Hi all --

Barry and I spent a couple of days in western Maryland -- the major reason to "test" a new house-and-dog-sitter for our Australian trip later this summer. We drove out to Oaklad on Wednesday, dodging rain all the way. It was windy and rainy when we arrived in late afternoon and visits to some regular sites were not very productive. Along Combination Rd. the best birds were a single Bobwhite and several Vesper Sparrows. The next morning it was really raining but we persevered and saw Alder Flycatcher along Muddy Creek Rd., but not much else. Back to the motel to dry out and wait for clearing, which happened by late afternoon. A drive along Maple Glade Rd. in Swallow Falls yielded Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, Blackburnian, Magnolia and Parula Warblers, also lots of singing Hermit Thrushes and Blue-headed Vireos, but it was quiet compared to our other visits in the past. 

Today was clear and we visited Pea Ridge Road and were rewarded with excellent close views of two Henslow's Sparrows (and two others heard singing) as well as a Grasshopper Sparrow carrying food (in case they haven't been confirmed yet for the atlas in that block). We stopped at Finzel Swamp but saw little of note save Chestnut-sided Warbler and Northern Waterthrush. Had hoped for some Baltimore Checkerspots but they were not flying (or is it too late in the season now?)

Afternoon was a drive along Green Ridge Road where a number of stops led to nice encounters with Hooded, Cerulean, Worm-eating, Pine, & Black-and-White Warblers, as well as Redstart, to end the weekend with 16 warbler species (list includes Yellow, Yellowthroat and also heard Prairie) which is not too shabby for this time of year, though a Golden-winged would have been nice ;-)

It was 10 degrees cooler in the west, and gas was 25 cents a gallon cheaper than at home!

Gail Mackiernan and Barry Cooper
Colesville, MD