While birding Patuxent after work, I had a nice group of birds at two ponds
on the refuge,

Hooded Mergansers (8)
Wood Ducks (5)
Ring-necked Ducks (60+)
Northern Shovelers (2 pair)
Mallards
A lone American Coot
2 Great Egrets flew overhead
A very chatty Belted Kingfisher!

Also to note were male Red-winged Blackbirds perched on grass stalks calling
back and forth, maybe staking claim to their territories. What a variation
in calls they have!

One unknown bird that looked like a Tree Swallow flew into my scope view
while I was watching the American Coot. It lightly dipped its bill in the
water and few off (all in less than a second!). It had a white breast, very
small figure, and dark bluish back, which made me think it was a swallow.
Unfortunately I did not see where this bird flew and could not relocate it!


Spring Peepers were out as well!

Sarah Warner
Tacoma Park, DC