Over the last couple of weeks we've had a chance to see some excellent 
sightings here at the park.  On 5/4 there was a Rose-breasted Grosbeak 
right at the platform feeder munching on some black-oil sunflower seeds 
and then later along the bird loop trail near the two small ponds, seen 
and heard abundantly were Scarlet Tanagers, which were spectacular.  On 
5/12, once again there's been a red-phased Eastern Screech Owl utilizing a 
nest box at the woodland pond, sunning itself by day, and along the bird 
loop in a very wet spring fed area was a Northern Waterthrush quietly 
walking through it and bobbing it's tail.  We've had some great looks at a 
Solitary Sandpiper spotted in a few different areas in the park, around 
Lake Hashawha, at the turtle pond, and near Bear Branch Creek along John 
Owings Road, and it's been just that, solitary all by itself.  Probably 
the best bird as of recently was a Sora Rail that Marty Miller and I saw 
and heard at that area along John Owings Road just before you turn into 
the park; on the left is a large wetland that the beavers have created by 
damming Bear Branch Creek with many cattails to hide amongst.  Marty and I 
were looking at Tree, Northern Rough-winged, and Barn Swallows diving all  
around us and then all of a sudden there were Wood Duck ducklings 
following the female through the water and then there was another adult 
female that was like a missle falling, falling, falling and then not 
stopping at all and then landed inside another of the nest boxes in the 
wetland.  But back to the Sora Rail, we were talking and Marty spotted 
something dart amongst the cattails and I caught the tail end which was 
white and we waited and listened and it was indeed the exact sound that is 
on the Stokes Field Guide to bird sounds, it was so awesome.  The day of 
5/24 brought the first sighting of Willow Flycatcher saying "fitz bew" 
repeatedly and it's been all over the park recently around the water areas 
and then Green Heron was stationary around Lake Hashawha.  On 6/2 while 
leading a field trip around the bird loop, Mary noticed the Baltimore 
Oriole nest that was occupied hanging at the end of the Tulip Tree branch 
was now missing.  We both went out to check and indeed, sadly it was 
gone.  Maybe first year parents that didn't construct a strong enough nest 
that couldn't withstand some of the heavy winds we've been having recently 
with the storms??? Any ideas anyone?  Then on yesterday with the monthly 
walk, notables for Bear Branch were defintely Alder Flycatcher at the 
woodland pond saying "piiizzzzaaaa" and we had a great look and many 
Eastern Wood-Pee-Wee's our first for the season.  The highlight had to be 
a pair of Scarlet Tangagers feasting on some unripened mulberries, they 
were a great way to end the walk.  And this is a great way to end this 
posting.

Mary Schmidt & Brian Campbell
Naturalists
Bear Branch Nature Center