Wanted - Wormeaters. Lots of them and fast!

Parts of Garrett are currently under attack from our favorite little
defoliator - the dreaded Gypsy Thing That Ate America. Yesterday we had
already stopped at Finzel and a couple other places and didn't notice them
until we got to Monroe Run overlook for lunch. Laura refused to use the
picnic tables because they were covered with caterpillars. That's when we
noticed all the green leaf pieces laying around and trees looking a tad
bare. Any bird that starves in Garrett this year just doesn't like
caterpillars. I suggest y'all mention this to the local Wormeaters and see
if they are willing to go out there and help out.

Ok so in spite of the mess, birding in Garrett is still a lot of fun. We got
a lot of the good stuff.

Finzel -
    Alder Flycatcher
    Northern Waterthrush
    Swamp Sparrow
    Kentucky Warbler
    Cedar Waxwings
    Marcia & Bob Balestri

Pea Ridge -
    Henslow's Sparrow (3 "singing", if you call that a song)
    Bobolink
    Meadowlark

Savage River Dam -
    Baltimore Oriole
    Redstarts
    Magnolia Warbler
    2 Brook Trout in 2 different tribs on a #16 Royal Humpy

High Rock -
    Canada Warbler (a surprise)
    Ruffed Grouse
    Great Crested Flycatcher
    Black Bear (heard rambling off in the brush - only our 3rd one in MD)

Carey Run -
    Blue-headed Vireo
    Barred owl (heard only during the night)
    Stasz, Holbrook & Hubick (I think they're a new rock band)

Potomac State Forest
     Ruffed Grice* and lots of them, including young
    Cerulean Warbler
    Wormeating Warbler
    Magnolia Warbler
    Rose-breasted Grosbeak
    2 more Brook Trout on the same #16 Royal Humpy

Everywhere -
    Black throated Blues and Greens
    Scarlet Tanager
    Chestnut-sided Warbler
    Chipping Sparrows (particularly in the road)
    Chipmunks  - ditto

    The low trout numbers are due too low fishing conditions and the fact
that I only bothered to wet a line for about half an hour for the whole
trip. This trip was more about birds.

    It was nice to finally meet Bill Hubick. I'm sure he'll be posting some
more photos. Hans also had some nice shots of some damsel flies taken Sat.

    As for the bear, trust me. After several years of fishing in Shenandoah
I know what one sounds like as it takes off thru the brush. Sorta like a
freight train without wheels.

    * Anyone that doubts that grice is the proper plural of grouse can
settle this in the parking lot. I'll be there  - after it's settled.
    Does this site even have a parking lot?

    Jerry Tarbell
    Carroll County