Hi Everyone,
 
I spent a couple hours after work today hiking at Middle Patuxent Environmental Area in Howard Co. This morning's overcast weather turned with perfect timing to clear and warm, and I had to be outdoors. There were many changes at the park since my last visit in the fall. A large meadow area has been cleared for woodcock habitat, and it seems the stream bank eroded considerably over the winter months. It has widened in several areas, with many sections now quite steep. The understory seems to be filling in rapidly with Multiflora Rose and Garlic Mustard, with sections of the trail dotted with violets, small asters, Skunk Cabbage, Mayapple, and young Jack-in-the-Pulpits. Down by the stream, some lower areas were densely covered with tall Skunk Cabbage.
 
There was a lot of bird activity right from the start, and it seemed that all birds present were enjoying the abundant insects. EASTERN TOWHEEs (30+), WHITE-THROATED SPARROWs (50+), and AMERICAN ROBINs (100+) were all active and vocal throughout the park. The sounds of BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHERs were rarely out of earshot, with at least 25 seen or heard. Also certainly on the move were RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETs--I counted at least 18. As I crossed the meadow and entered the woods, I was pleasantly surprised to find a HOUSE WREN foraging along a fallen log. As always, though, most of the action was down along the Middle Patuxent itself. I had just begun hiking along the stream when I heard my first LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH of the year, followed immediately by a singing WHITE-EYED VIREO. Several BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDs were calling along the stream, and CHIPPING SPARROWs were singing in several places. Harsh rattles were heard from two BELTED KINGFISHERs. On my way back, I heard a single
 singing NORTHERN PARULA and the distinctive chip notes of another Louisiana Waterthrush.
 
The majority of the sound along the stream was not from birds, however. As I reached the stream, I became aware of a loud and constant trill, a chorus of hundreds of American Toads. This wasn't your average summer evening get-together, but decidedly an organized event. Not surprisingly, a quick check of a half-submerged log in sluggish water revealed two couples starting very large families. Smaller males were on the backs of larger females, fertilizing thousands of eggs. (Today's vocab phrase is axillary amplexus.) Unless delayed by colder weather, these eggs will hatch in about a week, and the tiny black "toadpoles" will be seen here in abundance for the next couple months. Spring Peepers kept the beat to the toady trill, while a handful of wishy-washy Southern Leopard Frogs didn't seem to really get into it. Gray Treefrogs called from the woods as the sun set and I headed back.
 
Insects were abundant, but only a few butterflies were to be seen: 5 Cabbage Whites, 1 Pearl Crescent, and 3 Eastern Commas. The commas seemed strangely skittish, and once kicked up, flew until lost to vision. Later in the summer they seem more content to land a yard or two away. Walking back to the car I heard an explosive chip, followed by rattling notes. I paused and laughed to myself that each spring I am surprised by the first sounds of Eastern Chipmunks.
 
I love spring. And we're almost to the weekend!
 
Bill
 
Bill Hubick
Elkridge, Maryland
bill_hubick AT yahoo.com
http://www.billhubick.com/