Rusty Blackbird on the Patuxent

[John Stith]

I finally visited Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary this afternoon -- thanks to all of you  who have mentioned it.

In the marsh near the observation blind I heard a Sora call per-WEE. A few minutes later in the trees along the Railroad Bed Trail, I saw a Rusty Blackbird call and sing. Two life birds for me! (Who needs Pine Siskins?!)

John Stith

Chillum, Md.

[Matthew Felperin]

Congrats on the blackbird! Are you sure the sora call you heard wasn’t a recording? Sora field research currently conducted Tuesdayd-Saturdays. If you heard this call repeatedly, it’s likely the recording. Three trap sites are within earshot of that blind. I am hoping it was an actual bird!!! 🤞 

Matthew J. Felperin

Park Naturalist

Patuxent River Park

16000 Croom Airport Road

Upper Marlboro, MD 20772

(tel) 301-627-6074

(fax) 301-952-9754

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission

Department of Parks and Recreation

On Oct 17, 2020, at 7:05 PM, John Stith <john....@gmail.com> wrote:



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[John Stith]

Hi Matthew, that's interesting about the research! What does the trap recording sound like -- how many calls for how long, then how much of a gap?

But this bird only called once, at 2:20 p.m., and it was very close to the boardwalk that goes up to the blind. I stayed in the area another ten minutes and did not see it, or hear it again.

This is my first time identifying a Sora, so if there's any other marsh bird I'm missing that sounds like it, let me know! But it sounded just like the Merlin app recording.

The birds I had some trouble identifying at the marsh were five gulls kettling higher than I've ever seen gulls before, up there with some high turkey vultures. Do all gull species do that? They looked like laughing gulls from the wing coloration.

John

 

[jovet]

Matthew, John,  My husband and I had a Sora in the reeds near the boardwalk at Jug Bay on Oct 11.   Single call, but distinct.  Started listing at 1:20 so likely around 2:15 ish.  So seems likely that John heard one.  We were hoping for a Rusty Blackbird too - but no luck!  Nice group of warblers and tons of yellow rumps in light rain. Wonderful day.   

Joanne Howl

West River MD

https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mdbirding/CANSeKVQD%3DuAS%2Bs2F4-_CiNSU%2BSKf8sm_B6-EenD_chRCiOH9vw%40mail.gmail.com

.

[David Mozurkewich]

Matt,

Thanks for reminding everyone about your tapes. I should add that
separating your recordings from an actual bird can be trickier than you
imply. Your traps are pretty far from the JBWS Observation platform
and with my poor hearing I often hear only the occasional call -- small
shifts in the wind can have an oversized effect on how far they carry.
Over the years, I have had many friendly arguments about whether we
were hearing rails or recordings.

Also, the traps I'm aware of are in Billingsly Marsh, the area between
Western Branch and the Patuxent River adjacent to Mount Calvert. It's
visible from the observation platform, near the wildlife center at JBWS,
and from the pier. From John's description, I think he was at the south
blind off railroad bed trail. I do not recall ever hearing your tapes
from there. A Sora from there should be safe, especially if it's close.

Dave Mozurkewich

> On Sat, Oct 17, 2020 at 9:11 PM Matthew Felperin <matt...@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> > Congrats on the blackbird! Are you sure the sora call you heard
> > wasn’t a recording? Sora field research currently conducted
> > Tuesdayd-Saturdays. If you heard this call repeatedly, it’s likely
> > the recording. Three trap sites are within earshot of that blind. I
> > am hoping it was an actual bird!!! 🤞
> >

> > *Matthew J. Felperin*

[Thomas Eck]

Matthew F.,

Are the recorded Sora calls from traps audible from the large wooden tower near the Visitor's center at Jackson's Landing in Patuxent River Park? I heard several Sora calls (and whinny's) from there on Sat Oct 3 and Sat Oct 10 but none yesterday on Sat Oct 17. Were these possibly recorded calls on the previous 2 Saturdays, or real bird calls?

Thanks,

Tom Eck