This morning I did a bit of birding at Hughes Hollow and along upper River Rd.  Hughes had a calling Least Bittern from the vegetated impoundment on the RHS. Breeding warblers, orioles and flycatchers were much in evidence.
   
  Suitable fields along River Rd had good numbers of Grasshopper Sparrow and Eastern Meadowlark.  I got close to one Grasshopper Sparrow that was scurrying mouse-like among the short grass, and got nice views of it.
   
  Yesterday I spotted a Cooper's Hawk in display flight over Ashburton Elementary School, Bethesda, where I was for my son's soccer game.  Fortunately it was during the pregame talk so I stopped the pep talk and pointed it out to the kids.
   
  Good birding
   
  Clive Harris
  Cabin John MD