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ABA DONOR TRIP

Chesapeake Bay and the Eastern Shore of Delaware,
Maryland and Virginia

with Bill Stott and Paul Green
22-24 May 2002

Bird list

The ABA Chesapeake Bay Donor Trip for Century Club members was planned and lead by William R (Bill) Stott, educator and tour leader, former and recently re-elected ABA Board Member, and resident of the region, with logistical support from Paul Green, Executive Director (Chief staff member) from ABA headquarters in Colorado Springs. The members of our group, totaling 15, came from around the USA and gathered during the afternoon of Tuesday 21 May at the Kent Narrows Comfort Inn at Grasonville, Maryland on the Delmarva Peninsula. (By the way, we have attached a corrected version of the attendance list so that you can contact your fellow group members.)

Following an informal icebreaker, during which we all introduced ourselves to the group, we had a delightful dinner at The Narrows Restaurant. Somewhat heavy-lidded we followed dinner with a scene-setting illustrated talk by Bill Stott on the geography of the region formed by the Potomac River, Chesapeake Bay and Delaware Bay, a region that has been variously estimated to have a coastline of up to 800 miles in length, due partly to its many indentations. Bill concluded with a slide presentation of the shorebird species that we would be most likely to see and some of the identification points for those unfamiliar with the species.

Wednesday: Bombay Hook and Seaside Sparrow, Little Creek and Curlew Sandpiper

Following a brief night's sleep, we headed west shortly after seven a.m. on Wednesday across the peninsula to the north-west shore of Delaware Bay and the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Reserve (NWR). Then, after a productive time at Finis Pool and its woods, we had our first good looks at Seaside Sparrow on the Boardwalk Trail through Spartina grass, several individuals of which were singing well by the boardwalk. We soon became familiar with this gray-bodied, long-billed sparrow, sporting a white throat, and bright yellow supra-loral patch with its call that Sibley describes as "tup teetle-zhrrrrr", reminiscent of a distant Red-winged Blackbird. This species is closely tied to tidal saltmarsh, a habitat that continues to disappear fast under pressure from human development (the Dusky form of the species of Florida became extinct in 1987). Other notable birds here were first good looks at Marsh Wren, glimpses of a White-eyed Vireo, and better looks at a number of warblers (including Yellow, Yellow-rumped, Blackpoll, and Magnolia) and the ever-present serenading of the Common Yellowthroat. One or two of our number glimpsed a Least Bittern a few feet from the path

Our drive around the Raymond and Shearness Pools of Bombay Hook afforded the first views of shorebirds, and an opportunity to work on the differences between Semipalmated and Least Sandpipers, tremendous views of Black-bellied Plover in various plumages, Semipalmated Plover, and first views too of Forster's Tern among others. We had excellent looks at Dunlin and Short-billed Dowitchers here too.

After a picnic lunch around the Bombay Hook NWR Visitor Center, we drove a few miles south to Port Mahon, where the road hugs the beach and where we had great views of the feast for various shorebird species provided by the spawning horseshoe crab Limulus polyphemus (one of four species of horseshoe crab found around the globe). We found the remains of a small number of the horseshoe crabs on the beach, and saw many thousands of Ruddy Turnstone, Least and Semipalmated Sandpiper, Semipalmated Plover, Laughing and Ring-billed Gull, and a few Red Knot and Short-billed Dowitchers. Bill reminded us that the Red Knot may have flown non-stop for up to five days from southern South America, and once on the shores of Delaware Bay would enter a phase of "hyperphagia": a manic feeding that results in adding back around 40 percent of their body weight lost during the first leg of their flight en route to their breeding grounds in the high arctic. The co-evolution of this migratory stop-over and the spawning horseshoe crabs is a story undergoing intense study right now given the heavy exploitation of the crabs by people who shovel them on to pickup trucks for grinding into meal for other animals to eat. (An estimated one million individuals of 11 or more shorebird species rely on the disturbed eggs of the horseshoe crab). Some of you may have noticed one US Government vehicle bore the initials WWRG (Wash Wader Ringing Group), a UK-based banding group that is taking part in this research. Bill also thoroughly discussed the anatomy, life-cycle and ancient derivation of horseshoe crabs which are not crabs at all but most closely related to trilobites that were alive around 550 million years ago. Bill explained that the horseshoe crabs that we see today appear to have changed very little over the past 300 million years. If you would like to learn more, there is a good website at www.horseshoecrab.org

We also made a quick stop at Little Creek Wildlife Area, where we had wonderful views of Black Skimmer. We were exceedingly fortunate as we were leaving in happening upon a birder who had the Curlew Sandpiper in his 'scope. Many of us were able to get fine looks at this species which we know had been present during the previous week.

