-----Original Message-----
From: Wayne Bell [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
Sent: Wednesday, July 30, 2008 5:50 PM
To: Les Roslund
Subject: DICKCISSEL


My bike ride today included a singing male DICKCISSEL near the ruins 
of the Old Whitemarsh Church just off US 50 South of Easton.  The 
bird was singing repeatedly when I heard and located it around 1:00 
PM.  Upon closer approach, the bird dived from its singing perch into 
the nearby weedy field.  It did not sing again and I was unable to 
relocate it during my short sojourn.  The habitat is a damp, weedy 
field rife with pokeweed, reminding me of similar Dickcissel habitat 
at Chino Farms in northern Queen Anne's County.

Directions:  US 50 South from Easton.  At 3 mi from light at Easton 
Bypass crossover, turn LEFT (EAST) onto Manadier (locally called 
Hole-in-the-Wall) Road.  Ruins of Old Whitemarsh Church will be on 
your left.  Go about 50 yards past the ruins to a pair of brick 
pillars, also on your left, that mark 2-track gravel entrance into 
the cemetery area.  GPS coordinates of the pillars:  N 38deg 
41.883min W 76deg 03.480min.  Park here or at the turnout in front of 
the church ruins.  The 2 gravel tracks lead North, then turn West to 
parallel a fence that borders the property.  Just after turning West 
back towards the Church there is a series of red cedar trees with a 
taller sweet gum in the middle.  The Dickcissel was singing from a 
perch approximately 20 ft up on the North (back) side of the sweet 
gum.  If not singing there, look for it on a pokeweed or other 
elevated perch above the field to the North.

Good luck!!  --  wayne

Dr. Wayne H. Bell
29590 Schwaninger Road
Easton, MD  21701