Colonial nesting waterbirds have a nest- ing strategy unlike most other breeding birds in our area. Instead of nesting one here and another there, they nest together in groups called colonies. Colonies range in size from a half dozen to over a thousand pairs. Some colonies are comprised of a single species, while others are made up of several nesting species. Reasons for nesting in these colonies include reducing the risk of loss of ones nest to predators and following other nesting birds to moving prey species, especially schools of fish. Colonial nesting waterbirds in Maryland include herons, egrets, ibis, terns, gulls, skim- mers, pelicans and cormorants. In total, twenty species of colonial waterbirds regu- larly nest in our state. These birds nest in less than 150 scattered colonies. Two-thirds of the colonies are associated with the Chesa- peake Bay and one-third are associated with the coastal bays of Worcester County. A few Great Blue Heron and Black-crowned Night Heron colonies are found inland. We conduct a comprehensive inventory of all colonies every five years, with monitor- ing of certain species or colonies every year. Annual monitoring is conducted for our threatened or endangered waterbirds, which include Black Skimmers, Least Terns and Royal Terns. We also monitor our nesting pelicans and cormorants annually. Every year we also try toaerially survey each known colony to determine if is active. Our last comprehensive survey was con- ducted in 1995. That year we documented 130 colonies with 18,164 pairs of nesting waterbirds. Great Blue Herons were the most abundant nesting waterbird, totaling 5,978 nesting pairs in 58 colonies. The second most numerous waterbird was the Herring Gull, with 2,410 pairs nesting in 24 colonies. The least abundant nesting waterbird was Gull-billed Tern with only 2 pairs. Many colonies are located on small is- lands free of mammalian predators. Other colonies are located in the tops of trees at a few sites around the bay. With the state’s entire breeding populations of colonial waterbirds nesting at relatively few locations, conservation of these sites is important for the birds. For this reason, colonial waterbird nesting areas receive special protection within the Chesapeake Bay area through the state’s Critical Area Program. Under the authority of this program, development and timber harvest operations must be conducted in such a Way as not to impact colonies. (continued on page 3, column 1) THE MARYLAND YELLOWTHROAT Newsletter of the Maryland Ornithological Society VOL. 17, NO. 3 What Is The Envirothon, Anyway? by Diane Davis Gerber The Envirothon is a competitive natural resource event for high school students, spon- sored by the soil and/or water conservation districts, or by individual state soil conserva- tion committees or commissions. Students are tested in five natural resource areas: aquat- ics, forestry, soils, and wildlife, plus an envi- ronmental issue topic, such as recycling or land-use management. The goal of the Envirothon is to cultivate a desire in our young citizens to learn about the natural world. The payoff is a more aware and con- cerned citizenry in the future. This competition is not just an event, but rather an experience. In fact, to say that the Envirothon involves an outdoor, problem- solving, competition-based knowledge about natural resources and the environment does not convey the full dynamics of the program. Students spend many months learning from resource professionals about soils, wildlife (birds!), forestry, and aquatics, to name just a few topics. VOLUNTEERS ARE ALWAYS NEEDED TO HELP TRAIN THESTUDENTS, AS MOST STATES DO NOT HAVE AN ENVIROTHON STAFF. The Envirothon began in Pennsylvania in 1979. Presently, the Envirothon is found in more than 35 states and several Canadian Provinces. This year, 40 teams from the United States and Canada are expected to participate in the national competition. The objectives are twofold: (1) to test the environmental knowledge and understand- ing of high school students about state re- source issues; and, (2) to cultivate within stu- dents in high schools across the state a desire to learn more about their natural world. How Does It Work? The Envirothon begins in a conservation district with the identification of a teacher / advisor from public or private schools. The advisor is often a science or social studies teacher, or a school administrator. The dis- trict educational coordinator works with the teacher/advisor and various resource (continued on page 2, column 2) MAY/JUNE 1997 by Martha Waugh Baltimore Bird Clubbers Hit The Big 50: We're talking about the 50 warblers that regu- larly occur in the United States. Elliot and Nancy Kirschbaum had seen 41lof them be- fore starting on a three month trip around the nation in April 1995. They began their trip through the Smoky Mountains, attended a grape stomping festival in Memphis, and spotted the first life bird of the trip in Texas - 300 to 500 migrating Mississippi Kites. They had some wonderful birding experiences in New Mexico and Arizona and found they were up to 49 warblers. They headed north through Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana, seeing lots of birds—Barrow’s Goldeneye, White-tailed Ptarmigan, Sharp-tailed Grouse, Three-toed Woodpecker, etc., but no new warblers. It was the beginning of July and they needed to head for home. They decided to take a 568 mile round trip detour to the Lower Peninsula to seek the Kirtland’s War- bler, even though tours into the protected Jack Pine habitat ended on July 2. As a last resort, they took a picture of the Kirtland’s Warbler statue on Main Street in Mio, Mi. Luck was with them as they headed into the 25,000 acres of habitat created by the Mack Lake fire of 1985 as, on their own, they found (continued on page 3, column 2) Contents DNR Reports Chapter Chatter WihatilS:thevenairotnonecc.. eee 1 Announcements Birds On The Web The Conservation Connection January Board Meeting Minutes 1997 MOS Scholarship Winners MD List Report for 1996 MOS Calendar, May/Auegust Page 2 Birds on the Web (continued from page 4, column1) the new address, but not always. So, if you can’t find a site or can’t find the information you are looking for, use a major search engine or one provided at the site to find what you want. As we finish our exploration for this issue, I’d like to point you to one other important site. Spring is here, and migration is upon us. Soare the ticks. We wanteveryone to have the best birding year ever, but we also want you to stay healthy. Check out the Lyme Disease Network (http://www.lymenet.org) before you head out for the woods. Until September, good birding and good surfing! THE MARYLAND YELLOWTHROAT Newsletter of the Maryland Ornithological Society, Inc. Norman C. Saunders 1261 Cavendish Drive Colesville, MD 20905 (301) 989-9035 (Home) (301) 989-9036 (BBS) (202) 606-5723 (Office) (202) 606-5745 (Fax) Osprey@ari.net Editor-in-chief: Frances C. Saunders SaunderF@ari.net Assistant editor: Les Eastman 4034 Wilkinson Rd. Havre de Grace, MD 21078 (410) 734-6969 (Home) (410) 671-3490 (Office) LREastma@cbdcom.apgea.army.mil Calendar editor: State Web Page: http://www2?.ari.net/saunderf/mos/mos.html If you have a change of address or are experienc- ing difficulties with MOS mailings, contact the Mailing List Coordinator, William Guion, 8007 Martown Road, Laurel, MD 20723, (301) 490- 0444. All other questions regarding the Maryland Orni- thological Society should be referred to the Execu- tive Secretary, Will Tress, 203 Gittings Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21212, (410) 433-1058 or at (800) 823-0050 (410-244-0032 in the Baltimore calling area). Will's e-mail address is: WTress@ubmail.ubalt.edu. For information on advertising rates and dead- lines, contact the editor. Copy deadlines for the September / October 1997is- sue are: May-August Calendar Activities: July 25, 1997 All Other Submissions: August 1, 1997 The Envirothon (continued from page 1, column 2) people—local foresters, soils scientists, wild- life experts, and others—to provide “train- ing” for the participating high school teams through field days, nature trips, environmen- tal events, and/or films. The teams take an in- depth look at wildlife, aquatic life, forestry, soils, and current environmental issues throughout the entire school year to prepare them for the series of competitive hurdles which lay ahead. The conservation district’s educational coordinator also establishes a local resource committee consisting of federal, state, and local environmental, recreational and scien- tific people, civic groups, and citizens to over- see both the training and the competitive event. Local trials are held at the district level between April and June of each year. Each