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Subject:

Susquehanna SP/Rock Run Mill (Fri)

From:

Rick Cheicante

Reply-To:

Rick Cheicante

Date:

Fri, 27 Apr 2007 17:36:29 -0400

Friday, April 27,

Susquehanna SP, Rock Run Mill with a walk up to Steppingstone.

Rainy, drizzly spring mornings - my favorite!  Looking up isn't any good, but 
this is when many of the birds forage around eye level.  Always appreciate the 
views I've gotten on these wet spring mornings.  Today wasn't too bad - 
umbrella in one hand, binos in the other. 9 warblers, 3 vireos.  Had the Blue-
headed Vireo and one the Yellow-throated Vireos together on the same branch 
(eye level, 10').  Couldn't decide which one I liked better, than I realized .....I 
liked them both ..... alot!

The highlights:

Spotted Sandpiper - 10
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 8
Blue-headed Vireo - 1
YELLOW-THROATED VIREO - 2
Warbling Vireo - 2
Northern Parula - 6+
Palm Warbler - 6
Prothonotary Warbler - 1
CERULEAN WARBLER - 1
Yellow-throated Warbler - 2
Yellow-rumped "Myrtle" Warbler - 15+
BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER - 1
OVENBIRD - 3
Louisiana Waterthrush - 7
WOOD THRUSH - 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - bunches
HOUSE WREN - 2
Orchard Oriole - 1 half-hearted song attempt 
White-throated Sparrow - 20+
Field Sparrow - 2
Swamp Sparrow - 1
Song Sparrow - 3
Chipping Sparrow - plenty
Savannah Sparrow - 1 (at Steppingstone)


Wildflowers ("The Ephemeral Forest" of Harford County)

p (peak), e (early), l (late)

Virginia Bluebells (p) - hillsides now equal floodplain, spectacular.
Red (or Purple) "White form" Trillium (p) - confused, howabout Trillium erectum, 
this is one of the best years I have ever seen.
Dutchman's Breeches (p-l) - already fruiting in the floodplain.
Squirrel Corn (p) - best up the slopes.
Cut-leaved Toothwort (p-l) - looking good, but unhappy today.
Golden Ragwort (e)
Early Saxifrage (p)
Rue Anemone (p)
Wood Anemone (p)
Spring Cress (p-l)
Celadine (p)
Spring Beauty (p) - not happy today
Trout Lily (p) - better in some places that others
Sessile Bellwort (e)
Solomon's Seal (e) - Smooth and Giant
Blue Cohosh (e-p)
May Apple (e-p) - fully emerged
Jack-in-the-pulpit (e) - coming on strong.
violets (p) - blue, yellow, and white

This has been a good ephemral year.  Something worked out.  The trillium and 
bluebells are having one of their stronger years.

I'm sure the "on-site" birdlist is changing as I write.  Best of luck to everyone 
this weekend - I'm sure things are going to be VERY birdy.

[I think I'm dry now]

Rick Cheicante
Harford County
Bel Air, MD