Today we sojourned to the E Shore in search of, in part, reported
Red-necked Phalarope, Curlew S'piper, Little Gull, and Black-headed
Gull. We missed all of them, but en route home, and only 3 miles from
our house, found a bird better than any of those. Stopping at an
overgrown farm field with a certain 'je ne sais quoi' at 7 pm, we
spotted a sparrow facing away from us on a wire, silhouetted against a
leaden sky. It puzzled us and flew off before we could make an ID, but
then obligingly called, and then returned to better advantage. It was a
male Dickcissel - not seen in these parts for >100 years. While still
recovering from this shock, we were stunned to hear yet another
Dickcissel "singing" (so-called by courtesy) nearby. He remained long
enough to allow unpacking the scope and the digi-camera for 2 shots
before "card full" and a rainstorm ended the remarkable episode.

This location is on Governor's Bridge Rd, 1.6 miles from the eponymous
bridge, on the AA side; atlas block Bowie CE qb 1. AA atlasers take
note. Two days remain before safe date, but of course the birds should
be followed for more certain breeding evidence.

Fred and Jane Fallon
Honorary princes of Serendip for a day
Bowie MD