While I won't dispute the deer browse, Sugarloaf is an adequately birdy
place. Check it out during migration. It tends to be a magnet for
north-bound warblers since it stands by itself out there in Southern
Frederick County. It's well away form the main chain of mountains and I have
found a few fallouts there.
    In spite of the deer browse and cowbird predation it is a reliable spot
for Wormeating Warbler. In fact somebody did a study of them up there.
Ravens nest up there somewhere. Trust me. Tanagers abound.
    As for the Waterthrush, there is a stream down there on that side of the
mountain and they do well there. Drive along Mount Ephraim Road. It follows
the stream and if you don't hear one every hundred yards or so, roll your
windows down. And turn off the CD player. There is also access to another
set of trails off Mt Ephraim. I have had some decent birding trips on those
trails.

    As for today, we did the Smith Island trip with Pete Webb, Kevin Graff
and about a dozen others. We were treated to a Gannet feeding frenzy that
was worth the cost. Nobody in the group had ever seen that many in one place
before. We also ran the table for Scoters - all 3 species. Lots loons and
other delights, but I will yield to Kevin who I am sure will come on with an
exact count of it all.  His ever present check list was very busy. Great day
for all and thanks to Pete, Kevin and the BBC for putting on a great trip.
More folks should have done it. Y'all missed some fun!
    Jerry Tarbell
    Carroll County