Volume 13 Number 7

August 2000

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Found an injured raptor?
Contact Debbie Saylor

Phone: (410) 692-9305
Fax: (410) 692-2765
E-mail: raptors@bellatlantic.net

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CONTENTS

Harford Bird Club to Dine Alfresco!
2000 - 01 Membership
The President's Perch
Calendar of Events
Summer Social "2000"
New Members
Harford's "Letter to the Aegis"
HARFORD TO HOST MOS STATE BOARD
Harford Bird Club Library
The Birder's Sanctuary
Field Trip Reports
Harford's Avian Visitors
HARFORD CHAPTER - MOS FIELD TRIPS August - November 2000
Maryland Native Plant Society Fall Conference and Plant Sale
"By the Numbers"
Call For Summer Vacation Reports
PICNIC RESERVATION FORM

The Harford Bird Club's annual picnic will occur at Capa Field in the Edgewood Area of Aberdeen Proving Ground on Saturday, October 14. The picnic gives old and new members a chance to meet and socialize at a relaxing and pleasant place. Don't forget to bring all of your summer birding stories and experiences to share.

Tom Congersky, Randy Robertson and crew will prepare all of your picnic favorites. Additional foods will be potato salad, cole slaw, baked beans, corn-on-the-cob, crab soup, rolls, watermelon and cake. All utensils and paper goods will be provided. Please bring the beverage of your choice. Those who wish to attend the picnic and bring their own food are welcome to do so.

The picnic will be held on Saturday, October 14 from 2 to 6 p.m. Food will be served at 3 p.m. There will be a bird walk later on in the afternoon. Please return the reservation form at the back of the newsletter by Friday, October 6.

Directions to Capa Field are as follows: From Bel Air and the I-95 interchange, take MD Route 24 south and proceed through the military entrance. Continue straight through the first traffic signal and turn right at approximately 1 mile at the 4-way stop sign. Follow the signs to Capa Field and the pavilion. *Do obey the posted speed limits*

If you have any questions, please call Tom Congersky at (410) 676-6489 or Randy Robertson at (410) 273-9029.

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Annual membership dues are now due for the club year from September 1, 2000 through August 31, 2001. This year the membership form has again been combined with the return envelope. Please fill out the form, enclose your check made payable to HARFORD MOS and mail it to our treasurer, Joyce Gorsuch. We would like to have all dues paid by November 1, 2000. You may pick up your membership card at the picnic or at the November dinner meeting. *Please do not send dues with the picnic reservation form*.

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I would like to take this opportunity to appeal to all of our members how important it is for each of us to voice our opinion on the subject of land development. Debbie Bowers has brought the issue of the development of the golf course to the Harford Bird Club's attention. I have received many letters from members, and our executive committee has voted that we take an official stand against the development of this environmentally sensitive tract of land. As we enter the arena, I ask for your support on this matter. Our presence is very much appreciated in the local community and expressed to me by other environmental and civic groups. A copy of the letter is herein. - Debbie Saylor

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The summer social was a great success with over 52 people attending. Bill Bridgeland, wildlife biologist and president of BioTrek Naturalists, gave our members some insight on how to control nuisance birds, especially starlings.

- Deidre DeRoia was presented with the Conservationist of the Year award. She is a biologist at APG and helped a particular species of bird: the Henslow's Sparrow. Deidre identified the bird, found the nesting area, successfully fought to preserve its habitat from scheduled mowing, and involved other personnel of APG to follow through until the nesting season was over. We applaud her efforts.

- Dave Powell, our new field trip coordinator, was presented with the Birder of the Year award. Dave is very knowledgeable and is a great asset to our club. He has led many field trips in the past and we are delighted to have him as our new field trip coordinator. Dave later revealed with a chuckle: "I think people were avoiding me at the social. I guess folks figured I'd ask them to lead a trip."

- Joyce Gorsuch, our long-time treasurer won the Distinguished Service award. Joyce has conquered the computer learning curve, and I appreciate the wonderful computer generated reports she now presents to the club in a timely fashion. Thank you Joyce for being the treasury watchdog.

Delightful food and drink were available and a special thanks to Carole Vangrin and Diane Robertson and their husbands for helping with the set-up.

Looking forward to next year's social when we might reach 60 in attendance. - Debbie Saylor

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The Harford Bird Club would like to extend a warm welcome to our newest members:

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This is the Harford Bird Club's letter as it appeared on Wednesday, August 9, 2000.

