I spent several enjoyable hours at Schoolhouse Pond this afternoon.  I went down to check the gulls, but to primarily look for the sparrows that had previously been reported.  Gull numbers were relatively low.  When I was there I had only 250 Ring-billed Gulls and 4 Herring Gulls.  There has been both a Bald Eagle and Red-tailed Hawk over the pond often over the last few days, perhaps keeping the numbers so low.  I saw the Red-tailed Hawk fly over twice today.  In the patch of open water was a pair of American Wigeon mixed in among the Mallards, Shovelers, and Canada Geese.  Also, a Wilson's Snipe was preening in the snow near the edge of the open water.

The sparrows were excellent, particularly for Schoolhouse Pond which is not great habitat for most sparrows.  For the most part the birds were feeding directly under the boardwalk, but sometimes they came up actually onto the boardwalk or onto the open ice on either side.  Workers keep this section of boardwalk open to connect the County Administration Building with the office townhouses across the pond.  Frequently, after they shovel the boardwalk they throw large amounts of bird seed down (I assume for traction or melting on the boardwalk).  Consequently, birds often get drawn right to the boardwalk and feed on or below the deck.  In among the large numbers of juncos, White-throated Sparrows, and Cardinals this afternoon was one 1st winter White-crowned Sparrow, at least one Savannah Sparrow, and two American Tree Sparrows.  For the most part the birds were visible under or near the boardwalk the entire afternoon, although I only saw the second American Tree Sparrow later in the day.

I believe that this is a pretty remarkable showing for sparrows at the pond.  Although White-throats, Song and Swamp Sparrows are regular, most other species seldom turn up except for an occasional Fox or Chipping Sparrow.  This was my first White-crowned at the pond since 2001.  I am still going through my old notes, but I believe that it has been even longer since I've seen a Tree Sparrow at the pond.  While Savannah Sparrows are slightly more regular, I don't see them every year at the pond.

Good birding,

Fred Shaffer
Crofton, Anne Arundel