Hi all --

Barry and I started our spring Rock Creek birding today as despite the cold night, it seemed to be promising for birds moving. We did see quite a few nice birds -- although it took a lot of looking --and it is definitely spring! Bird of the Day by a mile was a beautiful spring male HOODED WARBLER in the woods off the Dog Run (Military Field), singing repeatedly, flashing his white tail patches, and foraging actively at almost ground level (which is how you like to see them!) for long minutes. 

We saw/heard 5 species of warbler and another birder reported a 6th -- Common Yellowthroat in Maintenance Yard.

Our species:

Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) -- 50+, most at Equitation Field
Palm Warbler -- (4, yellow, Equitation Field)
Black-and-White -- (1, heard only, Nature Ctr.)
Parula - (1, rather a dull individual, off Dog Run)
HOODED  -- as noted

Other birds of note:

Red-shouldered Hawk (2, appear to be breeding somewhere near the Maintenance Yard)
Eastern Phoebe -- (1, Equit. Field)
Ruby-Crowned Kinglet -- (10, various sites)
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher -- (6-7, various sites)
RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH - (2, near Nature Ctr.)
PURPLE FINCH (7-8, most foraging in new maple buds in Maintenance Yard and also, off Dog Run near Hooded W. site).
Brown Thrasher - (2, Maint. Yard)
House Wren -- (1, Maint. Yard)
Field Sparrow -- (1 singing at Ridge)
Swamp Sparrow - (1, Dog Run)
Chipping Sparrow -- (at least 40, perhaps more, seemed to be all over!)

Also large numbers of Goldfinches, Blue Jays, Robins, a few lingered White-throats and Juncos.

Gail Mackiernan and Barry Cooper
Colesville, MD