Caroline County MD Bird Club

January 19 program on Birds of Alaska and much more

2012-01-10T04:40:00.000-08:00

A program about Alaska will be presented by our own Wayne Bell and LesCoble of the Talbot Bird Club at 7:30 PM, Caroline County Public Library, 100Market St., Denton. If you have never seen a program by either Wayne or Les, now is your chance! Photos and stories galore, including what happened to Wayne's camera!

2011 Caroline County Christmas Count totals 92 species including 5 unusual birds

2012-01-09T07:07:00.000-08:00

The black-headed grosbeak might be considered to be the bestbird we've ever seen on the count. It was discovered in a yard on Market Street, Denton during theChristmas count and was seen by many birders from around the state. It left after the bird clubbought sunflower seeds and a squirrel guard for the feeder.

Two rose-breasted grosbeaks were reported near Greensboroand while it's very rare to see one, seeing two of them has to be very unusual.

We were also fortunate to get a red-headed woodpecker,Lapland longspur & Virginia rail--can't expect to do that everyyear.

We got 92 species and that's pretty good. We had 19 observers. In 1954 they had 18 observers and withsimilar weather conditions they only got 70 birds.

Steve Westre, Caroline County Christmas Count Coordinator

Pied-billed Grebe	1
D C Cormorant	8
Great Blue Heron	17
Black Vulture	80
Turkey Vulture	261
Snow Goose	1490
* Snow Goose (blue form) 2
Canada Goose	2886
Tundra Swan	103
Wood Duck	4
Black Duck	10
Mallard	214
Wigeon	1
Blue-winged Teal	3
Pintail	2
Ring-necked Duck	48
Bufflehead	7
Common Merganser	6
Hooded Merganser	10
Bald Eagle, ad	18
Bald Eagle, im	6
Northern Harrier	6
Sharp-shinned Hawk	3
Cooper's Hawk	10
Accipiter sp.	1
Red-shouldered Hawk	8
Red-tailed Hawk	25
Am. Kestrel	10
Wild Turkey	35
N. Bobwhite	6
Va Rail	1
Am. Coot	6
Killdeer	66
Wilson Snipe's	10
Am. Woodcock	2
Ring-billed Gull	1901
Herring Gull	12
Rock Pigeon	294
Mourning Dove	167
Eastern Screech-Owl	12
Great Horned Owl	8
Barred Owl	13
Belted Kingfisher	9
Red-bellied Woodpecker	55
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker	10
Downy Woodpecker	34
Hairy Woodpecker	7
Northern Flicker	64
Red-headed Woodpecker 1
Pileated Woodpecker	14
Eastern Phoebe	2
Blue Jay	130
American Crow	349
Fish Crow	11
Horned Lark	571
Carolina Chickadee	156
Tufted Titmouse	132
White-breasted Nuthatch	8
Brown Creeper	13
Carolina Wren	79
Winter Wren	20
Golden-crowned Kinglet	31
Ruby-crowned Kinglet	5
Eastern Bluebird	128
Hermit Thrush	34
American Robin	1700
N. Mockingbird	77
Brown Thrasher	5
Euro Starling	2251
Am. Pipit	77
Cedar Waxwing	188
Yellow rumped Warbler	42
Chipping Sparrow	36
Field Sparrow	35
Savannah Sparrow	13
Fox Sparrow	4
Song Sparrow	108
Swamp Sparrow	10
White-throated Sparrow	485
White-crowned Sparrow	1
Dark-eyed Junco	700
N. Cardinal	115
Towhee	16
Red-winged Blackbird	2083
E. Meadowlark	31
Rusty Blackbird	36
Common Grackle	5604
Brown-headed Cowbird	245
*blackbird sp.	360
Purple Finch	1
House Finch	166
Am. Goldfinch	75
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 2
Black-headed Grosbeak	1
House Sparrow	270
Lapland Longspur	1

Black-headed grosbeak visits Denton - a first for Caroline County

2011-12-20T20:41:00.000-08:00

photo by Mike Framptom-Price

A first winter male black-headed grosbeak has been seen in Bill Miller's yard since Dec 19 - 600 Market Street - south corner of Market Street and 6th street. You can view his feeders from the sidewalk on Market, so will not have to trespass. A first for Caroline County!

Happy Holidays from Caroline County Bird Club!

