For years, Sean McCandless has been telling me that Southern Cecil County is
the place to go to see American Pipits in the winter, but I have missed out
on this life bird for years. This afternoon I received a call from Sean that
he had pipits galore on Dr. Miller Road Between England Creamery and Old Elm
Roads. This is only a few minutes from my house, so when I got the chance
around 3 p.m., I checked them out, and saw 15 pipits on the road in two
groups. The pipits were very cooperative, allowing me to pull close enough
to roll down the window and get great unobstructed views. They are way
prettier than any field guide shows, and very cute in their behavior-the way
they ran across the road reminded me of Sanderlings. They were fairly vocal,
too, giving single call notes while on the ground, and a double-note when
they flushed. One in particular bobbed up and down at me several times,
making me feel appropriately threatened. I am sure when I pulled away he
felt  like the King of Dr. Miller Road.

 

The pipits were accompanied by one Savannah Sparrow with bright orange legs
and very buffy edges to its primaries. 

 

Thank you, Sean, for the great tip!

 

Pat Valdata

Elkton, MD

 

"The natural function of the wing is to soar upwards and carry that which is
heavy up to the place where dwells the race of gods. More than any other
thing that pertains to the body it partakes of the nature of the divine."
--Plato