Volume 13 Number 8

October 2000

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Found an injured raptor?
Contact Debbie Saylor of Chesapeake Birds of Prey, Inc.

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

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CONTENTS

November Dinner Meeting: Ross Hawkins
The President's Perch
Membership Dues Are Overdue
"Best of Belize"
MOS - Audubon Camp Scholarships
New club Members
Vacation Reports
Harford's Avian Visitors
Field Trip Reports
2001 Nest Box Sale and Workshop
HARFORD CHAPTER - MOS FIELD TRIPS OCTOBER 1999 - JANUARY 2000

On November 3 at the Harford Bird Club's Friday night dinner meeting, we are honored to have with us - Ross Hawkins, founder of the Hummingbird Society, and his wife Beth. Born in Arkansas sixty years ago, H. Ross Hawkins could hardly have known when choosing his first career - chemistry - that his interests would eventually lead him to his present passion: hummingbirds. Today, he is founder of The Hummingbird Society, a conservation organization dedicated to hummingbirds, and editor of "The Hummingbird Connection", the Society's journal. His every waking moment seems be consumed with some aspect of his life's new direction. In the spring of 1999 he took an early retirement from his career at Morgan Stanley Dean Witter to devote himself fully to the Hummingbird Society.

Ross had early interests in science and math, which led him to physical chemistry, earning a B.S. degree at the University of Tulsa in 1961, then a Ph.D. at the University of California in Berkeley in 1966. From graduate school he became a research scientist with the DuPont Company in Wilmington, Delaware. His avocational interests in investments, however, led him to quit in 1974 to form his own investment management company.

Ross is a serious nature photographer, with an intense interest in hummingbirds. When he prepared the first issue of the hummingbird newsletter for a predecessor organization, Hummers, Inc., in March 1993, it was a simple affair with eight black-and-white pages, and included two of his hummingbird images. He then took to high-level desktop publishing, with color images and outside contributions enriching the content. Now, each issue contains images by many professional and amateur photographers. The journal, "The Hummingbird Connection", currently goes out to nearly 1700 Society members in all of the 50 American states and 16 other countries.

Ross has great expectations that widespread interest in hummingbirds by the population at large will lead to greater understanding and appreciation of the tiny, flying birds that more often resemble shimmering jewels than birds. And he's doing his part to make it happen. - Debbie Saylor

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Debbie Bowers has been selected to act as conservation committee chairperson for our Harford Bird Club chapter. According to the state board meeting, every chapter must have a representative to address environmental concerns and issues. This representative will be the liason for conservation efforts or alerts and have priority contact with the state MOS. - Debbie Saylor

Anyone interested in monitoring eagles for APG is advised to contact David Goad, Task order Manager-Bald Eagle Roost Monitoring, at (410) 676-8835 X149 or email dgoad@genphysics.com. They monitor 4 roosting sites in the Aberdeen Area of APG on Tuesdays and Sundays of every month. Mr. Goad will provide more details if any member is interested in helping out. - Debbie Saylor

On Saturday, September 9, our chapter hosted the MOS state board meeting at the Anita Leight Center. Thanks to the following people who donated baked goods, the state board said that they were going to give us an A+ for the quality of the refreshments: Deidre DeRoica, John Nack, Debbie Saylor, Jane Scocca, Carole and Bethany Vangrin, Jean Wheeler, and Jean Williams. Thanks too to those who helped set up, serve and clean up: Tom Congersky, Larry Fry, Carole and Joe Vangrin, and Jean Williams. We received several compliments and appreciate the donations of time and talent. - Jean Fry

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If you have not already done so, please send your 2000-01 membership dues to Joyce Gorsuch, 104 Victoria Court, North East, MD 21901 as soon as possible. - HBC Executive Committee

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Harford Bird Club members are given a special invitation to join Dennis and Jean Kirkwood on a "Best of Belize" tour to Central America next summer. This will be the third tour led by the Kirkwoods to visit the rainforest of the Yucatan where birdlife is abundant and Mayan archeology and culture provide an opportunity for added adventure. Three resorts will be visited in a ten day period including Lamanai, Chan Chich, and Banyon Bay on the Belizean Keys. Fine accommodations, excellent food and drink, and local guides combine to offer the traveler the finest jungle experience. A deposit of $800 will reserve a place with the balance of $1675 due by April 1, 2001. The trip dates are June 26 to July 5, 2001. The cost is inclusive of all travel (starting from BWI), food, lodging, guides, and activities. Please contact the Kirkwoods at (410) 692-5905 evenings or email at dkirkw@bellatlantic.net for further information. Dennis Kirwood

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The Maryland Ornithological Society is searching for teachers, park rangers, camp counselors, and students who plan to make nature education a part of their career to apply for scholarships to Audubon ecology and ornithology camps in Maine, Connecticut, and Wyoming. The value of each scholarship is from $600 to $800 and covers the cost of tuition, room, and board for an intensive six-day course of field study and instruction. MOS has the potential to award ten scholarships. Travel expenses are the responsibility of the recipient.

