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Subject:

Update: Clay-colored Sp. - Harford County

From:

David Ziolkowski

Reply-To:

David Ziolkowski

Date:

Sun, 14 Jan 2007 02:13:30 -0500

A group of 10 birders went on a last minute Harford Bird
Club "Clay-colored Sparrow" trip this past Saturday morning.
After a little patience, the bird was found again in the
brambles of the hedgerow and folks enjoyed good views.

Many folks have inquired about finding the bird so here
are three caveats and two suggestions to help birders
who may wish to see it yet:
-     Locally speaking, the site is high and relatively
exposed so you can expect to feel a breeze even
on days when it appears still elsewhere. Given the
dramatic affect of wind on bird behavior, if it's windy
at home, you may want to plan for another day.
-     Most of the sparrows in the hedgerow are atypically
shy and, even given ideal weather conditions, the majority
will not sit up in response to pishing.  This is more
noticeable now than it was at the beginning of the week.
Encroachment into the brambles may succeed in pushing
birds up or down the hedgerow, but they'll likely run
or fly while inside cover so this is not productive.
-     Playbacks may seem like a quick fix but many folks
have been using them throughout the week and they have
not found success.
+     The most productive approach so far has been to
quietly, and slowly, walk the edge of the hedgerow.
Sparrows are usually foraging within 20' on either side
and will flush one by one to the bramble edge where
they will alight in the open.
+     The Clay-colored can be isolated very quickly by
listening to call notes.  For those who might find the idea
intimidating, you don't need a highly refined ear to do this
well.  If the typical contact call of the Song Sparrow
is likened to, "chimp", then it's flight call can be likened
to, "seet".  Since 98% of Sparrows at this site will be
Songs, focus on their "seet" note and keep your ears
peeled for a similar one that's about half as long and
higher pitched - the Clay-colored's, "tsip".

Cheers,

Dave

---------------------------------------------------------
dziolkowski at usgs dot gov
PWRC, Laurel