Volume 11 Number 5
|
April 1998
|
Found an injured raptor?
Contact Debbie Delevan of Chesapeake Birds of Prey, Inc.
Phone: (410) 692-2794
Fax: (410) 329-1221
E-mail: raptors@bellatlantic.net
CONTENTS
Natural Resources of Aberdeen Proving Ground
Leight Estuary Center Project
Calendar of Events
Club Awards
Decorative Birdhouses
Breeding Bird Atlas Given to Leight Center
Earth Day Volunteers
T-shirts and Posters
In Memorial
Members Corner
Sail Aboard the Skipjack Martha Lewis
News from the Field Trip Committee
You Know You Are a Birding Fanatic If...
Harford's Avian Visitors
Field Trip Reports
Electronic Birding
HARFORD CHAPTER - MOS FIELD TRIPS APRIL - JUNE 1998
1998 Spring Migration Bird Count
Dinner Meeting Reservation Form
Our speaker at the May 1 dinner meeting will be Dr. Deidre DeRoia, a
naturalist working on Aberdeen Proving Ground. Dr. DeRoia has a Ph.D. in
Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences from Texas A&M University and has done
field research on Puerto Rican Parrots in the Caribbean and has also done field
work in Scotland on the Barnacle Goose. She began working at APG in 1993 and
is the coordinator of the Land Condition Trend Analysis Program. This is a
long-term inventory and monitoring program designed to provide data on the
effects of military training and testing on the environment.
The dinner will be held on Friday, May 1 at 6:15 PM at Churchville Presbyterian
Church located at the intersection of MD 22 and MD 136. The dinner reservation
is on page 9. The May meeting has traditionally had a smaller number of people
attending than other meetings, so please remember that we need at least 50
reservations. The business meeting and program start at about 7:00 PM for
those who do not wish to attend the dinner.
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The club is moving forward with the Leight Center garden project. Many members
have provided donations and we have now exceeded $400. A complete list of
names will be provided in the next newsletter. Heather Helm is in the final
stages of hiring a landscape designer to formulate a landscape plan. This
should be completed in the next month. Details are still being worked out, but
we will need to have a workday at the center to plant and mulch whatever items
we decide to purchase based upon the plan. I have scheduled Saturday, May 23
beginning at 9:00 AM on Memorial Day weekend as the work day. More details
will be available at the May dinner meeting. We are still accepting donations
for those of you who have not yet sent yours. Please send your check made
payable to Harford--MOS to Joyce Gorsuch, 104 Victoria Court, North East MD
21901, and mark the check for the Leight project. We will need some workers
with green thumbs and hand tools on May 23. If you can help, please call Larry
Fry at 410-452-8539.
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| Saturday, April 18 | Earth Day Activities at Havre de Grace at Hutchins Park at
the foot of Congress Avenue
|
| Friday, May 1 | Dinner Meeting at Church-ville Presbyterian Church at 6:15 PM. |
| Saturday, May 9 | International Migratory Bird Day and May Count |
| May 15-17 | MOS Conference at the Wisp Resort, Garrett County. |
| Friday. May 22 | Deadline to submit Harford bird reports to Russ Kovach for Mar 21 - May 21. Russ' address is 810 Falconer Rd, Joppatowne, MD 21085. |
| Saturday, May 23 | Work Day at Leight Center beginning at 9 AM. |
| Monday, May 25 | Deadline for submitting articles for the June newsletter to Les Eastman. Les' address is 4034 Wilkinson Road, Havre de Grace, MD 21078. |
| Monday, June 15 | Field Trip Committee meeting at 7 PM at Dave Webb's house. |
| Friday, July 17 | Summer Social at the Leight Center at 6:30 PM. |
| Saturday, Sep 12 | Annual Club Picnic at Rocks 4-H Camp, 2 to 6 PM. |
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Each year the club announces our prestigious annual awards at the March
meeting. This year the awards were presented to the following persons:
| Harford County Lister of The Year | - | Dave Webb |
| Rookies of The Year | - | Ruth Wilsey and Glen Hedelson |
| Bird of The Year | - | Crossbills Found at Broad Creek Boy Scout Camp. |
| Distinguished Service | - | Jean Williams |
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If you admired the beautiful decorative birdhouses on the tables at March's
dinner meeting, here is a little more information about them. They were made
by Betty Swan, who does this as a hobby and sells them at the Garden Mart on
Office Street in Bel Air. The Garden Mart will be held on Friday, April 24
this year at midday. When asked, she said that she might be talked into making
one for a special order if she's not too busy. The details take hours of work.
