Date: Fri, 18 May 2001 22:21:44 -0400 Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: Steve Sanford Subject: Western Maryland MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Since there have been so few migrant warblers, I went out to Western Maryland where our "migrants" are residents. For the most part I wasn't disappointed. My two favorite warblers, Blackburnian and Magnolia, were quite numerous and fairly cooperative at being viewed. In fact I don't think I ever encountered so many Blackburnians as today, roughly 20. There were about 5 around the parking area and the short road with cabins 2 to 10 at New Germany St Pk, along with several vocal and visible Magnolias. There were also several Blue-headed Vireos in that area, and one tooting Red-breasted Nuthatch. I then worked my way down Westernport Road and Aaron Run Rd. Least Flycatchers were at the intersection with Savage River Road, as usual. I took a side trip down Swamp Road, which had Hermit Thrushes, Wood Thrushes, and Veeries, all singing beautifully, plus lots of Blackburnians and Maggies. It is similar to Maple Glade Road on the west side of the county, and not a single car came by in over a half hour. The best single stop was on Westernport Road at Russell/Pine Swamp Rd. This had the following, all singing and well-seen: Cerulean, Chestnut-sided, Magnolia, Hooded, Black-throated Green, plus a heard-only Blackburnian. The trees there are not too tall and dense, allowing for good viewing, and there is virtually no traffic. At the topmost grassy field on Aaron Run Road, I heard about 5 "see-licks" that I'm 90% sure were from a real Henslow's Sparrow but was unable to see. I did not get any Henslows later on Old Legislative Road. I found some Golden-winged Warblers in two usual areas: the Jennings Randolph Lake overlook, and Dan's Rock Road where the woods open into fields. The two big misses for the trip were Canada Warbler and Rose-breasted Grosbeak. To my amazement and distress, I may go thru the whole season without a good sighting of a male Rose-breasted Grosbeak. Steve Sanford tanager@bcpl.net Randallstown MD Baltimore County ======================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= =========================================================================