Date: Tue, 23 Apr 2002 21:47:22 -0400 Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: Norm Saunders Subject: Re: Hughes Hollow MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Bill Schreitz asks: > Could someone post the directions for Hughes Hollow? Alas, I am still > looking for my first American Bittern - EVER! Bill, you really, really need to pick up a copy of Claudia Wilds book Finding Birds in the National Capital Area. Even though it is beginning to get a bit dated it is an absolutely essential guide to birding hotspots within a 200-mile radius of DC (including Hughes Hollow). I think ABA may still have them available, or possibly Buteo Books. Also check in the Smithsonian bookshops, since it was published by Smithsonian Institution Press. Make sure you get the 2nd Edition (1992). Oh, and it is likely written up as well in the new Montgomery County site guide--contact Lydia Schindler for ordering info at paulydia@erols.com. Okay, Hughes Hollow. Exit from the Capital Beltway onto River Road (Rt. 190) heading north and west. A few miles past Riley's Lock Rd (the Seneca Creek access point to the C&O Canal NP), watch for Hughes Road. Turn left onto Hughes and in about 200 yards park at the lot and walk back past the gate into an area of three major impoundments. This is the area known to birders as Hughes Hollow (but not named so on any maps I'm aware of). The impoundments have always been pretty reliable spots for Least Bittern but may be problematic for American Bittern since it only passes through in migration and could be easily missed. I've had more luck with the latter species in Fall migration at Lilypons though I've also seen it there in the Spring. According to Claudia's book, Deal Island and Elliott Island, both on the Eastern Shore, may be better spots for AMBI, especially from mid-September through late-October. Best of luck! Norm ======================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= =========================================================================