Volume 20 Number 2
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March - April 2007
|
CONTENTS
Harford Glen and Bird Club Politics
2007 Mid-Winter Count Summary
Calendar of Events
Avian Biology: A Seven Day Course
Award Winners
Welcome New Members
Harford Birdlife
May Count
Field Trip Schedule
Field Trip Reports. . .
May Meeting
Harford Glen and Bird Club Politics
Now that spring has arrived it is hard to hide the excitement... prime
birding season is on its way! This week my yard has been alive with
phoebes, many frantic robins, and a Chipping Sparrow singing from the
pasture (and periodically sitting up for all to see on a fence post).
It is only a matter of time before vireos and warblers will grace our
bird trips. Speaking of birding... remember that our May meeting will
be held at Harford Glen. As I am sure you have heard, many of the
pines near the dormitory buildings and surrounding the lake needed to
be cleared due to beetle infestation. Undoubtedly this will change
the birding a bit at Harford Glen, but for sure it will continue to be
one our county's greatest hot-spots, and I am certainly excited about
holding a meeting there!
Our speaker, Dr. Kim Derrickson, has done research on many different
types of song birds in the Maryland area and in the tropics. We are
certain to hear about some of our local favorites, particularly the
Wood Thrush and of course Mockingbirds. Dr. Derrickson conducts
research on the impact of Cowbird parasitism and Blue Jay predation on
local nesters in addition to other research highlighting how far bird
song travels. His familiarity with both local parks (Dr. Derrickson
is on the Oregon Ridge Park Council) and birds should make his
presentation both fun and familiar.
This May meeting will also feature our officer elections for the
2007-2009 term. At this point in time announced candidates are Marjie
Heagy for Treasurer, Marty Crouse-Farley for Corresponding Secretary,
Dave Webb for Vice President, and Russ Kovach for President. If
anybody is interested in running for any of these positions or our
Recording Secretary office, please contact Randy Robertson, Les
Eastman, or Jean Wheeler. This is a good time to thank our current
Recording Secretary, Emily Hines, who has not only attended meetings
and recorded the minutes, but has also arranged those meeting with the
Churchville Presbyterian Church and even shows up to unlock the doors!
While Emily is looking to step down from the Secretary duties, we all
look forward to seeing her and Paul at the meetings for a long time to
come! Thank you for your dedication and service to the Harford Bird
Club.
There will be many other bird-related events over the next few
months as well! Remember that Saturday and Sunday after our May
meeting is the Havre de Grace Decoy Festival... rarely a hot bed of
birding, but certainly a great place to see everything from true
working duck decoys to wonderful wildlife arts, crafts, and
photographs. The May Count is the following weekend, and of course
the Harford Bird Club has a host of field trip offerings that is sure
to delight all that attend. The weather is sure to cooperate... so I
look forward to seeing you all out on the birding trail!
Best Birding Wishes,
Russ Kovach
Return to Table of Contents
2007 Mid-Winter Count Summary
After a confusing start, we decided to have the Mid-Winter Count on a
Sunday (rather than the last Saturday) in January to provide for a
reduce traffic situation and to help avoid encounters with hunters.
Results of an unofficial poll suggested counter preferred Sunday to
Saturdays. The weather was hospitable; mostly overcast in the low
40's. We had our best coverage and best participation in the last few
years; fifteen participated in ten parties that covered each corner
and the central part of the county. Altogether, 20966 birds of 93
species were found.
Of interest were high counts for White-breasted Nuthatch, all three
merganser species, Carolina Wren and Wild Turkey. Low counts included
Yellow-rumped Warbler, Tree Sparrows and absent were White-crowned
Sparrow. Party-specific highlights are presented as follows.
The Perryman Team (Eileen Fry, Phil Powers, and
Terry Haley) found six raptor species, four woodpecker species
(including Pileated), and Horned Lark. All together they found over
2600 individuals of 47 species.
John and Rebecca Gallo covered Swan Harbor and logged 51 species
including twelve Savannah Sparrows, eleven Mute Swans, and all three
mergansers.