Dear Editor,

A few weeks ago it was noted in The Aegis that Harford County's government has not pledged any cash to the state's Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts. But cash isn't the only way to protect the bay from sediment and other pollutants.

Harford County, along with the Baltimore Gas & Electric Company, has a remarkable opportunity to provide a lasting contribution to the bay effort.

And, it's so easy: just say "no" to a golf course planned on the Bush River on a 250-acre property now owned by BGE.

BGE proposes to donate the property to Harford County for the purpose of a golf course and a contract with a golf course developer is pending. Part of the profits from the operation would come to the county. The contract must be approved by the County Council.

But protecting this property from any kind of development would be a substantial benefit to the bay: almost the entire area lies within the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area. With 5,000 feet of frontage on the river; the site contains a large area of habitats of local significance, including tidal wetlands and a rare stand of flatwoods forest - the type nearly all gone from Harford due to development.

The property is a haven for hundreds of species of birds and is highly prized by the Maryland Ornithological Society, particularly the Harford Chapter, for viewing certain species hard to find in Harford, such as the short-eared owl, northern harrier, American woodcock, and common snipe.

The site is also home to bald eagles.

Golf course development requires enormous soil disturbance during construction. Following construction, the loss of natural vegetation and natural permeability forever renders the site incapable of holding water the way an undisturbed site can. Golf courses are not acceptable as a use of land when the health of the bay so clearly will be affected.

In addition to the environmental issues, consider whether Harford County needs another golf course. The Aegis published a golf guide this spring that lists no fewer than 10 golf courses in the county, and advertises at least two new ones about to open. In addition, there are 12 additional facilities in adjacent counties.

This property would make an excellent natural area that could be managed with minimal cost for residents who enjoy watching wildlife.

It is time for County Executive Jim Harkins and his administration and for executives at BGE to abandon the golf course idea and do the right thing concerning this special property.

The Executive Committee of The Harford Bird Club

Debbie Saylor, president

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The Harford Bird Club will host the MOS State Board meeting at the Anita Leight Estuary Center on Saturday, September 9 beginning at 10 a.m. There are usually about 50 persons in attendance. We are asking for donations of home baked items such as coffee cakes, cookies, muffins or other such items for this meeting. Please call Larry Fry at (410) 452-8539 if you can provide a baked item. - Larry Fry

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We are still looking to create the Harford Bird Club Library. The books or other media (i.e. video, cassette tape, CD, etc...) will be kept in the owner's homes, and a network for which to lend a title from one club member to another will be put into place. So far I have placed my own 47 items into the library. The following data is needed:

• Title
• Author's Name
• Date of Publication
• Publisher's Name
• Type of item (field guide/recipe book/locator guide)
• Type of media (book/CD/tape/video)
• Location or Geographic Coverage (US/Mexico/etc)
• Personal (name/address/phone/e-mail)

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What is your "favorite warbler"?

"Why the chat. Its vocal repertoire of odd chacks, catcries, gurgles and hollow whistles is unmatched......To see their "song flight" with feet dangling and tail pumping is both comical and awe-inspiring.......the gold of their breast is as brilliant a hue as any Prothonotary Warbler."

- Dave Webb

"I agree with the sentiment of DW in that, "we can choose but only one?".....I certainly must say that at a given moment, my favorite warbler is whichever of the handsome creatures is in my binos. However, come March/early April, following the gray of late winter, I await anxiously along the banks of Plumbtree Run and Rock Run for the song or perhaps a glimpse of my rock-hopping, tail-bobbing friend, the Louisiana Waterthrush"

- R. L. Cheicante

"...well......I'd have to say.........der Bingle!"

- Bill Koch

For the October issue, consider "What it is you enjoy most in autumn birds/birding" In preferably one or two quotable lines, send your response to Rick Cheicante at rickcheicante@cs.com by Sept. 29.

The subject of much heated debate over the past few years, the Atlantic horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus) is about to receive a much needed reprieve. In what has become another classic example between conservation groups and commercial/ economic interests, the State of Delaware has announced a new federally-mandated moratorium on horseshoe crab taking.

