Greetings,

This morning, while at work (Edgewood Area of APG in Harford County) I had a few note worthy accounters, but first let me remark on my afternoon quest for the Nelson's Sparrow at Swan Harbor.

In short, I did not locate the Nelson's Sparrow at Swan Harbor, but that is not to say it isnt still there. By the time I arrived around 4pm, the weather had changed from chilly, low cloud cover, and humid in the morning to clear, dry, and quite windy (from the northeast becoming northwest.). These conditions pretty much caused anything smaller than a Red-winged Blackbird to keep low, hidden, and quiet within the cattail, phragmites, and other cover around the main impoundment.

I ran into Mark Johnson as I was entering (he was exiting) and he stated that he nad no luck as well.  I spent the better part of two hours circling the impoundant spending more than half my time in the western berm between 50 yards fromt the blind and the first turn toward the back of the impundment. 

During this time, I did note numerous Swamp Sparrows, Song Sparrows, and a few unidentified LBJs moving quickly from the "trail"area into the cat tails where they stayed quiet and well hidden. Only once or twice did I catch a glimps of light colored "LBJs" with shorter tails fly up and down out of site. These birds didnt really give me the impression of Swamps or Songs; likely they were Savannahs, Fields, or perhaps the coveted LOJ (littel orange job) lol...

Aside from these birds, Red-winged Blackbirds, Bluebirds, and Starlings were busy moving around in small flocks as well Crows and a few TVs. Highlights included one small quiet wren sp. (Marsh?) that flushed into the swamp and a lone female Northern Harrier making here rounds. At dusk, waterfowl began to move off the bay -mostly Canada Goose and a few attractive (migrant?) Mallards...

I plan to try again tomorrow morning at dawn...

Earlier at APG (Edgewood), I counted at least 12 Pied-billed Grebe close to shore on the Gunpowder River, as well as five Wood Ducks, two Blue-winged Teal, ten or Coot and samllish flock of Rusty Blackbirds (all "down range.").

I think that's it!

Good Luck this weekend and have a glorious autumn day tomorrow! 

Good Birding,
Chris Starling
North East, MD. 

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