-----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 |