[MDOsprey] Western MD today (7/31)
GAIL@UMDD.UMD.EDU
Sat, 31 Jul 99 21:21:03 EDT
A *really* hot day predicted, so we decided to make today the one for western
Maryland. We set out before dawn and reached Frostburg in about 2 1/2 hours
with a stop for McBreakfast.
First birding stop was a weedy field south of Frostburg which was a recommended
site for Henslow's Sparrows. This is a BIG field and took some working (the
birds were not singing) but we eventually ended up with excellent close views
of two cooperative juvenile HENSLOW'S SPARROWS and a more distant adult.
Also present were lots of BOBOLINKS, as well as FIELD, VESPER, SAVANNAH,
CHIPPING and GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS, including two active nests so watch out
for Ammodramus "false alarms." The 'hoppers were singing a bit. Other
species present included EASTERN BLUEBIRD in all plumages, and family parties
of PHOEBES, BALTIMORE ORIOLES and CEDAR WAXWINGS. A SHARP-SHINNED HAWK
flew in and gave us a good look-over.
Next to Finzel Swamp, where we managed some nice scope views of an ALDER
FLYCATCHER. It was hot there and we didn't see too much else of interest
except some nice SWAMP SPARROWS. The blueberries are ripe and abundant and
we enjoyed those as well.
Next we headed for Swallow Falls State Park. We first did Maple Glade Road,
making several stops. Peter was happy to tape a wonderfully singing HERMIT
THRUSH which gave a great performance right at midday. The same stop yielded
BLACK-THROATED GREEN, BLACK-AND-WHITE, PINE and MAGNOLIA WARBLERS, all
carrying food. A little further on, and a little group of BLACK-THROATED
BLUE WARBLERS foraged in some hemlocks. Another stop yielded an agitated
BTB female and a singing BLUE-HEADED VIREO. A final stop found a family
party of LEAST FLYCATCHERS -- two adults with two youngsters-- as well as
another Magnolia and two COMMON YELLOWTHROATS. We also flushed a BROAD-
WINGED HAWK from roadside trees. We then birded a bit around the parking
lot, where several Magnolias sang in the huge old hemlocks, but there were
just so many people on the trails that we eventually opted to leave.
We made a quick sortie to Herrington Manor Park but didn't see any new
birds, although the numbers of butterflies was impressive.
The trip home seemed very long, but it was a good day out, and definitely
cooler than DC (high 80s). Peter was happy with three lifers -- the Henslows,
Magnolia W. and Least FC.
Cheers,
Gail Mackiernan