After spending a wet Saturday AM with Stan Arnold (see his report), and 
learning about some new places in the area, I was inspired to do some 
exploring on my own.  I spent Saturday afternoon and Sunday exploring a few 
nearby spots I had not visited previously, all in the south-east part of 
Howard County.  I found a lot of interesting places, but also a lot of 
ongoing and new development projects.  I wish we had the political vision 
and will to better control all of this development!

Little Patuxent at eastern edge of Howard County - Warbling Vireos and 
Orchard Orioles singing together - good for studying their songs!, plus 
Prairie Warbler, Swamp Sparrow, White-eyed Vireo, joined Sunday by a 
Baltimore Oriole, a female RT Hummingbird, Catbirds and Red-eyed Vireos.  I 
also came across a patch of Yellow Morels, and cooked some of them last 
night - a nice reward for going out in all of the wet!

Small pond just south of Car Max along Route 1 - a Grasshopper Sparrow in 
the smallest bit of habitat.  No doubt just moving through.  Brought back 
memories of seeing my life Grasshopper Sparrows in the more extensive 
fields that later became Car Max and the rest of the stores and offices nearby

Wincopin Trail off of Voelmerhausen Road - a Veery, Black-throated Blue and 
Palm Warbler

Plus a Hermit Thrush, abundant Wood Thrushes, Ovenbirds and Myrtle 
Warblers, Spotted Sandpipers and Solitary Sands in several small ponds, and 
lots of other residents and returning migrants.  An enjoyable weekend, 
despite the wet feet.

Tom



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             Tom Feild
             Code 568
           NASA/GSFC
      Greenbelt, MD 20771
           301-286-6686
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