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Subject:

Blue Mash (Mont. Co.)--2 Black-capped Chickadees; Vesper Sparrow, and more

From:

Jim Moore

Reply-To:

Jim Moore

Date:

Sat, 23 Oct 2010 13:49:41 -0400

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
PLEASE REPORT YOUR BIRD SIGHTINGS to http://ebird.org/