I led a group-of-one on a scheduled walk in what mimicked a Spring (soaking) shower, starting at the
boardwalk at the Park 'n Ride light rail station. Things were pretty subdued, save for tons of Robins
(the REAL water thrush). The spillway had no herons and there were 20 Mallards present.
I walked up to the "Landing" area, on the w. side of the upper lake, with an almost complete lack of
activity, except for 10 more Mallards on a spit of mud. I then kicked out a GB Heron from a fallen
tree at the water's edge as I started to retrace my route. Lots of fungi in force, mostly polypores on
logs. A few gilled ones were also seen; the Fawn Mushroom (Pluteus cervinus), a greenish Amanita
(A. citrina) and a bluish-tinted one (Cortinarius alboviolaceus). Keeping me company at one point
was a plump toad (Bufo americana). Also, I was accompanied by the occasional wood aster (A.
schreberi) and the parasitic Beechdrops (Epifagus virginiana).
On returning to the spillway area, I spotted 2 more GB Heron and an immature YC Night Heron
fishing. Near the end of the boardwalk, I was able to PISH (really loudly!) up 3 WT Sparrows (FOS).
Some birds, high up in the treetops, against a strong backlight made ID's problematic. List follows:
GB Heron Kinglet sp.
YC Night Heron T. Tit
Mallard C. Wren
M. Dove G Catbird
R. Dove A Robin
RB W'pkr Warbler sp.
C Flicker C Yellowthroat
Downy W'pkr N Cardinal
Blue Jay (lots) Finch sp.
C. C'dee WT Sparrow
Paul Noell
Balto. MD
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