29 June
      Finally made it out to see how the area fared after all the heavy 
rain.  Didn't make it early enough to walk the circuit I planned, but did 
check the impoundments, River Rd from Hughes to Willard (on foot) and part 
of Sycamore Landing Rd..
      The area isn't under water, mainly because it had been so dry the rain 
just filled areas to their normal late spring levels.  Parts of Hunting 
Quarter Rd were flooded.  Water levels in the impoundments were high 
covering much of the aquatic vegetation.
      About 40% of my Tree Swallow nest boxes are under water,  but it is 
late enough in the season that most of the swallow broods should have 
already fledged.  I saw at least 15 immatures in the trees along the N-S 
dike.  I'm sure that most of the Red-winged Blackbird nests were also 
destroyed, but again because of the timing these would have been second 
nestings.
      Found a good collection of early summer birds- 49 species in all. 
Attracted to the high water in the impoundments were 6 Great Blue Herons and 
3 Belted Kingfishers.  Other highlights were 3 rough-winged swallows (first 
of the post-nesting gathering along River Rd), 22 Blue-gray Gnatcatchers 
(some feeding young), 2 Yellow-breasted Chats, and a singing Grasshopper 
Sparrow.

Paul Woodward
Fairfax City, VA