Blue Mash Nature Trail, Zion Road Section, Montgomery County, 26 Oct 06, 
0730-1000 

John Combs, Mike Bowen and I enjoyed a cold, crisp walk at Blue Mash and a
36 species morning.  Birds were plentiful with lots of movement occurring
overhead.  The inner pond held 3 Ruddy Duck and numerous Canda Geese
departing for their daily feeding grounds.  Raptors included a juvenile
Red-shouldered Hawk and a Cooper's Hawk, as well as both vulture species.
Both kinglets were in attendance.  Sparrows abounded with E. Towhee,
Chipping, Field, Song, Swamp, White-throated and White-crowned observed.
Several Palm Warblers (eastern) gave great looks along with Yellow-rumped
and Common Yellowthroat.  We spent 20 or so frustrating minutes trying to
get a good look at a presumed Orange-crowned Warbler, which skulked in the
back swale but never presented long enough for an ID-confirming look.
However, much to our suprise, one popped up in full view further down the
trail for a short but satisfying look.  The O-C Warbler was a nemesis state
bird for Mike and a lifer for John.


Tom Marko 
Olney, MD