Tom covers most of the good spots in the Arboretum. I have also found 
warbler flocks on the top of Mt. Hamilton, especially in the area around 
the Capitol overlook and the trail junction just on the south side. 
Occasionally the trails around the top of the Asian Gardens will be 
good, too.

John Beetham

Thomas Jones wrote:
> Marcy, I answered you in more detail offline, but for anyone not familiar
> with the Arboretum:  You're right.  It's a big place.  So, to maximize your
> sightings, it helps 
> to do several places throughout the park.  
>
> I usually start with the Mt. Hamilton/azalea collection area first.  Check
> first around the parking lot and gift shop.  Then, as you walk up from the
> visitor's 
> center parking lot and walk up the terraced steps, there's a little pond. 
> That area's always good to check for warblers and other migrants.  Then walk
> along the gravel path until it connects with the paved road that goes up Mt.
> Hamilton.  (This area is very thrushy, too.) Follow that all the way to the
> azalea hillside, then check around there. Walk back the paved road or
> through the azaleas (where I heard the worm-eating yesterday).  I like the
> paved road up the "mountain" because the warblers seem to cross back and
> forth over it.
>
> After that, if time allows, I usually go back to my car and check several 
> other places:  1) at the intersection of Holly Springs and Hickey Hill 
> roads, if you turn right and go up the hill to a turnaround and park, you 
> might find several interesting birds along there.  There's a little path
> along the ridgeline from there that can be good (it was where I had
> eye-level views of magnolia and chestnut-sided yesterday), 2) park by the
> columns and walk back through the lilacs and/or into Fern Valley.  In
> between the lilacs and the edge of Fern Valley is where I heard one of the
> blue-winged warblers yesterday and saw one there on Monday. By the way,
> yesterday the blue-winged I saw was right by the main parking lot, just over
> the iron fence in a bush. 3) Check Hickey Hill for warblers coming up the
> slope.  4)  park by the Holly Collection and check out that area briefly.  I
> sometimes find good birds in there.
>
> During the week is best because it gets pretty crowded around the azaleas on
> weekends, but the other places I mentioned are less trafficked, even on
> weekends.
>
> There are a few other regular birders at the Arboretum, so maybe they can
> add to this.  Hope this helps.
>
> Tom Jones
> Washington, D.C.
> 
>
>   

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John D. Beetham
Washington, DC

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