districtmust produce a winning team of five students from the same high school in order to represent that district. This team then travels to the state Envirothon, normally held before the end of the school year, where their knowledge is challenged in a competi- tion involving “hands-on” natural resource information. The team that wins the state Envirothon then represents their state at the National Envirothon, a four- or five-day event where state teams work out solutions to vari- ous environmental problems. The Maryland State trials are scheduled for June 19-21, 1997 at Camp Hashawha in Carroll County. The primary Maryland State contacts are: Craig Zinter, Talbot County Soil Conservation Dis- trict Manager, tel. work (410) 822-1577, fax (410) 820-8919; and Craig Hartzok tel. (301) 777-1747. Maryland last won the National title in 1993, with Connecticut winning in both 1996 and 1995. Maryland has an excellent chance of recovering the title again this year because the flora and fauna in nearby Pennsylvania are very similar to that of Maryland. Coaches are needed even now!! The Finals This year’s 10th anniversary finals of the Envirothon National Championships will be held in Johnstown, Pennsylvania from Au- gust 5-10, 1997. This is where the teams of highschool students (from each winning state) will be quizzed through written tests and rigorous field challenges in the five core ar- eas. Prizes are awarded at different levels of competition. The top 3 teams nationally re- ceive a Canon National Envirothon Scholar- ship valued at $2,500 (1st place), $1,500 (2nd place), and $1,00 (3rd place). In addition to the local conservation districts of each state, other sponsors of the Envirothon include Monsanto, the National Association of Con- servation Districts, USDA Forest Service, and Canon U.S.A. The National Envirothon Ex- ecutive Director is Brenda Weiser, PO Box 408, 408 E. Main Street, League City, Texas, 77574 , or tel. (800) 825-5547x27. (Ed. note: Our thanks to Diane Gerber for provid- ing this informative article on the Envirothon program. She has promised to let us know in the fall how our Maryland Team did in this year’s competition!) ANNOUNCEMENTS TO MEMBERS 3rd Annual Super Bowl of Birding Do you want some stiff Fall birding competition? Would you like to help support Kestrel, the new nonprofit bird observatory on Virginia’s Eastern Shore? Do you want to prove to the world how good you and your teammates really are? Three-member teams will compete in this year’s Super Bowl during the week of September 20th through September 28th. Your team picks one day during this period and selects whether they wish to compete in the 24-hour or in the 6-hour category. Results and winners will be announced at the 5th Annual Eastern Shore Birding Festival. Want more information? Don’t want to bird but you’d like to consider sponsoring a team? Get in touch with Brian Taber, 103 Exeter Court, Williamsburg, VA 23185, (757) 253-1181 for more information! House Finch Conjunctivitis Noted in Other Species House finch conjunctivitis appears to be spreading to other species that visit bird feeders. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology recently reported that this disease has been confirmed in gold- finches from three states, including Maryland; and in one infected woodpecker in Michigan. By maintaining sanitary feeding stations, bird lovers can help prevent the loss of songbirds to this deadly disease. Be on the lookout for sick-looking birds with encrusted, swollen, or runny eyes, or those appearing blind or encountering trouble flying—and take the following steps: 1) empty and remove your feeders immediately; 2) clean them thoroughly using a solution of one part bleach to nine parts water; 3) dispose of, or compost, remaining feed and waste found under feeders; and 4) discontinue feeding activities for one or two months. (ed. note: thanks to the ANS Audubon News for this timely item!) Page 3 DNR Reports... (continued from page 1, column 1) Of course, knowing where these colonies are is an essential element in this process. Since 1984, we have been documenting colony locations in Maryland and monitoring their nesting populations. We know where the larger (> 100 pairs) colonies are and many of the smaller ones. Colonies of less than 25 pairs are more difficult to find during our aerial searches. In recent years, Least Terns have adapted to nesting on the flat roofs of certain buildings around the bay and finding these are usually the result of someone re- porting such occurrences to us. If you know of a colony or notice Least Terns flying to and from the roof of a building near tidal water, please call and report your find. Please do not assume we already know about it. If we know where the colonies are, we can help keep the colony viable. In addition to the Critical Area protection measures, we employ other strategies to help conserve these birds. Certain colonies in Ocean City have restricted boating zones around them to keep recreational boaters out of these colonies during the nesting season. We employ sum- mer students to patrol these islands and edu- cate boaters about the nesting terns and skim- mers. We encourage boaters to enjoy the birds, but from a distance. On some of the roofs where Least Terns nest, we erect wire fences around the edges of the roofs to pre- vent the chicks from falling off. We work with the building owners to schedule roof maintenance during times that the birds are not present. And we work with the private landowners, who own many of the colony sites, to advise them how to keep the birds while using their properties for whatever purposes they may have. We are blessed with the diversity and numbers of colonial nesting waterbirds in Maryland. They serve as indicators of the health of our aquatic ecosystems and are a pleasure to watch. We are proud of our efforts to conserve colonial waterbirds. Hope- fully, you are too! Chapter Chatter (continued from page 1, column 3) a male Kirtland’s Warbler singing on an open snag not five feet from the road. In all they saw 397 species on the trip, but warbler No. 50 was the highlight. Carroll County “Lifer” Arrives: Mark and Amy Hoffman welcomed their “lifer”, Matthew Lee Hoffman, born on March 3rd. Mark, envied among Maryland birders for having seen many rarities in our state, has two other passions (not counting Amy): NASCAR racing and investing. On birding trips, he often tapes his favorite stock market report via his Jeep’s radio. We have been told by reliable sources that Mark already reads the financial news aloud to Matthew. His first nursery rhymes just might be from Barron’s instead of Mother Goose. Washington County Northern Saw-whet Owl Banding Station: Steve Huy organized a Northern Saw-whet Owl banding station in Washington County during this past fall season. With his nets set up on South Mountain near Boonsboro at an elevation of 1700 ft., he caught and banded 41 Saw-whet Owls and one Barred Owl. This spring he banded 12 Saw-whet Owls. Steve, an amateur, has been working with Dave Brinker of the State Department of Natural Resources who has owl banding stations in Garrett County and on Assateague. Data from these stations will offer a glimpse into the little studied migration of these birds. Steve plans to continue banding from October until some time after Thanksgiving and again the following spring. He would welcome helpers and he has graciously offered to host visiting MOS members. He did point out, ruefully, that the last group visiting the station didn’t get to see a single owl. Please contact him to schedule a fascinating (but not owl-insured) field trip for your club or to offer to help. He can be reached at 301-432-7695 or at E-mail Nsawwhet@aol.com. Montgomery Chapter Survey: The Montgomery Chapter surveyed its membership and the response rate exceeded 60%. The survey revealed that 85% of the respondents also belong to the Audubon Naturalist Society; more than 50% to the American Birding Association; and 25% to the Northern Virginia Bird Club. At least 80% of the respondents bird “beyond home or office” at least monthly (typically two or three times); and a third go out at least once a week. Nearly every respondent birds out of town several times a year. More than half go on several Chapter field trips each year; 20% go on most of the outings. About 60% attend at least three or four meetings a year; a third go to “almost all.” Almost everyone reads Montgomery’s newsletter, The Chat, cover to cover. About two-thirds of the respondents attend the chapter’s annual social. Most of these prefer a restaurant; a third would like a picnic; and a handful favored a pot-luck. An interesting discovery was that Montgomery County birders are “on the web”. More than half of the respondents