Washington. 4 PM. Bring your own place setting, drink, and a dish to share. Location TBA. Call Anna at 301-797-8454 for details. Sunday, June 26 - Friday, July 1 YMOS. Maryland Birds and Habitats Summer Institute. Washington College, Chestertown, MD. Open to students entering grades 7-12. Contact George Radcliffe, radclifg@gmail.com. Saturday, July 2 ft Washington. Meet 8 AM at the Kiwanis Park lot for a 1 V 2 hour outing. Contact Sandy Sagalkin at 240-291-6465 to register. Co-sponsored with Hagerstown Parks and Recreation. Wednesday, July 6 ft Washington. Meet 8 AM at the Kiwanis Park lot for a 1 V 2 hour outing. Contact Sandy Sagalkin at 240-291-6465 to register. Co-sponsored with Hagerstown Parks and Recreation. Sunday, July 10 ft Baltimore. Marshy Point Nature Center. Easy half-day walk through varied habitats for feeder birds and other songbirds, raptors, and waterfowl. Half-mile trail leads to point overlooking Dundee Creek. Boots advisable, telescopes useful. 9 AM. Leaders Brent and Mary Byers, 410-686-7294 or baypuffin@hotmail.com. Friday, July 15 Meeting. Harford. Wine and Cheese party, speaker TBA. 6:15-9 PM at the Anita C. Leight Estuary Center, 700 Otter Point Rd, Abingdon. Saturday, July 16 ft Washington. Bird watching by canoe and kayak starts 7:30 AM at Kiwanis Park. Details and registration can be found at hagerstownmd.org or contact Sandy Sagalkin at 240-291-6465. Co-sponsored with Hagerstown Parks and Recreation. Sunday, July 17 ft Harford. Bombay Hook. This beautiful reserve in Delaware with its diverse coastal wetland habitats offers great promise for a variety of shorebirds, water birds, wading species, raptors and songbirds. Meet leader Dave Larkin at the commuter lot near Havre de Grace on Rt.155/1-95 at 7:30 AM (410-569-8319 or Iarkin3001@comcast.net). Because of the length of the trip and the lack of local eateries, bring a lunch and sufficient drink for the day. Wednesday, July 20 ft Washington. Meet 8 AM at the Kiwanis Park lot for a 1 V 2 hour outing. Contact Sandy Sagalkin at 240-291-6465 to register. Co-sponsored with Hagerstown Parks and Recreation. Saturday, July 23 ft Harford. Hummingbird Banding. Watch from the expansive porch of Diane Jones's home overlooking beautiful gardens as experienced bird bander, Bruce Peterjohn, skillfully and delicately bands our smallest bird. Contact Diane for details, directions and best viewing times at 410-404-9180 or diane.v.jones@ssa.gov. ft Washington. Meet 7:30 AM at the Burnside Bridge parking lot for birding along the Final Attack Trail at Antietam Battlefield. Trip is co-sponsored with Potomac Valley Audubon Society. Contact 25 The Maryland Yellowthroat Sandy at monsansagalkin@myactv.net or 240-291-6465 to register. Saturday, July 30 ft Baltimore. Patterson Park. Look for summer vagrant songbirds and resident Wood Ducks, American Kestrel, and surprises in this urban oasis. 8 - 9:30 AM. For questions or to arrange to borrow binoculars for the walk, contact Patterson Park Audubon Center at 410 558-2473 or ppaudubon@gmail.com. ft Harford. Harford Glen Wildlife Search. The Glen is always beautiful and offers diverse habitat in a compact area. Do not miss the varied wildlife and avian species found in this Harford County gem. Our two experienced and knowledgeable leaders who will help you find and appreciate the herps, insects, mammals and birds that this exceptional site offers are Scott McDaniel of the Susquehannock Wildlife Society and Matt Hafnerof the Harford Bird Club. Join them in the parking lot of the Glen at 9 AM. Contact Matt Hafner at 410- 971-3203 or hafner.matt@gmail.com for further information. Saturday, August 6 ft Cecil. Mount Harmon Lotus Blossom Festival. We will have a table in the main tent at the most beautiful festival in Cecil Co. Please stop by to see which birds we're spotting. The day will include a short field trip in the afternoon. 10 AM - 4 PM. Mount Harmon Plantation, 600 Mount Harmon Road, Earleville. Details at www.mountharmon.org. ft Washington. Meet 8 AM at the Kiwanis Park lot for a 1 Vi hour outing. Contact Sandy Sagalkin at 240-291-6465 to register. Co-sponsored with Hagerstown Parks and Recreation. Sunday, August 7 ft Baltimore. Marshy Point Nature Center. Easy half-day walk through varied habitats for feeder birds and other songbirds, raptors, and waterfowl. Half-mile trail leads to point overlooking Dundee Creek. Boots advisable, telescopes useful. 9 AM. Leaders Brent and Mary Byers, 410-686-7294 or baypuffin@hotmail.com. Wednesday, August 10 ft Washington. Meet at 8 AM at the Kiwanis Park lot for a 1 Vi hour outing. Contact Sandy Sagalkin at 240-291-6465 to register. Co-sponsored with Hagerstown Parks and Recreation. Saturday, August 13 ft Harford. Shorebird Search. Dennis Kirkwood leads the search for shorebirds along the shores of Harford Co. Beginners looking to improve their identification skills will find this trip very informative. Experienced birders will have the opportunity to search for rarities. All will enjoy this morning trip starting at the parking lot near the launch ramp of Tydings Park in Havre de Grace at 7:30 AM. Scopes helpful but not required. Contact Dennis at 410-692-5905 or newarkfarms@gmail.com. Saturday, August 20 ft Baltimore. Bombay Hook. Meet at Nursery Road P&R 7 AM OR Bombay Hook at 9:15 AM. For a wide variety of migrating shorebirds. Possible breeding plumage Turnstones, Sanderlings, and Red Knots. Be prepared for heat and biting insects. Minimal walking. Bring lunch. Telescopes very useful. Leader Pete Webb, 443-904-6314 or pete_webb@juno.com. ft Washington. Meet 8 AM at the Kiwanis Park lot for a 1 Vi hour outing. Contact Sandy Sagalkin at 240-291-6465 to register. Co-sponsored with Hagerstown Parks and Recreation. Mav/June 2016 26 Wednesday, August 24 ft Washington. Meet 8 AM at the Kiwanis Park lot for a 1 V 2 hour outing. Contact Sandy Sagalkin at 240-291-6465 to register. Co-sponsored with Hagerstown Parks and Recreation. Saturday, August 27 ft Baltimore. Patterson Park. Early migrant swallows, flycatchers, resident American Kestrel and Wood Ducks and more in this green oasis in the middle of Baltimore. Stroll with Audubon Maryland- DC among gardens, wetlands, and the Boat Lake. This event is a regularly scheduled bird walk open to the public. 8 - 9:30 AM. For questions or to arrange to borrow binoculars for the walk, contact Patterson Park Audubon Center at 410-558-2473 or ppaudubon@gmail.com. ft Washington. Meet 7:30 AM at the Burnside Bridge parking lot for birding along the Final Attack Trail at Antietam Battlefield. Trip is co-sponsored with Potomac Valley Audubon Society. Contact Sandy at monsansagalkin@myactv.net or 240-291-6465 to register. Sunday, August 28 Picnic. Washington. Picnic starts 4 PM at Camp Harding. Bring your own place setting, drink, and a dish to share. Call Anna at 301-797-8454 for additional information. MARYLAND ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY, INC. ANNUAL REPORT, APRIL 30, 2015 Operating Fund Income Charitable Campaigns 2,603.59 Direct Donations 1,129.62 Miscellaneous 7.57 Membership Dues 25,667.50 Operating Fund Dividends 5,409.30 Sales 237.45 Total Income $ 35,055.03 Expenses Affiliations, Memberships & Training 548.00 Accounting & Legal Services 8,350.00 Awards 100.00 Board of Directors Meetings 240.00 Budget Committee 37.00 Bulk Storage 2,236.00 Conservation Committee 700.00 Donations & Special Project Grants 435.08 Equipment & Office Supplies 166.91 Insurance 3,143.00 Longe-Range Planning Committee 49.80 Maryland Birdlife 3,498.48 Maryland Yellowthroat 5,944.91 Membership Committee 504.73 Membership Data Base Management 599.00 Miscellaneous 150.00 MOS Website 115.95 PayPal 129.94 Postage 179.41 Sales Tax 141.80 Telephone 828.46 Treasurer Stipend 2.400.00 Total Expenses $ 30,488.29 Special Funds Income Expenses Atlas Fund $ 1,634.70 $ - Education Fund 2,072.57 2,865.77 Research Fund 1,855.39 3,000.00 Sanctuary Fund 16,142.69 (*) 21,546.70 Scholarship Fund 6,417.58 7,590.85 Youth Fund 10,033.38 9,523.96 (*) includes Non-Designated Funds approved by Board of Directors Conference Finances Income Expenses Conference 2014 $ 33,617.75 $ 28,411.75 Conference 2015 (incomplete) 19,388.00 8,716.05 Miscellaneous Market Value Increase in Vanguard Portfolio $ 66,212.59 Short-term Liabilities passed thru to chapters 830.80 David W. Webb MOS Treasurer Mav/June 2016 28 POSTMASTER: TIME-DATED MATERIAL—PLEASE EXPEDITE! MARYLAND ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY, INC. P. O. Box 105, Monrovia, MD 21770-0105 MOS Chapter Web Sites (to be consulted for the most up-to-date trip/meeting info) Allegany/Garrett: westernmdbirding.com/ Anne Arundel: aabirdclub.org/ Baltimore baltimorebirdclub.org/ Caroline: carolinebirdclubmos.blogspot.com/ Carroll: mdbirds.org/about/chapters/carroll.html Cecil: cecilbirds.org/ Frederick: frederickbirdclub.org/ Harford: harfordbirdclub.org/ Howard: howardbirds.org/ Kent: kentcounty.com/recreation/birding/birding-club Montgomery: montgomerybirdclub.org/ Patuxent/PG: pgaudubon.org/ Talbot: mdbirds.org/about/chapters/talbot.html Tri-County (Wicomico, Worcester, Somerset): tricountybirdclub.weebly.com/ Washington: washingtoncountybirdclub.webs.com/ YMOS: ymos.org/ The Maryland Yellowthroat Newsletter of the Maryland Ornithological Society, Inc. Editor: Richard Donham rdonham8@gmail.com Designer: Eric Skrzypczak ericskrz@gmail.com Calendar Editor: Marilyn Veek mveekmos@yahoo.com Chapter Chatter: Jean Wheeler jswheeler3 @ verizon. net Mailing list: MOS web site: Webmaster: Martha Crouse crouse.martha8@gmail.com http://www.mdbirds.org John Hays Christy SiteMaven@mdbirds.org Anyone is welcome to contribute articles, photos, or ideas that would be of interest to other birders. Copy may be e-mailed to Richard Donham by July 25, 2016 for the Sep/Oct 2016 issue. Illustrations pp. 1,3 ©M. Suzanne Probst Nonprofit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID at Hagerstown, MD Permit No. 184 SEP/OCT 2016 VOL. 36, NO 4 President's Corner by Barbara Johnson Twenty-five thousand dollars! If you're surprised by that figure, you're not alone, it's by far the largest grant in MOS's 71-year history, awarded to the new Maryland Bird Conservation Initiative (MD BCI). The funds, approved by the MOS board in March 2016, are matched by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The grants will go to support MD BCI at a critical point in its development, including salary support to a coordinator. The US Fish and Wildlife Service (US FWS) will provide the coordinator with space in its Annapolis office and material support at an additional value of $10,000. Four years ago, MOS Long-range Planning Chair Colin Rees called for a series of meetings among representatives from federal, state, and non-profit entities, to identify and prioritize areas of greatest need regarding conservation of wild birds and habitat. ("Everyone who's anyone is here!" I heard one attendee remark.) Maryland's State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) was up for renewal, and the group's first effort was to successfully recommend that the new SWAP include: effective consultation and agreement on priority actions and the forging of partnerships underpinned by finance; strengthening current monitoring programs and establishing and supporting new ones as needed; enhancing public awareness of birds and their habitat with education and outreach activities; and increasing funding for bird conservation in our state. The Maryland Bird Conservation Initiative has a steering committee, chaired by Colin Rees and Gwen Brewer of DNR, which includes members from MOS, US FWS, DNR, Audubon Maryland-DC, Ducks Unlimited, American Bird Conservancy, Friends of Jug Bay, and other key groups to guide the work of the coordinator, ensure effective partnerships, and help raise funds for bird conservation. As I begin a two-year term as MOS president, I'm excited and gratified by MOS's foresight, generosity and willingness to play a powerful, active role in Maryland bird conservation. "The match that MOS provided was key to DNR being able to provide funding at this level", Gwen Brewer told me. The commitment shared by MOS, MD DNR and US FWS sets an example of effective collaboration, which promises to aid MD BCI in rallying more partners in our work to fight the mounting threats to birds. This gesture truly brings our members into a new level of engagement in the effort to save birds and their habitats, the appreciation of which unites us all. Your application fees and donations are working even harder! Maryland Bird Conservation Initiative's call for a coordinator brought in applications from throughout and outside the United States. The new coordinator, not yet hired at this writing, will have a big job on her/his hands. I plan to make it Table of Contents: President's Corner.1 2016 Annual MOS Conference.2 Annual MOS Pin Contest.3 MOS Scholarships.4 Chapter Chatter.4 YMOS: 2016 World Series of Birding .9 Conservation Committee Report.9 Birds of Note.10 Birds of Note - By Les Roslund.10 In Memory: Anthony White.12 Editor's Note:.12 MOS Calendar.13 Maryland Fall Count 2016.27 Sept/Oct 2016 2 a priority as President of MOS to support the success of this initiative in every way I can, and I'm eager to watch this program take flight and soarlYou may visit the MD BCI website at www.marylandbirds.org. 2016 Annual MOS Conference Salisbury, Maryland 10-12 May Attendance at the 2016 MOS annual conference in Wicomico County totaled 127. Although it was a smaller crowd than most conferences, the enthusiasm was as good as ever and birding was excellent. The call for volunteers drew a large number of people willing to help in many ways, ranging from major roles such as running the silent auction, field trip coordinator, and registrar, to smaller but helpful tasks such as staffing the registration desk and collecting housing and meal cards and keys at conference closing. The conference planning really kicked into gear in January with the excellent brochure developed by Gemma Radko and Helen Patton. Diane Ford contributed the drawing of a glossy ibis to adorn it. The conference was held at Salisbury University with essentially all the activities being held at the Dining Commons. Housing options this year included staying in university housing, with each apartment having four bedrooms. Well over half of attendees selected this option, and Barbara Ricciardi efficiently handled the housing arrangements as our housing coordinator. Those who registered via PayPal made for straightforward data collection by our registrar, Diane Benyus, who did a terrific job of compiling records needed by Salisbury University for meal and housing options. We intend to continue PayPal as an option and encourage members to use it. Thanks to John Christy, our Webmaster, for working his magic to add the PayPal link to the MOS webpage. Dr. Stephen Kress from National Audubon was our conference keynote speaker Friday evening, delivering an excellent and informative history of his efforts to restore puffin colonies on offshore islands of Maine. This has a labor of love for him and continues to be a learning experience for him and his team. After his talk Steve signed copies of his book Project Puffin: The Improbable Quest to Bring a Beloved Seabird Back to Egg Rock. Members may remember that Steve also manages the Hog Island program where MOS has been sending teachers via our Scholarship Program for many years. In fact, it was MOS's strong commitment to Hog Island that led Audubon to offer programs at Hog Island specifically designed for teachers and encouraged Dr. Kress to visit us at the conference. Mark Johnson stepped up to coordinate field trips. Species total for the weekend was a respectable 145, with highlights being a Northern Bobwhite, and a singing Purple Finch at Nassawango. The weekend weather was good but afternoon temperatures warmed up considerably throughout the weekend. Mark arranged several very successful boat trips, an all day Tangier Island trip and morning and afternoon canoe trips on Nassawango Creek. Mark also inaugurated the Dr. Ron Gutberlet Field Trip Leader Happy Hour for Saturday afternoon at a local watering hole, a highly enjoyable event that we hope to continue every year in honor of Ron, a beloved, enthusiastic and knowledgeable professor and field biologist, as well as MOS Vice President, who passed away this past year. Barbara Johnson organized the Silent Auction and Raffle with significant help from Tom and Joy Loomis and Gail Regester. Funds raised this year were donated to the Wicomico Environmental Trust, a grassroots nonprofit that works to protect the scenic beauty and environmental health of Wicomico County and the Chesapeake Bay. Other events that rounded out the conference were the excellent research papers presented during the Wine and Cheese Reception in the Rotunda of the Dining Commons on Saturday afternoon. Ellen Lawler led the pin contest, her last year in that position. This year's winning design of a glossy ibis was submitted by Diane Ford. Ikumi Kayama graciously conducted two sketching workshops again this year, one for beginners and one for advanced. Audubon Naturalist Society's Matt Mathias provided our nature store and featured excellent optical items as well as guides, cards and other useful or interesting items. The annual meeting of the Society was held after dinner on Saturday evening. Value service awards were presented to Ellen Lawler for leading the conference pin contest for many years, to Kate 3 The Maryland YeUowthroat Tufts for chairing the Scholarship Committee, and Mike Welch for his work with the Spring Counts. An Atta Girl award went to Marilyn Veek for performing so well her first year as YeUowthroat Calendar editor. And yours truly received generous gifts as outgoing MOS president. For the business part of the meeting, Mike Bowen handled the election of officers. Barbara Johnson was elected President. Our new vice president is Robin Todd from Howard County Chapter. Maryanne Dolan and Dave Webb were voted to continue as Secretary and Treasurer respectively. Dave livened up the Treasurer's report with a multiple-choice quiz for the audience to guess amounts for various income and expense items in the budget. Barbara Johnson demonstrated the exciting Maryland/DC Birding Guide, which is in its testing phase but needs more write-ups. The website will include birding area site descriptions, maps and links to other resources for over 100 birding sites in Maryland, and will be a terrific resource not only for MOS members but other birders from Maryland as well as visitors. We hope it goes "live" soon! I want to thank all those who volunteered to help with the conference. I have about 45 people on my list, more than a third of the attendees, and I know it isn't complete! That illustrates the importance of the Annual Conference to our membership and the reason they are such a success year after year. And finally, looking ahead to next year, Fred Fallon stepped up to assume the Conference Committee Chair. Thank you, Fred! He's already planning next year's conference at the Wisp Resort in Garrett County. Please mark your calendars for 19-21 May 2017. Wisp and the surrounding areas have always been a popular venue, and the Wisp resort has been renovated since our last conference there in 2011. I know Fred will be looking for volunteers so please consider lending a hand to make next year's conference a great success! Tom Strikwerda, Conference Chair Diane Ford wins the 30th Annual MOS Pin Contest Congratulations to Diane Ford! Diane, a member of the Montgomery Bird Club, won the annual MOS pin contest for an unprecedented fourth time! Diane's colorful depiction of a Glossy Ibis graces the pins received by those who attended this year's conference at Salisbury University, June 12- 14. In addition to winning this year's contest, Diane also won the contests in 2014 (Blue Grosbeak), 2013 (Virginia Rail) and 2009 (Least Bittern). Diane definitely has an affinity for those elusive marsh birds and does a great job of depicting them! And it's a good time to start thinking about next year's contest. The 2017 conference will be held May 19-21, at the Wisp resort in Garrett County. So start thinking of birds of the western Maryland woods. Veery and Hermit Thrush, Chestnut-sided, Magnolia and Blackburnian warblers, Henslow's and Savannah sparrows, Purple finch, Black-billed Cuckoo, Broad-winged and Sharp-shinned Hawks would all be good choices to consider. For inspiration, check out the images of past winners which are posted on the MOS web page, in the conference section. The general rules, instructions and helpful hints will soon be posted there as well. So while birding this fall, when you are inspired by an outstanding view of a lovely bird, take pencil to paper and record your observation! The winning entry for the 2017 contest will be featured on the pin given to all the attendees at next May's conference in Garrett County. For more information contact our new contest coordinator, Mike Bowen at (301)530-5764 (home) or (202)236-0510 (cell) or email at dhmbowen@vahoo.com . The deadline for the receipt of entries will be in early 2017. The basic rules are simple; the bird must be appropriate for the conference site (Garrett County); the design must include the phrases "MOS" and "2017"; the artist must be an MOS member and the entries must be in hard copy. Each entry must have the artist's name, address, e-mail address, phone number and chapter affiliation on the back. Ellen Lawler Chair, Pin Contest Committee MOS * First Call for entries to 2017 Contest Sept/Oct 2016 4 MOS Scholarships Calling all teachers and naturalists involved with environmental education and conservation! The Maryland Ornithological Society annually awards scholarships to the Hog Island Audubon Camp in Bremen, Maine for people involved in these fields. Each award covers the cost of tuition, room, and board for an intensive five- or six-day course of study and instruction in ornithology, ecology, conservation, and natural history. Travel arrangements and costs are the recipient's responsibility. ANNE ARUNDEL The Hog Island Audubon Camps are known for their high levels of instruction by top-notch educators such as Pete Dunne, Scott Weidensaul and Steve Kress. Tentatively, courses offered for 2017 scholarships will be: Joy of Binding: June 4 - 9 Field Ornithology : June 18 - 23 Raptor Rapture: July 9 - 14 Sharing Nature: an Educator's Week: July 16 - 21 For details regarding the application process, please check the MOS web site: www.mdbirds.org and click on "Education." Scholarships are also available for the Maryland Bird and Bird Habitats program co-sponsored with Washington College Center for Environment and Society, Chestertown, Maryland. Details will be also be available on the MOS web site. Anna Urciolo, Chair, Scholarships Committee Stephen Hult is now known as "The Super Duper Osprey Rescuer" after he rescued his third Osprey in as many years. The first two were tangled in filament but the third one was different. Shortly after returning from Scotland a neighbor brought a baby Osprey to his door. It had fallen out of the nest and managed to swim to the rocky shoreline. Too young to have fledged, it was in trouble. A phone call to Boyd's Maryland to the Moon Owl Raptor Rescue and Stephen and the Osprey were on their way. The theory was that the Osprey had been startled by a drone hovering over its nest and it had jumped to safety. There was a very happy ending. It was placed in a nest rebuilt by the power company after the first one had burned, it joined two other birds that survived the fire, and at last report birds were doing well, the Osprey parents were feeding all three. Congratulations Stephen on your fine rescues! - Mary Lou McCutcheon Magee Marsh, OH 2016, was our 8th trip. We keep going because it's one of the best places to see migrating warblers & this year was no different. Birders included Kim Hudyma, Kathy Neugebauer(former MOS member but now in OH), Jean Wheeler (Harford Co.), Pat & Juanita Tate, Peter Hanan, Stephen Hult ; Barbara Ricciardi, Diane Westbrook, & Bobbi Reichwein. During the 4 days we were there we birded the boardwalk at Magee for warblers, thrushes, cuckoos, and also the Riparian area, seeing numerous Scarlet Tanager, Blackburnian Warbler, Prothonotary Warbler, and more. We traveled to Ottawa Wildlife Refuge to do the wildlife drive and saw many species of waterfowl, wading birds and at one spot, had a fallout of warblers. Treated to one Black-crowned Night Heron there too. Went to Maumee State Park and walked the trails-highlight where we found Screech Owls in nest boxs. Our final stop was at Sandy Ridge to spot a very 5 The Maryland Yellowthroat cooperative Virginia Rail, and also a Sandhill Crane. In addition to the above listed birds other highlights were Common Gallinule, American Woodcock, a pair of juvenile Great Horned Owls, several species of Vireo, Peregrine Falcon, Eastern Towhee. Our trip was brief, but we had a total of 22 warblers, 123 species. For warblers, Magee never disappoints. - Bobbi Reichwein COSTA RICA ECO-BLITZ. On May 2, a group of 10 eco-travelers (8 Bird Club members including MOS President Barbara Johnson ) returned from a trip of discovery to Costa Rica. We saw more than 400 species of birds including the #1 target, the Resplendent Quetzal. Other specialties seen were: Three-wattled Bellbird, Great Green Macaw, many Scarlet Macaws (including two mating), the Long-tailed Manakin, Snowy Cotinga, Black-breasted and Spotted Wood-Quails and Golden-browed Chlorophonia. Also seen were 32 species of hummingbirds including the endemic Coppery¬ headed Emerald, the Snowcap, White-billed Mountain Gem, and the Black-crested Coquette (female). Also seen were Long-tailed Silky Flycatcher, Sungrebe, Sunbittern, Spectacled and Black and White Owls, Costa Rican Pygmy-Owl, White-throated Magpie Jay, seven Trogon species (besides the Quetzal) including the Orange-bellied Trogon, four species of Motmots, five species of Kingfishers, White-necked Puffbird, 4 species of Toucans (Keel-billed and Black-mandibled Toucans, Emerald Toucanet, Collared Aracari), 15 Parrot family species, the Barred and Black- hooded Antshrikes, Streak-chested Antpitta, 20 species of Flycatchers, Masked and Black-crowned Tityras, 11 species of Wrens, 20 species of Tanagers and Allies, Montezuma and Chestnut¬ headed Oropendolas, and 6 species of Euphonias. We saw the male Resplendent Quetzal well at two sites, with one feeding a chick on a limb with wild avocado and the other in-and-out of a hollowed tree nest with his two-foot tail hanging out between spells on a branch. The Bellbird was another awesome treat as he was in a tree lek calling a mate and moving his three wattles up and down only to be rejected by a female. The trip was arranged through International Expeditions to assure maximum time in the jungles, cloud forests, rivers, and trails of Costa Rica from the Caribbean to the Pacific and in between, from sea level to 10,000 feet. We stayed at six different eco-lodges and were in boats six days. With super fantastic guides and the most engaged, intellectually curious fellow travelers I ever traveled with, we went from 5 something each morning to nightfall and on some night walks. We concentrated on birds but spent much time on other Costa Rican species and saw: three species of monkeys (White-faced Capuchin, Geoffrey's Spider, and Mantled Howler, both species of sloths—Brown-throated three-toed and Hoffmann's Two-Toed with young, many large American crocodiles and a few Spectacled Caiman, White-collared Peccaries, a Tayra, coatis, a Fer- de-Lance—the most deadly Costa Rican snake, two species of tarantulas, scorpions, variegated squirrels, Strawberry Dart and Red-eyed Tree Frogs, two species of basilisk lizards, green and spiny-tailed iguanas, and most fascinating of all, a new discovery for all of us: the Honduran white bat, an amazing tent bat that is 1.5 inches long, is all white except for a yellow nose and ears and lives under a cut palm leaf that forms a tent. We also saw the northern ghost bat, another white bat. Contact me for information on our itinerary and guides, qwwabc@comcast.net ; — Gerald Winegrad During the first week of May, Joy Chambers and Pete Bungay were among a dozen birders who joined in a five-day Inn-to-Inn tour along the California