Vol. 43. No 3
The Maryland Yellowthroat
August 2023
Photo by Jeremy Castle
Sunset at Irish Grove MOS Sanctuary in Somerset County. Read about this jewel in the MOS sanctuary crown in the latest in our sanctuary spotlight series, beginning on page 14
In this Issue
President's Corner Page 3
Conservation Corner Page 4 By Robin Todd Ph.D
Did You Know??? Page 6 By Maryanne Dolan
Maryland Fall Count 2023 Page 6 By Chuck Stirrat
YMOS News Page 7
By George Ratcliffe and Wayne Bell
MOS Scholarship Update Page 8 By Anna Urciolo
Country Diary Page 8 By Colin Rees
2022-2023 MOS Chapter Review Page 8
Spotlight on Irish Grove MOS Page 14
Sanctuary
By Marcia Watson and Jeremy Castle Chapter Chatter Page 18 By Jean Wheeler
JULY 26, 2023
The Maryland Yellowthroat Publication of the Maryland Ornithological Society
Editor: Dave Wood Copy Editor: Susan Pardew Yellowthroat@mdbirds.org
Calendar Editor: Marilyn Veek Chapter Chatter: Jean Wheeler calendar@mdbirds.org jswheeler3@verizon.net
Mailing List: Maryanne Dolan Webmaster: Tom Strikwerda maryanne.dolan@gmail.com webmaster@madbirds.org
Editor's Note
This issue features recent MOS activities and accomplishments, and there are a lot of them: Field trips, lectures, expeditions far and wide, breeding bird atlas and citizen science participation, representation at the Maryland legislature and other venues, conservation work, financial support for worthy environmental efforts, public education, scholarships for educators to attend Hog Island Audubon workshops, the annual convention, and plenty of good fellowship. All of this is summarized in the 2022-2023 MOS chapter review, beginning on page eight, as well as our regular Chapter Chatter, put together for us by Jean Wheeler. And, of course, MOS owns 10 sanctuaries around the state; in this issue, Marcia Watson and Jeremy Castle describe a crown jewel in the system, Irish Grove, located in Somerset County, with their usual eloquence and enthusiasm.
We especially want to highlight the amazing success of the MOS Youth program at the 40th World Series of Birding held annually in New Jersey. Teams of young people from around the country gathered at the event, and they witnessed quite a show by George Radcliffe's and Wayne Bell's teams. The MOS contingent garnered first place in every one of the divisions: elementary, middle school, high school, and carbon-free. The carbon-free team tallied 120 birds in 16 hours, through rain and shine, while getting around only on bicycles and on foot. Once again, George and Wayne have demonstrated that they have done a truly remarkable job organizing and inspiring kids (not to mention their supportive parents) to work together to accomplish great things. More importantly, of course, they have introduced many young people to birds and the outdoors, providing experiences which, If the kids are lucky, can lead to lasting, enriching interest in the natural world and the commitment to help protect it.
Speaking of protecting the natural world, Dr. Robin Todd again has contributed a thorough and important article in Conservation Corner, this time focusing on environmental lead contamination, Also featured is a request by Susan McCutchen to contact our state legislators to put an end to the Maglev project once and for all. The project is a bad idea. Very bad. To review exactly how bad, please read Marcia Watson's summary of this boondoggle in the February, 2021, issue of the Yellowthroat, which you can find on the MOS website.
Finally, with so much happening in MOS, it can be a challenge to keep up with it all. And so, in this issue, we are delighted to introduce a new regular feature, entitled Did You Know??? . It will describe different features and programs of MOS, of which you might not be aware. Thanks to Maryanne Dolan for this timely idea!
Errata
On page 23 in the printed edition of the May 2023 issue, the beautiful photo of a Black-tailed Trainbearer was misattributed. The photographer was Jean Kirkwood.
Also in the printed edition of the May 2023 issue, in the Editor's Notes, the "Winter Birding on Cayman Brac" article was misattributed to Colin Rees. Robin Todd was the fortunate author.
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President's Corner
Warmest Greetings to MOS Members!
| hope you are enjoying your summer! Mine was launched with the birth of our first grandchild, a beautiful baby boy who loves to be cuddled. Talk about a win-win situation!
One of my major goals as MOS president is to strengthen relationships between chapters and MOS; and among chapters with each other. Chapters should learn about what other chapters are doing and enjoying on an ongoing basis. Chapter officers can get good ideas on how other chapters operate, and incorporate them into their own chapter's activities. We have urged chapters to share their newsletters, and to encourage members from other chapters to attend meetings and field trips. Joint field trips between two or even three chapters are a great way to meet other members!
We already have a mechanism for chapters learning about what is happening at the state level: State Directors! But! don't believe MOS has fully engaged and informed our state directors with what they should do to spread knowledge about MOS and chapters. When state directors attend quarterly board meetings and receive MOS updates, do they make a report to their chapter membership at every meeting? Who informs NEW state directors what they need to do to keep their chapter members updated about MOS?
Traditions such as publishing board of directors activities and an annual update of chapter activities in the Yellowthroat have died out in recent years. One reason is that MOS has relied on oral tradition to educate chapter officers about their responsibilities. Continuity during transitions relies on what new officers are told - and when they are told it! In the past year as president | have missed some deadlines because | simply did not know they existed! | am sure that previous presidents John Mckitterick, Robin Todd, Barbara Johnson, etc. had a similar experience. Relying on the memory of past presidents and other officers for timelines of responsibilities is not a reliable ongoing strategy for our society! The Executive Committee is now generating a calendar - creating
a written tradition, not oral - of what administrative duties the president should execute, and when.
We also need to develop a written tradition of what State Directors can do to foster strong relationships between chapters and MOS. And equally important, strengthen ties among chapters! | am open to any ideas and suggestions! Please tell me what your chapter is doing that works well, or what ideas you have for bettering communications.
bonnie.borsa@mdbirds.org
Bonnie Borsa President Maryland Ornithological Society 301-606-9383
CHRISTMAS COUNT COMPILER OPPORTUNITY
After 20 seasons, the compiler of the Sugarloaf
ountain Christmas Bird Count is stepping down and looking for one or two people to take over. You don't have to be a birding expert! What's essential is enthusiasm and attention to detail. A full job description is available upon request, but here's a brief summary of the compiler’s responsibilities:
BEFORE THE COUNT: Publicize the count; identify sector leaders; screen new volunteers; distribute aterials to all sector leaders. AFTER THE COUNT: ncourage sector leaders to submit their data promptly; review reports for accuracy and ompleteness; enter data via the CBC compiler portal; share results with participants.
he Sugarloaf CBC generally takes place ona Sunday close to New Year's. The circle’s terrain of armland, suburbs, and parks extends into both
rederick and Montgomery Counties, plus a small segment of northern Virginia, and includes a stretch of the Potomac River. Thanks to a dedicated group of participants, the most recent count tallied 90 pecies, and over the course of 38 seasons the umulative tally has risen to around 160 species. Please help keep this wonderful count going!
Maryland Ornithological Society 3
CONSERVATION CORNER - AUGUST 2023 Lead Poisoning on Birds; an update
Lead is an insidious toxin to all mammals, birds and other creatures. In fact, it has no known beneficial role in any animal species. It is therefore baffling and a little infuriating to me that this material is still used in ammunition for shotguns and rifles, and for fishing tackle. But there has been some progress.
Symptoms:
To start off, what harm does lead do to birds? Acute poisoning with high levels of lead (Such as >100me/dl(deciliter) of blood or >1 ppm) results in death with few symptoms. Lower levels of lead (Such as 20-100me/dl of blood) results in loss of coordination, weakness, drooping wings, anorexia, reduced activity, and green watery diarrhea. Poisoned birds tend to be more vulnerable to predation, trauma, and other diseases. These birds lose weight and can die within 2-4 weeks of ingesting lead. Mallards were shown to pass on lead to their young, which had lower survival rates. Hatching rates were reduced in Red-legged Partridges when dosed with three lead pellets (330 mg,) and sperm was adversely affected. There are many other records of birds suffering from lead poisoning.
Impacts of lead upon bird populations are much harder to document than on individual birds. However, the data do show negative impacts on bird populations. Thus, Bald Eagle population growth was found to be suppressed by 4.8% and Golden Eagle populations by 0.8% from lead toxicity. Other studies have shown that the resilience of Bald Eagle populations is lowered by lead. Golden Eagles were more susceptible to DDE, mercury and other environmental toxins, while motor and immune functions were impaired. Lead shot ingestion was negatively correlated with wintering populations of 15 waterfowl species in Europe, with the Common Pochard being the most affected.
As already noted, lead is toxic to all animals, with humans being no exception. Lead poisoning in people leads to a variety of ills, and children under six years old are especially at risk. According to WHO, there is no lower safe level of lead. The use of lead ammunition is therefore also a threat people who eat birds or wild game hunted with lead ammunition. Thus, for example, a 2009 study of 742 volunteers from six North Dakota cities found that consumption of hunter-killed wild game was associated with higher lead levels. Specifically, those who ate such game had lead blood levels averaging 1.27 ug/dlas compared to 0.84 g/dl in those who had not.
Exposure Routes for Lead:
Birds are exposed to lead in several ways. Direct exposure occurs when they are hit by shot gun pellets. Exposure can
be indirect, as when birds feed upon carcasses of game animals killed by lead ammunition or ingest spent shot gun pellets, which they mistake for grit on the ground. When a lead rifle bullet hits a game animal, it sheds many fragments, creating a wide zone of contamination. Raptors and corvids that feed on carrion are particularly at risk, owing to their consumption of game carcasses containing lead bullets and their fragments.
There is evidence that poisoning from lead shot embedded in surviving birds is less harmful than if the shot is swallowed. One example of this was a California condor that had a blood level of 16.6 yg/dl, resulting from small lead shot embedded in its tissues. By the time this bird was recaptured a year later, it had swallowed a single buck shot (i.e. large shot) and its lead blood level was 556 ug/dl. The vast majority of ammunition (especially from shotguns) misses its targets and is therefore distributed widely throughout the nearby environment, so the threat of lead is not confined to the birds and animal targets.
Discarded lead-based fishing tackle is another frequent source of exposure to birds. Lead sinkers and jigs are lost through snagging on underwater obstacles or overhead branches. A single lead sinker or jig, if swallowed by a loon, is sufficient to kill it. Swans will also swallow lead fishing tackle and ingest lead ammunition and fragments when grazing the bottom of shallow bodies of water.
The threat of discarded lead fishing tackle is not confined to water birds; Bald Eagles feeding on dead fish that have swallowed lead jigs will also be poisoned. Ospreys will be poisoned if they catch fish that have swallowed lead jigs.
Alternatives to Lead:
But for its toxicity, lead is an ideal material for ammunition and fishing tackle. It is soft, dense, easily melted, and cheap .I found reports of non-lead ammunition costing $5-10 per box more than the equivalent of lead variety, but a quick Google search showed prices of both types of shotgun shells as comparable, at very roughly $1 per shell. There is reluctance among hunters to switch to non-lead ammunition because they fear that is not as effective, and some even see the push for non-lead tackle as a form of governmental overreach.
The efficacy argument should be laid to rest by a very comprehensive study conducted by the Park and Wildlife Department of Texas. To test the relative efficacy of non-lead versus lead shotgun ammunition, 53 hunters were enlisted to use both types of ammunition for shooting Mourning Doves. Shotgun shells with either non-lead (two types) or lead shot (one type) were specifically assembled for the trial. Each hunter was paired with a trained observer who took careful notes of the outcome of each shot (i.e. doves killed, wounded or missed). Ballistics measurements were made separately. A total of just over 5000 shots were fired at the Mourning
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Dove targets during the 2008 and 2009 seasons. The results showed no consistent difference between the efficacy of lead and non-lead shot in bringing down the targeted doves.
Some fishermen are reluctant to switch from lead tackle because it is cheap and, | suspect, out of habit. There are several alternative materials which work equally well, including tin, bismuth, steel, ceramic and tungsten-nickel alloy. Some state departments of environment have programs to encourage anglers to switch from lead to non-lead tackle.
Bans on Lead Ammunition and Fishing Tackle:
Several bans on the use of lead-based ammunition and fishing tackle have been enacted. In 1991, lead shot was banned for use against waterfowl (ducks, geese, swans and coot) throughout the US. A study of lead levels in wintering Black Duck along the New Jersey coast showed that the percentage of ducks with lead levels of >0.2ppm fallen from 79% in 1978 to 20% in 2017. All the New England states have banned lead sinkers and jigs that weigh one ounce or less (half an ounce in the case of New York and Vermont). In 2022, an attempt by Minnesota to ban the use of lead tackle from lakes where swans bred, was defeated. Instead the state now has a ‘Get Lead Out’ program that encourages anglers to use non-toxic tackle. Loons are also of concern in Minnesota and other northern states for lead poisoning. The US Fish & Wildlife Service now proposes to ban lead from the following National Wildlife Refuges by 2026: Blackwater, Chincoteague, Eastern Neck, Erie, Patuxent Research Refuge, Rachel Carson, and Wallops Island. A lead ban is also proposed for Big Thicket National Preserve, administered by the National Park Service.
Enacting and then enforcing a ban does not entirely solve the problem of lead contamination, as it is persistent in soils. In a Danish study of 26 wetland sites, over which wildfowl hunting had been conducted for many years, the soils, which were first sampled in the late 1970's, were sampled again in 2019. The data revealed that spent lead shotgun pellets persisted in the top layers of these soils, while steel shot rusted away, far fewer of the latter type of shot being found. This was despite lead shot having been banned in 1986. But bans are still needed, better than allowing lead shot ammunition and stranded fishing tackle to continue accumulating.
What can we do to reduce and, eventually eliminate the menace of lead in our natural environment? One concrete step is to repeatedly urge our legislators to enact bans on lead ammunition and fishing tackle. Lead has long ago been banned from paint and gasoline. It is high time it was banned from ammunition and fishing tackle.
Best regards, Robin G. Todd PhD, Chair, MOS Conservation Committee Robin.todd@mdbirds.org
Selected References Pain, DJ, R Mateo and RE Green 2019.
Effects of Lead from Ammunition on Birds and Other Wildlife: A review and update.
httos://www.ncbi.nim.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6675766/
Pierce, BL, Roster, TA Roster, MC Frisbie, CD Mason & JA Roberson. 2014
A comparison of lead and steel shot loads for harvesting Mourning Doves https://doi.org/10.1002/wsb.504
Website: New England states’ position on move away from lead fishing tackle. See https://fishleadfree.org/
Kanstrup, N, AD Fox,T Johannes & S Balsby 2020.
Hunting with lead: Association between blood lead levels and wild game consumption. Env. Res. Vol 109, 8
https://oubmed.ncbi.nim.nih.gov/32018993/
Abstract only Lewis, NL, TC Nichols, C. Lilley, DE Roscoe &J Lovy 2021
Blood Lead Declines in Wintering American Black Ducks in New Jersey Following the Lead Shot Ban
Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management (2021) 12 (1): 174-182.
https://meridian.allenpress.com/jfwm/article/ 12/1/174/464071/Blood-Lead-Declines-in-Wintering-
American-Black
S Iqbal, W Blumenthal, C Kennedy, F Y.Yip, S Pickard, W.D Flanders, K Loringer, K Kruger, K L.Caldwell, MJ Brown. 2009
Hunting with lead: Association between blood lead levels and wild game consumption
Environmental Research
Volume 109, Issue 8, November 2009, Pages 952-959
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article
/abs/pii/S0013935109001467 Abstract only
Maglev Project
Susan McCutchen provided the following update. Please consider adding your voice in opposition to this awful project. Susan has provided contact info for the Governor, the Lt. Governor and the Transportation Secretary. And if you do, please let me know.
As an update on the proposed Superconducting Magnetic Levitation (SCMaglev) transportation project, an inordinate amount of money and lobbying is being hurled at elected and
Maryland Ornithological Society 5
other public officials by sponsors Northeast Maglev and Baltimore-Washington Rapid Rail to convince them to support this environmentally disastrous boondoggle. The Maryland Coalition for Responsible Transit (MCRT) and a number of other organizations continue to fight the project. The sponsors are working to influence water-permitting processes to pave the way behind the scenes as the Federal Railroad Administration continues to keep the project on indefinite pause. MCRT water experts are getting ready to counter sponsor arguments in Fall, 2023, at three Maryland Department of the Environment upcoming hearings.
The MCRT continues to underscore the alarming ramifications of the SCMaglev project to Governor Wes Moore
(https://md.accessgov.com/governor/Forms/Page/cs/
contact-the-governor/1), Lt. Governor Aruna Miller
(It governor@maryland.gov), and Transportation Secretary Wiedefeld ({hartman1@mdot.maryland.gov) as they continue
to straddle the proverbial political fence on the subject. The more residents they hear from who oppose this project, perhaps they will understand it is not as popular as Northeast Maglev polls and other advertisement on Facebook, Instagram, and other social media platforms purport.
Susan McCutchen (by July 18 email)
Did You Know?????????
wo of MOS's ten sanctuaries have overnight accomodations for very few $ per night. And only one ember of the party need be an MOS member. So, why
ot gather up family and friends and spend a few days at
ither Carey Run in Garrett County or Irish Grove in Somerset? Details are on the MOS webpage mdbirds.org/menu/conservation/refuges.)
MARYLAND FALL COUNT 2023
The annual Fall Seasonal Bird Count sponsored by MOS will be held on the 3rd weekend of September in the Maryland-DC area. Individual coordinators will specify any special conditions that they feel necessary to ensure participant safety, as hopefully the pandemic conditions continue to improve. Participation is at your own risk, and Maryland Ornithological Society or sponsoring chapters are not liable. The MOS Board has left the choice of whether the count will be on Saturday the 16th or Sunday the 17th 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 results of the count will appear in an article in the Spring 2024 issue of Maryland Birdlife.
