There was about ten people on hand this Sunday afternoon, the Clay-colored
Sparrow was in the back treeline mixed in with the White-throated Sparrows
and Juncos.
Good birding,
Hans
Hans Holbrook
Baltimore, MD
>From: David Ziolkowski <>
>Reply-To: David Ziolkowski <>
>To:
>Subject: [MDOSPREY] Update: Clay-colored Sp. - Harford County
>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
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