Coastal Trail south of San Francisco. The excursion was led by the distinguished ornithologist, Alvaro Jaramillo, author of Field Guide to the Birds of California and a resident of the city of Half Moon Bay bordering the stretch of the coast along which the participants walked. The 20-mile path wound through diverse habitats within which about 90 species of woodland, shore and water birds were spotted. The most unusual was the lone Northern Gannet found in Pillar Point Harbor. It was apparently the same stray that has been reported wandering during the past several years between the local coast and the Farallon National Wildlife Refuge in the craggy offshore islands thirty miles from the Golden Gate. Another highlight was a pair of Snowy Plovers incubating eggs in an exposed nest in the sand on one of the public beaches. The authorities were alerted and the nesting area was subsequently roped off. The tour is one of a number of hiking/birding trips offered by Slow Adventure, a two-woman company based in Santa Cruz. - Pete Bungay Sept/Oct 2016 6 BIRDING SCOTLAND As Stephen Hult's non-birding spouse, I've learned that travel anywhere in the world is always a birding trip. Thus it was no surprise that during our recent trip to Scotland many new birds were found and listed. Stephen and I were traveling with friends to the island of Iona in the Hebrides off the western shore of Scotland. We arrived a couple of days early in coastal city of Oban before joining up with our group so we went to the Island of Mull, a short ferry ride from Oban. It was a day well spent with wonderful sightings of nesting White-tailed and Golden Eagles, Eurasian Oystercatchers with fluffy little babies, nesting Black Guillemots, Common Guillemots (Common Murres on this side of the pond), Arctic Terns, close up Common Eiders in full breeding plumage, and over sixty-five other species. The three square mile Island of Iona is known as one of the best places in western Europe to find the elusive Corncrake, one of the most sought- after and hard to find birds in Great Britain. During our stay we often heard the birds' persistently repeated and hoarse "crex crex" call at night, but could not locate the birds. Of course, the use of tapes is unethical and prohibited. On our last day, Stephen was approached by a local landowner while walking down a country road who told him that if he was looking for a Corncrake, he could go through the private gate and down the long driveway to his house. Upon arrival, he found not one, but two, angry male Corncrakes engaged in a territorial squabble. He was, of course, too excited to get his camera out in time, so no pictures. During the week on Iona the group took a boat trip to the nearby Island of Staffa, famous for being the inspiration for Mendelssohn's Fingal's Cave Overture and a large easily accessible colony of Atlantic Puffins. On Staffa, the hundreds of Puffins in the colony have learned that when humans are present, they will not be attacked by the Fulmars and Jaegers that otherwise prey on them when they land. They will confidently land within a few feet of humans with a mouth full of sand eels to feed their young in the burrows. One of our group was sitting on the ground and a Puffin kept landing with a mouthful of food and staring at him and then leaving. When we gently suggested that he move his feet, the Puffin immediately returned, landed between his feet and hurried into the burrow to feed its young. It was magical being within feet of these great little birds. Birding doesn't get any better than this. And yes, whenever we go to Manhattan, Stephen wants to go birding in Central Park. - Mary-Lou McCutcheon CECIL COUNTY Maryanne Dolan travelled to Magee Marsh, situated on the southern shore of Lake Erie in early May. It lived up to its reputation as a warbler- watcher's paradise - with 17 species located on one day. Even better, there were often dozens of each species posing in full view and close-up. Black-throated blues, greens, Chestnut-sided, Blackburnian, the list went on and on. The crowds of bird watchers and photographers also went on and on, but that was a small price to pay for stellar views of shy birds. All in all, a great few days in a great place. - Maryanne Dolan On Saturday, June 11, at 9:00 a.m., representatives from Fair Hill NRMA, The Cecil Bird Club, and MOS unveiled a new interpretive sign explaining the importance of a new protected grassland nesting area at Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area. Approximately 100 acres of grassland are now preserved habitat for ground-nesting birds such as Bobolinks, Eastern Meadowlarks, Grasshopper Sparrows, and Northern Bobwhite. With valuable input from the bird club and DNR's Wildlife & Heritage Service, Fair Hill and its contracted hay farmer have collaborated on a strategic mowing schedule that leaves the prime nesting area uncut through mid-July. By delaying the harvest, nesting sites are preserved until nestlings can fledge in early July. MOS provided the majority of the funding for the signs, which explain the Bobolink's life cycle and include color photographs to help park visitors identify the species that call these fields home every spring and summer. The new sign is located 7 The Maryland Yellowthroat at the fields adjacent to the North Appleton parking lot on Black Bridge Road. A smaller sign is located at the Fair Hill Nature Center. - Pat Valdata HARFORD COUNTY Harford Glen Environmental Education Center was the site for the seventh annual Environmental Scholarship and Green Awards for Harford County Schools. Ruth Bergstrom, a Harford Bird Club and Harford Glen Foundation member was recognized for her service to students with the Community Connections Award. Ruth leads fifth-grade birding experiences and serves as a mentor in the Natural Resources and agricultural Sciences magnet Program at North Harford High School. A bluebird nest trail and a peninsular restoration project are just two of Ruth's ongoing student-led projects at Harford Glen. Congratulations Ruth and thank you for your service to the youth of Harford County! - Jean Wheeler MONTGOMERY COUNTY Tom Marko, our expat member, and his wife Joanne report they are fine and well in Vicenza, Italy enjoying a Mediterranean diet and local wines. Approaching 8 years living outside of the US, Tom was quite pleased to add an armchair tick to his ABA list with the recent split of Western Scrub-Jay into California Scrub-Jay and Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay. In July, Tom and his wife ventured south just below the Po River delta. They visited Valli di Comacchio, a vast lagoon that is part of a long line of low lying estuaries, lagoons, marshes and rivers that stretch along the Adriatic coast between Venezia (Venice) in the north and Ravenna to the south and home to Italy's most abundant birdlife. They were treated to the spectacle of an estimated 1,000 Greater Flamingo spread out across the lagoon. Other great birds included Common Shelduck, Montagu's Harrier, Black-winged Stilt, Eurasian Spoonbill and European Bee-eater. Tom's Italy list now includes 121 species. Pam Oves and her husband Chris are doing a "Big Year" in 2016 and report they are currently at 325 species, with a goal of 500. "We got 166 new species on a trip to Peru in April. We used Omar Diaz with Peru Birding Tours and would highly recommend him - we would have been lost without him! Favorite birds were the colorful tanagers like the Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager and Green and Saffron-crowned Tanager. We also got a great look at the Highland Motmot. A weekend at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in late winter turned up a Northern Shoveler, a lifer for us. We picked up several birds on a weekend trip to Cape May in early May, but we were surprised how few warblers we saw. A week up on the St. Lawrence River in upstate New York in July netted us another lifer, the American Bittern. With plans for a possible trip to the Pacific Northwest in the fall and finishing the year in Arizona for Christmas, we hope to get to 500, but will hardly be disappointed if we don't. It's been a lot of fun and I'm sure it's only the first of many 'Big Years' to come." Bruce Beehler, who lives in the Brookmont neighborhood of Bethesda, reports the following suburban sighting: "A family of Ravens— presumably the group that nested on Chain bridge this spring —hung out for a couple of weeks in our Brookmont neighborhood. Vocal birds were recorded between 17 June and 5 July. There were five birds—three fledglings and two adults. Also a single Cliff Swallow was foraging with a pair of Northern Rough-winged Swallows in Brookmont on the 27th of June." Robert Parsons, returning to Gaithersburg from ten days in Iceland and Greenland in early summer, reports: "Besides the absolutely stunning waterfalls, glaciers, icebergs and green valleys, I managed to sneak in a little birding although the trip was primarily a family event. One of the advantages this time of year, is that it is light 24 hours a day and there are birds active all night long. One night, I went out birding a little after midnight, watching hundreds of Arctic Terns, Common Eiders and Eurasian Wigeons. Most of my birding was around the capital city of Reykjavik and some of the surrounding country-side, but I also flew to the northeastern part of the country, spending a day around Lake Myvatn, by far the best birding spot in the country. There are huge concentrations of ducks at this lake, and more breeding species than anywhere in Europe, with 15 species confirmed breeding. Interestingly, Sept/Oct 2016 8 Barrow's Goldeneye, which normally would nest in tree cavities, nest in holes in the lava since there are few trees in the area. During the trip, I saw 56 species although primarily sightseeing with my family. Common birds included Whopper Swan, Tufted Duck, Redshank, Meadow Pipit, European Golden-plover, Arctic Terns, Red-necked Phalarope, Graylag Geese, Glaucous Gulls and of course lots of Atlantic Puffins and Northern Fulmar. Highlights for me included Eurasian Woodcock, Great Skua, Rock Ptarmigan, Harlequin Ducks and a single Goldcrest found in the old cemetery just outside of town." - Chris Wright Stephanie Lovell writes: One advantage to having daughters in far-flung places is you get to visit. This last May I was able to go and see my daughter and grandsons in Brasilia. We had a terrific visit, my oldest grandson at 13 is now as tall/taller than I am! We had some great excursions planned, first to Manaus where the famous rubber barons opera house is located, what fancy 19th century piece of work that is! Three days at an Eco-lodge where two daily activities introduced us to the jungle, two toes sloths and several varieties of monkey and caimans. The best was a great close up view of a Caped Heron with his blue lores. Best of all was a whole week in the Pantanal; a wet lands in the Southwest of Brazil next to Paraguay. It is famous for its bird life, the home of an endangered species , the Hyacinth Macaw. We spent three nights in different fazendas and two nights in another, all in different locations around the Pantanal. In May the waters were still about, the dry season had not begun, so when we did our horseback ride it was slogging through some very wet and muddy terrain. Every morning we had a 5:30 AM walk before breakfast, it was wonderful to hear and see the bird life waking up and greeting the day. We saw lots of caimans, a few animals and lots and lots of birds! It was wonderful. TALBOT COUNTY George, Harry & Liz Armistead along with about 65 others were in India from February 5-24, 2016, as part of a Rockjumper/American Birding Association tour. We visited Delhi, Agra & the Taj Mahal, and Ranthambore, Keoladeo, Kaziranga, Sultanpur, and Nameri national parks. Great but distant view of the Himalayas on the way there. I saw about 330 bird species, or rather, had most of them pointed out and ID'd by the excellent Rockjumper guides. Family group species totals included 22 heron types (7 of them storks), 27 diurnal raptors, 23 waterfowl, 32 shorebirds (incl. 6 lapwings), 8 doves, 6 parrots, 4 kingfishers, 5 owls, 5 barbets, 4 hornbills, 5 bulbuls, 8 warblers, 8 babblers, 5 wagtails, 5 pipits, and 10 starlings/mynas plus 3 pelicans and 8 gallinaceous types, 5 rallids, 5 swifts. We were nowheres near any saltwater so saw but 1 tern and 2 gulls. At the Taj Mahal, right on the manicured grounds, is an active Dusky Eagle Owl nest. The most memorable day was in Assam, at Kaziranga N.P. on February 22 with 129 bird species seen and also 85 Indian Rhinoceros (65 in sight simultaneously from Donga Scenic View Point), 75 Asian Buffalo (45 seen at once at Donga), 560 deer (460 at once, at Donga; including Hog Deer, Barashinga [Swamp Deer], and a few Sambar), 7 Asian Elephant, a few Wild Boar, and (less charismatic) 600 Bar-headed Goose, and 35 Spot-billed Pelican. In the Delhi city limits I counted about 849 Black Kites on February 8, many of them attracted by the immense quantities of trash and garbage. We crossed the great Brahmaputra River several times that reaches a width of 6 miles during the monsoon season (this 100+ miles upstream from its mouth), and has the 3rd largest volume of water in the world (after it joins the Ganges R.), and the world's largest river island, and the most sediment of any river. A 10-mile float trip February 20 on the Jia-bhorelli River was a delight - cool, clear water with rapids. We saw, in a wilderness setting, 4 Ibisbills, 2 Great Hornbills, 2 Pallas's Fish Eagles, and 20 Wreathed Hornbills, 6 Barn Swallows, 75 Great Cormorants, 4 Mallards, 18 Common Mergansers, a peregrine, and an Osprey. This and Kaziranga N.P. are in NE India, Assam, quite near Tibet (China), Myanmar, Bhutan, and Bangladesh, with rivers that derive their waters from the Himalayas. There was a big military presence due to all the bordering countries. On Feb. 19 we visited the large dump near Guwahati (population 1,500,00), the capital of Assam, where there are HUGE mountains of garbage next to a swamp. It is loaded with adjutants, which are grotesque storks with serious beaks. Here were 170 Greater Adjutants, 6 Lesser Adjutants, 255 Cattle Egrets, 175 House Crows, 9 The Maryland YeUowthroat 180 Black Kites, and 45 Purple Swamphens plus 10 Barn Swallows, 2 species of jacanas, 85 Lesser Whistling Ducks, 45 Common Moorhens, and 20 House Sparrows. Other highlights included 3 sightings of tigers plus George got video of one at about 40 feet. A big Painted Stork colony somewhere ... eventually I will finish my trip description, probably 6,000 - 7,000 words, if anyone is interested. Don't be misled by the descriptions of dumps and garbage above. There is so much beauty and wonder there. -Harry Armistead. YMOS: 2016 World Series of Birding Maryland youth birders once again represented the state well at the World Series of Birding. On May 14, sixteen Maryland youth supported by parents and coaches participated in the annual event in Cape May, NJ. Four Maryland youth teams spent from 3-5 days scouting New Jersey and then set out at midnight on the Big Day for 24 hours of tracking down species. Despite at times difficult birding conditions, the group excelled with two of the teams placing first in their age level. The YMOS Mighty Merlins, under captain Jake Cameron (Washington, DC) placed first in the high school category, and tied with an adult team for top overall score with 190 species found in the 24-hour completion. Other team members included Matt Addicks (Harford), Claire Wayner (Baltimore), Sam Miller (Anne Arundel), and Eli Anders (Queen Anne's). Jim Brighton joined us to help coach that team. The YMOS Marsh Giggler high school team, coached by Mike Irons, with captain Daniel Irons, Kevin Ebert, Jonathan Irons (all Queen Anne's) and Patrick Sullivan (Montgomery), placed third overall with 188 species found. Also competing for the first time and doing well were the YMOS Carbonated Swamp Warblers with captain Chis Barry (Anne Arundel), Joshua Heiser (Montgomery), and Jasper Merry (Frederick). The middle school division was won by the YMOS Live and Let Fly team, coached by Stacy Epperson, captained by Jack Pierce (Queen Anne's) and including Cameron Darnell (Montgomery), Kojo Baidoo (Baltimore), and Josie Kalbfleisch (Baltimore). This team located 154 species in the 24-hour period. We were only able to field these great teams with the support of the many MOS members who pledged money during last March's record¬ setting Birdathon. Our sincere thanks go out to all of you. Raising over $4,000 last spring, the Birdathon was able to fund the World Series of Birding as well as provide scholarships for students to attend the YMOS summer birding program. George Radcliffe, Youth Coordinator, YMOS Conservation Committee Report 2015-2016 The last year has had quite a bit of action on the part of the Conservation Committee. But in the interests of brevity, I will only mention the highlights. MOS adopted a policy statement on Free-roaming Cats in September, 2015. The policy statement will guide future action on the issue, and serve as a source document for any future letters. I met with DNR Secretary Belton in September of 2015 during a tour of Sideling Hill arranged by Friends and Family of Sideling Hill. Friends is seeking to preserve Sideling Hill from threats such at off-road vehicles and wind turbines. The legislature passed a bill last year forbidding ORVs on Sideling Hill. I learned that there are no plans for wind or other intrusive development on Sideling Hill The Committee has been monitoring the proposal for wind power in Kent County. Local opposition has managed to stymie that so far, and the developer is planning solar instead. The greatest accomplishment of the past year has been the passage of the Pollinator Protection Act of 2016. The Smart on Pesticides Coalition coordinated efforts, and invited our expert testimony before the legislature. This bill will put modest limits on neonicotinoid pesticides, which Sept/Oct 2016 10 are toxic to birds. The Committee has drafted letters, testified, and lobbied in Annapolis for the past two sessions. The Governor allowed the bill to become law without signing it. Also in the State legislature we supported a bill establish a Trust Fund for Program Open Space. Letters to the Maryland House Appropriations Committee members were sent in late February and earned high praise from the Committee Chair and bill sponsors. Letters were sent to the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee members as well. This bill died in committee, but another that would fully fund Program Open Space did pass, and was signed by the Governor. efforts to clean up the Chesapeake Bay. We signed three letters with SGACC, to support creation of the Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Wildlife Area, to encourage the expansion of big box stores upward to occupy less land, and to adopt a progressive general plan that would limit sprawl. The Council has since adopted a progressive General Plan, which largely accepted the suggestions of SGACC and will protect the Mattawoman and the Bay. I would like to thank Committee members Wayne Bell, Rich Dolesh, Fred Fallon, Maureen Harvey, Mark Johnson, Gail MacKiernan, Les Roslund, and Chris Toscano for all their help in the past year. The Committee also testified before the Howard County Planning Board in April in opposition to an amendment to the County General Plan by the County Executive to open up 2,100+ acres of land currently under Conservation Zoning to large- scale development. The Planning Board voted not to recommend the amendment. The County Council has not taken up the bill for consideration as of this writing. We joined efforts to oppose a plan to cut 60 acres off Patuxent Research Refuge for a rail corridor. The fate of this initiative is unknown, and Refuge Manager Brad Knudson was likewise unaware of any resolution as of May, 2016. Another success was when Maryland-DC Audubon contacted us for assistance in a letter to DNR asking for signage on Tern Island behind Ocean City. MOS Past President Tom Strikwerda provided valuable input on the letter, and the island was posted off limits to recreational boaters within days, and prior to the summer boating season. DNR expressed appreciation for the letter. Committee Member Mark Johnson drafted MOS comments on the Maryland Wildlife Action Plan. MD-DC Audubon hosted an I Bird/I Vote Summit in April and Kurt participated, delivering a report on MOS Conservation efforts. It is hoped that a spirit of cooperation will result between MOS and Audubon in the future. MOS officially joined the Smarter Growth Alliance of Charles County in 2016, having been a consistent signer of SGACC letters to the Charles County Council seeking to restrain rampant development, which would despoil the relatively pristine Mattawoman watershed, and imperil Kurt R. Schwarz Chair, Conservation Committee Birds of Note - By Les Roslund Most Maryland birders must visit states in southwest USA, such as Texas or Arizona in order to see BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCKS, but on May 30 Mary Urbany of Crofton in Anne Arundel County was treated to a visit by eight of them in a golf course pond right behind her house. She lives on property adjoining the Walden Golf Course. The birds appeared on the pond in the afternoon and were still present as of 7:30 pm that evening. The lighting was good enough and the ducks were close enough for Mary to get excellent photos of them as they probed for food in the shallow region of the pond near the shoreline. Unfortunately, these beautiful birds did not stay around. They had departed prior to the 5:30 am arrival of hopeful birders the next morning and were not seen again. The word is out that Maryland hosts many interesting birds throughout each year. This attracts many skilled birders from nearby states and sometimes these birders find birds that the local birders would love to have seen. Such was the case on Jun 6 when Glenn Wilson and Kathy Wold of New York State found a BLACK SKIMMER in Talbot County where they are seen no more often than once every few years. Glenn, a skilled photographer, obtained many beautiful photos of the bird and provided a prompt report of the sighting via an eBird Checklist. His report gave credit to Kathy for being the first to notice this unusual bird with the large colorful bill. It was first 11 The Maryland Yellowthroat seen standing near a shallow pond at the end of the street leading to the parking lot of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, St. Michaels, MD. Soon the Skimmer lifted up and flew out over the Miles River where it circled near green buoy #3 to allow a few more photos before it left the area. BLACK SKIMMERS are regular Maryland summer visitors near the ocean but not as far inland as St. Michaels. If any Maryland residents saw this bird, they did not report it. In late April attentive birders found and reported evidence of two YELLOW RAILS migrating through our state. The evidence for the first was some brief vocalizing heard by Jim Green of Gaithersburg on Apr 20 near Rumbly Point in Somerset County. The calling did not continue, and the bird never came into view. The second report appeared as an entry in the May 3 hotline report from the Voice of the Naturalist compiled by Lydia Schindler. Lydia wrote: "A YELLOW RAIL was found in Baltimore City, MD, by volunteers for Lights Out Baltimore! This occurred on the morning of Apr 27 and was the city's first confirmed YELLOW RAIL. The bird had struck a building during migration. It was taken to a rehab center where it was examined, weighed, fed, and on Apr 29, released on private property north of the city." On Apr 26 Tim Houghton reported hearing a CERULEAN WARBLER in the Patapsco Valley SP - Henryton, Howard County. Tim initially heard the buzzy call notes of the bird at 6:20 AM but had to work pretty hard before attaining a sighting. Meanwhile the bird passed back-and-forth across the Carroll County line. Later, around 9:30 AM the bird was singing continuously and all doubt about the identity was put to rest. A separate report from Russ Ruffing during that period indicated he managed to also share the enjoyment provided by this bird. A CERULEAN WARBLER is a quite rare visitor for this location, but Tim had seen one about a year ago in the same area. The prime time of the spring migration of warblers through our region attracted many birders and turned up some great birds. One of the rarest was a BREWSTER'S WARBLER (the hybrid). It was found May 2 by Matt Hafner in Patterson Park, Baltimore County, near the back side of the pond. Later in the day this bird was also enjoyed by several other birders including Tim Carney. This spring quite a few SANDHILL CRANES have been seen moving through our area. Usually they are seen as single birds, or at least in very small numbers. That pattern was violated on May 16 by a flock of 27 of the cranes seen flying near Creswell Road, Harford County. Matt Anthony reported the sighting from near the intersection of Creswell Road and Route 543 in late afternoon of the 16th. The birds were flying west, so they may have been part of the flock that winters near Gunpowder, Baltimore County. For widespread birder enjoyment this spring, the TRUMPETER SWAN reported at Fulton Pond, Howard County, on May 25 was hard to beat. Joe Hanfman of Columbia provided the first report, and from then until at least Jun 6 birders were sharing the joy, often with several reports each day. This large bird did move from pond to pond, but stayed in the same general area. The bird was apparently a migrant, and should not be confused with the tagged and monitored TRUMPETER SWAN that has spent much of the past winter at Lake Churchill in Montgomery County. The wet spring of this year helped to attract a brief visit by a SEASIDE SPARROW to Montgomery County on May 26. An old soccer field was flooded by the rains to produce a wetland in Ken-gar Palisades Park. The SEASIDE SPARROW was discovered in the wetland grasses by Jared Fisher on May 26. Several people relocated the bird later on the 26 th , and there was a report of a morning sighting on the 27 th before the bird disappeared. No later sightings were reported. Most sightings of BOBOLINKS in our area begin with hearing their sharp overhead flight call. Then comes a brief distant sighting if the observer is sufficiently skilled or lucky. On Jun 11 the presence of a more reliable sighting opportunity was introduced to birders at Fair Hill NRMA, Cecil County. Fair Hill has designated about 100 acres of grassland to be a preserved habitat for ground¬ nesting bird species. The program is expected to benefit BOBOLINKS, MEADOWLARKS, GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS and NORTHERN BOBWHITES, amongst others. A new sign now calls attention to the Appleton Roads Bobolink fields. After the sign unveiling, attendees were treated to great views of numerous BOBOLINKS carrying food back to their nestlings. (See Cecil County entry of Chapter Chatter for more information.) This summer two RUFF sightings have given birders special pleasure. The sequence began during the Jul 13 Poplar Island Birding trip in Talbot County when Kurt Schwarz of Howard Sept/Oct 2016 12 County noticed a large shorebird in very dark plumage. Eventually all trip participants managed clear views of the bird and many fine photos were attained. Later, on Jul 18, Josh Emm of Harford County found a RUFF at Swan Harbor in Harford County. Many additional sightings of this bird were attained throughout the day on the 19 th . After that the bird disappeared. In Memory: Anthony White (The following item is extracted from MDBirding on August 2--Editor) Anthony W. White, retired Navy cryptologist and ornithologist, died May 31 at a medical facility in Boulder, Colo.; cause was pneumonia. Commander White was fluent in Mandarin Chinese, Japanese and Russian. In retirement, he lived in Bethesda, Md., and became a birder, writing books on ornithology and serving as president of the Audubon Naturalist Society of the Central Atlantic States and the Maryland Ornithological Society. He moved to Colorado in 2008. Mr. White, known to friends and family as Tony, graduated from Princeton in 1958 with a B.A. in English. He immediately enlisted in the Navy, serving as a cryptologist. Fluent in Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, and Russian, he served onboard two research vessels and was stationed in Taiwan, Japan, Alaska, and Scotland. Narrowly escaping North Korean capture during the Pueblo Incident of January 1968 while serving on the USS Banner, Tony went on to become one of the Navy's leading experts on Chinese and Soviet submarine operations. After 22 years, he retired a commander. First introduced to The Bahamas in 1971 by his wife Katherine, he became a seasonal resident for some twenty-five years. That year, he and Katherine were the second couple married at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Lyford Cay. During his time in The Bahamas he became a leading authority and champion of the region's birds. In 1998 he authored A Birder's Guide to The Bahama Islands (Including the Turks and Caicos), the first and only comprehensive location guide for the region. He went on to serve on the Wildlife Committee and council of the Bahamas National Trust. He was a founding member of the Trust's New Providence Bird Club and a consistent supporter of the Annual Christmas Bird Count on New Providence, Grand Bahama, and Abaco. In addition, Tony was the Regional Editor for The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands for the prestigious journal North American Birds, which compiles quarterly bird reports for all of North America and submits them as part of the permanent and scientific ornithological record. He compiled ten American Birding Association regional bird checklists for North America and one for The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos. He remained active until the very end accumulating an impressive life list of over 750 North American bird species, over 460 species in the West Indies, and over 3,000 on his world list. More impressive, for many years Tony held the record for most species seen in the West Indies Region. Marcia Watson provided the following personal remembrance: "So sorry to hear of Tony's passing. He was a true gentleman and a highly knowledgeable birder who was generous in sharing his knowledge in a kindly way. For many years he produced a quarterly update to the Avisys state bird occurrence lists, which he compiled by meticulously reading the record committee reports from all the states as well as the ABA. In the days before the Internet made sharing of bird records easy, Tony's reports were one way to keep up with the changing distribution of birds across the country. Besides which he was a very nice man." Editor's Note: The Maryland Yellowthroat is the official newsletter of the Maryland Ornithological Society, a community bonded by love of nature and birds in particular. This community becomes, quite naturally, from days spent together in the field, and in committees, a fellowship of friends and colleagues. So, I think it is appropriate that we recognize in The Yellowthroat the passing of members who have served MOS at the state level in significant ways and over a period of time. I will print memorial items as they come to me as Editor. 13 The Maryland YeUowthroat MOS Calendar By Marilyn Veek Thursday, September 1 Meeting. Frederick. Mike Dixon and Chet Anderson will speak on Purple Martins. 7 PM at Homewood at Crumland Farms. Contact Kathy Brown, 301-865-1369. garden plot and on paved paths and mowed areas near the right-of-way alongside open, flowery wet meadows and brushy hillsides. Bring close-focus binoculars to view nectaring behavior, but Dick will also use net and jars to provide brief close-up examinations if requested. Cancelled if raining or overcast. No facilities. 9:30 AM. Meet at Elkhorn Garden Plots, Oakland Mills Rd opposite Dasher Ct. Leader Dick Smith, RichardSmith9070@verizon.net or 410-997-7439. ft Patuxent/PG. Walk at Lake Artemesia, jointly with PG Audubon. Luther Goldman Birding Trial and along Indian Creek. 3 PM. Meet at parking lot at end of Berwyn Rd in Berwyn Hts. No reservations needed. Contact David Mozurkewich, mozurk@verizon.net, for more info. ft Patuxent/PG. Walk at the Fran Uhler Natural Area jointly with PG Audubon. 7:30 AM. Meet at the end of Lemon's Bridge Rd, off Rte 197 just north of Bowie State College. No reservations needed. Contact Bill Sefton, kiwisuits@msn.com, for more info. Saturday, September 3 ft Baltimore. North Point State Park. We will walk down the path to Black Marsh Wildlands, a great spot for various wetland birds, raptors, warblers and flycatchers. The woods around the Black Marsh area host woodpeckers, warblers and vireos, and we can head to the bayfront to check for terns. Scopes useful. Path tends to be muddy, and don't forget your bug spray. Meet in the parking lot just after the toll booth at 8:15 AM. There is a fee of $3 per car to enter the park. Leader Peter Lev, plev@comcast.net or 410-823- 2962. ft Cecil. Turkey Point Migrants and Hawk Watch Kickoff. Join us for the traditional kick-off to the annual Turkey Point Hawk Watch, which runs every day from Labor Day weekend through Thanksgiving. Walk through the woods and fields for migrant songbirds, including early warblers. Be prepared for a round-trip hike to the Point, a distance of about two miles. The pace will be leisurely. Most of the walking is on a gravel road with good footing, but there are a few hilly sections. Wear comfortable shoes/boots for walking. Bring drinks and/or snacks. Sunscreen and bug spray are strongly recommended. Meet at the Turkey Point parking lot at 7 AM for a half-day trip. Leader Sean "Bird Dog" McCandless, seanmccandlessl@gmail.com. ft Howard. Butterflies through Binoculars - Lake Elkhorn Powerline Vegetation Management Study Tract. Enjoy searching for late-summer butterflies, and receive expert instruction on their identification. Dick will add information about caterpillar host and adult nectar plants as we encounter various species. Easy walking in the ft Washington. Kiwanis Park. Easy walking and perfect for beginner birders. Registration is available at hagerstownmd.org/birdwalks. Meet at 8 AM at the park for a two-hour walk led by Sandy Sagalkin. Sunday, September 4 ft Talbot. Fairbanks and Black Walnut Point Rd areas on Tilghman Island in search of late nesting species, plus early arriving southbound transient warblers, swallows, flycatchers, and vireos. Meet at the north end of the Black Walnut Point Rd parking lot at 7:30 AM. Leaders Jeff Effinger, 410- 463-4874, Vince DeSanctis, 410-886-2009, and/or Jan Reese, 410-745-2875. ft Washington. Otto Farm. Monarch capture, tag, and release demonstration at the Otto Farm on Antietam National Battlefield. Refer to themonarchalliance.org or call 301-797-8454 for details. Monday, September 5 (Labor Day) ft Harford. Ma and Pa Trail. Explore the southernmost segment of this popular walking trail, walking from Annie's Playground towards Tollgate Road and back. Diverse habitat along the way promises a variety of birds. Meet at Annie's Playground on Smith Ln off Connolly Rd in Fallston at 7 AM. Leader Susan Hood, 410-937-7552 or susanjhood@comcast.net. Tuesday, September 6 ft Baltimore. Cromwell Valley Park. Continuing a series of casual fall walks to follow the progress of fall migration. Beginning birders welcome. Meet at the parking lot on the left after the "Willow Grove Sept/Oct 2016 14 Farm" entrance at 8 AM. Leader Peter Lev, 410- 823-2962 or plev@comcast.net. Meeting. Kent. Program and Speaker TBD. 7:30 PM, Wesley Hall at Heron Point, off East Campus Ave, Chestertown. If you have questions, please contact Walter Ellison or Nancy Martin, 410-778- 9568 or borealdee@gmail.com. ft Montgomery. Rock Creek Park, DC. Urban birding at its best with one of Rock Creek Park's "Regulars." Migrant warblers, vireos and sparrows. This trip is geared to those who may be fairly new to birding but all are welcome. One-third day. Meet 6:45 AM at Picnic Area 18 (on Ridge Rd, 1/2 mile below Nature Center.) For reservations (required) and directions call leader Wallace Kornack, 202- 338-7859. Wednesday, September 7 Meeting. Baltimore. Tuesday Evening at Cylburn. OPEN FORUM on Field Trips and BBC Activities followed by Peter Lev on "The Donana Marshes of Southern Spain." Doors open at 7 PM for socializing and snacks, open forum starts about 7:15 PM. ft Baltimore. First Wednesday Walk at Fort McHenry. One of a series of morning surveys of bird activity at the Fort and wetland. Telescopes useful. Cancelled in inclement weather. Park outside the main entrance gate, in lot on left, and meet at the gate. 8 AM - noon. Leader Mary Chetelat, 410-665-0769. ft Baltimore. Wednesday Evening Walk at Fort McHenry. Continuing an evening series at the Fort and wetland. Telescope may be useful. Cancelled in bad weather. Meet outside of park front gates and park at lot on left hand side. 6-8 PM. Leader Joe Supik, 443-417-5015. Meeting. Carroll. "Birds and Mammals of Kruger National Park and Eastern South Africa" by Gary Van Velsir at Carroll Nonprofit Center, 255 Clifton Blvd, Westminster. 7 PM. Contact Don Jewell, jewelldg@gmail.com. Meeting. Cecil. Sean McCandless will present a hawk identification workshop. Can you tell a Sharp-shinned Hawk from a Cooper's? You'll be able to after this workshop! Then practice your skills at the Turkey Point Hawk Watch. Elkton Library, 7-8:30 PM. For more information, contact Maryanne Dolan, maryanne.dolan@gmail.com. ft Montgomery. Wheaton Regional Park. Fall is the best time to find migrant warblers, vireos and flycatchers (Yellow-bellied is a good possibility) in this interesting park. Limit 10. For more information about meeting time and place and for reservations (required) e-mail leaders Woody and Rae Dubois at denguel@verizon.net Thursday, September 8 ft Howard. Middle Patuxent Environmental Area. Moderate walking through wooded trails and along the river. Great area for migrants of all species. Field edges and thickets provide sparrow habitat. If time and birds warrant, we will also do the Trotter Rd Loop. Prepare for wet grass and mud on the trails. No facilities. Meet at the Clegg Meadow off Southwind Cir, Columbia, at 7:30 AM. Leader Joe Hanfman, aukl844@gmail.com or 410-772-8424 Meeting. Howard. "The Impact of Buildings on Birds" by Lindsay Jacks , Director of Lights Out Baltimore. This Baltimore Bird Club non-profit organization strives to make the city safe for migrating birds. Hospitality 7 PM; meeting/program 7:30 PM at Robinson Nature Center, 6692 Cedar Ln, Columbia. Info: John Harris, 240-755-0183. Friday, September 9 ft Allegany/Garrett. Birding at Sang Run, Friend's Delight. Connie Skipper will lead this walk thru the beautiful Friend's Delight property. Walk begins at 8 AM. Meet at the parking lot near Friend's Store. Contact Melissa Hensel at mjhensel@yahoo.com or 240-362-1086. Saturday, September 10 ft Anne Arundel. Kinder Farm Park. The park has a lot of trails and diverse habitat with fields and wooded areas to explore. Alan produced a checklist of the birds of Kinder Farm Park and walks and explores this area regularly. 8 AM (half¬ day). Meet at the first parking lot on the left after the entry hut (free entry). Leaders Alan and Susan Young, 410-991-8300 oralnmyoung@aol.com. ft Baltimore. Special youth birding trip at Cromwell Valley Park, Willow Grove. We begin the season at one of the best birding areas near Baltimore. We'll look for all sorts of sparrows, warblers, flycatchers and various other migrants, along with lingering summer residents. Past years have been so impressive that there's simply no telling what we'll find. Start learning how to identify all those confusing fall birds! Beginning 15 The Maryland Yellowthroat birders welcome. Meet at the Nature Education Center, 2175 Cromwell Bridge Rd at 8 AM. Leader John Robinson, 443-810-9059 (cell), 410-483- 6620 (home), jcrobin@jhmi.edu. ft Caroline. Adkins Arboretum. Meet in parking lot at 8 AM. Leader Eli Anders. ft Harford. Day's Cove. Back by popular demand, this trip to the rarely visited Day's Cove area promises to provide an enjoyable outing in beautiful habitat filled with a variety of birds. Meet at the Joppatowne Plaza parking lot near Wendy's off Joppa Farm Rd at 7:30 AM. Leader Phil Powers, 410-679-4116 or birdsinmd@verizon.net. ft Howard. Howard Conservancy at Mt Pleasant Farm. Easy walking through the fields of Mt. Pleasant Farm. Tree lines, hedgerows and streams provide opportunity for non-meadow species. Great opportunity for flyovers. Facilities available. Meet at parking lot at 8 AM. Two hour bird walk followed by 4-hr hawk watch. Leader Mike Kerwin, m63kerwin@verizon.net or 410-461-2408. ft Montgomery. Patuxent River Park, Jug Bay Natural Area joint trip with Audubon Naturalist Society. Driftboat on Patuxent River followed by trail walk. Search for Sora, also migrant and resident songbirds and waterbirds. Half day. Meet at 6:30 AM at park entrance gate. Bring fee of $6 per person for park program; boat trip can be cool and a bit damp. 15-person limit. Make reservations (required) with John Bjerke at 240- 401-1643 or johnbjerkel@mac.com. Leaders Greg Kearns and John Bjerke. Board Meeting. MOS. 10 AM. Hosted by Baltimore County Bird Club. Location TBD. Contact Maryanne Dolan, maryanne.dolan@gmail.com for additional info. ft Washington. Fort Frederick SP. Depart the MVA lot, 18306 Col. Henry K. Douglas Dr, at 7 AM for a half-day trip. Contact Bruce or Linda Field at 301-797-6189 to register. Sunday, September 11 ft Anne Arundel. Quiet Waters Park. Monthly walk through the park exploring woodland trails, edge habitat, and views of the South River. A lovely habitat for birding throughout the year and could be very good for migrant birds. $6 per car Park entry fee. 8-11 AM. Meet at Blue Heron Center. Leader David Gillum, 410-266-8775 or dagmapper@verizon.net. ft Baltimore. Quarry Lake. Popular and scenic birding location with level, often paved, pathways with excellent views down (not up!) into the treetops surrounding Quarry Lake. We should see songbirds, raptors, and even a few shorebirds. Meet at the benches where the 3 flags are flying on Quarry Lake Dr at 8 AM. Cancelled if raining. Leader John Dennehy, 410-653-5214 or jedennehy@verizon.net. ft Baltimore. Marshy Point Nature Center. Easy half-day walk through varied habitats for feeder birds and other songbirds, raptors, and waterfowl. Half-mile trail leads to a point overlooking Dundee Creek. Boots advisable, telescopes useful. Meet at 9 AM at the Nature Center parking lot. Leaders Brent and Mary Byers, 410-686-7294 or baypuffin@hotmail.com. ft Howard. Rockburn Branch Park. Moderate walking through the woods and fields of our largest county park looking for migrants. Paths may be muddy. Facilities available. Meet in parking lot on the left just past the restored schoolhouse at 8 AM. Half day. Leaders Karen and Kevin Heffernan, 410-418-8731 or KJHeff@aol.com. ft Montgomery. Rock Creek Park For Beginners. The focus will be on identifying migrant warblers, vireos and sparrows but we'll also look closely at more common birds. One- third day. Meet at 6:45 AM at Picnic Area 18 (on Ridge Rd, Vi mile below the nature center). For reservations (required) and directions call leader Wallace Kornack, 202- 338-7859. ft Talbot. Bombay Hook NWR. Always a great trip in search of migrating passerines, raptors, waders, shorebirds and possible early arriving waterfowl. Bring lunch, drinks and insect repellant. Depart Easton Acme parking lot at 6:30 AM. Leader Charles Hopkins, 410-763-8742. Monday, September 12 Meeting. Talbot. Speaker and topic TBA. 7 PM at Bayleigh Chase Auditorium (aka William Hill Manor Auditorium), 501 Dutchman's Lane, Easton. Tuesday, September 13 Meeting. Allegany/Garrett. Roy Brown will speak on "Hawaii: The Big Island." 7 PM, Compton Hall, Room TBA, Frostburg State University. ft Baltimore. Cromwell Valley Park. Continuing a series of casual fall walks to follow the progress of Sept/Oct 2016 16 fall migration. Beginning birders welcome. Meet at the parking lot on the left after the "Willow Grove Farm" entrance at 8 AM. Leader Mary Anne Fluke, 443-690-4319 or mfluke62@gmail.com. Meeting. Patuxent/PG. "Identifying Eastern Flawks in Flight," presented by Marcia Watson. For 16 years, Marcia was an official counter with the Turkey Point Flawk Watch in Cecil County. Using materials from the North American Hawk Watch Association and the Macaulay Library, she will review the identifying marks and distinguishing flight characteristics of the most common hawks and other raptors encountered at hawk watches in our region. The presentation will conclude with a brief guide to hawk watches in Maryland and neighboring states. Doors open 7 PM for 7:30 PM meeting start. College Park Airport Operations Bldg, 1909 CpI Scott Dr, College Park. Wednesday, September 14 Meeting. Anne Arundel. Enjoy an up-close look at live birds of prey, exciting videos of "Anne Arundel Birds in Action" by Pierre Henkart, a "Fledglings" presentation by Colin Rees, plus bird games, bird facts, a sale of bird-related items, and more, including refreshments! 7-9 PM at Quiet Waters Park, Blue Heron Center, Annapolis. Contact Barbara Johnson at 410-703-4664 or barbarajohnson222@gmail.com. ft Baltimore. Wednesday Evening Walk at Fort McHenry. Continuing an evening series at the Fort and wetland. Telescope may be useful. Cancelled in bad weather. Park outside the main entrance gate, in lot on left, and meet at the gate. 6-8 PM. Leader Joe Supik, 443-417-5015. ft Howard. Howard Conservancy at Mt Pleasant Farm. Easy walking through the fields of Mt. Pleasant Farm. Tree lines, hedgerows and streams provide opportunity for non-meadow species. Great opportunity for flyovers. Facilities available. Meet at parking lot at 7 AM. Half day. Leader Warren Cummings, wcummings9@gmail.com or 410-925-1809 Thursday, September 15 Meeting. Caroline. Eli Anders will give an overview of his Hog Island Field Ornithology/Coastal Maine Bird Studies for Teens camp experience. 7:30 PM, Caroline County Public Library, 100 Market St, Denton. ft Patuxent/PG. Walk at Lake Artemesia, jointly with PG Audubon. Luther Goldman Birding Trial and along Indian Creek. 3 PM. Meet at parking lot at end of Berwyn Rd in Berwyn Hts. No reservations needed. Contact David Mozurkewich, mozurk@verizon.net, for more info. Friday, September 16 ft Allegany/Garrett. Birding at Sang Run, Friend's Delight. Connie Skipper will lead this walk thru the beautiful Friend's Delight property. Walk begins at 8 AM. Meet at the parking lot near Friend's Store. Contact Melissa Hensel at mjhensel@yahoo.com or 240-362-1086. Friday-Sunday, September 16-18 ft Anne Arundel. Chincoteague Bay Field Station. We will visit the back areas of Chincoteague NWR and the restricted area of Wallops Island to walk a beach that's not accessible to the general public. We also will go out on a research boat and collect specimens from the waters surrounding Chincoteague. The cost for the weekend is $250 per person and includes lodging in college style rooms, meals (very good food), transportation into the back areas, and guide service by Field Station staff. A limited number of people can attend this trip, so you MUST sign up in advance. 7 AM (three days). Meet at Parole P&R for carpooling. Contact & RSVP leader Peter Hanan, 301-580-2785 or peter.hanan@icloud.com. Sat-Sun, September 17-18 ft Allegany/Garrett. Overnight Field Trip to Dolly Sods Bird Banding Station and the Canaan Valley NWR Boardwalk off Freeland Rd, in Davis, WV. Deadline to sign up for this trip is Sep 12. Leaders Joe and Carol McDaniel, mcdanieljandc@gmail.com. Saturday, September 17 Bird count. Baltimore. We will tally all birds seen within the City and County during this calendar day. Birders of all levels of experience are welcome and urged to participate. To avoid duplication of counting, contact compiler Joel Martin, 410-744-9211 or jcdlmartin@aol.com for area assignment. ft Baltimore. Hawks at Cromwell Valley Bring a folding chair, water and sunblock for a morning's hawk watch. Good chance to see Broad-wings and several other hawk species. Park. 8-9 AM bird walk leaves from the Willow Grove parking lot, followed by hawk watch on the hill. Leader Jim Meyers, 410-665-2440 or jamesleomeyers@mac.com. 17 The Maryland Yellowthroat ft Baltimore. Saturday Morning Monitoring Walk at Fort McHenry. Continuing survey of bird activity at the Fort. Telescopes useful. Cancelled in bad weather. Park outside the main entrance gate, in lot on left, and meet at the gate at 8 AM. Leader Wendy Alexander, 410-788-4080 or drbeanes@verizon.net. Bird count. Caroline. Compiler Debby Bennett, 410-479-2978 or dabennettl996@gmail.com. Bird count. Carroll. Parties of counters will set their own schedules in their pre-arranged areas to count resident and late migrant bird species throughout the County. Contact compiler Don Jewell to verify your bird counting area, jewelldg@gmail.com or 410-259-4716. Tally Rally will be hosted by Maureen and Dave Harvey at their home. If you will be attending the rally, please RSVP to the Harveys at 410-795-3117 no later than Wednesday, September 14th. Plan on bringing a food item or a cash donation ($5). Bird count. Cecil (Hawk Watch). Compiler Pat Valdata, 410-398-2603 or pvaldata@zoominternet.net. Bird count. Dorchester. Compiler Harry Armistead, 215-248-4120 or harryarmistead@hotmail.com. ft Frederick. Hashawa Environmental Center. Contact leader Kathy Calvert at 301-810-5677 for meeting time and location. ft Frederick. Audubon Society of Central MD monarch tagging at Audrey Carroll Sanctuary, 13030 Old Annapolis Road, Mt. Airy. 9-11 AM. For more information contact Crystal Kunst, hckunst@qis.net or 443-536-3071. Bird count. Harford. To participate in this opportunity to measure birdlife in our area, contact compiler Rick Cheicante, rickcheicante@cs.com or 410-803-2712. Feeder counters welcome. Bird count. Howard. Compiler Mike McClure, 410- 531-2780 or Michael.McClure@jhuapl.edu. ft Montgomery. Snickers Gap Hawkwatch, VA. Joint trip with Audubon Naturalist Society. Peak time for Broad-winged Hawks. Bring tripods, scopes, chairs, pack lunch, and rain/wind gear. Two-thirds day. Meet at 10 AM at commuter parking lot at VA 7 and VA 601. Make reservations (required) with leaders Joan Boudreau and Bob Abrams at icepeep@aol.com or 703-734-1238 (home). ft Patuxent/PG. Walk at Governor Bridge Natural Area jointly with PG Audubon. 7:30 AM. Meet at the parking lot off Governor Bridge Rd, a mile east of Rte 301. Contact Bill Sefton, kiwisuits.com, for more info. Bird count. Pickering Creek Audubon Center. PCAC has become one of the best locations in Talbot to bird at any season. If you can help, contact leader/coordinator Wayne Bell, 410-820-6002. Annual Picnic. Tri-County. Everyone is asked to bring a covered dish to share. Drinks are provided. At the home of Carol Broderick, 3740 Devonshire Drive, Salisbury at 4 PM rain or shine. For questions or directions, please contact Carol at 410-742-8920 or cdbird@comcast.net. Bird count. Washington. Compiler: Doris Berger, 301-739-8907 ordberger@md.net. Bird count. YMOS. Taylor's Island, Dorchester Co. We'll begin early, but there will be overnight lodging provided near the location for participating birders. The trip is open to anyone, and you can come for all of it or part time. 4 AM-5 PM. More detailed information will be sent out in advance of the trip. Email George Radcliffe, radclifg@gmail.com, of your intent to go at least 2 weeks in advance of the trip. Then we will use email to coordinate actual departure times and locations, trip needs, carpooling, and additional information. Sunday, September 18 Bird count. Allegany. Compiler Chuck Hager, 301-689-5344 or drhager@verizon.net. ft Baltimore. Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park. Please join us for a bird walk at the height of fall migration in a 120 acre wilderness park in west Baltimore City. The park contains mature and secondary forest as well as riparian habitats and some limited field habitat. Meet at the Winans Meadows parking lot, on north side of Franklintown Rd, at 8 AM. Leaders Elise and Paul Kreiss, 410-367-8194, ekreiss@verizon.net or paullkreiss@verizon.net. ft Baltimore. Cylburn Walk. Easy birding in Cylburn's gardens and urban forest. Expect to find a variety of migrant and resident birds. Beginning birders welcome. Meet at the main Vollmer Center Sept/Oct 2016 18 parking lot at 8:30 AM. Leader Mark Linardi, 443- 834-8413 or mlinardi@outlook.com. ft Baltimore. Chimney Swifts at Dusk. Join the BBC Swift Watch Team as Chimney Swifts enter a favorite chimney at sunset. We're expecting hundreds, even thousands of swifts. Due to the fact that the swifts routinely change migration roosting chimneys, this year's site will be posted on the BBC website (baltimorebirdclub.org) and Facebook page (www.facebook.com/groups/382565775136349/ members/) on Friday, Sep 16. 6:45-7:30 PM. Come a half hour early if the weather is cloudy or gray. Cancelled if raining. Leader Joan Cwi, 410- 467-5352 orjafjsc@verizon.net. Bird count. Calvert. Compiler Sherman Suter, 703-768-5922 or sjsuter29@verizon.net. ft Cecil. Woodlawn Wildlife Area. Woodlawn is a restored landfill that is a model for transforming an eyesore into a sight for sore eyes. Join us for a leisurely stroll around the fields and woods of this re-awakening natural area. Meet at 8 AM at the Woodlawn parking lot for a half-day nature walk. Leader Ken Drier. ft Harford. Cromwell Valley Park. Baltimore Co. gem with beautiful trails and meandering streams. Meet at 7:30 AM at the commuter lot on the west side of Rt. 152 (Fallston Rd) just north of Rt. 147 (Flarford Rd). Leader Phil Powers, 410-679-4116 or birdsinmd@verizon.net. Bird count. Kent. Compiler Walter Ellison, 410- 778-9568 or rossgull61@gmail.com. Bird count. Prince George's/Patuxent. Compiler Dave Mozurkewich, 301-509-2212 or mozurk@bellAtlantic.net. ft Talbot. Join us for a trip to the Governor Bridge Natural Area on the shores of the Patuxent River in Prince Georges Co, about an hour's drive from Easton. Should be good for lots of fall migrants. Depart Easton Acme parking lot at 6:30 AM. Leader Vince DeSanctis (410-886-2009). Tuesday, September 20 ft Baltimore. Cromwell Valley Park. Continuing a series of casual fall walks to follow the progress of fall migration. Beginning birders welcome. Meet at the parking lot on the left after the "Willow Grove Farm" entrance at 8 AM. Leader Michael Bradley, michaelbradley023@gmail.com. Wednesday, September 21 Meeting. Montgomery. "Avian candy in the Pacific Northwest" with Dr. Wayne Bell. This freelance sojourn to western Washington State took three birders from the snows of Mt. Rainier to Pacific waters off Westport and the coastal waters of the Olympic Peninsula. In addition to some sweet birdy surprises, they enjoyed an abundance of scenic eye candy. Come along and meet Peale's Peregrine, Black Oystercatcher, and a view of the Mt. Baker volcano that even the resident species seldom experience. 7:30 PM at the Potomac Presbyterian Church, 10301 River Road. Thursday, September 22 ft Patuxent/PG. Afternoon pontoon boat trip at Jug Bay to observe Sora, Least Bittern and other specialties of this freshwater marsh. Meet at 4 PM at Patuxent River Park, Jug Bay (PG side) dockside. Trip will be led by Greg Kearns. For reservations (required) contact David Mozurkewich, mozurk@verizon.net. Preference will be given to chapter members. Friday, September 23 ft Allegany/Garrett. Birding at Sang Run, Friend's Delight. Connie Skipper will lead this walk thru the beautiful Friend's Delight property. Walk begins at 8 AM. Meet at the parking lot near Friend's Store. Contact Melissa Flensel at mjhensel@yahoo.com or 240-362-1086. Saturday, September 24 ft Anne Arundel. Piney Orchard Nature Preserve. Peter will show you various areas in a community nature preserve and we will look for a variety of warblers and other species. We will be able to walk through the nature preserve and end up at Peter and Barbara Hanan's home on the other side of the park. 7 AM (half-day). Meet at Parole P&R. Contact Peter Flanan, 301-580-2785 or peter.hanan@icloud.com. ft Baltimore. Patterson Park. Come see what birding action abounds amid the varied habitats of this green oasis in the middle of Baltimore. 8-9:30 AM. Meet at the White House, just inside the west edge of park at intersection of S Patterson Park Ave and Lombard St. For questions or to arrange to borrow binoculars for the walk, contact Patterson Park Audubon Center at 410-558-2473 or ppaudubon@gmail.com. ft Cecil. Turkey Point Migrants. Join peerless warbler finder Sean McCandless at Turkey Point, where the fall warblers are plentiful. Be prepared 19 The Maryland Yellowthroat for a round-trip hike to the Point, a distance of about two miles. The pace will be leisurely. Most of the walking is on a gravel road with good footing, but there are a few hilly sections. Wear comfortable shoes/boots for walking. Bring drinks and/or snacks. Sunscreen and bug spray are strongly recommended. Meet at the Turkey Point parking lot at 7 AM for a half-day trip. Leader Sean "Bird Dog" McCandless, seanmccandlessl@gmail.com. ft Frederick. Gambrill State Park and Frederick Watershed. Search for migrating fall warblers. Contact leader Lois Kauffman, 301-845-6690, for meeting time and location. ft Patuxent/PG. Prince Georges Audubon Society will host its third annual Birding in the Americas festival. 9 AM-1 PM. Activities include bird walks, Monarch life cycle exhibits containing newly emerged Monarch butterflies, children's crafts, telescope views, live hawks from 10 AM until noon with a raptor demonstration program at 11 AM. ft Tri-County. Assateague National Seashore, for coastal migrant especially hawks, warblers and sparrows. Meet at the Ward Museum parking lot at 7:30 AM or the National Seashore Visitor Center parking lot (before the bridge) at 8:15 AM. Bring lunch, snacks and drinks. For information, contact Mike Walsh at 410-422-0428 or mik.walsh@comcast.net. Sunday, September 25 ft Baltimore. Join Friends of Stony Run birding experts on a bird walk along Stony Run, an urban stream in Baltimore City with a diversity of bird life, including warblers and other migrants plus local residents such as Belted Kingfisher. We will walk an easy, flat mile along the beautiful Stony Run footpath. 8-10 AM. Meet at the intersection of Beech Avenue and 37th St. Leaders Alice Nelson, 410-243-0026 or alice.display@verizon.net and Claire Wayner, 410-499-1182 or claire@wayner.org. ft Caroline. Bird Banding observation in Chestertown. Jim Gruber, Bander. Great for kids. Adults welcome too. 8 AM. To register and for directions, contact Danny Poet, 410-827-8651 or birder231@hotmail.com. ft Harford. Ladew Topiary Gardens. Morning stroll through 22 acres of gardens to look for fall visitors. Pre-registration is preferred for this trip; gates will close behind us. Meet at 7:30 AM in the main parking lot. Leaders Rachel Hebert, hebert.rachel2@gmail.com or 443-288-8384, and Sue Procell, procellmd@gmail.com or 443-417- 4919. ft Montgomery. Pennyfield To Violette's Bird Stalk. Half day. This walk should net an interesting mix of late warblers, other land bird migrants, and probably a few early winter visitors, as we scan the skies and river for raptors and waterbirds. Meet at 9 AM at the parking lot at the end of Violette's Lock Road. We will carpool to Pennyfield Lock and walk back up the C&O Canal towpath to Violette's Lock. Limit 12. To sign up, contact leader Jim Nelson, kingfishers2@verizon.net or 240-515- 4517. ft Talbot. Chincoteague NWR, Virginia. Shorebirds, gulls and large flocks of waterfowl are the highlights of this trip to Chincoteague NWR, one of the premier birding locations on the Delmarva Peninsula. All day trip with dinner (and ice cream) in the town of Chincoteague. Depart Easton Acme parking lot at 6:30 AM. Leader Terry Allen, 410-829-5840. Monday, September 26 Meeting. Tri-county. "The effects of forest structure on habitat selection and nest predation in ground-nesting warblers" with Dr. Eric Liebgold , Salisbury University. Meeting begins at 7 PM at the MAC Education Center, off Snow Hill Rd, Salisbury. Call Ellen Lawler at 410-982-8695 or emlawler534@comcast.net for more info. Tuesday, September 27 ft Baltimore. Cromwell Valley Park. Continuing a series of casual fall walks to follow the progress of fall migration. Beginning birders welcome. Meet at the parking lot on the left after the "Willow Grove Farm" entrance at 8 AM. Leader John Landers, 410-292-9549 or dadolbw@aol.com. Meeting. Washington. Program TBA. 7 PM at the Mt. Aetna Nature Ctr, 21905 Mt. Aetna Rd, Hagerstown. Call 301-797-8454 for details. Friday, September 30 ft Allegany/Garrett. Birding at Sang Run, Friend's Delight. Connie Skipper will lead this walk thru the beautiful Friend's Delight property. Walk begins at 8 AM. Meet at the parking lot near Friend's Store. Contact Melissa Hensel at mjhensel@yahoo.com or 240-362-1086. Sept/Oct 2016 20 Saturday, October 1 ft Baltimore. Cape May Hawkwatch. Spend the day mostly at the hawk watch platform at Cape May observing hawks flying by, with possible uncommon seabirds in view out over the water. Optional walks around the impoundment for migrant waterfowl, shorebirds and songbirds. A few late migrant songbirds are possible in the trees next to the platform. Last year, 80 bird species were seen or heard during 4 hours at the platform. Option for some observers - stay overnight and bird more on Sunday. Participants continuing into Sunday morning might expect over 100 species for the weekend. Rain date Oct 8. Meet at Cromwell Bridge Rd P&R at 7 AM. Bring lunch. Leader Pete Webb, 443-904-6314 or pete6314webb@gmail.com. ft Carroll. Hashawha. Late migrants and whatever else turns up. Half-day. For more information, contact Bob Ringler at 410-303-2792. ft Harford. Kayak/Canoe Trip at Perryman Town Park. Mill Creek and Furnace Bay are beautiful, pristine, protected flat water sites that make for a very enjoyable paddle and, hopefully, good birding. Osprey and Bald Eagles are almost guaranteed and the wooded shoreline hosts a variety of song birds. If we are lucky, some early migratory waterfowl may also be present and fall colors should be beginning to appear. Canoes, kayaks and paddle boards welcome. Meet at 9 AM at the Stump Point launch site. Leader Colleen Webster, 410-459-4577 (no text messages, please) or cwebster@harford.edu for further info and weather issues. ft Howard. Lake Elkhorn. Easy walking along the lake and to Forbay Pond. Migrants will be moving through. Warblers are generally in abundance. The lake can turn up interesting surprises. Hawks are also possible flying over. No facilities. Meet at Dockside parking lot at 8 AM, 2-3 hours. Leader Allen Lewis, allenrlewis@gmail.com. ft Patuxent/PG. Walk at the Fran Uhler Natural Area jointly with PG Audubon. 7:30 AM. Meet at the end of Lemon's Bridge Rd, off Rte 197 just north of Bowie State College. No reservations needed. Contact Bill Sefton, kiwisuits@msn.com, for more info. ft Washington. Hawk Mountain. Depart the MVA lot, 18306 Col. Henry K. Douglas Dr, at 7 AM. Contact Anna Hutzell at 301-797-8454 to participate. Sunday, October 2 ft Montgomery. Little Bennett RP For Beginners. All are welcome on this half- day trip but we especially encourage those new to birding to join us. We'll slowly walk some of the woodland trails looking for migrant and resident birds. Meet at 7:30 AM. Limit 8. For reservations (required) and directions contact leader Gemma Radko, 301-514- 2894. ft Talbot. Taylor's Island, Dorchester County. Quest for late fall migrants, early wintering arrivals, both land birds and waterfowl. Expect Bald Eagles, some kinglets, flycatchers, vireos. Less common species: Swainson's Thrush, Cape May Warbler. We have permission to visit private lands in our quest for unusual sightings. Depart Easton Acme parking lot at 6:30 AM. Brunch/breakfast after birding at a local restaurant/country store. Leader Wayne Bell, 410- 820-6002. Tuesday, October 4 ft Baltimore. Cromwell Valley Park. Continuing a series of casual fall walks to follow the progress of fall migration. Beginning birders welcome. Meet at the parking lot on the left after the "Willow Grove Farm" entrance at 8 AM. Leader Mary Anne Fluke, 443-690-4319 or mfluke62@gmail.com. Meeting. Baltimore. Tuesday Evening at Cylburn. "Native Bees of Maryland" by Gene Scapulla. Gene is an Associate at the Bee Inventory and Monitoring Laboratory at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center where he surveys and identifies native bees and wasps. Gene will discuss bees in general, his Hart-Miller Island survey, and the amazing diversity of Maryland's bees. Doors open at 7 PM for socializing and snacks, presentation starts about 7:15 PM. Wednesday, October 5 ft Baltimore. First Wednesday Walk at Fort McHenry. One of a series of morning surveys of bird activity at the Fort and wetland. Telescopes useful. Cancelled in inclement weather. Park outside the main entrance gate, in lot on left, and meet at the gate. 8 AM-noon. Leader Mary Chetelat, 410-665-0769. Meeting. Carroll. "A Shade-grown and Bird- compatible Coffee Future" by Paul Baicich at Carroll Nonprofit Center, 255 Clifton Blvd, 21 The Maryland Yellowthroat Westminster. 7 PM. Contact Don Jewell at jewelldg@gmail.com. Meeting. Cecil. Speaker TBA. Elkton Library, 7 to 8:30 PM. For more information, contact Maryanne Dolan, maryanne.dolan@gmail.com. Thursday, October 6 Meeting. Frederick. George Jett will speak on "Birds and Conservation in Colombia." 7 PM at Homewood at Crumland Farms. Contact Kathy Brown, 301-865-1369. ft Patuxent/PG. Walk at Lake Artemesia, jointly with PG Audubon. Luther Goldman Birding Trial and along Indian Creek. 3PM. Meet at parking lot at end of Berwyn Rd in Berwyn Hts. No reservations needed. Contact David Mozurkewich, mozurk@verizon.net, for more info. Friday-Sunday, October 7-9 ft Frederick. Cape May Weekend. Search this wonderful area for migrating birds, especially raptors. We plan to travel to Cape May on the 7th, bird all day Saturday and Sunday morning and return Sunday afternoon. Reserve your room at the West Cape Motel, 609-884-4280. Leader Kathy Brown, 301-865-1369. Saturday or Sunday, October 8 or 9 Big Sit. Cecil. Turkey Pointers BIG SIT! Note: The specific day will be decided based on weather- watch www.cecilbirds.org for an update. Our BIG SIT! count circle will be based at the big cedar tree near the lighthouse at Turkey Point. Chris Starling will be our official counter. All are welcome, so pack some food and drink and come on out to join us. Chris and Sean will start at 4:30 AM; you may come whenever you like and stay for as long as you like. Hint: if you have any goodies to share, you might want to pack some extras for our stalwart BIG SIT! counters, to keep their spirits up for the long haul. It is not necessary to contact the leader before this event, just come on out any time during the day. Leader Sean "Bird Dog" McCandless, seanmccandlessl@gmail.com. Saturday, October 8 ft Anne Arundel. Kinder Farm Park. The park has a lot of trails and diverse habitat with fields and wooded areas to explore. Alan produced a checklist of the birds of Kinder Farm Park and walks and explores this area regularly. 8 AM (half¬ day). Meet at the first parking lot on the left after the entry hut (free entry). Leaders Alan and Susan Young, 410-991-8300 or alnmyoung@aol.com. Big Sit. Anne Arundel. Ft. Smallwood Park. You can stay all day or stop in and count for part of the day. This is a social event where you can meet Club members. Bring some comfortable seating, food, drinks and enjoy the camaraderie of Club members. Limited walking since there's a count circle. This doesn't stop you from walking around and exploring Fort Smallwood while you are on site. $6 per car Park entry fee. Dawn to dusk. Ask at gate for location. Contact Tom and Sharon Bradford, 410-987-0674 ortabslab@aol.com. ft Baltimore. Special youth birding trip at Oregon Ridge Park. We'll explore the fields and woods for migrating birds (and insects!). For those who have not visited the Nature Center before, we'll spend some time admiring the displays and information available inside. The variety of habitats allows us to see a good variety of birds, and we'll have plenty of opportunities to get to know both the common residents of the area, and the less common migrants that pass through on their way south. In 2015 this was the most outstanding walk, featuring a Mourning Warbler and a tree full of Blue-headed Vireos (among other birds). Meet at the Nature Center, 13555 Beaver Dam Rd, Cockeysville at 8 AM. Leader John Robinson, 443- 810-9059 (cell), 410-483-6620 (home), or jcrobin@jhmi.edu. Big Sit. Caroline. Martinak State Park, exact location TBA. Will run from early morning to early evening for some owling. Join in for as long as you would like. Details will be listed on our Facebook page and Blog. ft Harford. Turkey Point. The view from the Turkey Point peninsula during the southern migration of raptors and other birds is spectacular. It is prime viewing for birders and a prime view of the headwaters of the Bay. If you are interested in carpooling from Harford County or would like help finding the location, meet Phil Powers, 410-679- 4116 or birdsinmd@verizon.net, at the P&R (Rt 155 near the Havre de Grace exit of 1-95) at 7 AM. Sue Procell, 443-417-4919 or procellmd@gmail.com will meet everyone at the Turkey Point parking lot of Elk Neck SP at 7:30 AM. The Cecil County Bird Club's annual BIG SIT may be happening that day so parking may be limited. Big Sit. Howard. University of Maryland Open House Big Sit. The Club will once again hold an informal Big Sit. All are welcome to bring a chair Sept/Oct 2016 22 and sky watch or interact with the farm's visitors at the Club booth. Stop by and partake anytime that is convenient. Meet just outside of the front lawn tent on the University Farm on Folly Quarter Rd. 10 AM-3 PM. Leader Wes Earp, the_earps@verizon.net or 410-531-3197. Big Sit. Kent. Bogle's Wharf, Eastern Neck NWR. If you have questions, please contact Walter Ellison and Nancy Martin, 410-778-9568 or borealdee@gmail.com. YMOS. Cape May Hawk Migration and Sea Watch. Though a long day, this is a great trip for all levels of birders. We'll carpool from both the Eastern and Western Shores and spend the day in Cape May during the peak of raptor migration. We'll also search for songbird migrants and visit the Avalon Seawatch. 5 AM from MD. More detailed information will be sent out in advance of the trip. Email George Radcliffe, radclifg@gmail.com, of your intent to go at least 2 weeks in advance of the trip. Then we will use email to coordinate actual departure times and locations, trip needs, carpooling, and additional information. Sunday, October 9 ft Anne Arundel. Quiet Waters Park. Monthly walk through the park exploring woodland trails, edge habitat, and views of the South River. A lovely habitat for birding throughout the year and could be very good for migrant birds. $6 per car Park entry fee. 8-11 AM. Meet at Blue Heron Center. Leader David Gillum, 410-266-8775 or dagmapper@verizon.net. ft Baltimore. Lake Roland. Popular birding location off Falls Rd near Lake Ave. Meet at the Ranger Station near the footbridge, not in the Light Rail parking lot, at 8 AM. Canceled if raining. Ages 8 and up. Leader Peter Lev, 410 823-2962 or plev@comcast.net. ft Baltimore. Marshy Point Nature Center. Easy half-day walk through varied habitats for feeder birds and other songbirds, raptors, and waterfowl. Half-mile trail leads to point overlooking Dundee Creek. Boots advisable, telescopes useful. Meet at the Nature Center parking lot at 9 AM. Leaders Brent and Mary Byers, 410-686-7294 or baypuffin@hotmail.com. Big Sit. Montgomery. Our club has picked a good place for a day of bird watching and over the years has tallied more than 50 species. Join Montgomery County's Sitting Ducks at the dike across the road from the Black Hill RP boat ramp. We'll start at dawn and continue until we run out of steam. Come for the day or just an hour or two. New birders and new members encouraged! For more information or directions contact Linda Friedland, linnetl@verizon.net. ft Talbot. Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center and Terrapin Park. Two of southern Queen Anne County's top birding areas should provide numerous warblers, thrushes, orioles and early raptors. Depart Easton Acme parking lot 7 AM or meet leader at the Terrapin Park parking lot at 7:30 AM. Leader Danny Poet, 401-827-8651. Monday, October 10 Meeting. Talbot. Speaker and subject TBA. 7 PM at Bayleigh Chase Auditorium (aka William Hill Manor Auditorium), 501 Dutchman's Lane, Easton. Tuesday, October 11 Meeting. Allegany/Garrett. MarkAbdy will speak on "Birding Costa Rica." 7 PM, Compton Hall, Room TBA, Frostburg State University. ft Baltimore. Cromwell Valley Park. Continuing a series of casual fall walks to follow the progress of fall migration. Beginning birders welcome. Meet at the parking lot on the left after the "Willow Grove Farm" entrance at 8 AM. Leader Ron Davis, 2athighl@verizon.net. Meeting. Kent. Program and Speaker TBD. 7:30 PM, Wesley Hall at Heron Point, off East Campus Ave, Chestertown. If you have questions, please contact Walter Ellison and Nancy Martin, 410-778- 9568 or borealdee@gmail.com. Meeting. Patuxent/PG. "Satin Bowerbirds in Australia," presented by Joshua Kiner. Doors open 7 PM for 7:30 PM meeting start. College Park Airport Operations Bldg, 1909 CpI Scott Dr, College Park. Thursday, October 13 Meeting. Howard. "The Messenger," a 90 minute documentary that investigates the threats to bird life that have decimated populations world wide. Amazing secrets of the bird world come to light for the first time in this acclaimed and visually thrilling film. Hospitality 7 PM; meeting/program 7:30 PM at Robinson Nature Center, 6692 Cedar Lane, Columbia. Info: John Harris, 240-755-0183. Please note that the business meeting will be brief 23 The Maryland Yellowthroat and begin early so that the film can begin at 7:30 PM. Thursday, October 13 - Tuesday, October 18 ft Carroll. North Myrtle Beach, SC. Sue and Splinter Yingling have kindly offered to put club members up at their place in North Myrtle Beach, allowing us to explore the great birding areas nearby in both NC and SC. If they run out of room, there will be apartments for rent down the street at a reasonable rate. (Club members have priority.) Bob is busy scouting out the hot spots. Interested parties should contact Sue at syingling@mac.com. Saturday, October 15 ft Allegany/Garrett. Town Hill. Meet Ray Kiddy to watch for migrating hawks at a time of year when there is still good hawk diversity but we may have a better chance for some interesting birds, like Golden Eagles (with favorable weather conditions) as well. Meet at the Town Hill overlook at 10:30 AM. Bring lunch and a drink. Contact Ray Kiddy at 301-739-1972 or rrkiddy@atlanticbb.net. Additional dates running through Oct and Nov will be announced. ft Baltimore. Saturday Morning Monitoring Walk at Fort McHenry. Continuing survey of bird activity at the Fort. Telescopes useful. Cancelled in bad weather. Park outside the main entrance gate, in lot on left, and meet at the gate at 8 AM. Leader Joe Supik, 443-417-5015. ft Caroline. Bird Walk at Tuckahoe SP. Meet at Queen Anne's side parking lot near boat ramp at 8 AM. Leader Danny Poet. ft Frederick. Bird Walk at Fred Archibald Audubon Sanctuary, 6011 Boyers Mill Rd, New Market. 9-11 AM. For more information contact Crystal Kunst, hckunst@qis.net or 443-536-3071. ft Harford. Rocks SP. Spend the morning on the trails of this Deer Creek Woodland to enjoy the late fall avian spectacle. Gather at the Ranger station parking lot on Rocks Chrome Hill Rd at 7:30 AM. Leader Mark Magnani, 410-838-1778 or mwmagnani@gmail.com. ft Howard. Sparrow Identification Tips. Search the wetland and dry fields in this intensive search for as many sparrows as possible. Going for 12 species! Previous years have turned up non¬ sparrow rarities! Expect difficult walking for most of the day. Knee boots a must. Facilities at some spots. Limit 10 people. Half day. Contact Bonnie Ott, bonnieott@verizon.net or 443-285-3302 to sign up and get info. ft Patuxent/PG. Walk at Governor Bridge Natural Area jointly with PG Audubon. 7:30 AM. Meet at the parking lot off Governor Bridge Rd, a mile east of Rte 301. Contact Bill Sefton, kiwisuits.com, for more info. ft Washington. Indian Springs. Depart the MVA lot, 18306 Col. Henry K. Douglas Dr, at 7 AM for a half-day trip. Call Mark Abdy, 301-432-7696, to register. Sunday, October 16 ft Baltimore. Oregon Ridge and Ag Center. Oregon Ridge is a good spot in October for warblers, thrushes, kinglets and other passerines. The Center for Maryland Agriculture, just across Shawan Rd, has a variety of open habitats; we'll look here for sparrows, meadowlark, killdeer, etc. Meet at the Oregon Ridge Nature Center, 13555 Beaver Dam Rd, at 8 AM. Leader Simon Best, simonrabest@gmail.com. ft Cecil. Environmental Education Day at the Hawk Watch. Join the Cecil Bird Club Hawk Watchers and folks from Elk Neck State Park to learn more about hawk watching. No experience necessary! Free and open to the public. Bring binoculars if you have them but we'll have extras, as well as spotting scopes. For more information, contact Pat Valdata, pvaldata@zoominternet.net. ft Howard. West Friendship Park. Moderate walking along field edges and through stream valleys. Small ponds may have some surprises. Expect wet areas. Rustic facilities. Meet at shopping center just west of Rt 32 and Rt 144. at 7:45 AM. Will carpool to nearby park. Leader Jeff Culler, cullersfuls@hotmail.com or 410-465-9006. ft Talbot. Claiborne Landing and Wades Point Inn. Spend the early morning looking through a variety of habitats including broad reaches of Eastern Bay, fields, woods, a freshwater pond that attracts puddle ducks as well as a nice mix of migrants. Meet at the Claiborne Boat Landing at 7 AM. Early Morning Leader Les Roslund, 410-763-8169. After the morning walk we will view the hawk migration along the bay front at least until noon. For mid- October, any raptor commonly found in the eastern U.S. may be observed heading south. Number of migrating hawks depends on weather and wind direction. Field guides and visual aids will Sept/Oct 2016 24 be available for first time hawk watchers. Bring drinks, lunch or snacks and a lawn chair to relax and enjoy the show. Meet at 10 AM at the Black Walnut Point Rd parking lot near Fairbanks on Tilghman Island. Leaders Jeff Effinger, 410-463- 4874 and Jan Reese, 410-745-2875. Tuesday, October 18 ft Baltimore. Cromwell Valley Park. Continuing a series of weekly Tuesday morning walks to follow the progress of fall migration. This park has variety of habitats including fields, stream-side woods and hillside forest. Expect a variety of migrant and resident birds. Beginning birders welcome. Beginning birders welcome. Meet at the parking lot on the left after the "Willow Grove Farm" entrance at 8 AM. Leader Mary Chetelat, 410-665-0769. Wednesday, October 19 Meeting. Anne Arundel. "Red Siskin Recovery" with Brian Coyle. The Red Siskin is an iconic bird of northern South America and the Caribbean that is critically endangered due to pet trade and habitat destruction. Brian Coyle is the project coordinator for the Red Siskin Initiative, a Smithsonian-led international partnership that is working to protect and restore self-sustaining populations across its historic range. 7-9 PM at Quiet Waters Park, Blue Heron Center, Annapolis. Contact Barbara Johnson, 410-703-4664 or barbarajohnson222@gmail.com. ft Montgomery. Blue Mash For New Birders. Join us for the morning as we learn and review some of the basics of bird ID. Blue Mash is a great place to find our more common species as well as some of the harder to ID sparrows. This trip is primarily for new birders/new members but all are welcome. Meet at the parking lot off Zion Rd at 9 AM. For information and reservations contact leader Stephanie Lovell, amorellovell@gmail.com. Meeting. Montgomery. Gail Mackiernan will talk about her November 2015 trip to Madagascar, which explored this ancient land from south to north and recorded many of the island's most sought-after species. Madagascar is the world's fourth-largest island and is often referred to as the "Eighth Continent." Its unique fauna and flora have evolved during millions of years of isolation and are a "naturalist's dream." Over 140 endemic species of birds (and five endemic bird families!) are found here, as well as a fascinating supporting cast of lemurs, chameleons, frogs, weird insects and even stranger plants. 7:30 PM at the Potomac Presbyterian Church, 10301 River Rd. Thursday, October 20 Meeting. Caroline. Dana Limpert will provide "An Update on White Nose Syndrome and the bat populations in Maryland". 7:30 PM, Caroline County Public Library, 100 Market St, Denton. ft Patuxent/PG. Walk at Lake Artemesia, jointly with PG Audubon. Luther Goldman Birding Trial and along Indian Creek. 3 PM. Meet at parking lot at end of Berwyn Rd in Berwyn Hts. No reservations needed. Contact David Mozurkewich, mozurk@verizon.net, for more info. Saturday, October 22 ft Anne Arundel. Wooten's Landing and Davidsonville Park. Barbara Johnson will lead this walk through these unique habitats. River access, wetlands, and transitional fields offer a great variety of birds. 8-11 AM. Meet at Parole P&R. Leader Barbara Johnson, 410-703-4664 or barbarajohnson222@gmail.com. ft Frederick. Lilypons/Greenfield Rd. Local morning search for migrants and early waterfowl. A great trip for beginners as well as experienced birders. Contact leader David Smith, 410-549- 7082, for meeting time and location. ft Harford. Windmill Hill Farm. First ever visit by the Club to this private farm to look for late migrants in various habitats. Meet at Churchville Elementary at 7:30 AM. Leaders are Diane Jones, 410-404-9180 or Diane.v.jones@ssa.gov and Dave Webb, 410-939-3537 or porzana@comcast.net. ft Tri-county. Chincoteague NWR for waders, raptors, late shorebirds and early waterfowl and sparrows. Meet at the Ward Museum parking lot at 7:30 AM. or the Royal Farms on VA 175 near Wallops at 8:30 AM. Bring lunch, snacks and drinks. For information, contact Larry and Jean Fry at 410-208-4269 or ovenbird35@mchsi.com. Sunday, October 23 ft Howard. Howard Conservancy at Mt Pleasant Farm. Easy walking through the fields of Mt Pleasant Farm. Tree lines, hedgerows and streams provide opportunity for non-meadow species. Great opportunity for flyovers. Facilities available. Meet at parking lot at 7:30 AM. Half day. Leader Russ Ruffing, ruff2@verizon.net. 25 The Maryland Yellowthroat ft Talbot. Spocott Farms and Windmill. Enjoy exploring the neck district of Dorchester County in search of early arriving waterfowl and sparrows as well as late transient warblers. Depart Easton Acme parking lot at 6:30 AM. Leaders George Radcliffe, radclifg@gmail.com, and Wayne Bell, 410-820-6002. Monday, October 24 Meeting. Tri-county. "Treatment and Rehabilitation of Oiled Birds" with Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research. Meeting begins at 7 PM at the MAC Education Center, off Snow Hill Rd, Salisbury. Call Ellen Lawler at 410-982-8695 or emlawler534@comcast.net for more info. Tuesday, October 25 ft Baltimore. Cromwell Valley Park. Last in a series of weekly Tuesday morning walks to follow the progress of fall migration. This park has variety of habitats including fields, stream-side woods and hillside forest. Expect a variety of migrant and resident birds. Beginning birders welcome. Beginning birders welcome. Meet at the parking lot on the left after the "Willow Grove Farm" entrance at 8 AM. Leader Debbie Terry, 410-252-8771 or dterryl2@verizon.net. Potluck Dinner/Meeting. Washington. Program TBA. Enjoy a potluck dinner starting at 6 PM at the Mt. Aetna Nature Ctr, 21905 Mt. Aetna Rd, Hagerstown. Bring your own place setting, drink, and a dish to share. Meeting follows at 7. Call 301-797-8454 for details. Saturday, October 29 ft Baltimore. Patterson Park. Come see what birding action abounds amid the varied habitats of this nature oasis in the middle of Baltimore. 