Hunting for Sparrows

I needed a Sparrow fix. Time to head out to the Marl Bed Flats at Lake Jesup. I hadn't been out there is a long time and there were some reports of some good activity out there in the past couple weeks. Plus, I probably wouldn't have much more time to bird in the coming week.

I was going to get back to the banding station today but the forecast was for mid-30s and frost. That was not too far off and as I got to the Marl Bed area I could see that most of the ground was covered with white. I could hear gunfire out in the distance which was weird for out here.



I tried to decide which trail to take. Sparrows would be just about anywhere. I figured I could head toward the sunrise and circle back. However, the weeds were too high on the eastern trail.

I doubled back and decided to go down the center trail. There were many birds half-way through but not many in the open. Catbirds, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Myrtle Warblers and American Robins were flying all around the trees. When I came to the opening of the flats I found this...



Hmmmm... Seems that either this fellow is just out and about illegally or they have opened hunting up in this pasture. Which ever, this guy was just shooting all over the place. I could see sparrows and Meadowlarks flying about but nothing that would make a meal. At one point I saw him pocket some small kill barely big enough for a snack.

I stood at the opening of the flats concealed in shadow and watched. I hoped that the guy would head the other way. I could see his boat beached in the distance. Instead, he continued to fire randomly. I know this photo looks a bit dangerous but I was shooting from a safe and distant spot.



So, back to the parking area and down the horse trail to the west side of the flats. Hopefully Elmer Fudd will stay on the far side. Once I arrived on the west end I was greeted by dozens of Palm Warblers and a Swamp Sparrow. By the time I got to a good viewing spot of the whole pasture I could see that the hunter was moving in the opposite direction.

Circling around to get deeper in the grassy areas, I tried to position myself near some Eastern Meadowlarks. They weren't letting me get too close. Probably still a bit jumpy from all the shotgun blasts.



The other thing I could see were lots and lots of Savannah Sparrows.



Savannah Sparrows were perching up on the grass in every direction out here. Every now and then they would fly up in a wave and find another spot for a lookout.



I thought I heard another sparrow species but it never showed itself as I made my way over the moist ground. Definitely a lot wetter out here since the last time I visited.



Only one other bird allowed a brief glimpse as I walked. A Sedge Wren.



Nothing else but Savannah Sparrows.



Oh, well. They are pretty enough in their own right.



I took a few more shots and decided that this morning was over. An Eastern Phoebe and American Kestrel made quick appearances but nothing else of note was out here this morning. With such a disappointing experience I am not sure when I might come back. Shame.

North Lake Jessup Has New Name

First off, I am disappointed with my horrible shots on this trip but I thought it was worth a post anyway. Exposure off? Was it the heavy winds blowing me off balance in the mud? Who knows. It is always fun to get out to Lake Jessup on most occasions, though. Most birds were far away so the close cropping doesn't help, either.

Also, it seems that what I knew as the North Lake Jessup Conservation Area has a new name. It is now the Lake Jessup Marl Bed Tract. OK.

I was hoping for some fun sparrows or maybe the return of the Vermillion Flycatcher but didn't get any of this species. Did find a lot of Savannah Sparrows all along the lake's edge.



Running along the cattle paths were several calling Eastern Meadowlarks. Always a great sound to have as background ambiance.



There were many shorebirds resting and feeding in the muddy, shallow water just past the pasture grasses.



Also resting by the water was a large group of Caspian Terns and Ring-billed Gulls. First time I have seen the Caspians there.



Started to hear a rumbling off in the distance and then realized it was an air boat approaching on the far side of the slough. I watched as it spun around and then made its way over to where I was. Eventually, it swung around toward the enclosed area where all the birds were trying to get some rest. It then sped straight through this spot which caused all of the resting birds to take flight to avoid this very loud intruder.

Ah, humans...



Eventually, several Forster's Terns rose up and began feeding, using the wind to aid them to hover before diving down for a fish.



This is a really bad exposure but pretty interesting and I didn't notice it until processing the photos. Notice that the bird is in its usual flying position but its head is completely upsidedown!



Best discovery of the day was an American Avocet which was back behind the reeds when I first spotted it and then it flew from that spot and then passed out in front of me out over the lake.



The larger bird was overtaken by one of the many Killdeer patrolling the lakeside before coming to rest in a new feeding spot.



Though it was one of my first discoveries, this Dusky Pigmy Rattlesnake resting in the grass near the parking area was a nice surprise.



Beautiful but deadly. The snake did not move as I took photos and was gone by the time I returned to the van.



Can't wait for another trip to this excellent birding area. Sans air boat...