I took a walk on Thursday morning at Carderock Recreation Area, on 
the canal just upstream from the Beltway (American Legion) Bridge in 
Montgomery County.

Birding was pretty slow with only one warbler -- a Common 
Yellowthroat -- and just a single sparrow, a Song Sparrow.  The 
absence of sparrows was particularly intriguing, as the canal bed is 
full of weedy vegetation, seemingly perfect for migrating 
sparrows.  Where are they?  The woods between the canal and the river 
yielded a single Swainson's Thrush.  Thrushes seem to have been in 
short supply this fall migration.

Most notable this morning was a large movement of Chimney Swifts, 
most or all moving at a good clip towards the Northwest (that's not 
the direction of the tropics, is it!?).  One group of 66 birds passed 
over me just after 9:30 a.m.  I quit counting for the morning at 
110.  There were many more birds, no doubt, some every time I looked up.

I also had an Osprey (young male?) being harassed by crows and masses 
of Robins and Waxwings feeding on poison ivy berries.  Quite a few of 
the Waxwings were streaked young birds.

As I strolled, I marveled at the number of trees I couldn't 
identify.  Santa, please order up the Sibley Tree book!

Mike Bowen
Montgomery Bird Club
Bethesda

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

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