I am forwarding a report from Jim Green

Helen

 

Helen Patton

429 Hamilton Ave

Silver Spring, MD 20901

(301) 588-5418

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Green [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
Sent: Saturday, April 07, 2007 3:46 PM
To: 'Helen Patton'
Subject: birding

 

 

Sat. 4/7/07

            I went out to check out McKee Beshers WMA this morning between 8
and 10 AM. I headed first towards Sycamore Landing Road with the hopes of
possibly finding an American Bittern. On the way out River Road I saw
several Wild Turkeys by the side of the road. Once I entered Syc. L. Rd. my
hopes were dimmed do to the area being used by a bird dog club for training.
I saw several Wood Ducks towards the end of the road in the swampy area on
the west side. A quick scan of the river showed no waterfowl. Lots of
swallows were flying low over the river: I saw approx. 50 Tree Swallows and
2 Rough-winged Swallows. From there I headed for Hunting Quarter Road (and
by-passed walking out Hughes Hollow). I saw more Wood Ducks and 5
Blue-winged Teal in the impoundment along the road. There was also an Osprey
perched in a nearby tree which flew up and circled and called several times.
I proceeded up H. Q. Road and stopped at the middle parking lot and walked
out the path. The trees were covered with black birds of all sorts with many
of them calling/singing. I identified Black Vultures soaring overhead, both
American & Fish Crows, Common Grackles, Red-winged Blackbirds and
Brown-headed Cowbirds. A short walk later and there were approx. 25 Rusty
Blackbirds to add to the mix. The highlight of my walk was 3 Adult
Yellow-Crowned Night Herons in the swampy area. One of the  three had a very
YELLOW crown stripe similar to one I had seen in the same place last year.


            Not a bad spring morning considering there were snowflakes
falling off and on.                    

 

Jim Green

Event Manager

Smokey Glen Farm Barbequers, Inc.

301-948-1518

301-948-3188 (fax)