Volume 12 Number 5

April 1999

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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

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CONTENTS

Shorebirds and Horseshoe Crabs
Officer Elections
Club Awards
Volunteers Needed
MOS Education Grants
Bird Club 50^th Anniversary Celebration
Calendar of Events
Opportunities Available
Membership Directories
1999 Spring Migration Bird Count
Sail Aboard the Skipjack Martha Lewis
Harford's Avian Visitors
Field Trip Reports
HARFORD CHAPTER - MOS FIELD TRIPS APRIL - JUNE 1999
Dinner Meeting Reservation Form

Our speaker at the May 7 dinner meeting will be Dr. Ben Poscover, a retired educator from the Baltimore County Public Schools. Dr. Poscover is a graduate of West Virginia University and the University of Maryland. He was a Secondary Science Supervisor in the Baltimore County Schools and has served on various MOS committees and also directed the MOS Junior Nature Camp. The program, "Horseshoe Crabs, Shorebirds, and the Delaware Bay" was developed as a presentation for science teachers.

The dinner will be held on Friday, May 7 at 6:15 PM at Churchville Presbyterian Church located at the intersection of MD 22 and MD 136. The dinner reservation form is located on page 9 of the newsletter. Please remember that we need a minimum of 50 dinner reservations to continue having these meetings at the church. The business meeting and program start at about 7 PM for those who do not wish to attend the dinner.

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The Nominations Committee reported at the March dinner meeting. My thanks to Jean Wheeler and to Mark Johnson for volunteering to seek out new officers for the new term. The following officers were approved for a two-year term at the dinner meeting.

The next newsletter will feature a profile of the newly elected President Debbie Delevan.

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Each year the club announces our prestigious awards at the March meeting. This year the awards were presented to the following persons:

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Earth Day will be celebrated in Havre de Grace on Saturday, April 17. We need volunteers to help with our display and to set up scopes on the Promenade. Please call Larry Fry if you can help with the display or Dave Webb if you can help with a scope.

We continue to seek a volunteer to relieve Les Eastman as Newsletter editor. Please call Larry Fry or Les if you are interested.

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The bird club has received MOS education grants over the past two years which were used to purchase copies of the Breeding Bird Atlas of Maryland and the District of Columbia. As a result of these grants, eight copies were donated to the Harford County Public Library, one copy was donated to the Harford County Historical Society, and one copy to Harford Glen Outdoor Education Center.

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The committee preparing for the bird club's 50^th anniversary is requesting submissions from anyone with old photographs or documents pertaining to bird club events. It would probably be best if copies were submitted as we might not be able to guarantee return of the photographs or documents. Please send your submissions to Carol Flora, 315 Tareyton Court, Bel Air MD 21014.

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We have received requests for persons to do birding/nature related jobs in our community. Please respond directly if you are interested.

WAMD radio is seeking a person to do birding/nature related reports. Please call Dennis Hill at 410-272-4400 if interested.

Karen's Natural Products in Havre de Grace is seeking a person or persons to lead birding and/or nature related trips. Please call Karen Dix at 410-378-4621 if interested.

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A directory of all current members of the Harford Bird Club will be available at the May meeting. This directory contains the name, address, phone number and e-mail address of each member. If you have not sent your e-mail address to Les Eastman and would like it included in the directory, please send a message to Les at les_eastman@netfox.net.

If you can not attend the meeting but would like a directory, contact Les at 410-734-6969 or by e-mail.

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Last year's Spring Migration Bird Count was held on May 9, 1998, a thoroughly rainy, misty, wet, and cold day! This year will have to be better (it couldn't be worse!). This year's May Count is scheduled for May 8. We will have 24 hours to cover as much of Harford County as possible, and as thoroughly as possible. As in years past, counting territories will be divided up by ADC map block numbers. 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 should contact Russ Kovach by April 15 in order to assure that all territories will be covered. For any further information, please call 410-679-0535 or e-mail to rkovac1@tiger.towson.edu. Thanks, and good birding!

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Ahoy, mateys! Reservations are now being accepted for the club's July 10 charter cruise of the Skipjack Martha Lewis, the last oyster boat to fish commercially, under sail, in the United States. This majestic vessel will leave its dock in Havre de Grace for an evening cruise of the beautiful Susquehanna Flats. While on board, passengers will learn about the ship's history and operations, and also about the ecology of the Chesapeake. We may also find several 'aquatic' birds, including swallows, Purple Martin, Osprey, and Bald Eagle.

Passengers will board ship at 6:00 PM, leave port at 6:30 PM, and return at approximately 8:30 PM. The $16.50 fee per person includes a cheese tray and beverages, however you are welcome to bring additional food and/or drink. The cruise will take place rain or shine, so remember to bring inclement weather gear if warranted.

This trip is limited to 28 persons. Last summer's cruise was filled to capacity and a wait list became necessary. If you would like to join this fun and educational outing, act now -- reservations must be made by Sunday, May 2! Please call coordinator Bill McIntosh before this date at 410-734-6517 to register and receive meeting site information. Checks should be made out to Harford County MOS, then sent to Bill's address at 204 White Thorn Way, Churchville, MD 21028-1325.

