I went to Middle Patuxent Environmental Area in Howard County
yesterday (5/23) in the morning. I'm afraid I didn't notice anything
like a Gray-cheek/Bicknell's by sound or sight - just Wood Thrushes
and a Veery or two.
Of most interest was 3-4 Kentucky Warblers on the left-hand trail
beyond the meadow. Two of them were having an epic territorial battle
right by the path, chipping sharply and loud and charging each other
for five minutes or more in the area near a tag with #40 by a side
path. This allowed for some really excellent looks. Also one was
singing near the ancient rusted car and another near the tiny stand of
pines towards the river. Also in that area was - dare I say again - a
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, as best as I can tell from a repeated
little "tuwee" call and an occasional sharper down-slurred note. It
had the right shape and a large eye-ring that seemed off-white, and a
very orange lower mandible. Its belly did not seem very yellow though.
I also heard or saw 3 Canada Warblers, 2 Black-throated Blues, and a
BT Green, and watched a Ruby-throated Hummingbird gathering spider
webs.
Steve Sanford
Randallstown MD (Balto Co)
scartanATverizonDOTnet |