On Saturday for the first time this season, the grackles were flocking up 
at Jug Bay, and we saw many large groups heading to the marsh at dusk.  
Sunday morning I went out Atlasing in lower PG Co on the Patuxent, and the 
grackles were so numerous it seemed to affect the activity of some of the 
breeders.  The orioles and flycatchers (especially kingbirds) were 
noticeable intimidated and very subdued.  The large trees near the river 
were saturated with grackles and it seemed odd for mid-June.  I suspect 
the local breeders wondered where the heck all these birds came from and 
if they were going to stay!

The other noteworthy activity was from swarms of deer flies.  It got 
pretty intense, and I have a very high tolerance for bugs.  I was oddly 
delighted and highly impressed with their numbers; it made some of the 
piney areas essentialy unaccessible.

Had a very nice morning though with no surprises, but 52 species for 2 
hours in two Atlas blocks (Benedict NW and NE), which I will enter as 
incidentals.

Jeff Shenot
Croom MD