Henslow's Sparrow(s) in Frostburg area

[Mike Bowen]

Denise:  In fact there have been quite a few reports of Henslow's Sparrow(s) just West of Frostburg over the past month of so:

The red "balloons" represent different reports, entered into eBird by 5 different people at places fairly close to one another but not at the exact same location, but all shown as just to the West of a local road, Winners View Terrace.  I suspect, as you do, that this area has in the past been the site of surface coal ("strip") mining by a local company called Beechwood Coal, but I am not 100% of this.  Interestingly, the "traditional" place to find breeding Henslow's Sparrow in the Frostburg area was along Old Legislative Rd. a few miles south of I-68 and only about 4 miles from these more recent sightings north of I-68.  The OL Rd. site no longer features Henslow's habitat -- it is now the site of a massive solar cell array.

Mike Bowen

Bethesda, Montgomery County

D. H. Michael Bowen
8609 Ewing Drive
Bethesda, Maryland 20817

Phone: (202) 236-0510

Ambassador for American Bird Conservancy, helping ABC help the birds

eBird volunteer Hotspot Reviewer/Editor for Maryland, Delaware, the District of Columbia, and the Republic of Ghana

[Mike Milligan]

I graduated from Frostburg State over 40 years ago and I can confirm (with 100% certainty) that this is the site of the old strip mine. It was still active when I was a student.

Mike Milligan

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[Denise Ryan]

I thought I'd write a follow up report on the trip to search for a Henslow's sparrow over the weekend. 

First, I drove by the Frostburg site to look at the "access road" which is clearly gated, so you can't drive up it, so people must be walking in.

I didn't go there, but tried the many other sites in the county over two days. Also looking for Vesper sparrows, and ruffed grouse. 

I went to the Rock Lodge Trust site, which is also gated, so I didn't attempt there. I tried Aaron Run Road, with no luck. Finally around 2:40 pm I rolled out to Pea Ridge Road and pulled up and immediately heard a Henslow's near the intersection with Avilton Lonaconning Road. No Vesper sparrows were singing, but the Bobolinks and others were still singing. 

I was also thrilled to relocate the female ruffed grouse located by Amelia Starliper reported crossing the road with her polts on New Germany Road, at the exact same place she saw them. Just dumb luck driving past the site to pull off down the road near a  trail head, I saw her and at least one chick around 10:30 am on Sunday. In that same area the mountain laurel is in full bloom and is absolutely gorgeous. That little stretch of road has what looks like an informal ORV trail that was great with warblers, vireos, and thrushes at dawn. 

In all, a great trip to the area, and if you aren't trying to do a county tick, you can also try Pea Ridge Road for your state bird. 

Denise Ryan

Cheverly, MD