Date: 7/26/12 6:21 am
From: Frode Jacobsen <frodesjacobsen...>
Subject: [MDBirding] Re: Banded sparrow at Finzel Swamp


On Wednesday, July 25, 2012 11:16:32 AM UTC-4, Steve Jones wrote:
> Seen a few days ago, the sparrow had a yellow and white tag on one leg and a red/white tag on the other. I&#39;d be interested to learn more about what the purpose of the banding is.
>
> On the same visit, found chestnut-sided, redstart and numerous yellowthroat warblers.
>
> Steve Jones
> Bethesda, MD

Steve et al.,
As Bill mentioned Finzel Swamp is indeed an active research site. In addition to Frostburg University I know a group of researchers at the Smithsonian Institution led by Russ Greenberg have been studying Swamp Sparrow population across Maryland for years, looking for adaptive divergence in plumage and beak morphology in response to different selective pressures in freshwater habitats vs. saltmarsh habitats.Read more about the project here: http://nationalzoo.si.edu/scbi/migratorybirds/research/swamp_sparrow/

Good birding,
Frode Jacobsen
Windsor Mill, MD

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