Tree Sparrows and 1975 Triadelphia CBC
Howard Youth (hmyouth@erols.com)
Sun, 20 Dec 1998 22:14:31 -0500
While covering Layhill Park for the Triadelphia count yesterday, Gemma
Radko glimpsed a probable tree sparrow. Despite a diligent search, we could
not relocate the bird. However, later in the afternoon, Greg Gough had 10
in the same area. Thanks to his tip, we investigated, heard the
"teedle-dee" calls and relocated the birds. They were in streamside
brambles at the beginning of the north trail. The north trail starts from
the northeast end of the soccer field adjacent to Layhill Rd. The birds
were seen on the left, about 50 yards down the path. They associated with
song and white-throated sparrows in dense multiflora rose shrubs near the
stream and a cedar-studded hillside.
I was speaking with Jane Hill this evening about her Triadelphia results,
and I mentioned that no bobwhite were reported this year, and that only 1
pheasant was seen. Just for kicks, I grabbed the 1975 CBC issue of American
Birds and flipped to the Triadelphia Reservoir count for that year. Here
were a few alarming highlights. [Please note that this year's numbers (in
parens) spring from my rusty memory, based on incomplete results of last
night's tally; Rick Sussman has the real scoop.]:
northern bobwhite 208 (this year, none)
eastern meadowlark 98 (this year, very few)
field sparrow 397 (don't remember number, but I think this year was
far lower)
ring-necked pheasant 7, compared with one for this year
Other interesting 1975 Triadelphia CBC highlights:
snow goose 1 (were two reported at last night's tally rally)
wood duck 4 (also four reported last night--good job, Mike)
black vulture 1 (we had 12 at Layhill alone; many others reported last
night)
red-headed woodpecker 3 (none reported last night)
red-breasted nuthatch 20 (none reported last night, though greater #
last yr.)
house wren 2 (none reported last night)
brown thrasher 9 (one reported last night)
eastern bluebird 70 (I think we had far more last night; don't remember)
loggerhead shrike 1 (none this year)
water pipit 150 (I don't think any for this year)
evening grosbeak 20 (none this year)
purple finch 412 (a high in '75) (few if any this year)
house finch 141 (don't remember this year's count)
eastern towhee 95 (a high); (far fewer this year)
If anyone wants to know other species totals, let me know.
Howard Youth
hmyouth@erols.com
Rockville, MD