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Last updated: 02/28/2010

 
   
       

 

 

 

  

 

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Beginners =

Because some trips offer an easier learning environment, we have marked them with a "young hatchling." If in doubt, don’t hesitate to query the field trip coordinator Linda Friedland.

2010 Trips

 
 

  

  

                                                                                            

                                                         

                                                     

 

 

 

                                                   

  

January 2010

 

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January 1 (Friday) EARLIEST BIRD WALK–GEORGETOWN RESERVOIR AND D.C. HOTSPOTS. Half day. Start the New Year right. Meet 8 a.m. at Georgetown reservoir, DC, by the gate leading to the dike between the pools. Reservations required. Limit: 20. LEADER: Mike Bowen 301-530-5764. 

RESULTS:  Participants:  12, Weather:  Cold, below freezing all morning, but the absence of wind for most of the time made it fairly comfortable, Species count:  35.  Highlights:  Georgetown Reservoir was unproductive once again this year, with not a single duck.  The gulls there were of the usual 3 common species, and the only saving grace was a nicely perched adult Red-shouldered Hawk.  The pond at Constitution Gardens was almost totally frozen and yielded only 6 sleeping Ring-necked Ducks. The customary Black-crowned Night-herons were at the roost in the Washington Channel, many of them immatures. Hains Point gave us 2 Bald Eagles, a Cooper’s Hawk, and several close groups of Lesser Scaup. Our next port of call was the LBJ Memorial Grove on the D.C. side of the Boundary Channel by the Pentagon, which once again came through for us, with Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Winter Wren, and 2 very obliging Brown Creepers.  The trip ended with a stop at Roaches Run near National Airport, where there were some Pied-billed Grebes, Great Blue Herons and Hooded Mergansers.  Our last bird turned out to be the top bird of the morning -- a male Osprey, most unusual for this time of the year, first seen perched, then actively fishing. 

January 3 (Sunday) SUGARLOAF CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT. If you can help out, contact Helen Horrocks (Frederick), 301-831-6315, or Janet Millenson (Montgomery), 301-983-9337.

 

January 10 (Sunday) 2010 COUNTY LISTER’S TRIP. 3/4 to full day. Let’s get a good start on our 2010 Montgomery lists. Weather permitting, we will start at Violette’s Lock with a walk down the canal to Blockhouse Point. From Violette’s, we’ll head up the western side of the county, stopping briefly at Hughes Hollow, take another walk at Edward’s Ferry Horse Loop, "scope" the Patton Turf Farm area from the road, and finish the day with a brief stop at the Rte 121 bridge at Black Hill RP before heading back to Violette’s. Dress for the weather. Trip may involve a total of 3 or 4 miles walked by day’s end. Reservations required. Contact leader for meeting time and place. Leader: Andy Martin, 301-529- 2066 or apmartin2@comcast.net.

RESULTS:  57 species, Six birders (Mike Bowen, Jim Moore, Linda Friedland, Diane Ford, Martin Eisentraut plus leader) worked the western side of Montgomery County to find as many FOS (first of season) species as possible. The trip was originally supposed to take place on January 2 but was moved to January 10 to accommodate the snowstorm rescheduled Triadelphia CBC. We started at Violette’s Lock along the Potomac River, worked our way via Poolesville over to Black Hill Regional Park and finished the day back at Violette’s. Weather wise, conditions were brutal. Morning temps were in the mid teens and only rose to 26º F by day’s end.  Birding highlights included fairly close looks at a Red-headed Woodpecker along the canal towpath and distant looks at 2 Bald Eagles sitting on the ice just upstream of the Seneca Breaks. One of the Bald Eagles seemed to be trying to figure out how catch and eat a Common Merganser swimming nearby in one of the few remaining patches of open water on the river. We also enjoyed good numbers and a nice variety or waterfowl at Black Hill Regional Park including Tundra Swans, Common Goldeneye, Gadwall, Redhead, Canvasbacks, American Wigeon, American Black, Ring-necked and Ruddy Ducks, and Common and Hooded Mergansers.  A fun day for all but could have been a bit warmer!

 

 

January 15–17 (Friday-Sunday) INTRODUCTION TO THE WINTER SHORE: OCEAN CITY TO BROADKILL MARSH. Our 2010 "brave winter’s icy blasts" trip offers birders who have the time up to 3 full days on the Eastern shore. Those who can take off Friday will coordinate vehicles from the DC area and stop at birdy locations such as Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center and Bombay Hook NWR on the way to the beach. Saturday will be spent birding sites in Worcester Co, probably including Assateague I. NS and South Point. Sunday we will bird Sussex Co, DE, probably including Silver Lake, Cape Henlopen SP, and Prime Hook NWR. New members and new birders are particularly encouraged but all are welcome. Carpooling strongly encouraged. Reservations absolutely required, due to possibly complex itineraries. Limit: 14. For reservations and directions, call the LEADER: Mike Bowen, 301-530-576