The guidelines for this count are generally 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. Individual coordinators may provide specific instructions on how they want to receive inputs. Options include emailing copies of eBird checklists, sending photos/scans of hard copies you created, or a copy of the simple Excel spreadsheet (available on MOS website). A new checklist compilation form (AOS Supplement Order 63) and a spreadsheet capable of being sorted in either AOS or eBird order is available on the MOS website at the following link:
https://mdbirds.org/go-birdwatching/count-birds /fall-count-fall-migration/
The list includes the species one could expect to find in Maryland during this season. Those species on the list requiring further written documentation are noted with asterisks, and all write-ins require full details.
The fall counts, dates, and compilers (that were confirmed by the calendar deadline) are listed in the MOS Yellowthroat on-line calendar. A list of the county coordinators can also be accessed on the MOS website listed above.. Anyone who has organized a count that is not included, or who is interested in volunteering as a coordinator for another county currently without a coordinator, is encouraged to contact the state coordinator.
Deadline for submitting completed reports to your county/chapter coordinator is October 1, 2023. 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, contact the state-wide Fall Count Coordinator directly. Individual parties or other groups (e.g. Hawk Watch sites) who count in areas without a coordinator, but have data for the count dates, are asked to submit their data along with details on what area was covered, participants, and coverage statistics directly to the state Fall Count Coordinator by October 15.
Join the fun and have a great day birding!
Chuck Stirrat,, MOS State-wide Fall Count Coordinator 13318 Hunt Ridge, Ellicott City, MD 21042-1155
Home phone:410-531-2417
E-mail: stirrbird@outlook.com
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YMOS News
World Series of Birding Summary 2023
On May 13th, six YMOS teams competed in the 40th Annual World Series of Birding (WSB), the oldest birding competition in the country. Held in New Jersey each year to coincide with peak shorebird migration, the competition attracts teams from around the country. During the Big Day, May 13th this year, teams find as many bird species as possible. The time for finding species varies from fifteen hours for the elementary groups to twenty-four hours for high school and adults. Success depends upon a combination of scouting prior days and teamwork. The scouting period is where real learning occurs as students learn habitats and look for every possible species in each habitat. Migration always leads to wonderful surprises, including Curlew Sandpiper and Swainson’s Warbler this year. lronically, the motel housing the group had a Yellow-crowned Night Heron rookery in the parking lot.
With the support of MOS and many of its members who donated to the YMOS Birdathon in March, all teams could scout in advance, with some going up the entire week before the competition. When the dust settled at the Big Day's end, YMOS swept every category in the Youth Division. The day was marked by periods of rain and limited migration, but all teams persevered the entire day. One elementary squad, captained by Ryan Carr, finished with 127 species found. The YMOS Kylo Wrens included Karolina Mandell, Ethan Lichtig, and Gavin Hsao. Close behind them in second place with 118 species were the YMOS Off the Rails captained by Cam Hubbert and including Will Kania and Teddy Macri.
YMOS also fielded two teams in the Middle School Division, placing first and second. The YMOS Northern Scannets found 156 species and included captain Roshan Vignarajah, Caleb Kurlantzick, Joseph Priniotakis, and Kevin Achtmeyer. In second place with 145 species found was the YMOS Wily Willets with captain Cassidy Frazier, Moly
Dwyer, Sophia Frazier, and Sam Talley.
The YMOS Non-Petreleum team won the Carbon Free Youth Division with 120 species. Using only bicycles and foot power to move around during the competition, they pedaled for sixteen hours, including eight hours of rain. The team was captained by Gabe Evans and included members Nara Anusonti-Inthra, Eitan Weisberg, and Tyme Anusonti-Inthra.
In the High School Division, captain Josie Kalbfleisch led a team to the highest species total, 194, only three short of the winning adult total. The YMOS Ghost Owls included Aaron Reb, Scott Clark, Zach Stickney, and Joe Uglialoro, who joined the team from New Jersey. They scouted all of New Jersey for a week before the Big Day, birding long days beginning before dawn and ending after dark. In the twenty-four hours of birding, they covered New Jersey from north to south. YMOS also had a connection to the second-place adult team from Cornell, which included former member Jack Hutchison.
This incredible success would not have been possible without the support of many parents and MOS. While essentially a competition, because all data is submitted to eBird, the event is a significant annual bird count for New Jersey. The competition also requires a high level of teamwork, with every team member needing to see/hear and identify the species for it to count. Thus, even for the elementary team, constant contact and communication and a high level of cooperation are required.
While the results were impressive, even more remarkable was the attitude of the YMOS participants, who coordinated with and shared among the teams during the scouting period. The rain did not discourage them, and everyone would have been proud of how they represented MOS throughout the event.
The 41st WSB will be held on May 11, 2024, and YMOS plans to attend. Once again, we extend hearty thanks to all who made this wonderful experience a reality. Maryland certainly made its presence known that day in the ever-growing youth birding world.
George Radcliffe and Wayne Bell
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MOS Scholarship Update
This article is to alert all MOS members and especially chapter presidents about the upcoming advertisement of the 2024 Audubon Hog Island camp scholarship project.
The Hog Island camp has been bringing programs to birders, educators, and nature enthusiasts for over 80 years. MOS has offered scholarships to Maryland teachers, park personnel, and others who work with children for many of those years.
The camp is still finishing up their 2023 workshops and hasn't determined the dates for the 2024 sessions. After these dates have been set, all chapter presidents will receive a flyer and other documents so that they can advertise the camp at a club meeting and also in a chapter newsletter and/or via email to members.
This past summer six people received scholarships from MOS and attended one of two workshops - Field Ornithology and Sharing Nature: an Educator's Week. You will be reading their reports in the fall and they will also share their experiences at a chapter meeting.
The following is information that will be on the flyer:
Calling all teachers and naturalists involved with environmental education and conservation. The Maryland Ornithological Society (MOS) 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 responsibility of the recipient however there will be a fund from the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion committee that will help with travel costs.
Anna Urciolo Country Diary Blockley, the Cotswolds by Colin Rees
Passing through the village churchyard in the early morning, | came upon an elderly woman tending a new grave. After selecting flowers from a bouquet, she gently placed them on a marker and knelt in prayer. For a moment she was bathed in dappled sunlight. A breeze caught the flowers, a blackbird sang from the church tower, and a robin parlayed from the depths of a nearby bush. Overhead, swifts dipped in salute and then spun high, forever twittering in the cloud-flecked sky. Could there be a more fitting chorus accompanying one in private grief?
| moved on and caught sight of cobwebs glistening with heavy dew and daisies and buttercups bending to the warming sun. Slime trails marked the nocturnal foraging of
slugs, rather lengthy this day given a misty night. Looking back, | glimpsed a moorhen in its spring glory moving with a tentative stride among the lichen-encrusted gravestones, many leaning as if in benediction. Some are said to date to the 17th century but so encrusted with lichens that it would take a lichenologist to confirm their age.
Over many centuries people enjoyed churchyards for the performance of plays and less religious activities such as archery, ball games, wrestling and even cockfighting, as well as fairs and markets. In later times, sobriety took hold and people only entered them as they walked to Sunday services or to attend Christenings and funerals. Today, elegant benches donated by the bereaved allow folk to unwind in these oases of peace and tranquility.
Churchyards are sometimes a haven for plants and animals driven from the countryside over many centuries. Many, like that of St Peter and Paul, founded in 880 AD, were overly manicured until recent times. Nonetheless, its churchyard embraces 11 yew trees, two probably hundreds of years old, and a 100-foot Wellingtonia planted in memory of Admiral Sir Edward Collier, a Nelsonian frigate captain of renown. Collier was born in Blockley and retired there in his father's house, named Rodneys after his last command, HMS Rodney.The tree's dark foliage on down-swept branches contrasts fittingly with the trunk’s red spongy bark. Herb-robert sprouts from the nearby Cotswold limestone wall, and in a wildlife patch bordered by nettles, grows a palette of forget-me-not, Chicory, Fool's Parsley, the beautiful Bugloss, and Red Campion, So too the Hairy Tare, the last cited in the Bible as the parable of the tares. In earlier times, the tare was loathed by church-goers for tangling crops of barley, oats and wheat “reducing yields and bringing on a headache during harvest.
An estimated 10,000 of the Church of England's churches have churchyards collectively amounting to a small National Park. Around 6,000 of these hold significant biodiversity, many of our native plant and lichen species and their associated fauna surviving only in their confines. A sanctuary for the living as well as for the dead.
14 June 22 2022-2023 MOS Chapter Review Allegany/Garrett
This past year saw a continued return for bird walks and other activities for the Allegany and Garrett Counties Bird Club. Annual trips to favorite sites that saw upticks in participation included the FSU Arboretum, Town Hill Hawk Watch, First Day Walk, Rocky Gap/Mason Road Pond/and C&O Canal Terminus, and Garrett Ponds bird walks. Our club welcomed Dr. Cody Kent, Assistant Professor of Biology at Frostburg State College, to the area and greatly enjoyed his presentation on warbler diversity. Kristina Motley and Tim Carney returned to present on Poplar Island’s history and birds. In June, Nick Liadis, Founder and Executive Director of BirdLab.org made the trip from
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Pittsburg to talk on bird collisions and making a bird friendly yard.
We had many members and local birders volunteer for the MOS Annual Convention held at the WISP including Nicole Martin, Karl Schwalm, Gwen Brewer, Kevin Dodge, Aaron Graham, Atlee Wise, Liz McDowell, Ron Boyer, Connie Skipper, Crystal Fike, Chuck Hager, Courtney Engler, Scott Campbell, Noah Rawe, Cody Kent, and Melissa Hensel.
And finally, our club continued to make financial donations to support the Garrett College Wildlife Program and birding trips to the Southwest led by professor Kevin Dodge, and Frostburg State University professor Kate Sheehan and her students’ research projects in the Alaska region on parasites and plastics in seabirds.
Melissa Hensel, President/Secretary Anne Arundel
This year the Anne Arundel Bird Club focused on “getting back to normal” in the wake of the Covid pandemic. We instituted hybrid meetings for those wanting to attend in person and removed many of the field trip restrictions that were in place during Covid. While our initial attempts at hybrid meetings did not go as smoothly as planned, they did get better as we progressed through the year and did allow those that did not want to travel the opportunity to attend the club meetings online.
Membership and Budget
Membership in the Anne Arundel Bird Club remained constant this year ending with approximately 217 members, including 57 new members. The treasurer's report (see attached) from our Treasurer, Peter Bungay, showed an end of year balance of $14,265, a decrease of $572 from the start of the year. In addition to expenses for venues and speakers, we spent $1,851 for materials for the construction of Chimney Swift towers. A second tower located at Quiet Waters Park was completed, and materials were purchased for a third tower at Fort Smallwood Park. In addition, Denny Baker has pledged funds in memory of his wife and longtime member and former President of AABC, Linda Baker, for the completion of the Fort Smallwood tower.
Field Trips
The club's field trip co-chairs, Sue and Alan Young, scheduled over 50 field trips to over 30 different locations in Maryland, Delaware, and New Jersey this year. They also planned two overnight field trips to Cape May, New Jersey, and Cape Charles, Delaware, led by Peter Hanan. Post- Covid attendance at field trips increased, and we started out the year with some unbelievable trips in the fall.
The pontoon boat trip up the Patuxent River with Greg Kearns in September turned up well over 20 Sora Rails with at least four or five out in the open for an extended period on logs or mud flats. Our trip to Jug Bay Wetlands
Sanctuary led by Kevin Graff documented a rare flyover of a Golden Eagle. Our trip to Swan Creek with Stan Arnold and a number of other excellent birders turned up 97 species, including Lincoln's Sparrow, American Pipit, and Golden Plover.
Kent Island was a popular destination as we visited Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center and Terrapin Park for walks led by Adele Clagett and her Kestrels. Matt Addicks led a great walk at Mariner Park in Hartford County, and Jonas Lai led a wintery cold walk at Sandy Point Park and a rather nice walk at South River Farm Park. Fred Shaffer gave a us gull boot camp at Fort Armistead. To continue our attempts to get new folks interested in nature and birding, Sue and Alan Young and Jim Collatz led monthly walks at Kinder Farm and Quiet Waters Parks, offering to loan binoculars to potential new birders.
Meetings
The club held eight monthly meetings from September to May. Our program chair position was vacant, but the board stepped up and secured great speakers for each of the meetings. Our recording secretary, Kim Hudyma, also took on hospitality chair to ensure refreshments were available at our meetings. Our October meeting was planned to be an outdoor conservation themed event at Quiet Waters Park open to the public, but the event was rained out with torrential storms that day.
We had some excellent speakers beginning with our own past president, Larry Zoller, talking about wildlife in India, followed by Jim Rapp and his entertaining Delmarva Birding Weekends. Andy Brown headlined December with an in-depth talk on Barn Owls; Colin Rees talked about one of our favorite birding sites, Dusk to Dawn at Jug Bay; Joan Maloof enlightened us on the Old Growth Forest Network; Kim Abplanalp shared the success they have had achieving a seven fold increase in Common Tern nesting due to the Common Tern Raft; Gerald Winegrad presented a talk on his Expedition to the End of the Earth, drawing over 100 people for our annual fundraiser; and Julie Brown capped off the year with an excellent presentation on the Hawk Migration Association of North America.
Newsletter
The club's newsletter, 7he Pandion Platform, prepared by Communications Director Deb Wade, was published on a bimonthly basis and included outstanding articles and photos from Deb and club members. The newsletter is what kept us together during Covid and continues to be the organizational glue for members that are not able to attend meetings or field trips.
Conservation
Colin Rees represented the club on several conservation issues, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service stakeholder meeting on potential expansion of the
Maryland Ornithological Society 9
National Wildlife Refuge in Anne Arundel County and Southern Maryland as well as a number of bills before the Maryland legislature.
Thanks to all club members for your participation and support during this transition year. And finally, none of this would be possible without the dedication and hard work of the Board members. Thank you for all that you do.
Alan Christian, President Baltimore
This edition’s article was to be titled “Highlights of 2022-2023 BBC Year,” as | was asked to write about highlights of our Baltimore Chapter’s year for the upcoming edition of The Maryland Yellowthroat (Maryland Ornithological Society's newsletter). And then | would use the same article for our Chip Notes and save some writing work.
That's changed. I'm still going to write only one article because birding and life, in that order, take priority, but there’s no way | can cover all of our memorable moments from last year in a short article. But it won't be a long one either. Remember: birding first, life second, Chip Notes later.
So, | reviewed all of our board meeting minutes from the last club year (September to August), took some notes, and reviewed our program book. Holy Hockey Sticks, boy do we conduct a lot of activities, especially a vast array of Trips!!
This report will cover just that, our program events, with apologies to the people involved with our Conservation Committee, Lights Out Baltimore (Lindsay Jacks - next edition article | think), Collections efforts, extensive presence on county park and refuge Friends and oversight boards, Hospitality milestones, and much more. So Libby, Keith, and Nico, | will NOT be documenting the Birds, Bourbon, and Bacon event of which you were so integrally a part.
What an awesome job Toby Gingerich, Peter Lev, and just recently Mirat Shah and previously Nancy O’Hara had done on our Trip Committee!!
We're going to go by the numbers. Out of the 148 events (not counting Board meetings) listed in our program last year, there were:
61 Baltimore City Standard Field Trips: Wyman Park, Patterson Park, Herring Run Park, etc., many in partnership with Audubon
49 Baltimore County Standard Field Trips: Loch Raven, Cromwell Valley Park, Soldier’s Delight, Marshy Point Nature Center walks with Mary and Brent, and more
Eight Special Trips Out of City/County: Bombay Hook NWR, Blackwater NWR, Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center and more
10 Family Trips: Designed for younger birders with topics covered like Migration, Bird Banding, Horseshoe Crabs, Bald Eagles, Bats and more, at locations like Dupont Nature Center in Delaware, Conowingo Dam, Cylburn Arboretum, and local wild areas
Thanks to our Youth leader, Daisy Sudano who really gets the younger birders excited about birds and nature with her games, activities, and lively presentations
Two Birding by Canoe Trips:A special treat to explore less accessible marsh habitat, Thanks Sam Tillman
Three Habitat Walks: These are combination habitat study and explanation along with the experiencing the birds who use the subject habitat, organized by our Conservation Committee led by Carol Shreter
Seven Lectures: Organized very well by Neville Fernandes with topics like “Birdsong and Musical Composition”, “Migration Biology and What That Teaches Us About Our Conservation Efforts”, and “An Introduction to Empidonax Flycatchers and Their Identification”
We had special lectures by Tiffany Kersten on her “Birdie Big Year”, and the trials of birding as a woman, and at our annual covered dish dinner, Audubon’s David Curson’s “Can Floating Islands save Endangered Seabirds in Maryland's Coastal Bays?”
Three Citizen Science Bird Counts: Not one, but two Audubon Christmas Bird Counts organized by our special expert birder Libby Errickson. And a May Count for MOS, ditto Libby
Two Maryland 3rd Breeding Bird Atlas Training and Blockbusting walks: Thanks Paul and Elise Kreiss and Mike Hudson
One Big Sit: Alyssia Church and Libby too
One Smithsonian Ornithology Tour: Including information on bird strikes on planes research and their effects by tour leader Sarah Luttrell
One Club Picnic: Another success on beautiful protected property hosted wonderfully by Devi Abbott
Joe Corcoran Caroline
First off, congratulations to our club president, Bill Scudder for beginning his 68th year of consecutive MOS membership this May!
We've had some tough years lately with diminishing membership and attendance at meetings, bird walks, and trips. The pandemic did not help. This year we had to find an alternative meeting location while the Caroline County Public Library in Denton began a major renovation. It is not expected to be completed until late fall of 2023.
After combining meetings with Saturday bird walks in the fall of 2022, we settled on meeting the third Saturday morning at the Wharves of Choptank Visitor & Heritage
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Center in Denton, beginning in January, 2023. Attendance improved. We received several thanks for changing the meeting time from Thursday evenings to Saturday mornings.
