BALTIMORE BIRD CLUB PROGRAM Fall/Winter 2012-2013

BALTIMORE BIRD CLUB a chapter of the MARYLAND ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY, INC. Cylburn Arboretum 4915 Greenspring Avenue Baltimore, MD 21209-4168

Website: http://www.baltimorebirdclub.org/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/382565775136349/members/

A Spring/Summer Program Booklet will follow in February, 2013

All phone numbers are area code 410 unless otherwise indicated.

OFFICERS

PRESIDENT...... Joan Cwi 633 Stoney Spring Drive, Baltimore, MD 21210 ...... 467-5352 ...... [email protected]

VICE PRESIDENT ...... Karen Morley 2719 N. Calvert Street, Baltimore, MD 21218 ...... 235-4001 ...... [email protected]

TREASURER ...... Dick Krejci 101 Daleview Court, Timonium, MD 21093 ...... 252-7147 ...... [email protected]

RECORDING SECRETARY ...... Paula Schugam 16 Caveswood Lane, Owings Mills, MD 21117...... 654-6545 ...... [email protected]

MEMBERSHIP...... Catherine Bishop 6111 Bellona Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21212...... 435-9569 ...... [email protected] BBC DIRECTORS

Kevin Graff...... [email protected] Debbie Terry ...... 252-8771 ...... [email protected] Pete Webb...... 443 904-6314...... [email protected]

STATE (MOS) DIRECTORS

Peter Lev...... 823-2962...... [email protected] Karen Morley ...... 235-4001 ...... [email protected] Pete Webb...... 443 904-6314...... [email protected]

STANDING COMMITTEES AND REPRESENTATIVES

CONSERVATION COMMITTEE...... Carol Schreter 1905 Dixon Rd, Baltimore, MD 21209...... 664-5151 ...... [email protected]

LIGHTS OUT BALTIMORE & SCHOLARSHIPS...... Wendy Olsson 2211 Sulgrave Ave, Baltimore MD 21209 ...... 664-1332 ...... [email protected]

CYLBURN MUSEUM & COLLECTIONS ...... Vacant

DOROTHY BLAKE MARTIN FUND ...... Bob Rineer Bob Rineer...... 252-6408 ...... [email protected] 8 Ballyhaunis Ct., Timonium MD 21093

FIELD TRIPS, LECTURES & ACTIVITY SCHEDULE ...... Pete Webb 7014 Lancaster Rd, Baltimore MD 21207-4624...... 443-904-6314 ...... [email protected]

HOSPITALITY & TRIP REPORTS ...... Kevin Graff 4027 Old Federal Hill Rd, Jarrettsville, MD 20184 ...... 557-2456 ...... [email protected]

EDUCATION ...... Vacant

YOUTH ACTIVITIES...... Martin Brazeau 1505 Bedworth Rd, Lutherville, MD 21209...... 583-0275 ...... [email protected]

CHIP NOTES EDITOR ...... Joan Cwi 633 Stoney Spring Drive, Baltimore MD 21210 ...... 467-5352 ...... [email protected]

CHIP NOTES DESIGN...... Karen Morley 2719 N. Calvert St, Baltimore, MD 21218...... 235-4001 ...... [email protected]

REPRESENTATIVES TO:

BBC/MOS COLLECTIONS COMMITTEE...... Karen Morley 2719 N. Calvert St, Baltimore, MD 21218...... 235-4001 ...... [email protected]

NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY...... Joe Lewandowski 3021 Temple Gate, Baltimore, MD 21209...... 358-7834 ...... [email protected]

MOS SANCTUARY COMMITTEE ...... Brent Byers 1104 Engleberth Rd, Baltimore, MD 21221...... 686-7294 ...... [email protected]

COMMUNICATIONS & OUTREACH

WEBSITE MANAGER...... Terry Ross 467-8137...... [email protected]

ELECTRONIC DATABASES & E-NEWSLETTER ...... Robin Tress 433-1058...... [email protected]

FACEBOOK MANAGER...... Tim Carney 340-1269...... [email protected]

Baltimore Bird Club Board meetings occur on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 pm, September thru June, at the Cylburn Greenhouse Classroom. While only authorized Board members have a vote, any Club member is welcome to attend and participate in discussions. Call any club officer or board member for details. The dates from September thru June are: Sep 11. Oct 9, Nov 20, Dec 11, 2012, and Jan 8, Feb 12, Mar 12, Apr 9, May 14, and June 11, 2013. MEMBERSHIP AND DUES

Our membership year runs Sep. 1, 2012 – Aug. 31, 2013. Classification ...... Dues Individual...... $35.00 Household ...... $45.00 Sustaining...... $100.00 Junior (through age 17)...... $10.00 Chapter only, Individual...... $15.00 Chapter only, Household ...... $20.00 New Individual after March...... $17.50 New Household after March...... $22.50 Life (in state organization only)...... $1000.00

A full year's dues received after March 1 will be applied to the next membership year.

New MOS life members will pay “Chapter Only” membership dues to hold membership in the Baltimore Bird Club. The life membership fee is a one-time donation to the MOS Sanctuary Fund and is deductible for income tax purposes to the extent provided by law. For all classifications of membership, make check payable to the Baltimore Bird Club, MOS, and mail to:

Catherine Bishop 6111 Bellona Ave. Baltimore, MD 21212 (410) 435-9569 e-mail: [email protected]

Further contributions, land donations, living trusts and bequests are gratefully accepted and may be directed, if so desired, to a specific project or to the MOS Sanctuary Fund.

