Since I had no work or school today I decided to get out to Little Bennett early in the morning. I arrived at 7:00 and set out exploring the Kingsley Trail and, as recommended by the MoCo Birder's Guide, poked around on the trail leading into the second field on the right.  Highlights here were good looks at prairie warblers (a first for me), a pair of great crested flycatchers, and a male and female common yellowthroat, foraging close to the ground. I always delight in watching a songbird catch a fat caterpillar and bash it against a branch to help it go down easier! 

I spent a long while investigating the two fields but had the most luck when I had almost reached my car again: there is a large walnut tree on the right of the trail as you are facing the road, almost right at the edge of the parking lot. A small flock of chickadees flitting amongst the leaves caught my attention, and then I realized there were other species mixed in as well. I observed an American redstart, a magnolia warbler, another prairie warbler, a black and white-warbler, several titmice, and, most surprisingly of all, a lifer red-breasted nuthatch! I hadn't expected to see one at this time of year, but eBird shows that there was another one sighted in the county a few days ago. It definitely made my day!

Shortly thereafter I ran into the famed John Stup and we birded the Stony Brook Trail together without too much success--it was getting on in the day at this point, though we did get looks at a wood thrush and pileated woodpecker. He identified the white-eyed vireo's song for me, which I'd been hearing all morning but couldn't put my finger on, for which I am very grateful! He also explained a bit about the history of Little Bennett and pointed out various butterfly species. Great to have his tutelage while birding, as I haven't been to Little Bennett all that often.

Here's the full list:

Gray catbird- 6
American crow (flyovers)- 15+
Am. goldfinch-20+
Field sparrow-5
N. Cardinal-2
Mourning dove-1
Pileated woodpecker-1
Red-bellied woodpecker-1
Downy woodpecker-1
Blue jay- 2
Great blue heron-1
E. peewee-2
Great crested flycatcher -2
American robin- 8
Wood thrush-1
White-eyed vireo-1 (many more heard)
Red-eyed vireo-1
Prairie warbler -1
Common yellowthroat -2
American redstart-1
Black and white warbler-1
Magnolia warbler-1
Red-breasted nuthatch-1
Tufted titmouse-2
Carolina chickadee-6

Not a huge number of species, but many prolonged encounters. Must make a point to bird here more often!! 

Claire Nemes
Rockville, MD