2011-12-16T05:08:00.000-08:00

Looking forholiday gifts for the birder in your life? Check out the Maryland Ornithological Society’s web site - http://www.mdbirds.org/ for links to theironline nature store and link to Eagle Optics.

Just a reminder for youyounger folks interested in birding and the environment, check out the Youth Divisionof Maryland Ornithological Society’s web site – http://www.ymos.org. They have all sorts of activities throughoutthe state and year.

Got your feeders out this winter for the birds? Check out the National Bird Feeding Society for more ideas - http://www.birdfeeding.org/ .

Dec 2011 - May 2012 schedule

2011-11-18T09:23:00.000-08:00

More details will be added later --

Saturday, December 17, 2010 - Christmas Bird Count.Coordinator: Steve Westre. swestre26@comcast.net

Thursday, January 19. Program. “Alaska” presented byWayne Bell and Les Coble. 7:30 PM,Caroline County Public Library, 100 Market St., Denton.

Thursday, February 16 – Program. Movie TBA

Thursday, March 15 – Program. “Using Hatcheries to help restore oysters toChesapeake Bay” presented by Don Meritt. 7:30 PM, Caroline County PublicLibrary, 100 Market St., Denton.

Thursday, April 19 – Program. “A Year on the Road with North AmericanBirds” presented by Ron Gutberlet. 7:30PM, Caroline County Public Library, 100 Market St., Denton.

Saturday, May 12 – May Bird Count. Coordinator: Debby Bennett. dabennett1996@gmail.com

Thursday, May 17 – Program. “Chesapeake Wildlife Heritage’s Monarchs Tagging program” presentedby Andi Pupke. 7:30 PM, Caroline CountyPublic Library, 100 Market St., Denton.

CANCELED - Sunday, November 20 – Pelot Sanctuary cleanup

2011-11-18T07:20:00.000-08:00

Sunday, November 20 – PelotSanctuary cleanup has been canceled due to wet conditions following the recent rain.

We will reschedule most likely in the Spring.

Thursday November 17 program - “Bird Photography in the Digital Age”

2011-11-13T08:33:00.000-08:00

Wil and Donna Hershberger will present "Bird Photography in the Digital Age”

Time and Place: 7:30 PM, Caroline County Public Library, 100Market St., Denton.

Wil Hershberger has been an avid naturalist most of hislife. After becoming an accomplished and well-respected birder, photographyskills learned in his Dad’s basement darkroom were rekindled. Today hisphotography has become an extension of his passion for the natural world. Hehas an innate ability to capture the natural world in an artistic way. A fewyears ago, Wil and his wife Donna formed Nature Images and Sounds, LLC.Together, they photograph everything from birds to bugs, participate in artshows and teach nature photography workshops. Wil is also an accomplished soundrecordist. Most of his recordings, including birds and bugs are archived at theCornell Laboratory of Ornithology’s Macauley Library of Natural Sounds. Throughtheir photography and sound recordings, they hope to instill in others thedesire to protect and save these sacred natural treasures.

AllCaroline County Bird Club events are activities are free and open to the public.

Formore information about the club, go to: http://carolinebirdclubmos.blogspot.com

And don't forget to visit our Facebook page and Like us!

New Facebook page and October schedule

2011-09-25T19:11:00.000-07:00

Check out our new Facebook page thanks to Dawn Brownlee-Tomasso.
Click on Like to follow it.

Saturday, October 1 - Bird Walk at Tuckahoe State Park (Tuckahoe Creek IBA)Leader: Danny Poet. Meet at the Lake Side Trail parking lot nearthe lake at 7:30 am. Dress comfortablyand bring binoculars if you have them. Questions, contact Danny Poet at (410)827-8651 or birder231@hotmail.com.

Thursday, October 20 – Program. BlackwaterWildlife Refuge update . 7:30 PM,Caroline County Public Library, 100 Market St., Denton.

2011-09-02T04:27:00.000-07:00

Mary Robbins took these photos of a Great Egret on Market and Second Streets in Denton, MD. Thanks for sharing, Mary!

September schedule

2011-08-05T04:19:00.000-07:00

September 11, 2011. Bird Walk. Camp Todd. Meet at the camp’s parking area near the ranger’s house at 8:00 am. Debby Bennett, Leader

Thursday, September 15. Program. “Poplar Island” presented by Laura Baldwin and Beth Kivela of the Maryland Environmental Service. 7:30 PM, Caroline County Public Library, 100 Market St., Denton.