THE MARYLAND ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY

The Maryland Ornithological Society (MOS), organized in 1945, is an independent, non-profit educational bird-watchers organization with many local chapters throughout the state, including our Baltimore Bird Club. Many activities are sponsored at the state level, including teacher scholarships to summer nature camps, research grants, and the annual convention.

The two M.O.S. periodical publications are:

Maryland Yellowthroat, the club bimonthly newsletter. Maryland Birdlife, a quarterly report of observations.

Annual Conference Fri-Sun, May 24-26, 2013 in Edgewood, Harford County. This is Memorial Day weekend. We will be staying at the Ramada Conference Center right off of I-95 at Exit 77A (Edgewood). Our meals and evening meeting will be next door at the Richlin Ballroom.

M.O.S. Sanctuaries The MOS has properties set aside to preserve habitat in various locations throughout the state, including two with houses suitable for overnight accommodations.

See the MOS Web Page at http://www.MDBirds.org

Up-to-date news on bird sightings in Maryland can be accessed at Google Groups – Maryland & DC Birding, a computer internet chat-line which posts Maryland bird reports as soon as they come in. It can be accessed, without having to sign up, at: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/mdbirding

BALTIMORE BIRD CLUB

The purpose of our club is to function as a local chapter of the Maryland Ornithological Society, Inc., and to further educational, scientific, and charitable pursuits relating to bird life in Maryland. The BBC sponsors field trips, bird counts, lectures, youth programs, scholarships, the Lights Out Baltimore! Campaign, and other conservation efforts.

Chip Notes Chip Notes is our club newsletter, produced quarterly, providing information about birds, birders and club activities in the Baltimore area. Members are alerted via email when Chip Notes is available on-line. Paper copies are available upon request. Members are encouraged to send articles to our editor: Joan Cwi 633 Stoney Spring Drive., Baltimore MD 21210 phone: 467-5352, email: [email protected]

Baltimore Bird Club E-News Bulletin We also send, via e-mail, a monthly e-news bulletin with announcements, updates and reminders of major upcoming events. This service is only available to BBC members and cannot be accessed through the BBC website. Please let the membership secretary know if your email address changes so we can keep your e-bulletin coming.

Baltimore Bird Club on the Internet Check us out at www.baltimorebirdclub.org for updates and changes to our activities schedule including field trips, bird lists, links to Maryland & DC Birding reports, to the state MOS organization's web page, links to a number of other regional rare bird alerts and other organizations and activities, membership application form, and more.

Baltimore Bird Club on Facebook BBC now has a Facebook page that members can access, whether or not they are members of Facebook. To contribute and/or receive routine updates, you need to join. Check us at www. facebook.com/groups/382565775136349/members/

Baltimore Orioles Junior Birding Club Who? Are you 8 to15 years old and enjoy watching birds? Join other young birders on youth-centered bird hikes and weekend outings. Join other young birders on youth-centered bird hikes and weekend outings. You will locate, identify, and study birds with binoculars, field guides, and iPod apps.

Where, When and How? Bird in the Baltimore area year- round. See the schedule below. You will need to attend our programs with a parent or a sanctioned adult. Mom and Dad will benefit by learning ways of enjoying nature at home and on family vacations. If available, bring a pair of binoculars and a bird field guide on our hikes. We may be able to lend you binoculars. Dress for the weather and wear sturdy boots or hiking shoes. Our program is free. Visit the club’s web page for member information: http://baltimorebirdclub.org

Contact Marty Brazeau to register for the program, ask questions, or get binocular purchasing advice. Phone: 410- 583-0275, email: [email protected]

BBC Headquarters at Cylburn Arboretum The BBC and MOS have had a long-standing relationship with Cylburn Arboretum. We continue this association in many ways.

Cylburn Birds and Nature Museum The Baltimore Bird Club has an outstanding collection of mounted birds, visual aids, and other resources at Cylburn. The bird and nature exhibit is located in the Carriage House behind the main building and is open only during limited hours. To arrange an appointment for use of the collection and its resources, call Joan Cwi at 467-5352.

Tuesday Evening Lectures at Cylburn Meetings with presentations on birds and related topics are held at Cylburn in the Greenhouse Classroom on the first Tuesday of each month from September through May, except November (moved to 2nd Tuesday due to national election) and January (part of Covered Dish Dinner). There is no lecture in December. The doors open at 7:00 pm for refreshments and socialization. Lectures begin about 7:15 and end about 9:00.

Note: Tuesday Evening events are cancelled if City schools are closed that day. When in doubt, check with lecture chairman Pete Webb, 443 904-6314 (cell phone) or [email protected].

The January lecture will be at the annual Covered Dish Dinner on Sunday, January 13, 2013, in the Vollmer Center at Cylburn.

Baltimore Bird Club Fall/Winter Lectures Schedule 2012-2013

Tue. Sept. 4 – A Birding Trip to Central and Eastern Australia – Gary Van Velsir

Tue. Oct. 2 – The 10 Most Important Things You can do for Birds and Bird Conservation - Paul Baicich.

