Date: Tue, 24 Sep 2002 23:13:08 EDT Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: Joel Martin Subject: Turkey Point Migrants, 9/24 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Turkey Point may be famous as a hawk watch, but if you've never visited there for fall warblers and are in need of a real rush, it's worth the trip. This morning I made my annual September pilgrimage to the point and as usual was not disappointed. I've never birded Rock Creek Park, but it must be something like this. On a clear morning after a cold front, as the sun hits the highest edge of the woods, the warblers begin dropping into the treetops. For the next 30-40 minutes it can pure pandemonium. After the birds disperse, you can comb the fields and wood edges for stragglers. There is usually some action through late morning. This morning I tallied 12 warbler species, with Magnolias and BTB's by far the most numerous. No rarities, but I did finally tick one stubborn life bird and target-du-jour, Tennessee Warbler. As often happens on these bird-quests, it came late in the morning when I was sure there was nothing more to be found. After four hours of warbler neck, these 2 Tennessees danced over my head for 15 minutes, sometimes within 10 feet. The phrase "killer looks" must have been coined for moments like this. There were very few raptors about, surprisingly, but I did have the pleasure of talking with Charlie Gant and fellow counter Amy (last name escapes me). Chris Starling also joined us. I never see lots of birders here, but each time I come I meet some interesting people. The warbler count was Tennessee(2), Parula(4), Chestnut-sided(~5), Magnolia(20+), BTB(~15), BTG(4), Blackburnian(1), Palm(western-2), Blackpoll(2), B&W(5), Redstart(3), and Yellowthroat(10+). Also lots of Flickers, Blue Jays, Waxwings and Tanagers. The only raptors I saw were 3 each Sharpie and Cooper's, plus the usual Bald Eagles. Joel Martin Catonsville, MD jcdlmartin@aol.com ======================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= =========================================================================