Saturday, September 17. Fall Bird Count. If you would like to participate, please contact Debby Bennett at dabennett1996@gmail.com.

Sunday, September 25. 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.

Upcoming Bird Tours by Eastern Shore Land Conservancy

2011-08-04T06:50:00.000-07:00

Eastern Shore Land Conservancy has announced two guided bird tours this season. The two tours will be held on Friday, September 2nd in Dorchester County and Saturday, October 8 in Cecil County as part of ESLC’s ongoing efforts to allow the public to get up close and personal with some of the beautiful places ESLC has preserved on the Eastern Shore.

For more information go to Midshore Life at:
http://midshorelife.com/article/guided-bird-tours-shore

We lost another long-time member

2011-07-11T06:57:00.000-07:00

We sadly report that long-time member Catherine A. Trice of Denton died June 26 at Candle Light Cove Assisted Living in Easton. She was 92. Catherine was an avid birder and gardener and will be missed.

Have a great summer

2011-06-11T14:18:00.001-07:00

Stay tuned for our Fall schedule.

Next program Thursday, May 19 - Members' photos

2011-05-02T18:09:00.000-07:00

This will be our last program until the Fall.

7:30 PM, Caroline County Public Library, 100 Market St., Denton.

There will be a laptop and projector. Bring your photos on CD, thumbdrive or be able to pull them up from the Internet. Danny Poet and Dawn Brownlee-Tomasso coordinators.

Next Program April 21 on Wood Ducks

2011-04-12T05:49:00.000-07:00

Thursday, April 21 – Caroline County Bird Club program about the Maryland Wood Duck Initiative presented by John Chew.

Time and Place: 7:30 PM, Caroline County Public Library, 100 Market St., Denton.

Please join us to learn about the Maryland Wood Duck Initiative. Presenter, John Chew is an Advisory Director of MWDI and manages the Conquest Farms and Bloomfield Farms Wood Duck projects in Queen Anne’s County.

The Maryland Wood Duck Initiative is an all-volunteer wildlife conservation effort started in late 2004. MWDI’s mission is to enhance Maryland’s Wood Duck population and to generate a greater appreciation of the wetland habitats in which they live by advocating and demonstrating a “Best Practices” approach in artificial nest box programs. Educational and other youth oriented activities which complement the “Total Wetland Experience” are increasingly being incorporated into their projects.

All Caroline County Bird Club events are activities are free and open to the public.

For more information about the club, go to: http://carolinebirdclubmos.blogspot.com

For more information about MWDI, go to: http://www.mwdi.net/mwdi/index.asp

Great April 9 bird walk at Camp Todd!

2011-04-09T11:20:00.000-07:00

Birds seen and/or heard:

Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Wood duck
Mallard duck
Black vulture
Turkey vulture
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Red-shouldered Hawk
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Mourning Dove
Barred Owl
Belted Kingfisher
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
Tree Swallow
Barn Swallow
Blue Jay
American Crow
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Red-breasted nuthatch
White-breasted nuthatch
Carolina Wren
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Pair Eastern Bluebird (she had grass in her bill and was visiting bluebird box on new bluebird trail
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Pine Warbler
Louisiana Waterthrush
Northern Cardinal
Eastern Towhee (Debby got on Beauchamp Road on camp side)
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
American Goldfinch

Caroline County Bird Club celebrates 60th Anniversary!

2011-03-06T08:43:00.000-08:00

You are cordially invited

To a celebration of the Caroline County Bird Club’s

60^th Anniversary!

Date: Thursday, March 17, 2011

Time and location: 7:30 PM at the Caroline County Public Library, Denton

Event includes refreshments, slide show and exhibits

Bring any old photos you have!

Caroline County Bird Club was the 7^th established Chapter of the Maryland Ornithological Society and the first Chapter established on the Eastern Shore.

Next Meeting Feb 17

2011-02-14T11:13:00.000-08:00

Danny Poet will be presenting a short program about the Eastern Blue Bird.

We will also have a special, bonus program about the Maryland Herpetology Atlas project presented by Scott Smith.

Photo by George Jett http://www.georgejett.net/?q=gallery&g2_itemId=876

Here is some information from the Maryland Amphibian & Reptile Atlas December 2010 Newsletter to give you an idea of the importance of this atlas work:

Ranking America's Biodiversity, Maryland ranks 26th in the country for reptile diversity. There are 51 reptile species in Maryland with the
majority being snakes. Unfortunately, the percentage of Maryland’s reptile species that are at risk of extinction earns the state a ranking of 13th, relative to the rest of the country, for the
percentage of native species at risk. It is never good when a state’s ranking for the percentage of species at risk is higher than its ranking for diversity!

