Hi Folks,

Lured by the report of Brown-headed Nuthatch at Fort Smallwood, Elaine and I
headed over there Saturday morning, but failed to see the bird.
Nevertheless, we spent two enjoyable hours at the hawkwatch, chatting with
Sue Ricciardi and others, and seeing plenty of birds other than hawks.
Vultures, a couple of Coops, and a Sharpie or two were about the sum-total
of possible migrants.  Nevertheless, we saw some birds that were
first-of-year, and greatly enjoyed the outing.  Birds that we found
noteworthy included:

SNOWY EGRET--4 or 5 flybys
CATTLE EGRET--1 flyby
PEREGRINE FALCON--1 flying near trees where the BH Nuthatch wasn't; appeared
to be taking off from the ground
SPOTTED SANDPIPER--2
ROYAL TERN--1 flyby
RT HUMMINGBIRD--in trees at edge of pond
GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER--1 "weeping" in the trees along the entrance road
BG GNATCATCHER--plenty around
ORCHARD ORIOLE--singing along entry road

The remainder of the weekend was spent mostly in our yard in Ferndale, and
turned out to produce our two finest days of yard birding ever.  By 8 a.m.
on Saturday morning (4/29), we had tallied 33 species, including 5 warblers,
and by nightfall had a list of 38.  Today, we had another list of 38
species, with a total of 47 for the weekend.  I was just astounded that we
could see so much while working (and dining, and loafing) out in our
suburban yard.  Highlights:

DC CORMORANT--a formation of 52 birds flew over the house heading NE, early
on 4/30.  I have no idea where a group of this size was coming from
OSPREY--only one ever recorded in yard before, but two were seen on 4/29,
one of them carrying a fish, headed east.
RT HUMMINGBIRD--on 4/29 in early a.m. we saw a small bird chasing a big bug,
but bug turned out to be a hummer, perhaps too close to some other bird's
nest.  In early afternoon, an adult male visited our feeder for first time
this year
PURPLE MARTIN--flying north in early evening on 4/30; new yard bird
TREE SWALLOW--several flying north in a.m., 4/29
BARN SWALLOW--(first of year in yard)--9 seen flying north throughout day on
4/29
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER--3 or 4 were very vocal and visible in a.m., 4/29 and
4/30
BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER--finally seen on 4/29; heard only on 4/30
BLACKPOLL WARBLER--(first of year) heard only on 4/29, but seen in scope on
4/30; I used to think that April was too early for Blackpolls, but I've seen
more and more April reports during the past few years.  This is the only
migrant warbler of which I'm aware that can be routinely found in this area
as late as the second week of June.
BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER--at least 2 seen and VERY vocal early on 4/29; one
seen in scope
AM. REDSTART (first of year)--heard many times throughout morning on 4/29
INDIGO BUNTING--seen briefly on 4/29; new yard bird

Our 2006 yard list now stands at 72 species and ties the total yard list
from two years ago.  I've never tried staying home during migration before;
it can be kind of fun!

Stan Arnold
Glen Burnie