Went to Lilypons late morning when the rain eased a little (still got
drenched). Great morning despite, or perhaps because of, the weather.
 
The place was thick with empid "song", at least 8 Willow Flycatchers
(conservative - could hear five from one spot!) and one Alder - the latter was
close to the centre. Also two Least Bitterns (one seen in flight one calling at
the same time) and perhaps the highlight - a River Otter just a few feet away
from me, which kept resurfacing in one of the ponds, staring at me and
"barking". Typically, I'd decided not to take my camera due to the wet
conditions. Bummer.
 
Also a few shorebirds, 6 Spotted, 1 Solitary and 1 Least Sandpiper.
 
Highlights:
 
Great Egret   1
Green Heron   4+
LEAST BITTERN   2
Wood Duck  2 broods
Red-shouldered Hawk   3
Killdeer    2
Least Sandpiper   1
Spotted Sandpiper   6
Solitary Sandpiper   1
Yellow-billed Cuckoo   1
Barred Owl   3 - counter-calling along the river at 11am- high density!
Willow Flycatcher  8+
ALDER FLYCATCHER   1
Acadian Flycatcher   1
Eastern Kingbird   4
Warbling Vireo   2
Purple Martin  34
American Redstart   1
Prothonotary Warbler   1
Yellow-breasted Chat   2
Orchard Oriole   1


Andy Wilson,
Frederick
photo galleries at: http://www.pbase.com/andywilson