Her phone number is 410-734-6516.
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The club is developing its partnership with the Leight Center by donating a
copy of the Breeding Bird Atlas of Maryland and the District of
Columbia for the reference library. The Executive Council is now
considering whether to use the MOS Educational Grant to donate copies of the
Atlas to county libraries.
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Earth Day will be celebrated in Havre de Grace on Saturday, April 18. We still
need volunteers to help with our display and to set up scopes on the Promenade.
Please call Larry Fry if you can help.
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Be the first on your block to get a 1998 International Migratory Bird Day
T-shirt and poster. They should be available by Earth Day on Saturday, April
18 and will be available at the May meeting. Any remaining will be sold at the
MOS Conference.
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Mr. David James Smith died on January 25. He was a member of the club in
prior years and lived at Harford Furnace. He was a retired Game Warden and was
involved in the production of nature films. Mr. Smith was a very active
member of the club in past years until his attention was diverted to the
restoration of old cars.
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Deborah Bowers is the author of an article in the March/April issue of Bird
Watcher's Digest. The article is about Maryland's first documented
Townsend's Solitaire that visited her home in the spring of 1996.
Longtime members Paul and Linda Bystrak have moved to Iowa where Paul
accepted a job offer. The Harford MOS will forever be in debt to Linda for her
outstanding efforts when the chapter hosted the 1994 MOS convention. We wish
them good luck in their new location.
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Relive days of yesteryear when the chapter takes a relaxing, charter cruise
aboard the beautiful Martha Lewis skipjack on the evening of Saturday, July 11.
This majestic vessel will leave port in Havre de Grace at 6:00 PM, sail the
northern Chesapeake Bay, and return at approximately 8:15 PM. While asea,
participants will be given demonstrations of the vessel's operations, and learn
about the ecology of the bay. We may also find several birds of the area
including swallows, Osprey, Bald Eagle, and Least Tern.
Passengers will board ship at 5:30 PM. A fee of $16 per person will be
charged, covering the charter fee and a cheese tray. Beverages will be
available, however you may bring whatever other food and/or drink that you
wish. The cruise will be held rain or shine, so remember your inclement
weather gear if warranted. In addition, you may bring a folding chair.
The cruise is limited to 28 persons. If you would like to join this fun and
educational outing, act now -- you must make your reservation NO LATER THAN
SUNDAY, MAY 3! The last time we chartered the Martha Lewis in 1996, the roster
filled up quickly and a wait list became necessary. Please call coordinator
John Nack at 410-272-7017 to register before this date, and to get meeting site
information. Then send your check made out to Harford County MOS to John Nack,
8 Cresmont Drive, Aberdeen, MD 21001-2401.
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Ask most birders, and they will tell you that spring is their favorite time of
the year. To meet the demand for field trips during this exciting season, the
committee has packed this newsletter's trip schedule with 17 field trips! There
is something for everyone to enjoy-- here are some of the highlights:
1) Fourteen trips to locations right here in Harford, covering all regions of
the county.
2) Two trips to Susquehanna State Park -- one during the peak time for many
wildflowers, and the other during the height of avian migration.
3) Three weekday trips, in direct response to the chapter survey of last year.
Each will visit the property of a club member who invites you to share in the
enjoyment of his/her backyard birds.
4) An easy canoe trip on the Bush River. The Leight Center will provide the
canoes, you just bring binoculars and a few muscles.
5) An all-day outing to Bombay Hook scheduled to coincide with the peak passage
of shorebirds.
6) Our annual evening trip at Broad Creek to listen for Whip-poor-wills and
owls.