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There are many sayings that portray the feeling. "What goes up, must come down", "what goes around comes around", and "the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away" strike me as the most pertinent in this case. What I am addressing of course is the Slaty-backed Gull that may (or may not) have visited Conowingo Dam through most of February. This east-Asian bird was spotted in the first week of February, and remained long enough to be seen by many birders from throughout Maryland (and perhaps the rest of the east coast!). Hundreds of birders at a time crowded the catwalk at the dam, possibly setting the state record for most spotting scopes in one place at one time (somebody should seriously check this out!). Only two things could have calmed the rush of life-listers that attacked Conowingo, and both events did in fact occur. Reports of the gull slowed towards the end of February, and were non-existent by mid-march. The disappearance of the Slaty-backed certainly slowed the Conowingo "gull rush" of '99. But to make matters worse, it has been determined that the bird may not really be a Slaty-backed Gull at all! The current hypothesis is that this bird (like the Kelp Gull frequenting southern Maryland) is probably a hybrid between the Slaty-backed and some other gull. While we're waiting for the MD records committee to make a final decision on the identity of our gull, let's look at other Harford Avian Visitors for February and March, 1999.

On the subject of the Conowingo gull rush of '99, it should be noted that the bird-miners were able to chisel out several other great gull species. California Gulls have made appearances this year at the dam, including a third-winter bird on February 7 and a second-winter example February 21 (RB). Thayer's Gulls have also been sporadically reported, dates including February 7 and February 21 (RB + GS), and on February 28 (RC + DL). "White-winged" gulls are always exciting to see, and many did see an Iceland Gull ubiquitously through February and March, and a Glaucous Gull was reported on February 7 (RB). A Bonaparte's Gull on February 21 added flavor to the mining expedition, as did two Peregrine Falcons that fed on the ever-present Rock Dove (RB + GS). Finally, Lesser Black-backed Gulls have made many birders' acquaintance in February and March at Conowingo, only really being highlighted when none were found on February 21!

As fewer and fewer were striking it rich at Conowingo in March, birders began to turn their attention to other locations throughout Harford County. A pair of birders (MH + DL) reported a pair of Rough-legged Hawks at Perryman on March 7, both in addition to two Ruddy Ducks and the 25 Common Snipe that remained to be also seen on March 12 (DW + RK). Three Tree Swallows visited Woodrest Creek on APG March 7 (DW), the same day that a Fox Sparrow and three Ring-necked Ducks were discovered near Lake Mitten (J & LF). On March 10, other birders on post witnessed three Osprey that apparently were collecting nest material, in addition to many Tree Swallows (GR-P, JK, and RBe). The Tree Swallows were actually located off post at a small "swamp" were routes 40 and 24 meet, and have been reported as early as March 7 (MH + DL), and still remained March 20 (JK + GR-P). That day (March 20) was also to play host to an American Wigeon at P

On March 9, fields in Susquehanna State Park harbored nine Eastern Meadowlarks awaiting the arrival of spring (DP). March 14, one week before spring, winter let Harford County know that it is in fact still winter by dumping 6 inches of snow. This snow reminder was heeded by a group of American Pipits that must have felt that it was not yet time to head north. The Pipits visited the meadowlark field on March 19 (DP). Of course, that was the final day of winter, so spring migrants are now free to travel! A massive flock of Tundra Swans knew what season it was on March 20; at least 175 birds flew over Joppa that evening (RK)! Two Eastern Phoebes also realized that spring has arrived, visiting Rock Run Mill on March 20 (DL). Also on March 20, two Wood Ducks and four Fox Sparrows were at Cool Spring (KF). Certainly these early spring sightings are just a small peek at what is to come. Please be sure to report these sightings for the Harford's Avian Visi

OBSERVERS: (RBe) Ralph Benck, (RB) Rick Blom, (RC) Rick Cheicante, (KF) Kevin Fehskens, (J&LF) Jean and Larry Fry, (MH) Matt Haffner, (JK) John Kineke, (RK) Russ Kovach, (DL) Dave Larkin, (DP) Dave Powell, (GR-P) Glenn Randers-Pehrson, (GS) Gene Scarpula, (DW) Dave Webb.

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On February 6, five Harford birders trekked down to the coast to see the many species of waterfowl and whatever else was in the area. At Silver Lake in Rehobeth, DE, there were many Canvasbacks and over 20 Redheads. Two of the resident Monk Parakeets posed for us on a utility pole. The best stop was at the Ocean City Inlet where we had terrific close-up looks at 10 Harlequin Ducks. Also seen were both loons, Common Eider, Purple Sandpiper, and all 3 scoters. A stop at Port Mahon Road on the way home allowed a Short-eared Owl to put on a show as it cruised back and forth in front of us. A total of 72 species was seen on the trip.