have access to the Internet; 60% have visited Montgomery’s Home page; and about 20% have used the MOS home page. Wicomico Chapter Hosts MOS Board: The Wicomico Chapter hosted the MOS Board meeting at the Salisbury Zoo, a delightful stop on the way to Ocean City. The Salisbury Zoo is “one of the finest small zoos in North America,” according to Dr. Theodore Reed, former director of The National Zoo. It provides naturalistic enclosures for almost 500 specimens native to North, Central, and South America. There is a “bird garden” featuring pairs of most of the ducks that can be seen in Maryland. Screech Owls, Burrowing Owls, and a Red-Tailed Hawk are on view. The zoo and the park are wooded and cool. A waterway through the park offers glimpses of both zoo occupants and wild birds. The paths are nicely laid out with “over- walks” to make viewing very easy, especially for children. It is open daily (except Christmas Day and Thanksgiving) from 8:00 a.m. From Memorial Day to Labor Day closing time is 7:30 p-m. The rest of the year, closing time is 4:30 p.m. There is convenient parking as well as shaded picnic and playground areas. The Salisbury Zoo is maintained by city taxes and the support of Salisbury community groups. There is no admission charge, although donations are accepted. Reaching the Zoo is, as they say, easy on and easy off. From Route 50 into Salisbury, cross a small drawbridge over the Wicomico River and bear right at the third traffic light - towards Business Route 13. Go right onto Bus. Rte 13; at the next traffic light go left onto Main Street and proceed under the railroad tracks. At the next traffic light, go right on Snow Hill Road (MD 2). Go over a small bridge, then take the first left onto South Park Drive. There are parking lots at each end of the zoo. March Newspapers Spotlight Member Active in Baltimore and Carroll Chapters: Jean Worthley, a long-time MOS member, was featured in the Carroll County Times on March 9 and in the Baltimore Sun on March 20. Many Marylanders remember “Miss Jean” with affection from her Channel 67 television show for children, “Hodge Podge Lodge.” The Carroll County story centered on Jean’s participation in a study on wild bird feeding preferences. Jean is offering a variety of suet flavors and brands and she is testing types of (continued on page 6, column 1) Page 4 Birds on the Web Birding’s Mega-Sites by Fran Saunders Birding the world is easy on the World Wide Web, and thanks to any number of growing global sites, finding the address (URL) for just the right birding spot is a fairly quick and easy process. Called web hubs, these sites serve as electronic versions of airline hubs. Compiled in one place are the URLs for a wide variety of birding-related web sites. From.a handful of these sites, you can gojust about anywhere, including our own MOS and chapter sites. This time out, we will explore a few of our favorites. The list is not exhaustive, however, and you are encouraged to browse around for others. One word of caution — surfing these sites can use up a lot of web time. There is so much to see and discover that it is easy to simply lose yourself in cyberspace. We suggest you visit just one or two at a time and explore them thoroughly. You will no doubt find, as we did, that after awhile they all begin to look the same. Choosing one or two favorites to bookmark should serve you well. Once again, the URLs for this issue and for all previous columns are listed for you on the Bird Link page of the MOS State Web Site (http:/ /wwwz2.ari.net/saunderf/mos/mos.html). If you want surf along with us, here they are: Birding on the Web http://www-stat.wharton.upenn.edu/~siler/birding.html BIRDNET http://www.nmnh.si.edu/BIRDNET Electronic Resources on Ornithology http: //www.chebucto.ns.ca/Environment/NHR/bird.html Environmental Org Web Directory http://www.webdirectory.com/Wildlife/Birds Eyrie http: //www.eyrieusa.com/eyriesoft.html Geographical Guide to Birding http: //www.astronomy.mps.ohiostate.edu/~ignaz/birds ABA/ABA.html GORP http://www.gorp.com/gorp /activity /birding.htm Ornithological Web Library http://www.bright.net/~vfazio/the-owlL.htm The Peterson Online Birding Site http: //www.petersononline.com/birds /index.html The Random House Audubon Site http: //www.randomhouse.com/audubon The Virtual Birder http: //magneto.cybersmith.com/vbirder WWW.Birder.Com http://www.birder.com Birding on the Web is an excellent compilation put together by a chap named Jack Siler and other helpers. There are also a few mirror sites (look-a-likes) on servers throughout the world. You can browse through all the national hot line transcripts and the digests from Bird Chat. Bird links lists are long and comprehensive. There is usually a featured site and one two special items, but the mainstay is the “megalist” of global birding-related web sites. For the most part, these are listed geographically. On www.birder.com (yes, that is the title), you can also find the rare bird alert transcripts, a listing of hot spots, checklists and birding tips. There are sections on scientific information, fun and games, and a birder’s mall with links to shopping sites for optics, art, books, and the like. BIRDNET, Electronic Resources on Ornithology, Eyrie, Audubon, Peterson, the Ornithological Web Library (O.W.L.), GORP and the Geographical Guide to Birding will all give you extensive lists of links. Most will also get you to the RBAs. Some have additional specialized information. Eyrie covers birding festivals. BIRDNET, which is the web page of the Ornithological Council, focuses on the AOU, Cooper’s, Wilson’s and other Ornithological Society news and features. The Audubon site is the Random House commercial site and plugs its products, but you can find a Birding Primer that will useful for beginners and there is an extensive list of links by species called, appropriately, Cybrbrrds. The Peterson site, Houghton Mifflin’s answer to Random House, also carries the Bird Watcher’s Digest, an identification challenge and a list of links that is growing by the dozens each day. This is Chuck Williamson’s creation and like the NBHC, it would pay to keep your eye on this one. The Geographical Guide to Birding site specializes in state-related links and packages them accordingly. O.W.L.’s links list has a nice subject arrangement which may appeal to many trying to make some sense of this avalanche of information. GORP and The Virtual Birder have a little different focus, although GORP also lists a lot of links. They could almost be considered electronic magazines of a sort. The Virtual Birder will take you on location, electronically, to introduce you to a birding hot spot and let you test your birding identification skills. It is lots of fun, but do read the directives before you take your first trip. The site changes monthly. Chincoteague was featured in one of the previous editions and you can still see the archive. GORP stands for Great Outdoors Recreation Page. The link we provide is to the birding activity section. Here, too, you can find various special topics about worldwide sites, and there are lists and links to books, videos, magazine and trips, plus regional resources. Of special interest are the spotlights on birding spots. Blackwater and Eastern Neck have recently been featured here. The Environmental Organization Web Directory link is to the Wildlife/Birds section. This page, as its name promises, is primarily a resource for locating organizations. A further word about these (and all other) sites. You need to check back frequently since they change often. Sometimes URLs also change, and sometimes the web page simply disappears. When URLs change the webmaster will occasionally provide you witha transition page giving (continued on page 2, column 1) Page 5 Status of the MD Important Bird Areas Project by Daphne Gemmill The Conservation Connection Last June, the Audubon Naturalist Society convened a meeting to launch the Maryland and District of Columbia Important Bird Area (IBA) project. Several people volunteered to form a Technical Review Committee to guide the project. During the last nine months, the committee and many dedicated birders from the Maryland Ornithological Society, National Audubon Society and Audubon Naturalist Society have been very busy. Thirty-nine people have volunteered to fill out IBA nomination forms for fifty-three sites. To date we have received twenty- seven nominations. After reviewing the twenty-seven nominations against established criteria, the Maryland/DC IBA Technical Review Committee will recommend to the American Bird Conservancy, which is the lead organization in the United States for Birdlife International for IBA nominations at the national level or higher, the following: INTERNATIONAL IMPORTANT BIRD AREAS Assateague Island National Seashore —Carl Zimmerman Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge—Keith Weaver Coastal Bay Islands (Sinepuxent and other islands)—Dave Brinker The Chesapeake Bay —Glen Therres/Daphne Gemmill/Dave Brinker/Doug Forsell The Potomac River—Glen Therres/Daphne Gemmill/Dave Brinker /Doug Forsell NATIONAL IMPORTANT BIRD AREAS Aberdeen Proving Grounds(Pooles Island and Gunpowder River)—David Webb C&O Canal—Dianne Ingram Finzel Swamp—TNC Fort Smallwood—Sue Ricciardi Glover-Archbold Parks—Audubon Naturalist Society Jug Bay —Chris Swarth Lower Pocomoke R. & Nassawango Creek—Nature Conservancy and Lynn Davidson Rock Creek Park—Audubon Naturalist Society Smith Island—Dave Brinker The Committee, which has the responsibility of designating Maryland IBA sites, is reviewing state nominations. The Committee has received nomination forms for: Baltimore Canyon—Gene Scarpulla Conowingo Dam—Gene Scarpulla Elliott Island/Fishing Bay WMA—Davidson Fair Hill Natural Resources MA—P. Bystrak Hart Miller Island—Gene Scarpulla Harford Glen EE Center—Kirkwood Irish Grove—Paul Bystrak Irvine Natural Science Center—Peter Martin Monocacy Valley—Paul O’Brien Nanjemoy Creek—TNC Patuxent Naval Air Station—Kyle Rambo Point Lookout—Patty Craig Susquehanna State Park—David Webb The Wildfowl Trust of N. A.