Hi all --

Finally made it back to the Rock Creek Maintenance Yard, which has been going through what the Brits call a "purple patch" recently -- not the big numbers of yesterday's fall-out, but great diversity for so late in the season. Highlights -- and these two species are rarely seen on the same day in the usual migratory season -- were GOLDEN-WINGED and MOURNING WARBLERS. The latter was singing vigorously from various places, including a (very dense) small tree in the middle of the open area and no one could see him until he flew out! Barry and I finally caught up with him over by the little pond. Also we enjoyed great close-up views of brilliant male Cape May and Blackburnian Warblers, plus a lot of other migrants. Besides the Maintenance Yard, we had a few migrants around the Nature Center and found a mulberry tree full of thrushes and waxwings!

Warblers: Baybreasted (1), Black-and-White (1), Black-throated Blue (8-10, mostly females), Black-throated Green (1 -- big drop from yesterday!), Blackburnian (3), Blackpoll (6-8), Canada (3), Cape May (1 male, 2 females), Chestnut-sided (5), GOLDEN-WINGED (1, female), Magnolia (8), MOURNING (1, male), Myrtle (1), Ovenbird (5), Parula (5), Redstart (8), Tennessee (1, heard only), Yellowthroat (12, at least!). Additional species reported from the Ridge (picnic area 17/18) included Hooded and Wilson's, so a 20-species day!

Other migrants: Yellow-billed Cuckoo (1, heard only), Scarlet Tanager (8), Red-eyed Vireo (10), BLUE-HEADED VIREO (1, I only got a brief look at this bird, it looked suspiciously plain and gray, no warm tones -- hm-m-m-m...), GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH (1), Swainson's Thrush (15, 8 of them together in one tree!), Veery (5), LINCOLN'S SPARROW (3), Swamp Sparrow (2), Cedar Waxwing (10), Ruby-throated Hummingbird (2).

Gail Mackiernan and Barry Cooper
Colesville, MD