Voice of the Naturalist, Greater DC area, 2-20-18

[Gerry Hawkins]

Hotline:     Voice of the Naturalist

Date:        2/20/2018

Coverage:    MD/DC/VA/central and southern DE/WV panhandle

Reports, comments and questions: vo...@anshome.org

Compiler:    Gerry Hawkins

Sponsor:     Audubon Naturalist Society of the Central

               Atlantic States (independent of NAS)

Transcriber: Steve Cordle  

Please consider joining ANS, especially if you are a regular user of

the Voice of the Naturalist (Individual $50; Family $65; Nature

Steward $100; Audubon Advocate $200). The membership number is

301-652-9188, option 12; the address is 8940 Jones Mill Road, Chevy

Chase, MD 20815; and the web site is http://www.anshome.org.

This is the Voice of the Naturalist, a service of the Audubon

Naturalist Society. This report covers the week starting Tuesday,

February 13 and was completed on Tuesday, February 20 at 9:30 a.m.  

Information on noteworthy birds is presented below in taxonomic order,

as set forth in the American Ornithological Society Checklist for

North and Middle American Birds, as revised through the 58th

Supplement (July 2017).

The top birds this week were PINK-FOOTED GOOSE* in MD, SNOWY OWL in

DC, MD and WV, HARRIS'S SPARROW* in MD and VA, WESTERN TANAGER in VA

and PAINTED BUNTING in DE, MD and VA. 

Other birds of interest this week included SNOW, ROSS'S and GREATER

WHITE-FRONTED GEESE, BRANT, CACKLING GOOSE, TRUMPETER SWAN, EURASIAN

WIGEON, GREEN-WINGED TEAL (intergrade), WHITE-WINGED SCOTER,

LONG-TAILED DUCK, COMMON GOLDENEYE, RING-NECKED PHEASANT, RED-NECKED

GREBE, EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE, KING RAIL, AMERICAN AVOCET,

BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, PURPLE and SPOTTED SANDPIPERS, RAZORBILL,

BLACK-HEADED and ICELAND GULLS, RED-THROATED LOON, GREAT CORMORANT,

AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN, OSPREY, ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, GOLDEN EAGLE, MONK

PARAKEET, LOGGERHEAD and NORTHERN SHRIKES, BLUE-HEADED VIREO, TREE

SWALLOW, AMERICAN PIPIT, RED CROSSBILL, SNOW BUNTING, AMERICAN TREE,

CLAY-COLORED, VESPER, LARK, GRASSHOPPER and LINCOLN'S SPARROWS,

YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT, YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD, BALTIMORE ORIOLE,

BREWER'S BLACKBIRD, ORANGE-CROWNED and YELLOW-THROATED WARBLERS and

SUMMER TANAGER.

TOP BIRDS

On February 17 and 18 a PINK-FOOTED GOOSE* was spotted in a large

flock of SNOW GEESE on Holly Road a short distance north of Route 404

in Caroline County, MD. 

Two SNOWY OWLS continue to be seen on the roof of an interior

courtyard at the United States Department of Agriculture building

located at 1351 C Street, SW, Washington, DC and nearby, with the most

recent sighting of both individuals on February 13 and one individual

on February 14-16 and 18. In Maryland a continuing SNOWY OWL was

reported at Assateague I. NS in Worcester Co on February 13, 17 and

18, and a distant SNOWY OWL was seen from the Hooper's Island Bridge

in Dorchester Co on February 17 and 19. In addition, on February 19

two SNOWY OWLS were seen around the nature center buildings at the

south end of the campground in Assateague SP in Worcester Co, MD. A

continuing SNOWY OWL along Currie Road a short distance north of

Charles Town in Jefferson Co, WV was seen on February 13, 14 and 15. 

A continuing HARRIS'S SPARROW* was seen most recently along a short

spur to a boat ramp off the Anacostia River Trail in Prince George's

Co, MD on February 15. On February 14 a HARRIS'S SPARROW was relocated

at the White House Boat Ramp in Page Co, VA, apparently for the first

time since late December 2017. 

A male WESTERN TANAGER* has been seen almost daily since it returned

to a residential feeder in Settlers' Mill, Williamsburg, VA on

December 2 for the seventh consecutive winter. A female WESTERN

TANAGER continues to visit a feeder at 3616 Harding Drive in

Chesapeake Co, VA, with the most recent sighting on February 19. On

February 18 a female WESTERN TANAGER was photographed at a feeder

located on the east side of Northampton Boulevard a short distance

north of the intersection with Shore Drive in Virginia Beach, VA. 