—Joe Sebastiani State nominations are received on a rolling basis depending on when someone volunteered to fill out the form. The Committee expects to receive the following nominations for potential Maryland IBA sites shortly: Allan’s Fresh/Zekiah Swamp—George Jett Belt Woods—Pam Cooper Beverly Triton Beach Park—Jeff Mauck Broad Creek—Rick Dolesh Catoctin Mountain Park—Olin Allan Cranesville Swamp—The Nature Conservancy Dan’s Mountain— Teresa Simon Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge—Doug Forsell Green Ridge State Forest—Teresa Simon Gwynn Falls-Steve Lee Little Bennett Regional Park—John Hench Patapsco Valley State Park—Bob Ringler Patuxent Wildlife Research Center /BARC—Robbins Parker’s Cove—Leslie Star Piscataway—Rick Dolesh Smithsonian Environmental Research Center—Lynch Sugarloaf Natural Area—Gary Nelson St. Joseph’s Provincial House—Stein The Glades—Lynn Davidson Town Hill—Jim Paulus Truit’s Landing—Byron Swift Turkey Point—Gary Griffith Woodend—ANS (continued on page 7, column 1) Page 6 Chapter Chatter (continued from page 3, column 3) feeders. She has learned that Downy Woodpeckers prefer plain suet. Other suet samplers include Red-bellied Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpeckers, chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White- breasted Nuthatch, Carolina Wren, and Brown Creeper. Linda Groff, another Baltimore Chapter member, is also participating in this study. Linda is a guide for school tours of Cylburn and Cromwell Valley Park. We hope to share more information on the research by Jean and Linda in a later issue. The Baltimore Sun story featured Jean’s annual search for the harbingers of spring. She began with the earliest harbinger, the December seed and plant catalogs. Then she spotted skunk cabbage in the swamp in January. Next, was the small wildflower, harbinger-of-spring or pepper-and-salt. She found frog eggs in her pond on February 21. She heard a woodcock on February 22 and saw one on March 2. “Spring is really here when I see a mourning cloak,” a butterfly with a black coat, trimmed with cream. This last sure sign is usually observed in April when Jean leads a walk at the Cylburn Arboretum. Baltimore and Howard Chapters and MOS Silent Auction Contribute to Belt Woods Natural Environmental Area (NEA) in Prince George’s County: The entire 612 acres of the Seton Belt Home Farm located on the outskirts of Bowie in Prince George’s County have been preserved through the efforts of the Western Shore Conservancy, the State of Maryland, and other concerned individuals and organizations. Part of this farm is a tract of 109 acres believed to be the last virgin old growth hardwood forest on the Coastal Plain. The Baltimore County Bird Club Board of Directors voted unanimously to donate $5,000 from the Martin Fund to support the purchase of this property. Additional funds are needed immediately to clean up and restore the farm property which surrounds and protects the forest. Some of this land will be reforested and some will be planted in native grasses to encourage species such as meadowlark and quail. The Howard Chapter has contributed $2,000 to the Western Shore Conservancy for this restoration. The proceeds from the silent auction at the annual MOS meeting will be donated to this project. Chan Robbins, who marked his fiftieth year of bird research in the Belt Woods NEA this spring, says the tract has the highest density of nesting songbirds recorded anywhere in North America. Chan has found that, although the numbers of neotropical migrants have declined 37-45% in recent years in many undisturbed wood- lands, the Belt Woods NEA shows a decline of only 11%. At present, only visitors with permits may enter the Belt Woods NEA. Some parts of the area will be closed during breeding season. There are, however, some trails where native plant species and many birds can be seen. To arrange a visitor or discuss ways to help with the preservation efforts, please contact Pamela Cooper, Western Shore Conservancy, at 301-390-0797 or E-mail at PCooper.WSC@JUNO.com. Baltimore Sun Calls Howard Chapter Birders “Slightly Odd”: On February 28 the Baltimore Sun featured a story on a Howard Chapter field trip to the Alpha Ridge Landfill illustrated with three pictures, two in color, and a map. The reporter, Caitlin Francke, was nominated to the “good sport” category by the birders and wrote with some admiration and much humor about the outing. She emphasized the difficulties of finding birds in the bleak, Smelly, possibly toxic landscape and wrote, “Birders acknowledge that true dedication to their sport probably means you are, well, a few feathers short of a tail.” A Glaucous Gull was the trip’s highlight and a Rough-legged Hawk was a life bird for one member. The Alpha Ridge Landfill is located on the west side of Marriottsville Road just north of Route 70 and south of Route 99 (Old Frederick Road). Anne Arundel’s Little Patuxent Oxbow Sanctuary: The Little Patuxent Oxbow is a 70 acre wetland in the flood plain of the Little Patuxent River. It is the largest naturally occurring fresh water impoundment in Maryland. Created over hundreds of years by beaver activity, the Oxbow is home to 106 native vascular plant species. Some 143 species of birds have been identified there. The Nature Conservancy of Maryland and DC has preserved this sanctuary. [The Howard Chapter has donated $750 to the Nature Conservancy’s Stewardship Endow- ment Fund and has arranged a field trip with a Conservancy guide for July 12. The group will meet in the park and ride at Rt 32 and Broken Land Parkway, at 8:00 a.m. Be warned that the area is hilly, slippery, wet, and buggy. From I-95, take the 198 east exit. Pass the Laurel Racetrack and turn left onto Russett Green West, just after a Holiday Inn on the left. Drive through the development and turn left on Oxbow Place after 0.7 miles. At the “Oxbow Lake Nature Preserve” sign, park on either side of the street. There is no admission charge, although donations are accepted. Attention Chapter Chatterers: Call me, Martha Waugh, at 410-381-8841 or E-mail me at FletcherW@msn.com or send me your chapter news by mail at 9522 Angelina Circle, Columbia, MD 21045. MOS Board of Directors Meeting January 11, 1997—Official Minutes submitted by Sybil Williams The Board of Directors meeting was held at the Anne Arundel Public Library. The following Chapters were not represented at this meeting: Allegany, Caroline, Kent, Tal- bot, and Washington. President Bob Rineer called the meeting to order at 10:10 a.m. and hebeganby thanking the Anne Arundel Chap- ter for hosting the meeting. The minutes of the November meeting were accepted as pre- sented. Vice-President: Norm Saunders noted that the MOS delegates to the American Bird Conservancy are Mark Johnson (Harford) and Dan Southworth (Howard County), with him- self and Rich Dolesh as alternates. With refer- ence to the bird check-lists given to MOS by FUNDAECO in appreciation for past finan- cial support, Mr. Saunders noted that he had sent 20 copies to Ellen Lawlor of Wicomico County for use in her Partners in Art pro- gram. He recommended that the remaining 80 copies be split among the 16 Chapters for use as they saw fit. One possible use would be for the Chapter Education Committee mem- bers to use them in school outreach programs. Executive Secretary: Will Tress reminded everyone that he has copies of the Yellow Books for sale to the Chapters. In addition, he has a pile of posters brought