The U.S. Department of Commerce has indicated the moratorium will be in place by late October and will be centered around a newly established federal preserve. The U.S. Secretary of Commerce Norman Mineta pronounced, "Horseshoe crabs are part of the Atlantic coast ecosystem, providing food for migrating shorebirds...Creating this preserve will help protect a valuable natural resource."

In a separate Associated Press report, the Commonwealth of Virginia, long defiant towards imposed caps on crab harvests, may receive an all out moratorium for all waters thus shutting down a significant portion of the Virginia coastal fishing industry. - pieceworked from posting to MDOsprey

- R. L. Cheicante

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Six persons went to Camp Spencer, one of the Broad Creek Scout Camps, for an evening field trip on Friday, June 2 in search of Whip-poor- wills and owls. Our usual destination of Camp Saffran was changed due to a large encampment of Girl Scouts on that weekend. One of the camp officials said that Whip-poor-wills had been heard at Camp Spencer the previous week. The group saw a total of 22 species. We had really good looks at a pair of Prairie Warblers.

Because of a weather forecast for strong thunderstorms, we decided that Windy Hill was not a safe place to be when the wind and thunder started, so the trip was terminated early. - Jean Fry

Eight people joined me and Dave Larkin to look for the elusive Harford County rails. While the rails remained hidden, great looks were seen of Blue Grosbeak and Brown Thrasher. There was also a merganser sp. in the storm water management pond which didn't match up to the field guides. A total of 27 species were seen. On an ugly side note, while walking on an old road bed with tall grass, we probably picked off over 400 dog ticks. -Dave Powell

Five of us got together for an abbreviated foray of birds and butterflies. The usual summer-worn collection of birds was present around the dam to include Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Orchard Oriole, and Black-crowned Night Heron. Our trip was cut short just as the butterfly action started to heat up. Need to redo this one. - R.L. Cheicante

This was a slow time period for reporting. I unsubscribed from MD Osprey due to an extended trip and didn't try to wade through three weeks of archive files. Overall, the weather has been cooler and rainier than the past few summers. There have been a few isolated "hot spots" of a couple of days each. The birds on our property seem to have been more active and vocal farther into the summer than during last year's long hot drought. I guess, like me, they don't like that kind of weather either.

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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 Powell.

Harford Glen Join co-leaders Mary Procell and Dennis Kirkwood on a search for fall warblers. This is prime time for the adult warbler migration, and Harford Glen always has good numbers. Meeting time is 7:30 a.m. at the mansion house. Harford Glen is located at the end of Wheel Road, east of Route 24.

Anita Leight Estuary Center The State MOS Board meeting starts at 10:00 a.m., but for those avid birdwatchers, Mark Johnson will be leading a morning walk at the Estuary Center and Bosley Conservancy. Meeting time is 7:30 a.m. at the Anita Leight Estuary Center parking lot. Target species are Worm-eating Warbler, American Redstart and other neo-tropical migrants. Contact Mark for further information.

Hawk Watch at Steppingstone Farm Museum The Harford Bird Club will be part of an outdoor adventure exposition at Susquehanna State Park. The event is free and will have displays on mountain biking, canoeing and kayaking, fly-fishing, rock climbing, archery, and orienteering. Volunteers are needed to help scan the skies for migrating raptors from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Contact Dave Powell if interested in helping.

Mariner Point Park Join Tom Congersky for a leisurely beginner walk through the county park. Target species are migrating fall warblers and late shorebirds. Meeting time is 7:30 a.m. at the last parking area.

Patuxent River Park A 3/4-day trip to Jug Bay, where naturalist Greg Kearns will give a boat ride looking for migrating Sora rails. The other stop will be Merkle Wildlife Management Area to look for Blue Grosbeak and migrating warblers. Bring a bag lunch. Trip coordinator is Randy Robertson. Meeting place will be the MD 152 / I-95 Park and Ride at 6:30 a.m. Limited space will be available, so please call Randy to make a reservation.

Turkey Point Hawk Watch Join Cecil County hawk watchers to look for migrating hawks and eagles. Turkey Point is also a great place for Cedar Waxwings, Red-headed Woodpeckers, and migrating warblers. Meeting place will be the MD Route 155 / I-95 Park-and-Ride at 7:30 a.m. Trip coordinator is Phil Powers.

Susquehanna State Park Join Rick Blom and Les Eastman on a walk through Susquehanna State Park. Target species will be hard-to-find sparrow species and late migrants. Meeting time is 7:00 a.m. at the Deer Creek Trestle parking lot. Contact trip coordinator Les Eastman if you have any questions.

