Walter

Thanks for the post on the "Patagonia Rest Area Effect".   I was curious if 
anyone had seen a Dicksissel at this location, and you answered that 
question.  It looks perfect and the vocalization of Sedge Wren can be 
troubling.  I did not intend to cast any stones at JB's birding skills as I 
explained to him, and hope my message  to MDOsprey had the same effect.

The good news is there is another potential nesting location for Sedge 
Wrens,  Dicksissel, Savannah and Field Sparrow, Meadowlark, and Bobolink in 
the state. If birders want to see what is necessary to support grassland 
birds, this location should be visited before August 15 when it might be 
hayed.  I know August 15 may be too early for some of these animals to nest. 
Maybe we can politely convince the property owner to wait a bit longer.  The 
property owner was very cooperative and welcomes birders.  He's a nice guy 
and has a couple friendly dogs.  Go visit!

Gene Scarpulla told me yesterday that the state is planning on turning the 
north cell of Hart Miller into an 800 acres grassland habitat by 2009. 
That's good news.  Hopefully this will be in addition to the CRP 
(Conservation Resource Program) properties in easement.  Hart Miller should 
not replace CRP since it is not a traditional location, but will be a 
greatly appreciated addition to the state gasslands.

Good atlasing to all.

George

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Walter Ellison" <>
To: <>
Sent: Saturday, July 23, 2005 8:56 AM
Subject: Re: [MDOSPREY] SEWR & Dickcissel retraction


> Greetings,
>
> We are concerned that readers of MDOsprey will read J.B. Churchill's
> retraction of his Dickcissel report and automatically assume there was 
> never
> a Dickcissel present at the location. Atlas block buster John Drummond saw
> his bird as well as heard it. He is very familiar with the species from 
> many
> years of doing grassland bird surveys in northern Virginia. The bird may
> very well have moved on if he was unsuccessful in attracting a female.
>
> This is a classic example of the "Patagonia Rest Area Effect", in which 
> one
> rarity draws observers to an area with the subsequent discovery of other
> rarities. After we told him about George Jett's discovery, John recalled
> that the fields did look appropriate for Sedge Wren as well. This is also 
> a
> very good example of how atlas work leads to the discovery of great birds
> and birding spots (note this is wisely managed private land, everybody 
> stay
> on the owner's good side please).
>
> Good Atlasing & Birding,
>
> Walter Ellison
> MD-DC Atlas Coordinator - MOS
> 23460 Clarissa Road
> Chestertown, MD 21620
> phone: 410-778-9568
> e-mail: 
>
> "A person who is looking for something doesn't travel very fast" - E. B.
> White (in "Stuart Little")
>
> "Are there *ever* enough birds?" - Connie Hagar as quoted by Edwin Way 
> Teale
> in "Wandering through Winter"
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "J.B. Churchill" <>
> To: <>
> Sent: Friday, July 22, 2005 5:24 PM
> Subject: [MDOSPREY] SEWR & Dickcissel retraction
>
>
>> I heard back from George Jett earlier today. He had a hard time with my
>> directions but eventually found the spot I posted about the other 
>> evening.
>> He did not find a Dickcissel but instead found (and photographed) a
>> SEDGE WREN at this location. After contemplating this bird that I tried
>> for a long time to see and only ever heard, I'm comfortable saying that
>> I'm not sure I heard a Dickcissel at all and that the song I heard
> probably
>> does sound better for Sedge Wren. I'm probably going to go investigate
>> further early tomorrow morning if nothing else comes up.
>