Date:         Sun, 9 Dec 2001 19:20:26 -0500
Reply-To:     Maryland Birds & Birding <MDOSPREY@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM>
Sender:       Maryland Birds & Birding <MDOSPREY@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM>
From:         "Eugene J. Scarpulla" <ejscarp@HOME.COM>
Subject:      Hart-Miller Island: 12/09/01
Comments: To: Steve Kopecky <steven.kopecky@usace.army.mil>,
          Jim Stasz <jlstasz@aol.com>,
          Jeff Cowell <jeff.cowell@ingrambook.com>,
          Donna Finnegan <toadlady@fls.infi.net>,
          Dave Brinker <dbrinker@dnr.state.md.us>,
          Butch Norden <bnorden@dnr.state.md.us>,
          Anne Brooks <birdfeeder@starpower.net>,
          Jim Potyraj <potyrajj@rcbhsc.wvu.edu>
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Observations at Hart-Miller Island
December 9, 2001
0720-1150
AM: cloudy, 40 degrees, winds 0 knots
Noon: sunny, 55 degrees, winds NW 15 knots
Route: concentration on the crossdike
Observers: Mark Hoffman, George Jett, Paul O'Brien, Bob Ringler

(Note: I was to meet the above four observers to search for last week's
"mystery sparrow" but on the way to the boat dock the electrical system of
my car went dead stranding me on the road. I wish to thank Mark, George,
Paul, and Bob for carrying on without me.)

(Note: I also wish to thank everyone on MDOsprey that offered opinions on
last week's sparrow. The opinions offered were the same two choices that Sue
Ricciardi and I were evaluating: unusual Savannah Sparrow or Baird's
Sparrow.)


 Great Blue Heron             2
 Canada Goose                 (heard only)
 Tundra Swan                  16 (flyover)
 Gadwall                      4
 American Black Duck          45
 Mallard                      30
 Lesser Scaup                 2
 Bufflehead                   35
 Northern Harrier             3
 Red-tailed Hawk              3
 American Kestrel             1
 Laughing Gull                2
 Ring-billed Gull             20
 Herring Gull                 15
 Great Black-backed Gull      4
 Mourning Dove                10
 Tufted Titmouse              1
 European Starling            150
 Savannah Sparrow             25
(It appears that last week's "mystery sparrow" that Sue Ricciardi and I
observed may have been an unusual-plumaged Savannah Sparrow. Today's
observers found and studied an unusual Savannah Sparrow in the same vicinity
as the mystery bird was observed last week. The bird had a boldly-patterned
back and an extensive amount of yellow on the head. Thanks again to today's
observers.)
 Song Sparrow                 30
 Swamp Sparrow                6
 White-throated Sparrow       1
 White-crowned Sparrow        4
 Dark-eyed Junco              1
*SNOW BUNTING                *35
 Northern Cardinal            1
 Red-winged Blackbird         50
 American Goldfinch           125

MAMMALS
 Red Fox                      1
 Raccoon                      fresh tracks
*WHITE-TAILED DEER           *fresh tracks

BUTTERFLIES
 Orange Sulphur               3

Gene Scarpulla
Millers Island, Maryland
ejscarp@home.com

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