Date: Sun, 17 Sep 2000 12:27:01 EDT Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: Gail Mackiernan Subject: Rock Creek DC brilliant today Hi all -- Probably one of the best warbler flights in recent falls at Rock Creek Park, DC, today -- not only because of number and variety, but also because so many of the birds were being cooperative, staying low, out in the sun and letting everyone get good looks. I estimate that 150-200 warblers passed through picnic area 17/18 between 7 am and 8:30 am. Again, like yesterday, it slowed down quickly by 9 am -- as the sun rose high enough to flood the valleys and the birds dispersed to feed. Early, like yesterday, the big walnut in the center of the open area was crawling with birds, which flew across Glover Rd as the sun reached the treetops (followed by a large "feeding flock" of birders). More flocks came in, then stated moving around the edge of the open area, then a cry "there they go..." as the flocks flew across the road to begin the circuit again. I believe 16 species of warbler were tallied. The ones Barry and I saw, with approximate numbers, include: Black-throated Green (~25), Magnolia (~20), Chestnut-sided (~20), Redstart (~15), Blackburnian (12! -- and some were real beauties at eye level in the sun, blinding!)-- Blackpoll (6), Bay-breasted (6-7), Black-and-White (8), Yellowthroat (4), Parula (8-9), Black-throated Blue (3), Tennessee (1-2), Blue-winged (1), Canada (1), Wilson's (1). Some other folks saw a Cape May. Other migrants included Red-eyed Vireo (8-10), Rose-breasted Grosbeak (8), Baltimore Oriole (1), Cedar Waxwing (8), Brown Thrasher (2), Swainson's Thrush (3), Gray-cheeked Thrush (1)- very close views en route to Maintenance Yard, appeared to be typical G-C. Early on quite a few birds got past all the watching eyes, but what was seen was really "eye candy" -- all those little gems dancing in the sunlight. One note -- there were a few folks parking on the grass today. I noticed that Park Police were ignoring it, but technically we are not supposed to. There is another parking lot just below picnic area 17/18 on Ross Rd. -- drive past 17/18 heading south, turn left on Ross Rd. park on right at first lot. The "ridge" will be right behind you and you can walk up through the grass towards the big walnut, of course keeping your eyes open for Oporornis warblers which have often been seen in the rough vegetation here! Cheers, Gail Mackiernan ======================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= =========================================================================