The benefits of the Atlas project to Maryland’s reptiles is the same as the benefits to native amphibian species. To make informed decisions regarding the protection of Maryland’s reptile
species, an accurate assessment of the current distribution of those species is required. This is invaluable when prioritizing land for conservation purchases and making land management
decisions. Furthermore, the results of the project will yield a baseline to which future changes in reptile distributions can be assessed.

Additionally, the Atlas project provides an excellent opportunity to raise public awareness of the plight of reptile species, both at home and globally. There are many horrible
misconceptions about reptiles. Anyone ever heard the saying “The only good snake is a dead snake”? Through the MARA project we have an opportunity to address and correct those
misconceptions. This is a chance to introduce people to these unique and amazing species and inform Maryland citizens about the ecological importance of reptiles.

I hope you all can come to hear more about this important work!

Blackwater Refuge Bald Eagle laid earliest in year egg ever

2011-01-21T14:39:00.000-08:00

According to USFWS, a Blackwater Refuge Bald Eagle laid the earliest-in-year egg ever recorded there, 1/13. Same eagle just laid egg #3. Eagle Cam http://ow.ly/3Hs9n

Link to FoB website: http://www.friendsofblackwater.org/camhtm2.html

Can you identify these woodpecker holes by their shape?

2011-01-03T04:09:00.000-08:00

In loving memory of two long-time members of Caroline County Chapter of MOS

2011-01-02T09:00:00.000-08:00

Mariana Nuttle passed away December 7, 2010

Mariana was past president of the Caroline Chapter of MOS and May Bird Count Coordinator for Caroline for many years. She was passionate about birding and teaching others of all ages about birds and birding. She was instrumental in having bluebird nesting boxes put up on the Caroline County Country Club golf course back in the early 1980s.

Inez Glime passed away December 11, 2010

Inez was a long-time, active member of the Caroline Chapter of MOS, and helped with its bird counts. She loved her bluebirds and did her part to save them from their decline in numbers in Caroline County. Inez maintained a bluebird trail of more than 100 nesting boxes near Federalsburg for over a decade. She talked friends, family and neighbors into placing bluebird nesting boxes on their properties in south Caroline County and monitored the boxes for them.

Caroline Bird Club Pelot Sanctuary Cleanup Note New Date

2010-10-21T16:40:00.000-07:00

Pelot Sanctuary cleanup has a new date - November 20 -- 8:00 am. Dress appropriately including bringing work gloves and trash bags. Coordinator: Bill Scudder. Located on Drapers Mill Road outside of Greensboro.

From 313 Greensboro, turn on to Whitelysburg Rd.
Left on Wothers, then Right on Boyce Mill Rd.
Left on Drapers Mill Road - look for sanctuary sign on the right.

Local Boy Scout helping Caroline County's official Bird

2010-08-18T16:15:00.000-07:00

DENTON A local Boy Scout is participating in a national campaign to bolster the bluebird population in an effort to earn his Eagle Scout ranking.

Trevor Reardon, 15, the son of Howard and Johann Reardon and a member of Denton-based Troop 77, built 18 bluebird nest boxes, which he placed around the grounds of the Caroline Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Denton, and in a bird watching field in Camp Todd near Williston.

Trevor said he still plans to monitor the boxes regularly and clean them out annually.

For all the information, check out Abby Andrews' article in the August 18, 2010 Times Record.

Way to go, Trevor!

Young osprey sitting on a tree at Fil and Patrice Morrison's property

2010-08-02T15:08:00.000-07:00

MOS Youth Backpack winner in Caroline

2010-07-12T16:48:00.000-07:00

Caroline County Bird Club Youth Birdwatching Backpack Contest 2010 winner is Peter Anderson.

Peter was awarded a backpack July 8, 2010 worth over $100 with, Eagle Optics Triumph Binoculars, partly donated by Eagle Optics Optic Outfitters, a lens pen for cleaning the binoculars and a signed copy of Bill Thompson III’s Young Birder’s Guide. All this provided by the Maryland Ornithological Society. Congratulations, Peter!

