Folks

Friday, September 3 was mostly a passerine effort.  I birded western Charles County, visiting Camp Merrick and Purse's State Park - both along Rt. 224.  Thanks to Robert Rainey for providing access to the Lyons Club facilities.  I expect in a good weather situation this 300+ acres spot could prove very birdie. 

Highlights for the morning included nine species of warblers, all previously identified in 2004.  New for September were Chestnut-sided and  Black-throated Blue Warbler, and Summer Tanager.  Other birds of note were Great-crested Flycatcher, Yellow-throated Vireo (singing), Northern Parula, Black-throated Green, Pine, Black & White and Canada Warblers, and American Redstart and Common Yellowthroat.  

Saturday was spent on Hart-Miller Island - unfortunately not in Charles County.  That report should follow later this week.

On Sunday, September 5 Jim Stasz and Ed Boyd came down to Charles County to help me with the Big Year effort.  A very slow day.  Jim's comment about no birds here is well taken.  We did have one good find.  At Purse's State Park we found a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher in a small mix of warblers, chickadees, etc.  Gwen was with us so she got a new county bird, but this was #212 for the year for me.  That ties the old Charles County big year record.  

Other birds of note were about 15 Great Egret at the Mattawomen Environmental Area off Rt. 224, American Kestrel, Grasshopper Sparrow, and Bobolinks at Allen's Fresh, a single Red-headed Woodpecker flying over Hancock Run Road, some where along the way we had a Belted Kingfisher, and Bald Eagle and Cedar Waxwings at Purse's State Park.  Warblers were a female Blue-winged, Magnolia, and Black-throated Blue at Purse.  A Hooded Warbler was singing at Purse, and Northern Parula and Black and White were found at several locations.  Gwen had a Northern Waterthrush at the old courthouse at Port Tobacco.   

A highlight at the house before Gwen and I went to meet Jim and Ed was a Red-breasted Nuthatch.  This is yard year bird #118 - maybe a new record for the yard.  

More birding tomorrow.   Maybe the front will have brought stuff in.

Good birding.

George