-----Original Message-----
From: Steve Cordle [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2008 8:14 AM
To:
Subject: DC Area, 3/11/08
Hotline: Voice of the Naturalist
Date: 3/11/2008
Coverage: MD/DC/VA/DE
Telephone: 301-652-1088 option 1
Reports (voice): 301-652-1088 option 2
(email):
(deadline): midnight Mondays
Compiler: Helen Patton
Sponsor: Audubon Naturalist Society of the Central
Atlantic States (independent of NAS!)
Transcriber: Steve Cordle ()
Please consider joining ANS, especially if you are a regular user of
the Voice (Individual $40; Family $50; Nature Steward $75; Audubon
Advocate $150). The membership number is 301-652-9188, option 12; the
address is 8940 Jones Mill Road, Chevy Chase, MD 20815; and the web
site is http://www.AudubonNaturalist.org.
This is the Voice of the Naturalist, a service of the Audubon
Naturalist Society. This report was completed Tuesday, March 11, at
8:00 a.m.
Top birds this week are BARNACLE GOOSE* in VA, SANDHILL CRANE in MD,
PIPING PLOVER* and PAINTED BUNTING in VA.
Other birds of interest include CACKLING and ROSS'S GEESE, EURASIAN
WIGEON, RED-NECKED and EARED GREBE, AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN, OSPREY,
NORTHERN GOSHAWK, GOLDEN EAGLE, MERLIN, KING RAIL, LAUGHING and
BONAPARTE'S GULL, COMMON RAVEN, LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE, YELLOW-THROATED
WARBLER, AMERICAN TREE and WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW, RUSTY BLACKBIRD,
PURPLE FINCH, PINE SISKIN and EVENING GROSBEAK.
A BARNACLE GOOSE* was reported from Willow Lake in the Raphine area in
the northern part of Rockbridge Co, VA on March 10.
A SANDHILL CRANE was seen at Mountain Lake, Garrett Co, MD on March 9
and 10.
A PIPING PLOVER* was at the water's edge on the private beach south of
the town harbor in Cape Charles, Northampton Co, VA on March 10.
The PAINTED BUNTING that has been visiting a feeder in Verona, VA was
seen again on March on March 9.
Two CACKLING GEESE were found at Piney Run, Garrett Co, MD on March 6.
Two CACKLING GEESE and a ROSS'S GOOSE were reported from the Fowler's
Beach area at Prime Hook, DE.
A EURASIAN WIGEON was spotted at Perryville Community Park, Cecil Co,
MD on March 8.
The RED-NECKED GREBE continues to be seen on Wilde Lake in Columbia,
Howard Co, MD with sightings on March 6 and 9. A single RED-NECKED
GREBE was seen at Haines Point, DC on March 8. Another RED-NECKED
GREBE was at Riverside Park, Fairfax Co, VA on March 9.
An EARED GREBE, found last week, was seen bayside at 32nd Street in
Ocean City, Worcester Co, MD on Mar 7.
An AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN was observed flying along the West Beach
Road at Craney Island, Portsmouth, VA on March 7. More WHITE PELICANS
were seen on the Wildlife Drive at Blackwater NWR, Dorchester Co, MD
on March 8.
Signs of spring included numerous reports of OSPREY, displaying
WOODCOCKS, TREE SWALLOWS, EASTERN PHOEBES, PINE WARBLERS and migrating
FOX SPARROWS from throughout the region.
A NORTHERN GOSHAWK was noted at Quarry Lake, Pikesville, Baltimore Co,
MD on March 8. A wind shift to S/SE heralded the start of an "eagle
parade" at Dan's Rock, Allegany Co, MD on March 4 with a total flight
of 7 BALD EAGLES and an amazing 35 GOLDEN EAGLES. Another two GOLDEN
EAGLES were seen at Dan's Rock on March 6. Another GOLDEN EAGLE was
spotted at Sky Meadows SP, Fauquier Co, VA on March 8 while another
was seen near Blackwater NWR on the same day.
A MERLIN perched in a tree providing good looks at Riverbend Park,
Fairfax Co, VA on March 9.
A KING RAIL was calling from the marsh at Occoquan Bay NWR, Prince
William Co, VA on March 8.
LAUGHING GULLS were seen in several places including Ocean City Inlet,
Worcester Co, MD and Black Dog Alley, Talbot Co, MD on March 7. A
BONAPARTE'S GULL was observed bobbing in the water from Bay Ridge,
south of Annapolis, Anne Arundel Co, MD on March 4. A BONAPARTE'S
GULL was spotted in the Potomac River from Haines Point, DC on March
8. More than 200 BONAPARTE'S GULLS were at Back River, Baltimore Co,
MD on March 9.
Two COMMON RAVENS were at Sky Meadows SP on March 8 and another two
were seen along MacArthur Blvd in Cabin John, Montgomery Co, MD on
March 9.
A LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE flew into a tree near Rectorstown, Fauquier Co, VA
on March 9. Further investigation revealed that there were 2 Shrikes.
A YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER, first seen in early January, was spotted
again at Long Branch Nature Center, Arlington, VA on March 5 and 9.
Sparrows seen at the Blandy Experimental Farm, Clarke Co, VA on March
5 included AMERICAN TREE and WHITE-CROWNED.
A flock of about 70 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS were spotted on Sycamore Landing
Road, Montgomery Co, MD on March 7. More RUSTY BLACKBIRDS were
calling from the trees at Occoquan Bay NWR, Prince William Co, VA and
two more were at Fort Smallwood Park, Anne Arundel Co, MD on March 8.
The RUSTY BLACKBIRD count at Occoquan Bay NWR was up to 50 on March 9.
PURPLE FINCHES continue to visit feeders with a report from Elkton,
Cecil Co, MD on March 5. PINE SISKINS were seen at the Blandy
Experimental Farm, on March 5 while 7 more PINE SISKINS visited a
feeder in Tunis Mills, Talbot Co, MD on March 6.
Am EVENING GROSBEAK has been visiting a feeder near Keysville,
Lunenburg Co, VA since Thursday, March 6.
Some of this week's reports have been gleaned from the MDOsprey, DE
Birds, and VA-Bird list servers.
Finding Birds in the National Capital Area by Claudia Wilds is an
excellent source for directions to many birding sites. The ANS
Bookstore (301-652-3606 or
www.audubonnaturalist.org/cgi-bin/mesh/store) is an excellent source
for this and many other nature-related titles.
To report bird sightings, e-mail your report to
or call 301-652-1088 and select menu
option 2. Please post reports before midnight Monday, identify the
county as well as state, and include your name and a Tuesday morning
contact, either e-mail or phone.
Thank you for calling, and GOOD BIRDING.
*Of interest to the records committee. |