Hello everyone,
I am a volunteer (and novice) birdwatcher for Locust Grove Nature Center in
Cabin John Park (in Potomac, MD, near Montgomery Mall). I go every Saturday
to observe and count birds (I started at the end of February). I think the
data eventually goes to a state naturalist. I also monitor a few bluebird
boxes there – there are already nests in two of "my" three.
I had a great day there this past Saturday, and I thought I would share my
list with you all.
*Area around the Nature Center (only about a mile circuit on the trails)*
*The Usuals:* cardinal, chickadee, mourning dove, carolina wren, goldfinch,
house finch, house sparrow, song sparrow, downy woodpecker, hairy
woodpecker, red-bellied woodpecker, tufted titmouse, robin
*More notable:* bluebirds (at least two pairs, probably three), a pair of
kingfishers, flickers (first time I saw them this year), brown-headed
cowbird (first time I saw that this year), blue-gray gnatcatcher (first time
ever!)
I really wanted to see a blue-gray gnatcatcher since everyone on here was
talking about them, and lo and behold it showed up! It took me a while to
ID, but while I was taking notes on it I wrote "like a mockingbird, but
tiny," which is exactly how it is described in Petersen. That was exciting!
I used to see a red-shouldered hawk in the same place every week, but I
haven't seen it the past few times I was there. There were 2 fox sparrows
(March 12) and a flock of 9 or 10 cedar waxwings (March 19). I also
occasionally see pileated woodpeckers and saw white-throated sparrows a few
weeks in a row.
*Power Line Cut (near Ice Rink and ballfields) and Marsh *
Red-Shouldered Hawk, Red-Tailed Hawk (soaring), Pileated Woodpecker,
Red-Wing Blackbird (males and females), Canada Goose, Mallard, Chipping
Sparrow (first time ever)
I would like to send out my list every week – normally I won't make it this
long, and if anyone has suggestions/comments about it, let me know.
Happy Birding!
- Kate Castell
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