I'm curious to know if any other Wash. Co birders (or whoever, wherever you
may be) are interested in getting together for some pick-up birding in the
South Mountain / Potomac / MD Heights area this weekend.  If you're
interested, give a shout or email. There are some NICE habitats up on the
mtn including xeric / mesic forest (of many types), talus slopes /
boulderfields, some remnant OG C.Oak / B.Birch boulderfield, cliffs with
scattered T.Mtn Pine and a nice ridgeline 'draw' thats somewhat like an
extended cove moving south toward Weverton Bluffs.  Give a shout or email
if interested.  Others are needed...

Recent arrivals at the toe slopes of South Mtn at forest / open ares
interface in April (unless noted otherwise) include WHITE THROATED SPARROW,
the dreaded HOUSE SPARROWS, GRACKLES (late Feb / Mar), BROWN THRASHER, SONG
& FIELD SPARROWS (Mar), YB SAPSUCKER (mid-Mar), PINE WARBLER (late Mar then
none), HOUSE FINCHES, CHIMNEY SWIFTS (in tree boles on the mountain /
canopy gaps), E. KINGBIRD, PHOEBE (late Mar), CARO WREN (early Mar),
CATBIRD, CHIPPING SPARROW (Mar) and oddly, no Towee's yet that I've heard /
seen.

Potomac River at Keep Tryst Rd, Brunswick - only been once this week and
around 10am.  LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH (only 2), DOUBLE BREASTED CORMORANT (5
on rocks), KINGFISHERS (2), WOOD DUCK (1), plenty CHICKADEE / T.TITMOUSE
(and 100's of painted turtles in the old canal), and what looked like a
GREEN HERON, but I'm not exactly sure.  Oh, and lots of TURKEY VULTURES,
BLUE HERONS, and FISH CROWS.  Not sure if I'm standing in the wrong place
(or time) but I was expecting more of a warbler and waterfowl presence.



Kevin Caldwell
Knoxville MD / Washington Co
301 834 5546

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