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GCSP Wednesday late pm

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Mark L Hoffman

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Thu, 23 Dec 2010 02:57:01 +0000

After seeing the Golden-crowned Sparrow Monday, I couldn't help trying agin this afternoon, as I had some time available.  I got to the site around 4:15 pm, and there were six or so cars there.  The word I got was the bird hadn't been seen since about 1030 in the am.  I was able to park midway between the break in the hedgerow and the apparently favored pokeberry (note there are at least three large dead pokeberrys along the edge of the hedgrerow between the "break" to the north and the hedgerow's end to the south.)  Both numbers two and three kinda of fall onto the grass shoulder a bit, and I believe #2 (going from north to south) is the favored spot (this is were Ed Boyd et al had it twice on Monday).  Anyway, I saw Amada Spears leave, but missed the bird's 4:30 appearance.  Around 4:45 pm the bird showed again, however, right on the edge of the hedgerow (but in the open) 10 or so feet north of the first pokeberry clump (I believe just slightly north of many of the prior sightings).  I got some quick pictures, but the light was so poor at that point by exposure was something like 1/16 of second.  Just for the record, one pic is here: http://www.pbase.com/wcbirding/image/131340791 . 



I attempted to communicate to the cars in front and behind me by wav ing, but everyone was too focused on their bins at this point to notice and honking the horn or yelling loundly would have been counter-productive.  In hinesight, I think a good technique for GCSP finders would be to TURN ON YOUR HAZARD LIGHTS IF YOU HAVE THE BIRD UNDER OBSERVATION.  I don't think that would disturbe the bird.  My two cents. 



Good luck, and sorting through sparrows is such fun, waiting for the bird to appear is rather enjoyable, at least if it eventually does!  Also keep the seed coming.  I brought some millet, but forgot to put it down when I left. 



Mark Hoffman