[Maine-birds] Clarry Hill changes

I walked the dirt access road to the Clarry summit this morning. A few
singing song sparrows, 3 buzzing savannah sparrows and 3 sets of
vesper sparrows. There are obvious declines in sparrow numbers in
recent years. This area has undergone drastic habitat changes within
the 30+ years I have birded it. The quantity of grassland has been
gradually but planfully converted into vine cultivation. We must
remember, afterall, that this is a commercial blueberry area. I recall
grassy field areas where at least 2 pair of upland sandpipers nested
annually, and I recall seeing a brood of fuzzy fledglings scurrying
across the top of the hill. Personally, I have not seen an uppy at
this site for probably 3 years. Just down the paved main roadway,
field sparrows nested before that area became overgrown and eventualy
forested. Not to lament, just to contemplate these swift habitat
changes.

Don

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