Hi Everyone,

The following is posted for Brad Lanning regarding some Washington Co. finds on 8/16:

"...We just got back from watching a winter plumaged adult Black Tern at Williamsport. As soon as we pulled up to the boat ramp, we noticed the Black Tern flying up and down the river, near the buoys (2:30 p). It swooped down to the surface several times, picking off food. After about 5 minutes, it popped up on a thermal and rose higher with the swallows above the bridge. We had a great opportunity to study it as it fed on insects with the swallows. It then rose higher into the blue sky and headed up-river at a increasing altitude. Total observation length was about 10 minutes and a brief, distant video clip of the bird was obtained, showing it flying up and down the river..."

"...We also had Black-billed Cuckoo at Blair's Valley. I had Blue-winged Warbler, Ovenbird, Yellow-breasted Chat, Redstart, Blue-headed vireo (very pale with grey back, maybe App. sub.sp.), White-eyed Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo and others. I found a Worm-eating Warbler at Big Pool, along the canal, and a Solitary Sandpiper along the extensive mud flat at the West end of Big Pool. A Red-shouldered Hawk perched on a log over the water, in great light. Also, a nice group of Wood Ducks have been frequenting that area as well. A great weekend of birding with another great find at the boat ramp. I now am starting to wonder what else stops in there and goes missed..."

Good birding,

Bill

Bill Hubick
Pasadena, Maryland

http://www.billhubick.com