Peter's mother, Lisa Anderson; Bill Scudder, Peter, and Danny Poet

Bill Scudder honored at 2010 MOS Conference

2010-07-12T16:40:00.000-07:00

Bill received a certificate, pin and lifetime membership to Maryland Ornithological Society for 50 years of membership and for his dedicated support to the growth and accomplishments of the Society.
MOS President Wayne Bell presented Bill his award at the MOS conference held at Washington College in Chestertown on June 12, 2010.

Way to go, Bill!

May 1, 2010 Camp Todd Bird Walk results

2010-05-01T09:30:00.000-07:00

It was a beautiful day to be out birding. The lake bridge at the far end of the lake was a hotbed of activity. That's where we saw or heard most of our warblers. Muskrat, turtles and a variety of frogs were also identified. More butterflies were out as well. Participants were Debby Bennett, Les Cobel, Mike Todd, Gary French, Jane Clendaniel and Wes & Jane Pipes. Sadly, no youth showed up for the walk.

1. Cardinal
2. Carolina wren
3. White eyed vireo
4. Red eyed vireo
5. Cowbird
6. Bluejay
7. Titmouse
8. Chickadee
9. Canada goose
10. Great crested flycatcher
11. Field sparrow
12. Prarie warbler
13. Brown thrasher
14. Indigo bunting
15. Yellow rumped warbler
16. Blue grosbeak
17. Mockingbird
18. Fish crow
19. American crow
20. Great blue heron
21. Green heron
22. Goldfinch
23. Orchard oriole
24. Chipping sparrow
25. Field sparrow
26. Chimney swift
27. Barn swallow
28. Tree swallow
29. Cedar waxwing
30. Red bellied woodpecker
31. Catbird
32. Black poll warbler
33. Chestnut sided warbler
34. Black throated blue warbler
35. Louisiana waterthrush
36. White breasted nuthatch
37. Laughing gull
38. Prothonotary warbler
39. Black and white warbler
40. Red start
41. Blue bird
42. Eastern Kingbird
43. Turkey vulture
44. Osprey
45. Yellow billed cuckoo
46. Tohee
47. Northern Parula

April 24, 2010 Bird walk report

2010-05-01T09:29:00.000-07:00

Danny Poet's report
This Morning 4 - 24 - 10 two members and three guests of the Caroline County Bird Club met at 8:00 Am for a bird walk at Tuckahoe State Park leader was Danny Poet. We starting at the lake area and had several first of the year birds . My thanks to all who showed up this morning bird list below also included are several birds I had before the Group arrived .

Canada Goose
Wood Duck 1
Wild Turkey 1 cherry Lane near entrance to the Camp ground
Great Blue Heron 2
Green Heron 2 D.P. before 8:00 Am
Turkey Vulture
Osprey 1 at the lake
Red bellied Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker 1 Queen Annes County side of the lake before 8:00am D.P.
White - Eyed Vireo 3 first of the year FOY
Blue Jay heard only
American Crow
Horned Lark
Tree Swallow
Carolina Chickadee D.P. only
Tufted Titmouse
Blue Gray Gnatcatcher 1
Eastern Bluebirds 3
Hermit Thrush 1
Robin
Mockingbird
Brown Thrasher 2
Yellow Rumped Warbler 3 Queen Annes County side of the lake by D. P. only
Palm warbler 1 yellow Caroline County side of the lake FOY
Ovenbird several heard only FOY
Louisiana Waterthrush 2 camp ground trail
Chipping Sparrow
Cardinal 4
Red winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Brown Headed Cowbird
Orchard Oriole 1 male after everyone left back at the lake late morning D.P. only FOY
American Goldfinch

House sparrow vs. bluebird help

2010-04-13T04:14:00.001-07:00

A persistent pair of house sparrows has been attempting to nest in a bluebird house despite my (and the bluebird's) best efforts at keeping them away. Does anyone have advice? I tried stringing fishing line parallel to the opening of the box but that didn't keep them out. The sparrows even nested elsewhere in some sculptural tree roots we were saving (see photo), but they seem to insist on claiming the bluebird housing. What's worked for you?

DRAKE TUFTED DUCK

2010-03-24T14:12:00.000-07:00

Here is a photo of a Drake Tufted Duck seen at Kent Narrows in Queen Annes County Maryland
on March 20,2010 . These ducks are native to Europe and a rare sighting in our part of the world . This is just the fifth record for Maryland and a first record in Queen Annes County

Special Youth Birdwatching Contest in Caroline

2010-03-19T11:00:00.000-07:00

The Maryland Ornithological Society and the Caroline County Bird Club are sponsoring a contest for youths aged 10-17.

