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Re: Sugarloaf Mountain as a birding spot

From:

Gerald & Laura Tarbell

Reply-To:

Gerald & Laura Tarbell

Date:

Sun, 15 Apr 2007 14:03:56 -0400

See Greenberg, R. 1987. Seasonal foraging specialization in the Worm-eating
Warbler. Condor 89: 158-168.


Tim and all,
    I don't think that's the article. I'm pretty sure it had to do with
cowbird predation on the poor little Wormeaters. However if you try sorting
thru the quagmire of articles on Brown-headed Cowbirds, who they stick their
eggs into the nests of, when they do it, where they do it, why they do it
and how they do it, you'll be sorting for weeks. I don't think there has
been an Auk, Condor, Wilson Bulletin, or any other major ornithological
journal in the past 20+ years that hasn't had at least one cowbird study in
it. You'd think that as much as it's been studied somebody would have done
something about it by now.

    But back to Sugarloaf, since it's raining and if I go outside I'll melt.
Last year I'm quite sure I had one in view as it sang from a perch on that
lower trail off Mt Ephraim Rd. I don't have the time to do any breeding
study up there this year. Perhaps whoever had that block for the Atlas can
chime in here and let us know how the Wormeaters are doing on Sugarloaf.
There are several other species that like a good understory - Kentucky
Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Veery and Hermit Thrush to name a few. The presence
or absence of these species are equally relevant. If Hermits were found up
there, I think we'd all like to know.

    As for birding locations. I would put Sugarloaf on a list of top spots
in Central MD any day. We all have our favorites. Mine are well away from
dumps, Maintenance Yards, urban bustle and all the other things I don't
like. Places like Sugarloaf are nice because the horsey set and mountain
bike group aren't there. Give me solitude and some quiet (except for bird
song). I suggest you give Sugarloaf another try about mid-May and see if you
don't find some nice migrators.

    Jerry Tarbell
    Carroll County