Interesting.  I'm convinced I had a Sharpie this morning (10:30 am July
23) at Centennial Lake, Howard County.  In the winter I would think
nothing of it, but I thought they weren't supposed to be here in July.
It was an accipiter, it had the correct size and shape of beak, the
squared-off tail, and most importantly, it was too small to be a
Cooper's.  This bird was about the same length as a Blue Jay, although
the body was stockier than a Blue Jay.

I dashed home to get my camera and scope, and spent about 2 hours
looking for the bird again, but alas I couldn't find it.  I can't
"prove" the sighting, since I have no photos, only one look at the bird,
and no other birder around to confirm it.  (The one birder whose phone
number I had with me refused to believe it.)  But it's an interesting
coincidence.

June Tveekrem
Columbia, Howard County, MD


-----------------------------------------------------------
July 22, 2004 7:05 PM
Sue Hamilton <> wrote:

Today in my Dare's Beach Block, I saw a small accipiter with square tail
fly across the road.  (PF CE)(1694)  I would unhesitatingly have called
it
a Sharpshin if this were any other season of the year.

-------------------------------------------------------------
Friday, July 23, 2004 11:54 AM
Jim Stasz <> replied:

Mid-July is when post-breeding Sharp-shinned Hawks appear across
Maryland.  I had one a couple days ago at North Beach, Calvert County.

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