The committee is always open to your suggestions for new locations, specialty
trips, and anything else that you would like to see. Feel free to contact the
committee chairman, Dave Webb (410-939-3537, webb@netfox.net), or any other
committee member with your ideas. See you in the field!
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you rise before 4 a.m. to see a dull brown bird that doesn't even sing well.
it takes you three hours to go get a loaf of bread at the corner store for your
spouse.
you keep a Christmas card bird list.
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Harford's Avian Visitors
Jan 23 -March 20, 1998
by Russell W. Kovach
February and March is a period of transition for Harford County's avian
visitors. It is a time when winter birds, migrants and summer residents all
could be seen depending on the weather, making these months exciting for the
bird watcher. Because of the diverse habitats available, many unusual and
interesting bird sightings are expected and indeed occur during this time
period. Here are Harford's Avian Visitors for February and March, 1998.
Harford County's proximity to the Chesapeake should make it a significant
waterfowl "hotspot," and indeed Harford County is just that, where the bay is
accessible. Dipple Creek on the Edgewood Area of Aberdeen Proving Ground is an
accessible spot that has played host to several species of duck this winter.
Highlights include Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye and Common
Merganser in addition to 28 Canvasback on January 24 (GF). The same
pond on February 7 was visited by 68 Red-breasted Mergansers and a
Great Blue Heron that has a liking for photo-ops (GF). Late February is
a time of nocturnal migration for the Tundra (Whistling) Swan. They can often
be heard shortly after nightfall but are seen only by the keen eye! Five
Tundra Swans were seen over Havre de Grace on February 12 (DW), a flock
was heard over Joppa on February 17 (RK), and a flock of 30 was seen near
Street on March 5 (DB). Canada Geese (many of which seem not to migrate
from our area) were seen moving in large flocks by Churchville on February 27
(DW), some flocks with upwards of 300 birds in them.
At Conowingo Dam, the "gull silly season" seems to have ended with the floods
of late winter, but the immature Peregrine Falcon that has called
Conowingo its home is still present and hunting Rock Doves! The Peregrine was
seen eating a dove in early February (GF), and was spotted making an aerial
speed display on February 25 (RK). A surprise was given to gull watchers on
February 15 when two Peregrine Falcons appeared at the dam and underwent about
five minutes of "aerial combat" (RB)! Speaking of falcons, a smaller cousin of
the Peregrine is the Merlin. Merlins are perhaps most often associated
with Eastern Shore fields and marshes in Maryland, but they do occur in Harford
County from time to time. One was seen at the airport on Edgewood Area APG on
March 13 (RC).
Early migrant and summer resident visitors can be expected in an unusual winter
weather-wise such as we have had this year. The Eastern Phoebe is a
locally nesting summer resident flycatcher, known to return early in warm
winters. The first report of a Phoebe this winter came from Susquehanna State
Park on February 14, near the Rock Run Mill (RC &PS). American
Woodcock, which put on an aerial mating display in mid-March, were heard
displaying as early as February 10 near Abingdon (RC), and February 26 outside
of Havre de Grace (DW). The mating display was in full swing on March 15
behind Maryland Park, just inside the Aberdeen Proving Ground main gate (RK).
A common misconception is that Harford County's only winter warbler is the
Yellow-rumped Warbler, but if the habitat is right and the weather is on the
warm side, it would not be impossible to see Palm Warblers, Pine Warblers or
maybe even Orange-crowned Warblers. A Pine Warbler was heard singing at
Broad Creek Boy Scout Camp on January 10 (RC), January 11 (DL), and again on
February 15 (RB). Along with the Pine Warbler on February 15 were 18
Red Crossbills (RB). Also in the category of winter invaders (as is the
crossbill) are Purple Finches. Purple Finches have been consistently
reported from a Havre de Grace feeder throughout February (MW & DW), and as
late as March 9 (DW). In the winter, our resident blackbirds form large flocks
with multiple species composition. It is within these flocks that rare
blackbirds such as the Yellow-headed Blackbird are seen in Harford County, and
indeed an adult maleYellow-headed Blackbird was sighted in such a flock
near Bel Air on February 11 (RB). Finally, although neither a winter invader
or a spring migrant, a Wild Turkey was heard in a yard near Street on
February 11 (DB). What a bird for one's yard list!
