Hi All,

We had a well-attended (10 observers) half-day trip over to Millington 
Wildlife Management Area in eastern Kent County this morning (25 Apr). 
We started the trip proper on Walnut Tree Road just east of MD-313 north 
of Millington at the railroad crossing next to the north end of Quail 
Run Nursery. There were several Savannah Sparrows (including a few in 
song), five Horned larks (also singing), and best of all a singing 
VESPER SPARROW which allowed decent if not great looks as it sang and 
chased Savannah Sparrows. At the next stream crossing we had YELLOW 
WARBLER, the first of many Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, the first of four 
Gray Catbirds, and a female RUSTY BLACKBIRD that hopped up long enough 
to give a great look. At the shooting range there was a pair of Orchard 
Orioles. The woods beyond held RED-EYED VIREO, SCARLET TANAGER, both 
western and yellow Palm Warblers, a NASHVILLE WARBLER (seen by Doug 
Gill), two Wood Thrushes, and several Ovenbirds (one seen fairly well). 
At the bridge over the Cypress Branch of the Chester we had splendid 
looks at a pair of PROTHONOTARY WARBLERS, Walter hooted in a Barred Owl 
(briefly harassed by a Red-shoulderd Hawk), the local nesting phoebe was 
very quiet, we heard a distant singing GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER, and Dan 
Small heard two distant BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLERS. On Black Bottom 
Road we walked in to the beaver pond and had the local pair of Tree 
Swallows, three Swamp Sparrows, a good look at a White-eyed Vireo, 
another Red-shouldered Hawk, and a very good look at a male 
BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER. Our total list including the Chimney Swifts in 
Chestertown, and some Black Vultures and Red-tailed Hawks en route to 
Millington came to 67 species for the morning. Spring has truly sprung 
in Kent County. It's nice to have some really warm weather.

Our yard today produced Blue Grosbeak, and ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK on the 
feeder, a Purple Finch still singing in the woods,  and our first male 
and female hummers of the season.

Last week's Heron Point walk produced a solid 40 species highlighted by 
an AMERICAN BITTERN and SORA along the marsh boardwalk, Caspian Tern and 
Ruddy Ducks on the Chester, and both Cooper's (2) and Sharp-shinned 
Hawks (1) flying by.

The county-wide May Count is coming up on the 9th of May. If anyone is 
interested please contact Walter or Nancy at the number in our 
signature. A more detailed post on the count is forthcoming.

Good Birding,

Nancy Martin & Walter Ellison

23460 Clarissa Rd
Chestertown, MD 21620
410-778-9568

Observing Nature is like unwrapping a big pile of presents every time 
you take a walk.