to last year’s conference by the FUNDAECO representa- tive who came to thank the MOS for their financial support. Past President: Al Haury reported that he is working to get the cavity nesting and nest records programs underway again. He also noted that Janet Millenson of Montgomery County has volunteered to work with Chan Robbins to help streamline MD Birdlife. Chan would prefer that submissions for Birdlife be made on a diskette in WordPerfect format, but other formats will be gladly accepted. Al also reported on the Teaming With Wildlife initiative and asked that MOS members should urge the owners of local bird seed stores to sign on as supporters of the TWW legislation. Budget: Emily Joyce requested that all committees get their budget requests for FY 1998 into her by the end of February. Conference: Lou DeMouy reported that the 1997 Conference will be held in Ocean City over the weekend of May 2-4 and that local coordination will be provided by Charlie and Gail Vaughn of the Wicomico Chapter. An all-day pelagic trip will be scheduled for Saturday. Sites for future Conferences, in- cluding Wisp, in Garrett County, and Solomon’s Island, in Southern Maryland, are being looked into. If you have other sugges- tions for sites, please talk to Lou. (continued on page 8, column 1) Page 7 The Conservation Connection (continued from page 5, column 2) We are still looking for knowledgeable birders to fill out the forms for eighteen sites that have the potential to be State IBA sites. If you, or someone you know, is knowledgeable about any of the following sites, please call Daphne Gemmill, State IBA Coordinator, at 202/546- 3624 between the hours of 8:00 AM and 10:00 PM and leave your name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address if you have one, and I will send you a site nomination package: Chapman’s Landing Choptank River (mouth) Gunpowder Falls State Park Indian Springs Wildlife Management Area Jennings Randolf Lake (shared with VA) Mattawoman Creek Natural Environmental Area Patuxent Valley State Park (northern end) Potomac-Garrett State Forest Public Landing to Ironshire Marshes Remington Farms Wildlife Management Area Rocky Gap State Park Savage River State Forest Seneca Creek State Park Sideling Hill WMA South Mt./Greenbriar State Parks Swallow Falls State Park Wolf Swamp Wye Island Natural Resources Area The Committee is greatly indebted to everyone who has taken the time to work on this project and to whom we extend a heart-felt thank you. We look forward to the next important phase of the project, bird conservation. We will be working closely with the State Partners in Flight program, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations to ensure that appropriate resources are provided and conservation measures are taken to protect these areas. 1997 Scholarship Winners by Isa Sieracki The MOS Scholarship Program was a great success in 1997, with nine scholarships awarded from a large and well-qualified pool of applicants. Following are this year’s winners: Ornithology Scholarships The Chandler S. Robbins Ornithology Scholarship Julie A. Tomita, Animal Keeper Baltimore Zoo The Gibson-Mendinhall Ecology Scholarship Christopher B. Pupke, Education Coordinator Pickering Creek Environmental Center Ecology Scholarships The Eleanor C. Robbins Scholarship Stephanie N. Harris, Teacher Cecil County Schools The Orville Crowder Memorial Scholarship Andrew Ristvey, Education Coordinator Adkins Arboretum Ecology Scholarships (cont.) The Helen Miller Scholarships Dale S. Hohnson, High School Teacher Montgomery County Schools Sue Leslie, Teacher / Naturalist Oregon Ridge Nature Center Beth Ann Strommen, Environmental Planner Baltimore City Rebecca Tittermary, Teacher Worcester Country School Dianne Antonielli, Teacher Prince George’s County Schools CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 1997 WINNERS !!! Page 8 MOS January Board Meeting (continued from page 6, column 3) Conservation: Read Rich Dolesh’s column in The Yellowthroat to keep abreast of important conservation issues. Linda Bystrak noted that the Tri-State Greenway feasibility study has been completed. Education: Linda Bystrak noted that Partners in Art is an ex- change program between North and South America and she asked that we please support it. She went on to note that April 1 is the deadline for Chapter Education Grant applications. Finally she urged us to support Envirothon. Sanctuary: Dotty Mumford informed the Board that the telephone had been removed from Irish Grove for the winter to avoid a repeat of the spate of calls last year to Colombia and other intriguing South American countries. She noted that the sanctuary signs are selling very well thanks to the mentions in The Yellowthroat. Proceeds from these sales go to the Sanctuary Endowment Fund. Atlas: John Malcolm, with a sigh of relief, noted that the book will be received from the printer in January or February, that the cost of shipping is included in the special price noted in the flyer in The Yellowthroat, and that this was a very good price indeed. He further noted that some copies may be available for sale at the Conference. May Count: Leanne Pemburn informed the Board that the 1995 May Count has been fully compiled and delivered to MD Birdlife. The 1996 Count is still lacking input from Allegany County and from the District of Columbia. A new volunteer count coordinator is needed for Worcester County. Publications: Chan Robbins said that the December issue of MD Birdlife is at the printers. He asked that all Chapters and all Commit- tee Chairs submit their annual reports to him by the weekend of the Annual Conference. Norm Saunders noted the deadline for the March/April issue of The Yellowthroat and mentioned that he has never turned down any submissions for publication. Old Business: Discussion turned to a letter addressed to the Board from Vice-President Norm Saunders regarding web pages and their contents. Bob Rineer noted that the state organization is liable, even for material appearing on Chapter web pages, thus making a State Board of Directors meeting the proper forum for this discussion. There was disagreement over the issue of amember’s right to privacy. There was disagreement over whether or not material which MOS members had to pay for could be made available free on the Internet. The Board agreed for the time being to ask the various webmasters to remove members’ names and telephone numbers from the web pages unless explicit approval had been granted by each of these individu- als. Bob Rineer asked for volunteers for a committee to address the controversial issues raised by Mr. Saunders’ letter to the Board. The meeting was adjourned at 11:45 a.m. MOS State and Locality List Report - 1996 by Phil Davis This marks the eleventh year the MOS has compiled locality lists submitted by its members. This year, 73 observers submitted list totals, down seven from last year (80). Of these 73, only four were first-time submitters (down from 16 last year). Currently, 148 observers are in the database, reflecting that not everyone submits updated list totals each year. “Maximum” locality numbers represent the total number of species reported in a given locality. The maximums used in this report came from the preliminary version of the now published Field List to the Birds of Maryland (Third Edition, May 1996). These maximums do not include hypothetical records or extinct species. These maximum numbers will continue to change due to the recent AOU split of Northern Orioles, Sharp-tailed Sparrows, Rufous-sided Towhees into multiple species. Taxonomy changes also account for some of the increases in observer’s totals. Also, new species are constantly being added to each county’s list each year. “Life” lists must exceed 50% of the maximum for any given locality. “All-Time High” lists must exceed 70% of the maximum for Maryland, DC and the counties. STATE LISTS: Top Maryland listers picked up a few new species in 1996. Paul O’Brien (Montgomery) added four to his Maryland life list total and still holds the highest Maryland life list with a total of 372. Patty Craig (St. Mary’s) ended the year with the highest 1995 total of 259 Maryland species. No changes occurred at the top of the DC List this year. YARD LISTS: A “yard” list is the number of species seen in or from the property that is contiguous to one’s residence. Over the years, people have adopted other “yards” for listing, so I ask respondents to indicate if their yard count is from their home, work, or some other location. I use a strict definition of a “yard” (see the submission form) and list the others in a separate “Work/Other” list. Henry “Harry” Armistead (Pennsylvania) still heads the Maryland yard list category with 258. Hurricane Fran was good to Harry by