Hi all --

Faced with some sort of traffic incident that was blocking our route to Rock
Creek Park, we reversed and went to Layhill Park, Montgomery Co., instead. A
good choice, we had great views of a cooperative SEDGE WREN on the south
side of the park near the farm pond. It was sitting on the bed of an old
abandoned truck! I think this is the first Sedge Wren for either of us in
the county.

The south end was crawling with birds, most of which were Robins (estimated
over 1000 feeding on abundant berries), Starlings and perhaps 40
Mockingbirds (the most we have seen in one place in our recollection!) Also
sparrows are definitely IN.

Migrants included:

yellow Palm Warbler, 1
Yellowthroat 1
Yellowrumped Warbler - 5
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 6
Hermit Thrush 1
SEDGE WREN 1
Gray Catbird 5 (getting late...)
White-throated Sparrow -- 120+
WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW - 4
Swamp Sparrow 15
Chipping Sparrow 8
Field Sparrow 6
Song Sparrow 40
Towhee  8

Also 2-3 Red-shouldered, 2 Redtailed, and 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk.

Oddly, NO Juncos, Winter Wrens, or Phoebes which are
"usual suspects" in this park at this time of year.

Gail Mackiernan and Barry Cooper
Colesville, MD