William (and anyone else who may not be familiar with Swan Harbor),

Directions to Swan Harbor can be found on their website: http://www.swanharborfarm.org/Directions.html

Drive to the end of the lane and park in the parking lot on the left.  As you drive in, you will see the marshy impoundment on your left with the blind at the southwest corner.  Walk back down the road from the parking area to the grassy path that leads to the blind.  From the blind, walk the dike parallel to the road.  

Heading west from the blind, there will be a patch of young phragmites on your left (not in the impoundment).  Along the right side of the dike, between the mowed grass and the cattails, there is a strip of weeds.  The Le Conte's likes to feed in this weed strip, broomsedge and asters (I've been told), and has been seen numerous places along the dike.  A little farther west from the phragmites patch is the famous multiflora rose bush it likes as well.  

If you are arrive close to dawn, I have had success finding the bird feeding in the weedy edge in the vicinity of the phragmites patch.  As it gets later in the day, it can be harder to pin down, but a focused search of the weedy edge usually turns up the bird.  I would walk slowly along the dike looking for movement low in the weeds.  Remember the bird still does not have a tail so it is pretty obvious when it flies.  

I'm not the person to give directions to the Black-headed Gull in Hunt Valley, but I would say that hitting Swan Harbor and Hunt Valley in a day is perfectly reasonable.  I've believe many people have already done so.  

Good luck!

Matt Hafner
Forest Hill, MD


-----Original Message-----
From: William Leigh <>
To: MDOSPREY <>
Sent: Fri, Dec 16, 2011 9:21 am
Subject: Re: [MDOSPREY] Directions for LeConte's sparrrow and BHGU


Folks, 

an anyone provide directions for LeConte's Sparrow and ideas about best times 
nd spots to look. I am considering chasing this bird and the BHGU over xmas 
reak if they are still around. I tried foraging through the posts but could not 
ocate a post with directions. Also if anyone knows the address of the Best buy 
hat would be very helpful. 

 am thinking the BHGU and LESP are close enough to try for both in one day? 
Many thanks! 
William Leigh 
Bridgewater, Virginia 

 


> Date: Thu, 15 Dec 2011 10:24:47 -0500
 From: 
 Subject: Re: [MDOSPREY] Black-headed Gull at Hunt Valley Mall - day 7
 To: 
 
 When Maryanne Dolan and I stopped by there yesterday, we saw the gull leave 
he Best Buy lot and fly over the Verizon building that is across the street. 
here may be another parking lot behind that building, or a pond.
 
 We also went to Robert E. Lee Park and had great views of the pretty Nutmeg 
annikin. It is near a chicken coop, so we wondered whether the chicken feed 
ight be an attraction, although the hens were also foraging in the woods near 
he NM and the sparrows, so maybe not. I wonder what the bird's prospects are 
nce the weather gets really cold. Can Nutmeg Mannikins adapt to freezing 
emperatures?
 
 We tried for the Le Conte's but didn't locate it--no surprise there! We are 
oth pretty hopeless when it comes to locating rare sparrows without expert 
elp. We tried channeling Bonnie Ott but it didn't work.
 
 Pat Valdata
 Elkton
 
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