Tue. Nov. 13 – South Florida and the Dry Tortugas - Kevin Heffernan and Karen Darcy.

Sun. Jan. 13 - Covered Dish Dinner at Cylburn’s Vollmer Center – What I Have Learned from 100,000 Hours of Backyard Bird Banding - Chan Robbins

Tue. Feb. 5 – Rare, Threatened and Endangered Animals - Jim McCann

FIELD TRIP GUIDELINES

• Check BBC program schedule, newsletter, website and e-bulletin for trip details and changes. • Report your arrival and departure to leader. • Do not go ahead of leader on walk or in caravan. • Speak quietly on a walk or move to the back of the group when talking. “Bird Listening” is as important as “Bird Watching”. • Do NOT play bird song or call recordings without leader approval. • Leave dog at home • Children under 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult. • "Take nothing but pictures, leave only your footprints." • Go Green - Car pool on all trips to save on gas.

MEETINGS AND FIELD TRIPS SCHEDULE

Watch our Club newsletter Chip Notes, monthly E-News alerts, and the Club web page and Facebook for changes to our events schedule. Events may be cancelled for inclement weather. When in doubt, check with the trip leader, or with Program Coordinator: Pete Webb, phone (443) 904- 6314 (cell) or [email protected]

*Phone numbers area code 410 unless otherwise indicated. *Directions for meeting places are at end of this booklet.

Designates a new field trip

Designates a youth program

FALL/WINTER 2012-2013 Notes – directions are at end of booklet phone area codes 410 unless shown otherwise

AUG 18 (Sat) 7:00/9:15 am Bombay Hook. Meet at Nursery Rd Park-n-Ride 7:00 am OR Bombay Hook visitor center lot 9:15 am. Bring lunch. For herons, wide variety of migrating shorebirds including avocets. Be prepared for heat and biting insects. Minimal walking involved. Telescopes useful. Leader: Pete Webb, (443) 904-6314 or [email protected]

AUG 25 (Sat) 8:00 am Patterson Park. Early migrant swallows, flycatchers, resident American Kestrel and Wood Ducks and more in this green oasis in the middle of Baltimore. Stroll with Audubon Maryland-DC among gardens, wetlands, and the Boat Lake. This event is a regularly scheduled bird walk open to the public. For questions, contact Patterson Park Audubon Center at [email protected] or 558-2473.

AUG 28 (Tue) 8:00 am Robert E Lee Park (aka Lake Roland). First in a series of weekly walks to follow the progress of fall migration. Habitats include woods, lake, streams and marsh. This park has an impressive bird list, including waders, raptors, shorebirds and passerines. Beginning birders welcome. Leader: Peter Lev, 823-2962 or [email protected]

SEP 2 (Sun) 8:30 am Cylburn Self-guided Walk. Meet at the main Vollmer Center parking lot for easy birding in Cylburn's gardens and urban forest. Expect to find a variety of migrant and resident birds. Beginning birders welcome. No designated leader. Coordinator: Joe Lewandowski, 358-7834 or [email protected].

SEP 4 (Tue) 8:00 am Robert E Lee Park (aka Lake Roland). Continuing a series of casual fall walks to follow the progress of fall migration. Beginning birders welcome. Leader: Ruth Culbertson, 825-1379 or [email protected]

SEP 4 (Tue) 7:00 pm Tuesday Evening at Cylburn. First in a series of monthly feature presentations and slide shows on the first Tuesday of each month except December and January. Tonight: A Birding Trip to Central and Eastern Australia by Gary Van Velsir. Doors open at 7:00 pm for socializing and snacks, show starts about 7:15 pm. See directions at the end of this booklet.

SEP 5 (Wed) 8:00 am First Wednesdays at Fort McHenry. First in a series of monthly morning surveys of bird activity at the Fort and wetland. Telescope can be useful. Cancelled in inclement weather. Meet in the park, outside the Visitor Center. Leader: Mary Chetelat, 665-0769.

SEP 8 (Sat) 8:00 am Quarry Lake. This is a new walk we are introducing in what has proven to be a very “birdy” area. The walk around the lake is about 2 miles on level, often paved, pathways with excellent views down (not up!) into the treetops surrounding Quarry Lake. Meet at the benches where the 3 flags are flying on Quarry Lake Drive. Leaders: Joany Hellman, 486-2719 or [email protected] and Co-leader: Debbie Terry, 252-8771 or [email protected]

SEP 9 (Sun) 9:00 am Marshy Point Nature Center. Half- day trip for early waterfowl, raptors, passerines. Half-mile trail leads to point overlooking Dundee Creek. Boots advisable, telescopes useful. Leaders: Bob Rineer, 252-6408 or [email protected], and Brent and Mary Byers, 686-7294 or [email protected]

SEP 11 (Tue) 8:00 am Robert E Lee Park (aka Lake Roland). Continuing a series of casual fall walks to follow the progress of fall migration. Beginning birders welcome. Leader: John Landers, 426-3374 or [email protected]

SEP 11 (Tue) 7:00 pm BBC Board meeting. While only authorized Board members have a vote, any Club member is welcome to attend and participate in discussions. Call any club officer or board member for details. Held at the Cylburn Greenhouse Classroom.

