Greetings,

The star attraction on Sunday's (12/19) Lower Kent County CBC was 
Maryland's first Golden-crowned Sparrow, a western Canadian breeder that 
normally winters in the Pacific States coast states. The bird is a 
first-winter bird, with just a hint of a dark yellow crown showing on 
its forehead.

The bird was located at Chesapeake Farms, between Chestertown and Rock 
Hall. It forages with White-crowned and White-throated Sparrows along 
the entrance road to Chesapeake Farms' headquarters, off of Ricauds 
Branch Road (directions follow). Chesapeake Farms is privately-owned and 
managed for wildlife, including hunting. We spoke to the manger this 
morning, who graciously allowed us to let others know about the bird's 
presence.

The Number One Rule for visitors is to REMAIN IN YOUR VEHICLE at all 
times while looking for this sparrow. Pull your car well off the 
traveled road onto the shoulder. It seems that three or four vehiclesmay 
be accommodatedat one time. An option if more vehicles are involved 
would be for people to park at Old St Paul's Church, just east of 
Chesapeake Farms on Ricauds Branch Road, and car-pool from there.

Specific directions: Ricauds Branch Road is a left turn off of Route 20, 
about 8 miles southwest from Chestertown. The entrance to Chesapeake 
Farms is the right turn, a little more than 1/2 mile on the right. The 
sparrow flock forages along the dense hedgerow a quarter mile in from 
Ricauds Branch Road. There is a break in the hedge about halfway down 
the left side, with a wet drainage leading back to a wooded area. The 
sparrows frequent this area regularly, foraging under the bushes and 
sometimes coming into the open to feed on the road shoulder. The best 
strategy would be to park with a view of the area and wait patiently. A 
number of people were able to see and photograph the bird well from 
their vehicles this morning between 8 and 10 AM.

Please remember that each individual birder is an ambassador for all 
birders, so be on your best behavior at all times.

Happy Birdy Holidays,

Nancy Martin & Walter Ellison
Chestertown, MD

410-778-9568

Observing Nature is like unwrapping a big pile of presents every time 
you take a walk.