The Harford Bird Club had two winners last year, Karen Romanelli and Eric Cromwell, and many over past years, including Tom Congersky, Tom Trafton, Glen Hedelson, Dave Ziolkowski, Carol Kehring, Mary Procell, Johanna Rawlings, Jim Wiley, and Ruth Wilsey to name a few.

Each applicant must submit a letter of intent showing how the Audubon experience will be used to develop in young people an appreciation of our wild heritage and a sense of responsibility for the care and quality of our natural resources and environment. It is helpful if the applicant indicates which workshop he or she would like to attend. Two letters of recommendation are required, one of which must be from an MOS member or chapter. Applicants, who should be eighteen years or older, must also submit a current resume. Applications are due by January 31, 2001. Questions should be directed to: Jean Fry, 1202 Ridge Road, Pylesville, MD 21132. Phone: 410-452-8539. E-mail: jlfry@netfox.net.

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

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I've been to birder's heaven and have returned to earth to share with you my joys! The haven was in the Rocky Mountains just outside of Ouray, Colorado. Sitting on the mountain hiking trail at 11,000 feet elevation amongst the multitudes of species and colors of wildflowers, my family and I were able to observe and hear the constant flux of hummingbirds surrounding us like a swarm of iridescent bees. The noise was unbelievable. The male Broad-tailed Hummingbird 's wingbeats produce a loud trilling whistle, which permeated the air. The Rufous Hummingbird's gorget of iridescent orange-red was afire when the sun hit upon it. We also saw the Black-chinned and the tiny Calliope Hummingbirds. Even the less-than-enthusiastic birders of the family were enchanted.

Fortunately, on a visit to the town museum I met a lady, Sue Hirshman, who is a birder and summer resident of Ouray. She invited me to her home where we sat on the Victorian porch and watched from 2-3 feet distance these same species of hummingbirds feeding at her three feeders. There were an unbelievable number, requiring her to refill the feeders at least three times a day on busy days. She informed me that they were migrating through, with the males having arrived a couple of weeks ahead of the females and immatures. They will remain for approximately two months. What a treat to watch these hummers so closely!

One more exceptional addition to my life list was the Black Swift, which we saw at the Box Canyon Falls and Park of Ouray. These unique swifts prefer to nest in colonies on protected cliffs beneath waterfalls (or on sea cliffs), and here one was nesting close to the watefalls in a small niche in the canyon wall. It was easily seen from the elevated walkway in the gorge. Sue is currently monitoring twelve Black Swift nests in the park.

What a fun and exciting adventure it was. I have invited Sue to our area and have promised her that fellow bird club members and I will help her find some good shorebirds. That would be her wish! - Eileen Frey

In my never ending quest for birds, I traveled this summer to the 49th state, Alaska. Alaska not only has fantastic birds, but also some of the most spectacular and awesome mountain scenery in the U.S. Birding started in Nome after a brief stop above the Arctic Circle in Kotzebue where the Bering Sea was still frozen over. Nome had an invasion of Northern Hawk Owl and shortly after our arrival we were treated to a sitting N. Hawk Owl being mobbed by Mew Gulls. An Emperor Goose was a bonus bird amongst a flock of Brant. Hoary Redpoll were as common as House Finch at home. There were smaller numbers of Common Redpoll. Yellow Wagtail were abundant and we found the lone reported White Wagtail in Teller. Arctic Warbler, Pacific and American Golden-Plover, Aleutian Tern, and Golden-crowned Sparrow with its unforgettable mournful call "O poor me", were seen in good numbers. Willow and Rock Ptarmigan were also plentiful. But my favorite Nome bird was the spectacular Bluethroat. We saw a pair at close range. Nome was also a great mammal hot spot. We saw 32 Musk Ox, a large male Grizzly, Moose, Reindeer and Arctic Hare.