Following this extraordinary shorebird spectacle we drove south through Delaware, across part of Maryland and then into Virginia to arrive at Chincoteague in late afternoon where we checked into the rustic Refuge Inn on Chincoteague Island, very conveniently located for the Chincoteague NWR, and dined at the Pony Pines Restaurant.

Thursday: Chincoteague, Assateague-Great Crested Flycatchers and Piping Plovers

Early the next morning we breakfasted at Bill's Seafood Restaurant (no relation) and moved swiftly on to the Chincoteague NWR. Crossing the causeway into the reserve was perhaps our best opportunity to see the Forster's Terns, perched on the roadside railings, and several Common Terns flying nearby. We birded for a while in the parking lot, where we had good views of Brown-headed Nuthatch, and then took a walk through the Woodland Trail, which has a vantage point over the Piney Island marshes where we could view the ponies grazing there. We had a marvelous extended time watching a very brown female Eastern Towhee feeding in the leaf litter at our feet, a frustrating time try to see the calling Chipping Sparrow, but extended steady looks at Great-crested Flycatchers, Eastern Wood Peewees, Pine Warblers and, for many, Pileated Woodpecker.

Following on from eating our packed lunches in the hotel area, we took advantage of a special permit which Bill had secured and drove north on Assateague Island to the wash flats where we saw many bird species such as Gadwall, Brown Thrasher, Northern Bobwhite Quail and Blue Grosbeaks in addition to shorebirds . Following this drive we circled the Wildlife Drive, after which time we headed toward Tom's Cove. We stopped at one spot Bill knew and had extended views of Least Terns hunting in addition the usual spectrum of shorebird species. At Tom's Cove we took off for a brisk walk south along the beach of Assateague Island National Seashore. A Whimbrel prefaced our walk, and the dancing Sanderling in all ranges of plumage were a good study. On the western, landward side of the beach was a sanctuary for nesting Least Terns, American Oystercatchers, and Piping Plovers. A few noticed the newly-erected enclosures within the fenced-off five-mile stretch, and could see a nesting Piping Plover within each. The walk set up our appetite for dinner at the nearby Village Restaurant, and a good night's sleep.

Friday: Elliot Island Road and and Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow.

After breakfast at Bill's Seafood Restaurant on Friday 24 May, we began our return journey to Grasonville, heading north and west until we reached Vienna and headed south again on the Elliot Island Road. Here we entered an extensive, almost pristine, area of brackish, bay marsh habitat. Our main intent of being here was to see if we could locate some individuals of the Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow, and we certainly were not disappointed. Almost immediately having emerged from the van, we were greeted by the distinctive profile and plumage of this species. The orange-buff facial triangle shone in the light as the birds flew about their habitat, periodically appearing at the top of a stem of grass or reed. As we walked along the road we were also surrounded by the territorial displays and counter singing of Seaside Sparrows, giving us ample opportunity to compare the identification features and the songs of these two Ammodramus sparrows. We think we will all remember this very special habitat and the birds we saw there, an altogether special viewing experience. [Click on the group photo above to view a larger image (53kb); use your browser back button to return to this page.]

Reluctantly we drove north and west to Cambridge and down to the Blackwater NWR visitor center for our final lunch, our final checklist, photo session and formal farewells before returning to Grasonville.

For a complete list of the species we saw, we have enclosed a final and complete checklist for your records.

Bill and Paul thank you all for coming. We look forward to seeing you again at an American Birding Association event, and thank you for your past and future support of our organization.

For more information about ABA Donor Trips, please call (800) 850-2473 ext 233 or email .