The Audubon Naturalist Society bird walk I led this morning, 8/23, 
started at Hughes Hollow, Montgomery County in delightfully cool, 
clear weather, which, however, turned decidedly warm before very long.

Hoped for migrant passerines were disappointingly absent.  However, a 
distinct highlight was seeing a male Prothonotary Warbler perched in 
the open for over a minute.  A lifer for several in the group, 
including Zoe, an 8-year old up and coming birder from 
Pennsylvania.  We also had great views of an adult Red-headed 
Woodpecker, several female Common Yellowthroats, 2 Blue-gray 
Gnatcatchers, and a pair of Eastern Phoebe.  Briefly, we had a 
"Traill's" (probably Willow -- breeds nearby) Flycatcher.  Lots of 
Green Herons, but the Great Egret count (5) was many fewer than at 
this time last year.

The group moved to the Hughes Rd. polo fields (only Killdeer, Horned 
Larks, and people) and then to the C&O Canal at Violette's 
Lock.  Alas no Black Terns (indeed, no gulls or terns of any stripe) 
but lots of kayakers.  Swallows over the river included at least 2 
Purple Martins.  An early Pied-billed Grebe was upstream, and 
overhead we saw Osprey, Bald Eagle, and Red-tailed Hawk.

Mike Bowen
ANS and MBC-MOS
Bethesda, MD

D.H. Michael Bowen
8609 Ewing Drive
Bethesda, MD  20817
Telephone: (301) 530-5764
e-mail:  dhmbowenATyahooDOTcom

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