And Ed Boyd and Jim Stasz, too.

An abbreviated night and day in Garrett County.
Spent the night at Carey Run with the 2 mentioned above. The Barred Owl
called from back near the pond where a beaver is currently in residence. A
PHOEBE is trying to nest right over the kitchen door. Just a couple eggs so
far. Dawn chorus featured a WOOD THRUSH singing in the tree in the front
yard. Ed & Jim left early for unknown destinations. They'll probably post a
some Trogans and other brilliant finds later. I did my usual morning walk
around the place before leaving for an unknown trout stream. Highlights were
some dueling (via song) CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLERS right out in the open area
on the west side of the property. Also a LEAST FLYCATCHER is back near the
ruins of the old barn next door to the west. He was there last year.
    The Lilac in front of the house is still blooming and is as odiferous as
ever.

On my way to the stream I was going south on Frostburg Road when I spotted a
BEAR politely waiting for traffic to clear before he crossed. However when
he realized that I was the traffic he turned and went back from which he had
come. Bears do that when they see me. Innate Jerry fear factor. I have
something of a reputation amongst bears. Sort of like Davy Crockett. This is
however, only the 4th bear I have ever encountered in Garrett. #3 was last
year on High Rock.

I fished to a constant chorus of Black-throated BLUES and GREENS, CANADA
WARBLER,  ACADIAN FLYCATCHER, LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH, RED-EYED and
BLUE-HEADED VIREO, SCARLET TANAGERS, occasional ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK,
REDSTARTS, OVENBIRDS, etc. etc.
    The fishing was a tad off due to a high stream (I expected that), but I
did all right. This is a tough stream to get to. There is sort of a trail
down to it if you know where to look. Sometimes I feel that it's more like
imagining that a trail is where one used to be. If that makes any sense.
So I was following this imaginary trail back up and got the bird that I
missed on the way down. One of my favorite songs greeted me from practically
right in front of me- a WINTER WREN. I got a poor look at him.
    Last year Laura and I encountered Trilliums in this area. Glad to report
there are more than ever this year.
    Later I took a much-needed break to swig some water and watched a
BLACK-AND-WHITE working a tree trunk. At this juncture I propose that we
finally make the obvious move and reclassify the bird as a nuthatch. It acts
like one, sort of looks like one and I think it wants to be one. So lets
ignore genetics or whatever human-laden judgment we are wrongfully imposing
on the species and let it be what it wants to be.
    I say it's a nuthatch. It wants nothing to do with warblerism.
    Also had a furtive pair of HERMIT THRUSH along the trail. He didn't sing
and I certainly wish he had.
    After lunch with the ORIOLES at Big Run State Park, I  stopped at Pea
Ridge to check on the HENSLOW'S SPARROWS. They've moved a bit further south
on the road, but they were in there with all of the BOBOLINKS, MEADOWLARKS,
GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS and ever-present REDWINGS. And a TURKEY called while I
was there.

I headed home about 2 PM to avoid the impending storms. Got home in time to
watch a filly win the Preakness. Yippee.

Jerry Tarbell
Tired and back in Carroll County