Date:         Sat, 17 May 2003 14:03:54 -0400
Reply-To:     Maryland Birds & Birding <MDOSPREY@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM>
Sender:       Maryland Birds & Birding <MDOSPREY@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM>
From:         David Mozurkewich <mozurk@BELLATLANTIC.NET>
Subject:      PG DICKCISSEL, Leat Terns
In-Reply-To:  <38BA34ACF3E0D311B4230000F803503603D07552@VHAPEREXC1>
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The best bird on the Patuxent chapter MOS field trip this morning was
undoubtedly the adult male Dickcissel.  It was near Lake Artemesia (Berwyn
Heights) in the ball field just west of Indian Creek and south of Berwyn
Road.  If looking for it, you can park either at Lake Artemesia or in a
small lot at the ball field, but don't expect to see it.  After giving
good, but brief, views to everyone there, it flew to the edge of the field
and was not seen again (including a quick check a few hours later).  I'm
embarrassed to say a young gentlemen walking by pointed it out while I was
looking the other direction at a singing but otherwise invisible Magnolia
Warbler.  I would give him credit for the sighting but unfortunately, I
didn't get his name.

If a Dickcissel can show up in this small a patch of such shortly mowed
grass, we should be out looking for them in more suitable habitat.

The walk along the creek had lots of birds, but nothing particularly
surprising.  We did manage twelve species of warbler, including quite a
few Myrtles which I for one am happy are still around; it's not very long
between the last Myrtle and the end of spring migration.

Afterwords, we took a quick trip south to the Bladensberg Waterfront where
we watched 4 -- that's right FOUR -- LEAST TERNS.  Two of the terns were
perched near opposite ends of the park the entire time we were there, but
the other two flew in from the south and were obviously involved in
courtship behavior (synchronized head bobbing, passing of fish...).

I started the day with a quick stop in Greenbelt Park where I found a
Gray-cheeked Thrush.  The main road through the park from somewhat south
of the nature trail into the campgrounds seems to be one of the more
reliable spots in the county for early morning thrush music.

Dave
David Mozurkewich
Seabrook, PG MD USA
mozurk @ bellAtlantic.net

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