I President’s Corner I Birders Gone Wild H by Janet Millenson T he media usually portray birdwatchers as mild-mannered folks wearing sturdy out- door clothing and battered hats, peering through binoculars at a bird overhead in a park, field, or forest. You and I know that we're actually quite dynamic, dashing, and daring — though certainly no one would call us a menace to society. Unfortunately, due to recent frenzies over rare bird sightings, our reputation is at risk. To some residents of Frederick County, birders are now about as welcome as a horde of rowdy college kids on spring break. On the one hand, we spend lots of money at local businesses. On the other hand, we sometimes block roads and driveways, trespass (not always unawares), and disturb people, pets, and livestock. The presence of the Northern Lapwing was a mixed blessing for Creagerstown and Thurmont. Of course most birders are considerate and most locals are friendly. Yet over the years, unpleasant incidents have occurred: a dam- aged fence, a night-shift worker awakened during the day, homeowners finding uninvited strangers in the house, the sheriff being called. Somehow the prospect of an unusual sighting makes normally decent people disregard every- thing they were taught by Mom, Miss Manners, and the ABA Code of Birding Ethics. So what can be done to reduce such prob- lems in the future? Some have suggested that (President’s Comer continues on page 2) Inside this Issue: President’s Corner 1 Conference 2004 Roundup 1 World Series of Birding 1 DNR Reports 2 Our Internet Atlas 3 Atlas Wish List 3 Conservation Connection 4 Board Bulletins 5 Chapter Chatter 6 MOS Board Minutes 8 2004 List Report 10 May Count Guidelines 11 MOS 2005 Scholarship Winners ... 11 May Count County Compilers .... 12 May Count Checklist 13 In the Scope: Dick Kleen 15 A Sporting Proposition 15 Records Committee Decisions 16 Records Committee Highlights ... .17 Annual Count 18 MOS Calendar 18 Telling Tales 22 Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill ... .24 Last Call 24 ellowthroat Newsletter of the Maryland Ornithological Society MAY/JUNE 2005 VOL. 25, NO. 3 MOS Conference 2005 Roundup May 20-22 • Solomons Island, Calvert County Headquarters at the Holiday Inn Select Winning Pin Design “This year’s conference pin features a beautiful Great Blue Heron in silhou- ette,” John Malcolm announces. The pin was designed by Teri Christensen of the Tri-County Chapter. Teri, who trained at the Corcoran School of Art in Washington, DC, specializes in wildlife art; her preferred medium is colored pencil. Teri and her husband Gordon had a second home on the Eastern Shore, and they fell in love with Irish Grove. “That’s really our second home,” Teri says. The Christensens joined MOS while they still lived in Northern Virginia; after they retired (Teri was a software test engineer), they made Crisfield, Somerset County their full- time residence. John Malcolm points out that “every- one who attends the conference will receive a pin as part of their registra- tion package. The design will also be available on t-shirts, which will be on sale at the Merchandise Table.” Research Presentations: Stop By Seven, and as many as nine, Research Posters will be on display during Saturday night’s Wine and Cheese Social. The presenters — including three recipients of MOS Research Awards — come from the University of Maryland Baltimore County, Hood College, and St. Mary’s College of Maryland. Topics range from “The Genetic History of Maryland’s Lesser Snow Goose” to “Orchard Orioles: A Tale of Two Pigments,” “Breeding Behavior of Baltimore Orioles in Maryland,” and “Water Quality and Foraging Behavior in Wintering Common Loons.” A Pitch for the World Series of Birding: Pledge Now A new team will be carrying the MOS banner at the World Series of Birding in Cape May, NJ, this year: Matt Hafner, Captain (Harford County), Hans Holbrook (Howard), and Jim Brighton (Talbot) will compete on Saturday, May 14 as the Maryland Yellowthroats. The three are experienced and successful in various Big Days, but this is their first venture into the NJ World Series. They will compete in the Cape May County division. The Maryland Yellowthroats are seeking pledges to raise funds for MOS, typically an amount (1 0 or 25 cents, say) for each species they tick. Norm Saunders has volunteered to serve as a clearinghouse for the pledges (marshhawk@att.net). All profits will go to MOS and will help support the Atlas project. The team that represented MOS at the WSB in 2004 (and the Montgomery Bird Club before that), the Holy Order of Loggerhead Shrikes, has obtained corporate sponsorship (from Eagle Optics and Vortex Optics). For the third consecutive year, (World Series of Birding continues on page 5) 2 The Maryland Yellowthroat President’s Corner (continued from page 1) MOS send a representative to arrange parking and handle public relations and crowd control whenever a rarity is discovered within our bor- ders. That sounds appealing, but consider the following: First, we're an all-volunteer organi- zation. Those who have the time and desire to chase rarities would undoubtedly rather be birding than acting as unpaid PR reps. (But if you're interested in the job, let me know!) Second, we're not birding cops. People who bird in Maryland aren't necessarily MOS mem- bers and often come from other states. They appreciate it when we point out the bird and advise on where to park, but we can't enforce good behavior. In the end it comes back to individual responsibility and peer-group standards. Please take a few minutes to reread the American Birding Association Code of Ethics (available online at http://www.american- birding.org/abaethics.htm). Note the second principle on the list: "Respect the law, and the rights of others." Recognize that some- times you'll have to park a little farther away from where you'd like, or stay on the far side of a field or fence. Your behavior can deter- mine how Maryland birders are treated in the future — as harmless enthusiasts, or as the human equivalent of a big flock of starlings. The Maryland Yellowthroat Newsletter of the Maryland Ornithological Society, Inc. Editor: Lydia Schindler paulydia@erols.com 301-977-5252 Layout: Suzanne Probst sprobst@comcast.net 410-992-3489 Calendar Editor: Candi Lee Cleerlee@comcast.net 410-287-0415 Proofreader: Ann Weeks annweeks@erols.com Mailing list: Helen Horrocks hlh_37@yahoo.com 301-831-6315 MOS website: http Avww. mdbir ds . org Webmaster: Lrances C. Saunders fcsaunders@att.net Anyone is welcome to contribute articles or ideas that would be of interest to other birders. Copy may be mailed or e-mailed to Lydia Schindler by August 1, 2005 for the September/October issue. Illustrations on pages 1, 6, and 9 © M. Suzanne Probst. Photos on page 15 courtesy of Les Roslund. VtlR Reports. . . by Qtenn Jhenes he Breeding Bird Atlas field season is upon us and I hope you are busy atlasing somewhere in Maryland or DC. DNR is contributing to the Atlas project is many ways, including providing advice, coordination, and financial support. We are also contributing field data to the effort. Bald Eagle nest locations and colonial waterbird colony sites are being provided. We have hired a few good birders this year to survey for elusive rails, bitterns, moorhen, and other obligate marshbirds. It takes special effort to atlas for secretive birds or birds that are inaccessible to normal field surveys. One such species is the American Oystercatcher, due to the need to survey primarily by boat. In conjunction with our comprehensive survey of colonial waterbirds in 2003, DNR biologists Dave Brinker, Jim McCann, and Ashley Traut surveyed the breeding distribution and population of American Oystercatcher in Maryland. They located a total of 108 oystercatcher pairs that year, with 57 pairs associated with the Chesapeake Bay, 39 pairs in the coastal bays of Worcester County, and 12 pairs on Assateague Island. The Chesapeake Bay pairs were found on the large offshore islands in Somerset and Dorchester counties and along the tidal rivers in Somerset County. They were distributed from the Delaware line to the Virginia line in the coastal bays, mainly on offshore islands and along the marsh edges of Ocean City. Only a few were found on the western side of the coastal bays. Eight of the 12 pairs nesting on Assateague Island were on the north end. In total, breeding was confirmed in 26 Atlas blocks, with another 17 blocks at the possible or probable level. During the first Breeding Bird Atlas effort, oyster- catchers were documented in only 19 blocks. This increase in blocks may reflect an in-filling within a larger, already established breeding range and probably a greater number of breeding pairs in the Chesapeake Bay section. In addition to documenting nesting attempts, our biologists also documented nesting success of the oystercatcher pairs. Overall, 38 young successfully fledged in 2003. Forty-five percent of the nests monitored successfully hatched at least one egg, and 29 percent of all nests fledged at least one young. This nest success rate is much greater than those in Virginia and North Carolina, where fewer than 15 percent of nests hatch young. The reasons for this regional difference are unclear, though it may be due in part to the higher success rates of Chesapeake Bay nesting oystercatchers. In Maryland, the coastal bay nesting birds had significantly lower success rates than did the Chesapeake Bay birds. The Chesapeake nests had greater vegetation cover than did the coastal nests. This may have helped reduce predation. At present, American Oystercatchers appear secure in Maryland, though there is growing national and regional concern for this species. Oystercatchers are an uncommon, localized nesting bird in our State, restricted to salt-marsh island and barrier island habitats. Over the long term, the future of our breeding population will hinge on the availability of suitable estuarine island habitat. Efforts to save the Chesapeake Bay and our coastal bays will help conserve our oystercatchers. Hopefully, we can keep our oystercatcher population secure in Maryland. May/June 200S 3 Our Internet Atlas by Walter Ellison A n atlas is a large, complicated endeavor with a lot of interlocking parts. Given the end product of an atlas is a collection of well-studied plots of land that produce detailed range maps for a region’s birds, it is not surprising that most of my articles have focused on issues of coverage, and what the Atlas maps are telling us about the effects of two decades of change on our breeding birds. In the process I have neglected another important aspect of the 2002-2006 Maryland and DC Breeding Bird Atlas (BBA). That is, we are the first North American atlas project to use online data entry via the Internet. By now, both Vermont and Pennsylvania have Internet atlases, and projects in New Mexico, Michigan, and Indiana will soon be online. Ours was essentially the pilot project for an online data entry system established at the U.S. Geological Survey’s Patuxent Wildlife Research Center by Patuxent database manager Mark Wimer and biologist Bruce Peter john. We have been the “beta testers” for this new system. Vermont, New Mexico, Michigan, and Indiana are also using the Patuxent data entry system; and Pennsylvania is using a system being devised by the people at Bird Source in Ithaca, New York, who are also involved in online data entry for National Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count and eBird, among other projects. Although the process of establishing data entry has not been without frustrations — these have ranged from the usual trou- ble with a fairly complex automated system (“I just hit the wrong button and lost my work!”); to technical difficulties imposed by relying on host computers (“servers,” in Internet jargon); to delays imposed by site upgrades — Maryland Atlas volunteers have done a great job of adjusting to using their computers and the Internet to send in their data, and coordi- nators to review the data for public display. ^^□rylcnd/DC Breeding Bird Project 2002 thftmgh 2006 visitor to view atlas data in a variety of tables and provide access to details of project methods. It is now possible to view all of a single bird species’ reviewed atlas records, to look at block data with direct comparison to 1980s results, to see results for each individual county, or to peruse the entire bird species list for the project to date. On the right of the active project’s page is the login form for coordinators and atlas block workers to enter sightings or work with data. The BBA Viewer opens as a pop-up window — so turn off any pop-up blocking program when using the Explorer. The key feature to use here, if you don’t require any background information, is the “Make Maps!” button. Once you arrive at the mapping page, it is possible to view all published atlas data combined, or to select individual or current project data. I don’t have room in this article to provide a tutorial on how to use the atlas-mapping site. Suffice it to say that some experimentation with the provided menu items will show what the site is capable of offering a curious birder. There is one caveat; the mapping program can be very slow, especially on dial-up Internet accounts. The site’s speed should improve by the time you read this article, but be aware that it takes the program some time to call up and display hundreds to thousands of individual bird records. Once again Maryland is a pioneer in North American atlasing. Two Maryland counties hosted the first breeding bird atlases conducted on our continent. Now we are the first project to attempt pure Internet entry and display of project results before completion of data collection. In spite of growing pains, we have been successful in helping the designers of this system develop and improve it. Most importantly we have also entered and reviewed our data — data critical for making timely conservation and land-use decisions. One of the ideals