Howdy,

I tried to spend part of the day visiting Frostburg State as a prospective student, but got distracted by waning daylight and proximity to great birding spots. I got lost looking for Finzel Swamp, and headed for Piney Reservoir shortly after 5pm. Aside from a couple of Yellow Warblers, Parulas, and Ovenbirds, warblers were fairly quiet. There were a couple of loquacious Baltimore Orioles; several Double-crested Cormorants, Pied-billed Grebes, and a Common Loon were around/on the lake.

A local gentleman, also named Matt, struck up a conversation and was kind enough to direct me to Finzel Swamp. I arrived with about 40 minutes of daylight left. Shortly after crossing the second bridge on the walkway, I spooked an American Bittern. It flew about twenty yards before settling unseen thin the brush. The second surprise was a Prothonatary Warbler drinking water from a dead log on the edge of the wetlands just before the trail entrance. 

Full list below.

Cheers-
Matt

Matt Tillett
Dameron, MD
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattyfioner/


Location:    Frostburg State University Campus
Observation date:    5/3/10
Notes: driving around looking for a parking spot
Number of species:    8

Rock Pigeon    5
Mourning Dove    1
Chimney Swift    12
House Wren    1
American Robin    4
Field Sparrow    1
Song Sparrow    1
House Sparrow    X


Location:    Piney Reservoir
Observation date:    5/3/10
Number of species:    33

Canada Goose    6
Mallard    3
Common Loon    1
Pied-billed Grebe    2
Double-crested Cormorant    3
Green Heron    1
Turkey Vulture    2
Osprey    1
Mourning Dove    1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)    1
Eastern Phoebe    1
Eastern Kingbird    1
American Crow    1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow    2
Barn Swallow    1
Black-capped Chickadee    1
Carolina Wren    1
American Robin    12
Gray Catbird    2
Northern Mockingbird    1
Brown Thrasher    1
European Starling    1
Northern Parula    1
Yellow Warbler    3
Pine Warbler    1
Eastern Towhee    3
Chipping Sparrow    2
Song Sparrow    1
Northern Cardinal    1
Red-winged Blackbird    8
Common Grackle    2
Baltimore Oriole    3
American Goldfinch    2



Location:    Finzel Swamp
Observation date:    5/3/10
Number of species:    24

Wood Duck    2
Mallard    2
American Bittern    1
Turkey Vulture    1
Mourning Dove    1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)    1
American Crow    1
Black-capped Chickadee    2
Carolina Wren    1
American Robin    1
Gray Catbird    3
Brown Thrasher    1
Northern Parula    3
Yellow Warbler    1
Prothonotary Warbler    1
Ovenbird    3
Hooded Warbler    1
Eastern Towhee    3
Song Sparrow    1
Swamp Sparrow    2
Northern Cardinal    1
Red-winged Blackbird    20
Common Grackle    2
Baltimore Oriole    1