Hi,
Question: who owns the land in the Henslow's Sparrow area of Old Legislative Rd. in Allegany County, Md.? Who maintains the trail that runs through the grassland and woods there?
I spent a very productive day in Allegany and Garrett counties (and Preston Co., WV) on Saturday, visiting Old Legislative Rd., Finzel Swamp, Garrett State Forest and Cranesville Swamp. Highlight was Henslow's Sparrow (6 singing) on Old Legislative Rd. I saw one of them and watched him for about 10 minutes as he sang from
the top of a dead weed stalk. It seemed that the other Henslow's were
hidden in the grass. I had 4 Grasshopper Sparrows, 3 Golden-winged Warblers and a Cerulean Warbler
(heard singing on the right side of the road where it curves sharply
right at the blue blazed trail .6 miles up the road).
Thank you to Jared and Victoria who helped me with directions to this productive 1/2 stretch of road. I hadn't known where to search. For directions, see the end of this email.
Finzel Swamp in eastern Garrett Co. was fun. Highlights were Broad-winged Hawk, Alder Flycatcher, Northern Waterthrush, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler and Swamp Sparrow.
A quick visit to Piney Mountain Rd. in Garrett State Forest was very productive. I only had time to walk the first 1/3 mile. Lots of northern specialties - Blue-headed Vireo, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Veery (nearby along Sang Run Rd.), Hermit Thrush, Blackburnian Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler and Black-throated Green Warbler.
I love Cranesville Swamp on the Md/WV line. I was there in the early evening. I saw a pair of Black-billed Cuckoo along the Blue Trail, a species that I have hardly ever seen near DC. I didn't get a good look at a probable Cliff Swallow that flew over the state line along Lake Ford Rd. Also Red-breasted Nuthatch, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Veery, Magnolia Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler and Swamp Sparrow.
I finished the day in downtown Cumberland where I had dinner. Two Common Nighthawks frequently called overhead. I see from ebird that this appears to be a pretty reliable location for this species.
Common birds along back roads this weekend included Red-eyed Vireo, American Redstart, Cedar Waxwing and Indigo Bunting.
Directions to Old Legislative Rd.: Take exit 33 of I-68. Go south for over 2 miles. You'll reach a residential area and a four way intersection in the little village of Woodland. Cross the stream and sort of bear right
on Old Legislative Rd., which is not signed there. This road takes one into a meadow on the left and some woods on the right. From there to the sharp right turn 1/2 mile ahead is Henslow's Sparrow and Golden-winged Warbler habitat.
Take care,
Scott Baron
Vienna, Va.
razorbill1 at msn dot com
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