RESULTS:  Participants:  9 (Friday), 11 (Saturday), 10 (Sunday).  Weather:  Friday and Saturday – balmy and in the 40’s;  Sunday – chilly with increasingly heavy rain and wind.  Species count: 100.  Day 1 Highlights (MD):  a handsome male Common Goldeneye flying over us at Kent Narrows; an inquisitive group of Brown-Headed Nuthatches at Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center; adult Golden Eagle and lots of sparrows at Pickering Creek; Cackling Goose, Wilson’s Snipe, Eastern Meadowlark, and 2 Short-eared Owls at Blackwater, the owls seen hunting in a perfect, windless dusk along Shorter’s Wharf Rd.  Day 2 Highlights (MD):  both Eider species, all 3 Scoter sp., Red Knot at Ocean City Inlet;  2 more Common Eiders and 14 Long-tailed Ducks at 32nd St., Ocean City;  Lesser Black-backed Gull at Skimmer Island; 12 waterfowl species at West Ocean City Pond; Black-bellied Plovers, Dunlins, American Oystercatchers, and a Willet at Eagles Landing campground (where we also had a close, feeding Horned Lark flock containing a Chipping Sparrow); another Cackling Goose, this one in a skein of Snow Geese, at South Point;  Marsh Wren on Assateague Island.  Day 3 Highlights in the rain (DE):  male Common Eider, Lesser Black-backed Gull, and a gull that may have been a Glaucous-Herring hybrid at Indian River Inlet; 2 Snow Geese and hundreds of Canvasbacks, Black Duck and Ruddy Duck in Silver Lake, Rehoboth; a soggy perched Merlin and a close flock of Snow Buntings (for those also willing to be soaked to the skin!) at Cape Henlopen State Park.

The leader wants to acknowledge the exceptional patience and skill of the participants on this trip, which contributed to the impressive species total.  Also, he admires their amazing fortitude in face of the wet and uncomfortable conditions on Day 3 – they just wouldn’t quit, even when he wanted to!

 

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January 20 (Wednesday), 7:30p.m. “Birding in a Changing China.” Don Messersmith.  Don has pioneered and led tours to China since 1982 – a total of 14 tours in all until 2007. The period brought great advances in travel facilities, field guides, local participation and bird clubs. And birders from all over the world discovered the great diversity of the Chinese avifauna.  Don will talk about these changes and illustrate them with slides from his birding tours.

 

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JANUARY 30 (Saturday) WATERFOWL FOR BEGINNERS–BLACK HILL REGIONAL PARK. Learn and review the basics of duck ID at this premiere county spot for winter waterfowl. The trip will be geared to new birders but all are welcome. Bring a scope if you have one. Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the pull-off next to the Rte 121 bridge. Half day. No reservations needed. For more information or directions, call the LEADER: Dave Powell, 301-540-8776.

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February 2010

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FEBRUARY 7 (Sunday) BLACK HILL RP. 3/4 day. We’ll focus on identifying winter waterfowl on the lake, but look for landbirds, too. Short easy walks with car jaunts in between. Area can be windy so dress appropriately. Scopes are helpful. Reservations required. Limit: 10. Meet 7:30 a.m. at the pull-off next to the Rte 121 bridge. LEADER: Andy Martin, apmartin2@comcast.net, 301-294-4805 (h), or 301-529-2066 (m).

 

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FEBRUARY 13 (Saturday) SOMERSET MARSHES. New trip! Full day (to dusk). Bring food, water, and warm clothing. Visit the amazingly under-explored wilderness of Somerset Co’s marshes. Emphasis will be waterfowl and uncommon wintering species such as Short-eared Owl, Rough-legged Hawk, and American Bittern. LEADERS: Bill Hubick and Jim Brighton. Reservations required. Limit: 14. For reservations and directions, contact Bill Hubick bill_hubick@yahoo.com.

  

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February 24 (Wednesday), 7:30p.m. “Important Bird Areas: Making the Connection between Birders and Bird Conservation.”  David Yeany.  IBAs guide the bird conservation efforts of Audubon Maryland-DC, and establishing new sites relies heavily on volunteer-based breeding bird surveys known as Bird Blitz.  From the Program Coordinator, hear the results of Bird Blitzes across Maryland, learn about recently identified IBAs, and discover how one morning of birding can contribute to this important conservation effort.

 

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FEBRUARY 21 (Sunday) OAKS LANDFILL, LAYTONSVILLE. New trip! Bundle up to explore this now-closed landfill adjacent to the Blue Mash Nature Trail. Should be mostly open terrain with some ponds. Possible wintering 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 a.m. Contact leader for reservations and more information. LEADER: Mark England 240-207-3132 (home) or 240-375-4500 (cell).
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March 2010

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MARCH 2 (Tuesday) INFORMAL LATE AFTERNOON WALKS UNTIL DUSK. Joint MBC/ANS trips. Meet at the end of Seneca Rd at Riley's Lock "on the bridge" at 5 p.m. 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. For more info call Jim Green at 301-208-2393.

