Date: 11/11/12 8:32 am
From: Gail B. Mackiernan %<3Ckatahdinss...>%3E <katahdinss...>
Subject: [MDBirding] Raven, etc NW Branch Park near Trolley Museum



Hi all,

Barry and I ventured to upper Northwest Branch Park (Mont. Co.) near the new trolley museum. This is a large area of rough meadow, otherwise rare in the lower county. (Unfortunately it will not be with us much longer unless the park people do something about the rapidly encroaching invasive Bradford pears.) In the more distant past it hosted goodies such as bobwhite and meadowlark, now long gone, but still can provide a surprise or two. Today it was a RAVEN, first calling and then obligingly flying in to be admired. First for us in this part of the county. We were also happy to see a male Kestrel, in past years a wintering bird has graced this area, it was missing last year so not sure if this is the same individual. But nice to see. Otherwise no really unusual birds, a late Brown Thrasher and a small group of Chipping Sparrows the best. Good numbers of Song and White-throated Sparrows, but only one Fox Sparrow and this just heard calling. Nice lot of Bluebirds about as well. A pretty day to be out.

Also saw a nice Meadow Fritillary sunning itself.

Gail Mackiernan and Barry Cooper
Colesville, MD

Birds of interest:

Red-shouldered Hawk - 3
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Kestrel 1 adult male
Common Raven 1
Eastern Bluebird 15
Brown Thrasher 1
Chipping Sparrow 3
Field Sparrow 12
Fox Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 35
White-throated Sparrow 30

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