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White-throated Sparrow named "Bill"

From:

Tom & Sharon Bradford

Reply-To:

Date:

Sat, 31 May 2008 10:42:30 -0400

Greetings to all,
As we greet our migrants in May we also say goodbye to our winter birds. We usually have about a dozen or so White-throated Sparrows over the winter in our backyard here in Millersville, Anne Arundel County?and they left us by around 10 May this year. Then about 6 days ago a single White-throated showed up and is hanging out at our place every day for most of the day. We call him Bill because he has what appears to be a deformed bill. The upper mandible is turned up so he gives the appearance of always having his mouth open. He seems to be feeding ok despite this so we are watching and waiting to see how long he stays and worrying about his future. I checked and the typical late migrant date for these guys is 29 May so maybe Bill will go for a record. Will post again when he departs. 

Tom & Sharon Bradford
Millersville

-----Original Message-----
From: MDOSPREY automatic digest system <>
To: 
Sent: Sat, 31 May 2008 12:00 am
Subject: MDOSPREY Digest - 29 May 2008 to 30 May 2008 (#2008-152)




There are 6 messages totalling 198 lines in this issue.

Topics of the day:

  1. Greenbury Point Nature Center
  2. Yard sightings 30 May'08, Chesapeake Landing, Kent Co.: Summer Tanager
  3. Update:  MD-DC Breeding Bird Atlas Photo Contest
  4. Atlas Photo Contest files
  5. Blue Mash Trail - Ticks Out En Masse
  6. White-throated Sparrow

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date:    Fri, 30 May 2008 05:48:28 -0700
From:    saundra byrd <>
Subject: Greenbury Point Nature Center

Hello All, 

 I birded Greenbury Point  yesterday after work and returned there this morning 
for a quick check before work . I found the same birds thats been reported . 
Indigo bunting , Yellow breasted chat, Orchard oriole , Field sparrow, Blue 
grosbeak in the grassy area between the two towers. I did see a Flycatcher on my 
way out this morning catching bugs at the edge of the road right around where 
the golf course begins . If going in hes on the right if anyone is in the area 
they might check it out. 

Saundra Byrd 

baltimore 


      

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Date:    Fri, 30 May 2008 10:16:52 -0400
From:    Walter Ellison <>
Subject: Yard sightings 30 May'08, Chesapeake Landing, Kent Co.: Summer Tanager

Hi All,

I had a nice surprise this morning as I was working in my office. 
Through the open window came the bright slow slightly creaky robin-like 
song of a SUMMER TANAGER. The fourth over the last six years here at 
Chesapeake Landing. A Scarlet Tanager was also singing, seemingly in 
counterpoint to the scarcer bird. We also had the first appearance of 
Louisiana Waterthrush in the yard in over three weeks. The waterthrush 
has been giving its "click" calls in the ravine beyond our back yard, 
ever since it came in calling as it flew from the south, apparently 
coming from the next nearest stream four-tenths of a mile away.

Good birding,

Walter Ellison

23460 Clarissa Rd
Chestertown, MD 21620
410-778-9568

Observing Nature is like unwrapping a big pile of presents every time 
you take a walk.

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Date:    Fri, 30 May 2008 07:38:55 -0700
From:    Karen Morley <>
Subject: Update:  MD-DC Breeding Bird Atlas Photo Contest

Last fall MOS announced a photo contest for pictures of the breeding birds =
of MD and=A0DC for the 2002-2006 Atlas, which will be published by the John=
s Hopkins University Press.=A0 A large number of photographs were received =
and reviewed by the=A0judging panel.=A0 We are now=A0reopening the contest =
for a second round focusing on specific species for which either no photogr=
aphs were submitted or the judges felt they would like additional photograp=
hs from which to judge a winner.=A0 We are also revising the rules for subm=
itting photograph and adding a file naming protocol.=A0 There are three fil=
es attached:=A0 The second round rules, the "wanted"=A0 species list, and t=
he file naming protocol.=A0 I will be taking copies to the MOS convention t=
his weekend in Edgewater, MD.=A0 =0AOnce again Bill Ellis and his team with=
 be consolidating all the entries for the juding panel to use.=A0=A0He has =
also devised the=A0file naming protocol.=A0=A0The Atlas Committee commends =
and thanks Bill=A0and his team, Les Eastman, Elliott Kirschbaum and Mike Bo=
wen, for their outstanding support of this effort.=A0 =0AIf you have questi=
ons, please contact me at the address below.=A0 My phone number is on the a=
nnouncement.=A0 =0A=0A=0A      