A continuing green PAINTED BUNTING at Masonville Cove in Baltimore, MD

was seen most recently on February 16. A male PAINTED BUNTING visited

2101 Princess Anne Court in Virginia Beach, VA on February 18 and a

feeder located near the intersection of Chase Point Circle and Tremont

Court in Virginia Beach, VA on February 19. A male PAINTED BUNTING

also continues a short distance outside the reporting area, along

Dixie Line Road in New Castle Co, DE, with the most recent sighting on

February 19. 

OTHER BIRDS OF INTEREST

On February 16 and 17 a blue-morph SNOW GOOSE was found along 471-475

Peat Moss Road and 628-698 Norris Welch Road in Garrett Co, MD. On

February 17 two ROSS'S GEESE were spotted in a large flock of CANADA

GEESE at Bombay Hook NWR, Kent Co, DE. On February 17 a ROSS'S GOOSE

was spotted in the large SNOW GOOSE flock with the PINK-FOOTED GOOSE

on Holly Road a short distance north of Route 404 in Caroline County,

MD. Three ROSS'S GEESE were at Silver Lake in Dayton, Rockingham Co,

VA on February 15 and 16, and one was found along Bell's Lane in

Staunton, VA on February 16. 

On February 15 two GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE were found at Piney Run

Park in Carroll Co, MD, and on February 17 and 19 four GREATER

WHITE-FRONTED GEESE were seen at the Pickering Creek Audubon Center in

Talbot Co, MD. Two GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE also were seen at Trout

Run WWTP in Garrett Co, MD on February 17 and 18. In Virginia 1-2

GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE were found in a large flock of CANADA

GEESE in a field along Indian River Road just east of North Landing

Road in Virginia Beach on February 17 and 18, and one was seen at the

Daleville Ponds in Botetourt Co on February 18 and 19. 

A continuing inland BRANT in Nottoway Co, VA was seen along 6840-7158

W. Patrick Henry Highway on February 16 and 17.

On February 19 a CACKLING GOOSE was seen at a private pond along Peat

Moss Road in Garrett Co, MD. 

A continuing TRUMPETER SWAN was seen all week at the Broken Land

Parkway-U.S. 29 Stormwater Pond in Howard Co, MD. In Virginia three

TRUMPETER SWANS visited Turner Pond at Sky Meadows SP in Fauquier Co

on February 13, and a continuing TRUMPETER SWAN was seen most recently

at the Ivy Street ponds in Waynesboro and the Daleville Ponds in

Botetourt Co on February 19. In addition, a continuing tagged

TRUMPETER SWAN was seen at Lakeside Lake in Frederick Co, VA on

February 14 and 16.   

Sightings of EURASIAN WIGEON included a continuing individual at the

Assawoman Wildlife Area-Mulberry Landing in Sussex Co, DE on February

13 and 19 and an individual that briefly visited a pond along Study

Road in Carroll Co, MD on February 16. In Virginia, two EURASIAN

WIGEON were found at Chincoteague NWR in Accomack Co on February 14

and 16-18, one was found at the Craney Island Disposal Area

(restricted access) in Portsmouth on February 15, and one was

photographed at Bayville Farms Park in Virginia Beach on February 19.

Noteworthy dabbling ducks also included a GREEN-WINGED TEAL intergrade

found at Oxbow Lake in Anne Arundel Co, MD on February 15. 

Noteworthy diving ducks during the week included a high of six and

eight COMMON EIDERS at the Indian River Inlet in Sussex Co, DE and

Ocean City Inlet in Worcester Co, MD, respectively. Three HARLEQUIN

DUCKS were spotted at Island No. 4 of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel

in Northampton Co, VA on February 17, and one HARLEQUIN DUCK was found

at the Ocean City Inlet in Worcester Co, MD on the same day. Sightings

of WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS in Maryland included a continuing individual

at Piscataway Creek-Wharf Road in Prince George's Co most recently on

February 18; 1-2 individuals at Piney Run Park in Carroll Co on

February 13 and 17; and seven individuals at Eastern Bay in Queen

Anne's Co on February 18. A WHITE-WINGED SCOTER and a continuing

LONG-TAILED DUCK were seen all week at Silver Lake in Dayton,

Rockingham Co, VA. LONG-TAILED DUCKS were seen at several other

locations away from the coast, including 1-2 individuals at Denton

WWTP in Caroline Co, MD all week, and single individuals at Piney Run

Park in Carroll Co, MD, and Riley's Lock on the C & O Canal in

Montgomery Co, MD most recently on February 13 and 19, respectively.

Inland diving ducks also included a week high 18 COMMON GOLDENEYES at

Cumberland-Terminus in Allegany Co, MD on February 19. 

RING-NECKED PHEASANTS of unknown provenance continue along Allen

Heights Avenue in Baltimore Co, MD and at the Pickering Creek Audubon

Center in Talbot Co, MD, where three and one were encountered on

February 19 and 15, respectively. 

