Nice day in the aforementioned counties. The "breeding migrants" were very active but the only "through migrants" (the ones which migrate through but don't breed in the area) were at a minimum. I think the only birds from the latter category seen today were Myrtle Warblers and Broad-winged Hawks.
Soldier's Delight held 4 singing Eastern Whip-poor-wills which sang from our arrival (5ish) until 5:34, including one right next to the overlook parking lot.
Up at Prettyboy Reservoir, the Hemlock Gorge/Gunpowder Loop Trails had Ovenbirds and Worm-eating Warblers at every turn, plus Hooded Warblers singing at the HG parking lot. We also found a Scarlet Tanager, 2 Broad-winged Hawks, and a Barred Owl there.
Susquehanna held all the usual suspects, but I got the best views of Cerulean Warblers I've ever had. There were 2 on the ridge above Stafford Road. Other highlights included 3 Kentucky Warblers, a Prothonotary Warbler, 2 Yellow-throated Warblers, 2 Warbling Vireos, 1 Scarlet Tanager, lots of Redstarts, a few Yellow-throated Vireos, and my FOS Indigo Bunting. No luck on Blue-winged Warbler, Worm-eating Warbler, or Northern Waterthrush. There was also a constant stream of Purple Martins overhead but only 1 Tree Swallow.
I haven't really followed bird migration patterns until this year. In the past, I would just go out and see what was there. But now I'm focusing on things like wind direction, weather patterns, etc. Is this spring's lack of "through migrants" normal? Has it happened before? Is it possible that we will have next to no Blackburnians, Cape Mays, Bay-breasteds, etc. in the Baltimore area this spring? I'm already planning a Garrett County trip to get the breeders up there, but am starting to think I won't get to see the non-MD-breeders in spring plumage this year. I am also a bit of a hypochondriac and tend to fear the worst.
Tim Carney & Friends
Baltimore/Anne Arundel
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