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TOWA Friday AM Summary

From:

Mark Hoffman

Reply-To:

Mark Hoffman

Date:

Fri, 6 Jan 2006 19:34:45 -0500

Amy and I arrived at the Nolan's Ferry location about 1000 this morning.  I
was able to convince her to "play-hooky" as we had social engagements for
Saturday and Sunday am.  And as the bird has seemed a little more difficult
to find in the afternoon, I didn't want to wait till Sunday pm.  We dropped
Matthew off at school, and I even bought her breakfast (at McDonald's!) on
the trip from Sykesville.  

 

When we arrived at Nolan's Ferry, there were a large number (20-30) of
birders already present, including fellow rat packers Stasz and Jett.  We
had to park in front of the large mound of stone or gravel, to the left
before the parking area (which was full).  Faces were glum, as some had been
on site since 0700 and the warbler had not been seen.  Folks were spread out
along the towpath north and south of the paved road, searching in
anticipation.  I told Jane Coskren luck had arrived.  It didn't kick in
immediately, however, but around 1030 someone (thank you!) spotted the bird
on the far side of the canal, just north of the large stone building.
Everyone quickly converged and after a few fits-and-starts everyone got
id-able views.  The vast majority of people left at this point, but a number
of us (particular those lugging Canon digital cameras and 100-400L IS
lenses, and by best friend, Gail a.k.a. "Emma", a.k.a. "Guinea Bird", Fratz)
lingered on.  She and Amy were telling lies about me no doubt.  (And it was
Gail who pulled up at the exact moment the bird was found at 1030, so I
guess the luck of the Irish goes to her!)

 

About 1050 the bird was spotted again, a little father south, but right next
to the towpath.  Amy got killer looks, but I was on the other side of the
canal and got a few poor photos.  The bird quickly disappeared to the north.

 

We continued searching and at 1108 I refound it feeding along the edges of a
rain pond in the canal on the ground - the photo opportunity I had been
waiting for.  Unfortunately, it was short-lived and I was able to get one
reasonable photo and a couple other fuzzy ones (I now have a pretty good
collection of those).  Again today it was very overcast and low light.  The
new photos have been added to my website at:

 

http://www.pbase.com/wcbirding/towa

 

The bird disappeared again, and although we stayed on site until about 1230
we did not see it again.  Four or five new folks arrived and we all
searched, but it had not reappeared when we left.  I even treated Amy to
lunch at the Waffle House in Monrovia.  Good to get that upcoming wedding
anniversary meal out of the way!!

 

The bird behaved much had it did on Tuesday, very active, flitting from tree
to tree, at times near the roaming flock of kinglets, chickadees, creepers,
and nuthatches, but at times not seeming to associate with them.  

 

Good luck!

 

Mark L Hoffman

Sykesville, MD