I took the day off and spent most of it in the field, birding local spots in 
Baltimore and Carroll Counties. Started at the McKeldin area of Patapsco State 
Park (Carroll), then on to the Liberty Dam Trail (Baltimore) and Soldiers 
Delight (Baltimore) to finish the morning. In the afternoon I hit Southwest Area 
Park briefly and finished at Halethorpe ponds (all Baltimore County). I 
finished with 18 warbler species and 86 species altogether, though it could have 
been a lot higher with the addition of some that I might have expected at this 
season.

Migrants were still a bit scarce but residents were in good numbers. All the 
expected flycatchers had finally arrived in force, as had Scarlet Tanagers and 
Indigo Buntings. It was a banner day for Redstarts -- I think every variation 
of their song is permanently etched in my mind (at least until next week). 
But I was surprised not to find a single Chestnut-sided, Magnolia or Blackpoll 
Warbler, and no Catharus thrushes. A few White-throated Sparrows were still 
around.

Cerulean Warblers put on a great show at McKeldin. One pair was in the 
vicinity of the Tall Poplar Trail, but the most accessible birds were right in the 
picnic area that overlooks the falls. There was at least one pair and one 
additional male here, all very cooperative and visible with minimal patience 
required.

Some highlights from each location:

PVSP, McKeldin Area, Marriottsville
Broad-winged Hawk - 2
Yellow-throated Vireo - 3
NASHVILLE WARBLER - 1
Black-throated Blue - 4
YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER - 1
CERULEAN WARBLER - 5
Black-and white Warbler
American Redstart
Worm-eating Warbler - 2
Ovenbird
LA Waterthrush
Common Yellowthroat
Scarlet Tanager

Liberty Dam Trail, Marriottsville
BARRED OWL - 1 calling spontaneously at 1130
Yellow-throated Vireo - 3
Black-throated Blue - 5
Worm-eating - 3
LA Waterthrush - 2
Northern Waterthrush - 1
Swamp Sparrow - 1

Soldier's Delight
Pine Warbler - 1
Prairie Warbler - 6
Hooded Warbler - 1

Southwest Area Park, Lansdowne
Osprey - 1
Savannah Sparrow - 1

Halethorpe Ponds ("big ponds" 4&5)
DC Cormorant - 2
Great Egret - 2
Osprey - 1
BALD EAGLE - 2 adults soaring over big pond, gorgeous
Solitary Sandpiper - 3
Spotted Sandpiper - 2
Least Sandpiper - 1
YB Cuckoo - 1
Warbling Vireo - 3
Yellow Warbler - 5
Black-throated Green Warbler - 1, my first record here
Prairie Warbler - 1, unusual, my 2nd record
Chipping Sparrow - 2, also unusual here

Joel Martin
Catonsville, MD