sending Sooty Terns, a Brown Pelican and Sanderlings to his weekend home in Talbot County. He also led the 1996 yard list with 172 species. In the Work/Other category, Dave Webb (Harford) increased his work life list total at Aberdeen Proving Ground to a very healthy 209 to top the category. COUNTY LISTING: In the “All County” category (species seen in all 23 Maryland counties), Jim Stasz (Calvert) stayed on top of this list and added eleven new species to raise his total 123. Allegheny County long-time resident, Jim Paulus, tallied and submitted his life for the county and overtook also-resident, Teresa Simons. Jim’s total is 269. In Baltimore County, Hank Kaestner added another new one to his county life list this year to end the year at 318. (continued at top of next page) Page 9 1996 List Report (continued from page 8, column 2) Jim Stasz of Calvert County increased his lifetime county total by nine to 289. In Cecil County, Gary Griffith blew away the previous lifetime total by adding 32 (!) new species to his list for a total of 257. WOW ! In the process, he tallied 214 for the year. Charles County resident, George Jett, exceeded his 1995 annual total with a “big year” total of 212. In the process, he increased his lifetime county list total by nine to 243. In Dorchester County, Henry Armistead turned in 208 for the year and still leads the county lifetime list with a total of 289. In Frederick County, Paul O’Brien (Montgomery) added one new species to his county list and ended the year at 255. I would love to see submissions from Garrett County residents to unseat the “flatlanders” from the top of this county list ... Connie Skipper, or Kevin Dodge ... have you got your “ears on?” Rick Blom topped John Wortman’s total of last year by one for the highest Harford County life list. Rick’s county total is now 270. Howard County saw Jo Solem take the 1996 total prize at year’s end with 197 topping Rod Burley who finished with 187. Jo’s county life list increased by one to a new total of 267. Paul O’Brien, Montgomery County resident, tacked on one new county species bringing his total to 281 and ties son, Michael. (It will be tougher for son to keep up with Dad now, since Michael has become a resident of Cape May, NJ.) Listing was hot again in Saint Mary’s County in 1996. Patty Craig smashed her last year annual total by 22 (!) and ended the year with 258 for another new all-time county annual record. Patty’s lifetime county list increased to a remarkable 285. Marty Cribb found 251 species in the county last year equaling his county life list total. Sam Dyke again blasted away his Wicomico County mark from last year by adding nine new species in the county during 1996, bringing his county life list up to 271. There were no changes reported at the top of this year’s lists for the following counties: Anne Arundel, Caroline, Carroll, Garrett, Kent, Prince George’s, Queen Anne’s, Somerset, Washington, and Worcester. FUN LISTS: Last year, Kyle Rambo (St. Mary’s) submitted a “fun” list category—the “Tree List,” the total number of species seen in a single tree. His entry was 72 species (lifetime) seen ina honey locust tree outside his office window on the Patuxent River Naval AirStation in St. Mary’s County. For the most species seen in a single tree at the same time, Kyle submitted 12 for this category. Fellow St. Mary’s birder Patty Craig took Kyle’s challenge to heart. For 1996, she had 16 species in her pecan tree at the same time—on May 5, 1996. They were: White-eyed Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Northern Parula, Blackpoll, Black-and-white Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Black- throated Blue Warbler, American Goldfinch, Blue Grosbeak, Blue Jay, Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Chickadee, Gray Catbird, and Brown-headed Cowbird. For all of 1996, she found 83 species in the tree and her “life” tree list is 101! Good birding in 1997! Maryland County Abbreviations Abbrev Locality Max Abbrev Locality Max Algy Allegany County 284 Hwrd Howard County 294 AnAr Anne Arundel County 336 Kent Kent County 299 Balt Baltimore City/County 337 Mont Montgomery County 315 Clvt Calvert County 299 PGeo Prince George’s County 313 Crin Caroline County 283 QuAn Queen Anne’s County 293 Carr Carroll County 279 StMa Saint Mary’s County 305 Cecl Cecil County 284 Smst Somerset County 301 Chas Charles County 275 Tlbt Talbot County 309 Dorc Dorchester County 311 Wash Washington County 260 Fdrk Frederick County 290 Wico Wicomico County 287 Grtt Garrett County 277 Worc Worcester County 370 Hrfd Harford County 297 Page 10 Maryland State Max=395 Last O’Brien O’Brien Hoffman Gregoire Stasz Blom Kaestner Czaplak Mudd Wierenga Klimkiewicz Pisano Bonham Dyke Ringler Jett Holmes Kleen Todd Slaughter Davidson Dixon Mudd Janni Armistead lliff Farrell Davis Weigant White Harvey Bohanan Solem Wilkinson Eastman Broderick Geddes Broderick Simon Nistico Rambo Oberman Kirkwood Mumford Sanford Wortman Meritt Osenton Parks Vaughn Cupp Sr. Walbeck Hilton Kirschbaum Vaughn Craig Haury Schaff Saunders Jenkins Magnusson Alexander Hewitt First Paul Michael Mark John Jim Rick Hank Dave Harvey Hal Kathy Paul Larry Samuel Bob George David Richard Mary Ann Eddie Lynn Robert Marion Ottavio Henry Marshall Jane Phil Leo Tony Dave Peggy Joanne James Roger Donald Shirley Carol Stephen Paul Kyle Lola Dennis Dotty Steve John Don Peter Floyd Charles John David Robert Elliot Gail Patty Allan Frank Norman Kye Nancy Burton Marvin Home Mont (NJ) AnAr (NY) Clvt Hrfd Balt Mont Mont AnAr PGeo (VA) Mont Wico Carr Chas Hwrd Tlbt Mont Balt AnAr Balt Mont DC (PA) AnAr Hwrd AnAr AnAr Mont Carr Balt Hwrd Hwrd QuAn Wico Balt Wico Balt Chas StMa Mont Hrfd AnAr Balt Hrfd Tlbt Hwrd Kent Wico Hrfd AnAr Mont Balt Wico StMa AnAr Fred Mont Balt Hwrd Hwrd Crin Life 372 368 365 364 361 360 360 358 357 354 353 353 352 349 349 345 344 344 344 338 332 331 331 328 327 327 326 325 325 325 323 322 318 317 315 313 312 311 311 310 310 309 306 306 306 306 305 305 305 304 303 302 300 300 298 295 293 293 292 288 287 286 286 199 216 246 232 198 222 177 183 188 200 259 176 206 MOS Locality Life and 1996 List Totals Maryland State Max=395 (Cont.) Last Joyce Swift Ford Collins Engle Saunders Eastman Wilson Bockstie Donovan Therres DeMoll Morris Pemburn Pemburn Pfingsten Nistico Valega Homan Welch Armistead Hamilton Barnes Woods Nelson Wallace Perry Bell Bowen Zeichner Solem Ott Barry Davis Kearns Wood Bowen Zucker Bowser Bowser Weesner Watson-Whitmyre Burley Batchelder Grimm Sussman Cupp Jr. Wlasniewski Drier Martin Poet First Emily Byron Stephen John Ethel Frances Les Erika Connie Michael Glenn Edward Michele Leanne Mark Bill Pat Thomas Dick Michael George Sue Wain Jeanne Gary David David Wayne Michael Helen Bob Bonnie Clifton Barbara Greg Robert Joy Paul Bill Deb Dave Marcia Rod Polly Phyllis Rick John Matt Kenneth Gail Danny District of Columbia Last Czaplak Janni Gregoire Todd Hilton Swift White O’Brien First Dave Ottavio John Mary Ann Robert Byron Tony Michael Home Max=309 Home Mont DC (NY) Mont Mont DC Mont (NJ) Life 286 286 285 284 284 283 282 281 280 280 280 279 279 279 279 279 278 277 276 273 272 271 267 267 266 263 260 255 254 254 253 Zo2 249 249 249 248 246 246 244 244 241 238 237 235 224 223 221 221 220 214 211 Life 290 255 238 228 225 220 179 178 136 125 158 182 208 207 189 176 211 133 Page 11 Allegany County Max=284 Last Paulus Simons Ringler Stasz Gregoire Wilkinson Blom Sanford O’Brien Mudd Harvey lliff Walbeck Holmes Mudd First Jim Teresa Bob Jim John James Rick Steve Michael Harvey Dave Marshall David David Marion Anne Arundel County Last Wierenga Stasz Hoffman Blom Iliff Davidson Mumford Ringler Gregoire Mudd Perry Burley Davis Walbeck Haury Nistico Alexander O’Brien Bonham Mudd Osenton Sanford First Hal Jim Mark Rick Marshall Lynn Dotty Bob John Harvey David Rod Phil David Allan Paul Burton Michael Larry Marion Peter Steve Baltimore City/County Last Kaestner Blom Stasz Dixon Ringler Bohanan Terry Simon Holmes Geddes Slaughter Jenkins Wilkinson Mudd Walbeck Sanford Kirschbaum Harvey Mudd O’Brien First Hank Rick Jim Robert Bob Pegsy Deborah Stephen David Shirley Eddie Kye James Harvey David Steve Elliot Dave Marion Michael MOS Locality Life and 1996 List Totals (Cont.) Baltimore City/County Home Algy Algy Carr Clvt (NY) Hwrd Hrfd Balt (NJ) Mont Carr AnAr AnAr Hwrd Mont Max=336 Home AnAr Clvt AnAr Hrfd AnAr AnAr AnAr Carr (NY) Mont AnAr PGeo AnAr AnAr AnAr Chas Hwrd (NJ) Mont Mont Hwrd Balt Max=337 Home Balt Hrfd Clvt Balt Carr Balt Balt Balt Hwrd Balt Balt Balt Hwrd Mont AnAr Balt Balt Carr Mont (NJ) Life 269 260 210 194 190 179 171 165 164 158 156 155 154 151 142 Life 310 280 270 258 292. 