Volume 13 Number 2
|
October 1999
|
Found an injured raptor?
Contact Debbie Delevan of Chesapeake Birds of Prey, Inc.
Phone: (410) 692-9305
Fax: (410) 692-2765
E-mail: raptors@bellatlantic.net
CONTENTS
Harford Chapter to Celebrate 50th Anniversary
Late Dues
Welcome New Members:
Volunteers Needed
Calendar of Events
Field Trip Reports
HARFORD CHAPTER - MOS FIELD TRIPS OCTOBER 1999 - JANUARY 2000
DINNER RESERVATION FORM
The Harford Chapter MOS would like to cordially
invite you a special dinner meeting to celebrate its 50 years of
birding in Harford County. The meeting will be held on Friday,
November 5th, 1999 at the Churchville Presbyterian Church
located at the intersection of MD Route 22 and MD Route 136. The
dinner reservation is included in the newsletter, plus a special
invitation insert is intended for members to invite a guest to this
event. We are encouraging all members to attend, plus invite that
special friend to get involved with our bird club. A wonderful program
of fun, games, food, and a trip down memory lane is planned for this
eventful night. The agenda is as follows:
5:45 Social Mixer... Meet the birders! Special
games and refreshments served.
6:15 Dinner (RSVP required .. Send in dinner
reservation form by October 27th.)
7:30 Raffle and Announcements. Acknowledgment of
honored guests and past presidents.
8:00 Guest Speaker: Chandler Robbins Slide/lecture
program.
8:45 Answers to trivia questions...Have fun!. Who
will be the big winner?
9:00 Adjournment
The Harford Bird Club would like to see 100%
participation from our members. We are expecting a record breaking
crowd .... so if there is someone from the club who has not been to a
meeting in a long time or needs their interest renewed, please make an
effort for them to attend this special event. A phone call or visit
would be nice, for that extra touch, to invite them to celebrate 50
years of birding with us and rekindle that spirit which keeps us all
connected.
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If you have not already paid your dues for the
1999-2000 membership year, they are now past due. The envelope form
was in the August newsletter. If you need a new form please contact
Carole Vangrin at 838-1921. Please send your dues to: Joyce Gorsuch,
104 Victoria Court, North East, Maryland 21901.
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John Hughes, Larry Saylor & Richard Hagenston.
Welcome and hope your birding experiences with the Harford MOS will be
exciting and memorable.
Hope to see you afield!
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Discussions from our club members indicate that we
need to form a Marketing Committee. This committee will be responsible
for press releases, scouting out new places and events to encourage
membership, new ideas for social gatherings and fund-raising. The
Marketing Committee will meet twice a year to discuss upcoming events
and new avenues to inform the public about club activities. If you
would like to be part of this committee, please call Debbie Delevan at
(410) 692-9305.
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| November 5 | Special Dinner Meeting to celebrate 50th anniversary at Churchville Presbyterian Church at 5:45 PM. RSVP & send in dinner reservation form no later than October 27th. |
| November 22 | Deadline to submit Harford bird reports to Russ Kovach for December newsletter. Send to Russ Kovach, 810 Falconer Road, Joppatowne, MD 21085. |
| November 24 | Deadline for submitting articles for the December newsletter to Debbie Delevan at 3504 Advocate Hill Dr. Jarrettsville, MD 21084 Fax: (41O) 692-2765 E-mail: raptors@bellatlantic.net |
| December 30 | Christmas Bird Count. Annual Audubon Rock Run Christmas count. Participants must register with Russ Kovach and a $5.00 fee is required. Call Russ at (410) 679-0535. |
| January 7 | Harford MOS meeting at Churchville Presbyterian Church at 7:00 PM. No dinner will be served at this meeting. |
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Potluck Shorebirds, August 21
by Dennis Kirkwood
Eight birders went in search of interesting
shorebirds and other avian life to the coast of Delaware. Thanks to a
rain the night before more water was at Bombay Hook than had been
expected. We also found viewing to be very good at Woodland Beach, an
area north of Bombay Hook on Route 9 that had lots of shorebirds at
very close range. We found 18 species of shorebirds including
Marbled Godwit, White-rumped Sandpiper, and
Stilt Sandpiper. Three Clapper Rails were very visible
for at least ten minutes. A fly-by Merlin and a family of
Marsh Wrens also were cooperative for the participants. 65
species was the total for the day.
Rocks State Park
by Harold Boling Jr.
