11/18/14

Caroline County Bird Club November 20, 2014 program on Hummingbirds of the Mid-Atlantic Region presented by Bruce Peterjohn


 Thought you saw a hummingbird last winter? You may have and it probably wasn’t a Ruby-throated. Gone are the days when the Ruby-throated Hummingbird was the only species of hummingbird found east of the Mississippi River, or when hummingbirds were believed to be only summer residents. 
 
The mid-Atlantic region supports a surprisingly diverse hummingbird community, especially during winter when species from western North America regularly appear in the east. This presentation summarizes our knowledge of the current status and distribution of hummingbirds in the Virginia-Maryland-Delaware region, providing insights into their identification, life histories, and how these marvelous little birds are adapting to become regular winter residents in this region.    

Bruce has been hummingbird banding in the mid-Atlantic Region since the late 1990s, initially assisting the only hummingbird bander in the region. He received training in hummingbird banding techniques in 2006 and have been banding hummingbirds since that time. His primary interests are documenting the changing status and distribution of winter hummingbirds in the mid-Atlantic region and developing a better understanding of the strategies used by these birds to survive winter conditions in this region. 


Photo of an immature male Rufous Hummingbird banded in Somerset Count the week of Sept 7, 2014 on MD Biodiversity Project’s  Facebook page

11/11/14

Caroline County Bird Club list and photos from bird walk at Two Johns



MARY B.LYNCH PRESERVE Bird LIST       11-9- 14
Trip of the Caroline County Bird Club
   6 observers   -   list compiled by Danny Poet
Trip leaders   Debby Bennett and Danny Poet

                                                          Photo by Danny Poet
Canada Goose      x
Wild Turkey    2    seen  by a couple of folks
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture   5
Bald Eagle      1
Red Tailed Hawk     1
Ring Billed Gull     60
Belted Kingfisher     1
Red Bellied Woodpecker 4
Yellow Bellied Sapsucker       1
Downy Woodpecker    1
Hairy Woodpecker    2
Flicker    3
Pileated  Woodpecker    2
Blue Jay     10
American Crow     4
Carolina Chickadee    4
Tufted Titmouse     4
White breasted Nuthatch   1
Brown Creeper      3
Carolina Wren    4
Golden Crowned Kinglet    3 
Eastern Bluebird   3
Hermit Thrush     5
Robin      20
Mockingbird      1
Cedar Waxwing 50
White throated Sparrow     5
Song Sparrow    1
Dark eyed Junco     15
Cardinal     5
Red Winged Blackbird      30
Common Grackle     150
Brown headed Cowbird    1
Purple Finch     4    [   2 adult males  and 2  immature or female type ]
Pine Siskin       1        seen by  2 people
American Goldfinch     x

11/3/14

Caroline County Bird Club Bird Walk at the Lynch Preserve, Two Johns on Sunday, November 9, 2014


We've got a Caroline County Bird Club bird walk this coming Sunday, November 9, 2014 – Lynch Preserve, Two Johns. Leaders: Debby Bennett & Danny Poet. 8 am Park/meet at the end of Robins Creek Road. 


For more information about the preserve, go to: http://www.eslc.org/land-preservation/preserves/

Hope to see you there!

10/19/14

Caroline County Bird Club had a great bird walk at Adkins Arboretum October 18, 2014

Birds seen were the following:
                                                                                    Photo of Blue-headed Vireo by Rich Downs
Canada Goose 28
Great Egret   2
Coopers Hawk       1
Red Shouldered Hawk 1
TV      6
Black Vulture  2
Flicker  6
Yellow Bellied Sapsucker  2
Downy Woodpecker    2
Red Bellied Woodpecker   2
Pileated Woodpecker      1
White breasted Nuthatch  1
Carolina Chickadee    6
Tufted Titmouse  3
Carolina Wren    2
Blue Jay  15
American Crow   4
Eastern Phoebe  2
Blue Headed Vireo   2
Mockingbird       1
Robin     1
Eastern Bluebird  7
Yellow - rumped warbler  30
Northern Parula   1
Tennessee warbler     1
Brown headed Cowbird       40
Red winged blackbird     12
Cardinal        4
Eastern towhee   1
Field Sparrow       4
White throated Sparrow     12
Chipping Sparrow      41
House  Finch   4
American Goldfinch       2
Ruby crowned Kinglet     3

10/14/14

Caroline County Bird Club program October 16, 2014 and Bird Walk at Adkins Arboretum October 18, 2014

Please don't miss these two events!

