Blue Mash Nature Trail, Zion Road Section, Montgomery County, 8 Jul 06,
0700-1000

It was nice to return to Blue Mash after almost a one month sabbatical.  My
daughter's high school graduation and participation in the ABA convention in
Bangor, ME were among the activities that took me in other directions during
the month of June.  As a result of the recent monsoons, Blue Mash was green,
lush, overgrown and very birdy this morning.  48 species were observed or
heard.

Of note were fairly large flocks of Am. Robin & Red-winged Blackbird,
comprised mostly of juvenile birds.  Gray Catbird, No. Mockingbird & Brown
Thrasher were also quite numerous.  After a conspicuously long absence, it
was nice to find not one but three Belted Kingfisher perched on the snags in
the outer pond.  The kingfishers were flanked by a Spotted Sandpiper and a
Green Heron.

The first round of Tree Swallow an E. Bluebird have all fledged the 12 nest
boxes.  The second round so far shows 2 boxes containing rebuilt swallow
nests with recently hatched young and a third box with 5 sky-blue bluebird
eggs.

In the mammal category, 2 curious young deer approached within 30 feet
before skampering off into a field.  2 woodchuck and 1 rabbit were also
encountered along the trail.
 
Tom Marko
Olney, MD