Rick Cheicante covered Susquehanna State Park and found 57 species
including Tundra Swan, Goldeneye, and both vulture species.
Dennis Kirkwood canvassed the World Famous Bradenbaugh Flats area and
found where the Red-winged Blackbirds were, and also found 41
Ring-necked Ducks, and Savannah Sparrows.
Mark Johnson counted in the Sweet Air Area of Gunpowder State Park and
found a single Cedar Waxwing, Winter Wren, and six Fox Sparrows.
Dave Webb and Suzanne Procell covered the APG - Aberdeen Area and had
an impressive 70 species including the only Tree Sparrows,
Yellow-rumped Warblers, Barn Owl, and Great Egret for the count!
Additionally, they found 53 Wild Turkeys and recorded 5300
individuals.
George and Kathy Rohe found Golden-crowned Kinglet, Pileated
Woodpeckers, and Bald Eagles in the Harford Glen area, recording 27
species.
Deidre DeRoia covered the Spesutie Island area of Aberdeen and found
six sparrow species including Fox, Tree, and Swamp, all three
mergansers and twelve Wild Turkeys (they seem to be moving to
Aberdeen).
John Cupp, Sr. was our "rover" sweeping from Fallston to Bel Air and
Conowingo and finding 41 species and over 2,000 individuals. He was
one of the few who found Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Brown-headed
Cowbird, Canvasback, and the only Rough-legged Hawk.
Veteran Les Eastman takes second place with 56 species including
Clay-colored Sparrow, Brown Thrasher, both kinglets, and Gray Catbird.
Thanks go out to all who counted and provided complete reports for the
day. Mark Johnson
Return to Table of Contents
Calendar of Events
| April 21 | Earth Day |
| May 4 | May Meeting: Dr. Kim Derrickson |
| May 5 | Deadline: Harford Birdlife: Becky Gallo** |
| May 12 | May Count |
| May 12 - 13 | Havre de Grace Decoy Festival |
| May 25 | Deadline: Wrenderings: Rick Cheicante |
Return to Table of Contents
Avian Biology: A Seven Day Course
Dr. Mark Johnson and Wildlife Biologist David Ziolkowski are offering
an ornithology course for all of you die-hard birders who must know
more...and more! This short course is geared towards beginning and
advanced birders that want to learn about avian biology in addition to
identification tricks. This team of enthusiastic instructors also
coordinate and manage the EMNC bird banding station located in the
Lower Meadow at Eden Mill. Contact Eden Mill for more information
(http://www.edenmill.org/) or 410-836- 3050.
Course dates, times & locations:
Thursday April 12: 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. @ EMNC Classroom Intro to Bird ID
Saturday April 14: 7:00 - 11:00 a.m. Field ID of common birds @ Harford Glen
Thursday April 19: 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. @ EMNC Taxonomy and Distribution
Saturday April 21: 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Field Trip: Delaware Shore
Thursday April 26: 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. @ EMNC Ecology & Conservation
Thursday May 3: 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. @ EMNC Form and Function
Saturday May 5: 7:00 a.m. - noon @ EMNC Bird Banding Station Mist Netting & Birds in Hand
Return To Table of Contents
Award Winners
The Harford Bird Club is pleased to recognize the
following distinguished recipients of our 2006 Annual Awards:
Birder of the Year: Dennis Kirkwood
Volunteer of the Year: Carol Flora
Rookie of the Year: Elaine Berry
Bird of the Year: Sabine's Gull
Congratulations to all!
Return to Table of Contents
Welcome New Members
The Harford Bird Club would like to extend a
warm welcome to our newest members:
Keith Edwards and Mary Rybczynski
Becky McAndrews
Diane Jones
Jeff Rierson
Return to Table of Contents
Harford Birdlife
by Becky Gallo
January - February 2007: Late winter storms brought in some unusual
birds. A Clay-colored Sparrow was seen along the Bulle Rock Parkway
on Jan 14, 27 and 28th (RC, JW, MoH) [ed. note: this bird was found
and ID'ed by Dave Ziolkowski and Dave Webb the weekend of Jan. 6,
2007). RAK found a lone Horned Grebe at the Conowingo Dam on Feb
11th. JRG had an invasion of 72 Mourning Doves at their feeder on Jan
27th. LD had over 27 American Robins and 1 Cedar Waxwing in her yard
for over 45 minutes on Feb 4th. Another invasion at Swan Harbor was
on Feb 2nd; there were 11 Northern Cardinals at the feeders.
