This morning from 10:20 to 11:00 I watched the Golden-crowned
Sparrow feeding on either side of the road, just as has been previously
publicized at Chesapeake Farm.  In fact, it was the third sparrow that I saw
at the break between hedge lines.  Several White-throats and White-crowneds
were also present.  

          Local battles seemed to be mainly with the White-crowned Sparrows
and the Golden-crowned.  It was unclear to me as to which species typically
won these battles.

          Right now it has become easier to distinguish the Golden-crowned
from the others, because the Golden-crowned has lost its tail feathers.
Perhaps this reflects a close call with some predator, or could this just be
normal molt cycle for this western bird?  Anyhow, with no tail perhaps this
bird will stay around even longer - until those feathers grow back out.

 

          Later in the morning I stopped at the Hemingway's Restaurant
parking lot at the east end of the Bay Bridge to check for the interesting
gulls previously reported from that spot.  The Iceland Gull was present,
working along the rocks of the at the base of the berm that supports the
east-bound lanes of Rte 50.  No sign of any Lesser Black-backed Gull from
this vantage point.

 

          An added treat at the Hemingway's site was a FOY sighting of Chris
Wright from Montgomery County.

 

          And finally, after several failed searches, including another one
this afternoon, I must conclude that the Loggerhead Shrike of Pickering
Creek has moved to some other place where the food supply and shelter are
more to its liking.  It was fun while the visit lasted.

 

Les Roslund

Talbot County

Easton, MD

  _____  

No virus found in this message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 10.0.1191 / Virus Database: 1435/3375 - Release Date: 01/12/11