Hi Folks,

A late afternoon walk around Southwest Area Park in Baltimore Co. today
(Friday 10/28) produced six sparrow species, including a second sighting of
VESPER SPARROW in a week.  This bird was very cooperative at the edge of the
road as you make the final turn towards the boat ramp; it had a bold
eye-ring, facial "hook" and obvious white outer tail feathers as it flew.
Other birds seen at SWAP this evening:

Great Egret--7
Downy Woodpecker--1 (woodpeckers other than flicker are scarce here)
Golden-crowned Kinglet--1 heard; unusual here
(Yellow) Palm Warbler--1
Yellow-rumped Warbler--2
Field Sparrow--4/5 (impossible to find here during safe dates!)
Savannah Sparrow--1
Song Sparrow--15
Swamp Sparrow--1
White-throated Sparrow--8

Elaine and I have had some other interesting sightings this past week, the
highlights being (going back in time):

Wed., 26 Oct:   AM. TREE SPARROW  at UMBC, Balt. Co. at edge of woods behind
storm water pond--first of season (these birds winter here in small numbers)

Sun., 23 Oct:  N. GOSHAWK making a few loops over Elk Neck State Park, Cecil
Co.(stunning bird!), along with male BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER in the
park; LINCOLN'S SPARROW and half a dozen WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWs with dozens
of other sparrows in weedy field on corner of Ebenezer Church Rd. & Tusha
Lane in Cecil Co; late CANADA WARBLER in Susquehanna State Park, Harford Co.

Sat., 22 Oct:  flock of 8-10 N. PINTAIL flying over Kibler Rd. in Caroline
Co.; GRASSHOPPER SPARROW among many Savannah Sparrows, Kibler Rd., Caroline
Co.; a resplendent LINCOLN'S SPARROW and two WHITE-CROWNs at Tuckahoe State
Park, QA Co. (at edge of swampy area across from parking area).
Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers were seen in five different counties this weekend,
Blue-headed Vireos in three counties, and Hermit Thrush in two.  The level
of bird activity, coupled with all the rarities has made this an unusually
exciting fall.

Stan Arnold
Glen Burnie