Thursday, October 16 - 7:30 PM, Caroline County Public Library, 100 Market St., Denton -   our program will be about  Cornell’s eBird Peru collaboration with high school students.  Presenter:  Alison Vooris.


We will also give you highlights from our first ever Big Sit! and more information about our Fall Bird Count.



Saturday, October 18  we have a  Bird Walk at Adkins Arboretum. Leader:  Danny Poet.  Meet at parking lot at 8 am. 

Caroline County Bird Club's October 11, 2014 Big Sit! final Count was 51!

Our very first Big Sit! was held October 11, 2014 from 7:30 am - 6:30 pm at the gazebo by the lake at Tuckahoe State Park.  Thanks again to Park Manager John Ohler and his staff for allowing us early and late access to the park and to Dave Reinecke for choosing the location and creating our circle.

Team Information: Caroline Blue Birds

Captain: Debby Bennett  Team:  Steve Westre, Eli Anders, Danny Poet, Dawn Brownlee-Tomasso, Dave Reinecke, Bill Scudder

Location: Tuckahoe State Park, Ridgely, Maryland (United States)

Team Checklist

  1. Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias
  2. Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
  3. Canada Goose Branta canadensis
  4. Wood Duck Aix sponsa
  5. Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
  6. Osprey Pandion haliaetus
  7. Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus
  8. Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus
  9. Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus
  10. Wilson's Snipe Gallinago delicata
  11. gull sp.
  12. Barred Owl Strix varia
  13. Chimney Swift Chaetura pelagica
  14. Belted Kingfisher Megaceryle alcyon
  15. Red-bellied Woodpecker Melanerpes carolinus
  16. Hairy Woodpecker Picoides villosus
  17. Downy Woodpecker Picoides pubescens
  18. Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus
  19. Pileated Woodpecker Dryocopus pileatus
  20. Eastern Phoebe Sayornis phoebe
  21. Blue Jay Cyanocitta cristata
  22. American Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos
  23. Tree Swallow Tachycineta bicolor
  24. Carolina Chickadee Poecile carolinensis
  25. Tufted Titmouse Baeolophus bicolor
  26. White-breasted Nuthatch Sitta carolinensis
  27. Carolina Wren Thryothorus ludovicianus
  28. Golden-crowned Kinglet Regulus satrapa
  29. Ruby-crowned Kinglet Regulus calendula
  30. Eastern Bluebird Sialia sialis
  31. American Robin Turdus migratorius
  32. Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos
  33. Brown Thrasher Toxostoma rufum
  34. European Starling Sturnus vulgaris
  35. Cedar Waxwing Bombycilla cedrorum
  36. Yellow-rumped Warbler Dendroica coronata
  37. Black-throated Green Warbler Dendroica virens
  38. Pine Warbler Dendroica pinus
  39. Palm Warbler Dendroica palmarum
  40. Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia
  41. American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla
  42. Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas
  43. Eastern Towhee Pipilo erythrophthalmus
  44. Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerina
  45. Swamp Sparrow Melospiza georgiana
  46. White-throated Sparrow Zonotrichia albicollis
  47. Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis
  48. Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus
  49. Common Grackle Quiscalus quiscula
  50. Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus ater
  51. American Goldfinch Spinus tristis

10/7/14

Caroline County Bird Club holding a Big Sit! on October 11, 2014 at Tuckahoe State Park


Caroline County Bird Club invites everyone to its Big Sit!
DATE:  October 11, 2014
WHERE:  Tuckahoe State Park’s gazebo by the lake.
TIMES:  6:30 am – 8:00 pm

WHAT IS THE BIG SIT!
The Big Sit! is an annual bird-a-thon in that the object is to tally as many bird species as can be seen or heard within 24 hours. The difference lies in the area limitation from which you may observe.   It is free and sponsored by Bird Watcher’s Digest.

