Date: 10/1/12 6:07 am
From: Tim Carney <timmyc83...>
Subject: [MDBirding] Nelson's Sparrow and Homing (?) Pigeon at Swan Creek, 10/1/2012


While doing my morning rounds, I briefly pished out some sparrows and was surprised to see a Nelson's Sparrow. In fact, it came the closest while the Swamps remained somewhat obscured by reeds. This was in the mitigated (eastern) wetland where the Virginia Rails usually are.

We also found a homing pigeon this morning at the trailers. One leg had a green band, the other had a silver one. It appeared unwell and hunkered down/puffed up. We were able to approach it. It finally took flight after a one of the local feral cats approached it. Does anyone know if there's a database for homing pigeons? AKA, would someone be looking for that bird and able to ID it based on the bands?

Tim Carney
Baltimore/Anne Arundel

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