Patuxent and MOS sought at the start of this Atlas Project was timely display of current and past data, both in maps and summary tables. As I write, this hope has become a reality. The new USGS BBA Explorer is now available to the public at http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bba. The page displays several linked options in an array of concise text boxes, including “About BBA Explorer,” “Showcase” (for people on their first visits), and “Links to Related Sites” on the left, “Breeding Bird Atlases” (subdivided by “in progress” and “published”) in the center, and the “North American BBA Viewer” on the right. The published atlases include results from 15 states and one Canadian province. The links of most immediate interest to Maryland birders are those to the 1983-1987 Maryland and DC Atlas, to the in-progress MD/DC Atlas, and to the BBA Viewer where the map-making wizardry is available. The two MD/DC project home pages are structurally very similar. Both allow a Atlas Wish List With advancing technology, I increasingly encounter a problem in giving atlas- update talks. The old-style (and often wonderful) slide show is rapidly giving way to the computer slide presentation — in fact, Kodak has ceased manufacturing slide projectors. Many libraries and institutions have invested in PowerPoint projectors, enabling me to make presentations that may be quickly revised. However, most of these institutions require the lecturer to either bring a laptop or deal with an occa- sionally incompatible computer. The Atlas-dedicated computer purchased by MOS is, by necessity, a desktop for doing a variety of office-based tasks. Having a Windows-compatible laptop with a CD data drive would be most helpful in plan- ning and giving lectures. I am hoping someone in the MOS membership might have an older laptop they are putting out to pasture and that they might donate to the Atlas Project as a tax deduction. Please contact Walter Ellison at rossgull@baybroadband.net if you would like to help out. As always, monetary donations to the Atlas Project are most welcome. We need the funding to help finance our blockbusting and miniroute field work. Donations should be sent to Treasurer Emy Holdridge and made out to MOS with annotation directing the funds to the Atlas on the memo line. 4 The Maryland Yellowthroat The Conservation Connection By Maureen F. Harvey Hill A Ck] IN MARYLAND MOS Critiques Proposed Sale of State Lands. Several members provided comments to the Conservation Committee on tracts of MD State lands listed by Dept, of Natural Resources (DNR) in response to Governor Robert Ehrlich’s request for an evaluation of all State lands that could be considered for sale. The Committee extends grateful thanks to the following members for their thoughtful research and comments on 13 of the tracts identified by DNR: Marcia Ballestri, Frederick; Deb Bowers, Harford; Tracy Eve, Howard; Peter Lev, Baltimore; Gail Mackiernan, Montgomery; Don Messersmith, Montgomery; and all those unnamed birders who helped compile the data. Following public outcry, Governor Ehrlich has stated that public parks won’t be sold; however, we remain skeptical. A letter was sent to DNR Secretary C. Ronald Franks with MOS’s general comments about the process of State land sales and specific comments on the 13 tracts. This letter may be read from the Conservation page on the MOS website (http://www.mdbirds.org/). MOS President Testifies in Annapolis. Janet Millenson testi- fied before the Economic Matters Committee on March 8 in support of legislation to change the rules on how the State disposes of public lands. Bills have been submitted to require public input and legislative oversight when public lands are considered for sale. She emphasized the value of public lands not only for wildlife conservation but also the significant economic impact of birders. Your Letters Matter, Too. Every voice counts in getting the message out that birders care about Program Open Space (POS) and land conservation. Please take the time to con- tact your MD State Delegates and Senators. Your opinions count and help guide their decisions. Partners for Open Space, a coalition of groups (including MOS) concerned about POS funding issues, suggests that you request full funding for all of MD’s land conservation programs, legis- lation that prevents future diversions of the POS transfer tax without repayment, and legislation that provides the MD legislature with oversight of the proposed sale of State natural resource and park lands. A sample letter was emailed to MOS Chapter Conservation Reps and may be copied from the MOS website’s Conservation page. Go to http://mlis.state.md.us/ to find contact information for your legislators. Roth Rock Wind Power Project. MOS, which registered as an interested party, has been receiving copies of all papers filed with the Public Service Commission (PSC) regarding Case No. 9008, Synergies Wind Energy, LLC. Synergies of Annapolis proposes to build 23 wind turbines near Roth Rock, a well-known Garrett County birding hot spot. D. Dan Boone, Maryland Chapter of the Sierra Club; Jon Boone, the Friends of Backbone Mountain; Alice “Ajax” Eastman, the Audubon Naturalist Society of the Central Atlantic States, Inc. (ANS); and the Maryland Alliance for Greenway Improvement and Conservation, Inc. (MAGIC) have filed with the PSC as intervenors in opposition to the project. The paperwork is pretty amazing, with questions and answers filed back and forth among the different par- ties. Dan expects the evidentiary hearings and surrebuttal testimony to be very interesting. A public hearing will be held in Garrett County (date, time, and location to be determined). Current information on PSC Case No. 9008 can be found at http://www.psc.state.md.us/psc/. Cove Point Update. MOS Conservation Committee contributed $150 to the Maryland Conservation Council (MCC) in 2004 to help the MCC and Sierra Club with the legal costs of preparing an agreement with Dominion Resources, which purchased the Cove Point Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) storage facility in September 2002. The Cove Point LNG facilities include LNG storage, a marine terminal, and an 87-mile natural gas pipeline connecting the terminal with gas pipelines in Northern Virginia. The agreement with the previous owners resulted in the formation of the Cove Point Natural Heritage Trust. The revised agreement allows Dominion Resources to make a final expansion of the LNG facility to accommodate the current market for LNG and to operate the facility for as long as commercially viable. In return, the Cove Point Natural Heritage Trust will receive significantly increased revenues (going from $120,000 per year to $250,000 in 2008) to carry out valuable natural conservation work in Calvert County. The unique aspect of both the original agreement and the new agreement is that an energy facility is permitted to operate within a natural heritage site, with the requirement that the entire site be returned to a natural state when the facility closes. IN THE NATION Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 2004, passed by Congress as part of the Omnibus Spending Bill of 2005, has eliminated protection for nonnative species. European Starling, Rock Pigeon, House Sparrow, and Mute Swan are specifically identified as exotic invasive species. Consequently, the USFWS prepared new rules for implementing the MBTA and requested public comments. MOS signed a letter prepared by the American Bird Conservancy (ABC) that was mainly in support of the new rules, with suggestions for clarifying certain definitions. These new rules will enable MD DNR to pursue its Mute Swan Management Plan. MOS members may also find it interesting that the new rules will forbid the release of exotic invasive species into the wild. This ban may affect species that wildlife rehabilitators accept for care, and it may also affect bird banders using mist nets. MOS Conservation Committee Chair emailed a thank-you note to Congressman Wayne T. May/June 2005 5 Gilchrest (R, MD) and his assistant Edie Thompson for proposing and working on the passage of this important legislation. MOS Signs ABC Letter Protesting Bird-Killing Pesticide. MOS was among 36 environmental groups that signed a letter prepared by ABC to the Environmental Protection Agency. This letter urges the EPA to deny Louisiana’s request for an emergency permit to use granular carbofu- ran to control rice water weevils on substantially the entire rice acreage in the state. This pesticide has been documented to have killed over 100 different species of birds. The letter states “[W]e strongly believe that an emergency condition under Section 1 8 of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) does not exist and that carbofuran use on as many as 300,000 acres will present unreasonable adverse effects to the environment, violating not only FIFRA, but the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA) and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). Thus, EPA is legally compelled to reject the Applicant’s request. EPA’s legal basis for rejecting this request is further strengthened by EPA’s correct decision to revoke a similar Section 1 8 exemption request by the same Applicant in 2002.” The letter further states, “Importantly, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has independently determined that there are no known condi- tions under which carbofuran can be used without killing migratory birds.” A link to the full letter is available on the MOS website’s Conservation page. Red Knot Endangered, Despite Conservation Efforts. A coalition of environmental groups, including ABC, has begun proceedings to have the rufa subspecies of the Red Knot protected under the Endangered Species Act. The rufa subspecies population has fallen as much as 60 percent since the late 1980s. This is the population that winters in Tierra del Fuego and other parts of South America, migrat- ing some 9,000 miles to Arctic breeding grounds in Canada. The Red Knots’ most important stop-off point is Delaware Bay, where they feed on horseshoe crab eggs to sustain them on the long journey north. Overharvesting of the crabs for use as bait in conch and eel pots has been linked to the Red Knot’s decline. Conservationists have predicted that, although the population still numbers in the tens of thou- sands, the bird’s low reproductive rate could spell peril if declines continue. On the positive side, efforts to protect horseshoe crabs and, thus, the shorebirds that rely on their eggs, appear to be paying off. In 2004 the take of horseshoe crabs reached its lowest level in more than a decade, with Delaware Bay landings 53 percent lower than in 2003. If the USFWS decides to proceed with the listing process, they will initiate a public comment period, and ABC will keep us informed. World Series of Birding (continued from page 1) the team members will be Don Simonson (captain), John Hubbell, Gordon Gover, and Andy Rabin. Don, John and Gordon (who lives in New Jersey) are current members of the Montgomery club, and Andy is a former member (who has decamped to Northern Virginia). Once again, the Shrikes will be competing in the Cape May County division, trying to top their 2004 total of 148 species, with 100 percent of all donations going to Pronatura Veracruz, a grassroots conservation organization in Mexico. Pledges can be directed to the team's website, www.holyshrikes.com, or to Don at 301-840-0223, or don.simonson@comcast.net. Also competing in the World Series is a Youth Team from Queen Anne's County, which is sponsored by Steiner Optics. This year's team consists of Jessica Voorhis, Hilary Staver, Ben Thiesse, and Jim Wilson. This will be the sixth WSB competition for Ben and Jim and the fourth for Hillary and Jessica. They are accepting pledges for the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center (aka Horsehead). Last year the team found 143 species in Cape May County. Yet one more entrant is Zach Baer of Queen Anne's, the sole Marylander on the Nikon/Space Coast Coastal Cuckoos Youth Team. Zach's pledges are destined for Pickering Creek Audubon Center. The Cuckoos' goal is to raise (collectively) over $7500 and to break the 200 mark for the state. BOARD BULLETINS New Sanctuary? At the State Board meeting on March 12, President Janet Millenson announced that a developer would like to donate 80 acres in southern Prince George’s County for an MOS Sanctuary. With Board approval, the Executive Committee is exploring the pros and cons of this offer. Welcome to the Team: Gayle Bach-Watson, Frederick: Liaison for the Environmental Fund for Maryland Helen Horrocks, Frederick: Mailing Lists Linda Keenan, Patuxent: Membership Chair George Radcliffe, Talbot: Youth Programs Now Seeking: Calendar Editor Chair, Sanctuary Committee Chair, Development Committee Liaison, Important Bird Areas Program 6 The Maryland Yellowthroat Frederick Bird Club's Lyn and Skip Nelson: The Lapwing Connection After selling their home and business a few years ago, Lyn and Skip Nelson have been free to indulge in most every birder's fantasy of travel and birding around the world. They saw their first Northern Lapwing in Northern Ireland a few years ago. But it was their second sighting, on Black's Mill Road in Frederick County this past February, that created a sensation. The couple had just returned from five days of owling/birding in Minnesota. They arrived home at 4:30 a.m., couldn't sleep, and so decided to head out for Frederick County's mid-winter bird count. In spite of being exhausted, they kept moving until about 4:30 that afternoon, when they decided to call it quits. Skip wanted to check out a house where he lived as a teenager, so their last stop on the way home was Black's Mill Rd. Skip noticed a movement in the field, and asked Lynn to check out what he presumed to be a Killdeer. "It's not a Killdeer, but a Northern Lapwing." "It's too big for a Longspur." "You're right. It is too big for a Longspur. It's a Lapwing." Still not understanding her, Skip started to drive off. Then stopped himself. "It's a Kestrel taking a bath in the snow melt." "No. It's a Lapwing. Look at that crest." When Skip finally looked at the bird with his binoculars he saw "one of the most beautiful birds to visit our shores from afar." "So now you see our problem. No cam- era (we still had not unpacked from Minnesota), therefore no proof. The bird would not exist in the eyes of anyone, including that dreaded body — THE RECORDS COMMITTEE. "It's Saturday night. I report the bird and am met with. . . well, let's just say they chalked this bird sighting up to sleep deprivation. Now, I can't sleep again, as the list chasers will surely be out in force early Sunday. My stomach is in a complete knot just thinking about it. "Saturday night comes and goes.. ..no sleep. Sunday, 2:30 a.m. . . still no sleep. What if the bird is not there the next morning? Will we be laughed out of the state? 