Harford County contains a variety of habitats for birds and many locations
accessible to bird watchers. It is because of this that the Harford's Avian
Visitors column always contains bird species that many birders across the
county might travel hundreds of miles to see! But it is important to remember
that there can be no Harford's Avian Visitors column unless Harford County MOS
members contribute to it. Please be sure to contribute your unusual, usual, or
any other sighting to the HAV column editor. For example, we would never know
that two Red-bellied Woodpeckers were ..., well, let's just say being
"very friendly" in a Havre de Grace backyard on February 15 (DW), if members
didn't submit their sightings! Submissions can be made via e-mail to
rkovac@tiger.towson.edu or through "snail mail" to 810 Falconer Road, Joppa, MD
21085. Thank you for your help and good birding!
Observers: RB - Rick Blom, DB - Deborah Bowers, RC - Rick Cheicante, GF- Greg
Futral, RK - Russell Kovack, DL - Dave Larkin, PS - Pamela Stephen, DW - Dave
Webb, MW - Marsha Webb.
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Bradenbaugh Flats
by Les Eastman
Dennis and Jean Kirkwood's hospitality was stretched to the limit as about 35
people showed up to tour the world famous Bradenbaugh Flats and partake of
homemade soup at their house. Most of the advertised birds were no-shows but
everyone had fun watching their step as we walked the pastures and fields in
search of them. The soup was great and everyone had a good time socializing
with their birding buddies.
Delaware Bay
by Les Eastman
On the morning of February 21, about a dozen Harford MOS members and students
toured the birding hotspots from Cape Henlopen to Ocean City. The day was very
windy, which had many of the birds hidden in sheltered areas rather than out
where we could see them. Despite this, we managed to see 65 species of birds
such as Common and Red-throated Loons, Great Cormorant,
all 3 scoters, Oldsquaw, Common Eider, Harlequin
Duck, Purple Sandpiper, Great Egret, and Bald Eagle.
Black Marsh Trip
By Jean Fry
Nineteen people flocked together to visit the environs of Black Marsh, Back
River, and North Point State Park. Temperatures were in the 30's; skies were
overcast with a moderate breeze. A total of 41 species was seen, including
Tundra Swan, Common Loon, Canvasback, Bufflehead,
Ruddy Duck, Bald Eagle, Tree Swallow and Fox
Sparrow. There was a virtual plethora of Lesser Scaup on Back
River, looking out from Augies' Crab House on 12th Street in Miller's Island,
estimated at anywhere from between 30,000 to 50,000. A Peregrine Falcon
monitored the ducks from the Craghill Channel Range Marker, looking out toward
Hart-Miller Island. In addition, the group saw the restored trolley station
and fountain at the site of the old Bayshore Amusement Park. A good time was
had by all.
Perryman and Swan Harbor
by Dave Webb
Eight birders began the cool, but pleasant morning of March 7 with a visit to
BG&E's Perryman Station. Within minutes of our first stop, a Pileated
Woodpecker flew over our heads and landed in a tree just twenty yards away
offering a fantastic view. Although the grassland birds that we had hoped to
find here were not present, we did find a Fox Sparrow, several Field
Sparrows, and three Eastern Phoebes. Then we moved on to Swan
Harbor Farm on the Oakington peninsula. The birds were neither numerous or
varied here, although a flock of several dozen Tundra Swans passing
overhead were a treat. In all we finished the morning with 40 species.
Oodles of Timberdoodles
by Dave Seitz
On Wednesday, March 11, we had three souls show up on this very nice evening.