 

MARCH 4 (Thursday) INFORMAL LATE AFTERNOON WALKS UNTIL DUSK. See March 2 listing.

 

MARCH 9 (Tuesday) INFORMAL LATE AFTERNOON WALKS UNTIL DUSK. See March 2 listing.

 

MARCH 13 (Saturday). JUG BAY, PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY. Half day. Joint trip with ANS. Possible Rusty Blackbirds, migrating Wilson's Snipe, and courtship display of Osprey. Meet 8 a.m. Call leader for details and driving instructions. Check ANS News for more info. Reservations required. LEADER: John Bjerke, 240-401-1643.

 

MARCH 16 (Tuesday) INFORMAL LATE AFTERNOON WALKS UNTIL DUSK. See March 2 listing.

 

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April 2010

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APRIL 17 (Saturday) BLUE MASH NATURE TRAIL. Half day. Interesting walk at this relatively new and surprisingly birdy site in Montgomery County. Waterproof boots helpful. Meet at 7:30 a.m. at Zion Road parking lot. Call leader for reservations and directions. Limit: 8–10 participants. LEADER: Mark England, 240-207-3132 (h), cell, 240-375-4500.

APRIL 18 (Sunday) HUGH MAHANES PRESIDENTS' WALK AT HUGHES HOLLOW AND VICINITY. Half day. Our traditional Presidents’ Walk in a new season! Participation of all former Club 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. Depending on where interesting birds have been seen, we may also visit nearby areas. We will look for waterbirds on the move and early songbird migrants. Possible birds include Purple Finches, Blue-winged Teal, swallows, and maybe even an American Bittern. Meet at 7:00 a.m. at the Hughes Hollow parking lot in the McKee-Beshers WMA. Reservations required. For more information, directions, and reservations, contact the leader. LEADER: Jim Nelson, 301-530-6574 or kingfishers2@verizon.net.

APRIL 29 (Thursday) and MAY 2 (Sunday) BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY FOR BEGINNERS. On Thursday we will meet in Bethesda from 7:30 to 9 p.m. and discuss notions of photographic technique, equipment, and philosophy pertinent to enjoying bird photography. On Sunday we will meet for a field trip from 8 a.m. to 12 noon to photograph any and all birds that cooperate. Limited to 6–8 participants. For more information and reservations, contact the leader. LEADER: Evelyn Ralston, 301-493-4132 or evelynsr@verizon.net. Rain date: Sunday, May 9.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

                                                                                   

 

May 2010

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MAY 1 (Saturday) PIGTAIL AND TRIADELPHIA. One-third day. Joint trip with Howard County, in conjunction with WSSC. Meet at Green Bridge Rd. parking lot, off Triadelphia Mill Rd. in Howard County. The cove is bordered on three sides by deciduous and coniferous woods. Extensive mudflats may exist with the possibility of shorebirds. Facilities available (but rustic). LEADER: Joe Hanfman, auk1844@comcast.net, 410-772-8424.

MAY 2 (Sunday) LITTLE BENNETT RP. Half day. 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.

 MAY 4 (Tuesday) ROCK CREEK PARK, DC. One third day. Early migrant warblers, vireos, etc. Meet at 7:00 a.m. at Picnic Area #18, one-half mile below the Nature Center on Ridge Road. Limit: 8. Reservations required. Call the leader for more information or specific directions. LEADER: Wallace Kornack, 202-338-7859.

MAY 5 (Wednesday) EXPLORING CALVERT COUNTY. Three-quarter day. Sue Hamilton will guide us as we cover some of the birding hotspots of Calvert County. Participants will meet at 7 a.m. at the road leading to Flag Ponds. We’ll begin at Battle Creek Cypress Swamp and move on to other spots before we stop for lunch on the beach. Reservations required. Limit: 10. Call the coordinators for detailed directions and more information. LEADER: Sue Hamilton. COORDINATORS: Lydia Schindler, 301-977-5252, and Linda Friedland, 301-983 2136.

MAY 7 (Friday) BIRDING BY EAR ALONG THE C&O. The emphasis is on listening so tune up your ears for this half-day canal walk. We’ll be on the lookout for nesting and migrant landbirds. Meet at 7 a.m. at the end of Pennyfield Lock Rd. Reservations required. For more information and reservations, call the leaders: Cyndie Loeper, 301-530-8226, or Ann Lucy, 301-229-8810.

MAY 16 (Sunday) ROCK CREEK PARK, DC. See May 4 description. Reservations required. Limit: 6. LEADER: Wallace Kornack, 202-338-7859.

