A note to GCSP chasers...

Although the seed is spread along the break, don't particularly focus just
on that area....to be really exact, this morning the bird was seen feeding
on the ground a little further down the hedgerow near some dead pokeweed. Of
course this may change in the future if/when it finds the seed. But
definitely prepare to be patient (and frustrated!), as you could wait an
hour between 2-minute sightings . Definitely worth it though, awesome bird!

Amanda Spears
Chestertown

On Mon, Dec 20, 2010 at 5:58 PM, Phil Davis <> wrote:

> MD Osprey:
>
> First, thanks to Nancy and Walter for posting the info on the Kent
> County/Chesapeake Farms sparrow.
>
> I was there from 1:15 until 3:15 this afternoon (12/20) and the bird was a
> no show. About 6 or 7 other cars were there during my stay.
>
> I always try to pay attention to the logistics of rarity sightings, so
> allow me to pass on some personal observations ...
>
> 1. Prepare to be frustrated ... not disappointed (as in missing the bird),
> but frustrated. Nancy and Walter are correct, only 3-4 cars of birders will
> be able to see into the break in the hedgerow where the bird was seen this
> morning (and where some bird seed was spread on the ground). Even all of
> those four cars may not be able to see both sides of the hedgerow break. So
> if you are not one of those four cars, be prepared to be frustrated since
> you won't be able to see much.
>
> 2. Even though the break in the hedgerow is on the left (east) side of the
> road (heading in), be sure to park on the right (west) side and look across
> the road. Otherwise only one car would be able to see the area and they
> would block the view for everyone else.
>
> 3. You will be frustrated since YOU ARE NOT PERMITTED TO GET OUT OF YOUR
> CAR (I saw birders out of their cars this afternoon ... this will kill this
> for everyone!!!); so this makes it difficult to communicate with any other
> birders present. Cell phones work, but I would suggest bringing FRS radios
> with you so you can all talk with the others about if the bird has been seen
> or to pass the word if someone does see it. Years ago, people had proposed a
> "birders channel" ... I don't know if people are still using it, but it is
> 11-22 (channel 11, subchannel 22).
>
> 4. Perhaps more people could see the hedgerow break if people parked their
> cars perpendicular to the road (there is enough shoulder for this) or parked
> at a 45-degree angle. This may allow more cars to see the area, but it may
> mean that birders will have to look out through front windows, which are
> notoriously distorted, or cause grief for birders in the back seats. I don't
> know about this one, just a rambling thought ...
>
> 5. The people with the prime parking spots will not want to give up their
> position, based on first come, first serve. An altruistic policy might be to
> periodically rotate, but this will be a tough nut to crack.
>
>
> My impression is that this bird is not showing any site fidelity, so I
> don't think I'm going to go back unless I hear that it's been seen again.
>
> Hope this helps ...
>
> Phil
>
>
>
> ==================================
> Phil Davis      Davidsonville, Maryland     USA
>                mailto:[log in to unmask]
> ==================================