SEP 15 (Sat) 8:00 am Saturday Monitoring Walks at Fort McHenry. Continuing survey of bird activity at the Fort. Telescope can be useful. Cancelled in bad weather. Meet in the park, outside the Visitor Center. Leader: Ben Poscover, 882-1309 or [email protected]

SEP 15 (Sat) Baltimore Fall Count. We will tally all birds seen within the City and County during this calendar day. Birders of all levels of experience are welcome and urged to participate. To avoid duplication of counting, contact compiler Joel Martin, 744-9211 or email [email protected], for area assignment.

SEP 16 (Sun) 8:00 am Cromwell Valley Park. This park has variety of habitats including fields, stream-side woods and hillside forest. Expect a variety of migrant and resident birds. Beginning birders welcome. Leader: Maryanne Fluke, (443) 690-4319 or [email protected].

SEP 18 (Tue) 8:00 am Robert E Lee Park (aka Lake Roland). Continuing a series of casual fall walks to follow the progress of fall migration. Beginning birders welcome. Leader: Ron Davis, 821-1297 or [email protected]

SEP 22, (sat) 8:00 am- 4:00 pm American Birding Association Mid-Atlantic Young Birder Conference Ashland Nature Center, Hockessin, Delaware Registration: Young Birders $15 ABA member, $25 non- member Adults $25 ABA member, $35 non-member Contact: Bill Stewart: [email protected] for more information. Or call 800-850-2473. We will form a carpool from the Baltimore area. Call Marty Brazeau, Youth Birding Coordinator at 410-583-0275

SEP 22 (Sat) 7:30 am Milford Mill Park. Fall migrant warblers, thrushes and other songbirds at this small tract of forest and streamside path. One-mile level paved walking loop. Puddles could cover parts of the path if it’s rained recently. Leader: Pete Webb, (443) 904-6314 or [email protected]

SEP 23 (Sun) 8:00 am Broad-winged Hawks at Cromwell Valley Park. Jim Meyers will take us for a short walk along a stream-side path, then head up to hawkwatch site for Broadwings and other raptors. Beginning birders welcome. Bring lunch if you'd like to stay all day. Leader: Jim Meyers, 665-2440 or [email protected]

Sept 23 (Sun) 6:45-7:30 pm Chimney Swifts at Dusk. Join the BBC SwiftWatch Team as Chimney Swifts enter a favorite chimney at sunset. This trip will meet at the Home and Hospital School, a new location on the edge of Robert E. Lee Park. We’re expecting dozens or hundreds of swifts. Swifts have been switching nightly roosting sites in recent years, so check the BBC website (http://baltimorebirdclub.org/) on the Friday before the walk to see if this event will involve two locations simultaneously. Come a half hour early if the weather is cloudy or gray. Cancelled if raining. Leader: Carol Schreter, 410-664-5151 or [email protected]

SEP 25 (Tue) 8:00 am Robert E Lee Park (aka Lake Roland). Continuing a series of casual fall walks to follow the progress of fall migration. Beginning birders welcome. The park has a variety of habitats including fields, stream-side woods, and hillside forest. Expect a variety of migrant and resident birds. Leader: Mary Chetelat, 665-0769.

SEP 29 (Sat) 8:00 - 9:30 am Patterson Park. Come see what birding action abounds amid the varied habitats of this green oasis in the middle of Baltimore. For questions, contact Patterson Park Audubon Center at [email protected] or 558-2473.

SEP 29 (Sat) 8:30-11:30 am Youth birding at Cromwell Valley Park. Ages 8-15 with parent. Join Justine Schaeffer the Cromwell Valley Naturalist and Marty Brazeau as they introduce how to use field guides and iPod apps to locate birds. Bird walk throughout the diverse habitats of the park. Please register with Marty Brazeau at (410) 583-0275 or [email protected]

SEP 30 (Sun) 8:00 am Milford Mill Park. Fall migrant warblers, thrushes and other songbirds at this small tract of forest and streamside path. Short one-mile level paved walking loop. Puddles could cover parts of the path if it’s rained recently. Leader: Pete Webb, (443) 904-6314 or [email protected]

OCT 2 (Tue) 8:00 am Robert E Lee Park (aka Lake Roland). Continuing a series of casual fall walks to follow the progress of fall migration. Beginning birders welcome. Leader: Paul Noell, 243-2652 or [email protected]

OCT 2 (Tue) 7:00 pm Tuesday Evening at Cylburn. Continuing a series of monthly feature presentations and slide shows on the first Tuesday of each month except December and January. Tonight: “The 10 Most Important Things You can do for Birds and Bird Conservation” with Paul Baicich. Doors open at 7:00 pm for socializing and snacks, show starts about 7:15 pm. See directions at the end of this booklet.