 MAY 22 (Saturday) HOT SPOTS FOR RED KNOTS. Full day. Joint trip with Howard County. We will start at 8:30 a.m. at the visitor center at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge and work our way north along the Bay. We will also visit the handsome and informative nature center at Mispillion Lighthouse, which offers great views of Red Knots and other shorebirds. We will go until dark or exhaustion, whichever comes first. Bring binoculars, scopes, food, water, sunscreen, loads of insect repellent. Trip is limited to 12 persons/3 vehicles per chapter. Reservations required. Kurt Schwarz (krschwa1@comcast.net or 410-461-1643) will co-lead for Howard Co. For reservations and information, contact co-leader Cyndie Loeper, cyndieloeper@comcast.net or 240-535- 8584.

 

 

   
   
   
   
 

 

   

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

                                                                                 

 

June 2010

 

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                      July 2010               

                                                                                                    

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                                                                              August  

                                                                                                      

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August 26 (Wednesday) C&O CANAL/McKEE-BESHERS WMA. Half day. Meet at Riley’s Lock on the bridge overlooking the Potomac River at 7:30 a.m. Bring scope, snack, and insect repellent. Trip will cover parts of the C&O Canal and other areas along River Road. All are welcome. Reservations not required. For more info and directions, contact the LEADER: Jim Green, 301-208-2393 or jgreen@smokeyglenfarm.com.

 

 

   
   
   

 

                                                                                                                                        

                  September                  

                                                                                                      

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September 12 (Saturday) PATUXENT RIVER PARK. Half day. Joint trip with ANS. Driftboat on Patuxent River followed by trail walk. Migrant and resident songbirds and waterbirds; Sora likely. Meet 6:30 a.m. at park entrance gate. Bring fee of $5/person for park program; boat trip can be cool and a bit damp. Make reservations with LEADER: John Bjerke, 240-401-1643. CO-LEADER: Paul Baicich.

RESULTS:  Leaders:  Paul Baicich and John Bjerke, Greg Kearns, participants: 8, species:  about 50 

This joint trip with Audubon Naturalist Society boated around the wild rice marshes of Jug Bay. We had excellent views of two Sora, the target bird for the trip. At least a dozen Sora were heard. A dramatic highlight was the flyover of two adult Bald Eagles who perched on a snag and allowed close approach in the boat and wonderful photo opportunities. They were joined by a pair of Red-shouldered Hawks that also posed obligingly. Great Egrets, Blue-winged and Green-winged Teal, Wood Ducks, Spotted Sandpiper, Belted Kingfisher, Forster's Terns, Ospreys, and two more eagles added to the glories of the morning on the river. Somewhat unusual was a fly-by Glossy Ibis. A short walk on land produced the usual small landbirds including Black- and-white Warbler and American Redstart. There were several Pewees with variation in molt and song to challenge our skills. Although mostly cloudy throughout the morning, the views over the marsh were more than worth the very early start.

September 12 (Saturday) ASSATEAGUE ISLAND/COASTAL WORCESTER. Full day (to dusk). Bring food, water, sunscreen, and insect repellent. Focus will be migrant warblers, shorebirds, and rarities such as Lark Sparrow. Reservations required. Limit: 14. For reservations and directions, contact the LEADER: Bill Hubick, bill_hubick@yahoo.com.

 RESULTS:  Participants:  16 (including leaders).  Species:  about 122.  It was a fun group, and the 16 sets of eyes paid off in great sightings throughout the day. We began the day with an unforgettable morning flight at Bayside, spent the rest of the morning working migrant flocks on Assateague, and then worked a scenic and productive route to Hurlock. Without targeting a high species tally we ended with about 122 species. Standing out among highlights were Lark Sparrow, the continuing Marbled Godwit, two Black Terns, two Sandwich Terns, five migrant Dickcissels, 14 species of warbler including Wilson's, Nashville, and Tennessee; and impressive morning flights of Magnolia Warbler (27), American Redstart (166), and Baltimore Oriole (125). These latter totals are conservative and represent only the minimum Bayside counts before 9:00 a.m. New arrivals included Red-Breasted Nuthatch, Ruby-Crowned Kinglet, and Northern Shovelers. We also had Common Nighthawks.

September 13 (Sunday) PENNYFIELD TO VIOLETTE’S BIRD STALK. Half day. In response to requests from our recent field trip questionnaire for a later start time, we will meet at 9 a.m. at Violette’s Lock parking lot at the end of Violette’s Lock Rd. We will carpool to Pennyfield Lock and walk up the C&O Canal towpath to Violette’s Lock. This walk should net an interesting mix of late warblers, land bird migrants, a few first-show winter visitors, raptors, and waterbirds. If you plan to attend, contact the LEADER: Jim Nelson, kingfishers2@verizon.net or 301-530-6574.

