I birded the CADT along the Patuxent today, from Selby's Landing (Patuxent River Park, PG Co.) to Merkle WMA between 10:45-1:45.  I had not planned to take that long there, and hoped to get to more sites farther down the river, but ended up enjoying the CADT so much I never got past there.  Despite very windy conditions, bird numbers were good and activity was high.  At least up to about 1:00 pm, and then it got noticeably quiet.

Highlights were 10 warblers and a Vesper Sparrow.  The Vesper was at Merkle out near the middle of the big fields, and it was with 3 Chipping Sparrows feeding along the road.  It was feeding in a field edge, but when I approached slowly to get closer (in my car) they all flew up to a tree near me, and I got great views of it for about a minute, before it flew off to a distant spot at the other end of field.  It was very sharp looking in crisp breeding plumage!

I was surprised to find so many warblers today (still early), and even more so to hear them singing until mid-day.  All warblers were both seen and heard, except HOWA which was heard only.  I observed Northern Parula (11), Yellow-rumped (6), Yellow-throated (5), Pine (2), Yellow Palm (3), Prothonotary (1), Ovenbird (9), Louisiana Waterthrush (1), Common Yellowthroat (4), Hooded (1).  With the Yellow Warbler I saw at my house this morning that's 11 warbler species for today!

I also saw many FOY butterflies, and many tiger beetles were out (6-spotted; I counted 28!).

Cheers!
Jeff Shenot
Croom MD

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