RED-NECKED GREBES were seen throughout the reporting area. A

continuing RED-NECKED GREBE was seen at the Indian River Inlet in

Sussex Co, DE on February 17 and 19. Three RED-NECKED GREBES were

spotted in the Potomac River (DC waters) from the Washington Sailing

Marina in Alexandria, VA on February 13. Sightings of RED-NECKED GREBE

in Maryland consisted of 1-2 individuals at Lapidum in Harford Co on

February 14-16 and single individuals at the South Point Boat Ramp in

Worcester Co on February 17; Violette's and nearby Riley's Locks on

the C & O Canal in Montgomery Co on February 18 and 19; and Loch Raven

Reservoir-Primary Dam in Baltimore Co on February 18 and 19. In

Virginia a RED-NECKED GREBE was seen at The Gardens at Sunday Park in

Chesterfield on February 13; Burke Lake in Fairfax Co on February 18

and 19; Mexico Viejo in Franklin Co on February 18; and the Carvins

Cove Recreation Area in Botetourt Co on February 19. In addition, on

February 18 two RED-NECKED GREBES were found near the dam at the John

H. Kerr Reservoir in Mecklenburg Co, VA.  

A continuing EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE was observed perched on a wire at

9 West McCabe Street in Selbyville, Sussex Co, DE on February 17. 

Encounters with KING RAIL included 1-2 individuals that were

photographed at Occoquan Bay NWR in Prince William Co, VA on February

17 and 19.   

Noteworthy shorebirds included 57 AMERICAN AVOCETS counted at Prime

Hook NWR-Broadkill Marsh on February 16, and 18 AMERICAN AVOCETS found

at the Craney Island Disposal Area (restricted access) in Portsmouth,

VA on February 15. On February 14 three BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS were

observed in a ditch along the southern half of Egypt Road in

Dorchester Co, MD. Away from the coast a continuing PURPLE SANDPIPER

was seen at the Kent Point marina in Queen Anne's Co, MD on February

17 and the Hooper's Island Bridge in Dorchester Co, MD on February 19.

In addition, a PURPLE SANDPIPER was spotted at the Craney Island

Disposal Area in Portsmouth, VA on February 15. A SPOTTED SANDPIPER

continues at the John H. Kerr Reservoir in Mecklenburg Co, VA, with

the most recent sighting on February 18. 

RAZORBILLS continue at the Indian River Inlet in Sussex Co, DE, with

1-2 individuals seen on February 13, 17, 18 and 19. A high of five

RAZORBILLS were spotted at Little Island Park in Virginia Beach, VA on

February 16 and 19. 

On February 19 three continuing BLACK-HEADED GULLS were observed at

Wolfe Neck WTP (restricted access) in Sussex Co, DE. A continuing

BLACK-HEADED GULL was seen most recently at Rudee Inlet in Virginia

Beach, VA, on February 17. An ICELAND GULL was seen at the Indian

River Inlet in Sussex Co, DE on February 17 and 19. In Maryland a

continuing ICELAND GULL (kumlieni) was spotted in a field across from

2968 Hunting Creek Road in Caroline Co on February 16 and along

23300-23398 Shore Highway and nearby 11255 Downes Station Road in

Caroline Co on February 18. An ICELAND GULL (kumlieni) also was found

along 31000-31044 Dover Road in Easton, Talbot Co, MD on February 16.

In Virginia a continuing ICELAND GULL was spotted at Neabsco Creek in

Prince William Co on February 17.  

On February 14 a single RED-THROATED LOON was observed at the Choptank

Marina in Caroline Co, MD, while 31 RED-THROATED LOONS were counted at

the Craney Island Disposal Area (restricted access) in Portsmouth, VA

on February 15. 

In addition to several coastal locations, GREAT CORMORANTS continue at

the Kent Point marina and Bloody Point Bar Lighthouse in Queen Anne's

Co, MD, with a high of 20 individuals counted at the latter on

February 18.  

AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS continue to winter at Blackwater NWR in

Dorchester Co, MD, with a week high 82 individuals counted along

Wildlife Drive on February 17. On February 14 a single continuing

AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN was seen at Hog Island WMA in Surry Co, VA.

Early OSPREYS were seen at the DuPont Nature Center (Mispillion) in

Sussex Co, DE on February 14, Claiborne Landing Road in Talbot Co, MD

on February 18, and the Dutch Gap Conservation Area in Chester, VA on

February 17. Continuing ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS were seen most recently at

Broadkill Marsh and along Fowler Beach Road in Prime Hook NWR, Sussex

Co, DE on February 19 and 18, respectively, and one of these

individuals may have been seen along nearby Oyster Rocks Road on

February 16, 17 and 18. On February 18 a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was seen

farther north, along Port Mahon Road in Kent Co, DE. Raptor highlights

during the week also included GOLDEN EAGLES in flight at Piney Run

Park in Carroll Co, MD on February 13 and the Pickering Creek Audubon

Center in Talbot Co, MD on February 18. 

