Hi all --

Derek has posted results from the mainanance Yard at Rock Creek Park, DC -- but I started at the Ridge (picnic areas 17/18) along with a number of the RC regulars. We got there at about 7 am and stood around wondering where the birds were for about 30 minutes, just a few Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and Yellowthroats -- when suddenly a big "bird wave" -- as the Brits say -- kept us scrambling for some time. Then things got quiet and we went over to the Yard where we caught up with most of the species Derek noted. The highlight, at the Ridge, were THREE(!) PHILADELPHIA VIREOS at once, two together at slam-dunk range in one of the little walnut saplings while the third enjoyed some VA Creeper berries on a taller tree. They came in with the bird flock, which consisted mostly of warblers, including two Tennessees. It got pretty quiet around 10 am and a trip to Military Field yielded little additional for me, but Jeff Shenot had seen a LINCOLN'S SPARROW just minutes before I arrived (argh).

Warblers: Black-and-White (2), Blackburnian (2), Baybreasted (1), Blackpoll (1), Black-throated Green (8), Black-throated Blue (4), Chestnut-sided (5-6), Hooded (1, I missed it!), Magnolia (6), Ovenbird (1), Parula (3-4), Redstart (4), Tennessee (2), Yellowthroat (~15). No Connecticut today, it had been replaced with a host of YTs.

Other migrants: Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (1), Phoebe (1), Wood-pewee (5), Red-eyed Vireo (10), Philadelphia Vireo (3), Scarlet Tanager (8), Baltimore Oriole (1), Swainson's Thrush (4), Rose-breasted Grosbeak (~12), House Wren (6), Brown Thrasher (3), Ruby-crowned Kinglet (3). Jeff also had  a Gray-cheeked Thrush in the Yard. 

Gail Mackiernan
Colesville, MD