8- 9:30 AM. Meet at the White House, just inside the west edge of park at intersection of S. Patterson Park Ave and Lombard St. For questions or to arrange to borrow binoculars for the walk, contact Patterson Park Audubon Center at 410-558-2473 or ppaudubon@gmail.com. ft Montgomery. Blackwater NWR. Early waterfowl and lingering migrants plus late afternoon marsh watch. Brown-headed Nuthatch possible. Full day (to dusk). Bring lunch and drinks. Reservations required. Limit 12. For meeting place and time, contact leader Mark England, 240-207-3132(home) or 240-375-4500 (cell). Sunday, October 30 ft Baltimore. Hydes Road Park. For the past few years this northern Baltimore County park has been hosting rare sparrows plus Bobolink and Meadowlark during fall migration. Meet in the parking lot at 8:30 AM. Coordinator Kevin Graff, keyweststyle2001@gmail.com. Leader Hugh Simmons. ft Harford. Bombay Hook. Fall visit to one of the East Coast's best sites for shorebirds and waterfowl. Also, the Park is beautiful at this time of year. Pack a lunch and drink. Meet at the 155/1- 95 P&R at 7 AM. Contact leader Dave Larkin, 410- 569-8319 or dlarkin@towson.edu, for additional information. ft Montgomery. Lois Y. Green Park: Remembering Lou. Our annual morning walk in honor of former MBC president and all round naturalist Lou DeMouy who passed away in the fall of 2012. This year the trip will be geared to beginning birders and new members but all are welcome. Meet at 7:30 AM. For more information, directions and reservations (required) contact leader Andy Martin, martinap2@verizon.net or 301-529-2066. ft Talbot. Adkins Arboretum and Tuckahoe State Park. Adkins is one of the premier fall migration spots on Maryland's Eastern Shore. Expect to see lots of late migrating warblers, and early arriving sparrows and migrating raptors. Depart Easton Acme parking lot 7 AM or meet leader in Adkins parking lot at 7:30 AM. Leader Dave Palmer, 410- 829-3376. Tuesday, November 1 Meeting. Baltimore. Tuesday Evening at Cylburn. "Inside a Bald Eagle's Nest and Inside an Osprey's Nest." Teena Ruark Gorrow, Ph.D, Professor, Department of Education, Salisbury University, and Craig Koppie, Eagle/Raptor Biologist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Teena and Craig have published Inside a Bald Eagle's Nest: A Photographic Journey Through the American Bald Eagle Nesting Season, and Inside an Osprey's Nest: a Photographic Journey through Nesting Season. They will discuss eagle and osprey behavior and activities as these magnificent birds nest, mate, lay eggs and raises their young. Doors open at 7 PM for socializing and snacks, show starts about 7:15 PM. Meeting. Kent. Program and Speaker TBD. 7:30 pm, Wesley Hall at Heron Point, off East Campus Sept/Oct 2016 26 Ave, Chestertown. If you have questions, please contact Walter Ellison and Nancy Martin, 410-778- 9568 or borealdee@gmail.com. Wednesday, November 2 ft Baltimore. First Wednesday Walk at Fort McFlenry. One of a series of morning surveys of bird activity at the Fort and wetland. Telescopes useful. Cancelled in inclement weather. Park outside the main entrance gate, in lot on left, and meet at the gate. 8 AM. Leader Mary Chetelat, 410-665-0769. Meeting. Carroll. "Aimophila Adventures - Birding in Arizona" by Kurt Schwarz at Carroll Nonprofit Center, 255 Clifton Blvd, Westminster. 7 PM. Contact Don Jewell atjewelldg@gmail.com. Meeting. Cecil. Speaker TBA. Elkton Library, 7 to 8:30 PM. For more information, contact Maryanne Dolan, maryanne.dolan@gmail.com. Thursday, November 3 Meeting. Frederick. Mike Bowen will speak on "Birding in Wales." 7 PM at Homewood at Crumland Farms. Contact Kathy Brown, 301-865- 1369. Friday, November 4 Dinner/Meeting. Harford. "The Wild Things of Trinidad and Tobago" by Mark Johnson. Churchville Presbyterian Church, 2844 Churchville Rd. Dinner at 6:15 PM, general meeting at 7:15 PM, presentation at 8 PM. Reservations required. Contact Johanne Henrickson, johen24@gmail.com. Saturday-Sunday, November 5-6 MOS. Work Weekend at Irish Grove. Join others for a work weekend to help maintain the house and grounds of this Somerset County Sanctuary. Great birding opportunities as well. Stay overnight for free. Contact Dotty Mumford, dottymum@comcast.net or 443-214-5154, for more details and to RSVP. Saturday, November 5 Dinner/Meeting. Allegany/Garrett. The Annual Bird Club Banquet at Penn Alps, Grantsville, 5 PM. Note: this date could change if the speaker is unavailable. JB Churchill will talk about bird¬ finding in Southern California (including San Diego, the Salton Sea, San Bernardino, and Big Bear) and also areas closer to San Francisco (Half Moon Bay to Yosemite). The cost of the dinner is $25.00. Please mail your check to Carol McDaniel, 437 Serenity Dr, Grantsville, MD 21536. Contact Melissa Hensel, mjhensel@yahoo.com or 240- 362-1086. ft Anne Arundel. Smithsonian Environmental Research Center. This is a large tract of mixed habitat along the Rhode river. The waterfront, open fields and mature forests attract a variety of land and water birds. 8 AM (half-day). Meet at Parole P&R. Leader Bobbi Reichwein, 410-798- 5940 or b.reichwein@gmail.com. ft Caroline. Bombay Hook. Meet at the Denton Walmart parking lot at 7:30 AM to car pool. Leaders Danny Poet 410-827-8651 or birder231@hotmail.com and Debby Bennett, 410-479-2978 or dabennettl996@gmail.com. ft Cecil. Waggoner's Gap Hawk Watch. Located near Carlisle, Pennsylvania, on the ridges favored by migrating hawks, this site is known for an excellent place to see Golden Eagles in November. Pack a lunch and dress warmly—it can be very windy and cold up there. Also, be aware that this is a steep, rocky outcrop, so strong shoes or hiking boots are helpful, as is a seat cushion. Meet at the North East Food Lion parking lot on Route 40 at 6 AM for an informal all-day trip. No trip leader. ft Harford. Swan Harbor Farm Park. This preserved area near the Upper Bay provides prime habitat for waterfowl, song birds, and marsh and field birds. Meet at 7:30 AM at the parking lot at the end of the driveway. Leader Matt Haffner, 410- 971-3203 or hafner.matt@gmail.com. Co-leader is Matt Addicks. ft Howard. Howard Conservancy at Mt Pleasant Farm Sky Watch. This trip will be strictly a sky watch for late-migrating raptors and other potential goodies. Our main target will be Golden Eagle; while not expected, early November is the best time to catch one flying over Howard County. Last year a half-day sky watch less than a mile from this location produced an immature Golden Eagle and a Sandhill Crane, along with good numbers of Bald Eagles and Red-tailed Hawks, plus Northern Harriers, accipiters, and some waterfowl. We will watch the skies and tally the birds as long as conditions are productive. Hope for a north wind! Bring water, lunch, hat, sunscreen, light-colored sun glasses, comfortable lawn chair (recliners are best), binocular, scope, and camera if you like. Participants can also walk the Conservancy trails if sky-watching proves non- 27 The Maryland Yellowthroat productive. Facilities available. Meet at parking lot at 9:30 AM. Half day. Leader Russ Ruffing, ruff2@verizon.net. ft Montgomery. Oaks Landfill. Explore this now- closed landfill adjacent to the Blue Mash Nature Trail. Mostly open terrain on a gravel road, including two pond views and one hill climb of moderate difficulty. Possible sparrows, raptors, and waterfowl. Leader will have scope for distant birds. We have special permission to enter this "closed to the public" landfill so reservations are essential. Limit 16. Meet at 8 AM. Contact leader Mark England, 240-207-3132 (home) or 240-375- 4500 (cell) for reservations and more information. ft Washington. Lambs Knoll. Observe Saw-whet Owl banding by Steve Huy. Wear sturdy shoes, bring a flashlight, and be prepared to stay as late as midnight. Children are welcome. Meet at 9:15 PM at the Boonsboro P&R. Call Bruce or Linda Field at 301-797-6189 to register. YMOS. Chincoteague NWR. This is a great opportunity to get a good look at a lot of bird species. Waterfowl will be back, and Chincoteague provides a unique opportunity to explore many types of habitats. Lodging will be provided Fri and/or Sat nights for students coming from a distance. 8 AM at the Refuge. More detailed information will be sent out in advance of the trip. Email George Radcliffe, radclifg@gmail.com, of your intent to go at least 2 weeks in advance of the trip. Then we will use email to coordinate actual departure times and locations, trip needs, carpooling, and additional information. Sunday, November 6 (Daylight Saving Time ends) ft Howard. Centennial Park. Easy walking on paved path around Centennial Lake. Woodlands, fields and water host a wide variety of species. Great view of the sky for flyovers. Early waterfowl, lingering migrants likely. Facilities available. Meet at west end parking lot at 8 AM. 2-3 hours. Leaders Karen and Kevin Heffernan, 410-418-8731 or KJHeff@aol.com. ft Talbot. Pickering Creek Audubon Center. Expect a variety of sparrows, wintering waterfowl and possibly the return of a golden eagle. Depart Easton Acme parking lot at 7 AM or meet at Pickering Creek parking lot at 7:20 AM. Leader Dave Bent, 410-822-2133. Maryland Fall Count 2016 The annual Fall Seasonal Count sponsored by MOS will be held on the 3 rd weekend of September in the Maryland-DC area. The MOS Board has left the choice of whether the count will be on Saturday the 17 th or Sunday the 18 th to local chapters and coordinators. In areas without an identified coordinator, individual parties submit their results directly to the statewide coordinator for inclusion. Anyone can participate, no matter your skill level. Every pair of eyes helps, and it can be a great learning experience and a lot of fun. The guidelines for this count are the same as those used for all seasonal counts. Local coordinators will assign volunteers to areas, honoring requests whenever possible. Party leaders are responsible for tracking party miles and times, names of participants, and documentation for unusual sightings. A new checklist compilation form (AOU Supplement order 56) is available on the MOS website, in the "Species Counts" section: http://www.mdbirds.orq/counts/fall/fallcounts.html . Check the Yellowthroat Calendar where the Fall Counts, dates, and compilers that were confirmed by the calendar deadline are listed. A list of the county coordinators can also be accessed on the MOS website link above. Anyone already organizing a count or interested in volunteering as a coordinator for another county currently without a coordinator are encouraged to contact the state coordinator. The deadline for submitting completed reports to your county/Chapter coordinator is October 1, 2016; county compilers are asked to submit compilations to the state coordinator by October 15. If you don't have web access or you are interested in counting in a county without a coordinator, you can contact the state-wide Fall Count Coordinator directly. Please plan to join the fun and have a great day birding! Chuck Stirrat, MOS Fall Count Coordinator Home phone: 410-531-2417; E-mail: stirrbird@outlook.com Sept/Oct 2016 28 POSTMASTER: TIME-DATED MATERIAL—PLEASE EXPEDITE! MARYLAND ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY, INC. P. O. Box 105, Monrovia, MD 21770-0105 Nonprofit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID at Hagerstown, MD Permit No. 184 The Maryland Yellowthroat Newsletter of the Maryland Ornithological Society, Inc. Editor: Richard Donham rdonham8@gmail.com Designer: Eric Skrzypczak ericskrz@gmail.com Calendar Editor: Marilyn Veek mveekmos@yahoo.com Chapter Chatter: Jean Wheeler jswheeler3@verizon.net Mailing list: Martha Crouse crouse.martha8@gmail.com MOS web site: http://www.mdbirds.org Webmaster: John Hays Christy SiteMaven@mdbirds.org Anyone is welcome to contribute articles, photos, or ideas that would be of interest to other birders. Copy may be e-mailed to Richard Donham by Sep 25, 2016 for the Nov/Dec 2016 issue. Illustrations pp. 1,6 ©M. Suzanne Probst MOS Chapter Web Sites (to be consulted for the most up-to-date trip/meeting info) Allegany/Garrett: westernmdbirding.com/ Anne Arundel: aabirdclub.org/ Baltimore baltimorebirdclub.org/ Caroline: carolinebirdclubmos.blogspot.com/ Carroll: mdbirds.org/about/chapters/carroll.html Cecil: cecilbirds.org/ Frederick: frederickbirdclub.org/ Harford: harfordbirdclub.org/ Howard: howardbirds.org/ Kent: kentcounty.com/recreation/birding/birding-club Montgomery: montgomerybirdclub.org/ Patuxent/PG: pgaudubon.org/ Talbot: mdbirds.org/about/chapters/talbot.html Tri-County (Wicomico, Worcester, Somerset): tricountybirdclub.weebly.com/ Washington: washingtoncountybirdclub.webs.com/ YMOS: ymos.org/ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016 VOL. 36, NO 5 jr / President's Corner By Barbara Johnson Ever wonder just what the MOS board does at those quarterly meetings? I certainly had no idea, walking into my first, several years ago. As I prepared to lead a meeting for the first time as President, I thought perhaps the inner workings of our organization would interest those who've never attended one. In choosing locations, MOS Vice-president Robin Todd looks to scatter the meetings as widely as possible, while retaining general accessibility. (Unfortunately, this means that chapters in western Maryland and the Eastern Shore are rarely asked to host.) The host chapters select a venue, and engage chapter volunteers to provide setup and refreshments. In advance of a meeting, MOS Secretary Maryanne Dolan sends reminders and the agenda to the executive committee, chapter presidents, state directors, and the chairs of 30+ standing committees. Treasurer Dave Webb and Investment Chair Jim Moore send ahead financial reports. On the morning of the meeting, the host chapter frequently organizes an early field trip nearby, ending in time for the 10AM start. Board members arrive and it's a warm and noisy gathering, with all the introductions, organizational chatter and shared stories of trips and sightings. When the gavel descends, the meeting proceeds much like many you've attended; announcements, minutes, treasurer's and chapter reports, moving into reports from committee chairs. It's the new business that really gets interesting. We don't all agree. Since I've been on the board, members have tussled over MOS investment strategy, our policy on outdoor cats and trap-neuter-and- release programs, allowing a sewer easement on sanctuary land, amendments to a position paper on fracking, and whether or not to compensate for historically volunteer-only tasks. During a recent discussion on whether to tap into MOS reserves for a large grant request, a state director attending her first meeting asked, "What are we doing with this money?", a question which expanded into a lively and fundamental conversation about our very purpose. ‘SXpQjfS) Table of Contents: President's Corner.1 AmazonSmile.2 Editor's Note.2 New Pin Contest Coordinator.3 The 2017 MOS Pin Contest.3 Chapter Chatter.4 Book Review. DDT WARS .10 Book Review: The Genius of Birds .11 Tubby Cove Boardwalk.11 Maryland/DC Records Committee.12 Birds of Note.15 MOS Calendar.16 November/December 2016 2 I encourage you to attend a board meeting. They're open to all members. If you're considering volunteering with the many faceted MOS, you can learn more about the committees which need your help (lots of them!) If you wonder what's happening with the sanctuaries, or YMOS, or the Maryland Bird Conservation Initiative, if you have concerns about building your chapter's membership or ideas about fundraising, or simply want a bigger picture of our organization, please come! You'll be invigorated and inspired by the company of a lot of lively, smart, committed folks who love birds and bird conservation just as you do. Check with the Yellowthroat or with your chapter president for the times and locations, and carpool! Barbaraiohnson222@qmail.com ( 5%PGJ f 5> MOS Is Now a Participating Charity with AmazonSmile AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support the Maryland Ornithological Society every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at AmazonSmile ( https://smile.amazon.com ), you'll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to MOS. You use the same account on Amazon.com and AmazonSmile. Your shopping cart, Wish List, wedding or baby registry, and other account settings are also the same. On your first visit to https://smile.amazon.com , you need to select Maryland Ornithological Society (Baltimore location) before you begin shopping. Amazon will remember your selection, and then every eligible purchase you make at AmazonSmile will result in a donation. Just remember to always use smile.amazon.com , or follow the link from our web pages, every time you shop at Amazon.-Dave Webb, MOS Treasurer Editor's Note: A Suggestion for Further Reading Most of the items that appear in The Maryland Yellowthroat are produced by regular column writers, and occasional contributors. As Editor of the Yellowthroat, I am very lucky to have such a dependable and careful group of colleagues. Occasionally, an unsolicited but interesting item comes to me from a birder outside our membership. Sometimes these items are inserted, usually without much modification. Late in August, something new came across my desk. I received an e-mail from Glen Chilton, Professor of Biology at James Cook University, in Queensland, Australia. Glen is an ornithologist, particularly interested in avian behavioral ecology. He told me that he had added a new section to his website under the title A Traveler's Guide to Feathers. Glen wrote: "Each week, I summarize the key points of a newly-published paper concerning birds from a scholarly journal". I was skeptical, but intrigued. I read that the goal was to describe the latest advances in the field, and that the scope was global and considered birds of all types, from "penguins on Bouvet Island to snake- eagles in Israel". Further, a goal was to provide "all of the content with none of the jargon". Being a retired academic, and knowing something about the flights of rarified jargon that often clutters understanding in scholarly journals, I muttered something like "We'll just see about that!" I went to glenchilton.com to 3 The Maryland Yellowthroat read that week's item, and quickly became hooked (I do love the bookmarking tab in my browser). The current item, titled That Seems Like a Lot of Foolin' Around, is typical: an interesting topic (who doesn't like a good sex story!), it describes a recent report (in the Journal of Field Ornithology) that uses genetic information from blood samples of adult and chick Cooper's Hawks to determine if the male of a bonded pair is the parent. This is of particular interest, because, as you may know, while infidelity is very common in some bird groups, that is not so in raptors. Generally, chicks are almost always the offspring of the social father. To find out about the licentious hawks of Milwaukee, and the explanations posited, you will have to check out the website. I highly recommend it as fun, interesting, reading: the current item is posted right there, and previous articles are linked. And Dr. Chilton is right: there is a minimum of obfuscating language, and the subjects are wide-ranging. Just in the last few posts he has written about the Pygmy Wren-babbler of Sumatra, Western Screech-owls in California, and Great Tits at the Madrid airport. All of the items I have looked at are easily readable and digested in a few minutes. So, if you wish to take your birding to the "next level", or just want some short diversion, I highly recommend heading on over to glenchilton.com and checking out some of the items posted in A Traveler's Guide to Feathers. New Pin Contest Coordinator Mike Bowen, a member of the Montgomery Chapter, has graciously agreed to take on the job as the coordinator of the annual Conference Pin Contest. Mike is well known to many MOS members as a speaker, a leader of field trips (for both his local chapter and the annual conference), an atlas volunteer and chair of the recent MOS nominating committee. Mike replaces Tri-County member, Ellen Lawler who retired after four years as coordinator. We appreciate Mike taking on this MOS job which insures that the pin contest, initiated by John Malcom in 1987, will continue without interruption into the future. Thanks Mike! -Ellen Lawler The 2017 MOS pin contest What artist wouldn't like to see their work grace a piece of jewelry worn by hundreds of people? Well for those of you who love painting birds as well as watching them, now's your chance; the winning entry for the 2017 contest will be featured on the pin given to all the attendees at next May's conference at the newly refurbished Wisp Resort in Western Maryland. So start working on your design of a bird appropriate for Garrett County, maybe one of the breeding warblers (Chestnut¬ sided, Blackburnian, Magnolia, Black- throated Blue or Green) or the thrushes that conference-goers will be looking for next May. Or how about Henslow's Sparrow - another local specialty bird? There are a lot of great birds to choose from, not just these, of course. Maybe even a Chickadee or Titmouse. The deadline for the receipt of entries is February 3, 2017. The rules are simple: the bird must be appropriate for the conference site (Garrett County); the design must include the phrases "MOS" and "2017"; the artist must be a member of MOS and the entries must be in hard copy. Put your name, address, e- mail address, phone number, chapter affiliation and the name of the species depicted on the back of each entry. Send entries to contest coordinator Mike Bowen at 8609 Ewing Drive, Bethesda MD 20817. November/December 2016 4 To see the complete rules and tips about designing entries for the contest visit the annual conference pages on the MOS web site ( http ://www.mdbirds.org ) or contact Mike Bowen at 301-530-5764 or at dhmbowen@yahoo.com. -Mike Bowen, Pin Contest Coordinator ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY In the midst of a hurried cross¬ country drive, I took a few hours to visit two favorite sites in the Midwest: Oklahoma's Black Mesa State Park, and Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area in central Kansas. Black Mesa extends 28 miles along the north bank of the Cimarron River, from southeast Colorado crossing northeast New Mexico and ending in the Oklahoma Panhandle. I arrived on September 5, a windy afternoon with temps in the 90's. Heading north from US Highway 412, I'd driven 20 miles without seeing another car. Crossing the cattle guard into the 550-acre state park, I was again jolted from the monotony surrounding the Mesa. My view opened onto a vast rugged landscape of buttes, ridges and scattered peaks, and cut by shallow canyons. The Mesa was formed by lava which filled a river valley, and then resisted erosion as wind and water exposed Cretaceous sandstone and Jurassic and Triassic formations. (Tons of dinosaur bones have been excavated from the area, and on private property nearby, I saw Allosaurus tracks!) The park, which has camping and RV facilities, is included in the 1600-acre Black Mesa Nature Preserve. With only a short time to explore, I drove the perimeter of the park's 200-acre manmade lake and through a section of preserve. I stopped to examine petrified logs, walk stretches of grass and cholla cactus, and scramble into rocky gullies dotted with junipers and cottonwoods. The park's unusual flora and geology is habitat for many bird species typical to the Rocky Mountains and the shortgrass prairie of the west and southwest. Among those I spotted in the park and preserve were White-faced Ibis, Osprey, Swainson's Hawk, Northern Harrier, Mississippi Kite, Prairie Falcon, Loggerhead Shrike, raven sp., Canyon Towhee, large flocks of Horned Larks and Lark Buntings, and many small flocks of Lark Sparrows. Nowhere else have I seen such varieties of grasshoppers! Butterflies abound, too. Way off the beaten track, but so worth the hike. I woke up the following morning in Great Bend, Kansas, just a few miles southwest of Cheyenne Bottoms, the largest marsh in the U.S interior. A natural land sink of 64 square miles, the wetland is critical to migrating birds, and among the 320 species recorded on eBird are Whooping and Sandhill Cranes, 25 species of ducks and geese, and many wading birds. Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area constitutes about half of the marsh, and is impounded as pools divided by dikes topped by gravel roads. Again, my time was scant, but I was able to see large flocks of Red-winged Blackbirds (I expected the yellow-headed version, but no), a few Canvasbacks and Mallards, 13 Wood Ducks, 450 Blue-winged Teal, 200 Double-crested Cormorants, 300 White Pelicans, (these were hastily-estimated numbers, because the 25-mph winds, while discouraging scoping, did nothing to dissuade the vampiric mosquitoes, several of which accompanied me on my further travels). Many egrets (Common, Snowy and Cattle) fed along the dykes and flocked over the marsh. Both Little Blue and Great Blue Herons abounded, as did Franklin's and Ring-billed Gulls. Barn and Cliff Swallows swooped around a culvert, perhaps eating the midges that swarm the 5 The Maryland Yellowthroat marsh in summer. There were a few far¬ away shorebirds, but in the spring, this area is alive with tens of thousands probing the mud for bloodworms, the larvae of midges. Nearby, Quivira National Wildlife Refuge contains marshes, dunes, and shortgrass prairie, and, according to eBird, 319 bird species. Hard to choose between the two. I hope next trip I won't have to!- Barbara Johnson CECIL COUNTY Cecil Bird Club's 23rd annual Turkey Point Hawk Watch began on Tuesday, September 6, and will continue through Thanksgiving weekend. The hawk watch, located near the lighthouse in Elk Neck State Park, was founded in 1994 by Charlie Gant and Gary Griffiths. David Kimball compiles our records and sends daily observation records to the Hawk Migration Association of North America (HMANA), available online at www.hmana.org . We routinely count 13 raptor species, listed below: • Black Vulture • Turkey Vulture • Osprey • Bald Eagle • Northern Harrier • Sharp-shinned Hawk • Cooper's Hawk • Red-shouldered Hawk • Broad-winged Hawk • Red-tailed Hawk • American Kestrel • Merlin • Peregrine Falcon We also see Golden Eagles, usually in November, and a few Northern Goshawks. Many migrating songbirds are also seen, including a variety of warblers, Blue Jays by the hundreds, and Red-headed Woodpeckers. You won't get better looks at Red-shouldered Hawks at any other hawk watch site! Note: This Hawk Watch is staffed 100% by volunteers. We try to have someone observing every day unless it is foggy or raining. To volunteer, please email Pat Valdata at pvaldata@zo o minternet. net.— Pat Valdata FREDERICK COUNTY Frederick Bird Club members Lois Kauffman and Marilyn Veek recently returned from a three week trip to Peru. They searched out birds along the coast, and from the puna grasslands of the high Andes through cloud forests to the tropical lowlands of the Manu Biosphere Reserve. Highlights included Humboldt Penguin, the endemic Peruvian Sea-side Cinclodes, seeing (not just hearing) both Brown and Undulated Tinamou, two Razor-billed Curassow on a riverbank, a Chestnut¬ breasted Coronet feeding a baby on its nest, scope views of a Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner, a Little Ground-tyrant posing for pictures on the roof of a building, and 26 species of tanagers. Many antbirds were heard, and several were seen well, much to Lois and Marilyn's delight. And they could actually see the curls on the head of the Curl-Crested Aracari. They were watching Blue-headed Parrots and Tui Parakeets at a clay lick when an ocelot made an unsuccessful grab for one of the parrots. The ocelot then spent several minutes hanging out in an alcove while all the birders in the blind snapped pictures. Two separate, unusual cold fronts meant rainy boat rides on the Madre de Dios River, which cut down on bird sightings, but also on the population of blackflies. The trip wrapped up with a lovely afternoon visit to Machu Picchu.- Marilyn Veek HARFORD COUNTY The trip description promised we would "Encounter Iceland's beautiful birdlife in environments from mountains to wetlands to lakes and lava fields, learning about this fascinating country's November/December 2016 6 culture, geology and history along the way." And we did! On June 5, 3 HBC members set off for Iceland for 11 days of birding. Marjie Heagy, Deb and Don Stewart joined a small group on a Road Scholar trip traveling from Reykjavik heading north along the west side of this island nation. Of the 70 birds targeted, we managed to sight 68. Some favorites in the Land of Fire and Ice included nesting Red-throated Divers, Slavonian Grebes, Black Scoter, eiders, Harlequin Duck, guillemot, Atlantic Puffin, Razorbills and so many more. Our guide was excellent making this a trip to remember.