Information and Rules

Bird Log Sheet

Think Spring - clean out your Blue Bird boxes!

2010-03-19T08:49:00.000-07:00

Update on Blackwater Eagle Cam

2010-01-22T15:35:00.000-08:00

During a visit to Blackwater NWR this morning the volunteer at the Visitor Center reported that their nest cam eagle laid her first egg on Wednesday, January 20th. She was on-nest while we were there, and she did not say anything about intentions for her second egg, but often it comes within a couple of days of the first, so this may be the day for that one.
Information provided by LES ROSLUND

Link to the eagle cam: http://www.friendsofblackwater.org/camhtm2.html

YELLOW BELLIED SAPSUCKER DRILLINGS

2010-01-19T14:56:00.000-08:00

This tree at the Girl Scout Camp { CAMP TODD } in Caroline County Maryland was covered from the ground up to the top with the drillings of a yellow Bellied Sapsucker

BIRDS OF CAMP TODD

2010-01-19T14:18:00.000-08:00

On Jan 18, 2010 Debby Bennett , Jessica Vorris and Danny Poet Surveyed birds at Camp Todd Girl Scout Camp from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM Williston lake still half frozen. Birds seen or heard below

Snow Goose 400 +
Canada Goose 100+
Ring Necked Duck 21
Black Duck 2
Mallard 5
Hooded Merganser 8
Tundra Swan 150
Great Blue Heron 1
Red Tailed Hawk 1
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Red Bellied Woodpecker 3
Downy Woodpecler 2
Yellow Bellied Sapsucker 3 two fighting in midair then dropped to the ground
Flicker 1
TV 2
Black Vulture 1
White Breasted Nuthatch 1
Brown Creeper 2
Tufted Titmouse 3
Carolina Chickadee 2
Winter Wren 1
Carolina Wren 3
Golden Crowned Kinglet 2
Mockingbird 2
Brown Thrasher 1
Eastern Bluebird 13
Cardinal 5
Blue Jay 5
American Crow 5
Yellow Rumped warbler 3
Purple Grackle 1,000
White Throated Sparrow 20
Dark Eyed Junco 1
Chipping Sparrow 12
Song Sparrow 1

Savannah Sparrow

2009-12-29T11:45:00.000-08:00

A number of Savannah Sparrows were also in the flock of birds on Sparks road .

Danny Poet

Horned Lark

2009-12-29T11:42:00.000-08:00

One of the Horned Larks on Sparks Road near Ridgely Maryland

LAPLAND LONGSPUR

2009-12-29T11:36:00.000-08:00

On Dec 24 , 2009 I went out to the still snow Covered Fields on Sparks road near Ridgely Maryland where there were many Horned Larks feeding on a pile of corn spilled by the farmer on the road in among them there were six Lapland Longspurs this is a photo of one

Danny poet

Caroline County Christmas Count December 19, 2009

2009-12-28T07:07:00.000-08:00

Well, it was certainly a snowy one! [16 inches??] When you consider the weather I think we had an excellent count. It's better than 8 of our past counts. The 47 they got on the first one is what I wanted to beat, but in the first couple of hours I didn't think we'd ever get that many. This was our 60th count and it's never been postponed. I'd love to hear what Roberta Fletcher would have had to say about this count. Thanks to all who participated in the count!
Happy holidays, Steve

Pied-billed Grebe 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Black Vulture 10
Turkey Vulture 69
Snow Goose 75
Canada Goose 263
Tundra Swan 7
Mallard 134
Ring-necked Duck 30
Bufflehead 4
Hooded Merganser 1
Ruddy Duck 4
Bald Eagle, ad 1
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Am. Kestrel 2
Am. Coot 1
Killdeer 5
Common Snipe 1
Ring-billed Gull 40
Rock Dove 3
Mourning Dove 21
Great Horned Owl 1
Barred Owl 1
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Wdpecker 7
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Downy Woodpecker 4
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 4
Blue Jay 16
American Crow 16
Horned Lark 209
Carolina Chickadee 17
Tufted Titmouse 15
White-b Nuthatch 6
Brown Creeper 2
Carolina Wren 4
Golden-cr Kinglet 1
Eastern Bluebird 18
Hermit Thrush 2
American Robin 288
N. Mockingbird 7
Brown Thrasher 1
Euro Starling 137
Cedar Waxwing 60
Cardinal 42
Towhee 2
Chipping Sparrow 3
Field Sparrow 2
Savannah Sparrow 13
Fox Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 50
White-th Sparrow 309
Dark-eyed Junco 266
Red-winged Blackbird 92
Common Grackle 46
Br-headed Cowbird 50
House Sparrow 25
House Finch 11
Am. Goldfinch 9
Lapland Longspur 1

IVORY GULL CAPE MAY N.J.

