Hi Everyone,

I spent all day Saturday (4/3) birding the Catoctins and the C&O Canal with Jim Stasz, Jim Brighton, and John Hubbell. Although nearly all of our birds were very expected for the season, it was a highly enjoyable day to be out. The wildflowers, insects, amphibians, and warm temperatures complemented the birding very nicely. Most noteworthy bird of the day was a RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH on Gambrill Park Road, Frederick Co. 

Here are the abridged eBird lists:

Cunningham Falls SP--South of Thurmont

Eastern Phoebe--3
Winter Wren--1
Golden-crowned Kinglet--2
Louisiana Waterthrush--1
Song Sparrow--1
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored)--3

Cunningham Falls SP--Hunting Creek Lake

Canada Goose--1
Mallard--2
Osprey--1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)--2
Tree Swallow--6
Golden-crowned Kinglet--1
Eastern Bluebird--2

Catoctin Mountains--Tower Road (North)

Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)--1
Eastern Phoebe--1
Louisiana Waterthrush--1
Eastern Towhee--1
White-throated Sparrow--1

Catoctin Mountains--Tower Road (North)

Eastern Phoebe--2
Louisiana Waterthrush--1
White-throated Sparrow--1

Frederick Municipal Forest--Gambrill Park Road

Canada Goose--2
Wood Duck--2
Mallard--2
Turkey Vulture--4
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)--2
Eastern Phoebe--5
Tree Swallow--2
RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH--1. One of very few this season, and in one of the more difficult counties. Jim B's county closeout. 
Louisiana Waterthrush--1
PINE WARBLER--2. Interesting location.

Kershner's Pond

Canada Goose--7
Wood Duck--7
American Black Duck--18
BLUE-WINGED TEAL--1
Ring-necked Duck--8
Common Merganser--1
Ruddy Duck--7
Great Blue Heron--1
Osprey--1
Cooper's Hawk--1
Killdeer--1
Eastern Phoebe--1
Song Sparrow--2

C&O Canal--Dam #3

Canada Goose--6
Common Merganser--5
Double-crested Cormorant--12
Tree Swallow--2
Northern Rough-winged Swallow--1

Weverton (Washington Co.)
* Frederick Co. list similar

Double-crested Cormorant--5
Great Blue Heron--1
Bald Eagle--1
Common Raven--1
Golden-crowned Kinglet--1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)--1
Louisiana Waterthrush--1

C&O Canal--Lander

Common Merganser--6
Double-crested Cormorant--17
Bald Eagle--2
Red-shouldered Hawk--2
Red-tailed Hawk (Eastern)--1
Golden-crowned Kinglet--1

C&O Canal--Mouth of the Monocacy (Frederick County)
* Montgomery Co. list similar

Common Merganser--1
Double-crested Cormorant--9
Osprey--1
Bald Eagle--1
Eastern Phoebe--1

With just the first few days of April, the MD Comp. List has jumped to at least 225 species: http://www.billhubick.com/documents.php

Some recent photos:
http://www.billhubick.com/photos/updates/20100404.php

Good birding!

Bill
Bill Hubick
Pasadena, Maryland

http://www.billhubick.com