Geese, Ducks, Grebe:
RC saw 1 Snow Goose off the Lantern Queen Pier in
Havre de Grace on Feb 11th. A Cackling Goose was spotted swimming in
Turney's Pond on Feb 3rd by DK. Over 1000 Canada Geese were wandering
the fields of Swan Harbor on Feb 17th (JG). PP saw 3 Mute Swans at
Mariner Point Park on Feb 19th. At Lakeside on Jan 28th DL saw 30
Tundra Swans. Forty Mallards were in the fields of Swan Harbor on Feb
17th (JG). Twenty Gadwalls, 20 American Wigeon and 2 Green-winged
Teal were spotted at Lakeside on Feb 4th (DL). In Havre de Grace on
Feb 11th RC saw 12 Canvasback, 8 Redheads and 2 Ring-necked Ducks.
Ring-necked Ducks were also seen at Bynum Pond (RR Jan 18), Havre de
Grace (CW Feb 13) and at Turney's Pond (DK Jan/Feb). Lesser Scaup
were seen at Lakeside on Jan 28th (DL), in Havre de Grace on Feb 14th
(CW) and Feb 11 (RC). On Feb 11 at the Conowingo Dam RAK saw a
Long-tailed Duck and over 100 Bufflehead. CW saw 16 Bufflehead at
Susquehanna State Park on the same day; did they swim down from the
dam? Common Goldeneye were seen at the Conowingo Dam and in Havre de
Grace. MoH saw 3 Hooded Mergansers at the Conowingo Dam on Feb 18th.
Common Mergansers were very common at the Conowingo Dam, Havre de
Grace and Susquehanna State Park. Four Red-breasted Mergansers were
spotted by RC on Feb 11th in Havre de Grace.
Hawks, Falcons, Plovers, Sandpipers, Dove:
Bald Eagles were seen everywhere (SH, RC, CW, DK, MoH, JRG)! Northern
Harriers were spotted in Constant Friendship (LD), APG Edgewood (RC)
and Swan Harbor (DL, JRG). JG saw a Sharp-shinned Hawk on Feb 25th at
Swan Harbor. Cooper's Hawks were seen in Creswell (RC), APG (MoH) and
Swan Harbor feeders (JRG). Red-shouldered Hawks were in Creswell
(RC), Swan Harbor (DL), at LD's fat feeder and in Havre de Grace
(MoH). Red-tailed Hawks were also common - Rt 22 across from the
college (CW), at Swan Harbor (DL), and MoH saw one in Havre de Grace,
APG and at the Conowingo Dam. American Kestrels were on the Kestrel
nesting box off of Trappe Church Road on Feb 19th (RAK) and at Swan
Harbor on Jan 30th (JG). At Swan Harbor there was a Merlin on Feb
17th and 18th and a Peregrine Falcon on Jan 23rd (JG). DL saw 6
Killdeer in Perryman on Feb 4th and RC saw 1 in Creswell on Feb 26th.
A Wilson's Snipe was spotted on DK's farm on Feb 22nd.
Owls, Kingfisher, Woodpeckers, Crow:
Great Horned Owls were heard in Creswell on Feb 18th (RC), Susquehanna
State Park on Feb 7th (CW), Street on Feb 19th (DB) and Swan Harbor on
Jan 24th (JRG). RC heard a Barred Owl on Feb 18th in Creswell. In
Susquehanna State Park on Feb 7th and in Havre de Grace on Feb 13th CW
saw a Belted Kingfisher. Red-bellied Woodpeckers made an appearance
in Bel Air (LD), Havre de Grace (CW & MoH) and at Swan Harbor (JRG).
LD had at her feeder during Jan. & Feb. a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and
Downy Woodpecker. Downy Woodpeckers were also seen by MoH and JRG.