OCT 3 (Wed) 8:00 am First Wednesdays at Fort McHenry. Continuing a series of monthly morning surveys of bird activity at the Fort and wetland. Telescope can be useful. Cancelled in inclement weather. Meet in the park, outside the Visitor Center. Leader: Mary Chetelat, 665-0769

Oct 5-7 (Fri-Sun) Hawk Migration Youth Birding Cape May Weekend. Ages 8-15 with parent. This is a great trip for youth birders. We will bird throughout Cape May and spend a few hours observing hawk migration. We will join other youth birders from throughout the state on Saturday. We will carpool from Baltimore on Friday evening and campout at state parks near Cape May. Please register with Marty Brazeau (410) 583-0275 or [email protected]

OCT 6 (Sat) 8:00 am Quarry Lake. This is the second planned walk to this new site.. Leader: Joany Hellman, 486-2719 or [email protected] and Co-leader: Debbie Terry, 252-8771 or [email protected]

OCT 7 (Sun) 8:00 am Cromwell Valley Park. The park has variety of habitats including fields, stream-side woods and hillside forest. Expect a variety of migrant and resident birds. Beginning birders welcome. Leader: Maryanne Fluke, (443) 690-4319 or [email protected]

OCT 9 (Tue) 8:00 am Robert E Lee Park (aka Lake Roland). Continuing a series of casual fall walks to follow the progress of fall migration. Beginning birders welcome. Leader: Leader: Debbie Terry, 252-8771 or [email protected]

OCT 9 (Tue) 7:00 pm BBC Board meeting. While only authorized Board members have a vote, any Club member is welcome to attend and participate in discussions. Call any club officer or board member for details. Held at the Cylburn Greenhouse Classroom.

OCT 13 (Sat) 7:00 am sharp. Cape May Hawkwatch. All-day excursion – bring lunch – to spend day mostly at the hawk watch platform at Cape May observing hawks flying by, with possible uncommon seabirds in view out over the water. Optional walks around the impoundments for migrant waterfowl and shorebirds, and possibly a few late migrant songbirds in the trees. Leader: Pete Webb, (443) 904-6314 or [email protected].

OCT 14 (Sun) 9:00 am Marshy Point Nature Center. Half- day trip for winter waterfowl, raptors, passerines. Half-mile trail leads to point overlooking Dundee Creek. Boots advisable, telescopes useful. Leaders: Bob Rineer, 252-6408 or [email protected], and Brent and Mary Byers, 686-7294 or [email protected]

OCT 16 (Tue) 8:00 am Robert E Lee Park (aka Lake Roland). Continuing a series of casual fall walks to follow the progress of fall migration. Beginning birders welcome. Leader: Roberta Ross, 410-467-8137 or [email protected]

OCT 20 (Sat) 8:00 am - 12:00 noon Saturday Monitoring Walks at Fort McHenry. Continuing survey of bird activity at the Fort. Telescope can be useful. Cancelled in bad weather. Meet in the park, outside the Visitor Center. Leader: Erin Lineberry, (443) 742-9895

OCT 20 (Sat) 9:00 am Irvine Nature Center. With forest, field and marsh this 116 acre site has an extensive trail system and is full of promises. Expect between 45 and 55 species with plenty of "little brown job" birds. Possible Red-headed Woodpecker, possible Lincoln’s Sparrow. Leader: Pete Webb, (443) 904-6314 (cell) or [email protected]

OCT 21 (Sun) 8:00 am Cylburn Self-guided Walk. Meet at the main Vollmer Center parking lot for easy birding in Cylburn's gardens and urban forest. Beginning birders welcome. No designated leader. Coordinator: Joe Lewandowski, 358-7834 or [email protected]

OCT 23 (Tue) 8:00 am Robert E Lee Park (aka Lake Roland). Continuing a series of casual fall walks to follow the progress of fall migration. Beginning birders welcome. Leader: Joan Cwi, 467-5352 or [email protected]

OCT 27 (Sat) 8:00 - 9:30 am Patterson Park. Come see what birding action abounds amid the varied habitats of this green oasis in the middle of Baltimore. For questions, contact Patterson Park Audubon Center at [email protected] or 558-2473.

NOV 7 (Wed) 8:00 am First Wednesdays at Fort McHenry. Continuing a series of monthly morning surveys of bird activity at the Fort and wetland. Telescope can be useful. Cancelled in inclement weather. Meet in the park, outside the Visitor Center. Leader: Mary Chetelat, 665-0769.

NOV 11 (Sun) 9:00 am Marshy Point Nature Center. Half-day trip for winter waterfowl, raptors, passerines. Half- mile trail leads to point overlooking Dundee Creek. Boots advisable, telescopes useful. Leaders: Bob Rineer, 252-6408 or [email protected], and Brent and Mary Byers, 686-7294 or [email protected]

NOV 13 (Tue) 7:00 pm Tuesday Evening at Cylburn. Continuing a series of monthly feature presentations and slide shows on the first Tuesday of each month except December and January. Tonight: “South Florida and the Dry Tortugas” with Kevin Heffernan and Karen Darcy. Doors open at 7:00 pm for socializing and snacks, show starts about 7:15 pm. See directions at the end of this booklet.

NOV 17 (Sat) 8:00 am - 12:00 noon Saturday Monitoring Walks at Fort McHenry. Continuing survey of bird activity at the Fort. Telescope can be useful. Cancelled in bad weather. Meet in the park, outside the Visitor Center. Leader: Joe Supik, (443) 417-5015

NOV 20 (Tue) 7:00 pm BBC Board meeting. While only authorized Board members have a vote, any Club member is welcome to attend and participate in discussions. Call any club officer or board member for details. Held at the Cylburn Greenhouse Classroom.

