Hi all,
 I did a preview walk through Blue Mash today for an MOS trip I am  leading
there tomorrow (still a few spaces left, call me tonight for  directions). Had
some nice birds with 2 new species for my park list. Lots of  Blue Jays were
around, flying over and stopping off to feed in loud boisterous  flocks.
Sparrows are beginning to come in, with nice views of many Swamps,  White-throats
and Field, as well as Song Sparrows. A single immature  WHITE-CROWNED (new for
my BM list) was seen too. Blue Grosbeaks are still  around, with at least 2
seen, as were Indigo Buntings.

There were a pair of Red-shouldered Hawks, a pair of Red-tailed Hawks, and  a
pair of Sharp-shinned Hawks hunting over the area, with one of the sharpies
"attacking" a Red-shouldered at one point. At the farthest corner of the park,
 where the woods trail begins, there is a very large oak tree. As I came out
of  the woods, I looked up at the top of it and saw a bird perched in the
tallest dead snags of it. I was hopeful for a late Great-crested Flycatcher
(because I still haven't seen one in the park) but it turned out to be an adult
RED-HEADED WOODPECKER, my first for the park. I watched it in bad hazy light
for  about 5 minutes before it flew off over the landfill. That was #132 for my
park  list.

My one other good find was what I think was a Philadelphia Vireo, which
disappeared into the woods before I could confirm, but that's what I think it
was. It was with a small mixed flock including a male Black-throated Blue
Warbler, a titmouse, a chickadee and a Red-bellied WP. A single Palm Warbler and  a
few Common Yellowthroats were also seen. A Great Blue Heron and a Belted
Kingfisher were at the pond. Lots of Catbirds, a couple of Brown Thrashers and
many Mockingbirds were seen, and Chimney Swifts were flying over the pond.
Killdeer were seen in a flock of 10 as they circled overhead, calling. An  un-IDed
empid was chasing some House Finches and a number of phoebes were seen.  A
few Ruby-crowned Kinglets and House Wrens were skulking too.

Here in Ashton, last evening, I saw my first Yellow-rumped Warblers of the
season, and a single Swamp Sparrow. Suddenly it does feel like October!

Rick Sussman
Ashton,MD
 (mailto:[log in to unmask])
301-774-1185