Blue Mash Nature Trail, Montgomery County, 10 June 04, 0700-0830

Cicadas are still active but declining in abundance.  Several Willow
Flycatcher, Yellow-breasted Chat, Brown Thrasher and Indigo Bunting were
readily on view along the trail.  Goldfinches, catbirds, grackles and
redwings were abundant.  There was 1 singing Orchard Oriole, 1 calling Y-B
Cuckoo and a female Wood Duck on the pond with 4 ducklings.  An Am. Kestrel
hovered over the landfill and a Red-shouldered Hawk perched high up in a
tree.  A side trip into the woods yielded a Barred Owl (a new BMNT species)
that was being harassed by 2 Wood Thrush, apparently nesting nearby.

On 22 May, I observed 2 No. Parula and a female Am. Redstart.  With the
addition of today's owl, my BMNT list (since 8 Feb) now stands at 105
species.

Tom Marko
Montgomery Bird Club