MoH saw a Northern Flicker at Swan Harbor on Feb 10th. Pileated
Woodpeckers were seen in Susquehanna State Park (CW), Bel Air (CV),
Abingdon (JMA) and Swan Harbor (JRG). RC saw 1 Fish Crow on the
Lantern Queen Pier in Havre de Grace on Feb 11th.
Lark, Titmice, Nuthatch, Creeper, Wrens:
DK counted over 100 Horned Larks during a snow storm this winter. On
Feb 17th JG saw 10 Carolina Chickadees at his feeders. A White-
breasted Nuthatch was a common visitor to LD's feeders this winter.
PP and DK had Brown Creepers at their feeders. MoH saw 1 Carolina
Wren at his feeder on Jan 14th. A Winter Wren was seen in Street by
DB on Feb 18th and 19th.
Thrushes, Waxwing, Sparrows, Finches :
CV saw 2 Eastern Bluebirds in Bel Air on Feb 2nd and Feb 25th, CW saw
8 in Havre de Grace on Feb 15th, MoH saw 4 at Swan Harbor on Feb 16th
and DB saw them in her Holly Tree on Feb 20th. A Hermit Thrush used
DB's bird bath on Feb 18th. An Eastern Towhee was spotted in Havre de
Grace on Jan 5th by MoH. JRG saw an Eastern Towhee at their feeder on
Feb 18th. RC saw an American Tree Sparrow in Creswell on Feb 25th.
Chipping Sparrows were seen in Creswell (RC), Gunpowder State Park
(DZ) and Fallston (SBH). JG counted 22 Savannah Sparrows at Swan
Harbor on Feb 17th. The next day DL visited Swan Harbor and saw 14
Savannah Sparrows. RC saw a Fox Sparrow in Creswell and LD saw at her
feeder. Over 100 White-throated Sparrows and 14 American Goldfinches
were at Swan Harbor on Feb 17th and 18th (JG).
Contributors:
JMA - John & Michelle Amoriello, DB - Debbie Bowers, RC - Rick
Cheicante, LD - Lyn Davis, JG - John Gallo, JRG - John & Rebecca
Gallo, MoH - Monroe Harden, SH - Susan Hood, DK - Dennis Kirkwood, RAK
- Russ & Annie Kovach, DL - Dave Larkin, PP - Phil Powers, RR - Randy
Robertson, CV - Carole Vangrin, CW - Colleen Webster, JW - Jean
Wheeler, DZ - Dave Ziolkowski
I want to thank everyone who contributed. The next article will have
sightings from March 1 thru April 30, 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
May Count
Saturday
May 12, 2007
Contact Mark Johnson
if you want to participate.
"The May Count ought to be declared "National Birding Day". It
provides the most colorful display of birds and the perfect alibi -
should you need one - for having to get out to bird." Rick
Cheicante
Return to Table of Contents
Field Trip Schedule
by Colleen Webster
Saturday, April 21
Gettysburg, PA.
Just when you thought you knew everything about the famous
battlefields, Dave Webb leads a tour to help us re-vision Gettysburg.
Join this enthusiastic leader as he takes you through fields and
wooded areas, looking for Red-headed Woodpecker, Rusty Blackbird,
Wilson's Snipe. Pack a lunch and meet in front of Klein's grocery
store, intersection of MD 23 & MD 24 at 6:00 am. Contact
Dave
for more details.
Friday, April 27
Eden Mill Nature Center, Bird Banding.
A very good time for beginners and experienced birders alike as
veteran bander Mark Johnson leads a workshop on the details of banding
and helps you experience a variety of migrants close-up and fresh out
of the nets. Information will help identify numerous aspects of
common birds that may be overlooked when seen from a distance. A
lucky few may even get to hold a bird in their own hands to release
back into the wild. Meet at the Joe Vangrin Memorial Pavilion about
1/2 mile beyond the mill on Eden Mill Road at 8:00 am. Les Eastman
will lead a bird walk through the trails after the workshop. Contact
Les for details.
Sunday, April 29
Palmer State Park, Girls-Gone-Wildflower.