Broad Creek Join former chapter president Spike Updegrove on a hike through Broad Creek Scout Camp. This moderate to difficult hike will take you through several different habitats. Target species will be Fox Sparrow, Hermit Thrush, and incoming winter migrants. Meeting time is 7:00 a.m. at Dublin Elementary school on MD Route 136. Contact trip leader Spike Updegrove if you have any questions.

Mullins County Park Need practice on those "little brown jobs", Mullins Park is a great place to start. Other possible species include Northern Harrier and Common Snipe. Waterproof footwear is recommended. Meeting time is 7:30 a.m. at Weis Market on MD Route 40 in Havre de Grace. Trip leader is Dave Powell.

Owl Prowl Join Harold Boling and Debbie Bowers for an early evening search for owls near Rocks State Park. Possible species include Great Horned Owl, Barred Owl, Eastern Screech-Owl and Northern Saw-whet Owls. Meet at 4:30 p.m. at the Forest Hill Klein's, intersection of MD Routes 23 & 24.

Harford Waterfowl Trip Marvel at the thousands of Lesser Scaup on the Gunpowder River, and search among them for the occasional Redhead, Long-tailed Duck (A.K.A. Oldsquaw) and scoters. Then visit Havre de Grace for a wide variety of waterfowl including American Wigeon, Northern Shoveler and Tundra Swan. Meet at 7:00 a.m. at the MD Route 24 gate to the Edgewood Area of the Aberdeen Proving Ground. Scopes are helpful, although not necessary. Trip leader is Dave Webb.

Eastern Neck NWR Prime winter birding area fronting the Chesapeake Bay in Kent County. Excellent for swans, bay ducks, Northern Harrier, and Horned Larks. Meet at 7:00 a.m. at the I-95/MD Route 155 commuter lot (Havre de Grace exit). Leaders are Larry and Jean Fry. Bring lunch; all day trip with easy walking.

Conowingo Dam Conowingo is one of the best locations for mid-Atlantic birding at this time of year. The dam hosts dozens of Bald Eagles and thousands of gulls. Other possible sightings include Golden Eagle, Black-crowned Night Heron and Pileated Woodpecker. Scopes are helpful. Meet trip leader Dave Larkin at 8:00 a.m. at the pavilion at the north end of Fisherman's Park, which is located at the end of Shures Landing Road.

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The Maryland Native Plant Society will hold its fall conference and plant sale at Harford Glen on Saturday, September 23 from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. They are looking for someone to give a talk on plants that attract birds and/or the connection between native plants and certain bird species. If you have any questions about the conference or would like to give a talk to the group, please contact Sam Jones at (410) 838-7950 or check the website at: www.mdflora.org. - Jean Fry

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During the spring migration, 30 warbler species were seen in Harford County. They are as follows: Blue-winged, Northern Parula, Yellow, Chestnut-sided, Magnolia, Cape May, Black-throated Blue, Yellow-rumped, Black-throated Green, Blackburnian, Yellow-throated, Pine, Palm, Prairie, Bay-breasted, Blackpoll, Cerulean, Black-and-white, American Redstart, Prothonotary, Worm-eating, Ovenbird, Northern and Louisiana Waterthrush, Kentucky, Connecticut, Common Yellowthroat, Hooded, Canada and Yellow-breasted Chat. This collection was assembled through reports or were told directly to me. - Dave Powell

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Are you tired of National Geographic hounding you for your unsolicited written material. Does Jon Krakauer always seem to be one step ahead of you in publishing adventure stories in Outside magazine. Well, as the summer winds down, and you still have a burning desire to dabble in a write-up of your summer birding adventure, why not send it in to the friendly confines of Wrenderings. Start writing today, and send your summer birding vacation script in tomorrow. Send to me either postal or at rickcheicante@cs.com. - R. L. Cheicante

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PICNIC RESERVATION FORM


Please return to Tom Congersky at 2418 Sycamore Lane, Edgewood, MD 21040 
by Friday, October 6, 2000.

		__________ Number of adults ( at $11.00 each )
		__________ Number of children 12 and under ( at $5.00 each )

		Make checks payable to Harford County MOS.

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			 Print your name(s)

Please send any comments to Les Eastman.
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