Hi folks,

Swan Creek, near the Key Bridge in Anne Arundel Co., was marvelous this
weekend with ten species of sparrow and four species of corvid.  During the
rain on Saturday afternoon I found a CLAY-COLORED SPARROW in the wooded
area very close to the office trailer.  It was in a group of about three
dozen birds, mostly white-throats and Song Sparrows, and in the same group
was a Lincoln's Sparrow.  A NORTHERN HARRIER was hunting the wetlands, and
the first BONAPARTE'S GULL of the season visited the north dredge cell.

This morning I was on site before sunrise, and the crisp weather was
exceptional.  I hiked the power line (not open to public) and saw what
appeared to be a hawk land on a distant power structure, but when I looked
through the scope, it appeared to be a crow.  A few minutes later, the bird
took off, and headed my direction, croaking, and I realized it was a COMMON
RAVEN, my second for the property this year.  It flew right over me, and I
got an excellent look at the thick bill and tail shape.  There were several
hundred sparrows along the one-mile stretch this morning, but the most
exceptional was an unusually early AMERICAN TREE SPARROW.  It was with
several dozen Chipping Sparrows, and the rusty cap, wing bars, and
two-toned bill stood out.  While Maryland has a few October records for
this species in ebird, the earliest in AA County is the third week of
November.  I've never seen one in October, and I'm not sure I've even seen
this bird in November.  This area is a good place to find this species in
mid winter.

This afternoon Ed Carlson and Bill Hubick joined me for an extensive survey
of the property, and we tallied an impressive 68 species, including a very
late STILT SANDPIPER and SPOTTED SANDPIPER, and first of season
BUFFLEHEADs.  Bill also spotted our first of year RUSTY BLACKBIRD flying
over the wetlands.

*** NOTE: Swan Creek/Cox Creek is an active industrial site and mitigation
project in northern Anne Arundel Co. Access is at the end of Kembo Road off
Fort Smallwood Road near 695. The site is open ONLY Monday through Friday,
7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Please be in your car and leaving at 3:30 p.m..
Remember to always sign in at the office, to be on your best behavior
(people have worked hard to coordinate this access), and to stick to
permitted areas. This Swan Creek map linked here details where you are and
aren't allowed to walk. http://www.billhubick.com/docs/swan_creek_map.jpg.
***

Stan Arnold
Ferndale


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