RESULTS:   Participants:  11 plus leader.  Species:  30.  Weather:  Sunny and beautiful.  We had a perfect day for walking on the C&O Canal but didn’t manage to turn up many migrants.  Highlights for the participants were good views of a perched female Pileated Woodpecker, a perched immature Red-shouldered Hawk, a fall-plumaged male Scarlet Tanager, and Red-eyed Vireos.  Surprisingly we saw NO warblers and had almost no birds on or over the River, and overall numbers of birds were low.  Before the walk officially started we had a fly-over Osprey and large numbers of Chimney Swifts and Cedar Waxwings in flight at Violette’s Lock.  Notwithstanding the limited birds, the group was very congenial and had a good time

September 16 (Wednesday) ROCK CREEK PARK, DC. One-third day. Urban birding at its best with one of Rock Creek Park’s “Regulars.” Migrant warblers, vireos, and sparrows. Meet 7 a.m. at Picnic Area 18 (on Ridge Rd, one-half mile below the Nature Center). Reservations required. For reservations and directions, call the LEADER: Wallace Kornack, 202-338-7859.

RESULTS:  Four participants visited the main birding locations at the Park---Ridge, Equitation Field, Maintenance Yard, Yard Parking Lot, Stable Area, and Dog Run. Overall bird activity was very slow, yielding four warbler species---Black-throated Blue, Black-and-white,Yellowthroat, American Redstart---and 24 other species. Five woodpecker species were seen--- Red-bellied, Downy, Hairy, Pileated and Flicker.

September 20 (Sunday) ROCK CREEK PARK, DC. One-third day. We’ve expanded our urban bird walks to include those who can meet only on weekends. Same great birds: migrant warblers, vireos, and sparrows. Meet 6:45 a.m. at Picnic Area 18 (on Ridge Rd, one-half mile below the Nature Center). Reservations required. For reservations and directions, call the LEADER: Wallace Kornack, 202-338-7859.

RESULTS:  Twelve participants, including five from the eastern shore (Talbot Bird Club), enjoyed fine birding at the park.  They toured all the main birding areas in the Park, with the Maintenance Yard yielding some of the most interesting birds. Highlights included Philadelphia, Warbling and White-eyed Vireos, Red-headed Woodpeckers, and Gray-cheeked Thrush.  In addition the group saw or heard nine warbler species, distributed fairly evenly at each of the major sites. The Tennessee Warbler stood out as best of the lot. Swainson's Thrush, Wood Thrush, Veery, and Gray-cheeked Thrush rounded out the noteworthy birds.

September 23 (Wednesday) LITTLE BENNETT RP. Half day. Meet 7:30 a.m. to bird some of the trails of Little Bennett RP for migrant and resident birds. Expect to walk 2 to 3 miles on gravel and dirt trails, with some uphill. Beginners welcome! Reservations required. Limit: 8. For reservations and directions, contact the LEADER: Claire Wolfe 301-972-4278 or c_wolfe2003@yahoo.com.

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RESULTS:  Four birders set out on the Kingsley Trail at Little Bennett Regional Park on a warm muggy morning.  It was a slow start with little activity, save some park personnel working with a wood chipper.  We decided to turn around and try the trail on the other side of Clarksburg Road.  On the way back to to the parking lot we stopped to investigate some chickadee activity.  At first it looked like it might be another false alarm, but then warblers started to appear.  That flock turned up a nice group including Blackpoll, Bay-breasted and Cape May warblers.  Continuing on to the other side of Clarksburg Road we added a few more more species and more nice looks at birds seen previously.  By the end of the morning we had accumulated 41 species, including 9 warblers, and a few FOS birds, including Red-breasted Nuthatch (heard only) and Ruby-crowned Kinglet.  Last bird of the day was a croaking Raven that is becoming a familiar sound at Little Bennett.  Miss Congeniality went to a lovely female Black-throated Blue Warbler that posed at eye level for several minutes.  Once again, Little Bennett did not disappoint!

       

September 26 (Saturday) UPPER WATTS BRANCH PARK. Half day. Migrant warblers, vireos, thrushes, and assorted woodland residents. Meet 8 a.m. at the corner of Princeton Place and Fordham Street. Reservations required. Limit: 12. LEADER: Paul O’Brien, 301-424-6491.