In addition to our bird walks/meetings in the fall, we also visited Foreman’s Branch Bird Observatory in September to observe bird banding. We also held what is now our annual Big Sit! event in October at the Adkins Arboretum’s Wetlands Overlook. A big thank you to the Arboretum’s executive director, Ginna Tiernan, for allowing us to use this space every year. In January we began regular meetings with presenters at the Wharves. Gabriel Foley spoke that month, bringing us up-to-date on the Breeding Bird Atlas work and areas in Caroline County still to cover. Other highlights were Wayne Bell's program in March, entitled “30% Fewer Birds in North America: Lost from Maryland's Eastern Shore?” and Donna Cole's presentation in April regarding the Bald Eagle poisonings on the Eastern Shore. We ended our season in May with a presentation from Rich Downs on the White Tern work he is leading in Hawaii and more strategizing for breeding atlas block busting in Caroline County. Rob Brownlee-Tomasso, the creator of our Club's logo arranged for members to order hats, hoodies and tee shirts with our logo on it from a local vendor in Easton.
We look forward to our 2023-2024 season, continuing our meetings on Saturday mornings at the Wharves.
Debby Bennett for Bill Scudder Cecil
Cecil Chapter hosted a number of field trips this year. While we did not have face-to-face meetings, club members were kept informed through frequent email updates. Club members look forward to resuming field trips in the fall.
Maryanne Dolan Frederick
Meetings and Speakers.The Frederick Bird Club (FBC) held 9 meetings during the 2022-2023 program year, and most of the meetings were “hybrid” meetings conducted both in-person and virtually, thanks to the efforts of our IT manager, Cam Miller. Attendance averaged at about 20 members for each meeting.
Field Trips and Bird Walks. FBC members also organized and led 22 field trips and bird walks, as well as participating in at least 8 different bird counts.
Meeting at Hood College. Starting on September 7, 2023, the FBC will be meeting in the Hodson Science and Technology Building at Hood College, Room 236. This will be a great opportunity to connect with the students and faculty at Hood College and to encourage students to join us for bird walks and even internship projects. Professor Eric Kindahl, PhD, has been a great advocate and encouraged the Hood College Biology Department to
“sponsor” the FBC. | hope this will be a great opportunity for both the FBC and Hood College, as well as a long-lasting partnership.
Thank you to Russ Johnson, Treasurer. After four years serving as club treasurer, Russ Johnson is stepping down. The FBC would like to thank Russ for his dedicated work in managing the club's finances over the past four years.
Officers for 2023-2024 Program Year. The FBC officers for 2023-2024 will be: Kari McPartland, Vice President; Marilyn Veek, Secretary; Lynn Kieffer, Treasurer; Bonnie Borsa, Immediate Past President; Kathy Brown, State Director; Kathy Calvert, State Director; and Mike Spurrier, President.
FBC T-Shirts and Caps available on the Web Store.The FBC has been working with a local company in Frederick, Custom Imprints, to set up a Web Store, and here's the link: https://marylandbirdclubs.itemorder.com/shop/home/, The web store currently offers shirts, hats, backpacks, and even a cooler with either the MOS or FBC logo - please check it out. Other MOS chapters are welcome to add their logos and join the web store.
For more information, please feel free to contact Mike Spurrier at 240-446-0305 or by email at
mspurrier819@gmail.com. Mike Spurrier
President, 2022-2024 Howard
The Howard County Bird Club celebrated its 50th Anniversary during the 2021 year. Selling commemorative t-shirts, with Sue Probst’s winning design, helped raise funds for the celebration. Special field trips were planned throughout the year, including the highlight, a trip to Smith Island. Great weather, calm waters, and lots (108 species) of birds (and crab cakes and Smith Island cake) made this a successful trip.
There were also three other anniversary activities for our members to enjoy: 50th Anniversary Challenge which required participants to complete a minimum of 20 of the list of 50 bird or nature-related activities for a prize; Members’ Memories where club members could record personal bird or natural history incidents (posted on our webpage); and a Pictorial Natural History 2022 where individuals could submit seasonal photos for webpage posting.
Finally, the celebration was held at the Howard County Conservancy (HCC) the weekend of October 29-30, 2022. Saturday was a field day where members could participate in a bird walk, a habitat walk, and/or a visit to the Skywatch, depending on their interests. Sunday afternoon was the big event at the Gudelsky Environmental Education Center featuring a program with history, memories, and member recognition, displays, prizes,
Maryland Ornithological Society 11
awards, and much needed social time among our members after a few-year-Covid-hiatus that kept us apart. Founder Nanine Rhinelander was the honored guest. She and President Kristin Trouton cut the anniversary cake. And our special year would not have been complete without Jo Solem getting her 300th bird species in Howard County, a Western Kingbird; she was awarded a framed photo to celebrate this milestone.
2022-2023 was an excellent year with nine outstanding programs and 30 field trips. Some of our own members provided great content: David Holmes with Historic Amazements, Kevin Heffernan with the Butterfly Survey, Allen Lewis's trip to Colombia, and Kurt Schwarz’s trip to South Africa. Our final program of the year was youth-oriented where we heard Kojo Baidoo’s inspiring presentation on his study abroad in Panama and recognized our two MOS Youth Backpack Contest winners Luke Ni and Luke Orndorff. In addition, thanks to our leaders we had some special field trips for members to enjoy, including Cape Henlopen, Belmont Manor, Alpha Ridge Landfill, and Hot Spots for Red Knots in Delaware.
Some other highlights of the 2023 birding year were that we were able to get permission from our friends at WSSC for MOS members to have access to extended areas beyond recreational areas of Triadelphia and T. Howard Duckett Reservoirs through November 30, 2023, that we expect to renew in the future. Our Waterford Flats committee led by Russ Ruffing and Wes Earp has continued to make adjustments to improve the habitat to attract shorebirds. Another highlight was our Annual Potluck which gathered again thanks to Sherry Tomlinson after a three-year break. It was another great time for our members to enjoy each other's company, great food and drinks, and watch a photo slide show of our member's photos taken throughout the year.
Our Butterfly/Pollinator Group leader Kevin Heffernan, assisted by Kathy Litzinger, continues making great strides on the butterfly front. They are actively involved in education, continuing the county survey, and leading field trips throughout the summer. Additionally, our Purple Martin habitat project at HCC was a success, as five boxes in the apartment were occupied only a year after installing the unit. At the end of the year, Sue Probst was again recognized for her artistry by winning the MOS Convention pin competition for the second straight year with her Black-crowned Night Heron design and for her third time overall. Between Sue and her mother, they have won the competition six times! And, finally, Sue Muller and Dave Ziolkowski continued to lead a strong county breeding bird atlas effort. Sue’s newsy updates and her enthusiastic leadership have been keys to the success of this project.
Kristin Trouton Montgomery
Annual Report of the Montgomery Bird Club's activities with the Secretary of the Maryland Ornithological Society,
Inc., prior to the MOS Annual Meeting.
The Montgomery Bird Club (MBC) initiated hybrid meetings this year under the supervision of our VP, Emily Huang, and they went very well despite a few hiccups here and there. They were recorded and are available to watch on our Vimeo channel.
Our finances remained steady thanks to our retiring Treasurer, Chris Wright. We are extremely grateful for the eights years he served in that role. We are pleased to announce that Lisa Norwalk has just taken over his responsibilities.
Moira Davenport has supervised our expanding membership that has now surpassed 470 active members.
Our website continues to develop under the Council's guidance and Ed Vigezzi’s webmastership.
Our field trips, under the supervision of Linda Friedland, continue to be very popular. To handle the demands, we have instituted “pop-up” field trips with no limits on numbers. Also, we have started youth field trips to accommodate and teach high school and younger children.
We had our annual Social Dinner on May 10, 2023, and celebrated Past-President Clive Harris as our Guest of Honor. Ninety members attended, bought auctioned books and showed favorite bird photos.
Scott Young, President Patuxent
The Patuxent chapter of MOS meets on the second Tuesday of every month, except July and August. Years ago, we instituted joint meetings with Prince George's Audubon and for a while achieved the remarkable feat
of attendance at our monthly meetings meetings equaling our total membership. Since then, membership has more than doubled and is currently just below 100.
The COVID pandemic had mixed effects. Zoom meetings lack the social opportunities and the chance to catch up with old friends; a half-hour open conversation before the start of the meeting isn't the same. On the other hand, zoom eliminates all the transportation hassles
associated with in-person meetings. The time saved that would have otherwise been spent sitting in traffic is a big deal, both for quality of life and less pollution. It also greatly increases our pool of potential speakers: one of our speakers was in South America during the meeting. Asa result, we continued online meetings through the
spring of 2023 and are considering going hybrid in the fall.
Field trips are also back to pre-pandemic levels with 50 to 60 per year. They fall into three broad categories. The first category is targeted to the season. They go to diverse places and rack up lots of species not seen on other trips. They are poorly attended. The second category features our monthly walks at two local natural areas. They
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regularly attract two dozen participants, and some months should be divided into two groups. The third group is weekday afternoons and evenings, entirely on pavement at a local park. The time and location was chosen to appeal to a different audience; people interested in birds but not hard-core birders. These trips are also quite popular and over the years have brought us quite a few new members. Who could have known some people think weekend mornings are meant for sleeping in?
This fall is the tenth anniversary of our first diversity outreach program; a festival at Lake Artemesia, a local park heavily used by the Hispanic community. It consists of birdwalks, exhibits, bilingual family activities and some captive raptors and has been so popular the Maryland and National Capitol Parks and Planning Commission supports and publicizes the event. So far, that popularity has not translated into any year-round interest.
Marcia Watson's five year reign as president is coming to an end. Among many other accomplishments she was instrumental in improving our newsletter and social media presence. We will miss her.
David Mozurkewich President elect
Talbot
The Talbot County Bird Cub had an active year with 25 field trips, 3 business meetings and a picnic. Our field trips alternate between Saturday and Sunday, our average attendance is approximately 12 - 14 people.
Our meetings are in person, if we have a speaker who is only available by zoom, like Dr. Jonathan Slaght who spoke on “Owls of the Eastern Ice,” we collaborate with Pickering Creek. Our Zoom programs are made available to all MOS members.
Dr. Wayne Bell has done a wonderful job finding speakers. An exception to our parade of speakers was the meeting that members were invited to share their photographs. We had good participation with good photographers and cell phone shots.
We plan our field trips seasonally. In the summer we have an informal get-together like a picnic to plan our fall/winter birding trips. Jeff Effinger does an excellent job suggesting places to go and coordinating leaders. After all has been decided, Ron Ketter types it up and emails all members a copy, which includes meetings and field trips. Ron handles this tedious job effortlessly.
We encourage our members to participate in all MOS events. TBC has good participation at Irish Grove work week-ends and MOS conventions.
We also participate with Dorchester County spring and fall bird counts. We share walks with Caroline County by exchanging our schedules.
Members come and go but numbers are holding steady. We advertise our walks in all local papers and free local magazines, | do not believe we have ever had a walk-in.
We meet at the YMCA and make it known that all are invited to attend our programs. Again, no walk-ins have attended.
We are looking forward to another good year birding after our summer break.
Bettye Maki, President Tri-County
The Tri-County club meets on the fourth Monday of each month from September through May. The meeting place for 2022-2023 was the MAC Center in Salisbury. That venue will change for the 2023-2024 session. The new meeting place will be in The Maryland Department of Agriculture building on Nanticoke Road in Salisbury.
Speakers’ topics for our meetings this year were:
"The Greatest Environmental Threat to Wildlife and How to be Part of the Solution,” presented by Dr. Aaron Hogue, Associate Professor of Biology, Salisbury University.
"The Land of the Midnight Sun, Birding in Finland and Norway," presented by Chris Dominick and Mike Walsh, club members.
"Changing Delmarva: Priorities and Challenges in our Coastal Watershed,” presented by Gabby Ross, Assateague Coastkeeper, Assateague Coastal Trust.
"Migration: New Technologies Shed Light on Ancient Mysteries," presented by Dr. Ellen Lawler, club member.
"Papua New Guinea, Birding in Paradise," presented by Marcia Balestri, club member.
"What Future for Saltmarsh Birds? A Saltmarsh Restoration Plan for Maryland," presented by Dr. David Curson, Director of Bird Conservation (Maryland), at Audubon Mid-Atlantic.
"Thinking Like a Watershed," presented by Dr. Tom Horton, author, environmentalist and Professor of Practice in Environmental Studies, Salisbury University.
"Gulls of North America: Enjoying Nature’s Most Accessible Birds in Maryland and Across North America,” presented by Fred Shaffer III, author.
Club trips this year included:
Assateague National Seashore, Bombay Hook NWR, Ocean City to Cape Henlopen,The marshes of Somerset County, Dorchester County from Cambridge to Blackwater NWR, Heron Park, Berlin, Nassawango Watershed, and Prime Hook and the Delaware Coast.
Members participated in the Fall count, Salisbury, Crisfield
Maryland Ornithological Society 13
and Ocean City Christmas Counts and the May Count. Members also attended both Irish Grove work weekends.
Members assisted with some weekly bird walks at the Ward Museum. We are partnering with Janes Island State Park to lead monthly bird walks for their campers.
There will be new officers in the club for the new year: President: Mary Huebner
Vice President: Ellen Lawler
Secretary: Maryanne Pettis
Treasurer: Jen Barnes
MOS Board: Mike Walsh
Conservation Chair: Charlie Stegman
As the year ends we have 50 active members and 154 followers on our Facebook page
Mike Walsh
Spotlight on: Irish Grove Sanctuary Somerset County
By Marcia Watson and Jeremy Castle
Note: This article is the ninth in a series spotlighting the ten sanctuaries owned by the Maryland Ornithological Society (MOS). The MOS sanctuaries are spread across the state from Garrett County to Somerset County, but the majority are little-known and seldom visited. Yet all the sanctuaries have something to offer the birder, naturalist, or conservationist.
If marsh birds, waterfowl, and waders are your jam, then Irish Grove is the sanctuary for you.
Irish Grove MOS Sanctuary in Somerset County (Figure 1) is considered by many to be the “jewel in the crown” of the MOS Sanctuary System, and is by far the largest of the ten MOS sanctuaries. Irish Grove Sanctuary occupies the Rumbly Point peninsula (Figure 2) in southern Somerset County. The sanctuary now consists of 2,326 acres, the majority being tidal marshes, with some higher ground in pine forests. There are breathtaking, wide-open vistas of the tidal marshland. Most of the property is less than five feet above sea level. There are several fresh and saltwater ponds surrounded by Loblolly Pine woods.
Irish Grove Sanctuary began with a purchase by MOS of 1,410 acres in 1968. MOS engaged in a massive fundraising campaign to enable this purchase, and donations were received from many community organizations and school groups, as well as MOS members. Additional parcels were added over the years, both by purchase and by donation through the Eastern Shore Land Trust. In fall 2017, MOS purchased an additional 32-acre parcel and named it the Chandler and Eleanor Robbins Tract, in honor of these two
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Figure 1: Location of Irish Grove in Somerset County
Irish Grove MOS Sanctuary Satellite Image with Approximate Boundaries
Approximate Sanctuary Boundaries in Yellow ==
House
See next page for inset area with house and trails.
Richardson’s Marsh
Map prepared by Marcia Watson using MERLIN (Maryland’s Environmental Resource & Land Information Network), 4/13/20.
Figure 2. Irish Grove Property Boundary
late members of MOS who did so much to support MOS and its sanctuaries, and in particular, Irish Grove. Now MOS is celebrating the recent (November 2019) addition of several tracts totaling over 715 acres, a generous gift from Mr. Beverly M. DuBose, a local landowner and
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Spotlight on: Irish Grove MOS Sanctuary Continued from Page 14
outdoorsman. Mr. DuBose and the Keating family, his associates in the Quindocqua Partnership, have been good friends to MOS and the Irish Grove Sanctuary. The DuBose addition includes the spectacular Richardson Marsh covering most of the south end of the peninsula.
The sanctuary features a farmhouse and outbuildings, surrounded by about 20 acres of fields and yard, and this is where visits should start. There are foot trails that start from the house area, as well as a couple of lanes (Dotty Lane, Canal Road, Robbins Way, and Round Pond Road) that can be driven by car during dry weather.
There are three observation platforms - one on Round Pond, a high tower on Canal Road and one in the marsh on the shore of East Creek. The East Creek platform can only be reached by canoe or kayak. Birding is good along Rumbly Point Road all the way to the end of the road at Pocomoke Sound.
lrish Grove MOS Sanctuary Trail Map
trails a Robbins Tract
Name lea, —— Canal Road Connector By —— Dick's Trail Pei —— Dotty Lane S Paul's Trail li) —— Rail Trail } —— Robbins Way Hj) — Round Pond Road if
e Vee] ion | = |} =o 3S es 2 a.
sam House & i} Driveway
Note: The following trails can be driven in a vehicle: Dotty Lane (~~~), Canal Road (
Robbins Way ( ), and Round-Pond Trail ( waterproof boots are advisable.
),
). All other trails are foot-traffic only and
September 2018 Map drawn by Leslie Pitt
Figure 3: Irish Grove Trail Map
Every visit to Irish Grove should include a walk or down Rumbly Point Road past Richardson Marsh to the road's end at Rumbly Point on the Pocomoke Sound. The road provides excellent views of the adjacent marsh, a good place to look for waders, shorebirds, terns and gulls, and marshland sparrows and wrens. There is so little traffic that it is possible to simply stop on the road to look at birds. But be aware that the road may not be passable
during high tides or after recent storms or high winds. Also be aware of the soft shoulders; do not drive too close to the edges as you may get stuck in the mud.
Rumbly Point Road. Photo by Jeremy Castle
Note that the hunting lodge on the water at the south end of Rumbly Point Road is privately owned and is not part of the MOS Sanctuary, so please avoid trespassing there.
lrish Grove is very large, and most of the sanctuary’s marshlands, with miles of shoreline and tidal creeks, are not visible from the road or the foot-trails, so you might enjoy exploring by kayak or canoe (bring your own; none on site). These can be launched in a man-made canal at the end of the sanctuary’s fittingly-named Canal Road, about 0.6 miles past the house. The canal connects to East Creek and thus provides access to much of the marsh. There may not be enough water to float even a kayak at some low tides, so be aware of the tides. If you decide to paddle, consult a tide chart and use a handheld GPS ora GPS app on your smartphone to avoid getting misplaced in the meandering creeks of the marsh.
