I took a long detour on the way home this evening to spend 90 minutes at
Hughes Hollow.  Just after arriving I flushed an American Bittern in the
first west impoundment.  A puddle just before the fields begin had an Indigo
Bunting and two Orchard Orioles bathing. I did a quick loop around two
fields and heard a Barred Owl and a Yellow-breasted Chat and saw a Blue
Grosbeak.  Along the way back to the lot I found a Downy Woodpecker feeding
its young and a Prothonotary Warbler.  A Common Nighthawk was perched on a
low snag above the water in the east impoundment providing the best view I
have ever had of one.   As I arrived at my car a Yellow-Throated Vireo sang
and also provided great views.  Tree Swallows, Green Herons, Common
Yellowthroats, more Indigo Buntinga and Orchard Orioles and other expected
birds were also seen.

 

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David Gersten

Silver Spring, MD