I paid a short visit to the Blue Mash Nature Trail in upper 
Montgomery County this morning, Monday, April 5.

Highlights were two (Yellow) Palm Warblers and four singing Brown 
Thrashers, together with a ton of Towhees. Tree Swallows were 
swarming the nest boxes.

The pond inside the fence of the old Oaks Landfill had a single 
female American Wigeon and a pair of Ring-necked Ducks.  The other 
pond, the one nearer Zion Rd., had a single Double-crested Cormorant, 
only the second time I've had this species at Blue Mash.  Last time 
was about this date last year.

If you go to Blue Mash, be prepared for lots of water on the trail 
about half-way round.  The landfill folks are pumping out one of the 
ponds on the landfill and directing the effluent onto the MNCPPC Blue 
Mash land.  Rubber boots recommended!

Mike Bowen
Montgomery Bird Club
Bethesda, MD

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

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