Hi Folks,

The Howard Co. Bird Club did a walk at the Middle Patuxent Environmental
Area yesterday morning (Sat., 4/28), enjoying some great weather, and a
fairly nice assortment of birds.  Highlights were viewing both KENTUCKY
WARBLER and BLUE-WINGED WARBLER in the scope, thanks to Ralph Cullison (who
can get a scope on a bird faster than anyone I know), VEERY, BLACK-BILLED
CUCKOO (unfortunately seen only by Ralph, who to his credit went back after
the walk and relocated the bird to confirm the ID), and N. HARRIER.  The
complete list:

Canada Goose--flyover pair
Wood Duck--3 that we chased up the river
Common Loon--4 flyovers
Great Blue Heron--3
Black Vulture--4
Turkey Vulture--12
N. Harrier--1
Sharp-shinned Hawk--1
Cooper's Hawk--2
Red-shouldered Hawk--6
Broad-winged Hawk--3
Red-tailed Hawk--1
Mo. Dove--3
Black-billed Cuckoo--1
Barred Owl--2 calling incesantly before walk
Chimney Swift--1
Red-bellied Woodpecker--10
Downy Woodpecker--5
N. Flicker--5
Pileated Woodpecker--2, one from parking area
Acadian Flycatcher--1
E. Phoebe--1
Great Crested Flycatcher--2
White-eyed Vireo--25+
Blue-headed Vireo--1
Blue Jay--15
Am. Crow--10
Fish Crow--10
Tree Swallow--15
Barn Swallow--1
Carolina Chickadee--10
Tufted Titmouse--scores; there was never a time when we were not hearing
them
White-breasted Nuthatch--15
Carolina Wren--10
House Wren--6
Ruby-crowned Kinglet--8
E. Bluebird--6
Veery--1
Hermit Thrush--1
Wood Thrush--2 or more
Am. Robin--many
Gray Catbird--2
N. Mocker--1
Brown Thrasher--2
Starling--3
Blue-winged Warbler--4 males singing, one viewed
N. Parula--dozens heard, even from parking area
Black-throated Blue Warbler--3
Yellow-rumped Warbler--5
Ovenbird--2
La. Waterthrush--4
Kentucky Warbler--1
Common Yellowthroat--3
E. Towhee--scores
Chipping Sparrow--1
Field Sparrow--12
Song Sparrow--1
Swamp Sparrow--3
White-throated Sparrow--100s, often in tree tops where the warblers should
have been
N. Cardinal--dozens
Common Grackle--1
BH Cowbird--dozens; heard constantly
Baltimore Oriole--2
House Finch--pair
Am. Goldfinch--10
House Sparrow--1

We tallied 66 total species.

The migrants have been coming through our Ferndale (AA Co.) yard this past
week, with the following noted (all caps indicates first of year):

Tue, 4/24--Caspian Tern, pair flying over eastward, p.m.; HOUSE WREN--a day
earlier than last year, two have begun nest building in one of our nest
boxes; RC Kinglet

Fri, 4/27--HERMIT THRUSH--two around yard much of day; GRAY CATBIRD and
INDIGO BUNTING, both hanging around feeders, the latter seen again 4/28

Sat., 4/28--RT Hummingbird (male) at feeders, and again 4/29; RC Kinglet;
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER--small flock of about 10 dropped in later afternoon;
YELLOW WARBLER--heard singing in a.m., then seen at close range this morning
(4/29); BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER--very vocal a.m., and heard again on
4/29

Sun., 4/29--BG Gnatcatcher, RC Kinglet, and BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER--heard
clearly but briefly, early a.m.

The batch of chickadees in one of our nest boxes should be fledging any day
now, and our nesting Am. Crows appear to be feeding youngsters.

Stan Arnold
Glen Burnie