Having just got back from an extended business trip, this morning my son Daniel and I went out to see the Henslow's Sparrow. We arrived about 6:35 am. We could hear the sparrow singing as soon as we arrived. It took us about five minutes, but we found it clinging to a stock of grass and singing its heart out. We watched it for about five minutes and then it flew a short distance away. We again found it; this time perched right in the open. This time it stayed, singing, for almost ten minutes when it then flew down into the deep grass giving us great views. Both times we saw it, it was near the one single purple thistle (??) flower in the grassy area. We left about 7:15 am. Wonderful morning!
Robert Parsons
North Potomac
-----Original Message-----
From: Maryland Birds & Birding [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Louis Nielsen
Sent: Sunday, June 22, 2008 3:34 PM
To:
Subject: [MDOSPREY] Henslow's Sparrow
I arrived at Club Hollow Road at 7 a.m. today (6/22) and met Dave & Ellen
Cohen who had seen the bird for a few minutes as early as 6:30 a.m. They
called my attention to the birds "song," and at about 8:00 I and several other
birders saw the bird. I got several good scope looks. It strikes me that the
song of this bird is a-typical for the Henslow's I've heard -- admitedly not
more than two or three -- certainly not much like the advertised "se-lick",
more like an insectish "tsrrrrrrk." Has anyone else noted this and does anyone
know of any alternate songs or calls for the species? I have not ruled out
the possibility that my hearing is heading south.
While waiting for the bird to present itself, I noted: an overflight by
a Common Raven, heard an Eastern Meadolark, Blue Grosbeak, White-breasted
Nuthatch and saw a first year male Orchard Oriole and an Eastern Phoebe along
with all the usual suspects.
Lou
Louis Nielsen
Reisterstown, MD
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