3:00. . . 4:30. . . no sleep. 7:30 a.m., make coffee. Go birding with Lyn: White- throats, bluebirds, and a Sharp-shinned Hawk show up to help me forget, at least for a moment, the queasy feeling that has developed in my stomach. "Check my e-mails. I see that the sight- ing has been posted and sent out. Now the bird just needs to be there. 9:30 a.m.: can't wait any longer. I call Gary Smyle. If anyone can dog this bird, it's Gary. Maybe it's just a Killdeer? Oh no! Any bird except a Killdeer. How many birders are there now ques- tioning the sighting and thinking, 'That sleep-deprived idiot strung us along with a Lapwing that was really a Killdeer.' "I do laundry. Well, I put clothes in the machine. Did I put in detergent? I can't remember. "Noon comes and goes. 4:30 comes and goes. No word from anyone. Can't stand it anymore. Lyn wants to go look for owls. Drive to Washington County. Even the owls won't talk to me. "Get back home. Call from Gary. He has pictures! It's now 10:30 p.m. Sixty- three hours straight with no sleep. The only thing I can say is, 'I hope I don't have to go through this again if I get another bird like this one — well, until I get at least eight hours of sleep.'" Skip and Lyn will be posting their next nine months of travel out of the country on their blog: Out of the Box at http://www. surfbirds.com/blogs/YungasManakin/ Maryland's Record Northern Lapwing: The Rest of the Story— reported by Jim Peters Jim was recently informed by the Maryland/D. C. Records Committee that thanks to his Fort McHenry observations, five new birds — Great White Heron, Western Kingbird, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Black-tailed Gull, and Spotted Towhee — have been added to Maryland's records. Members who list life birds will be interested to know that world-class birder Dr. Natty Bumpass recently visited Creagerstown in Frederick County to see the Northern Lapwing. Dr. Bumpass is an expert on the world's plovers and is responsible for the following field obser- vations regarding the Lapwing seen on Graceham and Black's Mill Roads in Frederick County this past February. Sadly, for birders who had hoped to add this rarity to their life list, the good doctor noted that the color of the bill, feet, and legs suggest a bird that has been on a captive diet. Further, after calculating the aspect ratio of its wings, and the magnet- ic heading of its flight path, Dr. Bumpass concluded that the bird's destination was most certainly from the direction of the Catoctin Mountain Zoo, whence it undoubtedly made its escape sometime in early February. Dr. Bumpass has concluded that, in his expert opinion, the bird does not pass the "smell" test of a true wild lifer and there- fore cannot be counted. After making this pronouncement at the Black's Mill Road site in the presence of birders, Dr. Bumpass was brutally beat- en with a scope and tripod. Two hours later, an unnamed birder called 911 and a helicopter was immediately dispatched. Dr. Bumpass was air-lifted to the Johns Hopkins ER in Baltimore. Witnesses overheard the suspected female assailant muttering that, due to a late report filed by an irresponsible birder, she missed adding a Connecticut Warbler to her life list last fall. She added, "I'm not about to let Dr. Bumpass take away another lifer by declaring this Lapwing uncountable." Frederick County sheriffs investigating the attack found a bent Zeiss Diascope at the scene, but its owner had already fled. Dr. Bumpass is currently in intensive care and is expected to survive. He has decided to focus his future research on composting sparrow manure where he is "less likely to engender the wrath of birders." If you are not too upset at losing this irreplaceable Maryland life bird, you might want to send a get-well card to Dr. Bumpass, at the Critical Care Unit at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Ward B, Room 1021, Baltimore 21 122.* *Forget the card. Dr. Bumpass has been released from Johns Hopkins and continues to recuperate at an undisclosed location outside of Maryland. (A Belated Happy April Fool's Day to You!) May/June 200S 7 Carey Run Work Day When asked, "What's the latest news from Garrett County?" Barb Gaffney immedi- ately shot back, "How many ways can you say ice and snow?" She quickly added: "The Carey Run Work Day is scheduled for April 30 this year. Hopefully the snows of Garrett County will be a memory by then! Doug Parker and I have many projects we need help with. Please clear your schedule for April 30th and join us. We should also have some great birds by then. "We will start at 8:30 a.m. The Allegany Chapter will provide the meat and drinks. Please bring a covered dish to share and join in the fellowship of Carey Run. "It would be helpful for all interested persons to contact Doug or myself so we know how many dependable helpers we'll have. Doug can be reached at parkernk- da@aol.com or 301-663-1909. I can be reached at gaffneyg@mindspring.com or at 301 -895-4646. "We all belong to MOS and we all need to participate in the maintenance of our sanctuaries. Please join us April 30 at 8:30 a.m. If you can't be there by 8:30, please come when you can. "If you've never been to Carey Run, this is your big chance to see what a beau- tiful sanctuary we have and to help keep it running in tip-top shape. MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK." — Barbara Gaffney Harford Bird Club Announces Annual Awards Birder of the Year: Dave Ziolkowski. In recognition of his outstanding service to the club, organizing and leading field trips, and presenting programs at meetings. His enthusiasm for birds and the environment has enriched us all. Bird of the Year Award: A pair of nest- ing Dickcissels on the farm of Garnet and Gloria Anderson. The award was presented in appreciation for the Anderson's preser- vation of habitat conducive to grassland species. The Anderson property is part of the world-famous Bradenbaugh Flats. Volunteer of the Year Award: Gary and Barbara Pensell. They have generously volunteered the use of their boat on the CBC for many years, enabling us to spot waterfowl on the Susquehanna River Flats. Gary, along with Peter Jay, was instrumen- tal in saving Garrett Island in the Bay from developers. Rookie of the Year: Tom Gibson. Since his retirement, Tom has renewed his inter- est in birds and birding, participating in the Atlas, field trips, and club activities. His recent purchase of a scope shows he is past the point of no return! Harford Bird Club Donates to Two Worthy Endeavors "Once again we have supported the Harford County Envirothon Contest. This is a conservation education program for high school students, designed to test their environmental knowledge and cultivate a desire to learn more about the natural world. We have for the first time also con- tributed to the Harford County Environmental Scholarship. This year Harford County Public Schools are partner- ing with Eden Mill Nature Center. The scholarship is awarded to graduating stu- dents with outstanding academic achieve- ment and stewardship in the study of envi- ronmental science. As a thank-you for our gift, Eden Mill Nature Center extends a free one-year corporate membership to every person in our club." — Rick Cheicante Montgomery County: What a Louse! It started with a 1980 Earthwatch project in Trinidad, and it culminated, in 2003, in the insect hall of fame. Four members of the Montgomery County Chapter of MOS (now the Montgomery Bird Club), Morrill (Don) and the late Margaret Donnald, Bill Oberman, and the late Ed Smith were looking for an opportunity to mist net in the American tropics. They joined Earthwatch in a survey of the chewing lice of birds (Insecta: Mallophaga). "The role of the MCC/MOS team," Bill Oberman writes, "was to set up and moni- tor mist nets and collect trapped birds for the research staff to examine. The birds were dusted with silica gel and placed in a fresh plastic bag for 20 minutes, during which any ectoparasites died from desicca- tion. Birds were then set free, unharmed, and any parasites, including lice, were placed in alcohol for further examination." In 12 days of netting, the team processed 310 birds, 110 of which har- bored lice. When the results were at last published in August 2003, it turned out that three of the specimens were previ- ously undescribed species, and each of them has been given a name honoring a member of the MCC/MOS team. "Thus we have Leremenopon donna Ido- rum for a louse found on a White-cheeked Emerald Hummingbird, Leremenopon ober- mani found on a Rufous-breasted Hermit hummingbird, and Myrsidea edgarsmithii found on a Golden-headed Manakin." In subsequent years, the MCC/MOS team fol- lowed the Earthwatch project to Jamaica, Venezuela, and Peru. "This is one more good example," Bill writes, "of how an interest in birding can lead you into more interesting experiences in the field and add to our scientific knowledge of ornithology while having a very good time." Tri-County Bird Club Volunteers Besides being very active in the Tri-County Bird Club, members Betty Pitney and JoAnn Wilbur also donate hundreds of hours to the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art in Salisbury. Throughout the month of February, their art work was on display in the museum as part of the Volunteer Art Exhibit. Betty, whose medium is pastels, featured a Semi-palmated Plover and a White-breasted Nuthatch while JoAnne, who works in both oils and pastels, exhib- ited a Bald Eagle. — Carol Broderick Need a rehabber for an injured bird or animal? Kathleen Woods, a Maryland- and US Fish and Wildlife-licensed master wildlife rehabilitator, has forwarded a website identifying all licensed rehabilitators in the state. The list, developed by the Depart- ment of Natural Resources, can be found at www.dnr.state.md.us Kathleen lives in Phoenix, Baltimore Co, and her clinic number is 410-628-9736. Many thanks to Gail Frantz for her fine work in producing a lively Chapter Chatter this past year. She now passes the baton to Shireen Gonzaga, who will be happy to receive your contribu- tions afwhimbrel@comcast.net. Leremenopon donnaldorum 8 The Maryland Yellowthroat Minutes of the MOS Board Meeting December 4, 2004 President: Janet Millenson Vice-President: Marcia Balestri Treasurer: Emmalyn Holdridge Secretary: Janet Shields Past President: Paul Zucker Atlas: Jane Coskren Conference: Janet Shields Conservation: Maureen Harvey Investments: Martha Waugh Long-range Planning: Paul Zucker Research: Gwen Brewer Sanctuary: Dotty Mumford Yellowthroat: Lydia Schindler Allegany: Gwen Brewer, Barbara Gaffney Anne Arundel: Linda Baker, A1 Haury, Dotty Mumford Baltimore: Helene Gardel Caroline: not represented Carroll: Maureen Harvey, Bob Ringler Cecil: not represented Lrederick: Doug Parker, Nancy Parker, Michael Welch Harford: Thomas Congersky, Randy Robertson Howard: Jane Coskren, Karen Darcy, Jeff Lriedhoffer, Martha Waugh Kent: Walter Ellison Montgomery: Hugh Mahanes, Don Messersmith, Don Simonson, Rick Sussman, Ann Weeks Patuxent: Lred Lallon, Chan Robbins Talbot: Shirley Bailey Tri-County: not represented Washington: not represented At large: Dave Brinker President Janet Millenson called the meeting to order at 10:05 a.m. and thanked the Montgomery County Chapter for hosting the meeting at Black Hill Regional Park, Boyds. Minutes of the previous meeting were approved. Treasurer’s Report: Emmalyn Holdridge noted that in the distribu- tion of the World Series of Birding proceeds, the Veracruz project received more than its share. The correction will be made with the 2005 WSB distribution. President’s Remarks: Janet Millenson announced that on October 2 Cylburn celebrated its 50 th anniversary. Baltimore Chapter gave Cylburn a very generous donation of $5,000. MOS, which uses Cylburn as a mailing address, donated $500. The meeting of the Parks Advisory Commission was postponed to mid- February. There is a new supply of our MOS brochure. Also, new membership cards are available. MOS needs to find better ways to get information to the chapters and find people to fill vacant positions on the state level. COMMITTEE REPORTS American Bird Conservancy: Paul Zucker attended the kickoff meeting of the Bird Conservation Alliance, an offshoot of the American Bird Conservancy. He reported that this group is basically a pro-bird lobby- ing and information group situated in Washington. They just held a meeting attended by more than 100 people representing organizations from all over the country; the meet- ing explored how the organization will function and operate. Atlas: Jane Coskren said the commit- tee has been assessing its progress on the Atlas and is overall very pleased. They still need volunteers and money. There will be an extra push for block- busters. Walter Ellison reported that more than 1,150 blocks out of 1,282 have some coverage. As of October, 140 blocks have no data and 130 blocks are in the 1-20 species range. Most of the work needed is in central and western Maryland. Conference: The registration brochure should be out the end of January