- Deb Stewart MONTGOMERY COUNTY In May, Gail Mackiernan and a friend from Massachusetts joined a Birdtour Asia trip to Taiwan and SE China. Gail wrote; "The other four participants were British, as was our guide, James Eaton. The tour started in Taipei, where some of the group did sightseeing on their own, visiting a museum and a Buddhist temple - and also managed to tick up a new bird at the Botanical Gardens: Malayan Night Heron! The next day birding started in earnest, the goal being the 30-plus Taiwanese endemics, as well as special birds seen most easily here. In 10 days the group cleaned up, with great views of all the endemics, as well as megas like Fairy Pitta, Siberian Crane, and Golden Parrotbill. Taiwan is noted for its pheasants, and they did not disappoint, with displaying males virtually at arm's length. Taiwan is a beautiful country, with spectacular central mountains and deep gorges, although its lowland forest is much depleted after centuries of human occupation. Access to birding areas is easy, there are many excellent lodges, and birding and bird photography is a growing hobby in the country. From Taiwan, the eager crew flew to Fujian province in China. This was only a week- long trip, and targets here were more pheasants, as well as a few rare birds with very limited ranges. One of these is Chinese Crested Tern; unfortunately they only managed distant flight views as overeager photographers had disturbed the birds' regular roost site. From here it was over to the central mountains, via brand new motorways strangely devoid of any traffic. (The fancy rest areas were also devoid of customers...). Staying in a mountaintop lodge, the crew drove or walked the twisting entry road early each morning in hopes of catching up with goodies such as Cabot's Tragopan, as well as Silver and Elliot's Pheasants. Having scored with these birds, the last two days were spent at the coast where unfortunately, Spoon-billed Sandpiper remained elusive. However, everyone enjoyed greats views of thousands of Red¬ necked Stints, as well as Great Knot, both Sandplovers, Whiskered Tern and Saunder's Gull. One final night at Shanghai's spectacular new airport hotel, and then the long flights home..." Photo of Mikado Pheasant by Gail Mackiernan. Scott Young reports "My wife, Alice, and I traveled to Iceland this July for a couple of weeks. We were part of a Sierra Club tour that explored the various terrains of this fascinating country. While not billed as a birding trip, there were many opportunities to view various species during our explorations of the geothermal areas, mountains, glaciers, lakes and seacoasts. The people were extremely friendly and their history was fascinating. Our trip took place after the 7 The Maryland Yellowthroat primary mating time of late spring but we were treated to many young bird families (usually missing the males!). About half of the birds we saw I had seen previously in Maryland and/or eastern USA." Scott has posted selected Icelandic bird pictures here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/wsyacy/alb ums/72157668567591974 and selected sights here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/wsya cy/albums/72157671602496316 Bruce Beehler says he took a whale-watching boat trip from Provincetown, Mass., on Thursday, September 8. "The four-hour trip, run by Dolphin Fleet Whale Watch, was beset by heavy fog, but in spite of that we had 50+ feeding Humpbacked Whales, 500+ Great Shearwaters attending the whales, plus smaller numbers of Sooty, Manx, and Cory's Shearwaters in the mix." Owen Crise, this year's recipient of the MOS youth backpack award for a promising young birder and an 11th grader at the Maret School, sends the following account: "This past summer, I had the privilege of attending a summer camp at the Audubon Society's Hog Island Sanctuary. The highlight of the camp was most certainly the visit to Eastern Egg Rock. A two-hour boat ride southwest of Hog Island brought us to the small sea bird paradise. All of us were filled with anticipation. Even before we had set foot on the rock, I managed to spot Razorbills flying by our boat using the new binoculars given to me by the Montgomery Bird Club. This sighting was a life bird for me and for many other campers. Getting onto the island was a harrowing experience. Because the waves were too high to bring the boat near the island, we had to cram onto a tiny rowboat, which felt like it could tip at any moment, to bring us there. Once on Egg Rock, we were faced with a new threat: the birds. Although they are small, the Common Tern is a vicious and fearless creature. They dove at us at high speeds, using their needle-like beaks to peck at our heads and necks; some of the less lucky on our group got guano down their necks. Once we met up with the interns working on the island, we set out to help with some repairs. I was lucky enough to work on some of the Leech's Storm Petrol burrows, as I got to see a few birds in the process. After the repairs were finished, we were assigned to our blinds, small 8 ft. by 8 ft. plywood boxes with small slits in them for observing birds. Although a blind was cramped and stuffy, I hardly minded because my attention was focused on the Puffins. Just when I thought the day couldn't get any better, I got to see my first Puffin. Although most of us were intent on taking as many photos of Puffins as was humanly possible, we had been tasked with recording which Puffin burrows were active and how many fish were brought to feed the baby pufflings. With the threat of an approaching storm, we rapidly re-boarded our boat and journeyed back to Hog Island. I would indeed love to return to Eastern Egg Rock." Photo of Atlantic Puffin by Owen Crise. Bruce Crise , Owen's father, added to the report of their summer with the following: "The week of August 21 st Owen and I continued our annual tradition of having an end-of-the-summer adventure into a remote area of the United States. This year we chose the northeast corner of Wyoming where we climbed to the top of the Devils Tower. The tower is known for its resident nesting falcons. These falcons seem to be acclimated to having climbers around and weren't bashful about November/December 2016 8 letting us know by their constant screaming that we were intruding on their mountain. On our way up the 750 foot climb, we were continuously within earshot of a falcon roosting on a rock outcropping. We were climbing in the shade on the northeast side of the tower and the falcon was located to the south of our climbing route, leaving it almost always illuminated from behind and making identification difficult. We did, however get a couple of clear views of it sitting on a rock ledge about 25 yards away. Curiously, a small flock of Rock Pigeons were living life on the edge, flitting between gaps in the rock just a few hundred feet below the peregrine. Unfortunately, due to space constraints and risk of damage, we were unable to pack the binoculars Owen received from the MBC (or anything else except climbing gear and water) on the ascent. At any rate, it would have been a little difficult to get a hand free to train binoculars on a target while on the near vertical aspects of the tower."- Chris Wright SOUTHERN MARYLAND Jane Kostenko and I have been working at American Birding Association events since 1994. We were invited to work the ABA Rally in Sierra Vista, Arizona in mid-August this year—our 28 th one! Due to work constraints, we weren't able to fly in early or linger after the event so it was a whirlwind of birding then we flew home! We arrived on Monday, August 15 to find that the rental company didn't have any record of the minivan that ABA had arranged the day before. Same day rates aren't great but we needed the van so we took it. We threw our luggage in the back and bolted south to Madera Canyon, a Mecca for birding very close to Tucson. The list of potential life birds on this trip was small and became smaller due to limitations I'll write about below. We arrived at the Santa Rita Lodge where two Plain-capped Starthroats had been present for a couple of weeks. Initially it was believed there was only one bird but close-up photos showed that one bird had a fractured lower mandible. That bird had been at the lodge for at least 3 years so the defect didn't seem to be harming the bird. Because these hummers are mainly insectivores, they didn't rely as heavily on nectar as other species so when they did deign to visit the feeder, it was for only 15 to 30 seconds. If you weren't watching, you could miss them. A man who lived nearby was stationed on a bench watching one of the favored feeders. He'd been there an hour with no sighting. He left at noon. A man from Arlington, VA arrived about then and began watching the other favored feeder. At 12:59 pm he called out "Starthroat!" and we moved as quickly to his location as possible without startling the bird. It sipped at the feeder for a few seconds giving us brief but identifiable looks before it sailed away. Since we needed to be back at the airport to run a shuttle to Sierra Vista leaving the airport at 3:30 pm, we waited a little longer then had to head back to Tucson. The hummer eventually returned but we never would have been able to stay long enough and fulfill our duties. Tuesday morning was the first day of field trips. Because of a personnel shortage, I was tasked with helping lead a field trip each day, through Thursday, to the Sonoita/Patagonia area. Jane came with me on the first and third days. Because of the recent monsoon rains, the usually dry grassland at Las Cienegas National Conservation Area, in Sonoita, was vivid green. One of the reasons why ABA scheduled their event at this time of year, despite the heat, is because during the monsoon, birds begin nesting. There is an amazing rebirth of everything from plants to birds to insects. With lots of flying protein, in the form of bugs, the birds are able to provide a bounty for their nestlings. Botteri's and Cassin's Sparrows have an exceptional developmental period where the juveniles do a complete feather molt after only a month. This is only possible because of the amount of available food. 9 The Maryland Yellowthroat So, upon entering the grassland, we parked and there was a male Botteri's Sparrow teed up in a mesquite bush. He was there every day. A bit further into the grassland, the dominant grass species changes to a taller grass which is the favored habitat of Cassin's Sparrow. There were several at one stop and we were able to get good scope views of them also teed up in mesquite bushes. Our last stop in the grassland was at the Empire Ranch. This, in addition to providing a much needed restroom break, includes a riparian area. The avifauna is quite different down in the cottonwoods and sycamores. Gray Hawks were nesting in here and we heard them often but saw them infrequently. Two Olive-sided Flycatchers were an early arrival. Vermilion Flycatchers and Western Wood- pewees were easily found here. Next stop was The Cafe in Sonoita for lunch on the patio. They have solar panels which provide shade for the patio seating, kind of a win-win situation. Curve-billed Thrashers roamed the parking lot hunting bugs on car grills and a family of Scaled Quail was seen on the roof of an adjacent building. Cassin's Kingbirds were feeding a fledgling. All visible from the patio! After lunch, we headed to Patagonia and the famous Paton Center for Hummingbirds. The property was purchased by the American Bird Conservancy, Tucson Audubon, and Victor Emanual Nature Tours from the family of the Patons when both had passed away. Their home had always welcomed birders but has been expanded and the habitat enhanced since the purchase. Violet- crowned Hummingbird is the specialty there and we weren't disappointed. They have a clean white front and a vivid purple crown that makes them very easy to pick out of the clouds of hummingbirds there. A final stop was at the infamous Patagonia Picnic Table. Some of you may have heard of the Patagonia Picnic Table Effect. Basically, someone found a rare bird there, perhaps a Five-striped Sparrow or Rose-throated Becard and when others went to see it, they found more rarities. We found Varied Buntings, Bell's Vireo, and Thick-billed Kingbird, among other regional specialties. On Friday, there were three different trips, each to locations participants wanted to visit for birds not found yet. Jane and I drove a van, along with two other leaders, to Pena Blanca Canyon, near Nogales, then on to Madera for lunch then home. Driving up the rocky creek bed at Pena Blanca Canyon was interesting to say the least. Our Chevy van fared better than the Fords because of the wheelbase and suspension. As we hiked up into the canyon, we heard a male Elegant Trogon calling on a hillside. We got brief glimpses of it before it flew up and over the hill. Later, another bird sailed over our heads showing off the rose breast and unique under-tail pattern. We were tantalized by a singing Rufous- capped Warbler, one of our other target life birds. It popped out briefly and I was able to see a flash of yellow before it disappeared, not good enough to count it, though. We had a few encounters with Border Patrol agents on ATVs which did not enhance the experience! If you've never been to southeast Arizona, late July to mid-August is an excellent time to visit if you can handle the heat. The list of rarities is usually impressive and the local birds are often not found anywhere else in the US. Be sure to drink lots of water and use lots of sunscreen! Long sleeve shirts and pants are standard wear for keeping the sun off, too. - Tyler Bell Amazon Trip, 2016 Gwen Brewer and George Jett spent two weeks on a boat in the southern part of the Amazon in June. They had about 330 species of birds, 19 primates, and another 40 species of mammals including Pink River Dolphin. They also had lots of reptiles and amphibians, dragonflies, and butterflies. Take a look at George's website to see representatives from each group. And, click on the second November/December 2016 10 link for a narrative from the tour company!- Gwen Brewer http://www.georgejett.net/index.php/Braz il-2016 http ://somdaudu bon. org/?p = 848 TALBOTT COUNTY After 4.5 years as Events Coordinator of the American Birding Association, George Armistead was offered the job of Networking Officer of Rockjumper Worldwide Birding Tours, based in South Africa. Harry; Liz, and George have recently been on 2 Rockjumper Tours (in association with A.B.A.) to India and South Africa. In September George was at a business meeting of Rockjumper, but they visited a private reserve there and he obtained good videos of rhinos, cheetahs, and lions. - Harry Armistead. Book Review. DDT WARS: Rescuing Our National Bird, Preventing Cancer, and Creating the Environmental Defense Fund, by Charles F. Wurster. Oxford University Press, New York. ISBN 978-0-19-021941- 3 (HB) Charles Wurster recently moved to Riderwood Retirement Village where I live and I was introduced to him by a mutual friend. In our first conversation he told me about his book and gave me a copy. As I read it, I became engrossed in the story that unfolded through the pages. Here is a story that has not been told and needs to be told about a controversial subject - the elimination of DDT - and one that due credit has not been given to the people who worked so hard for several years to bring it about. It was not the Federal Government, Congress or Dept, of Agriculture that banned DDT, but dedicated private citizens, who through persistence, research and legal means achieved remarkable results that led the EPA to banning DDT in 1972. When President Nixon created the Environmental Protection Agency in 1970 one of its mandates was to regulate pesticides and protect the environment. Previously pesticides were regulated by the U.S. Dept, of Agriculture by primarily protecting the manufacturers and promoting their products, something they still do. The people who would eventually create the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) had amassed indisputable scientific evidence of the harmful effects of DDT. With skillful lawyers, some of whom served without pay in the beginning, they presented indisputable evidence to the courts in several states over time that led to a judicial ruling against DDT in this country. It left the possibility of manufacturing and distribution of DDT to other countries intact. The EDF Activists realized early on that they could only achieve their goals through the courts, which at the time was extremely difficult. In those days individuals could not sue the Federal Government and corporate interests. In October of 1967 one woman and nine men signed the articles of incorporation for the EDF. "EDF was created and designed to litigate on behalf of environmental quality." Charles Wurster was one of them. The strategies and legal arguments used by EDF teams supported by scientific studies and vigorously opposed by manufacturers led to the banning of DDT. The lawyers for the corporate giants could not refute their arguments and clear evidence. The book described the history of these battles, their defeats while winning strong points, their victories, the persons who played key roles and pure dedication of many to a final conclusion with the banning of DDT. They went on to prove that Dieldrin and similar products were harmful to wildlife and the environment, including a health danger to humans. These victories saved Bald Eagles and other birds of prey, who were suffering the loss of young through the thinning of their egg shells and well as 11 The Maryland Yellowthroat birds such as robins that were dying from neurological damage. Rachel Carson's "Silent Spring " played no small part in strengthening their arguments. Finally they presented evidence that these pesticides were a serious risk to humans and could cause cancers. Bald Eagle, Osprey, Peregrine Falcon populations and other birds have had a dramatic increase in numbers since DDT and other dangerous pesticides have been banned. These pioneers in protecting our environment have been vilified as promoting genocide, damaging our food crops and other outrageous claims by those who produce and promote these products. In spite of this, the EDF continues to fight for the environment and win victories that protect all of us. I highly recommend this exciting and important book to everyone who loves nature, who enjoys the sight of an eagle flying over (something that is becoming more common thanks to the people mentioned in the book) and can feel safe eating pesticide-free foods. -Don Messersmith Book Review: The Genius of Birds, by Jennifer Ackerman. Penquin Press, New York. 2016. ISBN 978-1-594-20521-7. This book is yet another example of the genius of Jennifer Ackerman and is mine of information for all interested in animal behavior. Readers will find her luminous prose both provocative and beguiling. They will also find themselves observing birds in a more informed way and marveling at avian intelligence and its astonishing adaptability. Epithets such as 'bird brain' no longer apply. Birds can problem solve to a remarkable degree, recall the past and ponder the future, recognize faces and converse in a way unmatched by other twitterers! In short it is challenging our view of what is mean to be intelligent. With a marble sized brain, information processing systems function much like our cerebral cortex. Some readers will recall that crows can craft and use tools, undertake sophisticated navigation, remember where that store food but may not realize that sing to one another in regional accents. Clark's Nutcracker, can secrete as many as 30,000 seeds over a wide landscape and locate them several months later. Mockingbirds and thrashers can store 200 to 2,000 different songs and the New Caledonian crow makes its own tools. To that I can testify! In her world-wide survey and consultation with many experts, Ackerman shows how much they are like us -- the good, bad and the ugly. They can be perverse, be deceptive and manipulative, be cunning, become social climbers, gossip (using social media?) and blackmail their parents. They are also capable of fairness, sharing, teaching their offspring, grieving and consoling their kind. They can also be artistic. What next, one wonders? -Colin Rees <2V5Ci/2> Tubby Cove Boardwalk Restoration Project As the days grow shorter and colder, many of us in the birding community eagerly anticipate the return of the many colorful and dynamic waterfowl species that inhabit our rivers, creeks, ponds and bays during the winter months. And what better place is there for viewing both a wide variety of waterfowl and the elegant Tundra Swan than at Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge in Rock Flail - especially on the Tubby Cove boardwalk and its Calf Pasture viewing platform? Sadly, due to the boardwalk and platform having recently failed a safety inspection, the Fish and Wildlife Service has been forced to dismantle the platform and close off the boardwalk to the public. The Friends of Eastern Neck (FOEN), which supports the activities of the Refuge, recognizes the significant contribution an accessible Tubby Cove November/December 2016 12 makes to the overall visitor experience. FOEN has therefore launched a broad- based public fundraising campaign to raise $40,300, the total estimated to reconstruct both the lengthy boardwalk and the viewing platform. FOEN is pleased to announce a leadership gift of a $15,000 match from the Kent County Bird Club, and we are reaching out to all of you who visit and enjoy Eastern Neck to support this effort so that we can re-open this wonderful resource, Tubby Cove, to the public sometime this winter. Members of the Bird Club voted to support the project at their September meeting, since conservation and observation of birds in Kent County are primary purposes of the club. Any donations from birders and members of the public will be welcomed and will be used to match the Kent County Bird Club's gift. Tax-deductible contributions may be addressed to the Friends of Eastern Neck, with a "Boardwalk" notation on the check, and mailed to: FOEN, P.O. Box 450, Rock Flail, MD 21661; or you may drop off a donation at the Refuge Lodge bookstore on your next visit. - Margaret Parry , Vice President, Kent County Bird Club & Member, FOEN Board Sunrise at the Tubby Cove boardwalk. Photograph by Nancy Martin Maryland/DC Records Committee Status Report as of September 24, 2016 by Phil Davis, MD/DCRC Secretary The Maryland/DC Records Committee (MD/DCRC) has reached the following record decisions since the last committee status report was published in The Maryland Yellowthroat. This report covers MD/DCRC review packages 162 through 164. MD/DCRC report numbers are in brackets. These records will be addressed in additional detail in a future issue of Maryland Bird life. New "state" species (marked with asterisks) include, for MD: Snowy Plover and Western-type Flycatcher (i.e., one of the two species within the Pacific-slope/Cordilleran Flycatcher [Empidonax difficilis/occidentalis ] complex) and for DC: Bell's Vireo. These additions bring the total species on the Official Lists of the Birds of MD and DC to 450 and 335, respectively. More information on the MD/DCRC can be found on the committee's web pages at the following URL: http://www.mdbirds.org/mddcrc/rc index.html MD Records Accepted: Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Dendrocygna autumnalis [MD/2015-052] Hopkins Farm, Darlington, Harford County. 30-Jun-2015. Six birds. Barnacle Goose, Branta leucopsis [MD/2015-007] Fallston, Harford County. 01-Feb-2015. Two birds. Trumpeter Swan, Cygnus buccinator [MD/2009-109] Fairgale Farms, Chestertown, Kent County. ~06-Feb-2009 through 16-Feb-2009. Two birds. Trumpeter Swan, Cygnus buccinator [MD/2009-102] Rocky Gap State Park, Flintstone, Allegany County. 26-Mar-2009. One bird. 13 The Maryland Yellowthroat Trumpeter Swan, Cygnus buccinator [MD/2013-010] Blackwater NWR, Cambridge, Dorchester County. 04-Feb- 2013. One bird. Trumpeter Swan, Cygnus buccinator [MD/2013-020] Violettes Lock, Seneca, Montgomery County. 17-Mar-2013. Four birds. Trumpeter Swan, Cygnus buccinator [MD/2014-001] Ulmstead Point Park, Arnold, Anne Arundel County. 05-Jan- 2014 through 06-Feb-2014. One adult. Trumpeter Swan, Cygnus buccinator [MD/2014-004] Lake Artemesia, Greenbelt, Prince George's County. 13-Jan-2014 through 17-Feb-2014. Two adults. Trumpeter Swan, Cygnus buccinator [MD/2014-006] Blackwater NWR, Cambridge, Dorchester County. 20-Jan- 2014 through 02-Apr-2014. Two adults. Trumpeter Swan, Cygnus buccinator [MD/2014-038] C&O Canal Terminus, Cumberland, Allegany County. 05-Jun- 2014 through 15-Apr-2015. One bird. Trumpeter Swan, Cygnus buccinator [MD/2014-104] Lake Churchill, Germantown, Montgomery County. 08-Nov-2014 through 17-Sep-2016. One bird. Trumpeter Swan, Cygnus buccinator [MD/2014-107] Ulmstead Point Park, Arnold, Anne Arundel County. 21-Nov-2014 through 14-Mar-2015. One bird. Trumpeter Swan, Cygnus buccinator [MD/2014-109] Lake Artemesia, Greenbelt, Prince George's County. 29-Nov-2014 through 03-Feb-2015. One bird. Trumpeter Swan, Cygnus buccinator [MD/2014-111] Fort Ritchie, Cascade, Washington County. 30-Nov-2014 through ~08-Dec-2014. One bird. Trumpeter Swan, Cygnus buccinator [MD/2015-008] Chesapeake Bay, Shady Side, Anne Arundel County. 01-Feb-2015. Seven birds: four adults and three cygnets. Trumpeter Swan, Cygnus buccinator [MD/2015-009] Patuxent Research Refuge, Laurel, Prince George's County. 10-Feb-2015 through 06-Apr-2015. Four to six birds. Trumpeter Swan, Cygnus buccinator [MD/2015-014] Ijamsville, Frederick County. 18-Feb-2015 through 28-Feb- 2015. One bird. Trumpeter Swan, Cygnus buccinator [MD/2015-034] Lake Elkhorn, Columbia, Howard County. 19-May-2015. Three adults. Tufted Duck, Aythya fuligula [MD/2016- 014] Tyding Flats, Havre de Grace, Harford County. 29-Feb-2016 through 03- Mar-2016. One adult male. Barrow's Goldeneye, Bucephala islandica [MD/2014-113] Elms Environmental Education Center, Dameron, Saint Mary's County. 21-Dec-2014 through 15-Jan-2015. One male. Barrow's Goldeneye, Bucephala islandica [MD/2015-097] Elms Environmental Education Center, Dameron, Saint Mary's County. 27-Dec-2015 through 28-Feb-2016. One male. Yellow-nosed Albatross, Thalassarche chlororhynchos [MD/2014-073] Atlantic Ocean, Pelagic Zone, Worcester County. 03-Dec-1979. One bird, immature or sub¬ adult. Brown Booby, Sula leucogaster [MD/2015-057] Baltimore Harbor, Baltimore City, Baltimore County. 05-Sep-2015 through 30-Nov-2015. Two birds; one adult female, one subadult. Neotropic Cormorant, Phalacrocorax brasilianus [MD/2015-031] Violettes Lock, Seneca, Montgomery County. 09-May-2015 through 23-Aug-2015. One bird. Reddish Egret, Egretta rufescens [MD/2015-078] Skimmer Island, Ocean City, Worcester County. 28-Sep-2015 through 06-0ct-2015. One dark morph bird. November/December 2016 14 Yellow Rail, Coturnicops noveboracensis [MD/2016-021] St. Paul Street, Downtown, Baltimore County. 27-Apr- 2016 through 30-Apr-2016. One bird. *Snowy Plover, Charadrius nivosus [MD/2015-029] Hart-Miller Island, Millers Island, Baltimore County. 04-May-2015 through 06-May-2015. One adult male in breeding plumage. Eurasian Collared-Dove, Streptopelia decaocto [MD/2015-026] Snow Hill, Worcester County. 15-Apr-2015. One adult. ^Western-type Flycatcher, Empidonax difficilis/o cciden ta I is [ M D/2015 -086] Poplar Neck, Preston, Caroline County. 16-Nov-2015. One bird. Say's Phoebe, Sayornis say a [M D/2015- 079] Chesapeake Farms, Chestertown, Kent County. 03-0ct-2015. One adult. Vermilion Flycatcher, Pyrocephalus rubinus [MD/2015-099] Quail Run Nursery, Galena, Kent County. 27-Dec- 2015 through 20-Jan-2016. One female. Ash-throated Flycatcher, Myiarchus cinerascens [MD/2016-002] Darnestown, Montgomery County. 13-Jan-2016 through 16-Jan-2016. One bird. Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Tyrannus forficatus [MD/2015-048] Assateague Island National Seashore, Berlin, Worcester County. 18-Jun-2015. One bird. Rock Wren, Salpinctes obsoletus [MD/2015-082] Sunset Park, Ocean City, Worcester County. 21-Oct-2015 through 22-Oct-2015. One bird. Le Conte's Sparrow, Ammodramus leconteii [MD/2015-094] Hart-Miller Island, Millers Island, Baltimore County. 