Volume 20 Number 1 |
January - February 2007 |
The Harford Bird Club meeting season is in full swing as 62 members attended our January meeting! Hank Kaestner was our featured speaker, returning for the third year in a row to share with us his adventures as a spice trader. Taking a bit of a side-trek, Hank showed us how birders and conservation-minded consumers can make a huge difference for many of the rare and beautiful animals we love simply by purchasing fair- trade and organic goods. The talk was enlightening and entertaining, and I think I speak for the club as a whole when I say it was one of the most educational programs we have had in a long time!
In March we will have the honor of being introduced to another big name in the birding world. Bird Watcher's Digest columnist Jeffrey A. Gordon (sorry NASCAR fans... not the race car driver!) will be in town! In what is sure to be a fun time for all, Jeff will present ‘The Birdsong Grammys'. Be sure to bring your ‘game face' and get ready to choose the winners of many categories of bird songs. The March meeting is of course a dinner meeting, so remember to get in those dinner reservations, and of course, bring a friend!
Speaking of friends, Lorna Wortman once again hosted the ‘tally rally' after the Rock Run Christmas Bird Count. As the last of us were enjoying our bread and stew at Lorna's, the total bird count appeared to be WAY down from years past. But as other results were mailed in over the next week, compiler Jean Wheeler was pleased to find out we topped the century mark again with 102 species observed! One of those 102 species was a Dickcissel compliments of Rick Cheicante birding just outside of Havre de Grace. If not good enough, Dave Ziolkowski (on a search for the Dickcissel) found a Clay-colored Sparrow at the same location less than a week later! As one of the first birds of the new year, one cannot help but wonder how many species will be recorded in Harford County during 2007? Will the Clay-colored Sparrow be our 2007 Bird of the Year?
Spring is not far away, and along with some great birding come events that require volunteers! Coming up soon are two events that routinely bring new members to the Harford Bird Club, namely the Earth Day Festival at Aberdeen's Town Park in April, and of course the Havre de Grace Decoy Festival the first weekend of May. If anybody is interested in manning tables at these two events, please contact me to get on the list! When not on these events, be sure to head out there on some of our great slate of trips scheduled by the Field-trip Committee! With many trips to our local favorites and regional hot-spots, our spring and late-winter offerings should be fantastic for all that attend. Featured in March and April are our renowned ‘Girls Gone Wildflower' trip to Palmer State Park and a first-time ever trip to the new park near Annie's Playground, just outside of Bel Air. Birding Civil War buffs even have a selection as Dave Webb will guide us through the battlefields of Gettysburg where you can listen for both battle songs and bird songs!
And on that note... I'll see you out there birding and of course at the March dinner meeting to see The Birdsong Grammys!
Best Birding Wishes,
Russ Kovach
Return to Table of Contents
The Rock Run Christmas Bird Count was held on Friday December 29, 2006 and 37 birders scoured the count circle for feathered friends. It was a perfect day with temps rising from around freezing before dawn to a high of 50 by mid-day. Clear skies gave way to partly cloudy by afternoon. Winds were calm. Peter Jay donated the use of his boat again, and our crew was on the River. Many of the common species were hard to find but we ended the day with a respectable 101 species. Birds of the day included Dickcissel, American Bittern, Peregrine and Merlin. Robins were scarce except in the Swan Creek sector.
Nine groups went owling. Five groups were successful. We managed to find our three usual suspects, however for the second year in a row only 1 Barred owl was found.
1. Oakwood: Marcia Watson, Monroe Harden & Ken Drier (42 species). Common Merg., Fish Crow, & Fox Sparrow were some great finds for this team.
2. Rowlandville: Les Eastman & Wyatt Wallace (48 Species) This veteran team tied their species count for last year. Good birds included Common Goldeneye, Cedar Waxwing and Field Sparrow.
