03 and 06 Jan 2006. Noland's Ferry, Frederick County. First documented state record. Hover and click for larger images.

Found at this location on the 02 Jan Sugarloaf Mountain CBC, by Claire Wolfe and Lydia Schindler. Observed and photographed by Hoffman, Ringler, Holbrook, Baer, et al. at length during the morning of 03 Jan. Mostly foraging high in sycamores and other large deciduous tress, between north end of parking area (marked by portable toilet) and the towpath/canal about 1/4 mile farther north. Loosely associated with a flock of Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned Kinglets, but alone much of the time as well. Only once descended to ground level to feed/drink. Photo conditions suboptimal; many shots taken at ISO 1600 and severely backlit.

Still being seen as of 06 Jan in same area (first three photos take 01/06, rest on 01/03), but not found on Saturday, 07 Jan, or Sunday 08 Jan, despite extensive searching. Directions (courtesy of Paul O'Brien): Noland's Ferry is in Frederick County, southwest of the city of Frederick. From I-270 take the Rt 80 exit, just after you enter Frederick Co. Head west on Rt 80 about 5 miles to its T intersection with Rt 85. Turn left on Rt 85 and go about another 5 miles to its intersection with Rt 28 and turn right. In less than 1/2 mile you will come to a three-way intersection. The middle option is Noland's Ferry Road which, after merging with New Design Rd., ends at the parking lot where the Townsend's Warbler has been seen. Alternatively, you could stay on Rt 28 to the next road, which is New Design, and turn left to the parking lot.

Long overdue for Maryland, a perusal of state bird books for the northeast indicates the following number of total records/winter (=Dec and later) records: New Jersey (7/4; Walsh et al. 1999), Pennsylvania (2/1; McWilliams and Brauning 2000), Delaware (0/0; Hess et al. 2000), New York (16/0; Levine 1998), Massachusetts (3/2; Veit and Peterson 1993), Connecticut (0/0; Zeranski and Baptist 1990) and Virginia (2/1; Kain 1987, S. Heath, pers. comm.). There are undoubtedly a number of other more recent records as well. Great way to start the year!! State bird #389.