After Nome we went to Seward for a boat trip in the Kenai Fjords. Our trip however, was abbreviated due to rough seas. Nevertheless, we saw a good number of birds and mammals. We had great looks at Horned and Tufted Puffins, Marbled Murrelet, and Red-faced Cormorant. Our mammals included: Mountain Goat, a pod of Orca, Sea Otter, Steller Sea Lion and Harbor Seal.

Denali and environs was the next stop. With the magnificent mountains of Denali National Park as a background, a Gyrfalcon perched in clear view on the summit of Polychrome Pass. A soaring Golden Eagle and numerous Long-tailed Jaegers sitting on the hillsides were other highlights. Mammals included a pair of Grizzly sows with cubs, Dall Sheep, Red Fox, Caribou, Moose and Snowshoe Hare. We also did some tundra walking searching in vain for Smith's Longspur.

Next we drove to Homer and the Homer Spit. But June was not the time to visit Homer. Birds were scarce except for American Bald Eagle which were everywhere. Actually we saw Eagles almost everyday in Alaska except in Nome. The drive to Homer did yield a good look at Three-toed Woodpecker.

The Pribilof Island of St. Paul was the final stop. Here we saw the puffins, Common and Thick-billed Murres and Parakeet, Least , and Crested Auklet up close and personal. Gray-crowned Rosy Finch were everywhere. Lapland Longspur and Snow Bunting in breeding plumage were also easy on the eyes. Arctic Fox were the dogs of the island. Male Fur Seal were lining the beaches awaiting the arrival of the females any day. The wild flowers, dwarfed, arctic varieties, were exquisite.

Altogether I saw 153 species of birds including 31 life birds. - Jean Wheeler

My summer "vacation" was spent keeping my 10 year old nephew for a month. While he was here from Seattle, I took him to Pleasant Valley Park, a.k.a. Shanberger's pool, in Fawn Grove, PA. While relaxing in a lounge chair, I saw a Baltimore Oriole fly into one of the huge sycamore trees on the hill beside the pool. As I pulled up my binoculars another bird came into view - it was a Red-headed Woodpecker! This was very exciting for me, since it was the first time I had ever seen one. - Debbie Bowers

Jean and Larry Fry's summer excursion to England, Scotland, and Wales.

It was much cooler than usual for this time of the year. Many days in late July and early August were cloudy, overcast, and sometimes rainy. There was a period of the usual hot and muggy "dog days" of August near the end of that month. For the whole summer there were only five days above 90 degrees which is most unlike Maryland. A couple of tropical depressions brought some rainfall in September, but nothing of the magnitude of Floyd in 1999. I found that with the cooler temperatures in late July and early August that the birds were more active and vocal than they usually are at that time of the year. Now on to your reports.

On 7/27 MH found a Tricolored Heron at Tydings in Havre de Grace. RC sighted a Great Egret at Lakeside on 7/22. Five Glossy Ibis were discovered at the same location on 8/23 (MH, DP). On 8/2 MH spotted a Snowy Egret, an immature Little Blue Heron, a Great Egret, and twenty Great Blue Herons on the mudflats at Havre de Grace. On 9/10, a Great Blue Heron visited a rather secluded back yard pond in Bel Air and devoured two pet goldfish (CJV)!

Waterfowl sightings were very limited. One female Wood Duck was seen at the Broad Creek Bridge on Heaps School Road on 7/23 (LF). Nine were seen at the flats in Havre de Grace on 8/2, along with ten Black Ducks and 25 Mallards (MH). On the same day at the same location there were 75 Canada Geese and one Mute Swan (MH). On 8/23, a Hooded Merganser was seen being harassed by a Cooper's Hawk at Perryman (MH). Apparently this bird has been present since June. A report of it came after the last column was done from Dave Larkin on 6/24 at the same location.

DP reported seeing 24 Bald Eagles at Tydings mud flats on 8/31. An immature Cooper's Hawk was observed in a backyard on 9/14 and 9/15 in Madonna (LW). It perched on the edge of a deck about eight feet from a window, so the field marks were easily distinguishable. On 9/16 LD watched a pair of Red-tailed Hawks circling near the Festival shopping center in Bel Air. At the same time and location, a kettle of about 33 Broad-winged Hawks were wending their way in migration (LD). On Friday, September 15 between 10:00 and 11:00 AM a large number of Broad-winged Hawks passed over Ridge Road in Pylesville. At least six different kettles were observed containing 17, 5, 35, and three of approximately 50 each (JLF). A cool front had passed through the night before, and the wind was coming directly from the north. A bright blue sky with fluffy white clouds made the sighting and counting much easier. Four Sharp-shinned Hawks were also seen heading south at the same time (JLF). On 9/18 five Broad-wings were seen over Grier Nurserv Road and later in the morning at about 11:30 AM, approximately 75 flew over Ridge Road (JLF). Conditions must have been just right on those three days!

