Dear Ospreyers,

There was quite a bit of migrant activity at Patterson Park in Baltimore this morning. A mixed flock high in the canopy included 2 gnatcatchers, a male redstart, 2 pewees, a Magnolia Warbler and a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. The yellow-bellied had me fooled for a while since I haven't seen one for several years and because I think of them as an understory species - but I realised what it was from its tiny size and quite dingy green colour on the breast with a yellow wash from throat to belly - made it look a bit like an Orange-crowned Warbler perching erect! Its call is very distinctive - a clear rising whistle like a pewee (though consisting of one note, not two), sometimes preceded by a chup-chup.

The Olive-sided Flycatcher was a treat, giving great views on exposed branches with a pewee perched next to it for comparison! Complete migrant list is below.

If anyone's interested in seeing these, they were both in trees around the oval "bull ring" 100 yards east of the fountain (Patterson Park Avenue end of the park). I have a feeling the wind and clouds will keep them here today.

Dave


Sharp-shinned Hawk	1	
American Kestrel	1	
Chimney Swift	20	
Olive-sided Flycatcher	1	
Eastern Wood-pewee	2	
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher	1	
Empidonax flycatcher	2	
Great-crested Flycatcher	2	
Barn Swallow	1	
Blue-grey Gnatcatcher	2	
Magnolia Warbler	1	
Common Yellowthroat	2	
American Redstart	1	
Baltimore Oriole	1	


David Curson, PhD
Director of Bird Conservation,
Audubon MD-DC,
2437 Eastern Avenue,
Baltimore  MD  21224
Tel: (410) 558 2473
E-mail: