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Subject:

Evening Grosbeak at Cypress Swamp

From:

Stan Arnold

Reply-To:

Stan Arnold

Date:

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 14:51:52 -0800

Hi Folks,

With schools closed today for the primary elections, Elaine and I decided to 
head to Calvert County to take a stab at the Evening Grosbeak that has been 
showing up at the feeder at the Battle Creek Nature Preserve Visitor Center. 
We weren't disappointed, as the female bird showed up at 8:45 this morning, 
giving us a fairly extended view of this life bird for Elaine.

We had a very nice conversation with the senior naturalist on the staff, 
Andy Brown, who told us that the female had been seen several times 
yesterday, but it was the male that was first seen on Sunday by the weekend 
staff.  To others who would like to see the bird, Andy said that though the 
visitor center doesn't open till 10 a.m., there is usually someone there to 
open up around 8:30, and that they will let you inside once they open up. 
All viewers are encouraged to view the feeder birds from inside, as they may 
not come to the feeder with any people nearby.  There are no programs going 
on till next month, so there is not much human activity to disturb the birds 
right now.  From inside, the view of the feeder is quite spectacular, 
through a roughly 8ft by 8ft picture window, with a bench to sit and enjoy 
the activity (and plenty of warmth--greatly appreciated this morning).

Birds viewed around the feeder during our visit:

Mourning Dove--1
Red-bellied Woodpecker--1 female
Downy Woodpecker--1
N. Flicker--1
Am. Crow--1 heard
Car. Chickadee--2 or 3
Tufted Titmouse--2 or 3
Red-breasted Nuthatch--2, perhaps a "pair" as in our yard (one 
dark-breasted, the other paler)
Car. Wren--1 or more
Hermit Thrush--1 came to the ledge of the window
N. Mockingbird--1
Song Sparrow--1 or more
White-throated Sparrow--maybe 10
N. Cardinal--4 or 5
House Finch--4 or 5
Purple Finch--at least 5 (2m 3f)
Am. Goldfinch--1
Evening Grosbeak--1 female

To get to Battle Creek Cypress Swamp Preserve, from Rte 4 (the main highway 
through Prince Frederick) turn west on Hwy 506, go a mile or two, turn left 
on Gray Rd., and the entrance will be a 1/4 mile or so on the right.  There 
are signs from Rte 4.

After visiting Cypress Swamp, we motored over to Governor's Run Rd. to look 
for the interesting grebe.  Only birds seen were an Oldsquaw, a few 
Buffleheads, and a hundred or so Ring-billed Gulls.  If one visits, parking 
must be done along the road, several hundred feet from the road end.  There 
are posted signs covering most of the beach, so viewing should be done from 
the road.

Many many thanks to Andy Brown and the very accomodating staff at Cypress 
Swamp, and to Tyler Bell and George Jett for posting about this Evening 
Grosbeak.

Stan Arnold
Glen Burnie