I had a great morning at Hughes Hollow, where I birded the impoundments and
immediate area with a Dept. of Agriculture ornithology class.  When I
arrived, they had just found an AMERICAN BITTERN at the top of some scrub in
the wooded impoundment offering everyone great views.  Just before I
arrived, they saw an ORCHARD ORIOLE that I wasn't able to relocate.  We also
saw a BALTIMORE ORIOLE and PROTHONOTARY WARBLER along the main levee, and I
found three BROWN THRASHERS perched in the same tree and all singing at
once.  I also had one holdout WHITE CROWNED SPARROW along the main levee
near the bulletin board.

In the trees and fields just to the south of the wooded impoundment, I had a
YELLOW THROATED VIREO, several COMMON YELLOWTHROATS, four HOUSE WRENS
chasing one another about, a male and female PURPLE FINCH, the first of many
WHITE EYED VIREOS, an EASTERN KINGBIRD, a male ROSE BREASTED GROSBEAK, and a
RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD.  Further along the trail we found at least two
PRAIRIE WARBLERS, one seen and at least one more heard, and several more
WHITE EYED VIREOs and COMMON YELLOWTHROATS.  We also found an amazing blaze
orange male box turtle.  

After I left the group, I drove east on Hunting Quarter Road and I came upon
a BARRED OWL at a puddle in the road.  It flew up into the trees just off
the road, affording fantastic looks.  

Finally, I made a brief stop at the middle parking area.  Some other birders
leaving told me that they had seen some SOLITARY SANDPIPERS and a BLACK
THROATED BLUE WARBLER but I dipped on both of those.  I did see another
PROTHONOTARY WARBLER and another YELLOW-THROATED VIREO.  I also found a male
INDIGO BUNTING in one of the hedgerows between the fields.

A fantastic morning to be out and thanks to the class for letting me tag along.

Max Wilson
Kensington, Montgomery County, MD
mercretas AT hotmail.com