250 244 229 225 221 220 219 207 202 196 191 187 187 178 173 171 169 Life 318 308 303 295 292 285 278 277: 271 266 263 247 246 244 243 234 229 221 219 218 199 205 196 149 46 149 Last Alexander Webb Pemburn Pemburn Iliff Barry Hoffman Davidson Jett Cupp Sr. Calvert County Last Stasz Gregoire Iliff Blom Ringler Hamilton Mudd Nistico Morris Morris Sanford Jett First Burton Pete Leanne Mark Marshall Clifton Mark Lynn George John Max=299 First Jim John Marshall Rick Bob Sue Harvey Paul Herb Michele Steve George Caroline County Max=283 Last Hewitt Fletcher Engle Stasz Ringler Ford Blom Meritt lliff O’Brien Mudd Gregoire Sanford Carroll County Last Ringler Blom Harvey Stasz Hoffman Mudd Sanford lliff Mudd Gregoire Alexander Morris Holmes Morris Walbeck First Marvin Roberta Ethel Jim Bob Stephen Rick Don Marshall Michael Harvey John Steve Max=279 First Bob Rick Dave Jim Mark Harvey Steve Marshall Marion John Burton Michele David Herb David Max=337 (Cont.) Home Hwrd Balt Balt Balt AnAr Balt AnAr AnAr Chas Hrfd Home Clvt (NY) AnAr Hrfd Carr Clvt Mont Chas DC DC Balt Chas Home Crin Crin Crin Clvt Carr Tlbt Hrfd Tlbt AnAr (NJ) Mont (NY) Balt Home Carr Hrfd Carr Clvt AnAr Mont Balt AnAr Mont (NY) Hwrd DC Hwrd DC AnAr 172 12 CN Page 12 Cecil County Last Griffith Blom Stasz Watson-Whitmyre Drier Ringler Mudd Sanford Cupp Sr. Fisher lliff Mudd Harvey Gregoire Holmes Eastman Morris Charles County Last Jett Nistico Gregoire Stasz Mudd Blom Iliff Ringler Donovan Mudd Sanford Morris Morris Davidson Max=284 First Gary Rick Jim Marcia Kenneth Bob Harvey Steve John Leslie Marshall Marion Dave John David Les Michele Max=275 First George Paul John Jim Harvey Rick Marshall Bob Michael Marion Steve Herb Michele Lynn Dorchester County Last Armistead O’Brien Stasz Dyke Armistead Ringler Ford Meritt Blom Wilson Gregoire O’Brien Mudd Bonham Davidson Hoffman Iliff Homan Sanford Todd Harvey Holmes Jett Mudd Mumford First Henry Michael Jim Samuel George Bob Stephen Don Rick Erika John Paul Harvey Larry Lynn Mark Marshall Dick Steve Mary Ann Dave David George Marion Dotty MOS Locality Life and 1996 List Totals (Cont.) Home Cecl Hrfd Clvt Cecl Cecl Carr Mont Balt Hrfd Cecl AnAr Mont Carr (NY) Hwrd Hrfd DC Home Chas Chas (NY) Clvt Mont Hrfd AnAr Carr PGeo Mont Balt DC DC AnAr Max=311 Home (PA) (NJ) Clvt Wico (PA) Carr Tlbt Tlbt Hrfd (VA) (NY) Mont Mont Mont AnAr AnAr AnAr Mont Balt Mont Carr Hwrd Chas Mont AnAr Life 207 246 226 225 LF 193 189 170 169 160 159 157 153 152 151 149 142 Life 243 228 216 212 194 185 171 168 160 158 157 153 153 141 Life 289 252. 247 246 241 238 237 233 220 214 213 212 208 201 200 200 200 187 176 173 172 169 166 166 161 199 Frederick County Last O’Brien Miller Welch Wallace Mudd O’Brien Czaplak Cornelius Ringler Stasz Blom Mudd Harvey Janni Gregoire Morris Schaff Morris Davidson Bonham Sanford Oberman Nelson lliff Homan Swift Jett Garrett County Last Ringler Stasz Walbeck O’Brien Blom Simons Sanford Czaplak lliff Mumford Gregoire O’Brien Holmes Mudd Davidson Hoffman Harford County Last Blom Wortman Webb Kirkwood Eastman Cupp Sr. Pfingsten Ringler Stasz Mudd Mudd Gregoire Cupp Jr. Sanford First Paul Stauffer Michael David Harvey Michael Dave Tan Bob Jim Rick Marion Dave Ottavio John Michele Frank Herb Lynn Larry Steve Lola Gary Marshall Dick Byron George Max=277 First Bob Jim David Michael Rick Teresa Steve Dave Marshall Dotty John Paul David Harvey Lynn Mark Max=297 First Rick John David Dennis Les John Bill Bob Jim Harvey Marion John John Steve Max=290 Home Mont (MA) Fdrk Fdrk Mont (NJ) Mont Fdrk Carr Clvt Hrfd Mont Carr DC (NY) DC Fred DC AnAr Mont Balt Mont Mont AnAr Mont DC Chas Home Carr Clvt AnAr (NJ) Hrfd Algy Balt Mont AnAr AnAr (NY) Mont Hwrd Mont AnAr AnAr Home Hrfd Hrfd Hrfd Hrfd Hrfd Hrfd Hrfd Carr Clvt Mont Mont (NY) Hrfd Balt 189 Page 13 Howard County Max=294 Last Solem Farrell Ott Bockstie Zeichner Magnusson Harvey Osenton Holmes Solem Atkinson Ringler Stasz Mudd Blom Burley Davis Alexander Zucker Gregoire Saunders Wilkinson Iliff Sanford Mudd Morris Simon Bowen Morris Kent County Last Parks Stasz Blom Ringler Mudd Iliff Sanford Gregoire Morris First Joanne Jane Bonnie Connie Helen Nancy Dave Peter David Bob Scott Bob Jim Harvey Rick Rod Phil Burton Paul John Norman James Marshall Steve Marion Michele Stephen Michael Herb Max = 299 First Floyd Jim Rick Bob Harvey Marshall Steve John Michele Montgomery County Last O’Brien O’Brien Bonham Mudd Czaplak Oberman Mudd Todd Wilkinson Saunders Hilton Bowen Saunders Stasz DeMoll Homan Janni Nelson Blom First Michael Paul Larry Harvey Dave Lola Marion Mary Ann James Norman Robert Michael Frances Jim Edward Dick Ottavio Gary Rick MOS Locality Life and 1996 List Totals (Cont.) Montgomery County Home Hwrd Hwrd Hwrd Hwrd Hwrd Hwrd Carr Hwrd Hwrd Hwrd Hwrd Carr Clvt Mont Hrfd PGeo AnAr Hwrd Mont (NY) Mont Hwrd AnAr Balt Mont DC Balt Mont DC Home Kent Clvt Hrfd Carr Mont AnAr Balt (NY) DC Max=315 Home (NJ) Mont Mont Mont Mont Mont Mont Mont Hwrd Mont Mont Mont Mont Clvt (KY) Mont DC Mont Hrfd Life 267 PASTE 246 244 237 236 233 Zar 220 214 213 213 209 208 205 203 202 201 185 178 175 172 170 167 163 159 157 156 156 Life 274 208 201 201 185 181 165 153 2 Life 281 281 267 261 259 251 249 239 237 233 221 214 214 213 211 210 210 210 209 199 197 161 146 187 —_ Ke} Ke} lop) 146 155 100 Last Swift Ringler Welch Bowen Sussman Morris Morris Schaff Gregoire Sanford Barnes Jett Davidson Valega Wilson Nistico Iliff Zucker Donovan Alexander First Byron Bob Michael Joy Rick Michele Herb Frank John Steve Wain George Lynn Thomas Erika Paul Marshall Paul Michael Burton Prince George’s County Last Czaplak Gregoire Stasz Blom Nistico Osenton Kearns Ringler Donovan Mudd Davidson Jett Barnes Davis Iliff Perry Sanford Morris Morris Mudd First Dave John Jim Rick Paul Peter Greg Bob Michael Harvey Lynn George Wain Phil Marshall David Steve Michele Herb Marion Queen Anne’s County Last Stasz Blom Ringler Mudd lliff Gregoire Therres Poet Holmes Morris Davidson Morris Mudd Mumford Sanford Nistico First Jim Rick Bob Harvey Marshall John Glenn Danny David Michele Lynn Herb Marion Dotty Steve Paul Max=315 (Cont.) Home DC Carr Fdrk Mont Mont DC DC Fred (NY) Balt PGeo Chas AnAr Mont (VA) Chas AnAr Mont PGeo Hwrd Max=313 Home Mont (NY) Clvt Hrfd Chas Hwrd PGeo Carr PGeo Mont AnAr Chas PGeo AnAr AnAr AnAr Balt DC DC Mont Max=293 Home Clvt Hrfd Carr Mont AnAr (NY) QuAn QuAn Hwrd DC AnAr DC Mont AnAr Balt Chas Life 207 204 204 199 198 195 194 194 192 188 181 181 179 178 175 173 165 164 161 158 Life 268 261 248 237 230 218 213 203 201 197 196 188 182 174 169 168 167 159 157 157 Life 230 214 208 205 190 188 185 165 162 159 17 157 157 152 152 148 141 154 100 iON ON iON Page 14 Saint Mary’s County Last Craig Rambo Cribb Stasz O’Brien Blom Jett Mudd Wilson Nistico Ringler Gregoire O’Brien Davidson Sanford lliff First Patty Kyle Martin Jim Michael Rick George Harvey Erika Paul Bob John Paul Lynn Steve Marshall Somerset County Max=301 Last Stasz Dyke Armistead Ringler Slaughter Vaughn Hoffman Vaughn Gregoire Davidson lliff Blom Sanford Mudd Mumford Batchelder Bonham Harvey Jett Holmes Talbot County Last Kleen Meritt Armistead Ford Stasz Armistead Ringler Bell Reese O’Brien Blom Mudd lliff Sanford Gregoire Davidson First Jim Samuel Henry Bob Eddie Charles Mark Gail John Lynn Marshall Rick Steve Harvey Dotty Polly Larry Dave George David Max=309 First Richard Don Henry Stephen Jim George Bob Wayne Jan Michael Rick Harvey Marshall Steve John Lynn MOS Locality Life and 1996 List Totals (Cont.) Max=305 Home StMa StMa StMa Clvt (NJ) Hrfd Chas Mont (VA) Chas Carr (NY) Mont AnAr Balt AnAr Home Clvt Wico (PA) Carr Balt Wico AnAr Wico (NY) AnAr AnAr Hrfd Balt Mont AnAr Smst Mont Carr Chas Hwrd Home Tlbt Tlbt (PA) Tlbt Clvt (PA) Carr Tlbt Tlbt (NJ) Hrfd Mont AnAr Balt (NY) AnAr Life 285 271 251 235 226 212 208 204 201 200 193 188 184 178 167 161 Life 261 245 230 219 218 207 206 205 204 192 188 186 174 173 173 168 161 159 155 153 Life 287 272 261 236 230 210 208 203 202 192 186 185 178 169 161 159 199 256 251 Washington County Last First Ringler Bob Stasz Jim Blom Rick Mudd Harvey Sanford Steve Gregoire John Mudd Marion Weesner Dave Morris Herb Morris Michele lliff Marshall Davidson Lynn Wicomico County Last First Dyke Samuel Broderick Donald Broderick Carol Stasz Jim Vaughn Gail Vaughn Charles Ringler Bob Blom Rick Slaughter Eddie lliff Marshall Gregoire John Jett George Mudd Harvey Worcester County Last First Hoffman Mark O’Brien Michael Dyke Samuel Blom Rick Stasz Jim O’Brien Paul Czaplak Dave Todd Mary Ann Ringler Bob Armistead Henry Gregoire John Slaughter Eddie Iliff Marshall Holmes David Farrell Jane Janni Ottavio Jett George Vaughn Charles Vaughn Gail Meritt Don Davidson Lynn Bonham Larry Mudd Harvey Mumford Dotty Alexander Burton Harvey Dave Kirschbaum Elliot Sanford Steve Davis Phil Walbeck David Max=260 Home Carr Clvt Hrfd Mont Balt (NY) Mont Wash DC 16 [o> Page 15 Maryland Yard-Home Last Armistead Stasz