or first week of February, according to Janet Shields. The Rocky Gap contract for the 2006 conference is being negotiated and should be completed shortly. Locations for 2007 are being researched. Pin contest entries are due by January 17. Conservation: Maureen Harvey reported that the Baltimore Bird Club’s Conservation Committee needs 500 more copies of their Shade-grown Coffee flyer and asks if someone will do this gratis. Doug Parker agreed to do this. The rest of Maureen’s report appears in the January/February issue of the Yellowthroat. Investment: Martha Waugh’s written report was distributed to board members. Total income so far this fiscal year is $28,353.53, and the total portfolio value is up consider- ably to $1,377,298.95. Scholarship: Reporting for Tom Strikwerda, Maureen Harvey announced that January 31 is the deadline for scholarship applications. This needs to be announced by each chapter. Long-range Planning: Paul Zucker announced that all of the changes to the Manual of Operations that were approved at the last Board meeting have been incorporated. The one issue deferred to today was budgeting for the endowed committees. After discussion, the following motion was approved: “In considering the budgets for the endowed committees for the coming fiscal year, the Budget Committee will limit the budgeted amount as follows: the sum of the current fiscal year’s earnings from the endowment, earmarked contributions received during the current fiscal year, anticipated external grants to be received during the coming fiscal year, and a carryover amount equal to the unspent funds during the current fiscal year, but the carryover amount shall be limited to the amount of the endowment earnings during the current fiscal year.” Research: Gwen Brewer reported on a recent meeting of the Research Com- mittee, and summarized its activities. Over the past ten years, MOS has awarded $28,000 for 16 grants. Over May/June 2005 9 the past three years, 16 posters have been presented at the MOS confer- ences, four of them by grant recipi- ents. Nine of the 16 grants were funded in the last three years. The committee is anxious to promote research at our sanctuaries and is working with the Sanctuary Com- mittee to accomplish this. More infor- mation on current and future research projects will be on the web page. Sanctuary: Dotty Mumford reported that Sue Ricciardi has been revising sanctuary information on the sanctuary web page. There was an Irish Grove work session from Sept. 23 to Oct. 11. Projects have been ongoing at Carey Run with help from Doug and Nancy Parker and local members. WOS/AFO Meeting: Chan Robbins noted that there will be a large, joint meeting April 21-24 of the Wilson Ornithological Society and the Association of Field Ornithologists in College Park. Patuxent is a sponsor. MOS will provide “Yellowbooks” and Birdlife CDs, and Fred Shaffer is organizing field trips. MD/DC Important Bird Areas Program: David Curson, Director of bird conservation for Audubon MD- DC, explained that Audubon is trying to increase its conservation work. David’s job is to lead that effort, with a focus on revising the Important Bird Areas Program. An article by David explaining this program and giving contact information is in the January/ February issue of the Yellowthroat. Public Lands Policy Discussion: Janet Millenson pointed out that there might be valid reasons for the state to get rid of small parcels of land, but a lot of people are not confident that the criteria for determining whether something is valuable enough to be preserved as a park take into account the needs of the birds. We want to make sure our voice is heard. Maureen Harvey’s Yellowthroat con- servation article explains where the complete list of properties can be found and how to make your voice heard. Maureen would like to have each chapter assess the properties on the list that fall into their area and report back by January 5. Former Orville Crowder Property: Don Messersmith reported that Hidden Valley (former property of the late Orville Crowder) in Harford County is part of the land the State of Maryland is considering selling. Orville Crowder was one of the founders of MOS, he was its second president, and he founded six of our chapters. Hidden Valley, or Lost Valley as Orville called it, was made a wildlife sanctuary in 1949. It was sold to the state for a wildlife sanctu- ary for $85,000. The property con- sists of 150 acres in a rural setting. With its close association to Orville Crowder, Don Messersmith would like the Board to consider purchasing this property from the state as anoth- er sanctuary. Janet Millenson will form a subcommittee consisting of Doug Parker, Don Messersmith, and Dennis Kirkwood to look into this. OLD BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS None ANNOUNCEMENTS Marcia Balestri announced that we have a new EFM Representative, Gayle Bach-Watson, a new Frederick County member. NEW ACTION ITEMS • Executive Council to create a list of MOS Board vacancies with brief descriptions. Board positions still needing to be filled: Development, Membership, Publicity Coordinator, Sanctuary, and Youth Programs. • Executive Council to define the Executive Secretary role and draft language for inclusion in Operations Manual. • Executive Council to request chapters to schedule one birding field trip/workday each year at a sanctuary. • Chapters to announce Pin Contest for Solomon’s Island convention. Submissions are due to John Malcolm by January 17, 2005. • Chapters to ask members to send letters to the Governor and State Legislators about Program Open Space. • Chapters to submit scholarship applications to Tom Strikwerda by January 31, 2005. • Chapters to assess Open Land areas in their respective counties and provide information on their status by January 5. • Chapters to identify an MOS member with statewide birding knowledge to volunteer as our liaison to the Important Bird Areas Program. • Chapters to remind members about year-end giving to the Atlas fund. • Sanctuary Committee to draft “wish list” for items to be donat- ed for the sanctuaries. This will be posted in the Yellowthroat. • President to meet with Doug Parker, Don Messersmith, Dennis Kirkwood to discuss potential new sanctuary. • Treasurer to call Fred Shaffer to coordinate with Chan Robbins on field trips for the WOS/AFO meeting. • Janet Shields, Marcia Balestri, and Janet Millenson to provide MD checklists, “Yellowbooks,” MOS pamphlets, and MD Birdlife CDs to Chan for WOS/AFO meeting. President Janet Millenson adjourned the meeting at 1:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted by Janet Shields, Secretary 10 The Maryland Yellowthroat The 2004 List Report This is the 19 th year that the Maryland List Report has been compiled and published. The list was begun in 1986 by Harvey Mudd, was taken on by Phil Davis in the early 1990s, and then was passed on to Norm Saunders with the 2001 List Report. We sincerely hope that the list is taken in the vein in which it is meant — a way to have fun with our listing mania. If some have stopped reporting their lists because they feel the competition has become too intense, please understand that this is for fun and that we would love to see you return. We're headed for a generational switch and we hope that all of you, young and not so young, hang in there and watch the evolving skills of so many fine young birders here in Maryland. 2004 was a superb year for diligent Maryland birders to make big improvements in their life lists. Perhaps we should take a moment to pay homage to some of the truly wonderful birds of 2004: Bohemian Waxwing in Queen Anne's County, Purple Gallinule in Montgomery, Swallow-tailed and Mississippi Kites in Cecil, Hudsonian Godwit in Kent, White-faced Storm-Petrel in Maryland waters, Cave Swallows all over the place, Lazuli Bunting in Somerset, Calliope Hummingbird in Prince George's, Curlew Sand- piper on Assateague Island, Loggerhead Shrike in Washington, and, thanks to the MD/DC Records Committee, Cackling Goose through- out the state. And now. . . back to the list report! To quote Mark Hoffman (obviously a fan of Men in Black II), "All hail, Jim Stasz! " And what else is there to say? Stasz (Calvert County) added an unprecedented five species to his Maryland Life List to move into a one-species lead over Mark Hoffman and Paul O'Brien, sporting a MD total of 386 species. The notion of a 400-species Maryland life list is no longer in the realm of the seemingly impossible! O'Brien (Montgomery) and Hoffman (Carroll, but in real life known as "Mr. Worcester County") kept the race tight, though, each adding four species to remain within one of Stasz. Spots four, five, and six are taken by Northern Virginia's Paul Pisano (374), Montgomery's Harvey Mudd (371), and Wicomico's Sam Dyke (365), and we now have 20 people reporting Maryland life list totals in excess of 350 species and 76 in the coveted MD 300 Club. Maryland's Young Turks made impressive showings this year in the Annual List category, led by new birder Mike Burchett of Queen Anne's, who tallied 329 species, even more impressive if you under- stand this was only one species short of tying Jim Stasz's record big year in 2000. Mike was followed closely by Hans Holbrook of Howard County with 327 species. Matt Hafner (Harford) and Jim Stasz (NOT a Young Turk) saw 320 species and Dave Powell (Montgomery), a man who has been birding only six years, saw an impressive 319 species. Zach Baer (Queen Anne's) joined the over-300 group for the second year in a row with his 2004 tally of 303 species, and he continued to move up the ranks to a life MD total of 335 species. Watch for him again this year in the World Series of Birding! The annual Most Improved List Award (for those with 300 or more species in Maryland) goes to Mike Burchett, who added 67 species last year, jumping to 332. Barbara Gearhart of Frederick added 35 species and Ray Kiddy of Allegany added 32, while John Hubbell and Dave Powell, both of Montgomery, added 27 species each. Henry Armistead (Talbot via Philadelphia) continues as the undis- puted leader of the Maryland Yard List category, upping his Talbot County farm to 265 species and taking Annual Yard List honors as well, with 160 species. Patty Craig of Saint Mary's took second place for 2004 with 149 yard species; Norm and Fran Saunders (Worcester) came in third with 142 species at their West Ocean City getaway. Fully nine birders reported 100 or more species from their yards last year. The Maryland Total Tick_category continues to be dominated by Stasz, Bob Ringler (Carroll), and absentee Marshall lliff (Southern California), the only three Maryland birders with Total Ticks in excess of 5,000 species. Add in Harvey Mudd, and we have the four Maryland birders who average more than 200 species per county! Hans Holbrook and Dave Powell both beat out Stasz for the highest Total Tick of 2004 with 3,021 and 2,528 species respectively (Jim had 2,457 species). John Hubbell was a close fourth with his tick of 2,316. The All-County List still has Jim Stasz, Bob Ringler, and Marshall lliff in the top three positions, but Ringler managed to add seven species this year to pull ahead of Marshall for the first time. Hans Holbrook added 18 closeouts to raise his list of birds seen in all Maryland counties to 42 and Dave Powell added 1 6 species to raise his total to 51 . For what it's worth, Jim Stasz reported that he had seen Cackling Goose in 22 of Maryland's 23 counties before the Records Committee had even begun considering the bird for inclusion on the state list. What a guy! A new category this year, Species Photographed in Maryland, drew nine folks out of the woodwork. No surprises here: Stasz (356), George Jett (325, Charles), and Arlene Ripley (236, Calvert) hold the top three spots. Is it true that Stasz has more bird photographs that have never been submitted to the MD/DC Records Committee than anyone else in the state? Maybe we should make that a new category next year. I anticipate the Species Photographed list growing signifi- cantly in future years, as many people told me they haven't really kept track of the species they have photographed but they surely will for next year! Honors for 2004 go to Gary Smyle (Frederick) who claims 1 58 species photographed for the year. For the District of Columbia Life List, Rob Hilton of Montgomery County added six new species this year to finally overtake absentee Ottavio Janni (Italy). Paul Pisano is closing in fast, upping his total to 254 species this past year and leading the 2004 DC List with a high of 181 species. Fourth place is held by Barry Cooper and Gail Mackiernan (Montgomery), with 244 species. Holding down second place for the annual DC tally are Rob Hilton and DC resident John Beetham, both with a count of 1 72 species last year. — Norm Saunders, Locality List Coordinator marshhawk@att.net 2004 List Report Data Base Statistics Number reporting for 2004: 80 Number reporting for previous year: 86 Number in data base: 207 Number who have reported during past 5 years: 131 Number of new reporters for 2004: 6 The complete 2004 Report, including narrative highlights for each county and listing all participants, can be found at http://www.mdbirds.org/birds/mdbirds/locality/lstrep2004.pdf May/June 2005 11 May Count 2005 : Guidelines for Participating T he spring birding effort known as “May Count” — detailed in the March/April issue of The Maryland Yellowthroat — is set for Saturday, May 14. Your partici- pation, at any level, will be greatly appreciated. The first step is to contact the County Compiler for the area where you wish to participate; you can find a List of County Compilers on page 12. The compiler assigns each observer a specific area that needs coverage. If there’s an area you’d prefer, please inform the compiler, who will determine whether anyone else will also be working in or near the area. To record and report your observations, please use the Field Checklist on pages 13-14. This list is in the