Of the 5 areas in the county where we've found singing males (total at all
sites = 14), only 2 remain active. Only one of the active sites is
accessible to survey. In that one, there are 3 specific territories (all 3
males still singing today: T1, T2, T3). We encountered our first 2 females
on 6/5/11, within T1 & T2.
On 7/24/11, while surveying the area within T2, I encountered an agitated
female in a short bush, which quickly dove into cover, not to be seen again.
At 8:30 this morning, while surveying the area between T1 & T2, I again
found a female, this time CO-CF (carrying food), but I couldn't ascertain
which male she belonged to. Near that time, both males met in the center
between their respective territories and chased each other, then retreating
to their singing posts. Again, the female disappeared.
We returned to the area at 3:45 PM today to find all 3 males singing.
Shortly after the T3 male flew off his post and headed to another, a single
juvenile lit in the same small black locust. We watched closely with our
scope (approx. 50yrds) until it flew down and out of sight. It was the first
sighting of a juvenile, although merely a right side profile and somewhat
backlit. Although we never did find a female in T3, we were not surprised.
Then at 4PM, a juvenile (same one?) again lit on the locust to give us a
great straight-on look at its front side, clearly showing faint stripes on
its breast. Shortly after, the male returned to displace the youngster and
continue singing. Although at least 1 young from T3 is fledged, we suspect
that the ones in T1 & T2 are still in or near the nest.
All during our recent forays, the biggest distractions (although pleasantly
so) were the numerous Grasshopper Sparrows. For the past 2 weeks, there have
been a large number (dozens) of newly fledged young, chasing all over the
place. It was nice to see, especially after the recent mowings, that they
continued to succeed and apparently were not bothered that much. An added
treat today was a singing Blue Grosbeak, which stayed in T1 for about an
hour.
We will post further developments as they occur.
Jon & BJ Little
Winchester