RESULTS:  Three courageous participants braved the threatening weather to look for "migrant warblers, vireos, thrushes and assorted woodland residents" as advertised.  Well, the variety was sparse, but some of the individuals were worth the effort.  As for warblers, there was but a single female Magnolia, a Black-and-White, two male American Redstarts, one adult and one immature, and a Common Yellowthroat.  But a very cooperative Yellow Palm Warbler two feet off the ground made it worthwhile.  The Vireo list was shorter but sweet: a single Red-eyed and one colorful Philadelphia, which we see here perhaps once a season. Timing is everything.  Despite high hopes of a Thrush fallout, we saw only a single Wood thrush.  The edges were more productive than the woodland with the usual suspects, including a fearless Brown Thrasher that stood its ground at ten feet.  So the woodland assortment was primarily restricted to four species of Woodpeckers, which, fortunately, were conspicuous.  The highlights of the day turned out to be none of the above.  Resident hawks made themselves conspicuous with both adult and juvenile female Cooper's Hawks making repeated passes nearby, along with a juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk.  At about 10 AM there was apparently a lift-off of hawks that spent the night nearby.  First we saw an Osprey, then a Broad-winged and a Sharp-shinned, all at low altitude.  A few minutes later a small kettle of five Broad-winged Hawks plus one Red-shouldered Hawk, also low, struggled to gain altitude in the absence of thermal-generating sunshine.  The low altitude made the viewing quite satisfactory.  Although the species list was a mere 41, the participants were all pleased to have had good, clear looks at some handsome birds.

September 27 (Sunday) LOIS Y. GREEN CONSERVATION PARK. Half day. Explore the varied habitats of this new 204-acre park. Migrant/resident songbirds, raptors, waterfowl are possible. Meet 7:30 a.m. at parking lot on Snouffer School Road, Gaithersburg. Reservations required. For detailed directions and reservations, call the LEADER: Mark England, 240-207-3132 (home) or 240-375-4500 (cell).

RESULTS:  Seven birders joined the leader for a nice walk that produced 42 species.  The weather was overcast with some light drizzle, but the temperatures were mild in the low 60’s.  We had an especially good raptor day, with a few nice migrants as well as many of the resident park species.  Early on, we had a low Cooper’s Hawk over the field near the parking lot, and we later had another good Coop’s sighting, and three separate good looks at Sharpies.  We had a close, tail-molting Merlin fly just overhead as we were checking out a mixed songbird flock, and later Ed Patten spotted a hovering Kestrel that we all saw.  The only Buteo was a Red-shouldered Hawk near the end of the walk—no Red-tailed or Broadwings.

 

Other highlights included six warbler species, with Magnolia, Yellow, Palm, and Common Yellowthroat being the best seen, but Nashville and N. Parula were seen by some.  Everyone saw two Rose-breasted Grosbeaks (female and probably young male) perched atop a  close small tree, and a Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher was a nice find near the end of the walk.  Sparrows were strangely absent—only one Song Sparrow was seen by some.

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              October               

                                                                                                      

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October 3 (Saturday) LITTLE BENNETT RP. Half day. Everyone welcome, but we’ll target new birders and focus on some birding basics. Join us for a slow-paced walk listening for and observing common species. Late warblers and vireos, early sparrows, and some raptors possible. Limit: 8. For reservations, time, and meeting place, contact the LEADER: Gemma Radko, 301-514-2894.

RESULTS:  Participants: three; species: 34. Not a big day in terms of total species, but some great birds and a lovely fall day to be outside. We had excellent looks at a flock of Swainson’s Thrush (6-8 individuals), with other individual Swainson’s seen at several other stops along the way. We also had fantastic looks at 3-4 Gray-cheeked Thrush, with a tag-along Wood Thrush and a probable Bicknell’s Thrush (Gray-cheeked-like, but with rusty primaries/tail and a lighter-colored lower mandible).  Common Ravens called throughout the morning, and we surprised a Barred Owl as we descended the (appropriately named) Owl Ridge Trail. A nice burst of warbler activity near the end of our walk included Am. Redstart, Cape May, Tennessee, and Black-throated Green Warblers.

 

October 10 (Saturday) LILYPONS WATER GARDENS. Half day. Please join us for a joint Montgomery/ Frederick County Bird Club trip to this southern Fred Co hotspot. Target species include American Bittern, Nelson’s Sharp-tailed Sparrow, Lincoln’s Sparrow, and a variety of raptors. Meet at Lilypons at 7:30 a.m. Reservations required. For reservations and directions, contact the LEADER: Mike Welch, 301-685-3561 or manddwelch@comcast.net.

 

October 11 (Sunday) BIG SIT. Join the Sitting Ducks at Black Hill RP starting at dawn and continuing until ? Come for the day or just a few hours. Meet at the dike across the road from the park boat ramp. LEADER:  Chuck Parker. chparker@access.k12.wv.us, 240-446-8423.

RESULTS We set up camp at 7:00 am on the earthen dyke near the boat ramp. The day started out clear and cold with a temperature of 42°. The sunrise was beautiful and the weather the rest of the day was clear and warm. We had a total of nine birders (Observers: Chuck Parker, Mike Bowen, Clive Harris, John Pangborn, Bob Hartman, Susan Hunt, Lydia Schindler, Woody and Rae Dubois.) come out for the event as well as several curious onlookers. Total species count was 55. Highlights of the day were a Lincoln’s Sparrow, American Wigeon, N. Shoveler and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. The most impressive sight of the day came when two soaring Red Tails locked talons and engaged in a freefall spin that last more than ten seconds.