2009-12-06T18:16:00.000-08:00

A few members of the Talbot County Bird Club and Myself went to Cape May N.J. on Fri Dec 4 , 2009 to look for the very Rare Ivory Gull recently reported there . We met with success see attached photo

Surf Scoter in Caroline - a first for the county!

2009-12-03T06:51:00.001-08:00

Thursday December 3rd. Eight Thirty a.m.
Steve Westre and Mike Framptom-Price report sighting a Surf Scoter on the Choptank River in front of the house of Mike and Mary Framptom-Price. Took a couple of not very good digi-scope shots, just good enough we think to confirm bird's identity.

Caroline's Christmas Bird Count December 19

2009-11-29T17:30:00.001-08:00

Christmas Bird Count is coming up. Contact Steve Westre if you can help.

Camp Todd Girl Scout Camp working on a bird list

2009-10-14T17:41:00.000-07:00

MOS members - we need your help!

Bob Foote is Camp Ranger of this enchanting Girl Scout Camp in Caroline County. He is working with some volunteers to update his trail guides. He wants to include birds likely to be seen on certain trails along with trees and other plants and wildlife.

We've got some good tree/plant folks helping out including Dave Reinecke and Sylvan Kaufman. We can create a cursory list of basic birds that can be seen in various areas of the camp. For a detailed seasonal list, it would help to get folks in there to bird and send in their lists with dates and location.

Bob invites MOS members to visit the camp to hike and bird. He just asks that you contact him ahead of time either by phone 281-844-6854 or email BobFoote1@aol.com.

Click HERE to get a copy of Camp Todd's map and a checklist you might wish to use.

Please send Debby Bennett a copy of your bird lists @ firefly5845@hotmail.com. With as many lists as we can get throughout the year, we will be able to create a nice bird list for Camp Todd.

Location of the camp: 25012 Beauchamp Branch Road, Denton, MD 21629

2009 May Bird Count for Caroline County

2009-06-14T11:59:00.001-07:00

Canada Goose	121
Wood Duck	39
American Black Duck	4
Mallard	88
Wild Turkey	51
Northern Bobwhite	10
Double-crested Cormorant	50
Great Blue Heron	44
Great Egret	2
Snowy Egret	3
Cattle Egret	10
Green Heron	8
Glossy Ibis	2
Black Vulture	34
Turkey Vulture	175
Osprey	36
Bald Eagle	14
Sharp-shinned Hawk	2
Cooper’s Hawk	2
Red-tailed Hawk	13
American Kestrel	3
Virginia Rail	1
Black-bellied Plover	26
Semipalmated Plover	2
Killdeer	81
Spotted Sandpiper	18
Solitary Sandpiper	8
Greater Yellowlegs	21
Lesser Yellowlegs	16
Least Sandpiper	22
Wilson’s Snipe	5
American Woodcock	2

