Hi all --

The end of the season for our Rock Creek Park forays -- time to get serious about the breeding bird atlas project...! Migration is definitely almost over, very few migrants about -- highlight today, Bicknell's Thrush (heard only) as well as some Gray-cheeks. Also, a bird glimpsed for a second or two at tip of snag near Nature Center that flew off before we got our bins on it but which looked like an Olive-sided Flycatcher (large, big-headed, short tail). Anyone going over there later today or tomorrow should look out for this bird. There is a Pewee around as well, very vocal and obvious.

The Bicknell's was not seen, just heard singing its wiry, upward-phrasing song in the woods near a mulberry tree which was hosting at least two (apparent) Gray-cheeks and about 3-4 Swainson's at the time.  Another 3-4 Swainson's were in the Maintenance Yard, also at a mulberry. Others heard singing.

Warblers very thin on the ground: Blackpoll (4-5) Black-throated Green (1), Magnolia (1), Ovenbird (2-3, resident breeders), Redstart (1), Yellowthroat (2).

Other migrants, besides the thrushes -- almost zip -- Great Crested (1, probably local breeder), Eastern Kingbird (2, ditto), Scarlet Tanager (3), Red-eyed Vireo (4-5), Tree Swallow (1).

It was a pretty good spring, all in all, albeit things seemed late. Three Golden-wings, 4-5 Mourning Warblers, couple Olive-sided Flycatchers (one for days), Sedge Wren, BB Cuckoo etc. Thin on the ground this year -- Empids other than Acadian and Cuckoos in general.

"Autumn" starts in mid-August!

Gail Mackiernan and Barry Cooper
Colesville, MD