I stopped by Patuxent Research Refuge late this afternoon.  I was searching 
for the Northern Shrike reported earlier this week near the blind close to the 
Visitors Center.  Although I didn't see the shrike, there were some other 
notable birds around.   Perhaps the most surprising bird was a Tree Swallow 
flying over the pond just south of the blind (Cash Lake?).  The bird was 
foraging over the water and occasionally dipping down to the water's surface.  
Also present were 119 Ring-necked Ducks, 5 Hooded Mergansers, 3 Pied-billed 
Grebes, 2 Black Ducks, and 1 female Common Goldeneye.  These birds were in 
addition to the large number of Canada Geese and Mallards.  Songbirds 
included a Northern Flicker, Juncos, Goldfinch, singing Red-winged Blackbirds, 
and a Mockingbird.

Fred Shaffer
Patuxent MOS