As usual I drove in on River Road checking the wires for swallows. 
Then I walked around the impoundments.  Finished the morning on the towpath 
walking from Sycamore Landing to Horsepen Branch.  Not a bad count for a hot 
day- 45 species in 3 hours.
     Singing has greatly diminished, but still heard the following species- 
Acadian Flycatcher, Yellow-throated Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Carolina Wren (of 
course), House Wren, Wood Thrush, Gray Catbird, Common Yellowthroat, 
Chipping Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, and Indigo Bunting.  Other signs of 
nesting were a pair of Canada Geese guarding a very large youngster and at 
least 2 fledgling Red-bellied Woodpeckers following an adult.
      Highlights were 22 Great Egrets (19 at the impoundments and 3 along 
the Potomac)-this species has been  here since June 8 when  I found 13 ( I 
have seen various numbers every trip since then),  a dead red phase E. 
Screech-Owl on River Rd near the upper parking lot, and 112 Northern 
Rough-winged Swallows.
    When I arrived I was disappointed that there weren't any swallows on the 
wires along River Road.   There were 17 trees and 2 barns at the 
impoundments, but no rough-wings.  I finally found about 60 of the latter 
species feeding over the stargrass patches in the river near Horsepen Branch 
and much to my surprise when I was leaving there 52 rough-wings on the wires 
over River Rd about 1/2 between Hughes and Hunting Quarter Rds.

Paul Woodward
Fairfax City, VA