What a great birding day for the 11 enjoyable (and good-birding) people who turned out for the Chesapeake Audubon walk at Rock Run Mill. We were out there for 6 hours, and 5 people managed to make it to the very end. Thank goodness for some cloud cover—the heat wasn’t so bad, and birds were fairly active even after 11am. Lots and lots of stuff. We had some fantastic visuals, and of course even more songs—full songs, part songs, hybrid songs, 2nd songs, 3rd songs, I’m-fed-up-and-tired songs—and therefore too many frustrating-what-the-heck-is-it songs. The best visuals that come to mind: maybe the favorite was of the white-eyed vireo. I’ve come to take it for granted, often not bothering to look for it after I hear it, but when two came real close, we were impressed with its interesting, intricate coloration. And of course the orange-yellow of the prothonotaries. And the blue-wingeds with their streamlined, fashionable sunglasses. A perched osprey nearby was a treat as well—and many others. 18 warblers in all—I’m frustrated b/c I know more were out there. (Below, I don't give #s for some of the more common or expected birds.)

Some birds:

Bald Eagle
Osprey

Red-Eyed Vireo
Warbling Vireo
White-Eyed Vireo

Great-Crested Flycatcher (6+)
ACADIAN (4)

BALTIMORE Oriole (several)
Orchard Oriole (quite a few)
SCARLET Tanager (3)

RT Hummer (1)
Chimney Swift
Indigo Bunting
Pileated
Wood Thrush (4)
Catbird (6+)

Yellow Warbler (3)
Prothonotary (3)
Parula (tons)
Black-Throated Blue (3)
CERULEAN (2)
Yellow-Rumped (many)
BLUE-WINGED (2)
NASHVILLE (1)
BLACKPOLL (1)
BLACK-and-WHITE (1)
Yellow-Throated (5)
Ovenbird (6+)
Northern Waterthrush (1 for sure + some suggestive “chinks”)
Louisiana (5+)
WORM-EATING (2)
Common Yellowthroat (several)
KENTUCKY (1)
Redstart (many—especially picnic area)

Thanks to Audubon and all the great people (and birds) who showed up. Oh, a birder from CA seemed to be wishing a little bit that he were living in this part of the country b/c of the trees and birds.

Tim