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Subject:

Loch Raven birding/ a singular sighting.

From:

PAUL NOELL

Reply-To:

PAUL NOELL

Date:

Tue, 4 Dec 2007 17:56:50 -0500

A late post for an extended reconnoiter of the Loch Raven Picnic (Ningard)
Point area in mostly sunny but blustery cold weather, from 0830-1300.
Could've used Kevin's sharp eyes at the outset, as a bewildering array of sparrows flitted from brushpiles in seemingly continuous motion in the low, blinding rays of the morning sun. 

FINALLY, a happy conjunction of light and favorable position revealed a 
gorgeously colored Swamp Sparrow, a sight to warm the heart of Bonnie
Ott! It was down-sun of me, perched on a sturdy bough of Multiflora Rose;
with back to me, absorbing the full warmth of the sun. Its saturated colors
were tropical-rich: warm, greenish-olive back with almost vermiform streaking; chestnut colored shoulders, extending seemingly all the way back
to a rufous rump and tail; a series of dark, lozenge-shaped streaks outlined
the inner wing. The bird constantly viewed me, looking over one shoulder
or the other, its eyes highlighted by diamond glints of the sun. Occasional-
ly, the head, owl-like, would turn almost around, revealing malar stripes 
against a white throat patch, the eyes curiously lightly ringed and somewhat
spectacled. My best view ever, I believe.

Following: a recap of the 37 spp. observed:

PB Grebe
GB Heron
Canada Goose-over 100
Mallard
Black Duck
GADWALL
Baldpate
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
RS Hawk
Coot-a small group
WILSON'S SNIPE
Herring Gull
RB Gull
M Dove
RB W'pkr
Jay
A Crow
F Crow
C C'dee
T Tit
WB Nuthatch-heard only
Winter Wren
Carolina Wren
Mockingbird
Robin-lg no. drifting thru woods; maybe 150
BLUEBIRD-several
RC Kinglet
C Waxwing-possible; flock ov'hd
MYRTLE WARBLER-a welcome flock of 7
Cardinal
Goldfinch-about 11 total
Junco-scattered, about 15
FIELD SPARROW
WT Sparrow-good no., about 30
SWAMP SPARROW-1 !
Song Sparrow~ 5

Paul Noell
Balto   MD