It was a very nice day for Sparrows in Rock Creek park on Saturday 4/10.  Around the stables and the Maintenance yard buildings.  I had a single Fox Sparrow behind the stables.  I didn't see him and he didn't move until I almost stepped on him blending in to the leaf litter.  After the inital startle, he just settled down into the leaves and watched me until I moved again.   In addition, there are Chipping Sparrows, Dark Eyed Juncos, White Throated Sparrows, Song Sparrows, House Sparrows at the Maintenance yard with the occassional Eastern Towhee heard but not seen.
 
The same area also hosted singing Ruby Crowned Kinglets and Goldfinch.  At least 3 Red Shouldered Hawks put on a show behind the Stables.  There seemed to be a territorial dispute going on with lots of calling and soaring about.  It looked like an immature RSH was coming back "home" and was being chased off by Mom or Dad.  One of the gals at the stable said the Hawks had been very vocal the last few days and were frequently seen.  For a while, one hawk was perched and hunting along the horse path behind the stables.  It was a real treat just to sit there and get really good looks while the Hawk was perched low in the trees.  I've rarely seen the beautiful golden brown plumage on the head and nape.  I followed the hawks around for a good hour watching them chase off two fly-over Turkey Vultures.  No nest found  -- yet.  Also heard a distant Red-Tail Hawk, but never saw it.
 
There was also a singing Bluebird in the area, but I never saw him.  Lots of Brown Creepers - some fliting about quickly from tree to tree - seemed like a display of sorts.  I'll have to read up on it. A great abundance of Yellow Bellied Sapsuckers calling and moving through the area.  There was a medium size snake hiding in the masonry around the stables - my first seen of the year.  Dark above and light below.  The snake retreated deeper into the hole when I approached to get a good look.  Also noted the first Bumble Bees of the year in the area.
 
In addition, 
3 flyover Common Loons
2 flyover Canada Geese
1 flyover Black Crowned Night Heron
2 Louisiana Waterthrushes found last week were at their same locations along Broad Branch singing
Hermit Thrushes singing
Eastern Phoebes
Brown Thrasher
Kingfisher
Wood Duck pairs
plus all of the usual woodland bird suspects. 
 
 
Denise Ryan
Washington, DC
denise_ryan at lcv.org
 
 
 
 
 

=======================================================================
To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to 
with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey
=======================================================================