------------------------------

Date:    Fri, 30 May 2008 07:47:27 -0700
From:    Karen Morley <>
Subject: Atlas Photo Contest files

Sorry, forgot you=A0can't attach files to MDOsprey.=A0 I will be taking har=
d copies to the convention.=A0 Anyone=A0wishing electronic copies should em=
ail me and I'll send them off when I get back on Sunday.=A0 They will also =
go up on the MOS website, MDBirds.org, soon.=A0 Sorry for the inconvenience=
.=A0 Karen =0A=0A=0A      

------------------------------

Date:    Fri, 30 May 2008 11:36:08 -0400
From:    "Marko, Thomas L. GS BUMED" <>
Subject: Blue Mash Trail - Ticks Out En Masse

I light of Tick Season, I thought it would be prudent to post this =
exchange.
=20
Tom Marko
Olney, MD
EMAIL:  

*****************************
From: Marko, Thomas L. GS BUMED
Sent: Fri 30-May-08 11:25 AM
To: 
Subject: Blue Mash Trail

Bob -
=20
Blue Mash has always been a tick haven.  I personally haven't =
experienced ticks to the degree that you encountered them during your =
recent family foray to Blue Mash.  Perhaps the cool, wet spring weather =
combined with the more recent warmer temperatures have brought then out =
en masse.  Blue Mash also supports a healthy population of deer, a host =
species for ticks.=20
=20
In the warmer months, I always stay on the mowed paths and avoid =
overhangs and bushes.  Furthermore, I wear long pants and tuck the =
bottoms into my socks to create a barrier. I then spray my footwear with =
Deet or some other anti-tick repellent.  Be careful with Deet because it =
will eat into plastic.  The crystal on one of my watches bears witness =
to that effect.  After birding, check yourself thoroughly for any ticks =
that may have gotten past security and violated one's more moist body =
regions.
The biggest draw of Bue Mash is the varied habitat, which offers many =
birding opportunities.  Over 200 species have been recorded to date.  =
Highlights included Tundra Swan, Northern Harrier, American Bittern, =
Wild Turkey, Short-eared and Long-eared Owls, displaying American =
Woodcock, Willow Flycatcher, Yellow-breasted Chat and 19 waterfowl =
species.  Winter months are especially productive for sparrows.  =
Additionally, mammals such as bats, beaver, chipmunk, deer, fox, mink, =
mouse, rabbit, raccoon, squirrel, vole, and woodchuck populate the =
landscape.  Reptiles, amphibians, butterflies and wildflowers further =
enhance the natural diversity of Blue Mash.

- Tom=20

________________________________

From:  =
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Wed 28-May-08 10:56 AM
To: Marko, Thomas L. GS BUMED
Subject: Blue mash trail

Hi Thomas:

 I was over at the Blue Mash trail on Monday from about 9:30 to 11.  I
liked the trails and the birds - it was my first time over there -  but
couldn't believe the ticks.  My family - wife and two kids were
absolutely covered in ticks from head to toe.  have you experienced that
as well over there?  And if so, how do you overcome it?  Just use tons
of bug spray?  The place seems to have great potential given it's layout
(water) and vegetative growth - shrub and young tree growth.   I've seen
your records of birds over there for the last few months.  What would
you say are the place's biggest draws so far?  Thanks, Bob.

PS I'm a Mont. Bird Club member living over in Potomac, MD.

Bob Cantilli
Office of Science and Technology/OW
MC 4304T
1200 Pennsylvania Ave.
Washington, DC 20460
202-566-1091
202-566-1140 FAX

------------------------------

Date:    Fri, 30 May 2008 17:34:01 EDT
From:    Thomas H Beal <>
Subject: White-throated Sparrow

Have a White-throated Sparrow in backyard, near Bowie,MD. Today (FRI 30  MAY) 
at 5:30pm.  

Tom  Beal
Glenn Dale, MD PG  Co.





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End of MDOSPREY Digest - 29 May 2008 to 30 May 2008 (#2008-152)
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