NOV 24 (Sat) 8:00 - 9:30 am Patterson Park. Come see what birding action abounds amid the varied habitats of this green oasis in the middle of Baltimore. For questions, contact Patterson Park Audubon Center at [email protected] or 558-2473.

DEC 5 (Wed) 8:00 am First Wednesdays at Fort McHenry. Continuing a series of monthly morning surveys of bird activity at the Fort and wetland. Telescope can be useful. Cancelled in inclement weather. Meet in the park, outside the Visitor Center. Leader: Mary Chetelat, 665-0769.

DEC 9 (Sun) 9:00 am Marshy Point Nature Center. Half- day trip for winter waterfowl, raptors, passerines. Half-mile trail leads to point overlooking Dundee Creek. Boots advisable, telescopes useful. Leaders: Bob Rineer, 252-6408 or [email protected], and Brent and Mary Byers, 686-7294 or [email protected]

DEC 11 (Tue) 7:00 pm BBC Board meeting. While only authorized Board members have a vote, any Club member is welcome to attend and participate in discussions. Call any club officer or board member for details. Held at the Cylburn Greenhouse Classroom.

DEC 15 (Sat) 8:00 am 8:00 am - 12:00 noon Saturday Monitoring Walks at Fort McHenry. Continuing survey of bird activity at the Fort. Telescope can be useful. Cancelled in bad weather. Meet in the park, outside the Visitor Center. Leader: Wendy Alexander, 788-4080

DEC 16 (Sun) dawn to dusk Loch Raven Christmas Bird Count. Birders of all levels of expertise or experience are welcome and urged to participate in this brand-new post- migration bird census in northern Baltimore County. The area being surveyed is in a 15 mile diameter circle touching Lake Roland on the south, Oregon Ridge on the north, and centered around Loch Raven Reservoir. This is a count of all birds seen or heard in the count circle. Count totals will be submitted to the National Audubon Society for nationwide publication. $5 donation per observer is requested to help defray cost of compilation and publication by National Audubon Society. Contact compiler Pete Webb, (443) 904- 6314 (cell) or [email protected], for area assignment with one of the sector coordinators.

DEC 22 (Sat) 8:00 - 9:30 am Patterson Park. Come see what birding action abounds amid the varied habitats of this green oasis in the middle of Baltimore. For questions, contact Patterson Park Audubon Center at [email protected] or 558-2473.

JAN 1 (Tue) 8:30 am Loch Raven Reservoir. Start the New Year birding. Varied habitats including woods, fields and the reservoir. Probably also birding other sites for a “Big Day” in Baltimore City & County. Leader: Kevin Graff, email [email protected] or call 557-2456.

JAN 2 (Wed) 8:00 am First Wednesdays at Fort McHenry. Continuing a survey of bird activity at the Fort. Telescope can be useful. Cancelled in bad weather. Meet in the park, outside the Visitor Center. Leader: Mary Chetelat, 665-0769.

JAN 8 (Tue) 7:00 pm BBC Board meeting. While only authorized Board members have a vote, any Club member is welcome to attend and participate in discussions. Call any club officer or board member for details. Held at the Cylburn Greenhouse Classroom.

JAN 13 (Sun) 9:00 am Marshy Point Nature Center. Half- day trip for winter waterfowl, raptors, passerines. Half-mile trail leads to point overlooking Dundee Creek. Boots advisable, telescopes useful. Leaders: Bob Rineer, 252-6408 or [email protected], and Brent and Mary Byers, 686-7294 or [email protected]

JAN 13 (Sun) 4:30 pm Covered Dish Dinner and Lecture at the Vollmer Center at Cylburn. Tonight’s featured talk: “What I Have Learned from 100,000 Hours of Backyard Bird Banding”, with Chan Robbins. Please contact Kevin Graff in advance at [email protected], to let him know you are coming, and what you plan to bring.

JAN 19 (Sat) 8:00 am Saturday Monitoring Walks at Fort McHenry. Continuing survey of bird activity at the Fort. Telescope can be useful. Cancelled in bad weather. Meet in the park, outside the Visitor Center. Leader: Wendy Alexander, 788-4080

JAN 19 (Sat) Baltimore Mid-Winter Bird Count. To participate in post-migration bird count in your choice of location in Baltimore City or County, call Pete Webb, (443) 904-6314 or [email protected]

JAN 26 (Sat) 8:00 - 9:30 am Patterson Park. Come see what birding action abounds amid the varied habitats of this green oasis in the middle of Baltimore. For questions, contact Patterson Park Audubon Center at [email protected] or 558-2473.

FEB 5 (Tue) 7:00 pm Tuesday Evening Lecture at Cylburn. Continuing a series of monthly feature presentations and slide shows. Tonight: “Rare, Threatened and Endangered Animals”, with Jim McCann. Doors open at Cylburn at 7:00 pm for socializing and snacks, show starts about 7:15 pm.

FEB 6 (Wed) 8:00 am First Wednesdays at Fort McHenry. Continuing a survey of bird activity at the Fort. Telescope can be useful. Cancelled in bad weather. Meet in the park, outside the Visitor Center. Leader: Mary Chetelat, 665-0769.