3. Colora: Tom Congersky, Cynthia & Rupert Rosetti (33 species) Birds were tough to find even in this great habitat. They found Cooper*s Hawk, Pied-billed Grebe and Double-crested Cormorant.
4. Bainbridge: Matt & Kim Hafner (67 species). The newlyweds had the third highest count of the day. They found the only Cackling Goose and were one of only two groups to spot Snow Goose
5. Perrypoint: Russ & Annie Kovach & Dave Ziolkowski (71 species) Once again this team had the highest count of the day. Another pair of newlyweds with a veteran was one of two teams to spot Gadwall, Canvasback, Redhead, Killdeer and Pine Warbler. They also had the only Red-headed Woodpecker of the day.
6. Swan Creek: John & Becky Gallo & George and Donna Yorkston (52 species) These two couples were one of only two teams finding Merlin, N. Harrier, Killdeer and Pine Warbler. Most of the Robins were in this sector.
7. Havre de Grace: Rick Cheicante & Dave Larkin (68 species) * This veteran team had the 2nd highest count of the day and found the only Mute Swan and Green-winged Teal. They have two *birds of the day*; a Dickcissel and an American Bittern! Wow! (cont. on page 5) CBC Summary (from page 2)
8. Aldino: John Taylor (28 species). Working alone on his first RRCBC, John spotted some good birds including Red-shouldered Hawk, Pileated Woodpecker and E. Bluebird.
9. Susquehanna: Mark Johnson & Suzanne Procell (43 species). These veterans were frustrated because of what they couldn*t find in this usually productive habitat. They did have both Kinglets including the high count for Ruby-crowned Kinglet.
10. Rolling Green: Dave Webb & Jean Wheeler (54 species). This seasoned team had the only Barred Owl and Rusty Blackbird of the count and the high-count for White-crowned Sparrow.
11a. Deer Creek: Bill & Mary Jo Collins& Lynn Feryus (32species). Some good finds include Red- shouldered hawk, Towhee, and Fox Sparrow.
11b. Darlington and 11c. Conowingo Dam: Steve Collins (51species). This first time RRCBC participant covered two territories single handedly and was quite successful. Sorting through the gulls he spotted a Lesser Black-backed Gull. He also found Peregrine and Horned Lark.
12. Dublin: Tom Trafton, Jay Killian & Sharyn Denbow. (43 species) This team spotted the only Northern Shoveler of the count and a Merlin.
13. River Flats: Dennis Kirkwood, Sarah & Peter Jay, Grace Hiter, Volney Ford & Kristen Kirkwood (53 species) Peter Jay's boat was back in the water this year. This seasoned team found most of the expected waterfowl plus the only Black-crowned night Heron of the count.
The 35th Rock Run CBC will go down as one that required much searching for some of the most common birds, but brought pleasant surprises like the Dicksissel, American Bittern, N. Shoveler, Merlin and Peregrine. WE had an unusual high count of Carolina Wren (356) and Winter Wren (49). Is it the El Nino winter or global warming? Thanks to all who participated. Once again we ended the count at Lorna Wortman's for hot stew and a large variety of homemade breads. Thank you Lorna and Adele for hosting the ‘tally rally'. We believe Lorna has been hosting the tally rally for over 25 years!
