The subject line says it all.

   I returned to the Agricultural History Farm Park in Derwood
(Gaithersburg) yesterday to search for more of the elusive Montgomery
County field birds.  You may recall that I saw a couple of Vesper
Sparrows here last month.  This time, in the big field to the left as
you drive in, I stumbled upon a couple of acres of uncut grass, which
supported at least 3 singing Grasshopper Sparrow males (one of which I
watched for a few minutes as it sang).  Most of the field is cultivated
dirt.  I saw (4) Horned Larks flying about the cultivated area.  

   In the shrubs and woods around the field there were many Indigo
Buntings and Field Sparrows singing, as well as both Orioles, Brown
Thrashers, Common Yellowthroats and a few White-eyed Vireos.  I heard
one Prairie Warbler, but did not find it.  Deeper in the woods I heard
Scarlet Tanagers and Wood Thrushes.  

   I have been birding on the Mall recently, but those birds have been
well-reported by others.  Besides, I'm sulking because I never saw the
Clay-colored Sparrow.

 

Jim

 

Jim Felley

Smithsonian Institution