07-Dec-2015. One bird. Western Tanager, Piranga ludoviciana [MD/2016-005] Newburg, Charles County. 26-Jan-2016. One bird. Lazuli Bunting, Passerina amoena [MD/2015-100] Maryland Coastal Bays Program, Berlin, Worcester County. 28-Dec-2015 through 07-Feb-2016. One adult male in basic plumage. MD Records ID OK/Questionable Origin: Trumpeter Swan, Cygnus buccinator [MD/1997-218] Black Hill Regional Park, Boyds, Montgomery County. 25-Jan-1992 through Ol-Feb-1992. One bird. Trumpeter Swan, Cygnus buccinator [MD/1997-394] Black Hill Regional Park, Boyds, Montgomery County. 17-Feb-1996. One adult and one immature. Trumpeter Swan, Cygnus buccinator [MD/1999-015] Conowingo Lake, Conowingo, Harford County. 17-Jan-1999. One first winter juvenile. MD Records ID OK/Exotic Origin: Trumpeter Swan, Cygnus buccinator [MD/2005-069] San Domingo Creek, St. Michaels, Talbot County. ~15-Dec-1983 through 06-Apr-1984. Two immature siblings (male and female). MD Records Not Accepted: Barnacle Goose, Branta leucopsis [MD/2016-012] Heron Point, Royal Oak, Talbot County. 19-Feb-2016. One bird. Trumpeter Swan, Cygnus buccinator [MD/2013-011] Patuxent Research Refuge, Laurel, Prince George's County. 16-Feb-2013 through 16-Mar-2013. One bird. Trumpeter Swan, Cygnus buccinator [MD/2015-005] South River, Crownsville, Anne Arundel County. 04-Jan-2015. One bird. Trumpeter Swan, Cygnus buccinator [MD/2015-045] Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Beltsville, Prince George's County. 26-Apr-2015 through 27-Apr-2015. One immature. Neotropic Cormorant, Phalacrocorax brasilianus [MD/2011-157] Violettes Lock, Seneca, Montgomery County. 18-May- 2011. One bird. Burrowing Owl, Athene cunicularia [MD/2015-091] Chevy Chase, Montgomery County. ~28-Nov-2015. One bird. 15 The Maryland Yellowthroat Ash-throated Flycatcher, Myiarchus cinerascens [MD/2015-090] Frederick, Frederick County. 14-Dec-2014. One bird. Swainson's Warbler, Limnothlypis swainsonii [MD/2014-032] Bladensburg Waterfront Park, Bladensburg, Prince George's County. 06-May-2014. One bird. Swainson's Warbler, Limnothlypis swainsonii [MD/2014-036] Calvert Cliffs State Park, Lusby, Calvert County. 10-May-2014 through 13-May-2014. One bird. Western Tanager, Piranga ludoviciana [MD/2015-056] Woodstock, Floward County. 22-Aug-2015. One bird. Pyrrhuloxia, Cardinalis sinuatus [MD/2015-059] Germantown, Montgomery County. 02-Sep-2015. One bird. DC Records Accepted: *Bell's Vireo, Vireo bellii [DC/2015-080] National Arboretum. 12-Oct-2015 through 17-Oct-2015. One bird. Birds of Note - by Les Rostund The birds featured in this Birds of Note column are those that provided joy to birders during a summer in Maryland that started off quite wet and hot. The wet part went away in early August but the hot part continued into much of September. Still, autumn migration was rich with birds including the expected species along with a sprinkling of unusual visitors. In mid-July two separate inland sightings of RUFF species brought shorebird wandering to the attention of a few lucky birders. The first one, a nicely marked male, was located during a Jul 13 birding visit to Poplar Island in Talbot County. The trip report, provided by Kurt Schwarz of Ellicott City, called the bird large compared to a nearby GREATER YELLOWLEGS, and noted a shorter bill, black breast and red back of neck. This bird showed a prominent ruff. Some 20 birders managed good looks at this somewhat unusual inland visitor. The Jul 13 Poplar Island trip was quite productive. Besides the RUFF, other exciting birds that day included 30 BLACK-NECKED STILTS, 74 AMERICAN AVOCETS and 4 BLACK TERNS. The second RUFF species of the month, probably a female (REEVE), was discovered and reported by Josh Emm at Swan Harbor Farm Park in Harford County on Jul 18. It was relocated on the 19 th for a few others to enjoy but was not reported after that. Close to a month later, on Aug 24, a second unusual inland shorebird visit occurred. This bird, a RED KNOT, also was found on a Poplar Island visit. Good views were attained by most of the birders on the trip and Kevin Ebert was given credit for being the first person to find it. The Aug 24 Poplar Island visit produced a total of 22 shorebird species. The sandpipers included 2 BAIRD'S, 1 WHITE-RUMPED and 3 BUFF-BREASTED. A few days later, on Aug 26, Jeff Effinger of Wittman, Talbot County, noticed a RED KNOT amongst some shorebirds probing a wet area of a newly planted corn field near Lowe's Wharf in Talbot County. Jeff notified local birders and several were able to find and enjoy this bird during the next few days before the wet spot dried out. Also on Aug 26 Kathy Calvert reported observation of an UPLAND SANDPIPER in one of the fields beside the runways of the airport in Easton. This species is known to occasionally use the airport fields as a resting and foraging place during fall migration, but is not a regular visitor. Kathy did what she could to spread the word of the sighting, and a few other birders were known to have November/December 2016 16 found the bird. However, a small air show was scheduled for the following day. That event brought out quite a few people. Attempts to relocate the UPPIES after that event were not successful. Aug 16 turned out to be quite a day for PHALAROPES in this area. At the Swan Creek Dredge Containment Facility, Anne Arundel County, four WILSON'S PHALAROPES were seen and photographed. Later, at Poplar Island in Talbot County both WILSON'S and RED¬ NECKED versions were reported. Naturally mid-August featured some fine warbler sightings as these little beauties passed through. Some of the most special sightings included LOUISIANA WARBER (Aug 14) at Violette's Lock (Montgomery County), LOUISIANA WARBLER (2 on Aug 15) at Cromwell Valley Park (Baltimore County), BLUE¬ WINGED and CHESTNUT-SIDED (Augl5) at Wheaton Regional Park (Montgomery) and MOURNING (Aug 13) at Cromwell Valley. On Sep 11 Eric Christian, while kayaking on the waters of the Rocky Gorge Reservoir, was treated to the arrival of two immature WHITE IBISES. Though Eric regular uses Rocky Gorge, WHITE IBISES are quite rare at the site. Word of their presence spread rapidly, and many birders have managed to add the species to their bird lists for both Montgomery and Howard Counties. The IBISES seem to have taken a liking to the setting, for they have stayed around, much to the joy of local birders. Several other interesting bird sightings have been reported as autumn approaches. There were up to nine YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERONS at Conowingo Dam (Harford County) on Aug 13, as reported by Walt Durling. A SWALLOW-TAILED KITE was seen on Sep 23 by Jim Stasz as it flew above Chesapeake Forest in Caroline County. Clive Harris of Cabin John discovered two LARK SPARROWS and two DICKSISSELS along Shell Road during a visit to Assateague Island on Sep 24. Perhaps the top recent highlight was a brief sighting of a BROWN BOOBY over Chesapeake Bay waters in Kent County. David Littlepage spotted this bird from his sailboat on Sep 18. In his report of the bird, David wrote: "It was flying low, about 4 to 5 feet above the water and plunge diving. It had long dark thin wings and white belly and underwings. I immediately saw the large angular beige- colored bill. It continued to fly low and plunge into the water with a small splash, followed by a repeat of the process. (Eventually) it flew off in the general direction of Rock Hall." Apparently this was an adult bird, and naturally we are left to wonder if this was one of the two BROWN BOOBIES that spent so much time in Baltimore Harbor last year. Time may tell. MOS Calendar Nov - Dec 2016 By Marilyn Veek Tuesday, November 1 Meeting. Baltimore. Tuesday Evening at Cylburn. "Inside a Bald Eagle's Nest and Inside an Osprey's Nest." Teena Ruark Gorrow, Ph.D, Professor, Department of Education, Salisbury University, and Craig Koppie, Eagle/Raptor Biologist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Teena and Craig have published Inside a Bald Eagle's Nest: A Photographic Journey Through the American Bald Eagle Nesting Season, and Inside an Osprey's Nest: a Photographic Journey through Nesting Season. They will discuss eagle and osprey behavior and activities as these magnificent birds nest, mate, lay eggs and raises their young. Doors open at 7 PM for socializing and snacks, show starts about 7:15 PM. 17 The Maryland Yellowthroat Meeting. Kent. Program and Speaker TBD. 7:30 PM, Wesley Hall at Heron Point, off East Campus Ave, Chestertown. If you have questions, please contact Walter Ellison and Nancy Martin, 410-778-9568 or borealdee@gmail.com. Wednesday, November 2 ft Baltimore. First Wednesday Walk at Fort McHenry. One of a series of morning surveys of bird activity at the Fort and wetland. Telescopes useful. Cancelled in inclement weather. Park outside the main entrance gate, in lot on left, and meet at the gate. 8 AM. Leader Mary Chetelat, 410-665-0769. Meeting. Carroll. " Aimophila Adventures - Birding in Arizona" by Kurt Schwarz, at Carroll Nonprofit Center, 255 Clifton Blvd, Westminster. 7 PM. Contact Don Jewell at jewelldg@gmail.com. Meeting. Cecil. Speaker TBA. Elkton Library, 7 to 8:30 PM. For more information, contact Maryanne Dolan, maryanne.dolan@gmail.com. ft Washington. Washington Monument Hawk Watch. Weekly hawk watches at the monument are sponsored by Washington County Bird Club and Potomac Valley Audubon Society. Meet trip leader Sandy Sagalkin at the upper parking lot of the Washington Monument State Park at 9:30 AM. Contact Sandy at sandy.sagalkin@gmail.com or 240-291- 6465 to register or with any questions you may have. Thursday, November 3 Meeting. Frederick. Mike Bowen will speak on "Birding in Wales." 7 PM at Homewood at Crumland Farms. Contact Kathy Brown, 301-865-1369. Friday, November 4 Dinner/Meeting. Harford. "The Wild Things of Trinidad and Tobago" by Mark Johnson. Churchville Presbyterian Church, 2844 Churchville Rd. Dinner at 6:15 PM, general meeting at 7:15 PM, presentation at 8 PM. Reservations required. Contact Johanne Henrickson, johen24@gmail.com. Saturday-Sunday, November 5-6 MOS. Work Weekend at Irish Grove. Join others for a work weekend to help maintain the house and grounds of this Somerset County Sanctuary. Great birding opportunities as well. Stay overnight for free. Contact Dotty Mumford, dottymum@comcast.net or 443-214- 5154, for more details and to RSVP. Saturday, November 5 Dinner/Meeting. Allegany/Garrett. The Annual Bird Club Banquet at Penn Alps, Grantsville, 5 PM. Note: this date could change if the speaker is unavailable. JB Churchill will talk about bird-finding in Southern California (including San Diego, the Salton Sea, San Bernardino, and Big Bear) and also areas closer to San Francisco (Half Moon Bay to Yosemite). The cost of the dinner is $25. Please mail your check to Carol McDaniel, 437 Serenity Dr, Grantsville, MD 21536. Contact Melissa Hensel, mjhensel@yahoo.com or 240-362-1086. ft Anne Arundel. Smithsonian Environmental Research Center. This is a large tract of mixed habitat along the Rhode river. The waterfront, open fields and mature forests attract a variety of land and water birds. 8 AM (half-day). Meet at Parole P&R. Leader Bobbi Reichwein, 410-798-5940 or b.reichwein@gmail.com. ft Caroline. Bombay Hook. Meet at the Denton Walmart parking lot at 7:30 AM to car pool. Leaders Danny Poet 410-827- 8651 or birder231@hotmail.com and Debby Bennett, 410-479-2978 or dabennettl996@gmail.com. November/December 2016 18 ft Cecil. Waggoner's Gap Hawk Watch. Located near Carlisle, PA, on ridges favored by migrating hawks, this site is known for an excellent place to see Golden Eagles in November. Pack a lunch and dress warmly—it can be very windy and cold up there. Also, be aware that this is a steep, rocky outcrop, so strong shoes or hiking boots are helpful, as is a seat cushion. Meet at the North East Food Lion parking lot on Route 40 at 6 AM for an informal all-day trip. No trip leader. ft Harford. Swan Harbor Farm Park. This preserved area near the Upper Bay provides prime habitat for waterfowl, song birds, and marsh and field birds. Meet at 7:30 AM at the parking lot at the end of the driveway. Leader Matt Haffner, 410- 971-3203 or hafner.matt@gmail.com. Co¬ leader is Matt Addicks. ft Howard. Howard Conservancy at Mt Pleasant Farm Sky Watch. This trip will be strictly a sky watch for late-migrating raptors and other potential goodies. Our main target will be Golden Eagle; while not expected, early November is the best time to catch one flying over Howard County. Last year a half-day sky watch less than a mile from this location produced an immature Golden Eagle and a Sandhill Crane, along with good numbers of Bald Eagles and Red-tailed Hawks, plus Northern Harriers, accipiters, and some waterfowl. We will watch the skies and tally the birds as long as conditions are productive. Hope for a north wind! Bring water, lunch, hat, sunscreen, light-colored sun glasses, comfortable lawn chair (recliners are best), binocular, scope, and camera if you like. Participants can also walk the Conservancy trails if sky¬ watching proves non-productive. Facilities available. Meet at parking lot at 9:30 AM. Half day. Leader Russ Ruffing, ruff2@verizon.net. ft Kent. The Friends of Eastern Neck NWR is sponsoring a 2-hour walk which will visit areas of the refuge normally off-limits to visitors. Limited to 20. Participants will need to pre-register on-line with Eventbrite at http://bit.do/winterwaterfowlwalks. Send questions via e-mail to easternneckwalks@gmail.com. ft Montgomery. Oaks Landfill. Explore this now-closed landfill adjacent to the Blue Mash Nature Trail. Mostly open terrain on a gravel road, including two pond views and one hill climb of moderate difficulty. Possible sparrows, raptors, and waterfowl. Leader will have a scope for distant birds. We have special permission to enter this "closed to the public" landfill so reservations are essential. Limit 16. Meet at 8 AM. Contact leader Mark England, 240-207-3132 (home) or 240- 375-4500 (cell) for reservations and more information. ft Patuxent/PG. Walk at the Fran Uhler Natural Area. This park features mature woodlands and open water wetland that can feature migrant warblers, Barred Owls, and the occasional Yellow-crowned Night Heron. 7:30 AM. Meet at the park entrance. No reservations needed. If you have questions, contact trip leader Bill Sefton, kiwisuits@msn.com or 240-603- 5201. ft Washington. Lambs Knoll. Observe Saw-whet Owl banding by Steve Huy. Wear sturdy shoes, bring a flashlight, and be prepared to stay as late as midnight. Children are welcome. Meet at 9:15 PM at the Boonsboro P&R. Call Bruce or Linda Field at 301-797-6189 to register. YMOS. Chincoteague NWR. This is a great opportunity to get a good look at a lot of bird species. Waterfowl will be back, and Chincoteague provides a unique opportunity to explore many types of habitats. Lodging will be provided Fri and/or Sat nights for students coming from a distance. 8 AM at the Refuge. More detailed information will be sent out in advance of the trip. Email George 19 The Maryland Yellowthroat Radcliffe, radclifg@gmail.com, of your intent to go at least 2 weeks in advance of the trip. Then we will use email to coordinate actual departure times and locations, trip needs, carpooling, and additional information. Sunday, November 6 (Daylight Saving Time ends) ft Howard. Centennial Park. Easy walking on paved path around Centennial Lake. Woodlands, fields and water host a wide variety of species. Great view of the sky for flyovers. Early waterfowl, lingering migrants likely. Facilities available. Meet at west end parking lot at 8 AM. 2-3 hours. Leaders Karen and Kevin Heffernan, 410-418-8731 or KJHeff@aol.com. ft Kent. Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center. Varied habitat from wood-edge to marsh and protected cove provide shelter for birds of pine woods, waterfowl and other late-season migrants. Bring lunch. Meet at the Dollar General parking lot off Philosopher's Terrace in Chestertown. 8 AM. If you have questions, please contact trip leaders Walter Ellison and Nancy Martin, 410-778-9568 or borealdee@gmail.com. ft Talbot. Pickering Creek Audubon Center. Expect a variety of sparrows, wintering waterfowl and possibly the return of a golden eagle. Depart Easton Acme parking lot at 7 AM or meet at Pickering Creek parking lot at 7:20 AM. Leader Dave Bent, 410-822-2133. Tuesday, November 8 Meeting. Patuxent/PG. "Sea Ducks and Other Birds Wintering in the Chesapeake" presented by Alicia Berlin. 7:30 PM. College Park Airport Operations Building. Wednesday, November 9 ft Washington. Washington Monument Hawk Watch. Weekly hawk watches at the monument are sponsored by Washington County Bird Club and Potomac Valley Audubon Society. Meet trip leader Sandy Sagalkin at the upper parking lot of the Washington Monument State Park at 9:30 AM. Contact Sandy at sandy.sagalkin@gmail.com or 240-291- 6465 to register or with any questions you may have. Thursday, November 10 Meeting. Howard. "My Lifetime Quest for Extinct and Vanishing Birds," by Chandler Robbins. Chan began birding when declining species were very much in the news; Heath Hens were still being counted on Martha's Vineyard; unconfirmed sightings of Ivory-billed Woodpeckers were coming from southeastern states. Rather than pursue a long life list, he concentrated on the rarest birds. His presentation will include pictures of some of the rarest or even (now) extinct, species he has seen in a lifetime of birding the seven continents. Hospitality 7 PM; meeting/program 7:30 at Robinson Nature Center, 6692 Cedar Lane, Columbia. Info: John Harris, 240-755-0183. ft Patuxent/PG. Luther Goldman Birding Trail. 3 PM. Meet at parking lot at Berwyn Rd and Ballew Ave in Berwyn Hts. For beginners and experts. Bird checklist available. No reservations needed. Contact David Mozurkewich, mozurk@verizon.net, for more info. Friday, November 11 ft Montgomery. Basics Of Sparrow ID At Hughes Hollow. Sparrows are often referred to as LBJs (little brown jobs) because of the initial difficulty in sorting them out. Hughes Hollow is a good place to spend the morning learning and reviewing basic field marks that are key to identification. In addition to common species, like White-throated and Song and Swamp, we'll keep an eye out for less- likely White-crowned and Field. This trip is primarily for beginners but all are welcome. Limit 8. For reservations, time, November/December 2016 20 and directions, contact one of the co¬ leaders, Lydia Schindler, Iydial3621@gmail.com or Linda Friedland linnetl@verizon.net Saturday, November 12 ft Baltimore. Special Youth Birding Trip at Patterson Park. This easy-access urban park has a surprisingly diverse variety of birds that can be found during the year, and we can expect winter residents (and possibly unusual visitors) in both the brushy areas and on the lake. Park along S. Patterson Park Ave., and meet at the fountain north of the pagoda, just inside the entrance off S. Patterson Park Ave. at Lombard St. 8 AM. Leader John Robinson, 443-810-9059 (cell), 410-483-6620 (home), jcrobin@jhmi.edu. ft Frederick. Waggoner's Gap. Tom Humphrey will lead a search for migrating hawks. Contact Tom at 240-793-2508 for meeting time and location. ft Harford. Wild Card Waterfowl Tour. Leader Dave Webb will determine trip sites based on recent sightings. Contact Dave at 410-939-3537 or porzana@comcast.net for specific details about start time and location as well as possible sightings. The co-leader will be John Rinker. ft Howard. Sharps at Waterford Farm. Moderate walking over crop stubble, farm roads and paths on this working farm. Fields with crop residue, extensive woodlands, Cattail Creek and floodplain, three ponds and five shallow waterfowl impoundments make for diverse habitats and good birding opportunities. Port-a- pots available. Knee-high waterproof footwear is advisable for part of hike. 8 AM (half day.) Meet at farm parking area, through barns on right. Rte. 97 S. to right on Jennings Chapel Rd, 1 mile to right into farm at sign. Leader Wes Earp, wesandsue@gmail.com or 410-531-3197. ft Washington. Ag Center. Birding followed by a country breakfast. 7:30 AM at the Washington County Agricultural Center off Sharpsburg Pike. Call leader George Warrick, 301-799-9059 for details. Sunday, November 13 ft Anne Arundel. Quiet Waters Park. Monthly walk through the park exploring woodland trails, edge habitat, and views of the South River. A lovely habitat for birding throughout the year and could be very good for migrant birds. $6 per car Park entry fee. Meet at Blue Heron Center. 8-11 AM. Leader David Gillum, 410-266- 8775 or dagmapper@verizon.net. ft Baltimore. Marshy Point Nature Center. Easy half-day walk through varied habitats for feeder birds and other songbirds, raptors, and waterfowl. Half- mile trail leads to point overlooking Dundee Creek. Boots advisable, telescopes useful. 9 AM. Leaders Brent and Mary Byers, 410-686-7294 or baypuffin@hotmail.com. ft Howard. Centennial Park. Easy walking on paved path around Centennial Lake. Woodlands, fields and water host a wide variety of species. Great view of the sky for flyovers. Facilities available. 8 AM, 2-3 hours. West end parking lot. Leader Mike Kerwin, m63kerwin@verizon.net or 410- 461-2408. ft Talbot. Horn Point, Dorchester Co. Bring lunch, drinks. Depart Easton Acme parking lot at 6:30AM. Leaders Wayne Bell, 410-820-6002, and Don Merritt. Wednesday, November 16 Meeting. Anne Arundel. "The Miracle Pond of Patterson Park" with Middleton Evans. Patterson Park, celebrated as "Baltimore's Best Backyard", is culturally vibrant but with sparse bird habitat. The exception is a small pond left to grow wild. Over 15 years, noted Maryland photographer Middleton Evans visited this improbable sanctuary over 600 times, and 21 The Maryland Yellowthroat each day some surprise awaited him. The resulting book, The Miracle Pond, features beautiful images of the pond denizens, including families of wood ducks and orioles. Middleton will share his discoveries, and will sell and sign copies of his book. Books are $50 + $3 tax, cash or check. Blue Heron Center, Quiet Waters Park. 7-9 PM. Contact Barbara Johnson, 410-703-4664 or barbarajohnson222@gmail.com. Meeting. Montgomery. "Ospreys on the Patuxent" with Greg Kearns. Join us to learn about Ospreys, the often seen "fish hawk" of local rivers and the Chesapeake Bay with photos by Greg Kearns. His program will cover Osprey biology on the Patuxent River, nesting platforms, and banding program satellite tracking. He promises that, "You will be on the edge of your seat as you learn more about this unique species of raptor." Potomac Presbyterian Church. Doors open at 7 PM, refreshments 7:30 PM and meeting starts at 8 PM. Thursday, November 17 Meeting. Caroline. Eli Anders presents a program on his Hog Island Field Ornithology/Coastal Maine Bird Studies for Teens camp experience. 7:30 PM, Caroline County Public Library, 100 Market St, Denton. Saturday, November 19 ft Allegany/Garrett. Shawnee SP. Meet at 10 AM at the Diehl Boat Ramp off Rt 96. Carpool from Cumberland will leave from the upper section of Roses Store parking lot in downtown Cumberland at 9 AM. Garrett County Carpool from P&R at Rt 36 and 1-68 at 8:15 AM. Lunch at Jean Bonnett Tavern in Bedford. Leader Melissa Hensel, mjhensel@yahoo.com or 240- 362-1086. ft Anne Arundel. Kinder Farm Park. The park has a lot of trails and diverse habitat with fields and wooded areas to explore. Alan produced a checklist of the birds of Kinder Farm Park and walks and explores this area regularly. Meet at the athletic fields side of the park. Take a left before the gatehouse (free entry) and go up to the last parking lot on the left. 8 AM (half day.) Leaders Alan and Susan Young at 410-991-8300 or alnmyoung@aol.com. ft Baltimore. Third Saturday Walk at Fort McHenry. Continuing survey of bird activity at the Fort. Telescopes useful. Cancelled in bad weather. Park outside the main entrance gate in lot on left, and meet at the gate. 8 AM-noon. Leader Wendy Alexander, 410-788-4080 or drbeanes@verizon.net. ft Carroll. Hashawa - Concentrating on Sparrows. 8 AM (half day.) For more information, contact Bob Ringler at 410- 303-2792. ft Frederick. Audubon Society of Central MD bird walk at the Audrey Carroll Audubon Sanctuary, 13030 Old Annapolis Rd, Mt. Airy. 9 AM. ft Harford. Turkey Trek at Eden Mill. The Wild Turkey is America's iconic symbol of Thanksgiving and always a thrilling sighting for all birders. Given the elusive and shy nature of this bird, no guarantees can be made, but we are confident that many other birds will be seen, and can guarantee that any trek through the varied habitats of Eden Mill will reveal nature's abundant beauty at its best. Meet in the lower parking lot by the pavilion. 8:30 AM. Leader Susan Hood, 410-937- 7552 or susanjhood@comcast.net. ft Patuxent/PG. Walk at Governor Bridge Natural Area. This park offers a wide variety of habitats - mature riparian woodlands, second growth scrub, open grassy fields, and small ponds and creeks. 7:30 AM. Meet at park entrance. If you have questions, contact trip leader Bill Sefton, kiwisuits.com or 240-603-5201. November/December 2016 22 ft Washington. Kiwanis Park. Easy walking and perfect for beginner birders. Meet at 8 AM for a two-hour walk led by Sandy Sagalkin. Registration is available at http://hagerstownmd.org/birdwalks. Sunday, November 20 ft Baltimore. Papermill Flats and Ashland NCR Trail. Trip to two locations for marsh birds, wintering waterfowl and late fall songbirds. Bring spotting scope if you have one. Meet at NCR Trail parking lot, north side of Ashland/Paper Mill Rd. 8:30 AM. Leaders Debbie Terry, 410-252-8771 or dterryl2@verizon.net, and Kevin Graff, keyweststyle2001@gmail.com. ft Howard. Centennial Park. Easy walking on paved path around Centennial Lake. Woodlands, fields and water host a wide variety of species. Great view of the sky for flyovers. Facilities available. 8 AM. 2-3 hours. Meet at west end parking lot. Leaders Richard and Renee Peters, Richard@rrrrpeters.org. ft Kent. Kent County Landings. We will explore several of Kent County's landings and other spots for a variety of geese, ducks and some non-waterfowl as well. Dress warmly & bring snacks. Meet at the Dollar General parking lot off Philosopher's Terrace in Chestertown. 8 AM (half day.) If you have questions, please contact trip leaders Walter Ellison and Nancy Martin, 410-778-9568 or borealdee@gmail.com. ft Montgomery. Occoquan Bay NWR. Explore the diverse habitats in this one- square mile refuge at the confluence of the Potomac and Occoquan Rivers in Woodbridge, VA. A variety of migratory ducks and boreal migrants should be present. 8 AM (half day.) Meet at the parking lot in the center of the refuge. Reservations are necessary. Limit 20. For reservations and more information, call one of the leaders, Mike Bowen, 301-530- 5764 or dhmbowen@yahoo.com, and Gerry Hawkins, 571-277-8406 or maineusa@comcast.net. ft Talbot. Wye Island. In search of waterfowl, sparrows, and possible late migrants. Depart Easton Acme parking lot at 7 AM OR meet at the Wye Island Bridge at 7:30 AM. Leader Danny Poet, 410-827- 8651. ft Tri-county. Pickering Creek Audubon Center for migrants and early winter residents. Meet at the Royal Farms just west of Salisbury on Rte. 50 at 7:30 AM. Bring lunch, snacks and drinks. For information, contact Betty Pitney at 410- 543- 1853 or Rick Palmer at 410-360- 7374 or ripalmer@aol.com . Tuesday, November 22 Meeting. Washington. Film "Animal Homes: The Nest." 7 PM at the Mt. Aetna Nature Center, 21905 Mt. Aetna Rd, Hagerstown. Call 301-797-8454 for details. Thursday, November 24 ft Patuxent/PG. Luther Goldman Birding Trail. 3 PM. Meet at parking lot at Berwyn Rd and Ballew Ave in Berwyn Hts. For beginners and experts. Bird checklist available. No reservations needed. Contact David Mozurkewich, mozurk@verizon.net, for more info. Friday, November 25 ft Anne Arundel. Blackwater NWR. Black Friday at Blackwater, one of the best locations to see Snow Geese in our area. If the weather is cold enough, there can be thousands of geese both Canada and Snow Geese, along with a wide assortment of ducks and other shorebirds. It is guaranteed you will see Bald Eagles on this trip. Bring a lunch and warm clothing, and you'll probably stop for something to eat on the eastern shore before heading home. Sign up with the leader for this members' only trip, limited to 15 people. 