Hi Everyone, I visited the Potomac River at Cumberland (at the terminus of the C&O Canal) Monday 8/2 and found: 3 Solitary 1 Spotted 1 Least 2 Pectoral 5 Green Herons 2 Ring-billed Gulls This evening, 1 Solitary and 2 Pectorals were still present. Over the last couple weeks, there have been similar sightings as well as small numbers of Semi Sandpipers and both Yellowlegs. Conditions are actually pretty good as the low water level has exposed various rocky areas both in the river and along the shore. Visits to North Branch (aka PPG or the Rouge Lagoon) have also found similar species and numbers. The tarps over the ponds continue to be very dry and not very productive. However, the original Rouge Lagoon area behind the other ponds has exposed mudflats that should be pretty appealing. Unfortunately, the surrounding area has grown up so much that finding good viewing spots is difficult (but not impossible). In addition to the shorebirds, there was a singing male Blue Grosbeak on both the 25th and 31st of July. Greg / Fran - I will add directions to both sites in a later post. Happy Trails .... Ray Kiddy Cumberland, MD rrkiddy@hereintown.net