Laughing Gull	678
Bonaparte’s Gull	2
Ring-billed Gull	26
Herring Gull	12
Least Tern	3
Common Tern	4
Forster’s Tern	4
Rock Pigeon	105
Mourning Dove	134
Yellow-billed Cuckoo	4
Black-billed Cuckoo	1
Eastern Screech Owl	3
Great Horned Owl	4
Barred Owl	7
Common Nighthawk	2
Chuck-will's-widow	1
Whip-poor-will	3
Chimney Swift	446
Ruby-throated Hummingbird	17
Belted Kingfisher	5
Red-bellied Woodpecker	36
Downy Woodpecker	19
Hairy Woodpecker	4
Northern Flicker	12
Pileated Woodpecker	18
Eastern Wood-Pewee	48
Acadian Flycatcher	9
Least Flycatcher	1
Eastern Phoebe	16
Great-crested Flycatcher	88
Eastern Kingbird	29
White-eyed Vireo	23
Warbling Vireo	1
Red-eyed Vireo	40
Blue Jay	73
American Crow	173
Fish Crow	18
Horned Lark	212
Purple Martin	149
Tree Swallow	68
N. Rough-winged Swallow	19
Barn Swallow	165
Carolina Chickadee	47
Tufted Titmouse	68
White-breasted Nuthatch	7
Carolina Wren	75
House Wren	17
Marsh Wren	2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher	7
Eastern Bluebird	102
Hermit Thrush	5
Wood Thrush	23
American Robin	383
Gray Catbird	38
Northern Mockingbird	93
Brown Thrasher	31
European Starling	718
Cedar Waxwing	53
Northern Parula	4
Yellow Warbler	5
Chestnut-sided Warbler	1
Black-throated Blue Warbler	5
Yellow-rumped Warbler	9
Pine Warbler	13
Prairie Warbler	5
Palm Warbler	1
Blackpoll Warbler	1
Black-and-white Warbler	8
American Redstart	4
Prothonotary Warbler	10
Worm-eating Warbler	4
Ovenbird	46
Louisiana Waterthrush	2
Kentucky Warbler	3
Common Yellowthroat	39
Yellow-breasted Chat	15
Summer Tanager	14
Scarlet Tanager	3
Eastern Towhee	23
Chipping Sparrow	126
Field Sparrow	36
Vesper Sparrow	6
Savannah Sparrow	2
Grasshopper Sparrow	11
Song Sparrow	19
White-throated Sparrow	6
Northern Cardinal	150
Blue Grosbeak	38
Indigo Bunting	112
Bobolink	33
Red-winged Blackbird	582
Eastern Meadowlark	2
Common Grackle	460
Brown-headed Cowbird	136
Orchard Oriole	38
Baltimore Oriole	34
House Finch	41
American Goldfinch	101
House Sparrow	199

Total Individuals	132
Species Total	7612

Fun Bird Quizzes

2009-06-06T06:36:00.000-07:00

Check them out and test your knowledge on birds!

Bird Brains Quizzes -- http://www.collieraudubon.info/bird_trivia.html

State birds Trivia game - http://thinks.com/trivia/state_birds.htm

Free Bird Trivia Facts - http://www.triviaplaying.com/04_bird.htm

World Book Bird Quiz - http://www.worldbookonline.com/wb/Quiz?Birds

Yellow Hummingbirds?

2009-05-04T13:16:00.000-07:00

For three consecutive years now I have seen a prothonotary warbler drinking from my hummingbird feeder. This year I was able to get a couple of photos. I have taken to the removal of one of the four bee guards in order that he may drink. Has anyone else heard of, or witnessed this behavior before?

Mike Framptom-Price

April 19 results of Bird Banding at Chester River Field Research Center at Chino Farms

2009-05-02T08:41:00.000-07:00

Good to see you and the other Caroline bird club members the other day. Below is a list of the birds we caught the other day with totals for each species. We banded a total of 76 new birds of 23 species, these numbers are for the entire day not just the time you where there.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet- 6
Winter Wren- 1
Am. Goldfinch- 11
Field Sparrow- 5
Yellow-palm Warbler- 2*
Chipping Sparrow- 5
Common-yellow Throat- 1*
Myrtle Warbler- 1
Savannah Sparrow- 1
Blue-headed Vireo- 1*
White-throat- 10
Hermit Thrush- 5
Vesper Sparrow- 1*
Sosp Sparrow- 1
Red-winged Blackbird- 5
E. Kingbird- 1*
Brown Thrasher- 4
Mockingbird-1
Am Robin- 3
Blue Jay- 4
Flicker- 2
Common Grackle- 1
C. Chickadee- 1

* are new for the year.

We got our first Hummers today (2 males), Gray Catbird, and Wood thrushes. We have been hearing Wood Thrushes for a few days but caught the first of the year today. Other new birds heard but not caught were Black-throated Green Warbler and Yellow Warbler.

Good birding
Dan

Swan photo by Fil Morrison

2009-04-28T06:37:00.000-07:00

On the Choptank River late winter - early Spring

Watch an osprey nest live!

2009-04-23T15:25:00.000-07:00

It's that time of the year again!

Here is the link to the Osprey nesting camera at Cape Henlopen that went live last year http://webcast.delaware.gov:8080/Cape/Cape-Osprey

If you can't open it, try downloading Quick Time - its free -- http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/

Bird Banding at Chino Farm

2009-04-16T15:06:00.001-07:00

Sunday, April 19 Trip to observe bird banding. Begins at 9 AM.

If you want to see what it's all about, watch this YouTube video