The club visits an often overlooked Palmer State Forest to witness its
impressive assortment of wildflowers and early migrants. Led by
experienced birder Sue Purcell and wildflower guru Colleen Webster,
trip goers are likely to see early spring migrants like Blue-headed
Vireo and an array of wildflowers likely including Yellow Ladyslipper.
This 650 acre State Park offers beautiful scenery along Deer Creek and
access to one of the few large blocks of undisturbed forest surviving
in the county. In 1995 the park acquired the adjacent Stifler Memorial
Conservation Tract from the Harford Land Trust, originally purchased
by that organization to preserve the spectacular natural scenery of
the area. Moderate hiking on dirt paths. Meet at 7:30 AM at the Rt. 1
& MD 136 Wawa. Contact
Colleen Webster.
for more information.
Saturday, May 5
The "Gulch" and Hidden Valley.
Joint trip with the Harford Land Trust. Join trip leader Dennis
Kirkwood in a bird trip that also highlights an important area that
has been preserved by the Harford Land Trust. Prepare to see migrant
warblers, Scarlet Tanagers and orioles. Meet at the Izaak Walton
League parking area on Onion Road off Rt. 136 at 8 am. Contact
Les Eastman
for more information.
Sunday, May 6
Susquehanna State Park.
Known to draw both traveling birds and birders alike, this trip
annually reaffirms the park's reputation as one of the preeminent
local birding spots. Omniscient leader Dave Ziolkowski will help you
pick through a myriad of songbirds in hopes of getting good spots at
the local specialties, including Baltimore & Orchard Orioles and
Cerulean & Kentucky warblers. Meet at 7:00 AM at the Rock Run Mill.
Contact leader
Dave Z
for more information.
Saturday, May 12
May Count.
Contact
Mark Johnson
for more information.
Sunday, May 13
Gunpowder State Park.
A reprise of last year's popular new outing for Mothers on the day set
aside to honor them. Join Mark Johnson and his vibrant (and patient!)
wife Denise as they lead birders through the Sweet Air area of
Gunpowder. Meet at the end of Dalton Brevard Road at 7:30 and contact
Mark
for more information.
Saturday, May 19
Susquehanna State Park.
A location so wonderful that birds and birders alike just can't stay
away. Return to this lush riverside park with local Les Eastman for
late northbound migrants and early summer natural history. Bird list
could include Yellow and Black-billed Cuckoos, Olive-sided and
Empidonax Flycatchers, Cape May & Cerulean Warblers with Zebra
Swallowtails and others to boot. Meet at 7:00 AM at the Rock Run
Mill. Contact
Les
for more information.
Sunday, May 20
Harford Shorebird Tour.
Marvel at flocks of Peeps and search for species that are tough to
find locally, such as Black-bellied Plover, Dunlin, Red Knot, Wimbrel,
and Eskimo Curlew. Beginners interested in learning the basics of
shorebird identification and experienced watchers searching for
rarities will enjoy this morning trip to Havre de Grace and
neighboring sites. Scopes are helpful, although not necessary. Meet
at the Tydings Marina at 6:30 AM and contact trip leader
Dave Webb
for details.
Sunday, May 27
Conowingo Dam.
If you have been hankering for a peek at an Oriole who is not
out-earning you yearly, now is your chance! Join Les Eastman for what
should be a profitable outing in terms of Orioles and Warbling Vireos,
among others. Meet at 8 am at the dam parking lot for a leisurely
walk along the Greenway trail.
Contact
Les
for more information.
Monday, May 28
Hidden Valley/Upper Deer Creek.
Administered by Rocks State Park, however, the lightly used trails of
this section recall an Appalachian park as they wind around large
hemlocks and substantial cliffs. Join local resident and natural
historian Dennis Kirkwood in a search for Worm-eating Warbler,
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, and Scarlet Tanager. Meet at Hidden Valley
(N. end of Madonna Rd.) at 7 a.m. A side trip to The World Famous
Bradenbaugh Flats will bring Grasshopper Sparrow and Willow
Flycatcher. Contact
Dennis Kirkwood
for more information.
