Greetings,

As one of the fortunate ones to see this bird today, I managed to get 
some images and have posted a couple of them on line at the following 
location:

http://edboydsplace.com/gcsp_12_20_2010.html

Ed Boyd
Westminster, MD

On 12/20/2010 7:35 PM, Amanda Spears wrote:
> 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]
>> ==================================