May through October are great months for insects at this sanctuary. There are deer flies, green heads, mosquitoes, ticks, and punkies by the thousands. It is advised that visitors during the summer and early fall wear head nets, long sleeve shirts, long pants, closed-toe shoes, and use repellents. Often the insects are worse in the upland areas; once out on the marsh, the breeze may keep them away. Weather is typically mild year-round due to persistent breezes and the proximity to Pocomoke Sound
The house at Irish Grove is available for overnight stays by MOS members; see https://mdbirds.org/ conservation/refuges-sanctuaries/irish-grove/#toggle-id-2 for fees, regulations, and making reservations (required for overnight stays). The house has four bedrooms (mix of single and double beds), living room, museum/library room, dining room, kitchen with basic cooking and eating utensils, bath and screened porch. Bring your own bed linens and towels. The plumbing in the house is winterized
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Spotlight on: Irish Grove MOS Sanctuary
Continued from Page 15
Birding on Rumbly Point Road - November 2022; from left to right: Dave Mozurkewich, Elaine Scribner, Steve Wagner, Carolyn Smith, Jeff Effinger, Bettye Maki, additional individuals obscured). Photo by Jeremy Castle
from approximately December 1 to April 1; winter visitors must bring their own water and refrain from using the drains in the sinks or the indoor toilet. The grounds also include a screened picnic shelter capable of seating a large group; tool and storage sheds (closed to the public); and an outhouse, outdoor shower, and outdoor water faucet. Tent camping is permitted near the house. Advance reservations are required for overnight stays, including camping.
More about the Irish Grove Marshes
The vast marshes at Irish Grove provide the birder with a good opportunity to study the various marsh plants and the birds that occupy the different habitat zones. The following description of Irish Grove’s marsh zones, vegetation, and birds is adapted from text that accompanied a circa-1980s trail map of Irish Grove. We believe that the vintage trail map was drawn by Danny Bystrak and the text written by Paul Bystrak; as young men, the Bystrak brothers accompanied Chan Robbins on visits to Irish Grove and helped to develop the trail system there.
There are basically two kinds of marsh: High Marsh and Low Marsh. The modifiers are the reverse of the average wetness. The former is at a higher elevation and generally above the daily tide level; its primary source of water is from the sky, with an occasional influx from monthly spring tides and storm tides. Low Marsh is influenced by the two daily tides and is the “Salt” Marsh. Both of these have wetter and drier areas, which may be easily recognized by the general vegetation: Dry Marsh has short plants, Wet Marsh has tall plants.
High “Dry” Marsh is dominated by Seashore Saltgrass (Distichlis spicata) and Saltmeadow Cordgrass (Spartina patens; changed to Sporobolus pumilus in 2019). Both of these are generally about 6 inches high and form mats. This is the nesting area of Eastern Meadowlark, Saltmarsh Sparrow, Willet, and Black Rail; it is the hunting area for Short-eared Owl and Harrier. In summer it is often dry and hard: wear canvas sneakers and your socks will not get wet.
High “Wet” Marsh is dominated by Needlerush (Juncus roemerianus). This species forms clumps of 2 foot tall “soda straw” leaves with sharp points. This is the habitat of Virginia Rail, Seaside Sparrow, and Sedge Wren. This is an area of persistent shallow pools, with water usually 4 inches deep most of the year. It can be muddy bottomed with occasional deep holes. Wear calf-high boots.
Low “Dry” Marsh is flushed by daily tides. Dominated by Saltmarsh Cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora; changed to Sporobolus alterniflorus in 2019) away from channels and ditches, but with shrubs of Marsh Elder (Iva frutescens) and Eastern False Willow (Baccharis halimifolia) and Tall Cordgrass (Spartina cynosuroides: changed to Sporobolus cynosuroides in 2019) along the edges of channels and ditches. This is nesting habitat for Marsh Wren, Clapper Rail, and SeasideSparrows. The walking is usually muddy and slippery, with the likelihood of holes; it is wet at high tide and sometimes low tide. Wear calf-high boots and take your chances with the holes.
Low “Wet” Marsh is usually unvegetated or with clumps of Saltmarsh Cordgrass. At low tide these are the mudflats for shorebirds. Use a canoe.
Apart from the hummocks and guts, which are natural features, the marsh at Irish Grove is permeated by man made ditches, dikes, and impoundments; these features were created by early settlers as they laid out roads and lanes, and attempted to control water levels to preserve arable land for farming and to set aside freshwater pools.
Conservation Note: Sea Level Rise, Marsh Migration, and Black Rails
In response to Sea level rise, vegetation zones have been shifting in a process known as marsh migration, in which the Low Marsh starts to occupy areas formerly held by High Marsh. Another consequence of marsh migration are “ghost forests,” areas of standing dead trees that have been killed by rising water levels. Bird populations have changed as well, and the endangered Black Rail, formerly a reliable breeder at Irish Grove, has now vanished as a breeder, although individual birds might still be found during migration by the lucky birder.
Birdlife
The MOS official checklist for Irish Grove includes 248 species that have been observed there; over 230 species are recorded for the main part of Irish Grove on eBird.
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Spotlight on: Irish Grove MOS Sanctuary Continued from Page 16
There is a separate eBird hotspot for Rumbly Point with over 205 species; the aggregated species count for Irish Grove and Rumbly Point is over 255 species. Irish Grove is The number two eBird hotspot for Somerset County.
The avifauna is typical of salt marshes and adjacent uplands. The marshes have rails, ducks, shorebirds, Marsh Wrens, marsh sparrows, and other species that would be expected in salt marshes (Image 4). The uplands have breeding species typical of southern pine forests and forest edges: for example, Chuck-Wills-Widow, Pine Warbler, Blue Grosbeak, Summer Tanager, Brown-Headed Nuthatch. Breeding birds in the marshes include Saltmarsh and Seaside Sparrows, Willets, and rails. Also found in the marshes are migrating Yellow Rail (rare) and shorebirds; wintering Sedge Wrens, Short-Eared Owls, sparrows, ducks, and shorebirds.
Seaside Sparrow. Photo by Jeremy Castle
Note to Atlasers: Submissions of eBird checklists for the Third MD-DC Breeding Bird Atlas are especially welcome. Be aware that Irish Grove Sanctuary is spread over four Atlas blocks: Marion SE, Kingston SW, Crisfield NE, Saxis NW. The two established eBird hotspots (Irish Grove MOS Sanctuary and Rumbly Point) are both located within the Saxis NW block. If you visit portions of Irish Grove that are located in any of the other three blocks, your Atlas checklist should be submitted using a personal location, as there are no established eBird hotspots in the other blocks. Be sure to check your actual location carefully using the “tracks” map available through the eBird Mobile app to confirm which bloc.
Wheelchair Access
The house and trails at Irish Grove have sandy and/or dirt surfaces, often with a pine needle layer, and are not wheelchair accessible. However, some of the trails at Irish Grove can be driven in a car, offering those who are mobility-impaired an opportunity to bird from the car.
Rumbly Point Road also offers great birding from the car.
Be aware that beyond the house, sand-surfaced the road may become impassable because of flooding at high tide or during high winds or storms. Be extremely cautious if pulling to the side of the road - the shoulders are soft and it is easy to get stuck. The same applies to the trails within Irish Grove.
Pet Policy
Pets on leash are permitted in the sanctuary grounds. Pick up after your pet.
Special Designations
The Richardson Marsh area of the sanctuary is considered by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to be a reference site for Maryland's shrubland tidal communities on the Eastern Shore. DNR states that “Richardson Marsh contains high quality occurrences and one of Maryland's best examples of the Iva frutescens / Spartina patens tidal shrubland.” See the 2003 DNR report “Shrubland Tidal Wetland Communities of Maryland’s Eastern Shore: Identification, Assessment and Monitoring,” pp. 83 - 86.
lrish Grove is one of 32 Natural Heritage Areas designated within the State of Maryland’s Threatened and Endangered Species regulations (COMAR 08.03.08). The State’s Natural Heritage Areas meet the following criteria: 1) Contain one or more threatened or endangered species or wildlife species in need of conservation; (2) Be a unique blend of geological, hydrological, climatological or biological features; and (3) Be considered to be among the best Statewide examples of its kind. Irish Grove’s inclusion as a State Natural Heritage Area is a unique honor because most of the other designated areas are state-owned.
Irish Grove MOS Sanctuary is included in the larger Somerset-Wicomico Marshes Important Bird Area as designated by the National Audubon Society.
Special Features
With so much wetland habitat, Irish Grove is a great place to look for herps. A contemporary list of herps can be found in the results of The Maryland Amphibian and Reptile Atlas, summarized here for the atlas blocks occupied by Irish Grove (https://drive.google.com/file/ d/1gqokvQ5S6g7LjDrOhLgKURSIsYTL2dql/view).
The local chapter of the Maryland Ornithological Society is the Tri-County Bird Club, serving Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties. The club hosts field trips in the region as well as meetings with informative presentations, all free and open to the public. The Tri-County Bird Club, the Talbot County Bird Club, and the MOS Sanctuary Committee host fall and spring work weekends at Irish Grove, when routine maintenance and improvements are accomplished at the property (Image 5). All are welcome to come out and give a hand. If interested in participating in a workday, please send an email to the MOS Sanctuary Committee Chair (sanctuary@madbirds.org).
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Spotlight on: Irish Grove MOS Sanctuary
Continued from Page 17
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Setting up for the Spring Workday Project 2023. Photo by Jeremy Castle
Parking
Parking on a grassy area on the left side of the driveway, adjacent to the house.
With abundant on-site parking and overnight accommodations, Irish Grove can host personal birding visits as well as large gatherings, such as nature student camps or research projects.
Directions
From US Route 13 near Princess Anne:Take US Route 13 southbound, and bear slightly right to take MD Route 413 south towards Crisfield. Turn left (southeast) at Marion Station onto Tulls Corner Road. In 2.1 miles, turn left (northeast) onto LQ Powell Road. In 0.3 miles, turn right
(southeast) onto Quindocqua Road. Drive 1 mile to Rumbly
Point Road and turn right (south). Be sure to stay on Rumbly Point Road, keeping right at the fork with Wilson Road. From Quindocqua Road, it is 1.2 miles to the Irish Grove gate and driveway on the right. The gate is kept closed with a chain, but unlocked. Secure the gate after passing through and when leaving. If you have used the house, be sure to close and lock all windows and doors and lock the main door with the provided padlock.
CAROLINE COUNTY
Caroline County Bird Club celebrated Earth Day on April 22 with a clean-up of the MOS Myrtle Simons Pelot Sanctuary along Drapers Mill Road. Volunteers included Valerie Taylor, Debby Bennett, Bill Scudder, Robin Davitt, and Alicia Moxley of the Caroline County Bird Club, and Dara Winfield of the Talbot Bird Club. With Alicia was her colleague Susan Whittemore from the Denton Branch of the M&T Bank, along with Susan's friend, Autumn Tully. Club President Bill Scudder transported all the collected garbage to the landfill.
Some of the group took a bird walk in the sanctuary afterwards. Their bird list can be found on the Club's Facebook page and on e-bird.
Debby Bennett
Group: left to right - Valerie Taylor, Debby Bennett, Autumn Tully, Susan Whittemore, Dara Winfield, Alicia Moxley, and
Robin Davitt. Photo by Bill Scudder
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ones loved birds. The club also provided a discovery backpack full of nature-related supplies as one of the door prizes for the BioBlitz participants.
Jas rahe
President of the Caroline County Bird Club Bill Scudder and Club member Debby Bennett.
CARROLL COUNTY
Charlotte's Quest Nature Center Community Day Michelle Hudgins at Charlotte's Quest Nature
Carroll County is full of a number of special places worth Senter Community. Baya hare by ecolublegedo
visiting. | recently spent some time at a gem of a place that
| now hold dear in Manchester, Maryland. If you have The park is a beautiful oasis in the middle of a community never been there you need to check out the Charlotte's where you can explore the surroundings and the lovely Quest Nature Center. The center is adjacent to Pine Valley hiking trails. The park is open from dawn to dusk seven Park and Manchester Elementary School at 3400 Wilhelm days a week. For the nature center hours check out their Lane in Manchester. website online. | hope that you soon get to take time out
to visit and wander the trails and observe the many birds and wildlife that make the park their home. What a joy to have another beautiful spot to spend time in nature.
The facility serves the public as an environmental learning center offering field trips, programs, events, and nature walks. It is located on 80 acres of land and contains 4 and 1/2 miles of hiking trails to explore and enjoy. It is operated Michelle Hudgins by the Manchester Parks Foundation and the town of Manchester. The Center has a paid naturalist on staff but is largely run by a dedicated group of volunteers. On the evening of May 22, 2023 Geraldine King and Tom Field spotted three Red-necked Phalaropes at Piney Run Park. Thank you, Geraldine, for reporting this to the club. This is a new county record. The next day there were just two. My son Matthew and | spent many hours and miles at the park the next day looking for them. We found them in the evening of the 23rd. Many birders got out to see them before they disappeared on the third day.
Red-necked Phalaropes in Maryland
On Saturday, June 10th | had the pleasure of manning a table representing the Carroll County Bird Club at the Charlotte’s Quest Community Day and BioBlitz. | learned that a BioBlitz is an event where the participants find and identify as many species as possible in a limited time period. This event also included a guided walk, a story trail, pond dipping, crafts, and a discovery station.
As | manned the table, | had the pleasure of meeting and Scott Hodgdon
greeting many wonderful adults and children who had CECIL COUNTY come out to enjoy the activities and spend time in nature. | shared information about our club and birding in general. | had a variety of adult and children’s birding books for people to browse through.
Have you ever been to a travel destination to go birding and just felt like you haven't had enough time to see all the sites or get most of the birds? That is my relationship with South Texas. My sister lived in San Antonio for well over 20
| would like to thank Maggie Kunz who redid our display years. | often went to visit her and her husband. While board to provide information and pictures related to club there, | birded San Antonio and out outlying regions, from activities. | had particular fun handing out flamingo the hill country to making it all the way down to the Rio pinwheels, bird gliders, and small stuffed toy birds to the Grande Valley a few times. The trips to the Valley were children. It was a surprise to me how many of the little always day trips, but since it takes 4 hours to get down
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there and 4 hours to get back, | just never felt like | had enough time. | would see Bentsen in a flash, Santa Ana in a flash, a few different small RV Parks and state parks in a flash. | always enjoyed these trips, but just didn’t have enough time to feel satisfied.
Three Red-necked Phalaropes . Photo by Tom Field
A few years back when | served on the Board of our local Soil Conservation District, we had a national annual conference that would change from city to city every year. In 2019 it was held in San Antonio. | planned it out. This was the trip that | finally got to put in a few days in the Valley. | would go through the few days of the conference, then after it was over, rent a car and head south! As | was on my drive out of San Antonio | got a call; it's an urgent family emergency! So many phone calls and websites searches started. The soonest | could get a flight out was the next day. Flights were either full, or | would have to detour all over the country or get home at about the same time as if | just waited for the afternoon flight. So | waited, feeling a lot of emotions. | continued down to the Valley with my flight booked, leaving for BWI the next evening. So | darted around the Valley, zipping in and out of several areas in a couple hours in the evening before dark and doing the same the following morning. Though this wasn't ideal, | took a recommendation from a friend, and in the morning | started at Quinta Mazatlan WBC and Estero Llano Grande. These were two amazing places where | picked up many life birds, like Common Pauraque and Crimson-collared Grosbeak.
| have 4 step-kids, all adults now above the age of 18. One of them is married to a man who is in the Air Force and is stationed in San Antonio. Flash forward to this spring, 2023. So, we planned a visit, and | planned a very long- awaited, several day visit in the Valley and had hopes of seeing some Hill Country birds too. So as the plans moved forward, | again watched my hopes and dreams slowly erode away with everyone's work schedules and plans that my family wanted to do. | get it; there has to be a balance,
but darn, | want to go to the valley one time and not have to rush around.
Well, | did get to spend one evening, and one whole day there. When | arrived in the Valley, it was cloudy and rained on and off. | made a direct route to Bentsen and directly to the old telephone pole that an Elf Owl had been seen in for the past month. As it became dark outside, the owl came out and sat at the entrance of the hole for about a minute and then took off. Before it left, it called, making a squeaky bark-like "pew, pew, pew, pew, pew" call! That was such a cool experience, which | got to share with some really awesome youth birders who were from all over the country, as well as a family from eastern Georgia.
The next day, | wanted to mostly focus on one of my favorite places Estero Llano Grande. | had several target species in mind, mainly Brown-crested Flycatcher and Mexican Duck. | was pretty much the first one in the park that morning. | unknowingly met up with the family from Georgia, so we teamed up for some target birds.
Spring migration was in full swing at Estero Llano Grande. Dozens of Mississippi Kites, kettles of Broad-winged Hawks mixed with Swainson’s Hawks, plus flycatchers, warblers, vireos, and orioles were everywhere. Well needless to say, | couldn't find my 2 main target birds. | spent half the day there searching. | was certainly not disappointed though. If you haven't visited this park, it is a must go to!!! A couple of times, we ran into Huck Hutchens who is a local expert and he birds there nearly every day. | asked about the Brown-crested Flycatchers. He said the typical line of “man, you should have been here yesterday. They were everywhere." So when | was leaving, | made one more scan through the Mottled Ducks, which had been sleeping on a log most of the morning. As they started stretching and moving around, | saw one of the ducks had white on each side of the blue speculum. | snapped a few shots in mid flap and was able to see the mark clearly. | showed it to Huck, he said, oh look you found the Mexican Duck that’s been here on and off. SCORE!!! He pointed out a few more of the very small marks on the duck. | was so happy to have found this one, which | have missed over and over.
My next stop of the day was Santa Ana NWR. It rained the whole time | was there. After about an hour | picked up a Brown crested Flycatcher by voice! | was able to track it down and get some photos. Total bliss, considering | was wearing more mud than shoes. Santa Ana + Rain = a gain of 5 inches of height gained from your new mud shoes. The soil there is very binding.
The last stop of the day before my drive back north was a parrot roost. | had never experienced that before, but it's a loud and spectacular site to behold. Red-crowned Parrots by the dozens were coming in to fruit trees all over this neighborhood.
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While | was driving back north to San Antonio to reunite with family, | had a satisfied feeling of my wonderful day. So many cool birds | hadn't seen in years, some new ones too but | also felt like | wanted more. Luckily, my step daughter lives on the edge of the hill country, which is at the northern side of San Antonio, and | was able to take a quick morning trip out to check out the recommended spot called Government Canyon, where | was greeted at the parking lot by a singing Golden-cheeked Warbler! | love birding Texas. | just always want more time!
Sean McCandless
Golden-cheeked Warbler. Photo by Sean McCandless
Kim and Ken Drier visited California for a two week period to explore Joshua Tree, Sequoia/Kings Canyon and Brown-crested Flycatcher. Photo by Sean Yosemite National Parks during the end of May. With the
McCandless rain there, the desert around Joshua Tree was in full bloom. It was quite beautiful. Gambel’s Quail were running around everywhere by the Airbnb in Desert Hot Springs that they rented. On the second day of the trip, Ken saw his first Pacific-slope Flycatcher. A day later, while standing on the shores of the Salton Sea, he found his life Bell’s Sparrow. It was hot, but not overbearing on this portion of the trip.
Moving northward, Sequoia NP was the next stop. With all the snow and then rain in the area, about 90 percent of the park was closed due to road damage. This did not greatly impact their trip, as several hikes were still available to do. Ken often travels with a mini hummingbird feeder, and this proved to be perfect for attracting Anna’s Hummingbirds to our voyagers'cabin just a half mile from the park entrance. A family of Oak Titmice made their home above the cabin as well, thus providing Ken with Red-crowned Parrots. Photo by Sean another life bird. While hiking through the General Grant
McCandless Grove of Giant Sequoias, Kim spotted White-headed Woodpeckers, the first of many on the trip. This was one bird Ken was very much hoping to see on the trip. It also became his 600th United States bird species. Nice job Kim. Back at their cabin along the river, Ken picked up
‘
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Lawrence's Goldfinch and his first Calliope Hummingbird. Several Acorn Woodpeckers adorned the trees around the cabin and in the park as well. Those are always fun to find. While beginning a hike along the river, an American Dipper flew under the bridge and alighted on the rocks in view. A fortunate find, as this was the only dipper to make an appearance on the trip. The highlight of these parks were the abundance and variety of wildflowers.
Onward to Yosemite. Our travelers stayed in the historic Wawona Hotel within the park near the Mariposa Sequoia Grove. This is about twenty miles from Yosemite Valley which due to snow in the mountains was basically the only area of the park that was open. The snow this past winter made the waterfalls spectacular. At one point in the valley they could count seven waterfalls tumbling off the cliffs into the valley below. The whole valley had become a lake and was flooded out. The hiking presented awe-inspiring views of the Sierra Madre Mountains with their crowns still covered in snow. No new birds presented themselves on this portion of the trip, but the comical Steller's Jays were fun to watch. Ken was able to find Spotted Towhees, Cassin’s Vireos and MacGillivray’s Warblers while hiking around the meadow trail by the hotel.
Kim and Ken had a wonderful time and enjoyed perfect weather, while encountering breathtaking scenery. With most of Sequoia/Kings Canyon and Yosemite Parks closed due to the snow and rain-damaged roads a return trip is in order to fully explore those national treasures. Ken Drier
Maryanne Dolan visited Magee Marsh and Ontario National Wildlife Refuge in Ohio the week before the MOS Convention in Garrett County. Warblers were present although not plentiful - at least by Magee Marsh standards - but there was still plenty to see. Baltimore Orioles, Rose Breasted Grosbeaks and both Yellow and Black-billed Cuckoos were migrating in good numbers. A nice screech owl chose a convenient (for viewing) day perch enabling both birders and photographers great looks. It even opened an eye occasionally and rotated its head. Magee Marsh is a great place to view a variety of birds 'up close and personal’. Maryanne Dolan
From the 21st to the 26th of April, Ken Drier and | (Cathy Carter) headed to Colorado for a “Colorado Grouse and More” birding trip. After spending the first night in Denver, we left the next morning for Oakley, Kansas, where we viewed Greater and Lesser Prairie-Chicken leks. What a display! On the drive to Kansas, some memorable birds we spotted were a Ferruginous Hawk, a Mountain Plover, and Chestnut-collared and Thick-billed Longspurs. After the Lesser Prairie-Chicken lek, we were excited to watch Burrowing Owls.
After our time in Kansas, with a brief foray into Nebraska, we traveled from the eastern border of Colorado to within a mile of the western border of northern Colorado. Highlights of our cross-state trek were good looks at
Evening and Pine Grosbeaks, Brown-capped Rosy and Cassin's Finches, Western Bluebirds and Mountain Chickadees. We spent many very chilly hours in the snow-covered Rockies looking for the White-tailed Ptarmigan, which eluded us, but the views at almost 12,000 feet made the search worthwhile.
Our final days were spent in Craig, Colorado, where we enjoyed watching the Greater Sage and Sharp-tailed Grouse leks, as well as seeing a large variety of water birds, including Barrow’s Goldeneye and White-faced Ibis.
Overall, we saw 102 species of birds, as well as some interesting mammals, including bison, elk, Pronghorn Antelope, and Black-tailed and White-tailed Prairie Dogs. Despite the many miles traveled and several very early mornings, it was a productive and memorable trip.
As a side bar, the Ferruginous Hawk was Ken's 900th North American bird recorded.
Cathy Carter HOWARD COUNTY
| went on a Caribbean Cruise with my brother in late February that took us to Jamaica, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, and Grand Cayman. At Joe Hanfman’s recommendation, | took advantage of the cruise to schedule half day tours using Birding Pal to connect with Raj Tours led by Mr. Wolde Kristos for Jamaica (55 species with my favorites being the Jamaican Lizard Cuckoo and a piebald Turkey Vulture) and Mr. Geddes Hislop on Grand Cayman (49 species with my favorite being the White-tailed Tropicbird). On the Grand Cayman tour, | connected with and made a new friend in Tom Haase from Fort Worth Audubon as we shared the tour and expenses. | highly recommend both Mr. Kristos and Mr. Hislop as guides.
Laughing Falcon. Photo by Gregg Petersen
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Magnificent Frigatebird. Photo by Gregg Petersen
For my Panama excursion, | had planned what promised to be a dynamite trip to the Old Gamboa Road to use another Birding Pal connection, Mr. Gonzalo Grimaldo of Birding Panama. Unfortunately, the Princess Cruise line prohibited private tours in Panama. So, | did the best | could with the ship-provided excursion through the canal locks (24 species including a flock of 50 Magnificent Frigatebirds). Excursions in Colombia to the Cartagena National Aviary (27 species outside the enclosures with my favorite being a Bicolored Wren), and one to a macaw Sanctuary in Costa Rica (42 species with my favorite being the Laughing Falcon) revealed some nice birds. This was my first trip birding outside of the Continental US, but it won’t be the last! | had not planned to write this, but as | was birding in the Vicksburg Military Park on March 31st, my new Fort Worth friend, Tom Haase texted me that he was talking to Jean Wheeler of MOS, and she recommended | send in a summary of my trip. My world has gotten smaller. Here's your summary, Jean.
Gregg Petersen MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Carol McClelland writes that caring for her husband had prevented her from going on birding trips until this spring, but she’s making up for lost time now. “In March | went with Gavin Bieber of WINGS and six others to Panama’s Canopy Tower. The highlight of the trip was visiting a couple who had 30 hummingbird feeders and three tray feeders in their yard. A ten-day grouse trip to Colorado in early April with Tom Johnson of Field Guides was the trip of a lifetime. Tom has done the trip for several years and is well-acquainted with the location of the leks and ranchers who allow birders onto their ranches. We got all the grouse, with many mornings of early risings to get to the leks. Aside from the grouse, Golden Eagles and Ferruginous Hawks were among my favorites. Dippers were always fun. In late May | took my first trip with Road Scholar for Lake Erie birding. We spent the week on Lower Bass Island in Lake Erie west of Cleveland seeing many migrating warblers. The group ended the week by going to Magee Marsh. There were crowds as it was the festival
week. However, I've never had a greater variety of Spring migrants than | did that day. And I'm just back from a ten-day tour of Iceland with Ethen Kistler of WINGS. He leads the trip every year and knows where to find the Gyrfalcon and everything else you want.”
Michael Bowen writes that he and Anne Cianni decided that mid-June might be a good time to find breeding birds in West Virginia in places reasonably within reach of the Washington DC area. “So we set out for the town of Elkins, West Virginia, to use it as a base for a couple days of birding in and around the Monongahela National Forest, which is truly a VERY large place. En route we visited the noted Thompson Wildlife Management Area, a short distance off I-66 near Front Royal in Fauquier County, Virginia. The place was a cacophony of bird song and there were good views of Hooded, Kentucky and Cerulean Warblers. Thompson WMA is probably the most productive spring birding area within easy striking distance of us in MoCo. Turns out that West Virginia is a WHOLE LOT larger than we had anticipated! The state is obviously not very rich in personal terms -- some of the small towns are frankly depressing -- but the landscape is universally beautiful, on the high ridges and along the rivers in the inter-mountain valleys. Highlights of the local birding areas visited were Gaudineer Knob (singing Swainson's Thrushes and Winter Wrens), Cranberry Glades (Canada and Chestnut-sided Warblers) and Seneca Rocks (Eastern Meadowlark, Yellow Warbler).” eBird Trip Report is at
https://ebird.org/tripreport/139741
In mid-March, Cheryl Hogue embarked on a birding road trip with a friend to Tucson, AZ, stopping briefly to bird in Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and Carlsbad, NM. “In the ‘twilight zone’ of Carlsbad Caverns we watched Cave Swallows, and | nabbed my first lifer of the trip, Black-throated Sparrow, outside the caverns. After 2 nights in Willcox, AZ, where we got great views of a newly-split species, Chihuahan Meadowlark, | spent the next 30 days in the Tucson area going on organized group bird walks, including to Patagonia and Green Valley. | picked up 11 lifers, logging my 500th species in the US, a Broad-tailed Hummingbird collecting spider web for her nest, on April 17. In late April, | flew to Boise, ID, to lead a one-day bird tour for my professional society to the Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area and the Peregrine Fund's World Center for Birds of Prey. | then flew to El Paso, where a second friend picked me up, and we headed for Big Bend National Park, where we spent five glorious days birding. On the way home, we drove through the Hill Country of Texas to see Golden-cheeked Warblers and Black-capped Vireos, and saw a slew of warblers at High Island and Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge on the Texas coast.” Cheryl arrived back in Maryland in early May with 511 species on her US list.
Chris Wright
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PATUXENT BIRD CLUB
Patuxent Bird Club offers hearty congratulations to our member Kevin Bennett on the recent completion of his Ph.D. at the University of Maryland. Kevin, who was advised by Dr. Michael Braun at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, studied a hybrid zone between Golden-collared and White-collared Manakins in Panama. His work was aimed at uncovering the genetic basis of sexual traits and better understanding the dynamics of introgression across the hybrid zone. He defended his dissertation, entitled “Evolutionary History and Consequences of Gene Flow in Bearded Manakins," on June 7th. You can watch some brief video clips of manakin displays and also some other species caught by Kevin’s trail cams in Panama on Dr. Braun's website at https:// www.braunlab.umd.edu/2020/04/07/kevin-and-mike-
return-from-panama/. Kevin will next be undertaking a post-doctoral project at the University of Pennsylvania in College Park, PA. Kevin serves as a chapter director of the Patuxent Bird Club and is co-coordinator of field trips for the chapter.
Kevin Bennett. Courtesy of Dr. Michael Braun
Speaking of Kevin and field trips, Kevin recently worked with leaders of Black Birders Week to enable Patuxent Bird Club to sponsor a bird walk as part of that week-long event. The walk on June 1st took place on the trails at the National Wildlife Visitor Center at South Tract of Patuxent Research Refuge. The walk was led by Maria Montero from Patuxent Bird Club and Dara M. Wilson, co-chair of the
National Organizing Committee for Black Birders Week.
Marcia Watson, who has served as President of Patuxent Bird Club since 2018, is leaving the leadership of the chapter because she and husband Gene Scarpulla are returning to Baltimore County. Gene and Marcia have purchased a home adjacent to Loch Raven, north of the City of Baltimore, and are currently moving in. This is a homecoming for Marcia and Gene; Gene grew up in Towson and in addition to having numerous members of the extended Scarpulla family in the immediate vicinity of their new home, Gene was formerly the Watershed Manager for the three city-owned reservoirs, Loch Raven, Liberty, and Prettyboy, so he knows the area well. Marcia and Gene will remain involved in MOS through the Baltimore Bird Club, where they have been long-standing members. David Mozurkewich is taking over the presidency of the Patuxent Bird Club, where he will be ably assisted by continuing Patuxent board members Fred Fallon (Vice-President); Jane Fallon (Treasurer); and directors Kevin Bennett, Ken Cohen, Ellen Davis, Matt Felperin, and Ikumi Kayama.
Marcia Watson
Marcia Watson and Gene Scarpulla on Hart-Miller Island, photo by Ken Cohen
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| (Fran Tolor), often make a plan to go birding for a few days when a work conference takes me out of town, so when | scheduled a conference in Colorado Springs in June, | was excited about the possibilities! My partner Steve Lofgren (Montgomery County) and | scheduled 3 days before the conference and 2 days after to enjoy the mountains, prairies, sagebrush flats and alpine meadows within a few hours of Colorado Springs. Some highlights out of the 100+ species we saw over the week:
1. Baca Wildlife Refuge https://www.fws.gov/refuge/baca- a massive, largely inaccessible refuge in the San Luis Valley -
a mix of sagebrush flats, riparian and marshy wetlands, and grasslands. Access is almost only by a couple of roads that traverse it; we did not manage to sort out getting a permit. Driving in the first time, | was excited to see a pair of Swainson’s Hawks hunting right near the road (a light morph and an intermediate). Even more exciting was when we realized they have a nest very close to the road with THREE nestlings (See picture) - 2 large and one much smaller. On various trips back and forth on the road, we observed the parents delivering food and the nestlings eating (even the tiny one that we figured was the “spare heir” was gorging on meat one day). Other likely nesting delights for these Eastern birders were Wilson's Phalaropes, American Avocets, American Kestrels, Woodhouse's Scrub-Jays, and possibly a Long-Billed Curlew calling (still some debate over that one, haha). Crestone makes a great place to stay while exploring this remote, under-birded area.
Swainson's Hawk Nestlings. Photo by Fran Tolor
2. Great Sand Dunes National Park -https:// www.nps.gov/grsa - Such a unique location! In addition to wandering the dunes, we hiked up a green aspen stream valley absolutely choked with singing Warbling Vireos, plus Black-headed Grosbeaks, Cordilleran Flycatchers and Western Tanagers. The dunes are amazing, quite a sight, and lots of visitors.
3. Shortgrass Prairie ranches east of Colorado Springs including Chico Basin Ranch - Steve made it all the way to
the ranch which is a great ebird hotspot - one lingering Marbled Godwit, and lots of great normal prairie birds (this must be an amazing stopover spot earlier in the spring). Life birds for us included Cassin's Sparrow and Lark Bunting! We got up early on my birthday and managed to fulfill my dream to see Burrowing Owls, one of my nemesis birds. It was fun to go seek out a prairie dog town ona random ranch and search until the owl popped up. Bingo!
4. Alpine meadows in the front range - towards the end of the trip we stayed in Divide, Colorado, and wandered around National Forest land, following good habitat and listening for birds. Colorado has had a very wet spring, and the aspen-ringed meadows were lush and green, with a dusting of fresh snow on Pike's Peak. It doesn't get any more scenic than that! Highlights: a nest hole with an attentive pair of Williamson's Sapsuckers - watching them come and go with food - a throng of singing Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Pygmy Nuthatches, Dusky Flycatchers, Lincoln Sparrows on territory, and an American Dipper (finally!) in a cascade coming off a dam.
Frances Tolor, Patuxent
eBird trip report https://ebird.org/tripreport/138936 Texas Spring Circuit
In mid-April, my wife and | left our Florida home for a month of birding in Texas. Typically, the spring circuit begins on the upper Gulf Coast near Beaumont. You then drive down the coast to the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV), then up the Valley to Laredo, finally crossing the Pecos River to Big Bend NP and the Davis Mountains beyond. We finished our loop on the Edwards Plateau near Austin. We're “pushing 80” years old, so we can't bird as hard and long as we have in the past. Our total of 236 species is respectable, but in younger days we tallied as many as 280 species covering the same territory.
Among our highlights were two Clay-colored Thrushes, Common Black-Hawk, Gray Hawk, Red-billed Pigeon, Red-crowned Parrot and Chihuahuan Meadowlark. Overall, the coast was very good for migrants. Big Bend and the Davis Mountains were fairly good. The wonderful birds of the LRGV were few and far between. The sleepy little towns of the Valley are undergoing rapid growth. Our favorite Valley spot continues to be Estero Llano Grande SP in Weslaco, where the birds and the guides are excellent.
One very notable miss --- If you had asked us before we left how many American Kestrels we would see, | might have guessed 20 to 30. Our total for that species through all the prairies and pastures of Texas was ZERO. Okay, we're old and perhaps missed one or two, but this is an amazing result, regrettably consistent with recent national trends.
Paul Nistco (long-time Patuxent Bird Club Member)
Maryland Ornithological Society 25
SOUTHERN MARYLAND
Jane Kostenko and | had planned on doing a driving trip out to visit her family in North Dakota in late spring 2020. The pandemic shut that down, but with things looking better this year, we decided to do it. There was also a volunteer opportunity in Medora, just outside the gates to Theodore Roosevelt National Park, that we had wanted to do so it all came together nicely.
