An old friend of mine, Dan Haft, who used to do a lot of birding but is now
pretty casual due to family and job responsibilities, just told me he saw a
Swainson's Warbler at Lake Frank, Montgomery County, yesterday (May 9) about
10-11 AM. He is a little fuzzy on precise directions because he was on a
casual Mother's Day ramble and was apparently not fully aware how unusual
this would be, but he said it was not far (within 100 yards) from the
"covered bridge", probably east of it, along a small "jumpable" stream where
there is a trail, possibly marked "SP."

He mainly bases his ID on the song, thinking it was like a Hooded Warbler
when he first heard it, but then he saw a brown, Swainson's-like bird doing
the singing. The view was not great, or sufficient by itself for an ID.
Later he reviewed Swainson's song samples from the Internet and felt they
confirmed what he was hearing. He said the song was very loud. He is
acquainted with the look and sound of the Louisiana Waterthrush and does not
think that is what he had.

If you want to talk to him about it, he is open to calls at 301-570-5509.
This is his home phone, and he has young children, so bear that in mind when
timing your call. He realizes his "details" are not up to rare bird
committee standards, but he is satisfied for himself and was willing to let
me post this in case any local birders want to check it out.

Steve Sanford
Randallstown MD
Baltimore County