Made a brief visit this morning.  Checked the impoundments, one of 
the sunflower food strips, and  some woodland  close to the Potomac.  Early 
on it seem like October rather than September with a fair amount of bird 
activity, but later it was quiet as usual.
       Highlights were an early LINCOLN'S SPARROW, a RAVEN flying over the 
impoundments, and a probable MERLIN (seen when talking to Andy Martin).
      Migrants weren't common, but I did find 3 Magnolia Warblers and 2 
Rose-breasted Grosbeaks.  For the first time this month I had Ruby-throated 
Hummingbirds- saw 3 and other people said they had 6.  Even though water 
levels are dropping herons and egrets are still here- 7 great blues and 5 
Common Egrets.
      The small sunflower patch I have been checking is still productive 
with at least 100 American Goldfinches.
       Singing (?) vireos were more obvious today with 5 white-eyes and 4 
yellow-throated recorded.  I haven't found a good explanation for fall 
singing, but I think under different climatic conditions these birds (young 
of the year?) would be preparing to nest.

Paul Woodward
Fairfax City, VA