Early afternoon November 11 near the tot lot along the path between the tennis court and the wetland area.  Feeding in old goldenrod flowers then flew off into a weedy area closer to the tennis courts. I observed the following field marks: prominent moustache stripe, lores appeared pale, clear gray 'collar' at nape, brownish rump, tan bill, cream-colored underside.  Overall shape appeared slimmer and longer tailed than Chipping Sparrow. 

Despite the clouds and light rain I was able to get fairly good looks as the bird was about 10 to 15 feet away from me.  Also in the area were flocks of House Sparrows, goldfinches and several White-throated and Song Sparrows.  All the birds were actively feeding.  I have seen Field Sparrows recently at this park but usually at the west end closer to Meadowbrook Lane and did not see any today.

This morning I saw three female Red-breasted Mergansers at Centennial Lake near the dam along with two great Egrets. Land bird highlights near the park office and sand volleyball courts were a Fox Sparrow and male and female Golden-crowned Kinglets; the male kinglet was showing off his orange crest very nicely.

Jim Wilkinson
Columbia, MD