> I'm planning a birding trip to western Maryland the first week in June.
> Primary targets are Ruffed Grouse, Alder Flycatcher, Golden-winged
Warbler,
> and Henslow Sparrow. I'd appreciate any information on current locations
for
> these species.
>
Jack,

Haven't heard from you since the OC Christmas Count years ago.  All of the
birds you mentioned can be found near the eastern edge of Garrett Co., and
all but the Alder Flycatcher are in atlas blocks that I cover.  If you take
Exit 24 off of I-68, follow the Avilton Lonaconing Rd. to the southeast for
about four miles, and then go straight onto Pea Ridge Rd., when the A-L Rd.
makes a bend to the left (Delorme 66, B3).  Go a few hundred feet and start
listening.  Charlie Kucera and I had three Henslow's Sparrows singing in
this stretch of Pea Ridge Rd. a week ago (5/15), and last summer Fran Pope
counted as many as 14 along here.  It's a good place for this species.
There is no place to pull off or park, but traffic is quite minimal.  From
here, continue on Pea Ridge a short distance, till it elbows left and you're
on Lancaster Hill Rd.  Follow this road till it ends back at
Avilton-Lonaconing Rd., and then stay on A-L road about three or four more
miles, as it heads northward, then bends sharply to go almost due south.
The 1/2 mile stretch of this road before getting to Swamp Road is good for
grouse, but you'll have to be here early in the morning, preferably on a
weekend, to see them along the road.  I had a hen with four chicks here last
June, and have seen grouse along the road at other times.  If no grouse
here, then continue a short distance past Swamp Rd. to the George's Creek
Brethren Church.  Turn right before the church, and park at a Forest Service
gate (don't block).  Walk about a mile down this gravel road; Charlie and I
flushed a grouse doing this hike last weekend.  When you get to an abandoned
farm on the left (you'll start hearing lots of Field Sparrows), follow a
path down to the old house and listen.  This is where there are
Golden-winged Warblers.  We had one singing here last weekend, and they were
confirmed here for the atlas last summer.

As far as Alder Flycatcher goes, Finzel Swamp used to be a good place.  From
the previously mentioned church, head back north on Avilton-Lonaconing Rd.,
and when it makes a hairpin turn to the left, make a right onto Frostburg
Rd., and follow this all the way out to I-68, but keep going over the
interstate and you'll be on Finzel Rd.  Follow this north a mile or three to
Cranberry Swamp Rd. and turn right.  Try to follow this road (instead of
driveways) all the way to it's end.  Walk (or drive?) across a narrow
dike-like embankment, and then continue the hike to a pond.  I have found
Alders around this pond (and also Black-billed Cuckoos).  I haven't been in
years, so things may have changed.  If this place doesn't pan out, try
anywhere around Cranesville Swamp in the western part of the county.  I've
heard Alders singing in several locations out there.  The only other places
I know are on private land.

Concerning Backbone Mountain, I think the place to which you are refering is
now closed.  I think this is where a wind farm is going, but am not certain.
Perhaps someone else can chime in on this subject.  This was the traditional
spot for Mourning Warbler.

Hope all this helps and best of luck.  Please let me know how you fared!

Stan Arnold
Glen Burnie




----- Original Message -----
From: "Jack and Julie Saba" <>
To: <>
Sent: Saturday, May 22, 2004 9:33 AM
Subject: [MDOSPREY] RFI - Western Md.


> Hello all,
>
> I'm planning a birding trip to western Maryland the first week in June.
> Primary targets are Ruffed Grouse, Alder Flycatcher, Golden-winged
Warbler,
> and Henslow Sparrow. I'd appreciate any information on current locations
for
> these species.
>
> Claudia Wilds' book indicates that it is OK for birders to ignore the No
> Trespassing sign on the route to Backbone Mountain (p. 129 of the revised
> edition). Does anyone know if this is still true?
>
> Please reply offline to---
>
> Jack Saba
> <>
> Berwyn Heights, Prince Georges Co., Md.