An exciting sighting and a first county bird for BM came on 8/9 when she saw a Wild Turkey while driving toward Bel Air on Route 152 in Fallston just past the middle school. She said that she has been looking for one for years and finally saw it only two miles from her home.

In the shorebird category, MH saw a Semipalmated Plover at Tydings in Havre de Grace on 7/27 and a Spotted Sandpiper there on 8/2. Solitary Sandpipers were reported from Harford Glen on 7/22 , 9/2, and 9/9 by RC. A Spotted Sandpiper was seen on 8/28 at Lake Mitten in Pylesville (LF). MH got a county bird upon seeing a Baird's Sandpiper at the mudflats at Tydings on 8/23. Least and Semipalmated Sandpipers and one Greater Yellowlegs were there on the same day (MH). On 8/31 DP reported lots of Killdeer at Aldino Sod Farms and one Lesser Yellowlegs at Lakeside.

Gulls appeared at the Havre de Grace mudflats in the following numbers on 8/22: two adult, one juvenile, and one first summer Laughing, 300 Ring-billed, 10 Herring, and 65 Great Black-backed (MH). That day also produced two Caspian and 50 Forster's Terns (MH). On 8/23 DP and MH discovered a single Black Tern on the Bush River, while later that day MH found two at Tydings. Three Least Terns were present at Lakeside on 7/22 (RC). MH found twenty Caspian Terns and two Forster's at Tydings on 7/27.

A Yellow-billed Cuckoo was seen at Harford Glen by RC on 7/22.

Three Great Horned Owls were calling on Ridge Road in Pylesville on 7/24 with one being a possible immature (JLF). DB reported Great Horned at her farm in Street on 9/4 and 9/7. She also heard a pair of Barred Owls calling along the White Trail in Rocks State Park on 9/9. A pair of Eastern Screech-Owls were calling on 7/21 in Pylesville and one called from 3:30 until 5:00 AM on 9/10 at the same location (JLF).

On 8/16, a Common Nighthawk was seen over Ridge Road in Pylesville and again on 8/17 over Grande View Drive (JF). On 8/2 MH estimated seeing 200 Chimney Swifts over Havre de Grace. RC observed between 400 - 500 Chimney Swifts funneling out of a building chimney at Edgewood Arsenal on 9/9. He stated that he sees this event twice a year, once in the spring and fall at the same chimney.

The only report of a Ruby-throated Hummingbird was of an immature at a cardinal flower in Pylesville on 9/11 which is not really a late date (JLF).

Several flycatcher reports included the following: a Great Crested in Street on 9/2 (DB), two Least at Harford Glen on 8/23 (MH, DP), a Yellow-bellied at Edgewood Arsenal on 8/23 (MH), an Acadian calling and an Eastern Phoebe at Bosley Conservancy on 9/14 (BrM), and an Eastern Wood-Pewee and a Great Crested at Harford Glen on 9/14 (BrM).

A White-eyed Vireo was seen along Grande View Drive in Pylesville on 9/18 (JLF).

MH observed one Tree Swallow, 50 Banks, 100 Barns, and 100 Purple Martins over the mudflats at Havre de Grace on 8/2. BrM reported a House Wren at Harford Glen and a Ruby-crowned Kinglet at Bosley Conservancy on 9/14. JLF heard a Wood Thrush's late summer gurgling on 8/29 and at 5:30 AM on 9/10. DB was also still hearing Wood Thrushes and Gray Catbirds from 9/9 until 9/12 in Street.

Warbler sightings included: a Hooded in Bel Air near a feeder on 7/22 (RC), a Nashville near C. Milton Wright High School on 8/2 (MH, KF), Canada and Redstart at Bosley Conservancy on 8/23 (MH, DP), Canada, Black- and-white, Hooded, and Chestnut-sided at Harford Glen on 8/23 (MH, DP), Magnolia, Black-throated Green, and Bay-breasted at Harford Glen later in the day on 8/23 (MH), and Black-and-white and Blue-winged at Edgewood Arsenal on 8/23 (MH). DB found Chestnut-sided and Black-and-white in Street on 8/30, Yellow-breasted Chat on 9/3, Black-throated Blue and Black-throated Green on 9/4, Black-throated Green, Black-throated Blue, and Pine on 9/5, and a group of Magnolias in her bird bath on 9/9. DP hosted a Canada around his house near Falling Branch in Pylesville in late August; on 9/18 he sighted a Black-and-white, a Black-throated Green, a Magnolia, a Parula, and a Chestnut-sided at the same location. MJ banded a Yellow-breasted Chat at Eden Mill on 9/16. On 9/14 BrM found Black-and-white, Magnolia, American Redstart, Northern Waterthrush, and Ovenbird at Bosley Conservancy. A Black-throated Green was also seen in Pylesville on 9/18 (JLF).

