A belated post for an extended 5 hour walk in the Loch Raven area, com-
bining birding and a search for spring morel mushrooms. I eventually was
able to bag 49 specimens of the Big-footed Morel [Morchella crassipes],
filling to overflowing 3 paper lunch bags. An experimental try of my 
Droid smartphone's camera surprised me with the quality of its pic's of
the morels and other early 'shrooms encountered. I only ended up with a
total species count of 25 birds, not unexpected in a mature forest. Still,
the walk was great for this old body, working my way around numerous
wind-thrown trees and dead-falls. Finally broke my walking stick at one
point.

After about 2 hrs. walking in the woods, I was afforded two short looks
at the reservoir. The first was a peek into a back cove thar revealed 2
male WOOD DUCKs and 1 female. There were a few CANADA GEESE
about, including a nesting pair. Another brief outlook had 2 DC COR-
MORANTS perched offshore on a rock. The woods were alive with the
presence of PILEATED WOODPECKERs, flying in all directions and
involved in the occasional chase, the air ringing with their calls. Best
look was from about 50', as a male flew down to an old log and made a
few exploratory probes before flying off.

Heard my 2nd WOOD THRUSH of the year. Even tho' ROBINS were
everywhere, I persisted in glassing every distant look at a large bird, and
finally succeeded in spotting a Wood Thrush. Later, one alit a short dis-
tance away for excellent viewing. As expected, warbler activity was min-
imal, but I was disappointed in not getting either waterthrush in areas
that produced in other years. I heard very brief snatches of a buzzy song
at two different spots (my SongFinder "ears" only pull in from, perhaps,
100'-150' away).  After a later review of recordings, I concluded I prob-
ably had a BT BLUE WARBLER and a BG GNATCATCHER. After
hearing the OVENBIRD for the 2nd time, I finally had my FOY sight-
ing when one plunked down on the forest floor about 30' away, giving
knockout views of its bobbing gait, as it studiously searched for insects.

The BALTO. ORIOLEs filled the air with their whistled songs and var-
ious calls. Another good sound was the SCARLET TANAGER, a FOY
for me. Typically, I couldn't spot one, even when close enough to get the
warning chip-burr. Another location revealed several WT SPARROWs
which were active around brushy deadfall. 

A final observation: over 40 some years of walking these haunts, I have
seen an area that was rich in avian life and filled with stunning wild-
flowers and an abundance of other life forms, transformed into a vir-
tual "green desert", in no small part due to the diligent efforts of dedi-
cated bikers to carve up the forest into ever-increasingly small discrete
plots by their seeming desire to create a bewildering network of inter-
locking self-created (and illegal) trails. I am saddened none seem to 
want to get out on their own two legs to explore what the habitat can
reveal--and still get their exercise. The bicycle affords wonderful exer-
cise; however, I feel it should be confined to established streets and
byways (and, yes, even official fire trails), rather than carving out addi-
tional trails through sensitive forested areas and increasing the degree
of erosion in the process. Sorry, Norm, but felt I had to say some some-
thing, just this once.

Paul Noell
Baltol  MD


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