Hi Everyone,

Ed Carlson and I spent early Sunday (4/17) watching the Potomac at Weverton and then wandering around Lilypons. As previously reported, the Potomac is very flooded, and viewing the river was slightly more challenging than usual. To access the river, it was much easier to take the trail about 100 yards upriver instead of the main trail. The rocks usually visible here were completely submerged and the muddy rapids were impressive. As we arrived, a large log floated quickly downriver with ten cormorants engaged in a whitewater adventure. The species contemporary success was obvious as I viewed this latest experimentation with modern transportation techniques. As they hit the rough waters, they reached their current nautical limits and all were forced to abandon ship. Fortunately all appeared to be strong swimmers.


We kept watch for two hours, during which there was slow but steady activity. Great Blue Herons and Double-crested Cormorants were commuting nearly continuously. COMMON MERGANSERs were much in evidence, including a flock of nine and a flock of 12 drakes. A pair of HOODED MERGANSERs visited the nearby creek and at least two pairs of WOOD DUCKs visited woodland hideaways. Ed spotted a high-flying COMMON LOON heading downriver, my first sighting of an actively migrating loon this far west. Soon afterward, a male RUSTY BLACKBIRD flew across the river and landed nearby. The best bird of the morning for me was a first-cycle BONAPARTE'S GULL, which we spotted upriver as it slowly floated down. When it crossed the county line, it would be my county closeout, so I danced around and fidgeted as it floated left, through the rough rapids and out of sight downriver in Frederick. Too fun. Before leaving, we were surrounded by a large flock of MYRTLE WARBLERs (~25)
 that also included a NORTHERN PARULA, a YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER, and a BLUE-HEADED VIREO. Blue-gray Gnatcatchers were rarely out of earshot today. Virginia Bluebells, Dutchman's Breeches, and Squirrel Corn were in bloom.


As we approached the cars, a singing BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER was tracked down and seen well, our first of the year. Things are picking up.


By the time we reached Lilypons, the weather was fantastic. The sky was full of fluffy white clouds that were ideal for sky-watching, and there was a steady stream of high-flying migrants on the southerly wind. We decided immediately that we would take our time here and hold Anhinga Watch for a couple hours. Each of the five high-flying DC CORMORANTs got my heart beating a little faster, but today was not to be the day. The consolations were very nice, though, and included AMERICAN BITTERN, BLUE-WINGED TEAL (3-4), HOODED MERGANSER (2), GREAT EGRET (1), VIRGINIA RAIL (1), and others. Our sky-watching turned up small numbers of raptors including one each of low-flying BROAD-WINGED HAWK and an unexpected MERLIN. A pair of American Kestrels were hanging out as well. Four CHIMNEY SWIFTs showed up at some point and chattered overhead until we departed.

At Mouth of Monocacy (Frederick side), we found a nice flock of migrants that included PINE (1), WORM-EATING (1), NORTHERN PARULA (2), YELLOW PALM (1), PROTHOTONARY (1), and MYRTLE (4) WARBLERs, as well as BLUE-HEADED VIREO and RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET. We noted our first Zebra Swallowtail of the year.

Parting ways with Ed, I continued on to Hughes Hollow in the early afternoon, where I enjoyed spotting the SORA skulking along the edge of the impoundment. In addition to the birds already reported by others, I was happy to note many first-of-year non-avian sightings, such as Northern Water Snakes, trilling American Toads,a Bullfrog, and a Tiger Swallowtail. 


Some recent photos posted at http://www.billhubick.com/photos/updates/20110411.php. I should have some new ones from the weekend tonight as well.


Good birding!

Bill


Bill Hubick
Pasadena, Maryland

http://www.billhubick.com 

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