On February 17 three MONK PARAKEETS of unknown provenance briefly

visited a feeder at a private residence along Molly Berry Road in

Prince George's Co, MD. 

A continuing LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE was seen most recently at the Smith

Farm in Lunenburg, VA on February 13 and along 14184-14198 Burwells

Bay Road in Isle of Wight Co, VA on February 18. On February 17 a

LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE also was photographed along Cartersville Road a

short distance south of the intersection with Oak Forest Road in

Cumberland Co, VA. A NORTHERN SHRIKE* continues at the Sully Woodlands

in Fairfax Co, VA for the second consecutive winter, with the most

recent sighting on February 19. 

Migratory BLUE-HEADED VIREOS have made it to southern Virginia, with

three seen at Deep Creek Lock Park in Chesapeake and one seen along

the Nature Conservancy's Darden Trail in Sussex Co on February 18. 

Early TREE SWALLOWS included one individual as far north as Bombay

Hook NWR, Kent Co, DE on February 17. 

On February 18 an AMERICAN PIPIT called in flight over Kenilworth Park

in Washington, DC.

Briery Branch Gap in Rockingham Co, VA continues to be a reliable

location for RED CROSSBILLS, with a high of four individuals reported

on February 15 and 18.

Two SNOW BUNTINGS were found at the Craney Island Disposal Area

(restricted access) in Portsmouth, VA on February 15 and at the

fishing pier at Kiptopeke SP in Northampton Co, VA on February 17 and

18. 

AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS were seen at several locations, including a

high of four individuals at Bombay Hook NWR, Kent Co, DE on February

14 and 17; three individuals at the Irvine Nature Center in Baltimore

Co, MD on February 14, 15 and 18; a high of four individuals at Swan

Harbor Farm Park in Harford Co, MD on February 14, 15 and 16; and a

high of seven individuals at Blandy Experimental Farm/State Arboretum

of Virginia in Clarke Co, VA on February 18 and 19. A continuing

CLAY-COLORED SPARROW was seen most recently at the Laurel Hill

Equestrian Center in Fairfax Co, VA on February 19. A CLAY-COLORED

SPARROW was spotted at Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National

Historical Park in Dorchester Co, MD on February 17, 18 and 19, and a

week high nine continuing VESPER SPARROWS were counted at this

location on February 19. A continuing LARK SPARROW was seen near the

intersection of Valley and Meadow Roads at the National Arboretum in

Washington, DC on February 18. A GRASSHOPPER SPARROW was found at

Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park in

Dorchester Co, MD on February 18 and Kenilworth Park in Washington, DC

on February 19. A LINCOLN'S SPARROW was seen at Harriet Tubman

Underground Railroad National Historical Park in Dorchester Co, MD on

February 17, 18 and 19 and the VCU Rice Center in Charles City, VA on

February 16. 

On February 17 a continuing YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT was seen at a

residence in Virginia Beach, VA. 

On February 19 a continuing YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD was seen near the

gate to the parking lot at North Point SP in Baltimore Co, MD. On

February 17 and 19 a male BALTIMORE ORIOLE visited a feeder at

9824-9826 Homeland Avenue in Baltimore Co, MD. On February 16 two

BREWER'S BLACKBIRDS were reported in a mixed blackbird flock in farm

fields to the south of Mish Barn Road in Augusta Co, VA. 

Sightings of ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER included continuing individuals at

a residential yard in Sussex Co, DE on February 16 and 17; North Park

in Harford Co, MD on February 13 and 15; and Kenilworth Aquatic

Gardens in Washington, DC on February 14. On February 17 a

YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER visited feeders at 1500 Macalpin Court in

Virginia Beach, VA. 

On February 16 a female SUMMER TANAGER was photographed at a feeder at

a private residence located in Pittsylvania Co, VA.  

***

This week's report was based on reports on the DE, MD, VA, and WV list

servers, eBird records and various birding pages on Facebook.

The Audubon Sanctuary Shop (301-652-3606,

http://anshome.org/naturalist-shop) is an excellent source for

guidebooks and many other nature-related titles.

To report bird sightings, e-mail your report to vo...@anshome.org.

Please post reports before midnight Monday, identify the county as

well as the state, and include your name and a Tuesday morning

contact, e-mail or phone.

Thank you for your interest, and enjoy the birds.

*Of interest to the applicable state records committee