RULES OF PLAY:
·      We will have a 17-foot diameter (circle) marked around the gazebo.
·      There will be Caroline County Bird Club members participating with a team leader.
·      This is free and open to the public.  The more the merrier! Bring binoculars and scopes if you have them.  Bring some chairs. Bring food and drinks.  Stay as long as you like!
·      Passers-by are welcome!
·      Observations can only be made from within our pre-determined 17-foot (diameter) circle around the gazebo.
·      If a bird is seen or heard from within the circle but is too distant to identify, the circle can be left to get a closer look/listen to confirm the bird's identity. However, any new bird species seen or heard while confirming the original, can't be counted unless it's seen or heard from an "anchor" who stayed behind in our circle, or is seen by you when you return to your circle.
·      The group leader will make sure sightings are within the designated area (or flew over it).
·      We will keep a list and tally the number of species that we observe.

PLEDGES REQUESTED:
·      For every species seen, the Caroline County Bird Club will donate a dollar.  We ask for others to pledge as well.
·      Proceeds will go to the Tuckahoe State Park’s Scales and Tales Program.

This event is co-sponsored by Tuckahoe State Park

9/30/14

Caroline County Bird Club's October 2014 events



All Free and open to the public!

Saturday, October 11 -   Big Sit!  Location: Tuckahoe State Park gazebo on the Caroline County side of the lake.  This is a joint event with Tuckahoe State Park. It will run all day from dawn to dusk and perhaps into the evening for some owling. 
Every year, bird watchers from around the globe unite on this special day by participating in this free event!   
The object is to tally as many bird species as can be seen or heard within 24 hours. The only rule is that there is a 17 foot diameter area limitation from which you may observe. Any bird seen or heard from our designated area will be counted.  We will have team leaders stationed at the gazebo during the day and will have our 17 foot diameter set.  
 The Big Sit! is open to the public.  Come with binoculars and spotting scope if you have them. You might want to bring a chair as well and refreshments.   

Thursday, October 16 -  Program -Cornell’s eBird Peru collaboration with high school students.  Presenter:  Alison Vooris.
7:30 PM, Caroline County Public Library, 100 Market St., Denton. 

Saturday, October 18 -   Bird Walk at Adkins Arboretum. Leader:  Danny Poet.  Meet at parking lot at 8 am. 

9/4/14

Caroline County Bird Club's September 2014 events


Below you will find the upcoming schedule of September programs and birding outings.  You don’t have to be a member of the club or a great birder to attend! Just come join the fun!


Sunday, September 7, 2014.  Bird Walk. Tuckahoe State Park (Tuckahoe Creek IBA) Leader: Eli Anders.   Meet at the Caroline County side of Lake parking lot at 8 am.  

Thursday, September 18, 2014.  Program.   Maryland Biodiversity Project. Presenter:  Jim Brighton.
7:30 PM, Caroline County Public Library, 100 Market St., Denton.
 
Maryland Biodiversity Project (MBP) is cataloging all the living things of Maryland. The goal is to promote education and conservation by helping to build a vibrant general nature study community. The project was started in June 2012 by Bill Hubick and Jim Brighton. They have already cataloged over 14,000 species, including over 5,000 species with photographs, and feature the work of more than 300 naturalists and photographers.  Come learn about this exciting project and how you can contribute to it!  Great for all ages!  Web site: http://www.marylandbiodiversity.com.  They also have a Facebook page.

Saturday, September 20, 2014. Fall Bird Count.   

