Based on previous reports, and, since I had never been to (or heard of) Piney Orchard Preserve or Patuxent Ponds Park in AA Co., my girlfriend and I decided to check them out this morning. They both seem like they have great potential but were quite slow today. Best birds at Piney Orchard was Blackpoll Warbler along with Magnolia, Redstart, Black & White, N. Parula, and Black-throated Green. Had really nice looks at a perched Red-tail Hawk right above the trail in the early morning light. Also noticed small groups of Brown Thrashers, E. Towees, Cardinals, and E. Bluebirds starting to flock up. Had 2 Red-breasted Nuthatches here as well. 

Patuxent Ponds had the best bird of the day: a juvenile Black-billed Cuckoo (and 2 Yellow-billed Cuckoos) actively catching and eating caterpillars. The bird had an all black bill, slightly smaller than that of the Yellow-billed, and a buffy wash to the underparts. There was some rufous on the wings but not to the extant the Yellow-billed has. At the same time we were loudly confronted by an adult White-eyed Vireo and 2 immatures, all of which came within 10 feet of us.

Great day to be out birding,

Frank Marenghi
Annapolis, MD