 

October 18 (Sunday) HUGH MAHANES PRESIDENTS’ WALK. Half day. For our traditional Presidents’ Walk, 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. Meet 7:30 a.m. at the parking lot at the end of Riley’s Lock Road off River Road. Bring lunch for a post-walk picnic. Reservations not required. For more info, contact Jim Nelson at kingfishers2@verizon.net or 301-530-6574.

 

October 28 (Wednesday) WESTERN MONTGOMERY COUNTY MIXED BAG. Half day trip looking for sparrows, ducks, and who knows what else. Meet 7:30 a.m. at Hughes Hollow parking lot. Plan on doing some walking through wet grass in several locations throughout the county. No reservations needed. For further info, call the LEADER: Dave Powell at 301-540-8776.

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                         November               

                                                                                                      

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November 8 (Sunday) LOIS Y. GREEN CONSERVATION PARK. Half day. Explore the varied
habitats of this new 204-acre park. Songbirds, raptors, and waterfowl are possible. Meet 7:30 a.m. at parking lot on Snouffer School Road, Gaithersburg. Reservations required. For detailed directions and reservations, call the LEADER: Ed Patten, 301-948-5648.

 

November 11 (Wednesday) LBJs at BLUE MASH NATURE TRAIL. Blue Mash is hoppin’ with Little Brown Jobs, making it a good place to work on the basics of sparrow ID. We’ll look for similarities and differences among the common species, like Song and Field and Chipping, while keeping an eye out for less-likely White-crowned and Swamp. This trip is primarily for beginners, but all are welcome. Half day. For reservations, time, and directions, contact the LEADER: Lydia Schindler, 301-977-5252 or lydiaschindler@verizon.net.

RESULTS:  Participants: 10 including 3 from an impromptu merge with an ANS trip on Nov 14, plus 2 more on Nov 18. Species: about 40 both days. We postponed the trip because the original date, Nov 11, was rainy and windy. Nov 14 was not a huge improvement; it started with drizzle and cool temps--moisture in the air, on the optics, and underfoot. Birding was mostly quiet, including the vaunted sparrows: low numbers, except for Song and White-throats; a couple of Swamps, a couple of Fields, a Chipping. Saving the day, 8 or 10 Fox Sparrows, several of them singing their melodious song. Thanks to Jim Nelson’s intervention, the willows that used to block the small pond had been cut, giving us a view of 8 Green-winged Teal, a Lesser Scaup, and a coot. We saw a perched American Kestrel and a Northern Harrier over the landfill. Many Mockers were prominently fighting and chasing. The following Wednesday, Nov 18, held no rain, but it was cool, 45-55, with some wind. This day sparrow numbers were low, without even the small flocks of Song and White-throats of Saturday. Again, the stars were Fox Sparrows--but just 3, all perched up, but none singing. (However, we were able to cover only the front half of the loop because of standing water.) We enjoyed excellent and prolonged views of a hovering Northern Harrier. The only addition of note was a female Bufflehead on the big pond.

 

November 21 (Saturday) BLACKWATER NWR. Full day (to dusk). Ducks and thousands of Canada and Snow Geese. Brown-headed Nuthatch possible. Rough-legged Hawk and Short-eared Owl possible in late afternoon. Bring lunch and drinks. Reservations required. Limit: 12. For meeting place and time, contact the LEADER: Andy Martin, apmartin2@comcast.net or 301-294-4805 or 301-529-2066 (cell)

RESULTS:  Eight birders from the Montgomery Bird Club traveled to the Eastern Shore on November 21 for a fine day of fall birding in Dorchester County. We started at the Cambridge Waterfront, birded Egypt Road on our way to Blackwater and finished the day along Elliot Island Road. We had a good day weather wise. Temps were in the 50s with a light overcast and little wind.  Birding highlights included nice looks at Surf Scoters and Long-tailed Ducks from Great Marsh Point on a very placid Choptank River and great views of Eastern Meadowlarks and American Pipits along Egypt Road. At Blackwater, there was a nice flock of landbirds in the vicinity of the Marsh Trail, including 7 or 8 Brown-headed Nuthatch, many Golden-crowned Kinglets, and a Pine Warbler. Pool 5c still held a few shorebirds including a Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs and a Black-bellied Plover. We enjoyed nice views of an  American White Pelican near the bridge off Key Wallace Drive (a life bird for Diane Ford). After Blackwater, we headed over to Elliot Island Road to look for Short-eared Owls. What a beautiful place. We found 2 SEOW's flying low over the marsh north of Pokata Creek. Jim Moore briefly got sight of an American Bittern and we also had a late Osprey and "heard only" Great Horned Owl and Tundra Swans.  Non-birding highlights included a small herd of Sika Deer in an open field along Egypt Road and meeting the nice folks from the Youth Chapter of MOS and Baltimore Bird Club who also had trips scheduled at Blackwater the same day. Also spotted were veteran MBCers Jane Farber and Jean Lacerte.

