Hi all,
 I snuck out of work early and put in about an hour and a half at Blue  Mash 
this afternoon. The big pond inside the landfill held 3 sandpipers and a  
Killdeer, (Spotted, Solitary and a single Least) as well as a pair of  Blue-winged 
Teal and Mallards and a lone American Coot. A Swamp Sparrow or 2  were 
chipping along the edge. 
 
 
 An E. Meadowlark was in the large grassy area adjacent to the trail,  and 
lots of Yellow Warblers were around. My best find were at least 3 different  
Barred Owls calling. One responded to my call by flying into the trees near the  
trail, then it flew across the trail into some lighter woods in the middle of  
the marsh, where I snapped a few pictures. It then went back to the woods, 
then  across the trail (the "green trail") into some other woods, where it 
called and  again flew in closer to investigate my calls. It was very vocal and 
active for  4:30 in the afternoon. A second bird called form the same woods where 
I heard  the first bird, so I think maybe there is a nest or young. Lots of 
calling back  and forth, so I left them alone after a bit of fun.
 
 Both orioles were seen or heard, as well as White eyed Vireo and some  
others including lots of Catbirds. 
 
Rick Sussman
Ashton,MD