Four of us went out on a nice Saturday morning for
a walk through Rocks State Park and enjoyed a great field trip. We
found a total of 47 species including Yellow-billed Cuckoo,
Barn Swallow, Bank Swallow, Tree Swallow,
Rough-winged Swallow, Eastern Phoebe and four warbler
species - Blackpoll, Prairie, Black-throated
Green and Cape May. We ended our stay atop the King and
Queen seat looking for hawks and we were able to find Northern
Harrier, Cooper's, Sharp-shinned, Red-tailed,
American Kestrel and Osprey. We found an abundance of
Broad-winged Hawks forming kettles all along the
horizon, as well as one directly over our heads. Our best two birds
were an adult Bald Eagle in the fields on Holy Cross Road and a
Rough-legged Hawk in the kettle that formed right over top of
us.
Fall Count Summary
by Matt Hafner
John Ball joined me for the Harford County Fall
Count on Sept. 18. Our itinerary included Harford Glen, Bosley
Conservancy, Edgewood Arsenal, Perryman, Tydings Park, Aldino Sod
Farm, Conowingo and Susquehanna SP. We were treated to 95 species
throughout the day. Some highlights were: Least Flycatcher and
Little Blue Heron at Harford Glen, Philadelphia Vireo at
Bosley Conservancy, Red-breasted Nuthatches at Edgewood
Arsenal, Savannah Sparrows and Bobolinks at Perryman,
Black-bellied Plover and Common Tern at Tydings, and, at
Susquehanna, Merlin, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher and
Common Merganser. A personal highlight was a kettle of 136
Broad-winged Hawks at Susquehanna in the evening.
Conowingo Dam
by Rick Cheicante
Nicer weather greeted our group which met at
Conowingo Dam on Saturday, Aug. 7. This local "dog days of summer"
trip was set-up to combine the wonderful "science of birding" with the
aesthetic "art of butterflying". And it worked out very well! We had
43 bird species to include Great Black-backed Gull, Caspian
Terns, Pectoral Sandpiper, Spotted Sandpiper,
both orioles, lots of swallows, and a Blue-headed
Vireo. Of our 15 butterfly species, we had most of the local
swallowtails, Great Spangled Fritillary, Silvery
Checkerspot, Red-banded Hairstreak, Hayhurst's
Scallopwing, Wild Indigo Duskywing, and many Zabulon
Skippers.
The trip was fantastic for what could have been a
tough August morning. The sunlight position is a little difficult for
morning shore birding but still can be done. I think all participants
enjoyed very much the seamless transitions between birds and
butterflies as we meandered a short distance down the Conowingo path.
Hope to see all afield.
Tydings Park
by Randy Robertson
Had several folks show up for the field trip. Birds
were miserable! Saw Bald Eagles and Common Terns at
Tydings Park. Black-crowned Night-Heron and Spotted
Sandpiper at Conowingo. Those were the highlights. We were going
to try a spot over in Edgewood, but Tom Congersky had scouted it out a
couple of days before and hadn't seen anything of note so we didn't go
there.
Harford Glen
by Dave Seitz
Five individuals reported for duty at the Harford
Glen Field Trip. This mid-week morning was beautiful. Birds were not
showing themselves in all their splendor but we still managed to see
22 species. Since I have never seen a Blue Grosbeak at Harford Glen, I
didn't expect to see one this day. However, John Wortman spotted one
Rose-breasted Grosbeak sitting close enough that
everyone could get a good look at it. Other great birds, in my
opinion, were: the Wood Duck, the Little Blue
Herons, and the Green Heron. The hour and a half that we
spent there was a good way to get the fall started.
Eden Mill Nature Center
by Mary Procell
Seven birders enjoyed the beautiful weather as they
traipsed the trails of Eden Mill Nature Center on Sunday, August 29th.
Among the first sightings near the picnic pavilion
were Cedar Waxwings and Ruby-throated Hummingbird.
Belted Kingfisher, White-breasted Nuthatch,
titmice, chickadees, flycatcher, Eastern
Phoebes, and more hummingbirds were seen along the water as
participants worked their way up to the meadow. Northern
Flicker, Red-bellied and Pileated Woodpeckers
were both seen and heard.
A walk along the edge of the woods produced
cardinals, Carolina Wrens, and a Brown Thrasher.
Further in the woods, the group caught glimpses of both
Red-eyed and White-eyed Vireo. A Common
Yellowthroat made a brief appearance in the meadow, but no
Eastern Bluebirds were seen until we returned to the parking
lot where one was seen briefly hovering over the grass. A total of 32
species were seen on this pleasant morning trip.