Saturday, June 2
Delaware Shore Trip.
Day long adventure to the Bombay Hook and some of the adjacent birding
mega-hotspots. The muddy impoundments, fresh & saltwater marshes, and
wave washed beaches afford great numbers and good views of shore and
water birds. Black-necked Stilt, American Avocet, and Red Knot are
local specialties but that's not all as European waifs, western
strays, and windblown pelagics commonly occur. Bring lunch and meet at
7:00 AM at the MD 155 and I-95 park-n-ride. Contact leader
Russ Kovach
for more information.
Saturday, June 9
Susquehanna State Park Bird Count.
Calling all birders, new and experienced, county residents or
visitors, eager or slightly tired from all the migrating and nesting
species chasing. Bird club members who are willing to be small group
members PLEASE CALL BY MAY 25th - Craig Patterson at (410) 734-9035.
All volunteer participants meet at Rock Run Mill at 7 am to spread out
in the park and get as many species noted as possible!
Sunday, June 17
Harford Glen.
Visit this easily accessible Harford County natural gem to hike the
forests and wetlands with leaders Lynn Davis and Betsy Reeder in
search of shorebirds like Spotted, Solitary, and Least Sandpipers and
migratory songbirds including Warblers, Vireos, and Orioles. Harford
Glen habitat offers the added promise of early summer wildflowers like
Jack-in-the- Pulpit, Wild Ginger, and Wild Geranium to delight flower
enthusiasts. See first hand how the recent clearing of the 25 acres
of 60-year old beetle-infested pines has changed the landscape and
natural activity. Follow Wheel Road to its western end and meet at
the upper parking lot at 7:00 AM (gate opens to the public then).
Contact Lynn
for more information.
Saturday June 23
Champion Trees of Harford County.
Get a mixed blessing this day when you join guide Tom Gibson to tour
some of the truly great trees that stand among us. See, also, what
birds are lucky enough to snag such swanky living quarters. Meet at
7:30 am in C. Milton Wright parking lot and contact
Tom
for more information.
Saturday, July 14
Rocks State Park.
Join Carol Flora and Randy Robertson for a nice cool walk along the
water and over the hills hoping for good looks at Spotted Sandpiper,
Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Acadian Flycatcher, BlueGray Gnatcatcher, Wood
Thrush, Vireos, Pine Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, and even Orchard
Oriole. Meet at the Rocks Crome Hill Road parking lot at 7 am and
contact
Carol
for more information.
Saturday, July 28
Owl Prowl.
If anyone can get the owls out to meet the birders, it is the King of
Calling Owls, Dave Z. Head out on a summer evening trip for all you
late-sleepers to canvas the county for Great Horned, Screech, Barred
and Barn Owls at various sites. Meet Russ Kovach and Dave at C.
Milton Wright at 8:15 pm for a hootin'good time. Contact
Dave Z
for more information.
Saturday, August 4
Butterflies and Dragonflies of Harford County.
Join Rick Cheicante for this very leisurely half day foray to one of
Harford County's local butterfly and dragonfly haunts. Butterflies may
include the showy swallowtails, Monarch, and Viceroy as well as the
diminutive hairstreaks and challenging grass skippers. Odonate
hopefuls include Common Green Darner, Eastern Pondhawk, Black
Saddlebags and the resplendent Halloween Pennant. Contact
Rick Cheicante
for all the details. Sunny day only!
Saturday, August 11
Hummingbird Happy Hour.
Join Les and Beth Eastman at 4 pm at their gracious home to experience
the buzz and flight of dozens of hummingbirds feeding from their many
feeders. Participants are invited to bring a dish to share and a
beverage of their choice to enjoy in the early dusk of this favored
occasion of the bird club. For more information contact
Les.
Return to Table of Contents
Field Trip Reports. . .
Harford Owl Prowl
November 4: Nine members of the club convened at Eden Mill for an
evening of owl-searching along the backroads of NW Harford County. The
night sky could not have been more perfect -- the moon was full, there
was no wind, and the air was cool. For the first two hours of the
trip, all we could rouse were barking dogs. Everyone's patience was
wearing thin but we persisted; and on our sixth stop, we finally
coerced an Eastern Screech-Owl to call from the tree canopy overhead.
