Thanks for keeping records for the day & for posting them.That evening, right before dark, we built up a fire for marshmallow roasting & had a surprise fly-over American Woodcock. The woodcock flew right over our heads,making that distinctive whirring sound w/it's wings when turning to fly over the creek to alight in the field. A little later, we heard a Barred Owl calling from the woods above the barn. A good finish to a very enjoyable day. Thanks again for all you did & to all that traveled to our place to make the day a success. Dave R/Breaks,VA ----- Original Message ----- From: Roger Mayhorn To: BCBC Listserve Sent: Monday, October 25, 2010 1:51 AM Subject: [bcbirdclub] Sparrow Day at Breaks VA Hi All, Twelve birders converged on the house of David and Susan Raines on Saturday, October 23rd to particpate in their annual Sparrow Day. The day started with light frost and a temperature of 32 degrees, but Susan had hot coffee and hot cider to fight the chill, and David had a nice, warm bonfire going, so no one got cold. 39 species of birds were found for the day including 9 sparrow species including Junco and Towhee. The highlight of the day was a Lincoln's Sparrow that was found in David's field, which had been allowed to grow this year to form excellent sparrow habitat. In previous years the field had been planted in sorhgum. After a morning of birding the group had a declicious meal of Santa Fe soup, sandwiches and various side dishes prepared by Susan with some extras brought by birders. The food was displayed in a festive atmosphere of fall colors courtesy of Susan. After lunch more birding in the surrounding area. It was a perfectly beautiful fall day, and was made even better by having our good friend, Ed Talbott III birding with us. Ed now lives in Richmond, KY and does not get to bird with us as he used to. Photos of the day can be found at my web site at http://www.pbase.com/mayhorn/sparrow_day_2010 Ed's photos can be seen at his site at http://www.pbase.com/aquilaet/sparrow4 Roger Mayhorn Compton Mt Here is the day's list of species: 39 species Turkey Vulture 3 Red-shouldered Hawk 1 Mourning Dove 10 Blue-headed Vireo 1 Eastern Phoebe 2 Red-bellied Woodpecker 3 Downy Woodpecker 2 Pileated Woodpecker 2 Blue Jay 14 American Crow 13 Common Raven 1 Carolina Chickadee 3 Tufted Titmouse 6 White-breasted Nuthatch 4 Carolina Wren 5 Winter Wren 3 Golden-crowned Kinglet 3 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3 Eastern Bluebird 4 American Robin 4 Brown Thrasher 2 Northern Mockingbird 1 European Starling 22 Cedar Waxwing 73 Yellow-rumped Warbler 30 Eastern Towhee 7 (6m, 1f) Chipping Sparrow 5 Field Sparrow 1 Lincoln's Sparrow 1 Song Sparrow 5 Swamp Sparrow 2 White-throated Sparrow 20 White-crowned Sparrow 2 juv Dark-eyed Junco 1 Northern Cardinal 8 (6m, 2f) Red-winged Blackbird 4m American Goldfinch 3 House Finch 6 Purple Finch 10 (1m, 5f) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.448 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3216 - Release Date: 10/24/10 06:34:00