Date:         Sun, 26 May 2002 01:56:22 -0400
Reply-To:     Maryland Birds & Birding <MDOSPREY@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM>
Sender:       Maryland Birds & Birding <MDOSPREY@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM>
From:         Peter Lev <plev@COMCAST.NET>
Subject:      Ft. McHenry and Fresh Fields
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I finally got to Ft. McHenry to look for the Western Kingbird.  When I arrived at 8:45, Dave Perry from Anne Arundel Co. had his binocs on the bird, so finding it was no problem.  Dave and I eventually joined a trip that Jim Peters was leading in the marsh.  Aside from the Kingbird, nice birds for the day were Blackpoll (approx. 6), Redstart (3), Yellow Warbler (1) and Ovenbird (1); Caspian (3) and Common (1) Terns; Spotted Sandpiper (at least 6); Osprey (5 or 6); and 3 or 4 Flycatchers (not counting at least 3 Eastern Kingbirds).  The group had ID'd one of the Flycatchers as a Willow before Dave and I arrived (must have heard the song).  I saw a couple of Empids and 1 Peewee. One of the Osprey took a small mammal (baby muskrat?) from the marsh; that was interesting, because we all thought that Osprey were fish eaters!

On the way home, I stopped at Fresh Fields in Mt. Washington for groceries and to check a report of a waterthrush (the Jones Falls borders the parking lot).  Following an unusual call note, I found a Northern Waterthrush on the bank.  Then-- big surprise-- I saw another, very nondescript warbler about 12 feet away.  Tennessee Warbler!  What a nice way to end the morning.

               Peter Lev
               Baltimore Bird Club
               Towson, MD

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