Feb 9 (Sat) 8:00 am Youth Birding at Loch Raven. Ages 8-15 with parent. Waterbirds and land birds. Possible Bald Eagle, Bluebird, Common Loon. Two-mile level walk. Leader: Marty Brazeau at 410-583-0275 or [email protected]

FEB 10 (Sun) 9:00 am Marshy Point Nature Center. Half- day trip for winter waterfowl, raptors, passerines. Half-mile trail leads to point overlooking Dundee Creek. Boots advisable, telescopes useful. Leaders: Bob Rineer, 252-6408 or [email protected], and Brent and Mary Byers, 686-7294 or [email protected]

FEB 12 (Tue) 7:00 pm BBC Board meeting. While only authorized Board members have a vote, any Club member is welcome to attend and participate in discussions. Call any club officer or board member for details. Held at the Cylburn Greenhouse Classroom.

FEB 16 (Sat) 8:00 am - 12:00 noon Saturday Monitoring Walks at Fort McHenry. Continuing survey of bird activity at the Fort. Telescope can be useful. Cancelled in bad weather. Meet in the park, outside the Visitor Center. Leader: Ben Poscover, 882-1309 or [email protected]

FEB 23 (Sat) 8:00 - 9:30 am Patterson Park. Come see what birding action abounds amid the varied habitats of this green oasis in the middle of Baltimore. For questions, contact Patterson Park Audubon Center at [email protected] or (410) 558-2473.

NOTE: Changes or additions to activities in 2012-2013 will be sent to BBC members via the monthly E-News bulletin and our Chip Notes newsletter, and posted on our club website at http://www.baltimorebirdclub.org

DIRECTIONS TO MEETING PLACES in Alphabetical Order

 Directions to Bombay Hook NWR, Delaware Visitor Center: From Bay Bridge follow Rt 301 north about 34 miles. Right onto Rt 300, 19 miles to Kenton, DE. Right onto Rt 42, 8 miles to Leipsic. Left onto Rt 9, go 1.5 miles to inconspicuous Bombay Hook marker on right. Right, go to Visitor Center lot at end. Drive time from Bay Bridge about 1.5 hours.

 Directions to Carroll County Field Birds - I-70 Park-n-Ride: From the Beltway west of the city, take exit 16 I-70 east, "local ", (not exit 17 Security Blvd), to end of I-70 inside Baltimore Beltway. Follow the U-turn at the end into the parking lot.

 Directions to Cromwell Valley Park. From Baltimore Beltway I-695 take exit 29A Cromwell Bridge Rd. At end of entrance ramp, turn left (north) onto Cromwell Bridge Rd, continue 1.4 miles beyond the light, turn left at the “Willow Grove Farm Entrance.” Follow entrance road, cross a small bridge, and park in lot on left.

 Directions to Cylburn Lectures and Board Meetings at the Greenhouse Classroom: From I-695 Baltimore Beltway, go south on I-83 Jones Falls Expressway. Take Northern Pkwy exit west (right) and immediately get into left lane. Take first left onto Cylburn Ave (before going up the hill). Go about ½ mile and watch the left side of the avenue for an entrance gate, which should be open. Go up the driveway, bear left at intersections, to small parking lot on top of the hill. The building beside the lot has a side entrance door. Go in, walk through a short hallway on your left, and through a door at the end into lecture room.

 Directions to Cylburn Self-Guided walks. From I-695 Baltimore Beltway, go south on I-83 Jones Falls Expressway. Take Northern Pkwy exit west (right). Go about ½ mile up hill to traffic light, turn left on Greenspring Ave; proceed another ¼ mile past first road intersection and turn left at stone gate entrance into Cylburn Arboretum. Follow drive to circle in front of The Vollmer/Visitor Center, continue around the circle to entrance to main parking lot.

 Directions to Cylburn’s Vollmer/Visitor Center: From I-695 Baltimore Beltway, go south on I-83 Jones Falls Expressway. Take Northern Pkwy exit west (right). Go about ½ mile up hill to traffic light, turn left on Greenspring Ave; proceed another ¼ mile past first road intersection, and turn left at stone gate entrance into Cylburn Arboretum. Follow the drive to circle in front of the Vollmer Center building. Drop off passengers, food or other items there, then continue around the circle and follow signs leading into the main parking lot.

 Directions to Ft. McHenry. From I-95, take exit 55, McComas St east (last exit before tunnel eastbound, first after tunnel westbound), left (north) on Key Hwy which turns west, first left Lawrence St, left again (east) on Fort Ave, continue to end and gate into Fort McHenry. From the JFX, I-83, south to St Paul St exit, south on St Paul St becomes Light St, then left (east) onto Fort Avenue, continue to end as above. When gate is closed, park on side street and meet at the gate. When gate is open, drive in and park at the lot at the end, and meet outside the visitor center.

 Directions to Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park. Meet at the parking lot at 1900 Eagle Dr. From I-695 Beltway take exit 16, I-70 EAST to where it ends at the park-n-ride lot. Take an immediate right out of the park-n-ride area onto Security Blvd (north). Right at the first light, Forest Park. Right at the next light on Windsor Mill Rd. The Eagle Dr Entrance, flanked by two eagles on pillars, will be on your right and the parking lot is visible from the road.