Scarlet Tanagers reports were as follows: one at a Bel Air feeder area on 7/22 (RC), one "anting" in a backyard in Pylesville on 7/23 (JF), one along Grande View Drive in Pylesville on 7/31 (JLF), and one in Street on 9/4 (DB).

Bobolinks were spotted at Perryman on 8/31 by DP. A male Rose-breasted Grosbeak was banded at Eden Mill on 9/16 (MJ) and an immature was seen by DP near Falling Branch in Pylesville on 9/18. Indigo Buntings were near a feeder area in Bel Air on 7/22 (RC). Orchard Orioles were seen by MH and KF on 8/2 near C. Milton Wright High School.

Thanks to those who contributed to this report: Debbie Bowers (DB), Rick Cheicante (RC), Lynn Davis (LD), Kevin Fehskens (KF), Jean and Larry Fry (JLF), Matt Hafner (MH), Mark Johnson (MJ), Barbara Meserve (BM), Brian Monk (BrM), Dave Powell (DP), Carole and Joe Vangrin (CJV), and Linda Webb (LW).

The next deadline for this column will be Thursday, November 16. Submissions should include sightings from September 20 through November 15. Please include date, location, and anything unusual about the appearance, behavior, or numbers. To avoid duplication, do not include sightings from field trips, since they are covered in another section. Send to: Jean Fry, 1202 Ridge Road, Pylesville, MD 21132 or e-mail to: jlfry@netfox.net. Phone: (410) 452-8539.

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Four club members joined hosts Jim & Alice Hirvonen at their Havre de Grace apartment overlooking Tydings Island on the last Sunday of July. On this rare, late afternoon field trip we had hoped to find plenty of shorebirds on the mudflats, but only a few Killdeer and Least Sandpipers were spotted. Scanning through the islands usual suspects (Great Blue Herons, Ring-billed Gulls, and six Bald Eagles), we found a couple of early Laughing Gulls, and some Forster's and Caspian Terns. An immature Little Blue Heron then flew by and landed on the mainland shore to feed. Havre de Grace hardly ever disappoints the patient birder, and this day was no exception. While we munched on pizza and casually watched a nearby flight of Purple Martins, a much larger bird with pointed wings flew over - a Peregrine Falcon! Everyone was enjoying great looks at this bird when we noticed a second Peregrine join in. The pair made several passes overhead at fairly low altitude, before finally heading towards the Susquehana River. What a memorable sight! The trip ended with a visit to Lakeside Business Park near Edgewood. The highlights here included eight Green Herons (two of them perched atop small trees), a pair of Least Terns catching minnows, and hundreds of southbound martins and swallows. We finished with about 35 species. Thanks again to Jim & Alice for their kindness and hospitality! - Dave Webb

On August 19, a dozen birders traveled to Bombay Hook and Little Creek to search for shorebirds and other avian delights. We found stilts, peeps, a Clapper Rail, Blue Grosbeak, Seaside Sparrow, and Royal Terns. An attempt to locate the American White Pelican near the C&D canal was not successful. Good weather, good birds, and good company made for the most enjoyable day. - Dennis Kirkwood

Two people counted nighthawks from the Bel Air parking garage on August 23. The weather was overcast and few birds were migrating. We did see several nighthawks feeding with a flock of Purple Martins, but none actually flew over the garage. We saw a total of six in about an hour and a half of watching. Other than a few robins, Rock Doves, Mourning Doves and House Finches, there was little bird activity. - Bill Pfingsten

About 12 birdwatchers met at the Anita C. Leight Estuary Center and traveled first to the Bosley Conservancy to observe some early migrants. The weather was calm, but humid and warm at first, with very little bird activity. However, many of us were pleased to observe the activity of small passerines that foraged amongst the trees opposite the bank just downstream from the canoe launch. Getting there was not easy, since previous storms have moved and distributed the small bridges, and many trails were overgrown with stinging nettles and blackberry bushes. American Redstart, Black-and- white Warblers, Prothonotary Warblers, Acadian Flycatchers, and American Goldfinches were seen. We then drove to the Leight Estuary Center to bird along the trails. These trails were mostly silent, but we did pick up a few woodpeckers. Only 30 species were seen between 7 and 10 a.m. - Mark Johnson

