Debated going out at all today as it is still quite early but we couldn't sleep anyway so we got up and went out. It was chilly and we didn't expect much. We headed over to the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center (the research refuge which is ordinarily closed on weekends but we have a friend who works there...). We headed to the power lines past the lake and found numerous Palms and kinglets. A thrasher and a pair of flickers were seen on the ground. Back to the river trail/road where we picked up our first Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, a couple of Swamp Sparrows, a Pied-billed Grebe, more Palms. Further on we found a Louisiana Waterthrush, heard two Northern Parulas (one seen), think we heard a Yellow Warbler. We also dug out a Yellow-throated Vireo. Other goodies included an Osprey, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Brown Creeper, Wood Duck, White-breasted Nuthatch, Pileated Woodpecker, and numerous chickadees, titmice, robins, both crow sp., mockingbirds, and bluebirds. We went over to the North Tract where we found a Cooper's Hawk mobbing two Turkey Vultures, a Common Merganser, and not much else. It was youth turkey hunting day so half the refuge was off-limits.
All in all quite a surprisingly good morning.
We also did a power hike in Rock Creek Park and picked up a Blue-headed Vireo behind the stables.
Ellen Paul
Tim Boucher
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