Well,  Kim and I were worried this might happen.  The hayfield with one of the male Henslow's Sparrow is looking too good and we have been informed of plans to mow it next week.  This is not typical for this field, but the conditions this Spring have produced some excellent hay.  Fortunately, there is still a singing male in the adjacent pasture that will not be mowed.  Unfortunately, the male in the hayfield is the one I believe is nesting.  

The landowners have given us the heads up and are willing to mow around the nest if we can find it.  I've enlisted some experienced friends to come help search it out, but expectations are low.  It seems that fledgings should be out by now if they began nesting soon after arrival, so perhaps the nest has already failed.  Regardless, we are going to have an extensive search this weekend.  It was very nice of the landowners to give me advanced warning about the cutting.  Kim called me yesterday to say that hayfields all over the county were being cut.  

So this brings me to the next topic:  
If anyone would like to come try to see the birds in the field on Saturday morning.  Just call or email me and I will give you directions.  I will take people out in the field between 6:45 and 7:30am.  The birds were very active at that time last weekend and provided excellent views.  If you can't make that time, you are still welcome to come listen from the driveway at anytime, but this may be the last time I can guarantee a field visit with a chance to see the birds.

Matt Hafner
Forest Hill, MD
410 971-3203

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