 

November 29 (Sunday) LILYPONS/NEW DESIGN ROAD. Half day. Wintering field birds, targeting Fox and American Tree Sparrows and possibly Sora and American Bittern. Reservations required. For more info and reservations, contact the LEADER: Gail Mackiernan, 301-989-182R

RESULTS:  Nine birders joined the two leaders on a gorgeous mild late fall day exploring some sites in southern Frederick County. After the rain and wind of the previous week, everyone just felt good to be out! It was calm and sunny, with mid-day temperatures exceeding 60F. The birds cooperated as well, ending up with 48 species for the half-day. We started off along Oland Road where a close-in flock of Horned Larks contained three Lapland Longspurs, seen by all in the scope. The New Design Road/Rt. 85 loop yielded more larks as well as a huge blackbird flock that was dominated by Grackles. Back to Lilypons and a clamber through the fence to explore its many pools and pits. Highlights included 4-5 bright Fox Sparrows, a single White-crowned Sparrow and two lovely American Tree Sparrows sitting up for all to admire. Other highlights were 4-5 Wilson’s Snipe, a late Gray Catbird and noisy flock of over 35 Eastern Bluebirds on the move. Fair numbers of Swamp, Song and White-throated Sparrows were also present. Our final stop was at the Bishop Claggett Center where a short walk along their hedgerows and trails yielded 7-8 more White-crowned Sparrows as well as Brown Creepers, Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers and a large flock of Juncos, our 7th sparrow species for the day. On the down side, waterfowl were few and we dipped on rails and bitterns.

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           December            

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December 6 (Sunday) OCCOQUAN NWR, VA. Three-quarters day. Bring lunch and warm drink. We will look for sparrows and other field birds and early waterfowl. Established in 1998, Occoquan NWR is located at the confluence of the Potomac and Occoquan Rivers. Wetland habitats cover about 50 percent of the refuge; upland meadows and mature oak-hickory-beech forest are interspersed among the wetlands. Meet 8 a.m. at the refuge car park. Reservations required. Directions: The refuge is located in Woodbridge, VA, 20 miles south of Washington. From the North: take I-95 south to exit 161 (Woodbridge), follow Rte 1 South, cross the Occoquan River, and turn left at the light onto Dawson Beach Road. Follow road to end at entrance to refuge and proceed on same road to large parking lot on right. LEADER: Mike Bowen, 301-530-5764.

RESULT:
 Participants 7,  Sunny and calm in the 30's, Species Count 57. 

Highlights: An immature Peregrine Falcon, a perched adult male Cooper's Hawk, 2 Red-tailed Hawks, a female Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Hooded Mergansers, 39 Buffleheads, numerous Pied-billed Grebes and a single Horned Grebe.  10 Bonaparte's Gulls swam around with a group of Ring-billed and Herring Gulls.   Very large groups of Coot and (Lesser) Scaup were far out in the bay, together with smaller numbers of Gadwall.  Among our 7 species of sparrow the standouts were an American Tree and a Savannah, both feeding on a grassy roadway, and 4 Swamp.  We also picked up a couple of Winter Wrens and a Hermit Thrush.  Eastern Bluebirds and Robins were present in quantities. We also had a most cooperative Brown Creeper, not commonly seen at Occoquan.

 




December 16 (Wednesday), 7:30p.m.  “A Shade-grown and Bird-compatible Coffee Future.”  Paul Baicich.  Some coffees threaten the lives of birds; some coffees can actually benefit birds.  And millions of coffee drinkers can make the difference.  Paul Baicich will explore the shade-coffee/birds connection, focusing on Latin America and the Caribbean and “our” birds which migrate to the Neotropics.  We should leave with a greater appreciation of the issues, and the ability to explain them – even to non-birders.

December 19 (Saturday) TRIADELPHIA CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT. Compiler still to be determined.

 

December 19 (Saturday) WASHINGTON, DC CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT. Compiler: Larry Cartwright. Information: Kathy Wilson at Audubon Naturalist Society, 301-652-9188 x10.

 

December 20 (Sunday) SENECA CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT. Contact Compiler: Mark England, 240-207-3132 (home), 240-375-4500 (cell) or markengland@canamcontractors.com if you need information or would like to participate.

 

December 27 (Sunday) CENTRAL LOUDOUN CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT. (This count includes five miles along the C&O Canal in MD near White’s Ferry.) Compiler: Joe Coleman, 540-554-2542 or joecoleman@rcn.com. Contact Joe if you would like to help out in the Montgomery County section or across the Potomac River in VA.

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                             

Send calendar additions and corrections to field trip coordinator Linda Friedland

 

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