Engle Kleen lliff Robbins Fletcher O’Brien Armistead Craig Blom Czaplak Broderick Ott Dyke Broderick O’Brien Saunders Zeichner Jett Nistico Watson-Whitmyre Solem Eastman Wortman Wood Rambo Finley Ebert Parks Griffith Hamilton Simonson Wallace Kearns Schaff Joyce Walbeck Davis Ford Grimm Simon Swift Bohanan Jenkins Woods Bonham Millenson Schindler Mudd Harvey First Henry Jim Ethel Richard Marshall Chan Roberta Michael George Patty Rick Dave Donald Bonnie Samuel Carol Paul Norman Helen George Paul Marcia Joanne Les John Robert Kyle Charles Ward Floyd Gary Sue Don David Greg Frank Emily David Phil Stephen Phyllis Stephen Byron Peggy Kye Jeanne Larry Janet Lydia Harvey Dave Home (PA) Clvt Crin Tlbt AnAr PGeo Crin (NJ) (PA) StMa Hrfd Mont Wico Hwrd Wico Wico Mont Mont Hwrd Chas Chas Cecl Hwrd Hrfd Hrfd Balt StMa Fdrk Hwrd Kent Cecl Clvt Mont Fdrk PGeo Fred AnAr AnAr AnAr Tlbt Balt Balt DC Balt Balt Worc Mont Mont Mont Mont Carr MOS Life and 1996 Yard List Totals Life 258 203 202 201 200 199 193 180 179 179 173 172 164 163 161 160 154 153 147 145 140 140 136 135 135 133 130 128 123 121 117 115 115 115 114 114 112 111 110 110 110 110 110 108 108 107 104 104 104 103 102 1996 172 107 154 83 111 89 103 89 83 67 66 Yard Tlbt Clvt Crin Tlbt AnAr PGeo Crin Mont Tlbt StMa Harf Mont Wico Hwrd Wico Wico Mont Mont Hwrd Chas Chas Cecl Hwrd Harf Hrfd Balt StMa Frdk Hwrd Kent Cecl Clvt Mont Fdrk PGeo Fred AnAr AnAr AnAr Tlbt Balt Balt DC Balt Balt Worc Mont Mont Mont Mont Carr Maryland Yard-Home Last Haury Webb Drier Oberman Bockstie Geddes Laskowski Welch Barnes Weesner Newman Newman Burley Sanford Alexander Homan Therres Reinig Slaughter Pemburn Pemburn Cupp Sr. Valega Batchelder Highsaw Prentice Fisher Donovan Youth Bowser Bowser Weigant Hilton Thompson First Allan David Kenneth Lola Connie Shirley Joanne Michael Wain Dave Carol Paul S. Rod Steve Burton Dick Glenn James Eddie Leanne Mark John Thomas Polly Jim Linda Leslie Michael Howard Bill Deb Leo Robert Jim Maryland Work/Other Last Webb Wheeler Osenton Cribb Kirkwood Bowen Sussman Slaughter DC Yard Last Janni Morris Swift First David Joy Peter Martin Dennis Michael Rick Eddie First Ottavio Michele Byron 84 69 69 86 82 54 54 Yard AnAr Hrfd Cecl Mont Hwrd Balt Tlbt Fdrk PGeo Wash Hwrd Hwrd PGeo Balt Hwrd Mont QuAn AnAr Balt Balt Balt Harf Mont Smst Balt Balt Cecl PGeo Mont Balt Balt PGeo Mont Hrdf Yard Hrfd Balt PGeo StMa Hrfd Hwrd Mont Balt Yard DC DC DC Page 16 Maryland State Max=395 MOS Locality All-Time High Totals Calvert County Max=299 Last First Home Total Hoffman Mark AnAr 329 O’Brien Michael (NJ) 320 Czaplak Dave Mont 318 Stasz Jim Clvt 312 Jett George Chas 311 Hoffman Mark AnAr 310 O’Brien Michael (NJ) 308 Gregoire John (NY) 306 Todd Mary Ann’ Mont 306 Stasz Jim Clvt 305 Farrell Jane Hwrd 304 Hoffman Mark AnAr 304 Jett George Chas 303 Todd Mary Ann’ Mont 302 O’Brien Paul Mont 300 O’Brien Michael (NJ) 296 Hoffman Mark AnAr 294 O’Brien Paul Mont 291 Davidson Lynn AnAr 289 O’Brien Michael (NJ) 288 Janni Ottavio DC 287 O’Brien Paul Mont 287 O’Brien Paul Mont 287 Gregoire John (NY) 286 O’Brien Michael (NJ) 285 Ringler Bob Carr 285 Bonham Larry Mont 284 O’Brien Paul Mont 284 O’Brien Paul Mont 282 lliff Marshall AnAr 281 O’Brien Michael (NJ) 281 Davidson Lynn AnAr 278 Davidson Lynn AnAr 278 Ringler Bob Carr 278 Gregoire John (NY) 277 O’Brien Michael (NJ) 277 Bonham Larry Mont 275 O’Brien Paul Mont 275 District of Columbia Max=309 Last First Home Total Czaplak Dave Mont 240 Czaplak Dave Mont 236 Czaplak Dave Mont 224 Czaplak Dave Mont 27 Janni Ottavio DC 217 Czaplak Dave Mont 215 Allegany County Max=284 Last First Home Total Simons Teresa Algy 212 Simons Teresa Algy 211 Anne Arundel County Max = 336 Last Home _ Total Year _% Wierenga Hal AnAr 258 1976 77 Baltimore City/County Max=337 Last First Home Total Blom Rick Hrfd 265 Year 1994 1991 1994 1994 1994 1992 1995 1985 1994 1992 1994 1976 1992 1995 1991 1990 1995 1988 1986 1984 1992 1984 1986 1984 1988 1976 1991 1989 1987 1992 1989 1988 1991 1986 1983 1987 1980 1994 Year 1983 1982 1988 1989 1993 1987 Year 1994 1993 Year 1977 Yo. 83 81 81 79 79 78 78 Ee it 77 77 77 77 76 76 75 74 74 73 73 73 73 73 ie Te: 72 72 72. 71 71 71 70 70 70 70 70 70 70 % 78 76 Fe, 70 70 70 %o 75 74 %o 79 Last Stasz Stasz Gregoire Stasz Stasz Stasz Stasz First Jim Jim John Jim Jim Jim Jim Caroline County Max=283 Last First None exceeding 70 percent Carroll County Max=279 Last Ringler Ringler Ringler Ringler Ringler Cecil County Last Griffith Griffith Griffith Charles County Last Jett Jett Jett Gregoire First Bob Bob Bob Bob Bob Max=284 First Gary Gary Gary Max=275 First George George George John Dorchester County Last Armistead Armistead First Henry Henry Frederick County Last Miller Miller Miller Miller Garrett County Last First Stauffer Stauffer Stauffer Stauffer Max=277 First None exceeding 70 percent Harford County Max=297 Last Webb Webb Wortman Webb First David David John David Home Clvt Clvt (NY) Clvt Clvt Clvt Clvt Home Home Carr Carr Carr Carr Carr Home Cecl Cecl Cecl Home Chas Chas Chas (NY) Max=311 Home (PA) (PA) Max=290 Home (MA) (MA) (MA) (MA) Home Home Hrfd Hrfd Hrfd Hrfd Total 233 231 221 218 212 212 209 Total Total 204 201 199 198 195 Total 216 214 211 Total 212 207 206 192 Total 244 218 Total 231 217 215 215 %o. 78 77 74 73 71 71 70 %. %o. 73 72 71 71 70 %o. 76 75 74 %o. fev 75 75 70 Yo. 78 70 %o. 80 75 74 74 Yo Yo. 75 74 70 70 Page 17 Howard County Max=294 MOS Locality All-Time High Totals (Cont.) Somerset County Max=301 Last First Home Total Year %. Last First Home Total Year %. Ott Bonnie Hwrd 222 1994 76 Stasz Jim Clvt 245 1982 81 Solem Joanne Hwrd 220 1994 75 Magnusson Nancy Hwrd 210 1990 71 Talbot County Max=309 Bockstie Connie Hwrd 209 1994 71 Last First Home Total Year % Farrell Jane Hwrd 209 1990 71 None exceeding 70 percent Farrell Jane Hwrd 209 1994 71 Solem Joanne Hwrd 207 1989 70 Washington County Max=260 Last First Home Total Year Yo. Kent County Max=299 None exceeding 70 percent Last First Home Total Year N None exceeding 70 percent Wicomico County Max=287 Last First Home Total Year Yo. Montgomery County Max=315 None exceeding 70 percent Last First Home Total Year % O’Brien Paul Mont 229 1991 73 Worcester County Max=370 O’Brien Michael (NJ) 221 1991 70 Last First Home Total Year % Hoffman Mark AnAr 303 1994 82 Prince George’s County Max=313 Hoffman Mark AnAr 300 1992 81 Last First Home Total Year % O’Brien Michael (NJ) 298 1994 81 Gregoire John (NY) 243 1984 78 Czaplak Dave Mont 285 1994 Ze Gregoire John (NY) 238 1985 76 O’Brien Michael (NJ) 284 1991 TL. Hoffman Mark AnAr 264 1991 71 Queen Anne’s County Max=293 Farrell Jane Hwrd 263 1994 71 Last First Home Total Year % Hoffman Mark AnAr 260 1993 70 None exceeding 70 percent Maryland Yard-Home Max=258 Saint Mary’s County Max=305 Last First Home Total Year % Last First Home Total Year % None exceeding 70 percent Craig Patty StMa 258 1996 85 Cribb Martin StMa 251 1996 82 Maryland Work/Other Max=201 Craig Patty StMa 236 1995 77 Last First Home Total Year % Craig Patty StMa 228 1994 75 Cribb Martin StMa 197 1995 98 Rambo Kyle StMa 222 1995 73 Webb David Hrfd 184 1994 92 Cribb Martin StMa 217 1995 Al Wheeler Joy Balt 146 1992 73 Rambo Kyle StMa 215 1994 70 Osenton Peter Hwrd 145 1995 72 Craig Patty StMa 212 1993 70 MOS All-County Life and 1996 List Totals All-County Max=226 All-County Max=226 Last First Home Life 1996 Last First Home Life 1996 Stasz Jim Clvt 128 1 Davidson Lynn AnAr 40 Ringler Bob Carr 101 Nistico Paul Chas 33 Blom Rick Hrfd 99 Mudd Marion Mont 32 Sanford Steve Balt Fis Walbeck David AnAr 32 5 Mudd Harvey Mont 76 2 Mumford Dotty AnAr 30 Tliff Marshall AnAr 61 Jett George Chas 26 5 Harvey Dave Carr oY 7 Alexander Burton Hwrd 24 Bonham Larry Mont De Holmes David Hwrd 22 Gregoire John (NY) 54 Hamilton Sue Clvt 9 Morris Michele DC 51 Barry Clifton Balt 6 Davis Phil AnAr 49 5 Page 22 THE AVID TRAVELER ECOTOURS for 1997 Enjoy your birding expeditions! Experience our relaxed pace with an emphasis on education and fun. June 6-8 — Western MD Oct. 3-5 — Cape May Call Les Coble, 410-820-6165, for itinerary. If we are birding leave your name, address, & phone num- ber on the answering machine. MOS On-Line Schedule of Events The copy deadline for the Sept/Oct issue of the Yellowthroat is July 25 for chapter ac- tivities and August 1 for all other submis- MARYLAND ORNITHOLOGICAL sions. Nonprofit Org. SOCIETY, INC. U.S. POSTAGE Send calendar entries for Sept-November to: clo Helen Ford PAID 1034 Wilkinson Ra peak Permit No, 230 : ; erm oO. Havre de Grace, MD 21078 Annap olis, MD 21403 W: 410-671-3490 H: 410-734-6969 Please send all other submissions to the editor: Norman C. Saunders 1261 Cavendish Drive Colesville, MD 20905 H: 301-989-9035 W: 202-606-5723 A &®)-~ ah reeueled paper 2 SOY INK POSTMASTER: TIME-DATED MATERIAL--PLEASE EXPEDITE!