I visited a few ponds in southern Prince George's County this morning/early afternoon. Highlights included a singing Blue-winged Warbler at Schoolhouse Pond, a Bank Swallow mixed among the large group of Tree, Barn, and Northern Rough-winged Swallows at Schoolhouse Pond, Yellow Warblers at several stops, FOY Green Heron at Marlborough Wetland, and a few species of shorebirds at Merkle, including my FOY Least Sandpipers. A few more details for each stop are below:
Schoolhouse Pond - although I did not see or hear the Yellow-throated Warblers, a did have a singing Blue-winged Warbler at the rear of the pond. Other warblers included, Yellow-rumped, Common Yellowthroat, Northern Parula and Yellow Warbler. There were lots of swallows flying over the pond and surrounding wetlands. Large numbers of Tree and Barn Swallows were present, with smaller numbers of Northern Rough-winged Swallows and one Bank Swallow mixed in. Two Bald Eagles flew overhead, along with the usual Osprey. House Wrens continue to sing on both sides of the pond; one near the residential townhouses and another near the historic building.
I last saw the Yellow-throated Warblers Thursday at lunchtime, when I "spished" briefly along the utility cut near the trail and both birds popped into view. However, I did not see them yesterday or today.
Marlborough Wetlands: Slow, but there were a lot more swallows and one Green Heron.
Recycling Center Pond: Lots of Black Vultures, 6 Green-winged Teal, 3 Coots and a few geese.
Merkle WMA: Shorebirds at the pond behind the visitors center included 14 Least Sandpipers, 3 Wilson's Snipe, 1 Solitary Sandpiper, 2 Lesser Yellowlegs, and 4 Greater Yellowlegs. Also saw 2 Bald Eagles, 1 Osprey and 1 Red-tailed Hawk. Songbirds included Song Sparrows, lots of Chipping Sparrows, 1 Field Sparrow, Eastern Bluebirds, Common Yellowthroat, and a Yellow Warblers. I found no Grasshopper Sparrows in the fields today. Good birding,
Fred Shaffer
Crofton, Anne Arundel
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