A beautiful day greeted the hawk watch at Steppingstone Farm Museum on Sept. 16. There was a nice diverse flight of birds throughout the day. Listed were: 20 Bald Eagles, one Red-shouldered Hawk, six Sharp-shinned Hawks, two American Kestrels, one Red-tailed Hawk, one Osprey, 59 Broad-winged Hawks, 13 Black Vultures, and 33 Turkey Vultures.

Many thanks to the volunteers: Carol Flora, Debbie Stewart, Bill Collins, Larry and Jean Fry, Harold Boling, John Wortman, and Eileen Fry who made the hawk watch a success. - Dave Powell

The only one to show up at Mariner Point Park on Tuesday, Sept. 19 was Hurricane Gordon. We will try again in the spring. - Tom Congersky

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The Harford Bird Club will team up with the Anita Leight Estuary Center to hold the seventh annual nest box workshop on Saturday, February 17 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. For a minimal cost to cover materials (wood and hardware), you can order a rough-cut, cedar nest box and on the day of the workshop, pick up your prefabricated kit at the Leight Center for immediate assembly; or assemble it at home. More information will be provided in the December issue of Wrenderings or call Randy & Diane Robertson at (410) 273-9029.

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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.

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. Trip leader is Spike Updegrove.

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 APG. 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.

Nottingham County Park Nottingham County Park - Join trip leader Mark Johnson on a half day trip to this special park in Lancaster County. Target species will be Red-breasted Nuthatch, Pileated Woodpecker and Pine Warbler. Meet at the Conowingo visitor center off of Conowingo road (Route 1) at 7:30 a.m.

Cape Henlopen Prime location at the mouth of the Delaware Bay for winter specialties such as Snowy Owl, Snow Bunting, Great Cormorant and sea ducks. This all-day trip will include an hour or two of walking on sand. Bring lunch and warm, comfortable clothing. Trip leader is Russ Kovach. Meet at 7:00 a.m. at the I-95/MD 155 commuter lot (Havre de Grace exit).

Christmas Bird Count The 29th Annual Audubon Rock Run Christmas Bird Count. Coordinator is Russ Kovach.

Conowingo Gull Watch Whether you're a serious lister or a beginner looking for pointers on gull identification, this one's for you. Led by noted gull-watcher Gene Scarpulla, this all-morning trip may turn up such winter rarities as Iceland, Lesser Black-backed, or Black-headed Gulls. Meet at 8:00 AM at the base of the dam, at the East end of Shures Landing Road. For more information, contact trip coordinator Rick Cheicante. Mostly stationary trip with only minimal walking; heavy clothing and a warm beverage recommended.

Tenth Annual Feeder Tour The morning trip will tour two to three bird-feeder establishments in the Southeastern section of Harford County. From the meeting location, we will carpool to our first hosts home and roost in a warm spot where the feeders are visible. Roughly an hour later we will migrate to the second house. Participation is limited, please contact coordinator Randy Robertson at to reserve your spot and get meeting times and location. In the case of inclement weather, the trip will be postponed to Saturday, January 20th.

South Baltimore Join leader Mark Johnson for a half-day trip to a South Baltimore oasis for birds. Target species include Ring-necked Pheasant, Short-eared Owl, sparrows and waterfowl. Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the I-95 / MD 152 Park and Ride lot. For further details contact Mark Johnson at.

Black Marsh and North Point State Park Morning trip to Baltimore County hotspots along the Chesapeake shoreline. A mixture of habitats attracts a wide variety of birds, ranging from waterfowl (Canvasback and Lesser Scaup) to Winter Wren, Northern Harrier and Fox Sparrow. Meet at 7:00 a.m. at the MD 152/I-95 Park & Ride. Leaders are Larry & Jean Fry.

Bradenbaugh Flats Traditional trip to the gentle rolling fields of the Upper Deer Creek watershed. Leader Dennis Kirkwood will guide the search for Horned Lark, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, and Eastern Meadowlark. Meet at 9:00 a.m. at Jarrettsville Elementary School, located on MD 23, a half mile west of MD 165. The morning trip will consist mostly of drive-and-stop birding. Participants are invited to the Kirkwood's home afterwards for homemade soup and breads.

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Please send any comments to Les Eastman.
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