correct taxonomic order, as determined by the American Ornithologists’ Union, and incorporates recent nomencla- ture changes. This checklist is also posted on the MOS web site http://www.mdbirds.org under Seasonal Counts. Those participating in the Breeding Bird Atlas Project are encouraged to record breeding bird behavior on an Incidental Report Form and provide the data to the Atlas project coordinator for that county. (In many cases, the May Count compiler is also an Atlas project coordinator.) To assist you in confirming breeding species, birds within “safe dates” on May 14 are shown in hold italics on the field checklist form. Species names followed by one or two asterisks means details must be provided. Some species that require full details, but are very rarely reported, have been removed from this checklist. If you observe a species that is not listed, full details are required in order for the observation to be accepted by the compilers. Brown Pelican no longer requires details, nor does Common Raven in the four western counties of the state. The MOS web site contains a form with guidelines on reporting rare birds. Provide as many of the requested details as possible. If you have questions, please discuss them with the county compiler. The report form contains space for reporting “sp” sightings for certain species that occur in large, mixed flocks. Identifying and/or counting the individuals of each species in these flocks is very difficult. Rather than disre- gard the large number of individuals, it is acceptable to report “sp” sightings. However, please do not report buteo sp, sparrow sp, warbler sp, etc, as these species often occur as single individuals that can be identified with a little extra work. It is acceptable not to report birds if you are unable to identify them confidently . The field checklist contains areas for recording your hours, miles, and weather conditions. Be careful not to double-count hours spent owling when you total your hours for the entire day. Please include the miles you travel while counting birds in your assigned area. (Don’t count miles traveled to reach your area, or to reach a food establishment, etc.) Please list all the persons who counted with you in your area. Provide your completed field checklist to the county compiler no later than June 15. If you cannot meet this deadline, please inform the county compiler as to when your results may be expected. Have an enjoyable day in the field, and thank you in advance for volunteering your time to this effort. — Wanda Diane Cole, Statewide Coordinator for Maryland-DC May Count Maryland Ornithological Society 2005 Scholarship Winners The MOS Scholarship Committee awarded eight scholar- ships this year. Congratulations to all. Three scholarship winners will attend the Field Ornithology workshop on Hog Island sponsored by the Maine Audubon Society. The winners are Brian Campbell, a naturalist with the Carroll County Recreation and Parks Bear Branch Nature Center, who won the Chandler Robbins Scholarship; Ann Davis, a teacher at the Roland Park Country School, who won the Doris Oakley Scholarship; and George Yorkston, a part-time Naturalist at the Harford County Parks and Recreation Anita Leight Estuary Center, who won the John Wortman Memorial Scholarship. Two other winners will attend Maine Audubon work- shops. Martin Brazeau, a Library Media Specialist with the Baltimore County Public Schools in Towson, won the Frances Covington-Etta Wedge Scholarship, and will attend the Workshop for Educators on Hog Island. Taunya James, a teacher at the Dowell Elementary School in Calvert County, won the Daniel and Helen Gibson- Dorothy Mendinhall Scholarship, and will attend the Natural History of the Maine Coast workshop. Three winners with attend the Wade into Ecology workshop sponsored by the Hunt Hill Audubon Camp in Wisconsin. Susan Muller, a Resource Technician with the Howard County Recreation and Parks Department, won the Eleanor Robbins Scholarship; Linda Keller, who leads bird walks to Lilypons Water Gardens for Fredrick County schools and elsewhere, won the Orville Crowder/ Messersmith Scholarship; and Brad Harrison, a Science Instructor at the Western School of Environmental Science and Technology, won the Helen Miller Scholarship. We continue to seek qualified candidates from through- out Maryland and appreciate the work of MOS members in identifying candidates and spreading information about our scholarship program. — Tom Strikwerda MOS Scholarship Committee Chairman 12 The Maryland Yellowthroat May Count 2005 County Compilers Allegany John Churchill 301-689-8344 (h) jchurchi@atlanticbb.net Anne Arundel Dotty Mumford 1900 General's Hwy, Annapolis, MD 21401 410-849-8336 Baltimore Joel Martin 410-744-9211 jcdlmartin@aol.com Calvert Arlene Ripley 3513 Smithville Dr, Dunkirk, MD 20754 301-855-2848 arleneripley@comcast.net Caroline Marianna Nuttle 106 Ellerslie Ct, Denton, MD 21629 410-479-2644 Carroll Bill Ellis 443-402-9033 (w) or 443-402-9490 (fax) ellisw@saic-abingdon.com Cecil Parke John 57 Virginia Ave, Red Point Beach North East, MD 21901 410-287-6037 or 410-506-3874 pjohn@wlgore.com Charles George Jett 9505 Bland Street, Waldorf, MD 20603 301-843-3524 jmjett@comcast.net Dorchester Harry Armistead 523 E. Durham Street Philadelphia, PA 191 19-1 225 215-248-4120 harryarmistead@hotmail.com. Frederick Michael Welch 8619 Burnt Hickory Circle Frederick, MD21701 301-874-5828 mdjvwelch@aol.com Garrett Fran Pope 503 F Street, Mt. Lake, MD 21 550 301-334-4908 fpope@gcnetmail.net Harford Mark Johnson 3204 Bryson Ct, Baldwin, MD 21013 410-692-5978 Howard No assigned compiler. Please call Diane Cole @ 410-822-831 1 with inquiries. Kent Walter Ellison 23460 Clarissa Road Chestertown, MD 21620 410-778-9568 rossgull@baybroadband.net Montgomery Rick Sussman 1 791 7 Ashton Club Way Ashton, MD 20861 301-774-1185 (h) or 301-502-0018 (w) Warblerick@aol.com Prince George's Fred Fallon 1700 Pomona Place, Bowie, MD 20716 301-249-1518 fwfallon@earthlink.net. Queen Anne's Glenn Therres 207 Johnny Lane, Stevensville, MD 21666 410-643-7422 St. Mary's Bob Boxwell 410-414-3311 or 410-610-5124 robertjohnboxwell@yahoo.com Somerset Charles Vaughn 1 306 Frederick Avenue Salisbury, MD 21801 410-742-7221 essc@comcast.net Talbot Les Coble 9317 High Banks, Easton, MD 21601 410-820-6165 Washington Dave Weesner 661 8 Zittlestown Road, Middletown, MD 21769 301-432-7718 Wicomico Ellen Lawlor 412 Monticello Avenue Salisbury, MD 21801 410-546-9056 emlawlor@salisbury.edu Worcester Mark Hoffman 7263 Norris Ave, Sykesville, MD 21784 410-409-5777 wcbirding@adelphia.net District of Columbia No assigned compiler. Please call Diane Cole @ 410-822-831 1 with inquiries. Statewide Coordinator Wanda Diane Cole 29731 Apple Drive, Cordova, MD 21625 410-822-8311 pacificsojourner@msn.com May Count 2005: Saturday, May 14 County Compiler Observer(s) Address Phone(s) Email Red-throated Loon Common Loon Pied-billed Grebe Horned Grebe Red-necked Grebe * Northern Gannet* Brown Pelican Double-crested Cormorant Great Cormorant * Anhinqa ** American Bittern Least Bittern Great Blue Heron Great Egret Snowy Egret Little Blue Heron Tricolored Heron Cattle Egret Green Heron Black-crowned Night-Heron Yellow-crowned Night-Heron Glossy Ibis Black Vulture Turkey Vulture Canada Goose Brant * Mute Swan Tundra Swan Wood Duck Gadwall American Wiqeon American Black Duck Mallard Blue-winged Teal Northern Shoveler Northern Pintail Green-winged Teal Canvasback Redhead * Ring-necked Duck Greater Scaup Lesser Scaup Scaup sp. Long-tailed Duck Black Scoter * Surf Scoter White-winged Scoter Common Goldeneye Bufflehead Hooded Merganser Common Merganser Sharped-shinned Hawk Cooper's Hawk Northern Goshawk * Red-shouldered Hawk Broad-winged Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Rough-legged Hawk * American Kestrel Merlin * Peregrine Falcon * Ringed-necked Pheasant Ruffed Grouse Wild Turkey Northern Bobwhite Black Rail* Clapper Rail King Rail Virginia Rail Sora Common Moorhen American Coot Black-bellied Plover American Golden-Plover ** Wilson's Plover ** Semipalmated Plover Piping Plover ** Killdeer American Ovstercatcher Black-necked Stilt * American Avocet * Greater Yellowleqs Lesser Yellowleqs Solitary Sandpiper Willet Spotted Sandpiper Upland Sandpiper* Marbled Godwit** Ruddy Turnstone Red Knot * Sanderlinq Semipalmated Sandpiper Western Sandpiper * Least Sandpiper White-rumped Sandpiper * Pectoral Sandpiper Dunlin Stilt Sandpiper * Short-billed Dowitcher Wilson’s Snipe American Woodcock Wilson's Phalarooe * Iceland Gull Lesser Black-backed Gull * Glaucous Gull * Great Black-backed Gull Gull sp. Caspian Tern Royal Tern Common Tern Forster's Tern Least Tern Black Tern * Black Skimmer * Rock Pigeon Mourning Dove Black-billed Cuckoo Yellow-billed Cuckoo Barn Owl Eastern Screech Owl Great Horned Owl Barred Owl Northern Saw-whet Owl * Common Niqhthawk Chuck-will's-widow Whip-poor-will Chimney Swift Rubv-throated Hummingbird Belted Kingfisher Red-headed Woodpecker Red-bellied Woodpecker Yellow-bellied Sapsucker * Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker Northern Flicker Pileated Woodpecker Olive-sided Flycatcher * Eastern Wood-Pewee Yellow-bellied Flvctacher * Acadian Flycatcher Alder Flycatcher * Willow Flycatcher Least Flycatcher Eastern Phoebe Great Crested Flycatcher Eastern Kingbird White-eved Vireo Blue-headed Vireo Yellow-throated Vireo Warbling Vireo Philadelphia Vireo * Red-eyed Vireo Blue Jav Red-breasted Merganser Red-necked Phalarope * American Crow Ruddy Duck Laughing Gull Fish Crow Osprey Bonaparte's Gull Crow sp. Bald Eagle Ring-billed Gull Common Raven * Northern Harrier Herring Gull Horned Lark Northern Waterthrush Louisiana Waterthrush Miles in Car Hours in Car Purple Martin Tree Swallow N. Rough-winged Swallow Bank Swallow Cliff Swallow Barn Swallow Carolina Chickadee Black-capped Chickadee Tufted Titmouse Red-breasted Nuthatch * White-breasted Nuthatch Brown-headed Nuthatch Brown Creeper Carolina Wren House Wren Winter Wren * Marsh Wren Golden-crowned Kinglet Rubv-crowned Kinglet Blue-qrav Gnatcatcher Eastern Bluebird Veery Grav-cheeked Thrush * Bicknell's Thrush * Swainson's Thrush Hermit Thrush Wood Thrush American Robin Gray Catbird Northern Mockingbird Brown Thrasher European Starling American Pipit Cedar Waxwinq Blue-winged Warbler Brewster's Warbler * Lawrence's Warbler * Golden-winged Warbler Tennessee Warbler Orange-crowned Warbler * Nashville Warbler Northern Parula Yellow Warbler Chestnut-sided Warbler Magnolia Warbler Cape May Warbler Black-throated Blue Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Black-throated Green Warbler Blackburnian Warbler Yellow-thoated Warbler Pine Warbler Prairie Warbler Palm Warbler Bav-breasted Warbler Blackpoll Warbler Cerulean Warbler Black-and-white Warbler American Redstart Prothonotarv Warbler Worm-eating Warbler Ovenbird Kentucky Warbler Mourning Warbler * Common Yellowthroat Hooded Warbler Wilson's Warbler Canada Warbler Yellow-breasted Chat Summer Tanaqer Scarlet Tanaqer Eastern Towhee Chipping Sparrow Field Sparrow Vesper Sparrow Savannah Sparrow Grasshopper Sparrow Henslow's Sparrow * Salt-marsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow * Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow * Seaside Sparrow Fox Sparrow * Song Sparrow Lincoln's Sparrow Swamp Sparrow White-throated Sparrow White-crowned Sparrow Dark-eved Junco Northern Cardinal Rose-breasted Grosbeak Blue Grosbeak Indigo Bunting Painted Bunting * Dickcissel * Bobolink Red-winged Blackbird Eastern Meadowlark Yellow-headed Blackbird ** Rusty Blackbird* Common Grackle Boat-tailed Grackle Brown-headed Cowbird Orchard Oriole Baltimore Oriole Purple Finch House Finch Pine Siskin American Goldfinch Evening Grosbeak House Sparrow Total individuals Species Total # Parties # Observers Start time: Stop time: Total hours: Miles on Foot Hours on Foot Miles Owlinq/Niqht Hours Owlinq/Niqht Miles by Boat Hours by Boat Miles on Tractor Hours on Tractor Miles on Bike Hours on Bike Miles Other (specify) Hours Other Weather Conditions: Hour Temp/Clouds/Winds/Precipitation 0500 0700 0900 1100 1300 1500 1700 1900 2100 2300 Please record Temps in degrees F, Clouds as % cover, Winds as mph and direction, and Precipitation as mist, light, steady, heavy, showers, or severe. ATTENTION: A completed Rarity Reporting Guideline Form must be provided to the County Compiler when reporting species whose name is followed by an asterisk. Some details needed ** Full details needed! Note: Rock Dove is now Rock Pigeon; Common Snipe is now Wilson’s Snipe Species in bold italics are in their breeding “Safe Dates.” We encourage you to try to confirm breeding behavior for these species. Please enter the breeding behavior code on the Incidental Report Form. Breeding bird behavior codes and Incidental Report Forms are downloadable from www.mdbirds.org. Click on Breeding Bird Atlas, Forms, Field Card, and Incidental Report Form. May/June 2005 15 In the Scope: Dick Kleen Scratch the surface of the Talbot Bird Club or dig a little deeper, and you will surely find the tracks or shadow of Dick Kleen. This man is a giant, figuratively and literally, amongst the birders of the Maryland Eastern Shore. Hard to miss at six-foot-six, Dick has been a tower of strength and a major source of inspiration for the Talbot County Chapter of MOS since its inception back in 1 955. He led the push to establish a chap- ter in Talbot County and was president of the chapter most of the time for the next 20 years. He established the St. Michaels Christmas Count in 1954 and has actively participated in it every year since then. With superb leadership skills, he developed an admirable record of getting young people as well as adults excited about the birds. He carried his birding interest intensely throughout the state, becoming very familiar with where birds of Maryland could be found. Such activity put him in touch with most of the birders of Maryland, and surely contributed to his becoming the third State President of the Maryland