You know it's July when -

Ovenbirds start popping up off the trail in front of you and sit there
craning their necks to see if you're going to find the baby sitting on the
next branch over. And you haven't heard one sing all morning.

Shorebirds start finding the few mudflats we have and you can find 4 species
in a single sitting.

The Scarlet Tanager you managed to find singing is looking a bit scruffy.
Like he 's getting ready to turn green.

The neighbor wants to take the baby robin she just found in the yard to the
vet while the parent is going into a panic nearby. You calmly explain that
mama is right there, knows where her kid is and that it will likely survive
even though it can't fly.

Other than the tanager you heard & saw, just about the only thing singing is
a red-eye.

Wood Thrush quietly hop onto low branches and hope you didn't spot them.
Almost like the Ovenbird.

The only two Acadians you heard all morning refused to do the flutter call.

    I was recently informed that some were seen doing it in a neighboring
state. That doesn't count. Strange things happen in other states. UFO's,
Bigfoot, Ivory-billed sightings and all that. Let's keep our distance. MD
only has one Paranormal phenomenon - Burkittsville woods where kids get lost
making home ghost movies and can't even hear the roar of the trucks on the
highway over the hill. Other than that, we're perfect.

    Jerry