Rock Creek today, 9/23 (& Layhill)
GAIL@UMDD.UMD.EDU
Wed, 23 Sep 98 19:45:07 EDT
There was a wonderful flight today at Rock Creek, one of those really
exciting days when you think anything can show up! Numbers of warblers were
down a bit from the last front passage -- perhaps migration is tapering off
for them -- but other birds were on the move. Especially Scarlet Tanagers --
they were all around on the ridge (picnic area 17/18) just at first light,
squabbling, chasing each other, wolfing down berries, flying overhead. Still
not sure of the number, somewhere between 25 and 30.In any case, here it
is: (Mostly only what Barry and I saw, there were other birders there and the
actually total counts were undoubtedly higher, since no one saw everything)
Warblers: Black and White (12), Black-throated Blue (8), Black-throated Green
(4), Blackpoll (1), Bay-breasted (1), Blackburnian (6), Chestnut-sided (5),
Magnolia (8), MOURNING WARBLER (1 YOY), Ovenbird (1), Parula (3), Tennessee (1)
Wormeating (1), Common Yellowthroat (10), Redstart (3), Yellow-rumped (3,
1st of fall).
Vireos: Yellow-throated (1), Red-eyed (12), White-eyed 3). [also seen, not
by us, Blue-headed (1)]
Flycatchers: Eastern Wood-pewee (4), Eastern Phoebe (8), Acadian (1), Empid
sp. (prob. Least) (1).
Others: Brown Thrasher (15), Rose-breasted Grosbeak (12), House Wren (15),
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (2, 1st for us this fall), Swainson's Thrush (2),
Gray-Cheeked Thrush (1, heard only), Wood Thrush (2), Yellow-billed Cuckoo
(3), Cooper's Hawk (1), Sharp-shinned Hawk (1), Chipping Sparrow (1)
Best bird not seen by us (groan!): EVENING GROSBEAK (2)
In the afternoon we went over to Layhill Park, off Layhill Rd., and found
things somewhat slow, but enlivened by another Mourning Warbler! Other
birds seen of interest included a nice flock of Chipping Sparrows and 4
Rose-breasted Grosbeaks.
Some comments -- it is my imagination, or are there very few thrushes so far
this year? Or is it just Rock Creek (usually a good place for these birds
in autumn). Cuckoos also seem to be thin on the ground... In contrast,
warblers, vireos and flycatchers have been superb.
Anyway, it is definitely autumn and the "Myrtle" Warblers and Kinglets
showed up just on schedule. Flocks of Blue Jays overhead today, also a
sign of the passing season.
Gail Mackiernan and Barry Cooper
gail@umdd.umd.edu