Ornithological Society. Shortly after coming to St. Michaels High School in 1951, Dick established a Natural Science Club for 7 th and 8 th grade students. Several charter members of that club went on to illustrious careers in the natural sciences, while also maintaining such strong interest in birding that they continue to be leaders in the Talbot Bird Club. In his 39 years of teaching, Dick's appreciation for all of nature "but particularly for the birds" has been shared with hundreds of students as well as with countless adults who have birded with him or taken birding trips that he has led. He loved being a teacher, and loved working with the students. Some of his greatest joy now comes from seeing the way his students have con- tinued with their interest in birding and also have trained others, thereby passing the joy of birding on and on. Like many of the great birders, Dick got started with birding at an early age. Born in Brooklyn, he grew up on Long Island, and remem- bers very well an event that got him "hooked on birding." At age 9, he and his father were digging up a birch tree to move to the Long Island property when Dick saw a beautiful little yellow bird and heard its delightful song. When he got home and they finished planting the tree, he rushed to the house and got out the family bird book to find out just what that bird was. It was a Prairie Warbler — and Dick was a hooked birder from that moment on. (A beautiful life-size carv- ing of a male Prairie Warbler graces the mantel in his house, along with countless other birding-related items.) Throughout his adult life, Dick has been a very active birder. He started leading out-of-state trips as soon as the Talbot Bird Club was formed and would take club members to birding spots all around the nation. Texas and Arizona emerged as favored states to visit, so annual trips to those sites were on his schedule for many years. In the 1950s he took groups of students on birding trips into Mexico on four occasions. One of those trips is intensely remembered by all participants as the "14 flats trip." Dick has birded in all 50 states and in 32 countries. He even happened to be birding in Cuba the week before the Castro take-over. He identifies a site in the high desert habitat of the Chiricahua Mountains near Portal, AZ as his favorite birding site. With at least 30 visits to the area, he knows that region very well. Another region that he knows very well is Blackwater NWR in Dorchester County, where he has provided thousands of volunteer hours. He continues his volunteer work at that site. Dick admits to being a person who has deeply responded to "the lure of the list." His North American list now includes 71 8 species. A few years ago he went after a "big-year" list and reached 600 species. He also maintains lists for MD, Talbot County, his home property, and for AZ and TX. Though currently not as active in bird- ing as he once was, Dick still does get out into the field from time to time. His advice to current birders is: "Go birding in southeast Arizona and southern Texas as soon as you can. Don't wait until you retire. Go now!" And for beginning birders, he says, "Try to avoid reading about all the species and numbers of birds that you could have seen years ago. You will just get too depressed." The interests of birding and birders in Talbot County have benefitted greatly from the energy, dedication, and enthusiasm of Dick Kleen. — Les Roslund ' Talbot County Bird Club Carving by Ed and Esther Burns of Talbot County. Dick received this can/ing as a gift from a friend. A SPORTING PROPOSITION On May 7 Walter Ellison and Nancy Martin are conducting a Birdathcn in Kent County as a fundraiser for the Breeding Bird Atlas Project. They have run Kent County Big Days for the last three years, compiling a composite list of 153 species and averaging 126; their high count to date was 129 on May 18, 2003. If anyone would like to offer pledges per species, they would be be most appreciated. All proceeds will be sent to MOS Treasurer Emy Holdridge (checks made out to MOS) and go towards materials and supplies for the Atlas and paying for blockbusting and miniroute coverage. — Walter Ellison, MD-DC Atlas Coordinator Nancy Martin, Atlas Miniroute Coordinator 410-778-9568 or rossgull@baybroadband. net 16 Maryland/DC Records Committee Status Report as of March 29, 2005 by Phil Davis, MD/DCRC Secretary The Maryland Yellowthroat T he sighting reports below have changed status since the last committee decision summary was published in The Maryland Yellowthroat. This summary covers MD/DCRC review packages 90 through 94. MD/DCRC report numbers are in brackets. These records and reports will be addressed in addi- tional detail in a future issue of Maryland Birdlife. MD RECORDS ACCEPTED: White-faced Storm-Petrel, Pelagodroma marina [MD/2004-052] Atlantic Ocean, Worcester County August 24, 2004 “Great White” (Great Blue) Heron, Ardea herodias occidentalis [MD/200 1-040] Ft McHenry/Masonville, Baltimore County September 26, 2001 -September 30, 2001 Wood Stork, Mycteria americana [MD/2000-019] Point Lookout State Park, Saint Mary’s County August 19, 1998 Greater Flamingo, Phoenicopterus ruber [MD/2001-088] Assateague Island, Worcester County August 8, 1972-September 3, 1972 Cackling Goose, Branta canadensis hutchinsii [MD/2004-050] Eastern Neck, Kent County December 27, 1964 Cackling Goose, Branta canadensis hutchinsii [MD/2004-049] Cambridge, Dorchester County November 16, 1966 Cackling Goose, Branta canadensis hutchinsii [MD/1 997-391] Cambridge, Dorchester County December 29, 1995 Cackling Goose, Branta canadensis hutchinsii [MD/2004-044] Little Seneca Reservoir, Montgomery County January 23, 2003-February 1, 2004 Swallow-tailed Kite, Elanoides forficatus [MD/2001-083] Liberty Reservoir, Carroll County June 15, 1984 Swallow-tailed Kite, Elanoides forficatus [MD/2002-014] Pickering Creek, Talbot County May 5, 2001 Swallow-tailed Kite, Elanoides forficatus [MD/2003-102] Fort Smallwood Park, Anne Arundel County March 24, 2003 Swallow-tailed Kite, Elanoides forficatus [MD/2003-105] Marydel, Caroline County May 12, 2003 Swallow-tailed Kite, Elanoides forficatus [MD/2004-020] Elkton, Cecil County May 29, 2004-June 17, 2004 Mississippi Kite, Ictinia mississippiensis [MD/1 997-365] Point Lookout State Park, Saint Mary’s County May 20, 1995 Curlew Sandpiper, Calidris ferruginea [MD/2004-051] Assateague Island State Park, Worcester County August 9, 2004-August 21, 2004 Long-tailed Jaeger, Stercorarius longicaudus [MD/2003-118] Tilgman’s Island, Talbot County September 19, 2003 South Polar Skua, Stercorarius maccormicki [MD/2000-036] Atlantic Ocean, Worcester County June 4, 2000 Black-tailed Gull, Earns crassirostris [MD/2000-055] Assateague Island, Worcester County October 7, 2000-October 15, 2000 Black-tailed Gull, Earns crassirostris [MD/2003-112] Fort McHenry, Baltimore County September 16, 2003 Sooty Tern, Sterna fuscata [MD/2003-129] Elms Beach, Saint Mary’s County September 22, 2003 Sooty Tern, Sterna fuscata [MD/2004-060] Assateague Island, Worcester County September 9, 2004 Eurasian Collared-Dove, Strep topelia decaocto [MD/2002-017] Port Deposit, Cecil County April 15, 2002-June 20, 2002 Gray Kingbird, Tyr annus dominicensis [MD/2002-033] Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary, Anne Arundel County September 25, 2002 Brown-headed Nuthatch, Sitta pusilla [MD/2004-001] Eastern Neck NWR, Kent County October 19, 2003 Bohemian Waxwing, Bomby cilia garrulus [MD/2004-007] Queenstown, Queen Anne’s County February 7, 2004-February 10, 2004 Black-throated Gray Warbler, Dendroica nigrescens [MD/2003-114] Assateague Island National Seashore, Worcester County October 22, 2003 Spotted Towhee, Pipilo maculatus [MD/2004-016] Fort McHenry National Monument, Baltimore County May 19, 2004 MD RECORDS ID OK/P? ORIGIN: Silver Gull, Earns novaehollandiae [MD/2000-064] Upper Marlboro, Prince George’s County November 30, 2000-December 4, 2000 MD RECORDS ID OK/EXOTIC ORIGIN: European Greenfinch, Carduelis chloris [MD/2002-004] Hancock, Washington County February 5, 2001-February 24, 2001 May/June 2005 17 MD RECORDS NOT ACCEPTED: Pacific Loon, Gavia pacifica [MD/1 997-754] Susquehanna River, Cecil County November 7, 1997-November 18, 1997 Cackling Goose, Branta canadensis hutchinsii [MD/2004-042] Centennial Park, Howard County February 26, 2004 Franklin’s Gull, Larus pipixcan [MD/1 999-040] Burkittsville, Frederick County May 8, 1999 Sabine’s Gull, Xema sabini [MD/2000-031] Deal Island, Somerset County June 24, 2000 Black Guillemot, Cepphus grylle [MD/2002-011] Assateague Island, Worcester County December 28, 1989 “Red-shafted” Flicker, Colaptes auratus [MD/2003-107] Blackwater NWR, Dorchester County February 23, 2003 Green-tailed Towhee, Pipilo chlorurus [MD/2001-014] Indian SpringsWMA, Washington County April 26, 2001 DC RECORDS ACCEPTED: Band-rumped Storm-Petrel, Oceanodroma castro [DC/1999-060] Navy Yard Bridge August 29, 1893 Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis [DC/2004-013] Potomac River March 20, 2004-March 23, 2004 Greater White-fronted Goose, Anser albifrons [DC/2002-006] West Potomac Park May 19, 2001 Black-chinned Hummingbird, Archilochus alexandri [DC/2003-141] Smithsonian Institution November 17, 2003-December 12, 2003 Ash-throated Flycatcher, Myiarchus cinerascens [DC/2001-077] Kenilworth Park November 11, 2001-November 12, 2001 Nelson’s Sharp-tailed Sparrow, Ammodramus nelsoni [DC/1999-010] (locality unrecorded) September 15, 1862 DC RECORDS NOT ACCEPTED: Parasitic Jaeger, Stercorarius parasiticus [DC/1997-171] Anacostia River June 21, 1994 Maryland/DC Records Committee Highlights T he Maryland/District of Columbia Records Committee (MD/DCRC) held its annual business meeting on March 5, 2005. Highlights are reported below. The detailed minutes and other reference information can be found on the committee’s web page, on the MOS web site, at http://www.mdbirds.org/mddcrc/rcindex.html Data Products. The committee’s data products will be updated on the MD/DCRC web pages, including the Official Lists of the Birds of MD and of DC and the Review Lists for MD and DC. New on the Official List of the Birds of MD are Reddish Egret, Eurasian Collared-Dove, Cackling Goose (due to the recent AOU split), and Greater Flamingo (!!!) — from a report reopened of a 1972 Assateague Island, post- hurricane bird. New species added to the Official List of the Birds of DC include Brown Pelican and Black-chinned Hummingbird. The MD list now stands at 424 species and the DC list stands at 325. Updated MD Review List: As of March 30, 2005, American White Pelican will no longer be reviewed in MD (all reports prior to March 30 will be reviewed); Rufous Hummingbird will no longer be reviewed in MD (observers are still strongly encouraged to report and have “western” hummingbirds banded, since rarer species are difficult to separate; note that Rufous Hummingbirds are still reviewable in DC); Swallow-tailed Kite will no longer be reviewed in MD; the reviewable range of Common Raven in MD is redefined as “south and east of Frederick AND Montgomery Counties;” Cackling Goose will not be reviewable in MD (although subspecies other than hutchinsii should be reported and are reviewable as “subspecies/forms unusual to MD”). Great Skua is now reviewable anywhere in MD. Updated DC Review List: Lark Sparrow and Yellow-headed Blackbird are now reviewable in DC. Members. Three new members were elected for three- year terms; Hans Holbrook (Howard), John Hubbell (Montgomery), and George Jett (Charles). The committee thanks retiring members Barry Cooper (Montgomery), Matt Hafner (Harford), and Bonnie Ott (Howard). County Checklist Coordination. With the Committee’s enhanced database capabilities, it is easy to generate MD/DCRC reports of “county” sightings. The MD/DCRC is willing to work with a single county point-of-contact to provide a county “rarities” listing for the local birding community to review for data errors and omissions, and also as a means of locating outstanding sighting documen- tation. Local chapters can designate a single county point-of-contact to obtain these reports from the MD/DCRC Secretary. (Records Highlights continues on page 1 8) 18 The Maryland Yellowtbroat Records Highlights (continued, from page 17) ID Workshops. The committee dis- cussed the concept of one or a series of identification workshops; these could be half-day Saturday sessions targeting advanced-intermediate field birders and using projected field guide images and/or photos to explore challenging ID pairs or trios that might currently be found around the state or that might be expected in the future (for example, Shiny Cowbird vs. Brown-headed Cowbird, Eastern vs. Western Meadowlark, Eurasian Collared- Dove vs. Ringed Turtle-Dove). This idea will be explored further with the new Statewide Educational Activities Committee. Publications. The publication situa- tion was discussed; the committee is in the process of catching up on its decision reports. These have previ- ously been published in Maryland Birdlife , but page limitations and the Birdlife publication schedule are not conducive to continuing this practice. It was agreed that these decision reports, as well as a lengthy manu- script by Marshall Iliff, “An Annotated Checklist of Subspecies and Forms Seen in Maryland,” be published as issues in the Maryland Avifauna Series and be published on a CD-ROM (including color images), with PDF copies to be available from the MOS web site. [The Maryland Avifauna Series, a series of “occa- sional papers” published by the MOS, includes the two “Yellowbooks.”] — Phil Davis MD/DCRC Secretary pdavis@ix.netcom.com ANNUAL COUNT The annual count of species seen in Maryland by April 1 8 stood at 239 species, or 56.4% of the state list, even adding in the two species included in the latest official list. We are moving along very steadily. — Fran Saunders MOS Web Site Director h ttp://www.mdbirds. org / Sunday, May 1 H Anne Arundel. Patuxent Research Refuge, North Tract for migrant and breeding woodland birds. Half day. Meet 6:30 AM at Parole P&R. Leader: Fred Fallon, 301-249-1518. ft Baltimore. Cylburn self-guided walk. Meet at Mansion’s front porch Sunday mornings for series of easy birding in gardens and urban forest. Beginning birders welcome. Expect to find variety of migrant and resi- dent birds. No designated leader. Coordinator: Joe Lewandowski, 410-358-7834, ilenel@juno.com. ft Harford. Palmer SP along Deer Creek, 650 acres of wildflowers and forest interior birds. Meet 7 AM at Rte 1 and MD 136 Wawa. Moderate hiking on dirt trails. Contact: Russ Kovach, 443-386-4787. ft Kent. Millington area for spring migration at its peak — warblers, grosbeaks, warblers, flycatchers, and warblers (we hope). Half day. Info: Walter Ellison or Nancy Martin, 410-778-9568, or Peter Mann, 410-648-5205. ft Baltimore. Marriotsville Warblers. Resident warblers include Prothonotary and Worm-eating. Yellow-throated Warbler and Barred Owl possible. Meet 8 AM. [From Beltway exit 18 Liberty Rd, west 4.9 miles to Marriottsville Rd. Left 4 miles past quarry and rifle range to unmarked, narrow road with mail- boxes, just before bridge. Turn right, continue to small unpaved parking lot on left.] Leader: Paul Noell, 410-243-2652, mycoconut@msn.com. ft Talbot. Adkins Arboretum Beginners Walk. Please bring along a new birder of any age. Come and meet members of award-winning junior World Series of Birding Team from Centreville Middle School prior to their participation in this year’s competition in Cape May, NJ. Depart Tred Avon Shopping Center parking lot in front of Acme, Easton. 