Was surprised to discover this morning just as I was leaving to 
do some local birding, a small hawk perched atop a sycamore just 
outside my residence.  I was even more surprised when scope views 
confirmed it was a MERLIN.  They are uncommon in the county and it 
seemed early for them.  I just verified that this is the first 
August record of Merlin on eBird for Montgomery County.  Nice yard 
bird!

The rest of my birding day was not too bad either.  The county 
rarities reported earlier in the week from Triadelphia 
reservoir/Greenbridge were gone, but a CASPIAN TERN remained.  
Also had a migrating first year female CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER in 
the surrounding woods.  Another all-time early fall migration date 
for the county for eBird.

Checked Blue Mash for shorebirds and was disappointed to find that 
the heavy rains had replenished the pond behind the fence, and 
almost all the mud flats were now covered with water.  I did not 
see any shorebirds.

At Violette's Lock I had two more CASPIAN TERNS and two FORSTER'S 
TERNS.

At Hughes Hollow I had five herons species, headlined by the 
continuing juvenile SNOWY EGRET, which individual was, 
fortunately, easily identifiable by the distinct yellow lores.  
There were also the continuing juvenile LITTLE BLUE HERONS (3), as 
well as the usual Great Blue and Green herons, and Great Egret, to 
make five heron species.

I also stopped by Summit Hall Turf Farm, and found good numbers of 
shorebirds, but low diversity.  There were five LESSER YELLOWLEGS, 
thirty-four LEAST SANDPIPERS, and one SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER (and 
of course the usual Killdeer).

Good birding!
Jim Moore
Rockville, Maryland
PLEASE REPORT YOUR BIRD SIGHTINGS to http://ebird.org/