9 AM. Contact and RSVP leader Barbara Ricciardi, 202-230-8492 or barbararicciardi27@gmail.com. 23 The Maryland Yellowthroat Saturday, November 26 ft Anne Arundel. Patterson Park. In conjunction with the November meeting "The Miracle Pond of Patterson Park", we will take a short drive to Baltimore City to visit this renowned birding location. Similar to the "Central Park Effect", Patterson Park is an oasis within an urban landscape that attracts many and varied species. We will participate in the monthly bird walk sponsored by the Patterson Park Audubon Center, possibly observing Black, Ruddy and Ring-necked Ducks, Coots, Woodcocks, Kestrel and perhaps some late migrants. Meet at Parole P&R at 7 AM to carpool. Contact Kevin Smith, 410-917- 3004 or ravens3077@yahoo.com. ft Baltimore. Patterson Park. Come see what birding action abounds amid the varied habitats of this nature oasis in the middle of Baltimore. The birding there is exceptional, despite being in a major city. Expect the unexpected! 8 AM. For questions or to arrange to borrow binoculars for the walk, contact Patterson Park Audubon Center at 410-558-2473 or ppaudubon@gmail.com. ft Carroll. Piney Run Park. Moderate walking around the lake. Meet at the parking lot outside the gate to Piney Run Park on Martz Rd off of White Rock Rd. 8 AM (half day.) Dave and Maureen Harvey will be leading this trip. Contact them at 410-795-3117. ft Cecil. Eagle Watch at Conowingo Dam. Conowingo Dam is one of the premier eagle watching sites in the east. Some eagles breed near Conowingo and are present all year round, but the number of individuals peaks in the winter. The reason: the water flowing through the dam's turbines remains unfrozen all winter long, and so the fishing is good and the living is easy. Eagles start moving in from more northerly areas in November and stay until January or February. It is normally possible to see as many as 60 individuals or more at one time; we have seen as many as 175! In addition to eagles, there will likely be other birds of interest, particularly gulls and ducks. Bring scope if you have one. Optional: lawn chair, blanket, hot drinks, and snacks. Dress for possible extreme cold and windy conditions. Meet at Fisherman's Park below the Dam at 9 AM and stay as little or as long as you want. Leader Pat Valdata, pvaldata@zoominternet.net. ft Harford. Conowingo Eagle Watch. Look for a possible Golden Eagle among the more than 100 Bald Eagles (along with a few buzzards). There will also be waterfowl and early winter songbirds. Meet at 8 AM at Fisherman's Park below the dam. Contact leader Dennis Kirkwood, 410-692-5905 or Newarkfarms@gmail.com. ft Washington. Otto Farm. Birding along the Final Attack Trail at Antietam Battlefield. Trip is co-sponsored with Potomac Valley Audubon Society. Meet 8 AM at the Burnside Bridge parking lot. Contact Sandy at sandy.sagalkin@gmail.com or 240-291- 6465. Sunday, November 27 ft Howard. Centennial Park. Easy walking on paved path around Centennial Lake. Woodlands, fields and water host a wide variety of species. Great view of the sky for flyovers. Facilities available. 8 AM. 2-3 hours. Meet at west end parking lot. Leaders Richard and Renee Peters, Richard@rrrrpeters.org. ft Montgomery. Lilypons/New Design Road. Wintering field birds, targeting Fox and Tree Sparrows, possibly Virginia Rail and American Bittern. Half day. Write leader for reservation (required) and more info: Clive Harris, clivegharris@yahoo.com. ft Talbot. Fairbanks and Blackwalnut Point Rd area on Tilghman Island watching November/December 2016 24 out for south migrant waterfowl, hawks, sparrows and blackbirds. Meet at Blackwalnut Point parking lot at 7:30 AM. Leaders Jeff Effinger, 410-463-4874, Vince DeSanctis, 410-886-2009, and Jan Reese 410-745-2875. Monday, November 28 Meeting. Tri-county. "Glimpses into the life of the world's smallest bird: Bee Hummingbird of Cuba" presented by Dr. James Wiley. Meeting begins at 7 PM at the MAC Education Center, 909 Progress Circle, off Snow Hill Rd, Salisbury. Contact Ellen Lawler at 410-982-8695 or emlawler534@comcast.net for more info. Thursday, December 1 Holiday Dinner and Meeting. Frederick. For our annual dinner, the speaker will be Bob Mum ford on "Magnificent Madagascar." Dinner will be at Homewood at Crumland Farms at 6 PM. We will also hold our fantastic silent auction. Please make reservations with and send money to Treasurer Grace Borell (301-514-3772) before 11/20/2016. Saturday, December 3 ft Baltimore. Masonville Cove and West Covington Park. Breakfast with the Birds. Masonville Nature Center in Baltimore City welcomes BBC for donuts and coffee and a look at waterfowl in Baltimore Harbor. We have permission to visit Access Area 2 at Masonville, which is normally closed to the public. Then we'll drive 5 minutes up the road to the new West Covington Park, which has good sparrow habitat plus another view of the Harbor. Telescopes useful. 7:30-11 AM. RSVP to leader Peter Lev, 410-823-2962 or plev@comcast.net. ft Howard. Howard Waterfowl Search. Plan to visit the Columbia lakes to search for gulls, ducks, grebes, loons and other waterfowl. Easy walking involved. Plan to carpool. Bring lunch and drinks. Scopes helpful. Facilities available. 8 AM - 2 PM. Meet at Broken Land Parkway parking lot at Lake Elkhorn. Leader Kurt Schwarz, krschwal@verizon.net or 410-461-1643. ft Kent. The Friends of Eastern Neck NWR is sponsoring a 2-hour walk which will visit areas of the refuge normally off-limits to visitors. Limited to 20. Participants will need to pre-register on-line with Eventbrite at http://bit.do/winterwaterfowlwalks. Send questions via e-mail to easternneckwalks@gmail.com. MOS Board Meeting. Hosted by Cecil Co at Conowingo Visitor's Center. ft Patuxent/PG. Walk at the Fran Uhler Natural Area. This park features mature woodlands and open water wetland that can feature migrant warblers, Barred Owls, and the occasional Yellow-crowned Night Heron. 7:30 AM. Meet at the park entrance. No reservations needed. If you have questions, contact trip leader Bill Sefton, kiwisuits@msn.com or 240-603- 5201. Sunday, December 4 ft Talbot. Cambridge waterfront & Dorchester Co. There may be an opportunity to join with Harry Armistead as he leads the bird walk at Blackwater NWR. Depart Easton Acme parking lot at 7 AM. Leader Dave Bent, 410-822-2133. Wednesday, December 7 ft Baltimore. First Wednesday Walk at Fort McHenry. One of a series of morning surveys of bird activity at the Fort and wetland. Telescopes useful. Cancelled in inclement weather. Park outside the main entrance gate, in lot on left, and meet at the gate. 8 AM. Leader Mary Chetelat, 410-665-0769. Meeting. Carroll. "Gull ID Workshop" by Clive Harris at Carroll Nonprofit Center in Westminster. 7 PM. Contact Don Jewell at jewelldg@gmail.com. 25 The Maryland Yellowthroat Meeting. Cecil. Count Coordinator Russ Kovach will explain the Christmas Count, the oldest bird count in the country and our traditional end to the birding year. This is a FUN count with a variety of locations; some birded on foot and some mostly by car. Beginners are welcome to find out how we conduct a local bird census and to get paired up with an experienced counter. Elkton Library, 7- 8:30 PM. For more information, contact Maryanne Dolan, maryanne.dolan@gmail.com. Thursday, December 8 Meeting. Howard. "Of Rice and Rails," by Greg Kearns, Naturalist, Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission. Greg began his research on Sora in 1987 at Jug Bay Wetlands. After banding more that 4,000 of these secretive marsh-dwelling rails, he and USGS biologist Mike Haramis linked the decline of rails to the increase in Canada Geese, resulting in depleting the Patuxent River marshes of wild rice. Greg will update the results of a management plan begun some twenty years ago. Hospitality 7 PM; meeting/program 7:30 at Robinson Nature Center, 6692 Cedar Lane, Columbia. Info: John Harris, 240-755- 0183. ft Patuxent/PG. Luther Goldman Birding Trail. 3 PM. Meet at parking lot at Berwyn Rd and Ballew Ave in Berwyn Hts. For beginners and experts. Bird checklist available. No reservations needed. Contact David Mozurkewich, mozurk@verizon.net, for more info. Saturday, December 10 ft Anne Arundel. Sandy Point SP. Walk around the various habitats in the Park. There is a nice coastline that attracts all sorts of gulls and a nice assortment of other birds, including raptors, ducks, and shorebirds at this time of year. There also are some wooded areas, including a pine forest that sometimes has an owl hanging out in the area. If the weather turns very cold, Snow Buntings have occasionally been seen on the beach. Dress for the weather. $3 per car Park entry fee. Meet at Bay 50 Shopping Center. 8 AM (half day.) Leaders Hal Wierenga and Lynn Davidson, 410-647-7349 or hal.lynn@comcast.net. ft Baltimore. Special Youth Birding Trip at Loch Raven. We'll walk down along the shoreline, scoping for waterfowl, Bald Eagles, gulls, and numerous winter residents in the brush and trees. Ring¬ necked Ducks and Horned Grebes are very likely and it's possible that we'll turn up a Loon or maybe even a Eurasian Wigeon! Meet at the restricted access gate on Loch Raven Dr, after it splits off Dulaney Valley Rd on the east side of the reservoir. 9 AM. Leader John Robinson, 443-810-9059 (cell), 410-483-6620 (home), or jcrobin@jhmi.edu. ft Harford. Delaware Coast. Depending on recent sightings, several waterfowl and shorebird "hot spots" will be visited along the coast of the Delaware River and Bay. Meet at the Havre de Grace commuter parking lot near the 1-95 exit along Rt. 155. Contact Russ Kovach for details, 443-386-4787 or Russell.kovach@gmail.com. ft Howard. Blackwater NWR. Plan to stop at the Choptank River Bridge for ducks and coffee. Bring lunch and drinks. Dress warmly. Entrance fee or Duck Stamp required. Email the leader to reserve a spot and get details. We will carpool. Facilities at some spots. All day trip. Leader Kurt Schwarz, krschwal@verizon.net or 410-461-1643. Sunday, December 11 ft Carroll. Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center. This is a great place for ducks, sparrows, and who knows what else. Meet at the P&R on Rte 32 just south of Route 26 in Eldersburg. All day trip. For more information, contact Don November/December 2016 26 Jewell, jewelldg@gmail.com or 410-259- 4716. ft Talbot. Eastern Talbot Fields & Landings. There are birds in those apparently bare winter fields and lots to see at the landings along the Choptank and Tuckahoe Rivers. Depart Easton Acme parking lot at 7 AM (half day.) Leader Charles Hopkins, 410-763-8742. Monday, December 12 Meeting and Covered Dish Supper. Talbot. Spring planning meeting and potluck supper will be held at the home of Cathy Cooper in Easton, starting at 5:30. Cathy can be contacted at coopercw@goeaston.net. Tuesday, December 13 Meeting. Kent. Program and Speaker TBD. 7:30 PM, Wesley Hall at Heron Point, off East Campus Ave, Chestertown. If you have questions, please contact Walter Ellison and Nancy Martin, 410-778-9568 or borealdee@gmail.com. Holiday Social and Movie Night. Patuxent/PG. Movies to be shown are Puffin Patrol - On the remote coastlines of Maine, Wales, and Newfoundland, scientists observe the annual life cycle of the Atlantic Puffin to discover what this intriguing little bird can teach us about the dangers facing our natural world, while environmentalists fight to protect vulnerable chicks; We Followed A Snowy Owl From Maryland To Ontario - NPR segment on Baltimore, the Snowy Owl banded on Assateague Island; and Ospreys: Marine Sentinels - The recovery of the osprey population after severe population reduction due to environmental contaminants is one of the great conservation successes of our time. 7:30 PM. College Park Airport Operations Building. Wednesday, December 14 Meeting. Howard. Lynne Parks on "Lights Out Baltimore". Lynne will speak about the problem of birds and building collisions and using art advocacy to bring awareness to the issue. Includes an overview of how birds migrate and why light pollution and glass is problematic. Lynne tells the story of how her interest in birding led to activism which inspired artwork that led to an investigation of solutions and practical applications. Hospitality 7 PM; meeting/program 7:30 at Robinson Nature Center, 6692 Cedar Lane, Columbia. Info: John Harris, 240- 755-0183. Saturday, December 17 Christmas Bird Count. Allegany. Contact JB Churchill, at 301-697-1223 or jchurchi@atlanticbb.net. ft Anne Arundel. Kinder Farm Park. The park has a lot of trails and diverse habitat with fields and wooded areas to explore. Alan produced a checklist of the birds of Kinder Farm Park and walks and explores this area regularly. Meet at the athletic fields side of the park. Meet at the athletic fields side of the park. Take a left before the gatehouse (free entry) and go up to the last parking lot on the left. 8 AM (half day.) Leaders Alan and Susan Young at 410-991-8300 or alnmyoung@aol.com. ft Baltimore. Third Saturday Walk at Fort McHenry. Continuing survey of bird activity at the Fort. Telescopes useful. Cancelled in bad weather. Park outside the main entrance gate in lot on left, and meet at the gate. 8 AM-noon. Leader David Sandler, 410-370-0747. Christmas Bird Count. Caroline. Coordinator Steve Westre, 410-479-0338 or swestre26@comcast.net. Christmas Bird Count. Charles Town, WV. Contact Bob Dean, dean8189@gmail.com. 27 The Maryland Yellowthroat Christmas Bird Count. Oakland. Contact Connie Skipper, connieskipper@hohnet.net. Christmas Bird Count. Middle River. Birders of all levels of expertise or experience are welcome and urged to participate in this annual post-migration bird census in eastern Baltimore County. The area being surveyed is in a 15 mile diameter circle in eastern Baltimore County, encompassing Fort Howard up to Day's Cove at the mouth of the Gunpowder. Dawn to dusk. Contact compilers Pete Webb, 443-904-6314 or pete6314webb@gmail.com, or Kevin Graff, keyweststyle2001@gmail.com or 410-557-2456, for area assignment. ft Patuxent/PG. Walk at Governor Bridge Natural Area. This park offers a wide variety of habitats - mature riparian woodlands, second growth scrub, open grassy fields, and small ponds and creeks. 7:30 AM. Meet at park entrance. If you have questions, contact trip leader Bill Sefton, kiwisuits.com or 240-603-5201. Christmas Bird Count. Triadelphia Reservoir. Compiler David Holmes, musiclbndr@gmail.com or 410-952-3584. Christmas Bird Count. Wachapreague, VA. People interested in joining us can call Marilyn Ailes at 757-824-0608 or write imailes@verizon.net. Christmas Bird Count. Washington Co. Coordinator Mark Abdy, mjabdy@yahoo.com or 301-432-7696. Tally and potluck dinner begin at 5 PM at the Mt. Aetna Nature Center. Please bring a dish to share. Place settings and drinks will be provided. ft Washington. Kiwanis Park. Easy walking and perfect for beginner birders. Meet at 8 AM for a two-hour walk led by Sandy Sagalkin. Registration is available at http://hagerstownmd.org/birdwalks. Christmas Bird Count. Washington, DC. Includes area of VA inside the Beltway along with Dyke Marsh. To participate, email compiler, Larry Cartwright, prowarbler@verizon.net or contact the Audubon Naturalist Society through Carol Hayes at carol.hayes@anshome.org or call 301-652-9188 extension 10. Christmas Bird Count. York, PA. Alternate date December 31. Compiler Bernard Frick, 717-843-6675 or bernardfrick@alum.lehigh.edu. Sunday, December 18 Christmas Bird Count. Catoctin. Birders of all ages and levels of experience needed! Compilers Bonnie Borsa, 301- 695-8214, and Kathy Brown, 301-865- 1369. Christmas Bird Count. Chesterville. Covers most of eastern Kent Co and some of northern Queen Anne's. Full day of counting, followed by count down dinner. Contact compiler Maren Gimpel at 912-660-1541 for area assignments or more information. Christmas Bird Count. Elkton. Full day census of all birds in 7.5-mile radius circle centered on Black Hill on Elk Neck. You may count in your choice of locations in the count circle, if you contact the compiler early. Count for full day or as much as you can. No experience necessary - if you are new to counting, you will be assigned to a team. Feeder watchers also welcome - count in your own backyard, if you are located within the count circle. Coordinator Russell Kovach, russell.kovach@gmail.com. Christmas Bird Count. Lower Kent Co. Covers area from south of Chestertown & Tolchester to Eastern Neck Island. Full day of counting, followed by count down dinner. Contact compiler Nancy Martin November/December 2016 28 (410-778-9568) for area assignments or more information. Christmas Bird Count. Manassas-Bull Run, VA. Compiler Bob Shipman, ships333@yahoo.com or 703-883-3868. Christmas Bird Count. Nassawadox, VA. Compiler Harry Armistead, harryarmistead@hotmail.com. Christmas Bird Count. Point Lookout. Compiler Bob Boxwell, bobboxwell@hotmail.com. Christmas Bird Count. Port Tobacco. Compiler Gwen Brewer, 3wigeons@verizon.net. Christmas Bird Count. Salisbury. Join this traditional holiday birding event by contacting the complier, Mike Walsh at 410-422-0428 or mik.walsh@comcast.net. Christmas Bird count. Seneca MD and VA. We always welcome new folks. To participate contact compiler Jim Nelson, kingfishers2@verizon.net (preferred) or 301-530-6574. Christmas Bird Count. St. Michaels. Wayne NEEDS SOME NEW BLOOD to assure coverage of all sectors. You do not need to consider yourself an excellent birder or a leader, to help count birds. If you have not participated in the past, please give some thought to doing so this year. Count coordinator/compiler, Wayne Bell, 410-820-6002 or wbell2@washcoll.edu. Potluck Dinner at 5:30 PM. Christ Episcopal Church parish hall, St. Michaels. Compilation begins after dinner. Call dinner coordinator Priscilla Thut, pdthut@hughes.net or 410-745-6657, if you have a question about what to bring. Christmas Bird Count. Southern Lancaster Co, PA. This count extends just a bit into northern Cecil Co. Compiler Bob Schutsky, info@birdtreks.com or 717- 548-3303. Christmas Bird Count. Tri-county. Join this traditional holiday birding event by contacting the compiler, Mike Walsh at 410-422-0428 or mik.walsh@comcast.net. Christmas Bird Count. YMOS. This is one of a number of Christmas Bird Counts held around the State. It is a wonderful experience but a very long day (4 AM - 5 PM.) Lodging will be provided Sat night for any participating students so that we can get the early start for an owl bonanza. Come past time if you wish. Contact George Radcliffe, radclifg@gmail.com. Monday, December 19 Christmas Bird Count. Southern Dorchester. Compiler Bruce Peterjohn, 301-497-1629 or bpeterjohn@usgs.gov. Wednesday, December 21 Meeting. Anne Arundel. "A Costa Rica Exploration" with Gerald Winegrad. Gerald and other AABC members took an eco- expedition to Costa Rica in April 2016, ranging over the jungles, cloud forests, rivers, and trails of the country from the Caribbean to the Pacific and in between, from sea level to 10,000 feet. The group saw or heard more than 400 species of birds including the Resplendent Quetzal, the Three-wattled Bellbird, Great Green Macaw, the Volcano Junco and many Scarlet Macaws, including a pair mating. Also seen were 32 species of hummingbirds and various arthropods, reptiles, amphibians and mammals, including the "Costa Rican Wolverine" (the Tayra), and the exquisite Honduran White Bat. Gerald will present photos by his wife Carol Swan and other members of the trip. Blue Heron Center, Quiet Waters Park. 7-9 PM. Contact Barbara Johnson, 29 The Maryland Yellowthroat 410-703-4664 or barbarajohnson222@gmail.com. Thursday, December 22 rt Patuxent/PG. Luther Goldman Birding Trail. 3 PM. Meet at parking lot at Berwyn Rd and Ballew Ave in Berwyn Hts. For beginners and experts. Bird checklist available. No reservations needed. Contact David Mozurkewich, mozurk@verizon.net, for more info. Saturday, December 24 rt Washington. Otto Farm. Birding along the Final Attack Trail at Antietam Battlefield. Trip is co-sponsored with Potomac Valley Audubon Society. Meet 8 AM at the Burnside Bridge parking lot. Contact Sandy at sandy.sagalkin@gmail.com or 240-291- 6465. Tuesday, December 27 Christmas Bird Count. Crisfield. Compiler Paul Bystrak, shrike@comcast.net. Christmas Bird Count. Central Loudoun, VA. Includes about 5 miles of the C&O Canal in MD, from approx. Edwards Ferry to White's Ferry in western Montgomery Co. Sign up at www.loudounwildlife.org or contact compiler, Joe Coleman, 540-554- 2542 orjoecoleman@rstarmail.com. Wednesday, December 28 Christmas Bird Count. Ocean City. Contact Mark Floffman, 443-223-4587 or wcbirding@gmail.com. Friday, December 30 Christmas Bird Count. Cape Charles, VA. Compilers Ned Brinkley, thalassoica@gmail.com, and George Armistead, armistead.george@gmail.com. Saturday, December 31 rt Baltimore. Patterson Park. Come see what birding action abounds amid the varied habitats of this nature oasis in the middle of Baltimore. 8 AM. For questions or to arrange to borrow binoculars for the walk, contact Patterson Park Audubon Center at 410-558-2473 or ppaudubon@gmail.com. Christmas Bird Count. Lancaster, PA. Barbara Flunsberger, Coordinator, 717- 575-3712 or phunsberger@comcast.net. Volunteer contact, Roger Stoner, 717- 393-9030. Christmas Bird Count. Rock Run. Full day census of all birds in a 7.5-mile radius circle centered on Rock Run Mill opposite Port Deposit. The count circle includes portions of Cecil Co along the Susquehanna, from above Rt. 1 and the Conowingo Dam south to Perryville. You may count in your choice of locations in the count circle, if you contact the compiler early. Feeder watchers also welcome - count in your own backyard, if you are located within the count circle. Count for full day or as much as you can. Must contact Rick Cheicante ahead of time for assignment to an area and for reporting forms and instructions, rickcheicante@cs.com. Sunday, January 1, 2017 Christmas Bird Count. Annapolis-Gibson Island. Compilers are Hal Wierenga and Lynn Davidson, 410-647-7439 or hal.lynn@comcast.net, and Sue Ricciardi, 410-647-9513 or susiericc@comcast.net. rt Baltimore. Loch Raven Reservior. Start the new year birding. Varied habitats including woods, fields and the reservoir. Possibly continuing to other sites for a big day in Baltimore City and County. Telescopes useful for viewing distant waterfowl over the water. Meet at Loch Raven Picnic Trail parking lot. 8:30 AM. Leader Kevin Graff, keyweststyle2001@gmail.com. rt Harford. Perryman Area. Celebrate the New Year/recover from New Year's Eve November/December 2016 30 with a walk through the always productive Perryman Area. Meet at the Aberdeen Wal-Mart parking lot off Rt. 40 at 8:30 AM. Leader Phil Powers, 410-679-4116 or birdsinmd@verizon.net. ft Howard. Start Your Year List. Easy walking on paved paths and woodland trails. Plan to carpool to different locations to find as many species as possible. The one day of the year where every bird is new! 8 AM (half day.) Meet at the Howard Conservancy, Mount Pleasant Farm. Facilities available. Leader Kurt Schwarz, krschwal@verizon.net or 410-461-1643. Christmas Bird Count. Lititz, PA. Compiler Bruce Carl, 717-368-4824 or carls94@ptd.net. ft Montgomery. Earliest Bird Walk - Georgetown Reservoir and DC Hotspots. Start the New Year right. Meet at 8 AM at Georgetown Reservoir by the gate leading to the dike between the pools. Half day. Reservations required. Strict limit of 20 participants who should be prepared to carpool. Leader Mike Bowen 301-530- 5764 or dhmbowen@yahoo.com. Christmas Bird Count. Patuxent River. Compiler Andy Brown, brownaj@co.cal.md.us or 410-535-5327. Monday, January 2 Christmas Bird Count. Bowie. Compiler David Mozurkewich, mozurk@verizon.net or 202-509-2212. Christmas Bird Count. Calmes Neck, VA. Contact compiler Margaret Wester, margaretwester@hotmail.com. Christmas Bird Count. Ft. Belvoir, VA and MD shoreline. Compiler Lynne Wheeler, comstockel@aol.com. Christmas Bird Count. Inwood, WV. Contact Bob Dean, dean8189@gmail.com. Christmas Bird Count. Sugarloaf Mountain. Compiler Janet Millenson, 301- 983-9337 orjanet@twocrows.com. Wednesday, January 4 ft Baltimore. First Wednesday Walk at Fort McHenry. One of a series of morning surveys of bird activity at the Fort and wetland. Telescopes useful. Cancelled in inclement weather. Park outside the main entrance gate, in lot on left, and meet at the gate. 8 AM. Leader Mary Chetelat, 410-665-0769. Saturday, January 7 Annual Holiday Party. Carroll. Talk birds, eat, drink, and have fun with fellow birders. Sue and Splinter Yingling, hostess/host. 70 Ridge Rd, Westminster. 7:30 PM. Please coordinate with the Yinglings to bring a dish at syingling@mac.com or 410-857-0902. Mid-Winter Count. Frederick. Meet at Audrey Carroll Sanctuary at 6:30 AM, and be prepared to visit all parts of the sanctuary's 129 acres. You may want your waterproof boots. Compiler David Smith, 410-549-7082. ft Kent. The Friends of Eastern Neck NWR is sponsoring a 2-hour walk which will visit areas of the refuge normally off-limits to visitors. Limited to 20. Participants will need to pre-register on-line with Eventbrite at http://bit.do/winterwaterfowlwalks. Send questions via e-mail to easternneckwalks@gmail.com. Sunday, January 8 ft Baltimore. Marshy Point Nature Center. Easy half-day walk through varied habitats for feeder birds and other songbirds, raptors, and waterfowl. Half- mile trail leads to point overlooking Dundee Creek. Boots advisable, 31 The Maryland Yellowthroat telescopes useful. 9 AM. Leaders Brent and Mary Byers, 410-686-7294 or baypuffin@hotmail.com. Meeting and Covered Dish Dinner. Baltimore. Speaker and topic to be announced. Vollmer Center at Cylburn Arboretum. 4:30 PM. Please contact dinner coordinator Kevin Graff in advance at keyweststyle2001@gmail.com or 410 557-2456, to let him know you are coming, and what food you plan to bring. ft Kent. Eastern Neck NWR. Kick off your birding year with a search for waterfowl, eagles, and winter land birds. Meet at the "Dollar General" parking lot (off Philosopher's Terrace) in Chestertown. 8 AM (half day.) If you have questions, please contact trip leaders Walter Ellison and Nancy Martin, 410-778-9568 or borealdee@gmail.com. ft Talbot. Location TBD. Meet at the Easton Acme parking lot at 7 AM. ft Tri-county. Coastal Birding trip from Ocean City to Cape Henlopen, DE for winter coastal birding. Bring lunch, snacks and drinks. Meet at the Ward Museum parking lot at 7:30 AM or the OC inlet parking lot at 8:30 AM. For information, contact Ellen Lawler at 410-982- 8695 or emlawler534@comcast.net or Rick Palmer at 410-360- 7374 or rjpalmer@aol.com. November/December 2016 32 POSTMASTER: TIME-DATED MATERIAL—PLEASE EXPEDITE! MARYLAND ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY, INC. P. O. Box 105, Monrovia, MD 21770-0105 MOS Chapter Web Sites (to be consulted for the most up-to-date trip/meeting info) Allegany/Garrett: westernmdbirding.com/ Anne Arundel: aabirdclub.org/ Baltimore baltimorebirdclub.org/ Caroline: carolinebirdclubmos.blogspot.com/ Carroll: mdbirds.org/about/chapters/carroll.html Cecil: cecilbirds.org/ Frederick: frederickbirdclub.org/ Harford: harfordbirdclub.org/ Howard: howardbirds.org/ Kent: kentcounty.com/recreation/birding/birding-club Montgomery: montgomerybirdclub.org/ Patuxent/PG: pgaudubon.org/ Talbot: mdbirds.org/about/chapters/talbot.html Tri-County (Wicomico, Worcester, Somerset): tricountybirdclub.weebly.com/ Washington: washingtoncountybirdclub.webs.com/ YMOS: ymos.org/ The Maryland Yellowthroat Newsletter of the Maryland Ornithological Society, Inc. Editor: Richard Donham rdonham8@gmail.com Designer: Eric Skrzypczak ericskrz@gmail.com Calendar Editor: Marilyn Veek mveekmos@yahoo.com Chapter Chatter: Jean Wheeler jswheeler3@verizon.net Mailing list: MOS web site: Webmaster: Martha Crouse crouse.martha8@gmail.com http://www.mdbirds.org John Hays Christy SiteMaven@mdbirds.org Anyone is welcome to contribute articles, photos, or ideas that would be of interest to other birders. Copy may be e-mailed to Richard Donham by NOV 25, 2016 for the Jan/Feb 2017 issue. Illustrations pp. 1,5 ©M. Suzanne Probst Nonprofit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID at Hagerstown, MD Permit No. 184