On the brisk frosty morning of Wednesday, February 10, nine birders took a nice walk on this property which borders Deer Creek off Route 1. Temperatures were in the upper 20's, so it was a good morning for a walk. Birds were few and far between. The noise of the creek combined with a lack of undercover seems to be the reason for the paucity. We had a total of 12 species--notable ones were Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk and Brown Creeper. For those of you who do not know, this property was purchased by the Harford Land Trust and then deeded over to Palmer State Park which it adjoins. Access is from US Route 1 about 1/4 mile east of the Deer Creek Bridge. There is a plaque for the Stifler family on a large boulder above an abandoned cabin along the trail. This area provides an excellent one hour walk with beautiful scenery.

On Saturday, February 27, nine birders scanned the waters of the Patapsco River from the grounds of Fort Howard VA Hospital. Visible from the there were numerous Canvasbacks, Lesser Scaup, Common Goldeneye, and Double-crested Cormorant. We then hiked the trail at North Point State Park, which was not very productive--except for a very cooperative Hermit Thrush which was seen but not heard in the woods, a probable Marsh Wren at the edge of the marsh which was heard but not seen, and a Ruby-crowned Kinglet. An estimated 3,000 to 5,000 Ruddy Ducks were on Back River, looking out from Augie's Crab House on 12th Street in Miller's Island. Here there were also good numbers of Canvasback and Lesser Scaup. Noticeably absent were Belted Kingfisher, Great Blue Heron and Bald Eagle. A total of 40 species was seen which was the same number as last year!

While several hardy individuals showed up, the steady rain discouraged us from doing any walking. However, through the car windows Phil Powers and I enjoyed watching many Song Sparrows feeding in the field at Falling Branch, and then enjoyed a slow drive back to Eden Mill along the scenic Falling Branch and Red Bridge Roads. We saw evidence of beavers in Falling Branch.

Three brave souls strutted out this evening, March 3, to look and listen for woodcock between rain drops. Believe it our not, no rain while we were standing in the wind trying to listen. Lucky for us, Dave Webb has great hearing - he heard then and pointed out the correct 'peent' sound of communication and whistling sounds the timberdoodles make while flying. As luck would have it, we had two or three woodcock fly directly over us. Many others were flying but you needed night vision goggles (or good eyes) to see. We relied on our seeing eye dog, Dave Webb, to find them. Not much else was evident. We heard one goose and a few White-throated Sparrows. Still, it was a successful trip.

On March 13, four birders (finally) found each other at the Muddy Run reverse-pumping station for a tour of some of Lancaster and York Counties' birding hotspots. In addition to some fantastic birding, guest leader Enn Kotkas discussed natural and human history of the region to make this a truly educational trip. Bird highlights included Bald Eagle, Common Merganser, a few Snow Geese (approximately 500!), and a beautiful pair of Ring-necked Pheasants that put on an unbeatable modeling display.

Adiverse group of twenty birders, including two each from the Cecil and Baltimore Chapters, and 3 CMW students met for a morning trip at the Edgewood Area of APG. We started out overlooking the Gunpowder River where there were a few hundred scattered Lesser Scaup and Ruddy Ducks. The only oddities noted on the river were a distant pair of Mute Swans, and a seemingly out-of-habitat drake Wood Duck.

The trip ended with a nice walk in the "Pines" area between Canal Creek and Riordan Inlet. It did not take long before we came upon the first of several Pine Warblers, one of our target species. We later had good looks at other birds including Eastern Bluebird, both kinglets, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Gray Catbird, and American Tree Sparrow. By morning's end, we had tallied a very satisfying 54 species.

On this April 1 trip, at my request so that he could spot the birds for us, Dave Webb was kind enough to agree to position himself outside the sub. Dave, who has his novice license in Morse code, tapped his sightings on the hull of the sub. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank my husband for the use of his wet suit. It fit Dave perfectly.

Unfortunately, the only available viewing spot inside the vessel was at the sub's escape hatch. Consequently, since the hatch opening could only handle one birder at a time, there were several ugly pile ups when the "good" birds were tapped/sighted.

Most every one of the trip survivors agreed that in the event of another sub trip, it would be a good idea to include some sort of viewing glass in addition to the escape hatch. Also, if you're lucky enough to make the trip next year, be sure to take substantial rain gear along.

An additional glitch occurred when several dozen of the 423 birders in the submarine were afflicted with Rapture of the Deep. Upon completion of the bird count, all sick birders were rushed to the Aberdeen Proving Grounds where compassionate corpsmen placed them in an oxygen tank. They should be out within the next 24 hours. A spokesperson later stated that, with the exception of three Harfordians that suffered the bends, the majority of stricken birders would hopefully recover with no permanent damage.

Since all the target birds were seen (only Chessie was missed), Dave is hoping for an even larger turnout next year.

In spite of everything, most of the participants agreed that they'd never had a more productive and enjoyable bird trip. A proposal has been made to make this HCBC's signature annual birding experience.

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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.

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Dinner Meeting Reservation Form


Please return to Barbara Siebens, P.O. Box 68, Pylesville, MD 21132-0068 
by Wednesday, April 28, 1999.

                __________ 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.

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                         Print your name(s)

Include address and phone number if you would like transportation to the meeting.
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