Folks

Six intrepid MOS birders took on Charles County for twelve hours on Saturday, April 24.  We started at 6 AM at our (Gwen Brewer and myself) Waldorf home, and finished at Benedict shortly after 6 PM.  My residence Whip's did not cooperate until everyone when home, but we still got a good start for the day, and finished with a combined list of 105 species.  We drove around for about 170 miles checking little nooks, some specialty spots, and some of the local hotspots for the listers that accompanied Gwen and I.  Not a bad bunch of birders, and we all had fun.  The extra eyes and ears helped - thanks.

We scored on most of the common species one expects this time of year, and most of the wintering birds have left, but some highlights are worth mentioning.  A fair number of the neotropical migrants are in, but in small numbers.  We totaled 14 species of warblers, mostly all breeders.  One highlight that thrilled all was a lovely male Prothonotary that stood in the morning light near Purse's State Park (Rt. 224).  A number of the other warblers were heard only and not by all.  Kentucky, Wormeating, and Yellow-throated come to mind.  At least 90 species were shared by all of the group, and most approached 100 species for the day.  Three species of Vireos were located - White-eyed, Yellow-throated, and Red-eyed.  The Blue-headed around the house all week chose not to sing while we were there. They sang again on Sunday about 7 AM and was singing up a storm today.  

Raptor highlights were lots of Osprey, Bald Eagle, two Cooper's Hawks, Redtail and Red-shouldered Hawk.   American Kestrel must have left during the week.  We were in several locations where they were seen only a two days ago, but not a one could be found.  Shorebird highlights were four Black-bellied Plover with Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, and a single Least Sandpiper in the marsh at Allen's Fresh.  The plover was a life bird for one attended, and he did not have to drive to Worcester County.  Other shorebirds were to be found at the new Rt. 225 wetland restoration site on the corner of Mitchell and Hawthorne Rd's.   We found five species of gulls including a couple Bonaparte's at Morgantown.  We also found Forster's (15), Caspian(3), and Royal Terns along the way.  Good numbers of Royals were expected at Morgantown (35), but the size of the flock at Benedict was impressive (at least 35, as well).

Woodpeckers were well represented for the foray with Red-headed, Red-bellied, Downy, Hairy, Northern Flicker, and Pileated being found.  We also picked up Ruby-throated Hummingbird, and Chimney Swift late in the day when we arrived back at the house.  Only one Kingfisher was to be found.  This animal starts getting quiet this time of year, and it is always a plus when you can find one doing a big day.  

Other songbird highlights were singing Summer Tanager along Rt. 224, Orchard Oriole singing and displaying at a number of spots including Bumpy Oak Wetlands and Allen's Fresh, a life Rose-breasted Grosbeak for one participant, and Indigo Bunting at Myrtle Grove.  Brown Thrasher were singing from a number of locations, one Catbird on Cobb Island, and a fair number of sparrows.  We found Savannah, Song, Swamp, White-throat, Field, Chipping and Eastern Towhee.  The wintering sparrows left last week - sorry folks.  Baltimore Oriole are hard to find down here, and we missed that species on Saturday.  We did find Eastern Meadowlark, and four other species of blackbirds.  Maybe next week the other oriole will arrive.

The biggest disappointment was the lack of ducks according to Gwen.  She has a PhD in Ecology and studied waterfowl.  We found only four species (Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Wood Duck, and Mallard).  This does not bode well for the Southern Maryland Audubon Societies Birdathon on May 1.  I need to beat the wetlands and see what I can find before Saturday.  The warm weather and favorable flying conditions have left the easy to get to locations duckless.  Not one lingering migrant waterfowl was found.  Maybe not a good year to do a big day in Charles County.  We did find one Common Loon and one Pied-billed Grebe, but the waterbirds were slim picking.  Waders were lots of Great Blue Heron, a few Green Heron and two Great Egret, the later at Myrtle Grove.  

New for me and not in the order of identification for the year were Green Heron at Bumpy Oak Wetland, Black-bellied Plover (4) at Allen's Fresh, Spotted Sandpiper at the Port Tobacco Marina, Least Sandpiper at the Rt. 225 ponds and Allen's Fresh, a flying straight away cuckoo sp. (probably Yellow-billed), Wood Thrush at the house, Black and White Warbler along Rt. 224 and other locations, Prothonotary Warbler at several locations (the first at the Mattawoman Creek on Rt. 229), Summer Tanager near Smith Point Rd. on Rt. 224, and Indigo Bunting at Myrtle Grove.  We may also have had a Blue Grosbeak at Myrtle Grove, but I did not see the bird.  The song sure sounded right.  With ten new year birds, that gets me to 170 for the year in Charles County. 

Remember it is never to late to donate to the Charles County Big Year Atlas Fundraising project.  Contact me at  if you want to help my fundraising efforts.

Thanks to the Jim's for driving and the others for helping.

George


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