Next year's CBC will be on Saturday December 29, 2007. Mark your calendars! Jean Wheeler
| 35th Annual Rock Run Christmas Bird Count (2006) | |||||
| Greater White-fronted Goose | Black-crowned Night-Heron | 4 | Marsh Wren | ||
| Snow Goose | 350 | Black Vulture | 195 | Golden-crowned Kinglet | 60 |
| Cackling Goose | 1 | Turkey Vulture | 322 | Ruby-crowned Kinglet | 22 |
| Canada Goose | 14,045 | American Coot | 575 | Blue-gray Gnatcatcher | |
| Mute Swan | 20 | Killdeer | 3 | Eastern Bluebird | 196 |
| Tundra Swan | 256 | Dunlin | Hermit Thrush | 22 | |
| Wood Duck | Wilson's Snipe | American Robin | 217 | ||
| Gadwall | 14 | American Woodcock | Gray Catbird | 7 | |
| American Wigeon | 17 | Laughing Gull | Northern Mockingbird | 153 | |
| American Black Duck | 138 | Black-headed Gull | Brown Thrasher | 4 | |
| Mallard | 648 | Bonaparte's Gull | 3 | European Starling | 4,436 |
| Blue-winged Teal | Ring-billed Gull | 3,075 | American Pipit | ||
| Northern Shoveler | 2 | California Gull | Cedar Waxwing | 65 | |
| Northern Pintail | 2 | Herring Gull | 310 | Orange-crowned Warbler | |
| Green-winged Teal | 90 | Thayer's Gull | Northern Parula | ||
| Canvasback | 24 | Iceland (Kumlien's) Gull | Yellow-rumped Warbler | 9 | |
| Redhead | 12 | Lesser Black-backed Gull | 1 | Pine Warbler | 3 |
| Ring-necked Duck | 28 | Glaucous Gull | Common Yellowthroat | ||
| Greater Scaup | 139 | Great Black-backed Gull | 801 | Eastern Towhee | 55 |
| Lesser Scaup | 87 | Black-legged Kittiwake | American Tree Sparrow | 4 | |
| Harlequin Duck | gull sp. | 45 | Chipping Sparrow | 4 | |
| Long-tailed Duck | Rock Pigeon | 517 | Field Sparrow | 44 | |
| Bufflehead | 341 | Mourning Dove | 434 | Vesper Sparrow | |
| Common Goldeneye | 106 | Barn Owl | Savannah Sparrow | 4 | |
| Hooded Merganser | 72 | Eastern Screech-Owl | 18 | Fox Sparrow | 20 |
| Common Merganser | 74 | Great Horned Owl | 9 | Song Sparrow | 504 |
| Red-breasted Merganser | Barred Owl | 1 | Swamp Sparrow | 47 | |
| Ruddy Duck | 181 | Long-eared Owl | White-throated Sparrow | 1,539 | |
| duck sp. | 6 | Short-eared Owl | White-crowned Sparrow | 13 | |
| Ring-necked Pheasant | Northern Saw-whet Owl | Dark-eyed Junco | 791 | ||
| Ruffed Grouse | Belted Kingfisher | 27 | Snow Bunting | ||
| Wild Turkey | Red-headed Woodpecker | 1 | Northern Cardinal | 456 | |
| Northern Bobwhite | Red-bellied Woodpecker | 139 | Indigo Bunting | ||
| Osprey | Yellow-bellied Sapsucker | 23 | Dickcissel | 1 | |
| Bald Eagle | 104 | Downy Woodpecker | 203 | Red-winged Blackbird | 1,799 |
| Northern Harrier | 5 | Hairy Woodpecker | 24 | Eastern Meadowlark | |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 4 | Northern Flicker | 90 | Yellow-headed Blackbird | |
| Cooper's Hawk | 8 | Pileated Woodpecker | 14 | Rusty Blackbird | 2 |
| Northern Goshawk | Eastern Phoebe | 3 | Common Grackle | 8,916 | |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 12 | Eastern Kingbird | Brown-headed Cowbird | 633 | |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 64 | Loggerhead Shrike | blackbird sp. | 160 | |
| Rough-legged Hawk | Blue Jay | 350 | Baltimore Oriole | ||
| Golden Eagle | American Crow | 550 | Purple Finch | ||
| American Kestrel | 6 | Fish Crow | 29 | House Finch | 148 |
| Merlin | 2 | crow sp. | 55 | Common Redpoll | |
| Peregrine Falcon | 1 | Horned Lark | 2 | Pine Siskin | |
| Red-throated Loon | Barn Swallow | American Goldfinch | 202 | ||
| Common Loon | Carolina Chickadee | 810 | Evening Grosbeak | ||