Driving from Maryland to North Dakota means interstate driving at speed for three solid days. We stayed with family in Minneapolis then once we got into North Dakota did a little birding while still trying to arrive before sundown. The Red River divides North Dakota and Minnesota and is the line in the sand for many eastern species. Sure, you might find them here and there, but some are almost a lock there. So, with that in mind, we stopped at Trefoil Park in Fargo to look for Red-bellied Woodpeckers. There had been flooding along the river so our route to the park was met with detours. Then, at the park, it was raining, windy and cold. Northern Cardinals are in the same range as Red-bellies so we were happy to hear one near the park entrance. Still, after about 15 minutes of walking trails, we finally heard one. Ultimately saw it then jumped back in the car, racing the sun.
At Medora, the avifauna has a much more western flavor. Western Wood-Pewee, Bullock's Oriole, Lark Sparrow, Violet-green Swallow can be found in the right places. But, after climbing a cable ladder up the side of a butte, as we were trying to catch our breath, we heard“picky tuck tuck”. It didn’t register for a few seconds then | whipped out my phone and got a recording. Summer Tanagers are not common anywhere in North Dakota and particularly in the southwest part of the state. Another state bird.
Elsewhere, we tried to find birds missing from our eBird state needs list. One was Short-billed Dowitcher. | know we had seen them before but just hadn't submitted any to eBird. So, whenever we found shorebirds, we were super careful to try and pull out SBDOs. We found them in several places, though Long-billed Dowitchers are the default in the upper plains.
Sadly, we missed a mega-state rarity, Lewis's Woodpecker, in Medora no less, a couple of days after we left. Ona gravel road where we had birded even!
The funniest part of searching for Red-bellied Woodpecker and then chancing on a Summer Tanager is that they have both nested in our yard at one point or another over the years. Same with Northern Cardinal, which often nests in a bush outside our kitchen window. One person's rarity is another person's yard bird.
J. Tyler Bell
TALBOT COUNTY
Pickering Creek Audubon Center (PCAC) in Talbot County Maryland has always been a place filled with awe and wonder for me. In 2010 | saw an article in our local newspaper announcing that Pickering Creek was offering walks guided by members of the Talbot County Bird Club as part of Audubon’s Great Backyard Bird Count. My husband and | were not birders at the time and decided to attend this event. As we drove up the long, gravel Audubon Lane we were behind many cars. As we approached the parking lot, a volunteer was directing traffic. | was amazed at how popular this event was!
Then, a volunteer asked if we were there for the Great Backyard Bird Count or to search for Virginia's Warbler. | had no idea at the time that a Virginia's Warbler was a very rare bird in Maryland and had attracted birders from several states!
Our walk was led by Talbot County Bird Club (TCBC) member Vince De Sanctis. He impressed us with his knowledge, skill and enthusiasm for birding. We were hooked! We joined the TCBC and have traveled many miles on the Eastern Shore sharing in the joy of birding with members.
From that first walk we felt a special bond with Pickering Creek. Its model for engaging people in conservation has its focus on measurable conservation results. Pickering’s in- depth programming and activities turn visitors into active participants in conservation work, saving birds and protecting habitats.
Dr. Wayne Bell, TCBC member, has worked closely with Pickering Creek for years designing bird monitoring protocols to scientifically track bird populations in the varied Pickering Creek habitats. TCBC members including myself have assisted Wayne with this monitoring program as Pickering Creek volunteers.This group of volunteers has grown quickly as word has spread about this incredible opportunity to enjoy the spirit and restoring power of the outdoors and feel the seasons change, while we listen to and (usually!) identify birds as citizen scientists.
At Pickering Creek, Nature is accessible to all. The center welcomes people of all backgrounds and circumstances to its programs or just to visit its wild green spaces and restored wetlands. There is no admission fee for visitors. In addition, Pickering Creek offers low to no-cost programming for schools, and encourages new audiences of all ages to experience the pleasure of simply getting outside.
Don't wait for the next rare bird to be reported at Pickering Creek. Make plans to come and enjoy the awe that | always feel when | bird its trails, including the Glossy Ibis that have returned again this summer.
Linda Yungbluth, Vice President, Talbot County Bird Club
26 MDBIRDS.ORG
A Gallery of Texas Birds by Paul Nistco
Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Dugout Wells, Big Bend National Park
Gray Hawk, Daniel's Ranch, Big Bend National Park
Canyon Wren, Big Bend Ranch State Park
Painted Bunting, La Puerta Tract, LRGV National Wildlife Refuge
Maryland Ornithological Society 27
POSTMASTER: TIME -DATED MATERIAL - PLEASE EXPEDITE
MARYLAND ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY, INC. Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage 4915 Greenspring Avenue PAID
Baltimore, Maryland, 21209 Permit No. 184 |
Jamaican Lizard Cuckoo. Photo by Gregg Petersen
28 MDBIRDS.ORG
MOS Calendar
Through 11/30/2023
Field Trips Please follow all restrictions requested by the host organization. Additional details are posted on MOS and chapter web sites.
. Host: Patuxent Bird Club/PGAS. Description: Two-mile walk around lake on paved path, wheelchair- Semi-monthly walk at : i : . 8/3 6-8PM ; accessible. Families welcome. Meet at parking area at corner of Berwyn Rd. and Ballew Ave. in Berwyn Lake Artemesia : Heights. Host: Patuxent Bird Club/PGAS Leader Bill Sefton (kiwisuits@msn.com). Description: Two-mile out-and-back 7:30 -10 Monthly Walk at Fran : y : ) 8/5 walk - fields, wet woods, brushy areas. Meet at east end of Lemon’s Bridge Road, off Route 197 just north of AM Uhler Natural Area . . } Bowie State University. 3/6 5:30 AM - Lowe’s Host: Talbot Bird Club Leader Lisa Sargeant (978-897-0135 or sargeant76@gmail.com) Description: Inbound 12 PM Wharf/Blackwalnut Point | herons, early migrants. Meet at Lowe’s Wharf at 5:30 am or Blackwalnut parking area at 7 am. Smithsonian Museum of Host: Baltimore Bird Club Register with Sarah Luttrell, luttrell.sa@gmail.com or text to 614-352-7718 8/10 10-11 AM | Natural History Description: Tour of the ornithological collection Registration required, limit 15. Meet in the lobby, ornithology tour Constitution Avenue Entrance. 7:45 AM- ‘ Host: YMOS Contact: George Radcliffe (radclifg@gmail.com,410-463-1669) Description: Morning refuge bird 12 B Hook NWR T : : : 12:30 PM hunt, Targets: shorebirds, wading birds. 3/13 5:30 AM — Lowe’s Host: Talbot Bird Club Leader Jeff Effinger (410-443-5016 or jkeffinger55 @gmail.comund herons, early 12 PM Wharf/Blackwalnut Point | migrants. Meet at Lowe’s Wharf at 5:30 am or Blackwalnut parking area at 7 am. Nid HinPOInENatdRe Host: Baltimore Bird Club Leaders: Brent and Mary Byers, baypuffin@hotmail.com or 410-686-7294. 8/13 9-11AM paren Description: Easy half-day walk through varied habitats for feeder birds and other songbirds, raptors, and waterfowl. Host: Patuxent Bird Club/PGAS. Description: Two-mile walk around lake on paved path, wheelchair- 8/17 6-8 PM Semi-monthly walk at accessible. Families welcome. Meet at parking area at corner of Berwyn Rd. and Ballew Ave. in Berwyn Lake Artemesia Heights. No reservations needed. Leader varies. For more information, see PGAS Meetup site at https://www.meetup.com/Prince-Georges-Audubon-Society/ 3/19 5:30 AM - Lowe’s Host: Talbot Bird Club Leader Lisa Sargeant (978-897-0135 or sargeant76@gmail.com) Description: Inbound 12 PM Wharf/Blackwalnut Point | herons, early migrants. Meet at Lowe’s Wharf at 5:30 am or Blackwalnut parking area at 7 am. 3/19 7:30 -10 NE ap = RSP Host: Patuxent Bird Club/PGAS Leader Bill Sefton (kiwisuits@msn.com). Description: Two-mile loop -fields, AM Asa 6 wet woods, brushy areas, wetlands, ponds. Meet at the parking area off Governor Bridge Road. : Host: Baltimore Bird Club Leader: Sam Tillman, 443-844-5917, sam.tillman@gmail.com Description: 8/19 Us petboe PormuRawen bapen Mul Migratory shorebirds, herons, waterfowl, and other early migrants. Trip limited to 15. RSVP to leader AM and Ashland Flats ity : i ‘ at a ane required. 8 — 9:30 + Host: Baltimore Bird Club Description: Join Audubon and the Maryland Zoo to explore this leafy city park. 8/19 Druid Hill Park ial ; ‘ AM Participants must register in advance at https://patterson.audubon.org. 8 AM—12 Badal area Garred Host: Harford Bird Club Leaders Colleen Webster (410-459-4577; cwebster@harford.edu) and Sue Procell 8/19 (443-417-4919; procellmd@gmail.com) Description: Bring your kayak, canoe, or stand-up to circle Garrett PM Island . Island looking for Osprey, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagles and any other creatures we may encounter. Host: Baltimore Bird Club Leader: Daisy Sudano, dsudanotrainings@yahoo.com. Contact leader for time.
Description: Meet at Amphitheater. See some beautiful bird-friendly backyards and make a simple bird feeder to take home.
8/26 10:30 AM— | Pot Luck & Bird Walk at Host: Caroline Bird Club Description: Meet at the pavilion on the left-hand side as you are going down the 1:30 PM Camp Mardella lane and before you get to the main campus area. a aie Host: Baltimore Bird Club Description: Join Audubon to explore this urban oasis in southeast Baltimore. 8/26 Patterson Park Participants must register in advance at https://patterson.audubon.org.
Host: Howard Bird Club Leader John Harris, jaybee.harris@gmail.com Description: Great area for migrants of 12 PM Environmental Area all species. Field edges and thickets provide sparrow habitat. Meet at the Trotter Road entrance. 7:30 AM — Host: Patuxent Bird Club/PGAS Leader Bill Sefton (kiwisuits@msn.com). Description: Two-mile out-and-back 9/1 12 PM Fran Uhler Natural Area walk — fields, wet woods, brushy areas. Meet at east end of Lemon’s Bridge Road, off Route 197 just north of Bowie State University. Host: Allegany/Garrett Bird Club Contact westernmdbirdclub@gmail.com or Melissa at 240-920-8260. AM Arboretum Description: Meet at the lower parking lot by the FSU Football stadium.
Host: Baltimore Bird Club Leader Kim Tomko 443-414-8034 or ktomkat@gmail.com Description: This urban _ : park in Northeast Baltimore is an oasis for many migrating and resident bird species. Easy walking on mostly 9/2 Sa oAM Hering Rum ari flat, paved paths. Habitats include open fields, edge habitats, wooded areas, and Herring Run itself. Trail is
wheelchair accessible; contact leader for details. RSVP required.
9/3 10:30 AM— | Dick Smith Memorial Host: Howard County Bird Club Leader Linda Hunt, raven10322@hotmail.com Description: Enjoy searching 1:30 PM Butterfly Walk for late-summer butterflies with instruction on their identification. Elkhorn Garden Plots.
Contact FAMILY BIRDING, leader Fairwood Forest
Check MDBIRDS.ORG/Calendar for updates 1
9/3 6:30 AM — Hurlock Turf Farm Host: Talbot Bird Club Leader Susan Henyon (240-682-3882 or suehenyon@rocketmail.com) Description: 12 PM Shorebirds, migrant warblers. Depart from Easton Acme parking lot.
8-—11AM LN at ince Host: Anne Arundel Bird Club Contact: Alan Young, 410-991-8300 or alanmyoung@gmail.com
Host: Baltimore Bird Club Leader Mark Linardi (mlinardi@outlook.com) Description: Easy birding in Cylburn's 8-11AM Cylburn Arboretum ae : et : : . gardens and urban forest. Beginning birders welcome. Limit 10. Pre-registration required.
Host: Balti Bi lub L D i Lou Tayl lor11 il. D iption: E 8-11AM Cromwell Valley Park ost a timore ird Club | eaders ebbie and ou aylor (debrataylor11@gmail.com) Description: Expect a variety of migrant and resident birds. Beginning birders welcome.
. : Host: Harford Bird Club Contact Susan Hood for details (410-937-7552 or susanjhood@comcast.net) Ma & Pa Trail — Annie byt . . : : PM Plaveround Description: Walk along the old railroad bed in search for fall migrants. Meet at the parking lot at the end of Smith La (off of Connolly Rd.) Host: Baltimore Bird Club Leader Mary Chatelat (443-564-6551) Description: Continuing survey of bird 9-11 AM Fort McHenry activity at the Fort. Contact leader 24 hours in advance to confirm attendance and any changes to the schedule.
' Host: Patuxent Bird Club/PGAS Description: Two-mile walk around lake. Meet at parking area at corner of 3-6PM Lake Artemesia i ; Berwyn Rd. and Ballew Ave. in Berwyn Heights. Host: Frederick Bird Club Leader Mike Spurrier (240-446-0305 or mspurrier819@gmail.com) Description: Fall Sweet Run State Park : ee ; migrants. Contact leader for meeting time and location. : oi 12 Eden Mii Host: Harford Bird Club Contact Matt Addicks (443-987-7208 or maddicks13@gmail.com). Description: Banding demonstration, then hike the trails at Eden Mill in search of migrants. 9/9 : aE 4 Assateague Birding Host: YMOS Contact: George Radcliffe (radclifg@gmail.com,410-463-1669) Description: All Day team PM Competition competition during fall migration. From 5 AM to 4 PM, we'll bird as teams, most carbon-free (bicycles) 5-30 AM — Lowe's Wihart/Punch Host: Talbot Bird Club Leader Lisa Sargeant (978-897-0135 or satgeant/G@emall-com) Description: Herons, 9/9 ; migrant warblers. Depart from Easton Acme parking lot at 5:30 am or meet at Lowe’s Wharf at 6 am. 12 PM Point : Breakfast to follow, hosted by Lisa Sargeant. 6-30 AM — Field Trip/Boat Ride at Host: Patuxent Bird Club/PGAS Leader Matt Felperin (mfelperin@nvrpa.org) Description: Sunrise walk for 9/9 : migrating warblers, Pontoon Boat ride in the River searching for Soras. $5 -10 charge Bring lunch and water. 12 PM Patuxent River Park : RSVP to leader required.
ees -12 Harford Glen ee Bird Club Leader Lynn Feryus (443-910-5570 or Ifery@verizon.net) Description: Search for fall
7-30 AM — Host: Howard Bird Club Leader Mary Lou Clark, doctorfx_99@yahoo.com Description: Moderate walking 9/9 12 PM Rockburn Branch Park through the woods and fields looking for migrants. Meet in parking lot on the left just past the restored
schoolhouse.
Host: Baltimore Bird Club Leaders Brent and Mary Byers (baypuffin@hotmail.com or 410-686-7294) : Description: Varied habitats including marsh, woods, and beach. Expect to see herons (possibly Little Blue), -—11AM North P Park ‘ - ; , He : SR eS ig songbirds, and raptors. Trails are level but unpaved. Boots advised if we have had a lot of rain. The entrance
fee is $3 per car unless you have a State Park Pass.
9/10 6:30 AM - Wve Farm Host: Talbot Bird Club Leader Susie Pratt (410-924-4925 or prattsuzzie@gmail.com) Description: Grassland 12 PM y birds, migrants. Depart Easton Acme parking lot at 6:30 am.
3 — 10:30 Birding ACM Serenit Host: Allegany/Garrett Bird Club Contact westernmdbirdclub@gmail.com or Melissa at 240-920-8260. 9/10 AM , ; 6 y Description: Resident woodland birds and fall migrants and "How To" participate in bird counts. Meet in
el parking lot behind the Continuing Ed bldg.
3-11-30 Birdina bean cent Dave Host: Baltimore Bird Club Leader Sam Tillman (sam.tillman@gmail.com) Description: Explore Days Cove from 9/10 . ay ¥ a canoe! Plan to be at the entrance gate between 7:40-8:00am. LIMIT 18. RSVP required. Rain date Sun. AM Cove 9/17. RarchiPalntNetire Host: Baltimore Bird Club Leaders Brent and Mary Byers (baypuffin@hotmail.com or 410-686-7294) 9/10 9-11AM oe Description: Easy walk through varied habitats for feeder birds and other songbirds, raptors, and waterfowl. All are welcome, including families. Telescopes useful.
; : oHOneE : fmi Ea js-11am | 11 AM Cromwell vallaypark Host Baltimore Bird Club Leader Peter Lev (plev@comcast.net) Description: Expect a variety of migrant and resident birds. Beginning birders welcome.
9/13 8-—11AM poe an ar BINS, Host: Anne Arundel Bird Club Contact: Peter Hanan,301-580-2785 peter.hanan@icloud.com
10 AM—12 | Family Birding: Cromwell Host: Baltimore Bird Club Leader Daisy Sudano (dsudanotrainings@yahoo.com) Description: "Fall Migration" 9/16 " ch held in conjunction with the Autumn Migration Celebration featuring the Arts in the Park at Cromwell Valley PM Valley Park Park
9/16 7:30 AM — eek State Bark Host: Harford Bird Club Leader Dennis Kirkwood (410-692-5905 or newarkfarms@gmail.com. Description: A 12 PM walk through the Rocks. Meet at the ranger’s station at Rocks Chrome Hill Rd.
