Hi all --

The frontal passage and sunny morning also brought a BIG flight of warblers
and other migrants to Rock Creek Park DC. One of the unfortunate truths of
birding is that you cannot be *everywhere* at first light. Some of us
started at the Ridge (picnic areas 17/18) while Barry went down over the
hill to the Equestrian Field. Lots of activity both places, though the Field
was actually better. David Apgar was at the Maintenance Yard at first light
and also saw a lot of birds, the best an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER early. By
the time we got to the Yard (by about 9 am) it was already getting quiet and
visiting Military Field later yielded only a few more birds, but one was a
GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH in the Walking Stick clump.

Birds seen included:

Warblers: Black-and-White (1), Blackburnian (3), Black-throated Green (~25),
Black-throated Blue (2, one heard *singing* by Jeff Shenot), Blackpoll
(6-8), Bay-breasted (1), Canada (1), CAPE MAY (2, together), Chestnut-sided
(~15), Magnolia (18), Nashville (3), Orange-crowned (1), Parula (5), Palm
(1, Western), Tennessee (1), Yellowthroat (8-10). Many of these could be
underestimates, lots of birds were missed as they darted through.

Other migrants: Phoebe (6), Wood-pewee (10), Acadian Flycatcher (1),
"Traill's" Flycatcher (2), Scarlet Tanager (8-10), Rose-breasted Grosbeak
(8-10), Gray-cheeked Thrush (1), Swainson's Thrush (1), Red-eyed Vireo
(10-12), Blue-headed Vireo (1, first of season for us),
Philadelphia/Warbling Vireo (1, seen poorly -- either a very pale Philly or
a late Warbling), Ruby-crowned Kinglet (6), House Wren (10), Chipping
Sparrow (2), Swamp Sparrow (1). Many Jays, Robins and Flickers as well.

David A. also reported good numbers of Indigo Buntings, Tanagers and
Grosbeaks passing through the yard early, as well as a Least Flycatcher.

Unfortunately this will be our last visit to Rock Creek for a while as we
are going out of town for several days, and then off to England October 4
for two weeks. Hopefully others will post as the season is still going
strong, we have yet to see our first Yellow-rump and the sparrows are really
not in yet!

Gail Mackiernan and Barry Cooper
Colesville, MD