Participants in an ANS Fall Birding series trip I led on Sunday 
morning, 9/7, were treated to a rewarding variety of active birds at 
Blue Mash Nature Trail in Montgomery County.

Probably because of the heavy rains on Saturday, birds were taking 
the opportunity to eat voraciously and flycatchers were particularly 
conspicuous:  most were Eastern Wood-pewees, but we also had several 
Great Crested Flycatchers, a beautifully seen Yellow-bellied 
Flycatcher and a probable Willow Flycatcher.  We ran into a nice 
mixed flock which contained Black and White, Magnolia and three 
Black-throated Green Warblers. A female Scarlet Tanager fed 
nearby.  Cedar Waxwings were starting to flock around the willows at 
the larger pond. White-eyed Vireos sang in several parts of the trail 
and we also had 2-3 Red-eyed.

Both ponds at Blue Mash are now full of water and offer no shorebird 
habitat.  We did nevertheless have a nice view of a Solitary 
Sandpiper perched on a snag in the water.  Otherwise, 2 overflying 
Killdeer were it for the shorebird department.  A male Baltimore 
Oriole perched at length for good scope views.  The only swallows 
seen well enough to i.d. were Barns, and not many of those.

Good Birding

Mike Bowen
MOS/ANS
Bethesda, MD

D.H. Michael Bowen
8609 Ewing Drive
Bethesda, MD  20817
Telephone: (301) 530-5764
e-mail:  dhmbowenATyahooDOTcom