I went over to the Catoctins to look at MY streams (not the stocked ones of
the variety I fished yesterday) and in spite of last week's rain they aren't
up to my standards. Amazes me that I measured 4" of rain here in Carroll
last week and it had no effect on these mountains over north of Frederick.
Such is life.

So I walked and got new species for the fall. Among them BROWN CREEPERS,
HERMIT THRUSHES and large flocks of JUNCOS. I also encountered probably the
largest bunch of RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS I have ever seen. Often we encounter
them in small bands or individually. This is the first time I've had about
50 of them in one place, some of them flying in for close-up,
non-binoculared looks. All that was missing was some of them popping up
their cute little crowns like they often do in spring before they leave.

Lots of WHITE-THROATS around too, sometimes with the Juncos.

I also heard some Pileation, but was unable to spot the Pileator that
Pileated.

One last question: why do Woolly Bears just cross roads all day? I know the
bit about them showing possums that it can be done, but at one point on the
way back the road was practically covered with them. Seems like they would
have something better to do. Like going birding.

Jerry Tarbell
Unpileated in Carroll County