7-30 AM — RadaiorRAdeeINattikal Host: Patuxent Bird Club/PGAS Leader Bill Sefton (kiwisuits@msn.com) Description: two-mile loop around 9/16 2 PM 6 area. Meet at the parking area off Governor Bridge Road, south and east of the Route 301/Route 3/Route 50
pics interchange at 7:30 am Host: Baltimore Bird Club Leader Elizabeth Errickson (elizabeth.errickson@gmail.com) Description: Expect to 9/16 8-—11AM Wyman Park see a variety of warblers and other migrating birds. Meet at Remington Ave. Bridge. Canceled in bad weather. RSVP to leader required. ; = ; yore ba birdi 7 Destrotion 9/16 TBA gocksRun Host Frederick Bird Club Leader Lois Kauffman (301 845 6690 or md.pa.birding@gmail.com) Description Fall migrants. Contact leader for meeting time and location. Monthly Walk at Quiet . F ] 9/17 8-11AM Waters Park Host: Anne Arundel Bird Club Contact: Jim Collatz, 301-254-0188m jcollatz@aol.com
2 Check MDBIRDS.ORG/Calendar for updates
9/17 9AM-2 Cromwell Valley Park Host: Baltimore Bird Club Description: Join Park volunteers to help us count Broad-winged Hawks as they PM Hawkwatch Weekend migrate through the Valley. Bring a chair, water, snacks, and sunblock. 9/19 8-11 AM Cromwell Valley Park Host: Baltimore Bird Club Leader Ron Davis (ronldavis1963 @gmail.com) Description: Expect a variety of migrant and resident birds. Beginning birders welcome.
6-30 —7:25 Chimney Swifts at Dusk Host: Baltimore Bird Club Leader Alice Greely-Nelson (410-499-0546 or alicendisplay@gmail.com) 9/20 ‘ ; at Hampden Description: The swifts have been returning regularly to the Bookbindery Chimney. Check the BBC website, Bookbindery https://baltimorebirdclub.org, and the BBC Facebook page, for updates.
PM 9/21 3-6PM Sie aeerneels Host: Patuxent Bird Club/PGAS Description: Two-mile walk around lake. Meet at parking area at corner of Berwyn Rd. and Ballew Ave. in Berwyn Heights. 6AM -—12 ; Host: Talbot Bird Club Leader Wayne Bell (410-253-1663 or wbell2@washcoll.edu) Description: Migrants, 9/21 Foreman’s Branch ; . : ; PM bird banding demonstration. Depart Easton Acme parking lot at 6 am. 9/21 8 AM -—-12 Bird Walk at Fort Host: Washington County Bird Club Call or text Linda Field if interested, 301-991-9174. Description: Meet in PM Frederick parking lot near Visitor’s Center. 9/22 TBA Gambrill Mill Host: Frederick Bird Club Leader Sarah Heald (301-696-0468 or shheald@verizon.net) Description: Birding for beginners. Contact leader for meeting time and location. M
9/23 6AM -—12 Hepner’: andiakes Host: Talbot Bird Club Leader Jeff Effinger (410-443-5016 or jkeffinger55 @gmail.com) Description: P PP Waterfowl, shorebirds, migrants. Depart Easton Acme parking lot at 6 am.
Chimney Swifts at Dusk Host: Baltimore Bird Club Leader Alice Greely-Nelson (410-499-0546 or alicendisplay@gmail.com) at Hampden Description: The swifts have been returning regularly to the Bookbindery Chimney. Check the BBC website, Bookbindery https://baltimorebirdclub.org, and the BBC Facebook page, for updates.
igration Walk ; 9/23 7-11AM a qigalowae Host: Anne Arundel Bird Club Contact: Stan Arnold, 410-428-7567 or thrushhost@gmail.com 9/23 8—11:30 Habitat Walk: Oregon Host: Baltimore Bird Club Leader Marty Brazeau (tropicbirder56@gmail.com) Description: Oregon Ridge hike A Ridge looking for migrants. Meet at Oregon Ridge Park at the parking lot near the Nature Center.
M M : : i i iption: Joi is leafy ci k. 9/23 8-9:30 Druid Hill Park Host: Baltimore Bird Club Description: Join Audubon and the Maryland Zoo to explore this leafy city par AM M
6:45 — 7:40
9/23 p
Participants must register in advance at https://patterson.audubon.org. SANIAD Host: Harford Bird Club Leaders Colleen Webster (410-459-4577; cwebster@harford.edu) or Sue Procell 9/23 PM Perryville Paddle (443-417-4919; procellmd@gmail.com). Description: Bring your kayak, canoe, or stand-up to search for
swimmers, divers and fliers. Meet at Stumps Point. Host: YMOS Contact: George Radcliffe (radclifg@gmail.com,410-463-1669) Description: Morning hunt for 9/23 wa. ; : ; P Refuge Birding late migrants and early arrivals. A walking tour of part of the refuge. Host: Baltimore Bird Club Leader Wendy Alexander (43-204-3754) Description: Continuing survey of bird 9/23 9-11AM Fort McHenry activity at the Fort. Binoculars required. Please contact the walk leader 24 hours in advance to confirm attendance and any changes to the walk schedule. Host: Frederick Bird Club Leader Mike Spurrier (240-446-0305 or mspurrier819@gmail.com) Description: Fall Preserve migrants. Contact leader for meeting time and location. LAs : Host: Baltimore Bird Club Leader Sarah Luttrell (luttrell.sa@gmail.com, 614-352-7718) Description: Expect to see a wide variety of migrating songbirds. Meet at the Overlook on Deer Park Rd. RSVP to leader. Host: Caroline Bird Club To register and for directions, contact Debby Bennett dabennett1996@gmail.com PM Description: Bird banding observation at Foreman's Branch Bird Observatory.
H . F . : : 9/25 9:30 AM - Sipe nue Ae ab Host: Howard Bird Club Description: This trip will be a sky watch for migrating raptors and other potential 12 PM Y flybys. Meet at parking lot or go directly to the Sky watch site. Rain date Tuesday, September 26.
Watch
; ; : ce ; ean : ; 9/26 8—-11AM Cromwell Valley Park Host Baltimore Bird Club Leader Mark Linardi (linardi@outlook.com) Description: Expect a variety o migrant and resident birds. Beginning birders welcome.
Bird Walk at Middle 9/28 8-11 AM Patuxent Environmental Host: Anne Arundel Bird Club Contact: Kurt Schwartz, 410-461-1643 or krschwa1@verizon.net Area Host: Washington County Bird Club Call or text Michael Saylor if interested, 301-992-2535. Description: PM State Park Meet in parking lot below the Visitor’s Center. 9/29 Host: Baltimore Bird Club Leaders Alyssia Church and Libby Errickson (hawksaucebirding@gmail.com) Cape May Birdapalooza! Description: Weekend trip to see a variety of raptors, passerines, shorebirds, and more! RSVP is required, 10/1 limit 12. Host: Allegany/Garrett Bird Club Contact Samantha Dixon (samantha.dixon@maryland.gov). Description: PM Presentation Park Ranger Samantha Dixon presents on Hawk Identification. 7:30 - 11 Raug Goes sal etnonpe Host: Baltimore Bird Club Leader Nico Sarbanes (asarbanes@yahoo.com) Description: Warblers, sparrows, 9/30 Farms Ponds (Ponds #4 i : Pace ; AM and #5) shorebirds, and other migrants. Trip limited to 15; RSVP required. 9730 | Beau | Patterson Park | Host: Baltimore Bird Club Description: Join Audubon to explore this urban oasis in southeast Baltimore. 9/30 Patterson Park iw . . 9:30 AM Participants must register in advance at https://patterson.audubon.org. Host: Frederick Bird Club Leader Lynn Kieffer (301-943-5290 or lynnkieffer@yahoo.com) Description: Fall migrants. Contact leader for meeting time and location. Host: Allegany/Garrett Bird Club Contact samantha.dixon@maryland.gov. Description: Join Ranger PM Overlook Samantha Dixon at the Dan's Rock Overlook to try out your hawk identification skills. Host: Talbot Bird Club Leader Jeff Effinger (410-443-5016 or jkeffingerS55 @gmail.com) Description: 12 PM Waterfowl, hawks, passerines. Depart Easton Acme parking lot at 6:30 am or meet at Blackwalnut at 7 am.
Check MDBIRDS.ORG/Calendar for updates 3
Violette's Lock, C&O Host: Baltimore Bird Club Leaders Debbie and Lou Taylor (debrataylor11@gmail.com or 410-852-9807) 10/1 8-—11AM : Description: warblers, American Kestrel, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Blue-headed Vireo.
patel RSVP required.
10/3 8-11AM Cromwell Valley Park Host: Baltimore Bird Club Leader laura Lechtzin (lechtzin@verizon.net) Description: Expect a variety of migrant and resident birds. Beginning birders welcome. Host: Baltimore Bird Club Leader Mary Chatelat (443-564-6551) Description: Continuing survey of bird 10/4 9-11 AM Fort McHenry activity at the Fort. Binoculars required. Please contact the walk leader 24 hours in advance to confirm attendance and any changes to the walk schedule. : i iption: -mi : ki f 10/5 3-6PM (akeneeietia Host: Patuxent Bird Club/PGAS Description Two-mile walk around lake. Meet at parking area at corner o Berwyn Rd. and Ballew Ave. in Berwyn Heights. 6:30 AM — Host: Talbot Bird Club Leader Dave Burgevin (301-788-0916 or dburgevin@gmail.com) Description: 10/7 Bombay Hook Area ; ; 12 PM Waterfowl, shorebirds. Depart Easton Acme parking lot at 6:30 am or meet at Bombay Hook at 8 am.
7-30 AM — Host: Patuxent Bird Club/PGAS Leader Bill Sefton (kiwisuits@msn.com). Description: Two-mile out-and-back 10/7 2 PM Fran Uhler Natural Area walk — fields, wet woods, brushy areas. Meet at east end of Lemon’s Bridge Road, off Route 197 just north of
Bowie State University.
8AM-—5 Annual Big Sit at Fort ; , ; 10/7 Sena are Host: Anne Arundel Bird Club Contact: Alan Young, 410-991-8300 or alanmyoung@gmail.com 8AM-5 ; Host: YMOS Contact: George Radcliffe (radclifg@gmail.com,410-463-1669) Description: Hawkwatch, ee Pape May aap Seawatch, and Marsh Exploration.
Host: Baltimore Bird Club Leaders Alyssia Church and Libby Errickson (hawksaucebirding@gmail.com) 10/7 8AM-7 Big Sit at North Point Description: Big Sit will be near the small beach and the beginning of the long pier (Crystal Pier). Admission is PM State Park $3/car. RSVP to Alyssia Church. This is a great event for birders of every level. Bring a camp chair, water, snacks, sunscreen. Host: Frederick Bird Club Leader David Smith (443-995-4108 or lacsmith12@comcast.net) Description: Contact leader for location and to schedule your time. Host: Harford Bird Club Leaders Matt Addicks (443-987-7208 or maddicks13@gmail.com) and Sue Procell 12 PM (443-417-4919 or procellmd@gmail.com. Description: Search for migrants, residents and hawks. Host: Caroline Bird Club Description: Adkins Arboretum’s Wetlands Overlook near the Visitors Center. Will 7:30 AM — aa ; ‘ : ; . . run from 7:30 am to early evening for some owling. Dress comfortably, bring your binoculars, a chair to sit on, food and drink. Ja ee Host: Baltimore Bird Club Leaders Matthew Black and Anand Pandian (matthewblack66@yahoo.com) Description: Wild Turkeys are resident, and it is a great spot for other resident and migrating birds. Marshy Point Nature Host: Baltimore Bird Club Leaders Brent and Mary Byers (baypuffin@hotmail.com or 410-686-7294) 10/8 9-11AM Cane Description: Easy walk through varied habitats for feeder birds and other songbirds, raptors, and waterfowl. All are welcome, including families. Telescopes useful.
10/10 | 8-11 AM Cromwell Valley Park Host: Baltimore Bird Club Leader John Landers (dado1bw@aol.com) Description: Expect a variety of migrant
and resident birds. Beginning birders welcome.
10/13 er ese ee ee Host: Anne Arundel Bird Club Contact: Fred Shaffer, 443-926-6457 or glaucousgull@verizon.net
10/14 aa ae -3 Hawk Watch at Town Hill Host: Allegany/Garrett Bird Club Contact westernmdbirdclub@gmail.com or Melissa at 240-920-8260.
Description: Meet at the Town Hill Overlook. Bring a lawn chair, water and snacks.
ie Host: Tri-county Bird Club For more information contact Mike Walsh at 410-422-0428 or Birding at Assateague ; ae f . 10/14 7AM-3 Wationaliseschare mik.walsh@comcast.net Description Search for coastal migrants, especially hawks, warblers and sparrows. PM Rai Meet at Schumaker Park parking lot at 7:00 am or at the National Seashore Visitor Center parking lot (before Maryland section ) the bridge) at 7:45 am. . Host: Baltimore Bird Club Leader Bud Poole (budpoole343 @gmail.com) Description: Meet at the south end 7:30-1 H Walk: P ; . . Ae badan ; . 10/14 colar Se aae: aeLEISON of the boat lake. Explore the various microhabitats within the urban space. Beginning birders/naturalists AM Park welcome. Please RSVP. 10/14 8 AM-—12 Ture Paint Host: Cecil Bird Club leader: Ken Drier (KDRIER@ZOOMINTERNET.NET) Description: Traditional walk through PM the woods and fields for migrant songbirds, including warblers, vireos, flycatchers and more. 8 AM-12 . : Host: Harford Bird Club Contact French Cornett (410-676-4428 or Frenchcornett@comcast.net) for further 10/14 Mariner Point Park ; ee f ee tee ate, We . : PM details. Description: Leisurely birding in this wetland park in the Gunpowder. Sparrows and later migrants. River Mist/Monocacy Host: Frederick Bird Club Leader Kari McPartland (443-854-2283 or kari.mcp.10@gmail.com) Description: 10/14 | TBA : . . ; : River Path Fall migrants. Contact leader for meeting time and location. 10/15 1:30-3:30 | Family Birding: Oregon Host: Baltimore Bird Club Leader Daisy Sudano (dsudanotrainings@yahoo.com) Description: "Owls PM Ridge Park Mysterious and Amazing" held at Oregon Ridge Park - meet at the Kidd's Nature Pavilion. 6-30 AM — Host: Talbot Bird Club Leader Janet MacDonald (973-903-4208 or janetmacdonald68@gmail.com) 10/15 19 PM Wades Point Description: Waterfowl, passerines. Depart Easton Acme parking lot at 6:30 am or meet at Wades Point at 7 am. 10/15 | 8-11 AM Rael eee ap eulet Host: Anne Arundel Bird Club Contact: Jim Collatz, 301-254-0188m jcollatz@aol.com Host: Baltimore Bird Club Leader Sam Tillman (sam.tillman@gmail.com or 443-844-5917) Description: This 10/15 | 8-11AM Chinquapin Run Park walk will explore one of Baltimore City’s newer eBird hotspots. Meet at the intersection of Northwood Drive
and Kelway Road, where there is ample street parking. RSVP required, limit 18.
8 AM-—12 Bird Walk at Shafer Park, Host: Washington County Bird Club Call or text Mark Abdy if interested, 301-573-1301 Description: Meet in 10/15 i , : PM Boonsboro parking lot next to the Police Station. 10/17 | 8-11 AM Cromwell Valley Park Host: Baltimore Bird Club Leader Mary Chatelat (443-564-6551) Description: Expect a variety of migrant and resident birds. Beginning birders welcome.
4 Check MDBIRDS.ORG/Calendar for updates
1:30 PM uaerese Pa OKY, Description: Birds in Flight — Learn the basics of identifying birds in flight. Limit 15.
10/19 | 3-6 PM Taecarterneela Host: Patuxent Bird Club/PGAS Description: Two-mile walk around lake. Meet at parking area at corner of Berwyn Rd. and Ballew Ave. in Berwyn Heights. 10/21 7 AM-—-12 Frederick Douglass on Host: Talbot Bird Club Leader Ron Ketter (707-373-5532 or rgketter@gmail.com) Description: Woodland PM the Tuckahoe Park birds, sparrows. Depart Easton Acme parking lot at 7 am or meet at Frederick Douglass Park at 7u:30 am. 7:30 - Pipe Host: Baltimore Bird Club Leader Frank Marenghi (frank_marenghi@hotmail.com) Description: Expect a 10/21 Serenity Ridge ; eS ; : t ; 10:30 AM variety of migrating fall birds, including raptors and sparrows. RSVP required.
a Bird Club/PGAS L Bill Sef kiwisui ; Description: -mile | 10/21 7:30 AM — Governor Bridge Natural Host: Patuxent Bird Club/PGAS Leader Bill Sefton (kiwisuits@msn.com) Description: two-mile loop around
H : F ‘ : 10/18 10:30 AM — oWal Mec oneelvalieyial Host: Howard Bird Club Leaders Bonnie Ott, sparrowdamsel@gmail.com; Val Swan, valnjeff55@gmail.com
area. Meet at the parking area off Governor Bridge Road, south and east of the Route 301/Route 3/Route 50 12 PM Area : interchange at 7:30 am
joan | 809° | oruia in Park | Host: Baltimore Bird Club and Audubon Description: Join Audubon and the Maryland Zoo to explore this 10/21 Druid Hill Park ; ae . : AM leafy city park. Participants must register in advance at https://patterson.audubon.org. Host: Baltimore Bird Club Leader Wendy Alexander (43-204-3754) Description: Continuing survey of bird 10/21 | 9-11 AM Fort McHenry activity at the Fort. Binoculars required. Please contact the walk leader 24 hours in advance to confirm attendance and any changes to the walk schedule. Host: Frederick Bird Club Leader David Smith (443-995-4108 or lacsmith12@comcast.net) Description: Fall migrants. Contact leader for meeting time and location. Host: Baltimore Bird Club Leader Tim Carney (timcarney83@gmail.com) Description: his park is best known Hydes Road Park for its proclivity to attract a wide variety of sparrows in fall. Trip limited to 15 participants. Please RSVP to leader. Host: Baltimore Bird Club Leader Matthew Black (matthewblack66@ yahoo.com) Description: Expect a variety of migrant and resident birds. Beginning birders welcome. 9 AM—12 Host: Howard Bird Club Leader Val Swan valnjeff55@gmail.com Description: Learn helpful tools to assist you 10/27 PM Centennial Park in identifying a variety of bird species. Meet at Centennial Park West, off of Centennial Lane. Facilities available. Registration required. Limit 10. Host: Baltimore Bird Club Description: Join Audubon to explore this urban oasis in southeast Baltimore. AM Participants must register in advance at https://patterson.audubon.org. Host: Baltimore Bird Club Leader Stacy Hartman (iluvthemoona@gmail.com) Description: We will look for PM Environmental Center ducks, geese, swans, sparrows, Bald Eagles, and Brown-headed Nuthatches. Host: Harford Bird Club Leader Dennis Kirkwood (410-692-5905 or newarkfarms@gmail.com). Description: PM Check out this County hot spot in hopes of finding rare sparrows, waterfowl and herons. Host: Talbot Bird Club Leader Jeff Effinger (410-443-5016 or jkeffinger55 @gmail.com) Description: Irish Grove & Somerset Waterfowl, shorebirds, short-eared owl. Depart from Easton Acme parking lot at 6 am. Overnight at Irish Grove. Host: Frederick Bird Club Leader Jeff Smith (240-291-1892 or jefsmith78@gmail.com) Description: All-day trip for waterfowl & wintering shorebirds. Contact leader for meeting time and location. Harbor Farm Park | 10/29 | s-azam | OregonhidgeandAg Host: Baltimore Bird Club Leader Simon Best (simonrabest@gmail.com) Description: Good spot for thrushes, 10/29 | 8-11 AM : i Center woodpeckers, and other passerines. RSVP to leader required. Host: Baltimore Bird Club Leader TBD Description: Expect a variety of migrant and resident birds. Beginning birders welcome. Host: Baltimore Bird Club Leader Mary Chatelat (443-564-6551) Description: Continuing survey of bird activity at the Fort. Binoculars required. Please contact the walk leader 24 hours in advance to confirm attendance and any changes to the walk schedule. Host: Howard Bird Club Leaders Bonnie Ott, sparrowdamsel@gmail.com; Val Swan, valnjeff55@gmail.com Centennial Park Description: Beginners Trip- Birds of the Lake. Bonnie and Val will explain the basics of binoculars and field
guides. Meet at Boat ramp. Limit 10
11/2 3-6PM Pe eon Host: Patuxent Bird Club/PGAS Description: Two-mile walk around lake. Meet at parking area at corner of Berwyn Rd. and Ballew Ave. in Berwyn Heights.
