[MDOsprey] Sparrows & Shrikes In Baltimore County
Guineabird@aol.com
Wed, 27 Oct 1999 11:49:00 EDT
What A Morning!
Since the beginning of Oct, in an effort to earn my "Bonnie Ott's Sparrow
Certificate 101", I've been scouring a 30 acre field across the road from my
house. The field is furnished with streams, swales and multi-floral tangles
which makes it tough to maneuver but great for a consistent supply of
Wht-throats, Wht-crowns, Swamp, Field and Song sparrows.
This morning, just as I went into the field, I noticed an unusually bright,
white (great lighting) mocker sitting 12:00 on a 50 ft high tree. I checked
him out. Mmmm....the bird was wearing a mask (well, it is nearly Halloween.)
On the other hand - IT MUST BE A LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE!.
Got to watch that stocky body, lovely masked head & rounded tail for at least
5 minutes. When he/she flew away southeast, I missed the white on the tail
feathers but saw the white curved wing markings clearly.
Sparrows in this comparatively small field do not have an easy time. Along
with the visiting Shrike this AM, were a Kestrel, two Sharpies, a
Red-shoulder and a female Harrier.
Gail Frantz
Reisterstown, MD