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Subject:

Lapland Longspurs, Oland Rd, Frederick County

From:

Norm Saunders

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Date:

Wed, 4 Mar 2009 14:02:06 -0500

Posted to MDOsprey by request:

 

 

 

Subject:  Lapland Longspurs in Frederick Co., Oland Road

 

On Tuesday, March 3, the day after the recent snow, I visited Frederick Co.,
Md. looking for open country birds.  The snow covering was relatively light;
with many open areas, some of the snow having blow away and/or already
melted.

 

I slowly surveyed New Design Road, Oland Rd, and the Buckeystown Pike (Rt.
85) for birds.

Finally a small flock of birds flew across Oland road, and joined some birds
already on the ground, on the north side, that I had not noticed.  From the
car I was able to observe the birds from about 1:15pm until 1:45pm, about 50
feet north of the road.  The birds were foraging in deep corm stubble, so
that they would often completely disappear from sight. I was able to
identify at least five different Lapland Longspurs among the many Horned
Larks. When the flock flew I estimated at least 65 birds in the flock.  Two
of the Lapland Longspurs where getting into very fine plumage with the
reddish brown nape showing.

 

David Bridge

Alexandria, Va