We've already heard from a few folks but Worcester is a big
county--don't be shy!!!

Norm, Fran, Matt, and Mark

> -----Original Message-----
> Sent: Monday, September 20, 2004 2:21 AM
> To: 'Maryland Birds & Birding'
> Subject: 5th Annual Worcester County Fall Rarities Roundup
>
>
> WHAT:         5th Annual Worcester County Fall Rarities Roundup
>
>
> WHEN:
>               The Count:              All day, Saturday, November
13
>
>               Dinner & Tally: Saturday evening, November 13,
> at Norm & Fran's
>
>               Chase Parties:  Sunday, November 14
> (arrangements made Saturday evening)
>
>
> WHERE:        All of Worcester County will be covered
>
>
> HOW:  Contact Norm Saunders at  to sign up.
> Do you have an area of the county that you're particularly
> fond of or knowledgeable about?  Let Norm know and he'll pass
> that information along to our two strategists, Mark Hoffman
> and Matt Hafner.
>
>
> Why this count?  Worcester County is indisputably the
> birdiest county in Maryland.  Early November is the most
> likely time for wandering Fall vagrants to show up (the
> county's first record of Ash-throated Flycatcher was located
> during the 1st Annual Rarities Roundup in 2000).
>
> Some of the "most wanted" species for the county include Cave
> Swallow, Bell's Vireo, MacGillivary's Warbler, Western
> Tanager, and any western empid.  Other good birds that we
> might expect to locate during the day include Orange-crowned
> Warbler, LeConte's Sparrow, Western Kingbird, and Eurasian
> Collared Dove.  How about "great birds?"  Well, it was during
> this period of time that Cape May's Brown-chested Martin was
> seen and well documented a few years back.  Why not one for
> Maryland, as well?
>
> Remember, the more people we get out in the field looking for
> birds on November 13th, the more likely we are to have some
> excellent rarities.  It's probably no accident that the first
> year of the count was the best one we have had so far.  That
> year we had a good crowd of Maryland's finest birders along
> with a passel of "big names" from Cape May, as well.  So sign
> up and head out!  Remember, Worcester County needs you!
>
> We will have a communications network in place in case some
> mega-rarity shows up the day of the count to facilitate a
> group-tick, so when you sign up please be sure to give us
> your cell phone number.
>
> Sunday will be reserved for chasing after the good birds
> discovered the previous day.
>
> Mark your calendars now and make your motel reservations.
> For those planning on staying near Ocean City, a clean and
> relatively inexpensive motel is the Francis Scott Key on Rt.
> 50, just west of the bridge into Ocean City.  Their phone
> number is 410-213-0088 and they have a website that accepts
> reservations as well at: http://www.fskmotel.com/.
>
> Those of you planning to attend the tally/dinner on Saturday
> evening will be asked to make a small contribution to help
> defray the cost of food.  Sodas will be provided but if you
> want beer or wine, bring it along--we have a giant-sized
> cooler.  A covered outdoor area with table and chairs is
> provided for smokers.
>
> We're looking forward to seeing a bunch of you in November
> and we have a feeling this may be the year for some new State
> species!  Be there!
>
> If you have questions, contact either Mark Hoffman
> () or Matt Hafner ().
> Even if you chat with Mark or Matt, be sure to sign up with
> Norm so that you'll be include on the list to receive the
> information mail-out prior to the count.
>
> To sign up, drop an e-mail to Norm Saunders
> ().  Be sure to include your cell phone
> number, if you have one, and your preferences for the area of
> the county assigned to you.  Even if you're a beginner, don't
> hesitate to sign up for the count. We'll pair you with more
> experienced birders, and every pair of eyes in the field matters!
>
>
> Best,
>
> Mark, Matt, Norm, & Fran
>
>
> ================================
> Norm Saunders
> Colesville & West Ocean City, MD
> 
>