I spent a couple of hours this morning birding the meadow above the Zion 
Road parking lot.  The second bird seen was a first-of-fall Winter Wren, so 
that was a good omen. There was a lot of activity as the sun hit the long,thin 
row of trees/brush that crosses the meadow about 150 yards east of the 
parking lot. Seen here (in great light) were, among others: 2 Ruby-crowned 
Kinglets, several White-throated, Song, and Field Sparrows, one Savannah 
Sparrow a flock of about 12 Chipping Sparrows, E. Bluebirds, E. Phoebe, Dark-
eyed Junco, 2 Yellow-rumps,  and a few flickers and downies.

Coming west down the gravel road (starting near the vacant house) there 
were a few more interesting birds along the sunny edges, including a Blue-
headed Vireo, 2-3 Swamp Sparrows, and a skulking first-of-fall Fox Sparrow 
about 5 feet away.

A second pass at the treeline mentioned above flushed a Sharp-shinned Hawk 
at close range.

Mark England
Damascus, Md.