The day started off with a GNATCATCHER, followed by two Purple Finches, one of which was singing beautifully and vigorously.

Came across over a dozen Golden-Crowned Kinglets and a few RC Kinglets--a couple of the latter were singing nicely, not exactly the full song at its richest, but close to it.

The big thrill occurred as I was walking the path through the pine trees in the Nature Walk. At least 20 warblers were on or near the ground, a mixed flock--evenly split btw PALM warblers and PINE warblers. There were so many and they were so close, it was a real blast, a great time watching them--the various kinds of tail bobbing, for instance. And I was wondering what they were doing on the ground (especially the pines), why, exactly. I'd never seen anything like that before--and a MIXED flock like that! Very enjoyable. Little or no singing: also a bit odd, especially for the Pines. Well, it was cool, it was windy--the focus likely on food.

A few Yellow-Rumps made it a 3-warbler day in Harford County. Many flickers--one pileated among them--both singing. Bluebirds too added to the palette.

Tim Houghton
(Glen Arm)