At the next stop along Big Branch, a Barred Owl flew in and
entertained everyone for several minutes with its calls, and even
landed in a dead tree to give us all great looks at its plumage. We
ended the trip on a high note as a pair of Great Horned Owls dueted
from a distant ridgeline near Kilgore Falls. Dave Webb
Swan Harbor
December 3: American Bittern (impoundment), 1 Northern Pintail, 10
American Crows, 1 Red-tailed Hawk, 25+ Horned Larks, 12 Killdeer, 8
Swamp Sparrows, 20 Song Sparrows, 800 Canada Geese, 1 Bald Eagle, 10
Eastern Bluebirds, 10 N. Mockingbirds, 200 Mallards, 15 - 20 A. Black
Ducks, 4 Downy Woodpeckers, 10 Carolina Chickadees, 5 or 6 titmice, 4
or 5 Red-bellied Woodpeckers, 50 juncos, 20 White-throated Sparrows,
20 House Sparrows, 10 or 15 House Finches 15 goldfinches, 8 Mourning
Doves, 1 Turkey Vulture, 4 Carolina Wrens, 2 Northern Flickers, 10
Blue Jays, 6 White-breasted Nuthatches, 6 cardinals. John Gallo
Bradenbaugh Flats
February 3: 21 adventurous folks (six new to the club and our field
trips) braved cold temperatures to investigate the World Famous
Bradenbaugh Flats (WFBF) in return for plenty of fresh air and hot
soup for lunch (3 varieties!). Our first stop at Streuben's pond
yielded a mature Bald Eagle harassing the flock of Canada geese and a
dozen Ring-necked Ducks. For some it was their first Bald Eagle in
the wild. We added a few feeder birds and some Black Ducks at our
next stop. At Turney's pond on Harford Creamery Road, most got to see
a Cackling Goose in great lighting, providing the opportunity to
compare color, size and bill shape. A stop at the Flats provided the
expected Horned Larks and Savannah Sparrows. We added an American
Kestrel at a roadside stop before finishing our morning. Dennis
Kirkwood
Harford Waterfowl Tour
March 18: Five devoted waterfowl watchers - including 2 MOS members
from the Baltimore Bird Club and one from the Montgomery Chapter *
scoured the waters of eastern Harford County for as many different
Anatidae species as possible on Sunday, March 18. The once-productive
Gunpowder River seen from its western shore at the Edgewood Area APG,
turned up nothing more than a lone drake Common Goldeneye and a few
very distant Mute Swans and scaup. But our next stop, the Route 40
marsh across from the Edgewood Home Depot, was superlative. Here we
found 12 species of waterfowl including Gadwall, Wood Duck, Northern
Pintail, Green-winged teal, American Wigeon, Ring-necked Duck, Hooded
Merganser, and both Greater and Lesser Scaup. Near the southwestern
tip of the Perryman peninsula we discovered small flocks of Ruddy
Ducks and Red-breasted Mergansers. Everyone was thrilled to see that
the basic-plumaged Red-necked Grebe first spotted one week earlier was
still meandering about the boat docks of Tydings Marina. By the time
our journey concluded at Lapidum Landing we had tallied 17 waterfowl
and 53 total species. Notable among the other finds of the day were
American Pipit, Horned Lark, Pine Warbler, Savannah Sparrow and Rusty
Blackbird. Dave Webb
Return to Table of Contents
May Meeting
Friday, May 4, 2007
** Harford Glen **
Meeting at 7:00 P.M.
Guest Speaker:
Dr. Kim Derrickson
Ornithologist (MD and the tropics)
"Local Favorites"
Refreshments will be served
Harford Glen is located at the west terminus of Wheel Road.
Travelling from Bel Air on Rt. 24, turn right onto Wheel Road (this
just past the "Festival" shopping center). From Edgewood and
Interstate 95, turn left onto Wheel Road.
Return to Table of Contents
Please send any comments to Les Eastman.
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