For the second straight year the area is in the midst of a drought. 
Water levels are dropping fast, but so far not to the extent of last year. 
There were several large dead carp in the large impoundment.  Although 
mudflats are forming I found only one shorebird -a SOLITARY SANDPIPER.  The 
highlights were at least 43 GREAT EGRETS (mostly in the large impoundment), 
9 GREAT BLUE HERONS, 10 GREEN HERONS, one BLUE-WINGED TEAL and 39 WOOD 
DUCKS.  The dead carp are attracting vultures, but since the carcasses are 
still in the water they can't feed on them yet.  Overall songbirds were 
scarce.
      After checking the impoundments I went to Sycamore Landing and walked 
to Horsepen Branch.  There are extensive mats of stargrass in the Potomac, 
but again very few birds.  I did find my only migrants of the day here- 2 
BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLERS.

Paul Woodward
Fairfax City, VA