A great first day of birding for us. My soul had shrunk to the size of a pea that rolled under the refrigerator, slowly turning to a hard, wrinkled ort that even the mice wouldn't want. So going out today was a medical necessity, and I think I'm on the road to recovery. 

Riley's Lock (total number of birders - 5, including us) treated us to a Hermit Thrust, a Veery (heard, not seen), many Yellow-rumped Warblers, scads of Blue Gray Gnatcatchers, three Northern Parulas and ONE OH MY LORD PROTHONOTARY WARBLER. Plus lots of the usual goodies, including Belted Kingfisher, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Little Green Heron (Green-backed?). Oddly, no Palm Warblers.

As the non-birding crowd grew (mostly bikers and joggers) we headed over to Senecca State Park on Clopper Road. There we were thrilled to find two Blue-headed Vireos and a Pine Warbler, among the tons of Blue Gray Gnatcatchers and Yellow-rumped Warblers. Again, truly oddly since the habitat is so good, no Palm Warblers. No other birders seen.

I mention the number of birders seen because I'm at a loss to understand the numbers that the surveys come up with. If on a truly glorious day like today, at Riley's Lock, there were only five birders...where is everyone?

Ellen Paul
Tim Boucher
Chevy Chase MD