It was cool and moderately windy for a March evening. We saw quite a few
American Woodcock. If you had good eyes like Dave Z. you could see many
more than I did. Even at that I saw a half dozen or more. We heard them all
over the place. It was nice to hear and see them doing their mating ritual. A
Great Horned Owl flew directly over our heads and up the road. Good
thing we were looking up. We also saw one or two Canada Geese and a few
Mourning Doves. However, we did hear Eastern Towhees, Song
Sparrows, and White-throated Sparrows. It was a successful trip.
Edgewood
by Les Eastman
On the beautiful morning of March 15, about 15 birders met at the gates of the
Edgewood Area of APG. They were treated to several thousand Lesser
Scaup and a dozen Red-breasted Mergansers on the Gunpowder River, a
Red-shouldered Hawk that turned lazy circles low over their heads,
several early returning Osprey and several Bald Eagles. About 40
species were seen by the group.
Southern Maryland Weekend
by Deborah Bowers
Eight people initially signed up for the trip, but then half had to cancel for
schedule conflicts, so the trip was canceled. The parties were very interested
in this trip and want to try it again.
John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
by Adolfo Spraily
Several club members plus quite a few students for Professor DowndeRhode's
class spent the morning of April 1 cruising I-95 looking for birds heading
north. This had to be the most well attended trip in the club's history as at
times literally hundreds of cars accompanied the leaders as they spotted such
rarities as a California Condor dining on road-killed mastodon and a
whole truckload of Jungle Fowl hitching a ride to their final
destination.
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Electronic Birding
by Les Eastman
If you have an e-mail address and haven't heard from me in the past week or so,
that means I don't have your e-mail address. I would like to include members'
e-mail addresses in the next club directory. The directory will be available
at the May meeting. So, if you haven't heard from me, send a message to
les_eastman@netfox.net so I can get your address into the directory. Hurry!
Send it now and you will receive absolutely free an electronic copy of this
newsletter and all future newsletters as well as a chance to sign up for more
fabulous prizes such as Harford County bird sightings delivered to your
e-mailbox.
I would like to start "Member's Page" on the Harford County Bird Club web site.
This page could include bird stories, poems and art by our members. If you have
some bird photography that you are proud of and would like to show the world,
I'll take that, too. I would also like to include pictures of our activities,
so if you have pictures taken at meetings or field trips I would like to use
them. I am open to suggestions for other ways to improve the web page, so let
me hear your ideas. Visit the web page at http://birdclub.harfordhasit.com.
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Here are the Harford Bird Club field trips for the next few weeks.
If you would like further information about a particular field trip,
please contact Dave Webb.
Tuesday, April 14
Mariner Point Park.
Beginner's walk at a relaxed pace in
Joppatowne park along Gunpowder River. Excellent location and season for
viewing Osprey, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Caspian Tern, and Palm Warbler. Meet at
8:30 AM at the park pavilion, south end of Kearney Drive off Joppa Farm Road.
Leader is Tom Congersky.
Sunday, April 19
Susquehanna State Park.
Enjoy the colors of spring
wildflowers in bloom and early-migrant songbirds as John Wortman
and Kit Brown lead an easy-paced morning walk along Stafford Road. Flowers
expected include Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Purple Trillium, Trout Lily, and Celandine
Poppy; the birdlist might include Blue-headed Vireo, Yellow-throated Warbler,
and Louisiana Waterthrush. Meet at 8 AM at Rock Run Mill, junction of Stafford
and Rock Run Roads.
Saturday, April 25
Pea Patch Island.
CANCELED (had been advertised in the March/April 1998 Yellowthroat).
Saturday, May 2
Broad Creek Camp.
Large tracts of coniferous and mixed
hardwood forests surrounding the beautiful Broad Creek valley make this
location near Whiteford a prime birding hotspot. Possible species include
Blue-winged Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, Hooded Warbler, and Spotted
Sandpiper. Bring snack and water for this all-morning trip; some moderate
hiking can be expected. Meet at 6:00 AM at Dublin Elementary School, located
on MD 136 just south of the intersection with MD 440. Trip leaders are Beth
Olsen (717-456-5067) and Jeff Effinger.
Sunday, May 3
West Chapel Road.