Sunday, September 28, 2014 ¬ Trip.  Bird Banding observation in Chestertown.  Jim Gruber, Bander.  8:00 AM.  Great for kids.  Adults welcome too. To register and for directions, contact Danny Poet at (410)827-8651 or birder231@hotmail.com. 

4/28/14

Caroline County Bird Club's May 2014 Happenings

Saturday, May 10 – May Bird Count.  Contact Debby Bennett at carolinebirdclub@gmail.com for more information.
Thursday, May 15 –  Program.  Members Night
7:30 PM, Caroline County Public Library, 100 Market St., Denton
 
Here's a Danny Poet photo teaser for you -- there will be many more like this to view at Members Night!
 
 

Caroline County Bird Club Pelot Sanctuary walk photos on Facebook

Check out more photos on our Facebook Page

photos here by Danny Poet

4/2/14

Caroline County Bird Club and Friends of Gravelly Branch need volunteers for a garbage clean-up Saturday, April 5


Meet there at 9 am.  Directions below.

Nick Carter, Nancy Eash, and others have organized this clean-up.  There is a lot of trash down in the creek and along the sanctuary.  It will be muddy due to recent rain, so dress accordingly.  Also, bring work gloves and trash bags.  Nancy has arranged for a garbage pickup.


It's been a few years since we've done a clean-up in Pelot, so I hope a few of you can join us!

Information about MYRTLE SIMON PELOT, Caroline County

This sanctuary was purchased in 1972 using a bequest to the MOS from Mrs. Myrtle Pelot of Ridgely. It is approximately 60 acres of deciduous swamp forest varying from 9 to 20 feet above sea level.

Originally the land was part of an old mill property with Draper Mill Road forming the dam, which impounded Gravelly Branch. The dam washed out in 1937, and the rich pond sediments now support a thriving forest. It is located in the Red Bridges area of the Choptank River, an area that local birders have enjoyed for years. Pelot Sanctuary is an oasis for flowers, birds, and other fauna in the midst of a predominantly agricultural area.

A marked trail begins at the sanctuary sign and there is a rest area with benches approximately 200 yards in on the left. There is parking for two or three cars along the road near the bridge.


Directions:           
              
From Rt 313 in Greensboro, turn east onto Whiteleysburg Rd (Rt 314).
Left on Wothers Rd, then Right on Boyce Mill Rd.
Left on Drapers Mill Road - look for sanctuary sign on the right.

Don't miss the Caroline County Bird Club April 17 program on the 2013/2014 Snowy Owl Invasion!

Caroline County Bird Club invites you to our FREE April 17 program at the Caroline County Public Library, Denton at 7:30 PM. 

                                                                                                                            Photo by Danny Poet

Bill Stewart will present "The 2013/2014 Snowy Owl Invasion:  A Much Closer Look"

Bill Stewart, Director of Partnerships and Marketing for the American Birding Association and VP of the Delmarva Ornithological Society, will examine this year's Snowy Owl invasion into the Delmarva region and beyond.  Utilizing up-to-the-minute data collected from eBird, Project SNOWstorm and other resources, Bill will present the latest findings, sightings and theories pertaining to this historical Snowy Owl irruption.  Bill will also share some helpful tips on field identification between males, females and juveniles along with recent video and a somewhat comical look at the resourcefulness of these majestic owls while they visit our region.

3/7/14

Caroline County Bird Club program on Rain Gardens March 20, 2014


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Come to our FREE program  about Rain Gardens - their benefits and how to create one presented by Dee Navolis, Communications Coordinator and Wetland Educator, Environmental Concerns .    

Thursday, March 20 - 7:30 PM, Caroline County Public Library, 100 Market St., Denton.




Rain Gardens are a beautiful way to help control storm water runoff, improve water quality, recharge groundwater, and in addition they provide habitat for local wildlife.

For more information about Environmental Concerns and how to create a rain garden, go to http://www.wetland.org/nursery_raingarden.htm






Photo from Environmental Concerns

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