Re: [MDOsprey] Lark Sparrow in Annapolis
Charlie (cmmbirds@yahoo.com)
Wed, 15 Dec 1999 14:11:12 -0800 (PST)
Marshall,
Wow, that sounds great! I remember you telling
me of this spot yesterday, and I would REALLY
like to check it out. Unfortunately for me, I
work the next 3 days, do the Jug Bay CBC Sunday,
and head for Mass for a week on Monday. So my
options are basically to get there at first light
in the next 3 days, then rush off to work.
And if the LASP is still there, it would be a
lifer... ;-)
So, could you please let me know both the
directions, and your specific requests for local
etiquette? And if you're free about 7AM in the
next 3 days...
Thanks,
Charlie
--- Miliff@aol.com wrote:
> MDOsprey,
>
> Today I took a quick break from computer work
> and headed out into the fog for
> a little birding. One of my favorite local
> "patches" has especially good
> habitat this year. It has always been
> interesting actually: on the Annapolis
> CBC I have had thrashers and catbirds
> regularly, House Wren once, the first
> sector records for American Tree Sparrow
> (several times), and once, a
> Dickcissel! I got my life Lincoln's Sparrow
> there once in the spring
> (singing!) and once in the fall I got a quick
> look at a possible Henslow's.
> I have long thought it a perfect place for a
> Northern Shrike...hence my
> recent trips.
>
> Last Wednesday (Dec 8) I took a similar work
> break and found a very nice
> bluebird/junco/goldfinch/Field Sparrow flock,
> which has always been one of my
> favorite types of associations. I figure
> almost any rarity is possible in
> such groups, with Clay-colored Sparrow,
> redpoll, and Say's Phoebe at the fore
> of my mind. Instead, on that trip, I found a
> nice, pale Baltimore Oriole.
> It was feeding on the ground with the bluebirds
> and occasionally lighting up
> in the trees. Though the belly was white and
> the back gray, the face was
> totally plain with no supercilium. It is these
> types of birds that are
> routinely mistaken for Bullock's Oriole. I
> took a couple pictures just for
> the record and made a mental note to return to
> check the rest of the fields
> and to make sure my stakeout for the Annapolis
> CBC stayed in place.
>
> Today was my first chance to go back and I was
> surprised not to find the
> bluebird flock (or the oriole). all the other
> birds seemed to be in place
> though, and the area was as active and birdy as
> before, if not moreso. The
> place was full of Songs, White-throats, juncos,
> and cardinals, and had a few
> Field Sparrows, towhees, and goldfinches as
> well. A thrasher was the best I
> could pull out for a while, until a gorgeous
> LARK SPARROW teed up next to me.
> It then startled and flew up to some high
> trees, where it flipped back and
> forth a few times. Once it settled in in one
> of the trees, I made a quick
> dash for my camera but could not refind the
> bird when I returned.
>
> I am reluctant to post the specifics since the
> location is somewhat
> sensitive. However, if anyone is interested in
> looking for the bird please
> feel free to call me (410-269-1589) or email me
> <miliff@aol.com> for
> specifics. I will gladly give directions as
> long as they come with an
> explanation of my concerns. The place exudes
> the aroma of rare birds, and
> I'm sure I haven't seen them all yet. I'll
> gladly join anyone looking for
> the sparrow or helping to beat the place up to
> see what else emerges.
>
> Best,
>
> Marshall Iliff
> miliff@aol.com
>
> ============
> Marshall J. Iliff
> Annapolis, MD
> miliff@aol.com
> =============
>
=====
****************************************
Charlie Muise, Naturalist
Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary
Maryland, USA
"The English country gentleman galloping after a fox
- the unspeakable in full pursuit of the uneatable"
(Oscar Wilde)
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