Message:

[

Previous   Next

]

By Topic:

[

Previous   Next

]

Subject:

Sunday Hat Trick, 4 May 08

From:

Tom Marko

Reply-To:

Tom Marko

Date:

Sun, 4 May 2008 20:01:00 -0400

No matter where I went today the birding gods smiled down:
 
Blue Mash Nature Trail, 0730-0945:

At 0745, I had great looks at the two BLACK-BILLED CUCKOOS.  The birds 
were sitting side by side 8 feet above the ground and not more than 25 feet 
away in the stand of trees adjacent to the parking area.  Other migrants of 
note included:  Great-crested Flycatcher-1 (FOY);  White-eyed Vireo-3 (1 
seen/2 heard); Blue-gray Gnatcatcher-2 (1 constructing a nest); Wood 
Thrush-2 (heard only); Gray Catbird (ubiquitous); Yellow Warbler-10; Black-
throated Blue Warbler-2 (1m/1f /FOY); Prairie Warbler-1 (along the landfill 
entrance road);  American Redstart-1 (m); Ovenbird-1; Common Yellowthroat-
8; Yellow-breasted Chat-2  (1 seen/1 heard); Indigo Bunting-2 (FOY); and 
Orchard Oriole-3. 

Backyard Deck, approx 1300:
 
While eating lunch, imagine my surprise when I heard an unfamiliar squawking 
sound and looked up and found a MONK PARAKEET at one of the feeders (new 
backyard, county & state bird).  The parakeet continued at the feeder 
througout the afternoon.
 
Tridelphia Reservoir, Brighton Dam, 1430-1530:
 
After viewing the blooms at the Brighton Dam the azalea garden, my wife and 
I took our dog for a walk along the Patuxent River below the dam.  I found the 
following 4 warblers in a thicket along the water's edge just downstream from 
the dam:  Northern Parula, Northern Waterthrush, Common Yellowthroat & 
MOURNING WARBLER (a lifer!).
 
I wonder what the evening might bring? 
 
Tom Marko
Olney, MD
Montgomery Bird Club