| Pied-billed Grebe | 21 | Black-capped Chickadee | House Sparrow | 380 | |
| Horned Grebe | Tufted Titmouse | 265 | |||
| Double-crested Cormorant | 25 | Red-breasted Nuthatch | |||
| Great Cormorant | White-breasted Nuthatch | 145 | |||
| American Bittern | 1 | Brown Creeper | 32 | Individuals | 47,483 |
| Great Blue Heron | 181 | Carolina Wren | 356 | Species | 101 |
| Great Egret | House Wren | ||||
| Green Heron | Winter Wren | 49 | |||
Return to Table of Contents
| February 22 | Executive Board Meeting |
| March 2 | March Dinner Meeting: Jeffrey A. Gordon |
| March 3 | State (MOS) Board Meeting |
| March 5 | Deadline: Harford Birdlife. Contact Becky Gallo. |
| March 25 | Deadline: Wrenderings. Contact Rick Cheicante. |
| May 4 | May Meeting |
| May 12 | May Count |
Return to Table of Contents
Longer periods of daylight will trigger the restlessness of Northern Cardinals and Song Sparrows throughout our neighborhoods, resulting in twilight serenades and stimulating the desire of many of us to share some of their life force. A great chance to take advantage of this opportunity is during the height of migration which normally occurs around the second week of May. On that Saturday, (May 12th) we are planning our annual May Count. Folks will try to cover different areas of the county, delineated by ADC map blocks, to count the number of species and individuals. It provides a snapshot of migration, the data from which may be used to help tell us about trends in populations and factors that may affect the timing of migration (e.g. global warming). It's also a great time to get in tune with birdwatching and enjoy the weather. Contact Mark Johnson if you wish to participate. Beginners are welcomed and can be joined with other more experienced birdwatchers is preferred. Contact Mark at 410.692.5978 or email at home or work.
Return To Table of Contents
The Executive Board will be called to meeting on Thursday, February 22, 2007. The meeting will be held the Bel Air branch of the Harford County Public Library at 7:00 PM.
Return to Table of Contents
Tentative dates (weather permitting) from 0700-1200. Please call 410-692-5978 to confirm date.
Return to Table of Contents
The Harford Bird Club would like to extend a warm welcome to our new 2006 and 2007 members:
Return to Table of Contents
November - December 2006: Happy New Year! We ended 2006 with some great birding. DZ & RK even saw 3 Sandhill Cranes in Gunpowder State Park in Joppatowne! A sign that is it winter is all the ducks reported but because of the unseasonably warm weather there were not the usual high number of sightings. I also received reports on Tufted Titmice, juncos and Winter Wrens * cold weather is supposed to be here too!
Geese, Ducks, Grebe
At Turney's Pond during the last week of November DK saw a Snow Goose
and a Cackling Goose. The Cackling Goose stayed through December.
JFG saw 2 Cackling Geese at Swan Harbor on Dec 23rd. Canada Geese
were reported from their common hot spots - APG, Swan Harbor and
Gunpowder State Park. Forty-four Tundra Swans flew over Tudor Manor
on Nov 14th (LE). DZ & RK scoped out 8 Gadwalls at Gunpowder State
Park. JFG saw 4 American Wigeon and 21 American Black Ducks at Swan
Harbor on Dec 23rd. DZ & RK saw 7 American Wigeon and 10 American
Black Ducks at Gunpowder on Dec 16th. There were over 300 Mallards, 7
Northern Shovelers and 3 Northern Pintails at Swan Harbor in Dec
(JFG). Green-wing Teal were spotted at Gunpowder State Park (DZ &RK).
