My son Ben and I went to Fort McHenry today to see the Western Kingbird.
We found the bird right away in its favorite tree near the visitors center,
and at times along the wood fence around the fort.  As always, a beautiful
bird, and I may have gotten some decent photos of it as it let me approach
within 15 feet or so.

While we were there, Jim Peters graciously offered to give us a tour of the
marsh, and we found many other additional birds.  Highlights included an
adult male Orchard Oriole, a silent Empid. Flycatcher, female Black-
throated Blue Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, singing Yellow Warbler, many
Common Yellowthroats, and several Swamp Sparrows.  Despite a lot of
looking, these were my first Black-throated Blue and Magnolia Warblers of
the season.

Also seen were two Least Terns and one Common Tern.  A Snowy Egret was
along the marsh and several Spotted Sandpipers were present.  And, a steady
stream of Tree, Barn, and Rough-winged Swallows hunted over the grass,
marsh, and water.  Ben had five life birds for the day, bringing his total
to around 213.  Pretty good for 12 years old!

Fred Shaffer
Patuxent MOS