Host: MOS Sanctuary Committee Contact Jeremy Castle: jeremy.castle@mdbirds.org to sign-up. Description: 11/3 Irish Grove Work Please join your fellow birders as the rich tradition of Irish Grove volunteer work weekends continues. This All Day A pre, a : i i i -5 Weekend year's activities will include trail maintenance, structure maintenance, and house cleaning/upkeep, and, of course, BIRDING. 7-30 AM — Host: Patuxent Bird Club/PGAS Leader Bill Sefton (kiwisuits@msn.com). Description: Two-mile out-and-back 11/4 10 PM Fran Uhler Natural Area walk — fields, wet woods, brushy areas. Meet at east end of Lemon’s Bridge Road, off Route 197 just north of Bowie State University. Host: Baltimore Bird Club Leader Wendy Crowe (wcrowe437@gmail.com) Description: In this transitional 11/4 8-11AM Southwest Area Park season, expect to see water birds, sparrows, kinglets, and maybe a surprise or two. Meet at the Boat Launch area. 11/4 8AM-—12 Fickow Point Host: Cecil Bird Club leader: Ken Drier (KDRIER@ZOOMINTERNET.NET) Description: Traditional walk through PM Y the woods and fields for migrant songbirds, including warblers, vireos, flycatchers and more. 9:30 AM- gnrar CofeetNancyeat Host: Howard Bird Club Leader Russ Ruffing, russruffing@gmail.com Description: Sky watch for late- 11/4 Mt Pleasant Farm Sky her ‘ ; 12 PM Watch migrating raptors and other potential goodies.
Check MDBIRDS.ORG/Calendar for updates 5
Host: Frederick Bird Club Leader Tom Humphrey (240-793-2508). Description: Contact leader for meeting time and location. ier ae | Host: Talbot Bird Club Leader Susan Henyon (240-582-3882 or suehenyon@rocketmail.com) Description: 11/5 PM Kingston Landing Waterfowl, shorebirds, sparrows. Depart from Easton Acme parking lot at 7 am. Breakfast to follow, hosted by Bettye Maki. 7-30 AM — Host: Harford Bird Club Leader David Larkin (410-569-8319 or larkin3001@comcast.net). Description: Scope 11/5 5 PM Bombay Hook NWR out pools and flats for waterfowl, herons, and hawks. Meet at the RT. 155/195 Havre-de-Grace P&R. Bring
lunch.
11/5 8-—11AM Deen ee an hinder Host: Anne Arundel Bird Club Contact: Alan Young, 410-991-8300 or alanmyoung@gmail.com Lake Roland Seraantine Host: Baltimore Bird Club Leader Sam Tillman (sam.tillman@gmail.com) Description: Explore the birds and 11/5 8-11AM P plants of this unusual site. Meet at the parking lot behind the Home and Hospital School, 6229 Falls Rd,
Barrens Baltimore 21209. Limit 12; must register with the trip leader.
11/5 3-11AM Centennial Park Host: Howard Bird Club Leader Russell Kovach, Russell.kovach@gmail.com Description: Early waterfowl, lingering migrants likely. Facilities available. West end parking lot. Howard Conservancy at Host: Howard Bird Club Description: This is an impromptu leaderless walk for an opportunity to bird with 11/8 8-11AM : Mt. Pleasant Farm any friends who show up. : Host: Frederick Bird Club Leader Lois Kauffman (301-845-6690 or md.pa.birding@gmail.com) Description: 11/1 TBA h . é . f 2 auto | rea | Chincoteague Weekend trip for waterfowl and wintering birds. Contact leader for details. Birding at Sang Run State | Host: Allegany/Garrett Bird Club Contact westernmdbirdclub@gmail.com or Melissa at 240-920-8260. 11/11 | 8-11 AM eee . f . Park Description: Meet at the parking lot for Youghiogheny River access. 8 — 9:30 See Host: Baltimore Bird Club Description: Join Audubon and the Maryland Zoo to explore this leafy city park. 11/11 Druid Hill Park =F . : AM Participants must register in advance at https://patterson.audubon.org. 8AM-4 : ‘ Host: YMOS Contact: George Radcliffe (radclifg@gmail.com,410-463-1669) Description: Refuge Exploration - a Saincore eve TNOme Waterfowl, Wading Birds, Winter Arrivals. 7 AM —12 PiceorinetereeAuduben Host: Talbot Bird Club Leaders Linda & Pete Yungbluth (410-924-8135 or lyungbluth@gmail.com) . 11/12 Description: Waterfowl, passerines. Depart from Easton Acme parking lot at 7 am or meet at Pickering Creek PM Center at 7:20 am. Host: Baltimore Bird Club Leader Brain Rolfinke (brollfinke@gmail.com) Description: A great spot for 11/12 | 8-11 AM Irvine Nature Center sparrows, raptors, finches and other birds of the transitional season. Recommended for young birders and
their parents. Fee $5 per person (or Irvine membership) is required. RSVP to leader required.
Bird Walk at the Lynch Host: Caroline Bird Club Leaders: Debby Bennett & Robin Lahnemann. Description: Park/meet at the end of 11/12 8-11AM : Preserve Robins Creek Road.
11/12 | 8-11 AM Gantermial Pati Host: Howard Bird Club Leader Richard and Renee Peters, Richard@rrrrpeters.org Description: Early waterfowl, lingering migrants likely. Facilities available. West end parking lot.
parehe- Poin Nature Host: Baltimore Bird Club Leaders Brent and Mary Byers (baypuffin@hotmail.com or 410-686-7294) 11/12 | 9-11 AM Y Description: Easy walk through varied habitats for feeder birds and other songbirds, raptors, and waterfowl.
Center ; : i All are welcome, including families. Telescopes useful.
Walk B ; 11/15 | 8-11 AM ae aeaUe Bey Host: Anne Arundel Bird Club Contact: Alan Young, 410-991-8300 or alanmyoung@gmail.com leader TBA Wetlands Sanctuary
Host: P Bird Club/PGAS Description: Two-mil Ik lake. M ki f 11/16 | 3-6PM UaRea renee ost: Patuxent Bird Club/ Gf S escription wo-mile walk around lake. Meet at parking area at corner o Berwyn Rd. and Ballew Ave. in Berwyn Heights.
Host: Talbot Bird Club Leader Dave Burgevin (301-788-0916 or dburgevin@gmail.com) Description: 6:30 AM — Eastern Neck and Kent f : 11/18 Waterfowl, gulls. Depart Easton Acme parking lot at 6:30 am or meet at Tundra Swan Boardwalk parking 12 PM County area at 7:45 am. 7-30 AM — Host: Harford Bird Club Leader Eric Vangrin, 443-417-7219 or evangrin@msn.com. Description: Trip in 11/18 10 PM Eastern Neck NWR search of waterfowl, Brown-headed Nuthatches and possibly Red Crossbills. Meet at the RT. 155/195 Havre- de-Grace P&R. 7:30 AM — Gey erneeBrdae- Natural Host: Patuxent Bird Club/PGAS Leader Bill Sefton (kiwisuits@msn.com) Description: two-mile loop around 11/18 : 6 area. Meet at the parking area off Governor Bridge Road, south and east of the Route 301/Route 3/Route 50 12 PM Area ‘ interchange at 7:30 am 7:30 AM — Birding at Chincoteague Host: Tri-county Bird Club Contact Ellen Lawler at 410-982-8695 or emlawler534@comcast.net. Description: 11/18 APM National Wildlife Refuge, Search for late fall migrants and early winter residents, including shorebirds, waterfowl and raptors. Meet at VA Schumaker Park parking lot at 7:30am or Royal Farms in Princess Anne at 7:50am. Loch Raven - Host: Baltimore Bird Club Leader Toby Pessoa Gingerich (tags2011@gmail.com) Description: Expect to see 11/18 | 8-11 AM Northampton Furnace waterfowl, woodpeckers, sparrows and perhaps purple finches. Possible muddy spots, boots recommended.
Trail RSVP required. Host: Baltimore Bird Club Description: Join Audubon to explore this urban oasis in southeast Baltimore. AM Participants must register in advance at https://patterson.audubon.org. Host: Baltimore Bird Club Leader Wendy Alexander (43-204-3754) Description: Continuing survey of bird 11/18 | 9-11 AM Fort McHenry activity at the Fort. Binoculars required. Please contact the walk leader 24 hours in advance to confirm attendance and any changes to the walk schedule. Host: Frederick Bird Club Leader Lynn Kieffer (301-943-5290 or lynnkieffer@yahoo.com) Description: Waterfowl. Contact leader for meeting time and location. Host: Baltimore Bird Club Leader Daisy Sudano (dsudanotrainings@yahoo.com) Description: "The Wild 2:30 PM Valley Park Turkey" at Cromwell Valley Park- meet in front of the Nature Center.
11/19 7:30 - eatanityeRidee Host: Baltimore Bird Club Leader Frank Marenghi (frank_marenghi@hotmail.com) Description: Expect a 10:30 AM PGE variety of migrating fall birds, including raptors and sparrows. RSVP required.
6 Check MDBIRDS.ORG/Calendar for updates
Monthly Walk i : : 11/19 | 8-11AM Hekaaet ab Quiet Host: Anne Arundel Bird Club Contact: Jim Collatz, 301-254-0188m jcollatz@aol.com
11/19 | 8-11 AM Centennial’ Park Host: Howard Bird Club Leader — David Holmes, musiclbndr@gmail.com Description: Early waterfowl, lingering migrants likely. Facilities available. West end parking lot.
Host: Talbot Bird Club Leader Jeff Effinger (410-443-5016 or jkeffinger55 @gmail.com) Description: Owls. Depart Easton Acme parking lot at 4 pm.
3 AM—12 Host: Harford Bird Club Leader Dennis Kirkwood (410-692-5905 or newarkfarms@gmail.com). Description:
11/25 PM Conowingo Dam Watch Bald Eagles, gulls, and waterfowl and walk the trail for Winter Wren and woodpeckers. Meet at Fisherman’s Park. 7 oe ; Fotion: Thanksaivi ion:
11/25 9AM-—12 Fisherman’s Wharf Host: Cecil Bird Club Leader Ken Drier (KDRIER@ZOOMINTERNET.NET) Description: Thanksgiving tradition
PM The eagles at Conowingo Dam.
7 AM—-12 ! ; Host: Talbot Bird Club Leader Bettye Maki (248-225-0724 or bjmaki04@gmail.com) Description: Waterfowl, 11/26 Plaindealing Farm f
PM woodpeckers, sparrows. Depart Easton Acme parking lot at 7 am. 11/26 | 8-11 AM GentennialPark Bes ae Bird Club Description: Early waterfowl, lingering migrants likely. Facilities available. West end
Meetings Meetings may be virtual or in-person (or both)! Additional details, including links, will be posted on chapter web sites and the MOS calendar, as available.
as | 7-9PM Meeting: YMOS Bombay Hook Trip Planning; Planning upcoming zoom meetings
11/25 | 4-8PM Owl Prowl
Program: Cuba — Culture, People and BIRDS!! presented Greenhouse Classroom, by Joe Corcoran Cylburn Arboretum Host: YMOS Contact: George Radcliffe (radclifg@gmail.com,410-463-1669) Description: Program | Virtual TBA : ; Gwen Brewer and George Jett: Travels and Birding in M Al kB penis: Peetenio Bir Gambia and Senegal. Meeting in Room 236, Hodson Hood College Club oe ghee Building. Social time at 6 pm. Bird Walk with brief business meeting after. Meet at the Marshy H Mansi eee oeteMell VFW boat ramp, 2630 Veterans Dr, Federalsburg. 10 AM- 12 MOS Board Meeting at the Whitaker Campus Center. — H II PM Ne Pre eens Meeting preceded by birding at Baker Park. 9/12 7-9PM Meeting: Talbot Bird Club Jonathan Irons will speak on morning flight monitoring at Easton YMCA Turkey Point. Business meeting will follow. 9/13 7-9PM Meeting: Rabuxent Bir Birding Ecuador, presented by Jane & Fred Fallon Virtual Club/PGAS a oF u 9/14 i a ae Bo COLey Peter Kaestner will speak on Birding Robinson Nature Center Meeting: M Bi Pp Pp i 9/20 7-9PM eeting: Montgomery Bird Roy Howard’ Birds oRecadder otomac Presbyterian Club Church ae ; Annual Kick-off Picnic at the home of Paul Bystrak and = : Tri- : : MD Hie vote eu ne ae eee Marylee Ross, 5968 Rockawalkin Road, Salisbury. mo 9/25 7-9PM Meeting: Tri-County Bird “Birding Panama with Canopy Family" presented by club Salisbury Animal Health Club members Ellen Lawler and Mary Huebner Lab 9/26 7-9PM Meeting: Washington Francesca Site will talk on “Enhancing your landscape to stwmenas Katie Center County Bird Club attract birds
Rhythms of the Night: Using Bats as Monitors of Pollution
Meeting: Baltimore Bird ; :
Club in Baltimore City, presented by Chris Blume. In-person and online.
10/3 7-9 PM Meeting: YMOS Program TBA
Meeting: Frederick Bird Marcia Balestri: Papua New Guinea. Meeting in Room 236, - H II 10/5 arpa Club Hodson Building. Social time at 6 pm. bod Cellese
Greenhouse Classroom,
10/3 7-9PM Cylburn Arboretum
Check MDBIRDS.ORG/Calendar for updates 7
i Churchill, Manitoba: Birds, Bears, and Belugas presented > Virtual by Dr. Matthew C. Perry. :30- k on The Wildlife of India's National 10/12 7:30-9 Meeting Howard County Larry Zoller will speak on The Wildlife of India's Nationa Boat cartneruce Canter PM Bird Club Parks 10 AM - 12 Wharves at Choptank aoe PM Visitors Center Potomac Presbyterian Church
“Dark Side of the Loon” presented by noted ornithologist, Salisbury Animal Health Dr. Paul Spitzer. Lab Mark Abdy and Heather McSharry will talk on Land of
gerne: Washineten Rockslides, Hummers and Eggs-with-legs: The Ecuadorian Mt. Aetna Nature Center County Bird Club pene
Meeting: Frederick Bird David Curson: Conservation: Saltmarsh Restoration and 6: Tern Nesting Colonies. Meeting in Room 236, Hodson Hood College Club da Fe paee Building. Social time at 6 pm.
The Sometimes Irreverent Bird Musings of a General Natural History Educator by Peter Martin. In-person and online.
Greenhouse Classroom, Cylburn Arboretum
Meeting: Baltimore Bird Club
Meeting: YMOS Program TBA
Meeting: Patuxent Bird Exploring and Birding Puerto Rico presented by Matt uaa Club/PGAS Felperin. a county, Kim Abplanalp will soeak on the Common Tern Raft Robinson Nature Center
Kim Ablanalp will give a presentation on the artificial Common Tern nesting platform in Chincoteague Bay. Easton YMCA Business meeting will follow.
Church
Visitor Center Salisbury Animal Health Lab
Mt. Aetna Nature Center
Please go to the following link to sign up.
a1 http://howardbirds.org/howard/counts.htm 9/16 | Fall Count: Washington County Contact Cheryl Saylor (301-739-8907) 9/16 Fall Count: Wicomico County Coordinator Paul Bystrak (shrike@comcast.net)
Fall Count: Worcester County Coordinator Marcia Balestri (mebalestri@gmail.com) Count Coordinator is Chuck Hager. Contact drhager@verizon.net to coordinate your count area and complete the count when you have time on the 17th. Rocky Gap State Park, contact samantha.dixon@maryland.gov. "How to Participate in a Bird Count". Join the Rocky Gap Park Rangers on a hike at the park while they demonstrate what is involved in a bird count. Ideal for birders interested in helping with a bird count but looking for initial guidance or support.
9/17 _| Fall Count: Talbot County Contact Ron Ketter (707-373-5532 or rgketter@gmail.com)
8 Check MDBIRDS.ORG/Calendar for updates