Hi all,
 I went to Blue Mash early and Andy Martin joined me for a nice  morning walk 
there. We thought it rather slow, but had some good finds  never-the-less. 
 
At the big pond, which seems to be holding the same amount of water as last  
week, neither higher nor lower, we saw Semipalmated Sandpiper, Least 
Sandpipers,  Solitary and Spotted Sandpipers, a single Lesser Yellowlegs, lots of 
Killdeer  and our best find, an early WILSON'S SNIPE preening and feeding along the 
edge.  Also had 4 duck species including an early female AMERICAN WIGEON, at 
least 2  Green-winged Teal, Mallard and Wood Ducks. A single Great Egret and 
Great Blue  Heron, as well as E. Phoebe and a pair of kingfishers also seen 
there.
 
 The main trails were slow, but we managed to find a few warblers, our  best 
(and a new bird for my Blue Mash list) was a single NASHVILLE WARBLER,  along 
with Magnolia, Chestnut-sided, many Common Yellowthroats and an Ovenbird  
which Andy saw but I did not.
 
An immature Cooper's Hawk, in immaculate plumage, was hunting and perching  
along the fenceline, giving us stupendous views. A pair of late E. Kingbirds  
flew over, a single male Blue Grosbeak was seen in close proximity to a fledged 
 young, a handful of Indigo Buntings were seen, as were a pair of Scarlet  
Tanagers. 
 
Best non-birding find were numerous and various sizes of Monarch  
caterpillars feeding on milkweed.
 
Rick Sussman
Ashton,MD