Hi all --

Barry and I took advantage of the cool frontal passage and went to Rock Creek Park DC, starting at the Ridge (picnic areas 17/18) and also doing the Maintenence Yard and Dog Run.

At 7:00 the ridge was quiet, but at 7:15 suddenly the birds came in and we had a good hour-plus of warblering. By 8:30 it had gotten rather breezy and bright and the Yard and other sites were dead.

Warblers: Blue-winged (3 at least), Black-and-White (2), Blackburnian (2), Bay-breasted (2), Canada (2), Chestnut-sided (6-8), Redstart (6-8), WORM-EATING (1). Great views of most as they were sticking around and many close to the ground.

Other migrants: Yellow-billed Cuckoo (1), Wood-pewee (5), Empid sp. in Yard (not seen too well, but probably a bright fall Acadian based on plumage and size), Baltimore Oriole (1), Red-eyed Vireo (4), Rose-breasted Grosbeak (2), Scarlet Tanager (2), Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (6), Ruby-throated Hummingbird (3). Heard Greater Yellowlegs passing overhead.

The habitat looks in good condition despite the drought, lots of berries ripening on the VA Creeper and Devil's Walking Stick. 

Gail Mackiernan and Barry Cooper
Colesville, MD