Warbler Plethora
Steve Sanford (tanager@bcpl.net)
Tue, 11 May 1999 22:16:15 -0400
I spent another day-off warblering locally today, and it was one of my
most enjoyable warbler-watching days ever. I got 25 warbler species with
great looks at most of the prettiest ones, such as 3 good sightings each
of Blackburnian Warbler (my favorite!), Magnolia, and Black-throated
Green, and Canada. I had to beat the Scarlet Tanagers off with sticks.
(Well, almost.) My two hottest spots were the McKeldin area of Patapsco
St Pk (off Marriottsville Rd in extreme eastern Carroll Co).
Specifically the area around the road to the rapids, especially the
trail west of the rest room for about a quarter of a mile. Ceruleans,
Blackburnians, BTG, and Blackpolls were the highlights.
The other hot spot was the trail in Liberty Reservoir off Hodges Rd
(from Liberty Rd go north on Rt 32 about 1/2 mile, then west on
Barthalow for about 1/4 mile, then north on Hodges to the end). I saw
(with my eyes) Pine, BTG, Magnolia, Hooded, B&W, Chestnut-sided, Myrtle,
Parula, etc within the first 15 minutes. This is the spot first brought
to my attention about 5 years ago when Bob Ringler found a Summer
Tanager there. If someone came from afar, and only had a half-hour in
our area to look at eastern warblers in early May, that's where I'd send
them. There were also various shorebirds (G & L Yellowlegs, Spotted
Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Killdeer) at the bottom of the trail, thanks
to the extreme dryness of the lake.
Unfortunately, I have to go back to work tomorrow rescuing people from
the jaws of bureaucracy.
Steve Sanford
tanager@bcpl.net
Randallstown, MD (Baltimore Co)