Blue Mash Nature Trail, Zion Road Section, Montgomery County, 19 Apr 07, 
0730-0945

Despite almost 1 month into spring, another cool, damp and overcast morning 
along the trail.  Thankfully, the strong winds over the past week subsided.  
John Combs, John Pangborn and I worked our way around the trail and ticked 
39 species.  Lots of D-C Cormorants with 40+ on the inner pond.  One or more 
(not sure if it was the same bird) Caspian Terns flew by overhead.  The tern 
was my 154th species at Blue Mash.  We also had a flyover Osprey and found 
a small Largemouth Bass lying on the trail.

Tree Swallows were everywhere with a few Barn Swallows mixed in over the 
small pond.  Other birds of note included 1 Ruby-crowned and 1 Golden-
crowned Kinglet, 5 Brown Thrashers, 1 very yellow Palm Warbler and an Am. 
Kestrel perched on the wires over Zion Road.

We also stumbled across 2 Tree Swallows in what we thought were in 
flagrante delicto. (Hey, what did you expect from 3 guys?)  It turned out that 
one of the swallows was ensnared in the thorns of a multi-flora rose bush, 
caught between the underside of its wing and body.  A successful rescue 
ensued and the bird flew off to rejoin its mate.

Tom Marko
Montgomery Bird Club