7 AM. Lunch Host: Sylvan Kaufman. Leaders: Sylvan Kaufman and Wayne Bell, 410-820-6002. ft Howard. Hugg-Thomas WMA. Meet at gravel lot 8 AM. Half day. Moderate walk through woodlands and field edges. Great habitat for warblers, tanagers, and vireos. Nesting Hooded, Kentucky, Oven- bird, and Louisiana Waterthrush. No facilities. Leaders: Dave and Maureen Harvey, 410-795-3117. Tuesday, May 3 ft Baltimore. Lake Roland. Weekly walks to follow progress of migra- tion. Meet 8:30 am. Two-three hours and miles of walking. Early depar- ture optional. Some uneven terrain and steep dikes optional at far end. Spring migrant songbirds. Yellow- crowned and Black-crowned Night- Herons possible. Park and walk to footbridge. Leader: Mary Chetelat, 410-665-9769. Meeting. Baltimore. “Identifying Spring Warblers by Sight and Song,” by Peter Webb , president of Baltimore Bird Club. Cylburn Arboretum, 4915 Greenspring Ave. Doors open 7 PM for refreshments and socializing. Lecture 7:45-9 PM. Wednesday, May 4 Meeting. Carroll. 7:30 PM at Senior Center, Stoner Ave, Westminster. Jerry Tarbell will present this year’s Final Exam. For more info, contact Laura Tarbell, 410-857-1109. ft indicates Field Trips indicates Atlas Trips May/June 2005 19 H Baltimore. First Wednesdays at Ft. McHenry. 9:30 AM-Noon. Continuing survey of bird activity at the Fort. Canceled in bad weather. Leader: Jim Peters, 410-429-0966. ft Montgomery. Flag Ponds, Calvert Co. Two-thirds day. Local expert Arlene Ripley leads us though woods, bog, and beach of limited- access nature park to see migrants, arriving breeders (notably Yellow- throated Warbler), as well as such spring flora as showy orchis. Limit 12. Reservations required. Details, directions from Coordinator: Lydia Schindler, 301-977-5252. Thursday, May 5 Meeting . Frederick. Bill Young will present “Back of the Outback: Birds of the Australian Outback.” 7 PM at C. Burr Artz Library, Frederick. Info: Marcia Balestri, 301-473-5098. Friday, May 6 Meeting. Anne Arundel. “Conservation of Black and Turkey Vultures” by Dr. Jim Fraser. 8 PM DNR Conference Room, Tawes Bldg, Rowe Blvd, Annapolis. ft Montgomery. Pennyfield Lock. Half day. Birding by ear (with timed intervals for talking). Migrant and nesting land birds. Meet end of Pennyfield Lock Rd 7 AM. Required reservations can be made with either Leader: Cyndie Loeper, 301-530-8226, or Ann Lucy, 301-229-8810. Meeting . Harford. Open Carousel Night hosted by Dave Ziolkowski at Churchville Presbyterian Church, Churchville, 7 PM. Bring birding- interest slides from travel or scien- tific endeavors or just plain bird oddities. Light refreshments. Info: Jean Wheeler, 410-879-7424. Saturday, May 7 ft Anne Arundel. Franklin Point, other nearby spots, for waterfowl and woodland birds. All day. Bring lunch. Meet 7 AM at Parole P&R. Leader: Dale Johnson, 410-867-7743. ft Howard. Jug Bay Boat Trip. Meet Meadowbrook P&R 5:30 AM. All day. Limit 16. Join naturalist Greg Kearns for morning boat trip through wetlands of Jug Bay. Over 100 species expected. Trip will last 3 hours. Plan for picnic lunch and early afternoon bird walk along trails. Facilities available. Boat fee $5-$6 per person. To sign up, call Bonnie Ott, 410-461-3361. ft Frederick. Warbler Watch at Marcia Balestri’s House. Over the last 12 years, 28 species of warblers have migrated through Marcia’s yard! Meet 7:30 AM at her house; for directions, contact Marcia, 301-473-5098. ft Cecil. Cecil Warblers. Mix of hotspots for spring migrants. Half day. Meet 7 AM Big Elk Mall Dunkin Donuts parking area. Leader: Marcia Watson-Whitmyre, mww@udel-edu. ft Talbot. Delaware Bay Shore: Bombay Hook NWR, Woodland WMA, and Thorofare Rd in quest of shorebirds. Bring lunch. Depart Tred Avon Shopping Center parking lot in front of Acme, Easton 6:30 AM, or depart LL Bean Parking Area, Prime Outlets, Queenstown 7 AM. Leader: Charles Hopkins, 410-763-8742. ft Spring Count at Fred Archibald Sanctuary. Frederick. Meet at Sanctuary 6 AM. Dress warmly, with waterproof boots. Contact Bob Schaefer, 301-831-5660, for further info. ft Baltimore. Patterson Park, at White House (27 South Patterson Park Ave). Migrants found in this urban park last spring included Blue- headed, Red-eyed, White-eyed, and Warbling Vireos, Wood, Swainson’s, and Gray-cheeked Thrushes, Veery, Summer Tanager, Merlin, and Woodcock! Meet 8 AM. From down- town Baltimore, drive east up Pratt St, left onto S Patterson Park Ave, and park on this street in first or second block. The White House is just inside west edge of park at intersection of S Patterson Park Ave and Lombard St. Leader: Dave Curson, 410-675-4963. ft Montgomery. Blue Mash Nature Trail. Half day. Site should be hopping with migrants and other woodland edge birds. Waterproof boots essential. Meet 7 AM at Zion Road parking lot. Limited to 8-10 participants. For reservations and directions, call Leader: Rick Sussman, 301-774-1185. Sunday, May 8 ft Baltimore. Patuxent Research Refuge, North Tract, Prince George’s Co, for Summer Tanager, Blue Grosbeak, Chat, and other Southern specialty birds. Prothonotary Warbler possible. Bring lunch. Meet 7:30 AM at Nursery Road P&R, Baltimore Beltway exit 8. Leader: Steve Sanford, 410-922-5103, scartan@verizon.net. ft Baltimore. Cylburn self-guided walk. See May 1. ft Anne Arundel. Kinder Farm Park for migrants and resident birds. Half day. Meet 6:30 AM at Severna P&R. Leader: George Thomas, 410-647-5082. ft Spring Count at Audrey Carroll. Frederick. Call Dave Smith, 410-549-7082, to participate. ft Talbot. Easton Stream Bottoms. Explore stream bottoms east of Rte 50 for variety of migrants. Depart Tred Avon Shopping Center parking lot in front of Acme, Easton 7 AM. Leader: Jan Reese, 410-745-2875. ft Harford. Harford Glen. Hike forests and wetlands with Phil Powers for shorebirds, migratory songbirds, and wildflowers. Jack-in-the-pulpit, wild ginger, and wild geranium should delight flower enthusiasts while birders might enjoy Spotted, Solitary, and Least Sandpipers in addition to a mixed bag of warblers, vireos, and orioles. Meet 7 AM upper parking lot, Harford Glen. Contact Phil, 410-679-4116. (MOS Calendar continues on page 20 ) 20 The Maryland Yellowtbroat M O S Ca 1 6 n d a r ( continued, from page 1 9) ft Montgomery. Little Bennett RP. Half day. Near peak migration for warblers and vireos, including those breeding in this varied habitat. Reservations required. For time and directions, contact Leader: Gemma Radko, 301-607-4374. Tuesday, May 10 ft Baltimore. Lake Roland. Weekly walks to follow progress of migra- tion. See May 3. Wednesday, May 11 ft Baltimore. Hampton National Historic Site. First year monitoring this interesting site. Explore 70 acres of woods, fields, pasture land, and formal gardens. Easy walking. Canceled in bad weather. Meet at Site 8 AM for 3 hours. Leader: Jim Peters, 410-429-0966. ft Montgomery. Rugged Green Ridge SP, Allegany Co. Full day. “Facilities natural.” Meet Sidling Hill VC parking lot off 1-68 7 AM sharp. Bring snacks, lunch, and insect repellent. 4-wheel drive or pickup truck recommended. Prior arrangements to car pool via Leader strongly suggested. Wear sturdy boots; some hiking necessary. Target birds include Ruffed Grouse, Rose- breasted Grosbeak, vireos, and 15 species of warbler (including Cerulean, Hooded, and Worm- eating). Limited to 10-12 participants based on car pooling. Reservations required. Leader: Jim Green, 301- 208-2393 (H) or 301-948-1518 (W). Thursday, May 12 ft Montgomery. Patuxent River Drift Boat Trip, Prince George’s Co. Half day. Joint with ANS. Peak migration time for songbirds; also marsh and waterbirds. Waterproof footwear and insect repellent advis- able. Consult ANS News for directions. Meet 6:30 AM at park entrance gate. Park fee may be collected. Reservations required. Leader: Paul DuMont, 703-931-8994. ft indicates Field Trips fe* indicates Atlas Trips Meeting . Howard. “Frog Watch USA” by Sue Muller , naturalist with Howard Co Rec & Parks. Hospitality and club bookstore 7:30 PM; meeting/program 8 PM at Howard Co Rec & Parks, 7210 Oakland Mills Rd, Columbia. Info: Jeff Friedhoffer, 410-997-5336. Saturday May 14 ft May Count . Carroll. Please coordinate locations with Bill Ellis, 410-781-7113. Join Tally Rally at home of Jerry and Laura Tarbell at 7 PM. RSVP to the Tarbells, 410-857-1109. Food or $ donation, please. Results may be mailed to Bill if unable to attend rally. ft May Count . Anne Arundel. Coordinate locations with compiler: Dotty Mumford, 410-849-8336, by May 10. Full day. ft May Count. Tri-County. Birders needed to cover their favorite Wicomico Co areas. Contact: Ellen Lawler, 410-546-9056. ft May Count (#41). Frederick. Join the crowd for our local county- wide count. Contact Mike Welch, 301-874-5828, to assist. ft May Count. Washington. Contact Dave Weesner, 301-432-7718, to participate. ft May Count. Kent. Last chance of season to help count Kent Co birds. All day. Contact Walter Ellison or Nancy Martin, 410-778-9568, or Peter Mann, 410-648-5205. ft May Count. Allegany. Contact compiler J.B. Churchill, 301-697-1223 for info and area assignments. Tally at Carey Run Sanctuary in Finzel on Monday May 16 at 7 PM. (Directions to Carey Run: take Finzel exit and turn left [south] until it dead ends. Turn right and go straight at fork in road. Make first right turn onto unpaved road. Cross bridge and turn right [look for MOS sanctuary signs].) ft May Count. Montgomery. Good excuse to count in your Atlas block! Compiler and contact person: Rick Sussman, 301-774-1185, warblerick@aol.com. ft Montgomery. Upper Watts Branch, Rockville. Half day. Migrant warblers, vireos, and thrushes and assorted woodland residents, includ- ing possible Red-shouldered Hawks. Meet 8 AM at corner of Princeton Place and Fordham St. (For direc- tions, check club newsletter.) Limit: 12. Reservations required. Leader: Paul O’Brien, 301-424-6491. Sunday, May 15 ft Baltimore. Cylburn self-guided walk. See May 1. ft Anne Arundel. Piney Orchard Nature Walk. Wetlands, fields, and woods. Half day. Meet 7 AM at Parole P&R. Leader: Peter Hanan, 410-672-5672. ft Talbot. Pocomoke Swamp. Depart Tred Avon Shopping Center parking lot in front of Acme, Easton 6:30 AM. Bring lunch. Leader: TBA. ft Harford. Susquehanna SP. Join Les Eastman to look for myriad songbirds and local specialties, including Baltimore and Orchard Orioles and Cerulean and Kentucky Warblers. Meet 7 AM at Rock Run Mill. Contact Les, 410-734-6969. Tuesday, May 17 Meeting . Kent. Speaker Glenn Therres , MD DNR, “Bald Eagles in Maryland.” 7:30 PM Wesley Hall, Heron Pt, East Campus Ave, Chestertown. Info, Walter Ellison, 410-778-9568, or Peter Mann, 410-648-5205. ft Baltimore. Lake Roland. Weekly walks to follow progress of migra- tion. See May 3. Wednesday, May 18 Meeting . Montgomery. “Searching for Birds (and the Meaning of Life) in the Western US” by Mark May/June 2005 21 Garland, Senior Naturalist for NJ Audubon at Cape May. 7:30 PM at Potomac Presbyterian Church, 10301 River Rd, Potomac. Thursday, May 19 Meeting. Caroline. Program TBA. 7:30 PM, Caroline Co Public Library, 100 Market St, Denton. Friday-Sunday, May 20-22 Annual MOS Conference Solomons, Calvert Co. See page 1. Saturday, May 21 ft Frederick. Harney Road Ponds. Barbara Gearhart will lead trip to look for migrating shorebirds and other goodies. Meet 7:30 AM at Baker Park. Info: Barbara, 301-473-9889. ft Frederick. Cape May Bird-a-Thon. Dave Smith will lead a team to partici- pate in Big Day count. Call Dave, 410-549-7082, to participate or to provide support to this worthy cause, Central Audubon. ft Harford. Swan Harbor Farms. Join Colleen Webster and Randy Robertson to explore mix of flooded and dry agricultural fields, deciduous woodlands, and open marshes at this County owned park on Oakington Peninsula. Reliable for Bald Eagle, woodland warblers, thrushes, and good mix of shorebirds. Meet 7 AM at Park HQ, end of entrance road. Contact: Colleen, 410-942-0867. Sunday, May 22 ft Talbot. Terrapin Park. Depart Tred Avon Shopping Center parking lot in front of Acme, Easton 7 AM, or depart LL Bean, Prime Outlets, Queenstown, 7:30 AM. Leaders: Karen and Bill Harris. ft Harford. Bombay Hook NWR, DE. Full day to “the Hook” and adjacent birding mega-hotspots. Muddy impoundments, fresh and saltwater marshes, and wave-washed “Walk this Way. beaches afford great numbers and good views of Black-necked Stilt, American Avocet, and Red Knot, with possibility of European waifs, western strays, and windblown pelagics. Bring lunch. Meet 7 AM at MD 155 and 1-95 P&R. Contact: Dave Larking, 410-569-8319. Monday, May 23 Meeting. Tri-County. Program TBD. Meet 7 PM Asbury UMC, Camden Av, Salisbury (Fox Rd, south entrance). Info: Betty Pitney, 410-543-1853. Tuesday, May 24 ft Baltimore. Lake Roland. Weekly walks to follow progress of migra- tion. See May 3. Meeting. Washington. “Creating a Natural Pond for Wildlife,” presented by a Lilypons Water Gardens representative. 