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Subject:

Oak Grove area 10/9

From:

"Lovelace Glen (DelDOT)"

Reply-To:

Lovelace Glen (DelDOT)

Date:

Tue, 11 Oct 2005 09:23:45 -0400

Hello All,
	I made my Sunday morning rounds at Oak Grove this week under heavy overcast skies, but without any rain except for a couple stray drops.  Along the railroad bordering the farm, the was not the large mixed flock of last week, but there was a Catbird, a White-eyed Vireo, and a Swamp Sparrow.  While playing the tape for this groups, two warblers were drawn in.  Turned out to be a Redstart and a Cape May (in DE).  Then a first of the fall Sharpie cruised in to break things up.
	Moving on to the back of the farm and the adjacent cutoff woods (all MD), I first heard the 'mew' and finally located a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.  This was another bird missed last winter and therefore, new for the year (#148).  I walked the interface between the cutoff woods and the older woods next to it.  This had been excellent sparrow territory, but this year's quantum leap in pine tree growth has limited the places where there is any sort of field of view.  Nevertheless, I had a few each of Song, Field and WT, plus 1 Swamp Sp.  I did encounter one nice group of some sparrows, cardinals, 4 towhee, 3 catbird, an Indigo Bunting and a Yellowthroat.  Just as I was about to move on, a gang of Titmice and Chickadees arrived.  They brought one friend along - a Blue-headed Vireo - another first of year bird (#149).
	On Horseshoe Rd, there was a flock of Goldfinch estimated at 100 in the hedgerow along the railroad and the adjacent sunflower field.  Also, with the dreary overcast conditions, 2 Screech Owls responded mid-day and then another on Kinder Rd.
	On 10/11, another Screech Owl in the yard mid-morning.  2 Red-breasted Nuts have taken up residence.  Be nice if they stay the winter.

Good Birding,
Glen Lovelace III
Seaford, DE