A Redhead drake was swimming at Bynum Pond on Dec 20th (RR). DZ & RK
saw 16 Ring-necked Ducks and 2 Lesser Scaup at Gunpowder. JFG saw 2
Lesser Scaup at Swan Harbor. A Bufflehead was swimming in Turney*s
Pond on Nov 10 (DK) and 2 were at Gunpowder State Park on Dec 16th (DZ
& RK). MoH saw 8 Hooded Mergansers on Nov 5th & Nov 22nd at APG. DZ
& RK counted 12 Hooded Mergansers, 4 Common Mergansers and 5 Red-
breasted Mergansers at Gunpowder SP. At APG on Nov 10th & 22nd MoH
watched 1 Pied-billed Grebe.
Hawks, Plovers, Sandpipers
Bald Eagles are always present at Swan Harbor and on Dec 23rd JFG saw
2 adults and 1 2nd year. MoH spotted 1 Northern Harrier at Swan
Harbor on Nov 2nd & Nov 9th. JFG saw it again on Dec 23rd. DZ & RK
watched one at Gunpowder State Park. A Sharp-shinned Hawk flew
through Creswell on Nov 4th (RC). In Havre de Grace MoH saw a lone
Cooper's Hawk on Nov 18th. DZ & RK spotted 2 Red- shouldered Hawk at
Gunpowder State Park and JBG saw 1 outside of Swan Harbor on Dec 24th.
A Red- tailed Hawk flew through Havre de Grace and 2 were soaring over
Bel Air on Nov 11th (MoH). Two more were flying in Gunpowder State
Park on Dec 16th and another pair was spotted at Swan Harbor on Dec
23rd. MoH saw 15 Killdeer at Swan Harbor on Nov 2nd and JFG saw 1 on
Dec 23rd. DZ & RK saw 7 at Gunpowder State Park. Wilson's Snipe were
spotted at Swan Harbor (1) and Gunpowder State Park (5). PP saw 2
American Woodcocks at Gunpowder State Park on Nov 20th.
Gulls, Owl, Kingfisher
At Gunpowder State Park on Dec 16th DZ & RK saw 28 Ring-billed Gulls.
A common sight at Swan Harbor in the winter is Ring-billed Gulls in
the farm fields. MoH counted 300 on Nov 9th and JFG stopped counting
at 600 on Dec 23rd. Twelve Herring Gulls were spotted at Gunpowder
State Park and 6 were at Swan Harbor. Three Great Black-backed Gulls
were at Gunpowder State Park on Dec 16th. A Barred Owl was reported
on Nov 4th by RC in Creswell. JRG hear a Great Horned Owl calling
during the months of November and December and an Eastern Screech-Owl
not as often. Is there nobody else up late enough/early enough? MoH
saw a Belted Kingfisher at APG on Nov 5th. DZ & RK saw 2 in Gunpowder
SP.
Woodpeckers
Woodpeckers were everywhere! The only one not spotted was the
Red-headed Woodpecker. RC saw 3 Red-bellied Woodpeckers in Creswell
on Nov 4th, MoH saw 1 at APG on Nov 10th and 1 in Havre de Grace on
Nov 18th, DZ & RK saw 12 at Gunpowder State Park and LW saw 1 in
Street (the town). Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers were seen in Creswell on
Nov 4th (RC), Gunpowder State Park on Dec 16th (DZ & RK), and in
Street on Dec 24th (LW). Downy Woodpeckers were popular * 2 in
Creswell (RC), 1 in Havre de Grace (MoH), 15 in Gunpowder State Park
(DZ & RK) and 2 daily at Swan Harbor bird feeders (JRG). RC also saw
in Creswell 2 Hairy Woodpeckers, 1 Northern Flicker and 2 Pileated
Woodpecker. Rounding out the woodpeckers DZ & RK saw in Gunpowder
State Park 2 Hairy Woodpeckers, 7 Northern Flickers and 1 Pileated
Woodpecker.
