After a surprisingly long absence (not seen since May), we 
had our first yard HOUSE SPARROWS today (Laurel, PG county), 
perhaps not coincidentally with a big flock (~20 birds) of 
BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS and a few EUROPEAN STARLINGS (which 
have also been shy this summer).  That was until a juvenile 
COOPER'S HAWK swooped in and scattered everybody. :)

D

-- 
Derek C. Richardson, Laurel, PG County, MD
http://www.astro.umd.edu/~dcr/Archives/Photos/birds.html