This 1.5-mile stretch of road north of
Aberdeen, passes through several types of habitat --from open farmland to
densely mixed, riparian forest. Enjoy a snail's-paced roadside walk led by
Dave Webb. Possible birds are Bobolink, White-eyed Vireo,
Broad-winged Hawk, and Prairie Warbler. Meet at 7:00 AM at the home of club
members Bob & Betty Muse, 3954 West Chapel Road at the junction with
Paradise Road (MD 462).
Wednesday, May 6
Deer Creek Farm.
New club member Richard Norling
invites you to come out for a morning birdwalk at his Darlington
horse farm. The property includes a half-mile frontage of Deer Creek.
Possible sightings include Wild Turkey, Yellow-breasted Chat, Eastern Bluebird,
and Rose-breasted Grosbeak. Meet Richard and co-leader Debbie Bowers at 7:30
AM at 3121 East Nobles Mill Road. (Directions: from MD 136, take Trappe Church
Road east. After about 2 miles, turn right onto East Nobles Mill Road. Deer
Creek Farm will be on left after 1/2 mile.)
Sunday, May 10
Susquehanna State Park.
Dave Larkin is your
guide on this morning excursion at Harford's most noted location for spring
warblers. Look and listen for Yellow-throated Warbler, Cerulean Warbler,
Black-billed Cuckoo, Wood Thrush and much more. Some hilly terrain can be
expected. Bring snack and water; all-morning trip. Meet at 7:00 AM at Rock
Run Mill, located at the junction of Rock Run and Stafford Roads. Moms
especially welcome!
Saturday, May 16
Otter Point.
Take a morning canoe trip on the Bush River,
from the Anita C. Leight Estuary Center to the marshes of Otter Point Creek.
Join Fleet Admiral Mark Johnson in search of Prothonotary Warbler, Orchard
Oriole, Least Tern, Wood Duck, and Osprey. Canoes will be provided by the
Leight Center at a special reduced rate of $3 per person. Meet at 7:00 AM at
the Leight Center, located on Otter Point Road, 1/4 mile south of US 40. Make
your reservations with Mark by Wednesday, May 13th.
Sunday, May 17
Gunpowder State Park at Sweet Air.
Leader Bill Pfingsten
will guide you on a morning journey through deciduous forests
and stream valleys, and along nearby open fields of western Harford County. A
broad variety of residents and migrants may be soon including Veery, Barred
Owl, Northern Waterthrush, and Kentucky Warbler. Moderately difficult hiking
might be encountered; in case of recent rains, bring wet footgear. Meet at
7:00 AM at Youth Benefit Elementary School, on MD 152 one half mile southeast
of Pleasantville Road.
Thursday, May 21
Jarrettsville.
Club member and wildlife rehabilitator
Debbie Delevan opens the gate to her property for the second of
our weekday outings. Along with co-leader Joanna Rawlings, come and join a
leisurely quest for such exciting backyard birds as Magnolia Warbler, Pileated
Woodpecker, and Red-shouldered Hawk. Debbie will also show you her
recuperating "patients". Meet at 9:00 AM at 3504 Advocate Hill Drive. (Take
Jarrettsville Road east from the MD 165 intersection; take first right onto
Dulaney; then first right onto Advocate Hill.)
Saturday, May 23
Muddy Run.
Over 3000 total acres of prime birding habitat
in Lancaster County, PA along the Susquehanna River that have attracted over
250 species of birds in just the last 25 years. Among the many possible
sightings are Blue Grosbeak, Eastern Meadowlark, Prairie Warbler, and Brown
Thrasher. Trip leader is Muddy Run expert June Vaughn. 3/4-day
trip with some moderate hiking, bring lunch. Meet at 7:00 AM at the Conowingo
Visitors Center, located on US 1 just west of the dam.
Sunday, May 24
Oriole and Eagle Watch.
Meet real Baltimore Orioles and scan
for Bald Eagles at Conowingo Dam. Other candidate species on this morning trip
include Prothonotary Warbler, Warbling Vireo, and Pileated Woodpecker. Meet at
8:00 AM at Fisherman's Park observation deck. Trip leader is Les Eastman.