Lark, Titmice, Nuthatch, Creeper, Wrens
DK saw Horned Larks on the Brandenbaugh Flats in November and
December. RC counted 15 Carolina Chickadees in Creswell on Nov 4th.
MoH saw 1 on Nov 9th and during December at his feeders. DZ & RK saw
12 at Gunpowder State Park. Fifteen titmice were in Creswell on Nov
4th and 7 were in Gunpowder State Park on Dec 16th. Also on Dec 16th
there were 5 White-breasted Nuthatches in Gunpowder State Park. Brown
Creepers were reported in Creswell and Gunpowder State Park. Carolina
Wrens can be seen in Havre de Grace (MoH) and Gunpowder State Park (DZ
& RK). DK saw a Winter Wren at his house while MoH saw 1 at Swan
Harbor and APG. DZ & RK saw 2 Winter Wrens at Gunpowder State Park.
Kinglets, Thrushes, Mimid, Pipit, Waxwing
DZ & RK saw 3 Golden-crowned Kinglets at Gunpowder State Park. MoH
saw 3 Ruby-crowned Kinglets at APG. RC reported 6 Eastern Bluebirds
in Creswell on Nov 4th. At APG MoH saw 1 Eastern Bluebird on Nov
10th. DZ & RK saw 7 at Gunpowder State Park and JFG saw 4 at Swan
Harbor on Dec 23rd. DB saw 1 Hermit Thrush in her bird bath on Dec
1st * not frozen yet! At Gunpowder State Park DZ & RK saw 7 American
Robins, 1 Gray Catbird and 6 Northern Mockingbirds. MoH saw 1
Northern Mockingbird in Havre de Grace on Nov 9th. JRG saw American
Pipits in November at Swan Harbor. Two Cedar Waxwings were in
Gunpowder State Park on Nov 20th (PP) and 6 were counted on Dec 16th
(DZ &RK).
Warblers, Sparrows, Grosbeak
A Nashville Warbler was seen in Forest Hill on Nov 7th (LE). DZ & RK
saw 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler at Gunpowder State Park. In Creswell RC
saw 5 Eastern Towhees and in Gunpowder State Park there were 7. SBH
saw 4 Chipping Sparrows in Fallston on Dec 7th. DK watched Field
Sparrows near the wetlands on Harford Creamery Road on Nov 11th. JFG
counted 7 Savannah Sparrows at Swan Harbor on Dec 23rd. In Gunpowder
State Park PP spotted 5 Fox Sparrows on Nov 20th. DZ & RK reported 76
Song Sparrows and 53 Swamp Sparrows in Gunpowder State Park on Dec
16th. Twenty-five plus White-throated Sparrows were in Creswell on
Nov 4th (RC). Dark-eyed Juncos were reported from Creswell, Swan
Harbor, Havre de Grace and Gunpowder State Park. Northern Cardinals
were common at feeders all over the county throughout November and
December. The Dickcissel reported on the CBC along Bulle Rock Parkway
continued on Dec. 30 and 31 (RC).
Contributors
DB - Deb Bowers, RC - Rick Cheicante, LE - Les Eastman, JFG - John &
Frank Gallo, JBG - John & Becky Gallo, MoH - Monroe Harden, SBH -
Susan & Bob Hood, DK - Dennis Kirkwood, RK - Russ Kovach, RR - Randy
Robertson, PP - Phil Powers, LW - Linda Weeks, DZ - Dave Ziolkowski
I want to thank everyone who contributed. The next article will have sightings from January 1 thru February 28, 2007. You can call me with sightings - 410-459-8873 or email me. Please send the reports to me as you see them. Thanks and Happy Birding!
Return to Table of Contents
Field Trip Schedule
by Colleen Webster
Return to Table of Contents
DINNER RESERVATION FORM
Please return to Eileen Nack, 8 Cresmont Drive, Aberdeen MD 21001 by Friday, February 23, 2007. __________ Number of adults ( at $12.00 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. _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ TEL:___________________________