Hi Everyone,
My girlfriend Becky and I spent a few hours this lovely afternoon wandering around the north tract of Patuxent Research Refuge (Anne Arundel Co.) and Middle Patuxent Environmental Area (Howard Co.). For anyone who has not visited these locations, the former is the best AA Co. location I know of for Prairie Warblers. The latter remains in Hans Holbrook's and my opinions the best location in Maryland for cooperative migrant thrushes. Last spring we consistently had great luck with Swainson's and Veeries (the latter probably nested), and on several occasions saw and heard Gray-cheeked. One of last year's major highlights was getting an intensive enough visual and audio study to feel comfortable ID'ing a Bicknell's there. I highly recommend the location, and would appreciate hearing anyone's results with thrushes there. When the Gray-cheekeds (and hopefully their friends from New England) start rolling in, I plan to be out there trying for photos. The following are some of
today's highlights:
Patuxent Research Refuge (North Tract):
Mallards--already with young (FL)
Greater Yellowlegs--3
Lesser Yellowlegs--2
Solitary Sandpipers--2
Spotted Sandpiper--1
Great Crested Flycatcher--1
Eastern Kingbird--1
White-eyed Vireos--3
Red-eyed Vireos--15+
Tree Swallows--30+
Barn Swallows ~10
BG Gnatcatchers--20+
Northern Parulas ~10
Pine Warbler--1
Prairie Warblers ~15
Black-and-white Warblers--3
American Redstarts--5
Ovenbirds--2
Common Yellowthroats--20+
Scarlet Tanagers--2
Indigo Bunting--1
Orchard Oriole--1
Middle Patuxent:
Red-shouldered Hawk--soaring very high; probable migrant
Eastern Phoebe--1
White-eyed Vireo--1
Red-eyed Vireo--2
House Wren--1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet--1 holdout
BG Gnatcatchers--20+
Wood Thrushes--3
VEERY--1
Northern Parula--5
Black-and-white Warbler--1
American Redstart--1
Ovenbird--1
Louisiana Waterthrush--1
White-throated Sparrows ~12
Swamp Sparrow--1
Orchard Oriole--1
American Goldfinches--flock of 200+ going crazy in a Sweet Gum
Enjoy the rest of the weekend!
Bill
Bill Hubick
Elkridge, Maryland
bill_hubick AT yahoo.com
<http://www.billhubick.com>
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