Hart-Miller Island
by Matt Hafner
Three Harford County birders traveled to Hart-
Miller Island to join Gene Scarpulla and many others for a day of
birding on the island. The trip produced all of the target birds with
an excellent view of a Buff-breasted Sandpiper, good views of 4
White-rumped Sandpipers, and 5 Baird's Sandpipers at
fairly close range.
Other notable birds were Stilt Sandpipers,
many Western Sandpipers, Lesser Scaup, Northern
Shoveler, and both Blue-winged and Green-winged
Teal. An early Palm Warbler was also a nice treat. In all
about 60 species were tallied.
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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
Russ Kovach.
October 9, Saturday.
Picnic
2:00. Annual Club Picnic located on Capa Field Aberdeen Proving
Grounds.
October 13, Wednesday.
Elbow Branch.
Join us for a leisurely walk at this seldom visited and very
productive portion of Susquehanna State Park. Yellow-bellied
Sapsucker, Lincoln's Sparrow and Brown Creeper may make appearances
during this morning trip with easy hiking. Meet at 8:00 AM at Deer
Creek Harmony Presbyterian Church, MD 161 and Harmony Church Road. For
further information, contact leader Russ Kovach, evenings at (410)
679-0535.
Saturday, October 17, 1999.
Swan Harbor Farms.
Journey through the open grasslands and bayside pasture of this newly
acquired Harford County park for field birds, sparrows, and waterfowl.
Meet at 8:00 AM at the Roye-Williams Elementary School, on Oakington
Road just south of Old Post Road (route 132). For information contact
leader Glen Hedelson at 410-836-9355.
Saturday, October 23, 1999.
Waggoner's Gap Hawk Watch.
Late October is a great time of year to see Red-tailed Hawks, Merlin,
and Golden Eagles migrate though central Pennsylvania. Join esteemed
hawkwatcher Charlie Gant as he points these and other great migrating
raptors out from the outlook at Waggoner's Gap. Meeting time is 7:30
AM at the Jarrettsville Elementary School (Route 23, just north of the
blinking light at Route 146). Information is available from Russ
Kovach at 410-679-0535. A Sunday, October 24 rain date has been set in
the event of inclimate weather.
Saturday, October 30, 1999.
A Day on the Delaware Bay.
Join Rick Cheicante for an all day autumn tour of The Hook and other
Delaware Bay hot spots from Delaware City south to Little Creek.
Potential quarry include American Bittern, Rough-legged Hawk, and a
few Snow Geese. Please pack a lunch and don your scope if you have
one. Rick can be contacted at 410-803-2712, and plans to leave from
the 1-95 exit 89 Park & Ride (on Route 155) at 7:00 AM.
Saturday, November 6, 1999.
The Harford Waterfowl Tour!
Don't miss this perennial favorite as Dave Webb travels to the County
20 best spots for viewing waterfowl. Among the potential swimming game
are Northern Shoveler, Oldsquaw, or perhaps even a scoter or two. Meet
Dave at 6:30 AM at the Rod & Gun Club in the Edgewood area of APG,
at the south end of Maryland Route 24. He can be contacted at
410-939-3537.
Sunday, November 7, 1999.
Eden Mill and Kilgore Falls.
Hike both hill and dale at Eden Mill, a county park between
Jarrettsville and Pylesville that has both beautiful scenery and great
birding. Old Mill and calm water on Deer Creek can be experienced at
Eden Mill. Hermit Thrush, Swamp Sparrow, and Red-shouldered Hawks all
call this park home and are likely to be encountered on this trip. A
side trip to Kilgore Fails, Maryland's second largest waterfall is
included, located several miles South of Eden Mill. Meet leader
Deborah Bowers at 7:15 AM in the Eden Mill parking lot (Eden Mill
Road, 1/4 mile west of Fawn Grove Road). Deb can be contacted at
410-692-9741.
Saturday, November 13, 1999.
Cecil County Night Life.
Head across the border for a sample of Cecil County wildlife. Owls
will be the quarry for this jaunt to Elk Neck State Park. Expected to
join the party are Eastern Screech, Barred, and Saw-whet Owls. Trip
will leave for the border at 5:30 PM from the Havre de Grace Acme
Plaza (comer of Route 40 and Lewis Lane). For more information on this
hootin' good time contact the coordinator Carol Nemeth at
410-939-1485.
Sunday, November 14, 1999.
Eastern Neck NWR.