Monday, May 25
Upper Deer Creek Valley.
Dennis Kirkwood leads
his annual Memorial Day field trip along the banks of Deer Creek, finishing at
the world-famous Bradenbaugh Flats. Likely species include Horned Lark,
Grasshopper Sparrow, Willow Flycatcher, and Worm-eating Warbler. Meet at 7:00
AM at Hidden Valley, north end of Madonna Road. Easy walking expected.
Saturday, May 30.
Bombay Hook NWR.
Located less than 90 minutes away from
Havre de Grace, Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge is one of the top birding
sites in North America. Over 260 species of birds have been recorded here.
This is a choice opportunity for the beginner and expert alike to see a wide
range of species including Ring-necked Pheasant, Wilson's Phalarope, Snowy
Egret and Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow. Meet leaders Rich Cheicante and Dave Larkin
at 6:30 AM, at the former Ames store on US 40 between Aberdeen
and Havre de Grace. All-day, with minimal walking; bring water, lunch,
sunscreen, and insect repellent.
Sunday May 31.
Palmer State Park.
Harford's often overlooked and only
undeveloped state park straddles Deer Creek just northwest of Churchville.
Good area for spotting Swainson's Thrush, Cooper's Hawk, Spotted Sandpiper, and
Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Moderate hiking on possibly unimproved trails. Meet at
7:30 AM at the Darlington & Dublin VFW, located along the north side of US
1, 1/3 mile southwest of MD 136. Leaders are Phil Powers and Dave Seitz.
Friday, June 5
Whips and Hoots.
Annual favorite trip to the northeastern
corner of the county to listen for (and perhaps see!) nocturnal Whip-poor-wills
and owls. Meet at 7:45 PM at Dublin Elementary School, located on MD 136 just
south of the intersection with MD 440. Call leaders Larry and Jean Fry
for further information.
Saturday, June 13
Huntley Meadows.
This oasis of wildlife in densely
populated Northern Virginia is breeding ground for such suburban rarities as
Least Bittern, King Rail, and Yellow-crowned Night-Heron. A stop at nearby
Woodbridge will attempt to find Mississippi Kites seen here for the last three
summers. Bring lunch, repellent, and sunscreen for this 3/4-day trip with easy
walking. Meet at 7:00 AM at the MD 152 & I-95 Park & Ride. Leader is
Randy Robertson.
Wednesday, June 17
Bowers Farm.
Leader Debbie Bowers rolls
out the welcome mat to her Street residence for an unprecedented weekday,
evening birdwalk. Search hardwood forest and margins for possible Hooded
Warbler, Scarlet Tanager, Wild Turkey and Barred Owl. Expect some moderately
hilly terrain. Meet at 5:45 PM at the Forest Hill Klein's, intersection of MD
23 and MD 24.
Saturday, June 27
Eden Mill & Kilgore Falls.
Morning trip to two popular
Harford County parks. Meet at 6:30 a.m. at Eden Mill Nature Center. The
leaders are Russ Kovach and Dave Powell.
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The warbler migration is almost upon us, and with it comes the annual Spring
Migration Bird Count, a.k.a. the May Count. This well organized bird count
will take place all across the United States on Saturday, May 9, and is
coordinated out of Maryland! Because of this, it is important for the members
of the Harford MOS to put in a good showing. Groups will be divided up by ADC
map block numbers, and feeder watchers or small area watchers are also needed.
Group leaders, group participants, feeder watchers, and anybody else interested
in participating in the May Count are very much in need. For more information,
please contact Russell Kovach, evenings at 410-679-0535, as soon as possible.
Good birding, and see you all on May 9!
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Please return to Barbara Siebens, P.O. Box 68, Pylesville, MD 21132-0068
by Wednesday, April 22, 1998.
__________ Number of adults ( at $10.00 each )
__________ Number of children 12 and under ( at $6.00 each )
Please make checks payable to Harford County MOS.
_______________________________
Print your name(s)
Include address and phone number if you would like transportation to the meeting.
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
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Please send any comments to Les Eastman.
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