Visited Blue Mash today around noon after a successful sparrow
trip led by Howard County birders in their county. Was pleased to
find two BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEEs, a county bird for me, which I
confirmed with every visual and aural field mark I'm aware of.
They first drew my attention with the emphatic dee-dee-dee-dee at
the end of their chickadee call. Then I noticed the very bright
white edges on the secondaries, mostly white nape, raggedy bib,
and relatively large size. Then I played their song from my Ipod
and one replied with a perfect imitation "fee-bee". I moved to MD
from Massachusetts, so I'm quite familiar with these guys.
Also had a VESPER SPARROW, my first in the county outside W.
Offutt Rd, a latish MAGNOLIA WARBLER, and one of the now near
ubiquitous PURPLE FINCHs. The Vesper was near the fence by the
buildings.
At Triadelphia Lake Rd., where the shorebirds had been, I had a
MERLIN and a latish OSPREY. The water was quite high and their
were no shorebirds while I was there, and little promising habitat
apparent.
On Friday morning I visited Lois Green Cons. Park. People always
mention it looks like good sparrow habitat, but I've never seen
much there. But Friday morning was good with 1-2 Lincoln's, many
Field, and many more I didn't have time to sort through.
Good birding!
Jim Moore
Rockville, Maryland
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