on 07/06/2004 5:33 PM, Janet Millenson at  wrote:

>
> It's not that hard to do both, Rick. For instance, the Appalachian Trail in
> Maryland runs right through Washington Monument State Park. On a fall day
> with the right winds, you can easily combine a pleasant hike through the
> woods with terrific hawk-watching at the monument. Birding also provides a
> handy excuse to pause during the tough uphills (e.g., Maryland Heights at
> Harper's Ferry) and catch your breath -- "Wait a minute, I think I hear a
> Wood Thrush...!"
><snip>

And if you hike the northern terminus at Baxter State Park in Maine, you
will hear Bicknell's and Hermit Thrush at those "wait a minute" pauses! We
had both in August, singing well, a couple of years ago -- plus Boreal
Chickadee, over a dozen species of breeding warblers, Ruffed Grouse with
chicks and many Loon families. There were a lot of "through-hikers" arriving
having done the entire AT; most had started in March.

Be sure to read "A Walk in the Woods" for how NOT to do it!

Gail Mackiernan
Colesville, MD