 Directions to Home and Hospital School, 6229 Falls Rd. Baltimore Md. 21209From Baltimore Beltway I-695, take Jones Falls Expressway I-83 south to the Northern Pkwy exit, and go east (left) ¼ mile to light at Falls Rd (MD-25). Go left (north) 1.6 miles on Falls Rd., staying in the right lane until you get through the light at Kelly Ave. Turn right onto Copper Hill Rd, for 30 yards. Turn left into parking lot. This is an historic, four room schoolhouse beside Robert E. Lee Park, on a hilltop overlooking Falls Rd.

 Directions to Irvine Nature Center: From I-695 Beltway take exit 19, I-795 3.7 miles to exit 4, bear right on ramp onto Owings Mills Blvd. Go 2 miles, turn right at Crondall Ln. Turn right at Garrison Forest Rdd. Irvine Nature Center entrance will come up on the left.

 Directions for Loch Raven. From Baltimore Beltway I-695, take exit 27, Dulaney Valley Rd north, go several miles, cross large bridge over reservoir, and bear right immediately. Continue to first left, Stone Hill Rd. Go about 100 yards, turn around, and then park on your right. All cars need to park on the same side of the road.

 Directions to Marshy Point Nature Center. From Beltway take exit 36, Route 702. Take 2nd exit, Chase/Eastern Blvd, route 150 east. Go 6 miles. Turn right at Marshy Point sign. Go ¼ mile, turn left into Nature Center parking lot.

 Directions to Milford Mill Park. From Beltway take exit 18 Liberty Rd, proceed west to first light at Washington Ave. Turn right, proceed to end at light on Milford Mill Rd, turn right, and right again just after the overhead bridge into small parking lot. If the lot is full, park along the side street across Milford Mill Rd from the park entrance.

 Directions to Nursery Rd/Hammonds Ferry Rd Park-n-Ride. From outer loop (southbound), ramp leads to parking lot across Hammonds Ferry Rd. From inner loop (northbound), follow ramp right onto Fairview, turn right on Nursery Rd, right on Hammonds Ferry Rd, then left at next light into Park-n-Ride lot.

 Directions to Owings Mills Mall Wetland. Northwest on I-795 from Beltway exit 19, to Owings Mills Blvd. Stay in left lanes onto Owings Mills Blvd for Owings Mills Town Center. Left at first traffic light, Red Run Blvd. Pass an isolated gas station on your right, then turn left onto Mill Run Circle, an entrance into the shopping mall. Turn right to stay on Mill Run Circle, then next right, and immediate left, into corner of movie theater parking lot (there’s a pond downhill on the right).

 Directions to Patterson Park. From downtown Baltimore, drive east up Pratt St, go left onto South Patterson Park Ave and park on this street in the first or second block. The White House is just inside the west edge of the park at intersection of S. Patterson Park Ave and Lombard St.

 Directions to Quarry Lake walks: Quarry Lake is located off Greenspring Ave about half way between Smith Ave and Old Court Rd. If coming from interstate 695, get off at Exit 22, Greenspring Ave. At the light (Greenspring), turn left (south), and proceed half a mile. Turn right at the light at Quarry Lake Dr, and proceed .3 mi to the 3 flag display. Turn right into Travertine Dr and park in the lots to the left or right. Walk back to the flags to start the walk.

 Directions to Robert E. Lee Park (aka Lake Roland). Walks begin at the head of the Boardwalk, accessible from the Light Rail parking lot. From Baltimore Beltway I-695 take Jones Falls Expressway I-83 south to Northern Pkwy exit, and go east (left) to next light, Falls Rd. On Falls Rd turn left (north) and proceed 0.8 miles. After third light (Lake Ave) drive past Pepe’s (and before Falls Rd Bridge), turning right at signs to Light Rail parking. Then curve left and go straight over small iron bridge continuing to follow signs to Light Rail Parking. As you enter the parking lot, curve right and drive toward back of lot near RELP boardwalk entrance.  Directions to Soldiers Delight Environmental Area. From Beltway take exit 18 Liberty Rd west 4 miles, bear right onto Deer Park Rd just before traffic light and water tower, go approximately 2 miles to the historical marker on your left.

 Directions to Timonium Park-n-Ride. North on I-83 from Beltway, take SECOND Timonium Rd exit (north end of overpass bridge), follow ramp down and turn LEFT onto Greenspring Dr, go past warehouses and first couple of entrances, past the “Kiss-n-Ride” entrance, take the next entrance on right into the park-n-ride lot.

 Directions to White Marsh park-and-ride lot. From Beltway exit 33 I-95 north (“New York”). Get off at the next exit, MD route 43 White Marsh Boulevard heading west towards White Marsh Mall. Take the next left onto Honeygo Blvd, then very next right, first mall entrance, and second next right into the Park and Ride lot (second entrance). Go in, to the end, and turn left and find a space along the back.

 Directions to Woodstock areas. From I-695 Beltway take exit 18 west, Liberty Rd toward Randallstown 2.1 mi. Turn left at Old Court Rd (traffic light and sign for hospital). Drive 5.1 mi to Saint Alphonsus Cemetery on the right.

Visit the BBC home page on the Internet at

http://www.baltimorebirdclub.org

two other sites of interest :

BBC Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/382565775136349/m embers/

Google Groups Maryland & DC Birding, up to the minute reports on Maryland birds emailed from observers across the State. No need to join, just go to the website to read: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/mdbirding

or go to the Baltimore Bird Club page to link on.

The (state) MOS page: http://www.mdbirds.org/