Hi all,

  Went to Wheaton Regional Park today around Pine Lake to fill the void that Gail & Barry left, as they are with our lovely warblers down south.  Very birdy today, with most of the expected species for this time of year. Lots of Canada Geese calling overhead flying south.  Nice surprise was a Lincoln's Sparrow which popped up twice.
Lots, and LOTS of Chipping Sparrows too. Had a 'mystery sparrow' as well.  I would've almost called it a Clay-colored Sparrow, but I'll describe it here. I made field sketches of it for a few seconds before all the sparrows flushed from a hawk flying over. It was with the Chippies in the grass, about same size and shape. There are lots of juvies around too, so I'm cautious.  What struck me was the solid 'clay-gray' colored nape patch which broke with the crown striping and back.  The face was rather plain, more buff than the surrounding birds.  Didn't get view of rump. Over all body color was light beige-ish.  The Chipping sparrows, Junco and others were on the grass off the mini train track, south of the 'guillotine '  in the area that has berry trees, if anyone goes up to look.  I'm gonna keep an eye out for that Mountain Lion, nice subject to draw!


Species list:
Kinglets- both 

American Robins- plentiful!
Hermit Thrush 3-4
Dark eyed Juncos
White throated Sparrows
Chipping Sparrow  40+
"mystery sparrow"  1

Song Sparrows
 *Lincoln's Sparrow 
Field Sparrow   2

Gray Catbird   2
Yellow rumped Warbler   12

Red tailed Hawk  1
Red shouldered Hawk  1
Bluejay  5+ - flocks flying over
Purple Grackle   -flyovers  45+
Turkey Vulture  2
Great Blue Heron  1
Eastern Phoebe  2
Canada Geese
Mallard
Pileated Woodpecker
Red bellied Wp
Downy wp
White brestd Nuthatch  4
Eastern Bluebird  4
Common Crow

D.Ford/Bethesda, Md.

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