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Maryland Biodiversity Project
Maryland Biodiversity Project is cataloging all the living things of Maryland. We promote science, education, and conservation by helping to build a vibrant Maryland nature study community. Visit www.marylandbiodiversity.com.
The Winterberry Moth (Rhopobota dietziana) is a common moth species found throughout Maryland. This member of the Tortricidae is a leaf miner of various species of hollies. If you are into leaf mines, you most likely know the mines of the genus Rhopobota. Larvae in this genus commonly make mines on the leaves of American Holly (Ilex opaca). Unfortunately, it isn't possible to identify Rhopobota species from their leaf mines. Adult Winterberry Moths are easily identified. There are two broods; spring and summer. Adults readily come to lights.
Photo of adult Winterberry Moth by Mike Burchett. Photo of Rhopobota sp. leaf mine on American Holly leaf by Sue Muller.
Welcome back to our beautiful state bird, the Baltimore Oriole. We're seeing the first reports of migrants arriving in Maryland (a small number also overwinter). Their typical wintering range includes Florida, the Caribbean, Central America, and northwestern South America. Baltimore Orioles nest throughout the state in deciduous woodlands but can be uncommon in certain areas, including parts of the Eastern Shore. Learning their song and distinctive chatter is one of the best ways to find orioles. They are often difficult to see because they spend so much time near the tops of tall deciduous trees.
📸: (c) Stephen John Davies, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC, creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/).- Montgomery Co., Maryland (5/7/2021).
🔍 More at Maryland Biodiversity Project:
www.marylandbiodiversity.com/view/1331
- Bill
#marylandbiodiversityproject #marylandbirds #breedingbirds #baltimoreoriole #birding #signsofspring
I’m seeing vibrant oranges bird in Frederick county this morning. I’ll keep trying to get a closer look.
Lifelong Marylander, yet never have I seen one here, only in Maine!
Maryland Biodiversity Project Do you happen to know what that bird finding website address is?
How to attract them? ?
Roll call! Broad-winged Hawks are returning from their wintering grounds in Central and South America. These compact Buteos are smaller than a Red-tailed Hawk and about the size of a Red-shouldered Hawk. They have a distinctive shape in flight with a short tail, bulging secondaries (inner part of the wings), and tail bands (bold on adults, more diffuse on younger birds). Adults' wings often appear edged in dark (as shown here), and with a close look you can see a line down the middle of the throat. Especially in spring and during the breeding season you can sometimes detect them by their high-pitched piercing calls, which sound like teeee-TEEEEEEEE! For ruling out more common Buteo species, note the lack of the patagial bars (black leading edge of wings on either side of the head) found on all ages of Red-tailed Hawk and the lack of the "windows" (translucent patches in primaries) seen in Red-shouldered Hawks. Happy hawkwatching!
📸: (c) Frode Jacobsen - Allegany Co., Maryland (4/28/2018).
🔍 More at Maryland Biodiversity Project:
www.marylandbiodiversity.com/view/1009
- Bill
Thank you for all the details!🦅🦉🦇🐸
thanks for the fine points!
Great info! Now I may be able to accurately ID the hawks who visit my yard.
Here's another great BioBlitz to consider later this month! Charles County is a wild and under-explored part of our state.
Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary is participating the City Nature Challenge! The City Nature Challenge is a global citizen science event with a focus on urban areas. Residents throughout the Washington DC metro area will explore local parks, backyards, and neighborhoods to observe the wild plants, fungi, and animals that share our environment. As part of the challenge, Mallows Bay will be holding a BioBlitz, a free event where participants collect as many species observations as possible. By participating, you’ll help scientists collect valuable biodiversity information and learn more about Mallows Bay!
You are invited to join them on April 28 from 11 am to 2 pm for a day of citizen science! Please spread the word about this unique opportunity to help scientists collect valuable biodiversity information on the nation’s 14th National Marine Sanctuary!
Event Date and Time: Sunday, April 28, 11:am to 2:00 pm
Location: Mallows Bay Park (1440 Wilson Landing Rd, Nanjemoy, MD 20662)
📸: (c) Matt McIntosh/NOAA (used with permission)
🔍 Event flyer with more information:
nmssanctuaries.blob.core.windows.net/sanctuaries-prod/media/docs/2024-bio-blitz.pdf
Contact [email protected] with any questions or concerns.
- Bill
I will be there!
Henry's Elfin is the most common of the three brown elfins that are found in Maryland. On the Coastal Plain, Henry's Elfins are most often found in forests with an abundance of American Holly, one of their main host plants. On the Piedmont and west, the host plant changes to Eastern Redbud. The excellent field guide Butterflies of Pennsylvania, also lists American Plum as a host plant.
There is only one brood of Henry's Elfin in Maryland. This means they are univoltine.
The earliest date for Henry's Elfin in the MBP database is 3/16 by Walt Gould at Patuxent North Tract in Anne Arundel County. Our late date is 5/15 by Scot Magnotta in Prince George's County. We do not have any recent records of this species in Garrett County.
Photo of Henry's Elfin by Frode Jacobsen.
Bet i saw it fluttering by!
Saw one Sunday.