Leaders Jean and Larry Fry will guide you through this all-day trek to
this wildlife refuge in Kent County. Eastern Neck provides fantastic
opportunities to see waterfowl, with Horned Grebe, Tundra Swans, and
Canvasback all likely to be encountered. Be sure to dress warmly and
scopes could be useful. Jean and Larry can be contacted at
410-452-8539 and plan to leave from the I-95 exit 89 Park & Ride
(on MD Route 155) at 7:00 AM.
Wednesday, November 17, 1999.
Swan Harbor Farms II: A Midweek Story.
A leisurely walk at this Harford County park can likely stir up some
great field birds, including Savannah Sparrow, Horned Lark, Eastern
Meadowlark, and perhaps even a Vesper Sparrow. Participants should
plan on meeting at the Roye-Williams Elementary School at 8:00 AM on
Oakington Road, just south of the stop light at the intersection of
Oakington and Route 132. Leader Joe Vangrin can be contacted at
410-838-1921.
Saturday, November 20, 1999.
Loch Raven Reservoir.
A morning tour of Baltimore City's most beautiful property in search
for pine-loving passerines and waterfowl. Likely to be seen are
Red-breasted Nuthatches, Ring-necked Duck, and maybe even a Pine
Warbler. Meet leader Barbara Meserve at Youths Benefit Elementary
School at 8:00 AM. The leader can be reached at 410-877-7331.
Saturday, November 27, 1999.
Conowingo Dam.
Visit John Wortman as he leads a trip to this well-known hotspot in
search of Golden Eagles, Lesser Black-backed Gulls, and Black-crowned
Night-Herons. Meet at the base of the dam at Fisherman's Park, east
end of Shures Landing Road. John can be contacted at 410-939-3146.
Saturday, December 4, 1999.
Broad Creek Scout Camp.
Pines in the winter are a great place to seen northern finches, and in
Harford County there are few places with as many large pine trees as
Broad Creek. Potential avian visitors include Purple Finch, Pine
Siskin, and the elusive Red Crossbill. Meeting time will be 8:00 AM at
the Dublin Market, corner of Maryland Routes 136 and 440. For further
information contact coordinator Russ Kovach at 410-679-0535.
Saturday, December 11, 1999.
Jersey Shore.
An all day excursion to two birding hot-spots along the famous New
Jersey coastline. A stop at Barnegat Light could provide such local
rarities as Harlequin Duck and Northern Gannet, while the drive
through Brigantine NWR will likely yield Peregrine Falcon in addition
to many others. Meet leader Russ Kovach (410-697-0535) at 6:00 AM at
the Rt. 155/1-95 exit 89 Park & Ride. Scopes could be helpful
& dress warmly. A short lunch break will be included at a
convenience store.
Thursday, December 30, 1999.
Rock Run Christmas Bird Count.
The 28th Annual Rock Run Christmas Bird Count at Rock Run
Mill in Susquehanna State Park. Contact Russ Kovach (410) 697-0535 to
register for this special event.
Saturday, January 8, 2000.
Ninth Annual Feeder Tour.
This morning trip will tour two bird-feeder establishments in
northwestern Harford County. From the meeting location we will car
pool to our first host's house and roost in a warm spot where the
feeders are visible. Roughly an hour later we will migrate to a second
host's house to take in the change of scenery. Participation is
limited to 15 birders, so please be sure to contact coordinator Lorna
Wortman at 410-939-3146 to get meeting times and locations. In the
case of inclement weather, this trip will be postponed to Saturday,
January 15.
Sunday, January 16, 2000.
Pot Luck Birding Adventure.
Join leaders Dave Webb and Matt Hafner on a go-where-the-birds-are
field trip. Location will be announced by the leaders close to the
trip date, and the quarry will be anything with feathers. For further
information please call Dave at 410-939-3537.
Sunday, January 23, 2000.
Conowingo Gull Watch.
There is no better place nearby to see those difficult to identify
gulls than the Conowingo Hydroelectric Dam. This mostly stationary
trip could provide a chance to see some of Maryland's rarer gulls,
including Iceland, Glaucous, and Lesser Black-backed Gull. Coordinator
Dave Powell can fill you in with the details at 410-452-5806. Meet at
the base of the dam at 8:00 AM. Be sure to dress warm and scopes could
be helpful.
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Dinner Reservation Form November 5 Anniversary Special
Please return to Barbara Siebens, P.O. Box 68, Pylesville, MD 21132-0068
by Wednesday, October 27, 1999.
__________ Number of adults ( at $11.00 each )
__________ Number of children 12 and under ( at $7.00 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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