7:30 PM at Mt. Aetna Nature Center. Call Anna Hutzell, 301-797-8454, for info. Wednesday, May 25 ft Baltimore. Hampton National Historic Site. See May 11. Leader: Jim Peters, 410-429-0966. Saturday, May 28 ft Anne Arundel. Terry Jorris Farm for woodland birds in a new area. Half day. Meet 7 AM at Parole P&R. Leader: A1 Haury, 410-923-0881. ft Harford. Susquehanna SP for late migrants and early summer natural history. Target birds Yellow- and Black-billed Cuckoos, Olive-sided and Empidonax flycatchers, Cape May and Cerulean Warblers, along with Zebra Swallowtail butterflies. Meet 7 AM at Rock Run Mill. Contact: Dave Ziolkowski, 410-679-6765. Sunday, May 29 ft Carroll. Bombay Hook NWR, DE. We’re bound to have warmer weather compared to February, when we normally do this trip. Looking for breeding birds this time around on all-day trip, so don’t forget lunch, sunscreen, bug spray, and scopes. For more info contact Leader: Bob Ringler, 410-549-6031. ft Baltimore. Cylburn self-guided walk. See May 1. ft Anne Arundel. Delaware Bay for migrating shorebirds and horseshoe crabs. Meet 7 AM at Bay 50 Shopping Center parking lot, off Rte 50. Bring lunch. Leader: Dotty Mumford, 410-849-8336. ft Montgomery and Howard (joint trip). Hot Spots for Red Knots. Full day. Meet at Bombay Hook NWR Visitor Center 8:30 AM. Trip will explore refuge and other Delaware Bay sites for shorebirds, waterfowl, etc. Pack food, water, insect repellent and other items needed for full day in field. Kurt Schwarz will co-lead. Reservations required. Leader: Cyndie Loeper, 301-530-8226. Talbot. Atlas Blockbusting Trip. Leaders: Wayne Bell and Terry Allen. Details TBA. Tuesday, May 31 ft Baltimore. Lake Roland. Weekly walks to follow progress of migra- tion. See May 3. Wednesday, June 1 Harford. Atlasing trip. Rural Abingdon and Box Hill nest- searching. Last year participants were “fascinated” as they developed an eye for cryptic nests and tell-tale behaviors of breeding birds. Please lend a hand on this important project. Meet 7 AM at Abingdon Post Office, Rte 24 and Abingdon Rd. Contact leader: Carol Flora (co-leader Macrina Seitz), 410-638-8220. ( MOS Calendar continues on page 22) 22 The Maryland Yellowthroat MOS Calendar (continued, from page 21) Thursday, June 2 Picnic . Frederick. Annual picnic at Lilypons, a new location this year! Bring binoculars, a dish to share, plate, drink and utensils. We’ll meet 6 PM for birding and eats. Saturday, June 4 MOS State Board Meeting. Howard County. Contact: Janet Shields, janetbill@prodigy.net. Anne Arundel. Atlasing trip. Full day. Leader: Sue Ricciardi, 410-647-9513. Harford. Atlasing trip. Nest- searching at Robin Hood Forest and surrounding rural Aberdeen. Meet 7 AM at leader Randy Robertson’s house, 45 1 Grasmere Lane, Aber- deen. Contact Randy, 410-273-9029, for more details. Frederick. Atlasing trip. Meet 6:30 AM at Baker Park. For info, contact Dave Smith, 410-549-7082. ft Washington. Jug Bay. Meet 6 AM at Rte 66 P&R. Limit 20 partic- ipants. Info/reservations: Ann Mitchell, 301-420-0808. ft Montgomery. Blue Mash Nature Trail. See May 7. Saturday-Sunday, June 4-5 ft Montgomery. Two-day trip to Garrett Co. Limit 12. On Saturday, visit Swallow Falls SP, Herrington Manor SP, and Mt Nebo WMA. On Sunday, visit Finzel Swamp (if road’s not flooded) and New Germany SP. Target birds: nesting warblers, vireos, thrushes, flycatchers, Ruffed Grouse, Black-billed Cuckoo, Black- capped Chickadee, Bobolink, and Henslow’s Sparrow. Meet 7 AM at Casselman Inn parking lot, Grantsville. Breakfast beforehand in room or at Keysers Ridge truck stop. Bring pack lunch. Long pants, insect repellent, extra jacket suggested. Both hiking and easy walking foot- gear suggested for Saturday; water- proof boots for Finzel. Make OWN reservations at Casselman (301-895- 5055). Reserve for trip with leader: John Hubbell, 301-332-3467. Sunday, June 5 Picnic . Kent. Meet 5 PM for potluck picnic at renovated lodge at Eastern Neck NWR. Info: Walter Ellison, 410-778-9568, or Peter Mann, 410-648-5205. %> Harford. Atlasing trip. Nest- searching in Darlington and scenic NW Harford Co. Meet 7 AM at Rte 1 and MD 136 Wawa. Contact: Russ Kovach, 443-386-4787. Thursday, June 9 Potluck Picnic. Talbot. Fall planning meeting. 6 PM Pickering Creek Audubon Center, main office. Hosts: Mark and Susanna Scallion, 410-310-2385. All members welcome. Saturday, June 11 Picnic. Anne Arundel. Annual Spring Potluck. Meet 4 PM. See May newsletter for details. Host: Linda Smith, 410-849-3648. Allegany. Atlas Foray. Specifics TBD. Training for atlas workers and blockbusting in “yet to be covered” blocks in Allegany Co (probably Green Ridge SF). Learn about bird behaviors and how they translate into atlas codes. Meet 7:30 AM at Mason’s Barn P&R, Exit 48E Cumberland 1-68. Bring lunch, drink, and atlas questions. Info: J.B. Churchill, 301-697-1223. ft Frederick. Chino Farms. Lois Kauffman will lead tour of this grassland area. Meet 6 AM at Rte 75 P&R, just south of 1-70. Saturday, June 18 Montgomery. Atlas Blockbusting within Montgomery Co. Half day. Refer to The Chat for further info and start time. Leader: Jim Green, 301-208-2393. Sunday, June 19 Harford. Atlas Blockbusting for Harford Co breeders. Fourth in series of Breeding Bird Atlas trips. Great opportunity to learn and hone nest-finding skills. Meet 7 AM at Fox Meadows Sports Complex, Jarrettsville, north end MD 152. Call county coordinator: Dennis Kirkwood, 410-692-5905. Tuesday, June 21 Annual Planning Meeting. Allegany. 7 PM at Carey Run Sanctuary to plan schedule for next year. Please bring ideas and suggestions. Tuesday-Wednesday, June 21-22 Washington. Atlas trip with Walter Ellison and Nancy Martin. Info: Anna Hutzell, 301-797-8454. Wednesday, June 22 %> Harford. Atlas trip. Nest-search- ing at Heavenly Waters Park and surrounding Bel Air. Meet 7 AM Heavenly Waters Park, Bel Air, NW of Rte 24 and Boulton St. Info: Lynn Davis, 410-569-0504. Sunday, June 26 Picnic. Washington. 4 PM Washington Monument SP. Bring own chair, plate, utensils, drink, and dish to share. Info/directions: Anna Hutzell, 301-797-8454. Saturday, July 2 ft Montgomery. Blue Mash Nature Trail. See May 7. Telling Tales Heading toward the Great Dismal Swamp, the car caravan led by Paul DuMont was stringing out. To pull them together, Paul drove into, and then out of, a weigh station. Bringing up the rear, Dan Eberly was waved down by an irate station man- ager. Dan tried to explain that he was just following the leader. "Following!" sputtered the man. "Would you follow him into a swamp?!" Dan could only shrug: "Well " ft indicates Field Trips indicates Atlas Trips May/June 2005 23 Saturday, July 9 H Baltimore. Family Birding at Banneker Park. Join Keith Costley for easy hike around trails of historic site. Bring children and grandchildren ages 5 and up to enjoy nesting bluebirds, wrens, and robins and many other natural happenings. Park also has museum. All children must be accom- panied by an adult. Meet 9 AM at park entrance (from 1-695 take US Rte 40 west to Rolling Rd and turn left, drive to 2 nd traffic light and turn right at Old Frederick Rd, proceed approx. 1.3 miles and turn right onto Oella Ave. Continue .2 mile to park entrance on left. Leader: Keith Eric Costley, 443-985-6489. Friday, July 15 Meeting & Summer Social . Harford. 6:15 PM at Anita Leight Estuary Center. Speaker: Dr. David Curson on Maryland IBA program. Info/reservations: Jean Wheeler, 410-879-7424. Saturday, July 16 ft Allegany. Butterfly Expedition by Ray Kiddy. Meet 9 AM at Western MD Station in Cumberland. Info: Ray Kiddy, 301-729-1972. Wednesday, July 20 Montgomery. Atlas Blockbusting trip. Half day. Refer to The Chat for further info and start time. Leader: Jim Green, 301-208-2393. Saturday, July 23 ft Montgomery. Delaware Coastal Areas. Three-quarters day. Joint with ANS. Bring lunch. Meet 7:30 AM Visitor Center parking lot, Bombay Hook NWR. Shorebirds, waterbirds, and songbirds along wood/marsh trail edges. Have breakfast before- hand. Reservations required. Leader: John Bjerke, 301-963-8525. Saturday, July 30 ft Frederick. Delaware Coastal Refuges. Mike Welch will take us to Delaware Coast to observe shore- birds and other early fall migrants. Bring bug spray, lunch, and drinks. Meet at Urbana P&R South at 6 AM. If you plan to go, contact Mike, 301-874-5828. Saturday, August 6 ft Montgomery. Blue Mash Nature Trail. See May 7. Thursday and Saturday, August 11 and 13 ft Montgomery. Shorebird Workshop. John Bjerke will lead study of finer details of shorebird ID. Return migration will allow us to focus on juvenile as well as worn adult plumage, with special emphasis on peeps. Slide presentation Thursday evening at Cyndie Loeper’s, with field trip Saturday at Bombay Hook. Attend one or both sessions. For start times and reserva- tions, call: Cyndie, 301-530-8226. Saturday, August 13 Picnic. Carroll. At Hoffman resi- dence. 1 PM until ? Contact Amy Hoffman, 410-549-3598, to coordi- nate your pot luck dish. Saturday, August 20 ft Baltimore. Delaware Bay. Meet 7 AM Nursery Rd/Hammonds Ferry Rd P&R for herons and wide variety of migrating shorebirds, including avocets. Be prepared for heat and biting insects. Bring lunch. Minimal walking. Scopes useful. Leader: Pete Webb, 410-486-1217. ft Harford. Bombay Hook, DE. Join Dennis Kirkwood for 3/4 day trip for shorebirds and hottest rari- ties. Black-necked Stilt, American Avocet, Stilt Sandpiper, and Wilson’s Phalarope top the list of regular fall highlights. Great time to pick up sea- ward strays and western vagrants. Bring sunscreen, inspect repellent, lunch. Scopes helpful. Info: Dennis, 410-692-5905. Monday, August 22 ft Montgomery. Hart-Miller Island, Baltimore. Half day. Wonderful opportunity to visit this very birdy island. For approximately 3 hours, bus/van will drive around island, stopping wherever birding looks good. Scopes helpful. Leader: Chrissy Albanese. For reservations (required), call Coordinator: Helen Patton, 301-588-5418. Ruddy Turnstone Saturday, August 27 ft Harford. Butterflies and Dragonflies. Join Rick Cheicante for half-day foray to one of Harford County’s butterfly and dragonfly haunts. May include swallowtails, Monarch, Viceroy, diminutive hairstreaks, and challenging grass skippers, Common Green Darner, Eastern Pondhawk, Black Saddlebags, and resplendent Halloween Pennant. Info: Rick, 410-803-2712. Sunny day only. Sunday, August 28 Picnic. Washington. 4 PM at Camp Harding Park. Bring own chair, plate, utensils, drink, and dish to share. Info/directions: Anna Hutzell, 301-797-8454. ft Harford. Conowingo Dam. Join Dave Webb for early wood and water migrants. Highlights likely to include Blue-winged Teal, swallows, shorebirds, and nice mix of warblers. Black Tern a noteworthy possibility. Scopes helpful. Meet at base of dam 7:30 AM. Info: Dave, 410-939-3537. Many thanks to Candi Lee for skillfully and cheerfully shepherding and shaping the Yellowthroat Calendar for the past two years. 24 The Maryland Yellowthroat FILM REVIEW The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill A fter seeing Winged Migration , my non-birding friends remarked that they now understood my obsession with birding. I was less enchanted with the film (it seemed somewhat staged and I hated the distracting music), and I thought to myself, hmmm, it still doesn’t compare to the actual wonder of experiencing birds live in the field. So when The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill came to town, I knew I had to see it, if just for comparison. Director Judy Irving does more than just aim her camera at the birds (the close-ups of the vibrantly colored parrots are marvelous): the structure and smooth flow of the narrative reveal her skill as an Emmy award-winning film maker. She captures the beauty and spirit of this wild (but released/escapees) flock of some four dozen Conures — Cherry-headed, Blue-crowned, and Mitred — and their daily struggle against predators and disease. But the film is more about the flock’s caretaker, Mark Bittner, a poetry-quoting, free-spirited relic of the sixties. He’s kind and intelligent, and through his daily feeding (and caring for injured birds) he has become something of an expert on parrots. He’s given them all names — Picasso, Sophie, Katherine, Mingus, and Pushkin — and as the film rolls along you feel the individuality of these birds. Bittner himself warns of the danger of anthropo- morphism, but I still twitched at the Disneyesque scene where Mingus sways, seemingly in perfect rhythm, to Mark’s guitar riffs. (The audience loved it.) It’s a feel-good movie complete with a surprise ending. So go see it and take your non-birding friends; they’ll be sure to remark on how they can now understand your fascination with birds. — Linda Friedland Montgomery Bird Club LAST CALL, . . . for Pledges for the World Series of Birding Teams: • the Maryland Yellowthroats, in support of the Atlas project; • the Loggerhead Shrikes, in support of Pronatura Veracruz; • the Steiner Merlins Youth Team, in support of the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center; • the Coastal Cuckoos, in support of the Pickering Creek Audubon Center. . . . for Proposals for Research Grants, deadline June 1. Contact Gwen Brewer, glbrewer@comcast.net MARYLAND ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY, INC. Cylburn Mansion 4915 Greenspring Avenue Baltimore, MD 21290-4698 Nonprofit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID at Hagerstown, MD Permit No. 1 84 POSTMASTER: TIME-DATED MATERIAL— PLEASE EXPEDITE!