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Subject:

Woodcocks, Tree and Fox Sparrows at Myrtle Grove, Charles Co

From:

"Thomas C. Feild"

Reply-To:

Thomas C. Feild

Date:

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 09:31:51 -0400

I ended the day yesterday in Myrtle Grove hoping that there might be
some Woodcocks around.  

While I was waiting for the show to start I heard a singing American
Tree Sparrow.  While I was walking around to try to see the bird, which
stayed in the thick multiflora at about head height, I started hearing
the chips and songs of Fox Sparrows.  Soon they seamed to be singing all
around me.  By then it was starting to get dark but when I pished I had
at least a dozen Fox Sparrows come in to investigate, and there were
many more there.  This is a good time to look for Fox Sparrows.  There
were also lots of White-throated Sparrows and a few Chickadees, Titmice,
and Cardinals to fill in the mix.  

Soon a few Woodcocks started their display.  There was one calling from
a grassy trail near the lake that was separated from a dirt road by a
thin hedge.  I was able to walk up the dirt road and get pretty close.
While I was enjoying his displays I heard something that would move in
the hedge when the Woodcock was in flight.  I suspect it was a cat, fox
or other predator trying to get close enough to grab dinner.  After a
few flights the Woodcock moved a little farther down the grassy trail so
I am hoping it stayed safe.

There were at least 3 Woodcocks displaying at various spots around the
meadow.  I also saw two pairs of Mallards and heard a Wood Duck.  

Thanks to George for a post on this site last year.  It was a great
place to experience the Woodcock show and the sparrows were a bonus.

Tom Feild
GOES N-P Mission Systems Engineer
Code 599
NASA/GSFC 
Greenbelt, Maryland 20771
301.286.6686