Hi Everyone,

Hans Holbrook and I returned to Middle Patuxent Environmental Area (Howard
Co.) this afternoon in hopes of relocating the BICKNELL'S THRUSH he had
there yesterday. Although I had my fingers crossed that last night's weather
would keep everything down, our luck far exceeded my hopes for the trip! 

As we neared the spot where Hans had the bird yesterday (near where one of
the main trails meets the river), we almost immediately heard the song of a
Gray-cheeked/Bicknell's Thrush. We stopped to listen, and noted that the
song did not have the characteristic drop-off on the final note like that of
Gray-cheeked. Instead, each song ended on a level or sometimes
ever-so-slightly rising note. I have studied audio recordings of the two
species pretty extensively now, and felt very good even with just the song.
But of course we had to approach for a look. As we got closer, it called a
high-pitched note (like its nocturnal flight call), which was higher and
shorter than expected for Gray-cheeked. It did not take long to locate the
bird, and we were able to view it at close range. It had a decisively warmer
tone to its plumage. (I did not get a good look at the bill, unfortunately.)
To seal the deal, a Gray-cheeked began singing nearby between the Bicknell's
Thrush's songs for comparison. It was an incredible opportunity to study the
two species together. I could hardly have hoped for a better first encounter
with the species. As for photos, Hans and I were in full rain gear and
expecting an immediate downpour. I left my camera in the car. While this
stings quite a bit, it is probably THE REASON we saw it so well :). I can
live with that :).

Other birds of interest included:

Chimney Swifts - Constantly overhead at the park
Eastern Wood-Pewee - 3
Acadian Flycatcher - 8
Great Crested Flycatcher - 2
Eastern Kingbird - 1
White-eyed Vireo - 1
VEERY - 6+
GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH - 1
Gray-cheeked/Bicknell's - 2 (heard singing in the distance as we watched the
definite Bicknell's--we were too busy studying the bird in hand to try to
call the two distant birds in the bush)
SWAINSON'S THRUSH - 1
Wood Thrush - 10+
Cedar Waxwings - 50++ (very large flocks moving up the river)
Blue-winged Warbler - 1 (great looks; had a silver band)
Northern Parula - 6
Chestnut-sided Warbler - 1
Magnolia Warbler - 5
Blackpoll Warbler - 2
American Redstart - 5
Ovenbird - 4
Northern Waterthrush - 1
Louisiana Waterthrush - 1
Kentucky Warbler - 1
Common Yellowthroat - 8
CANADA WARBLER - 6 (!)
Scarlet Tanager - 5

Enjoy the rest of the week!

Bill

Bill Hubick
Linthicum, Maryland

www.billhubick.com