I stopped by Governor Bridge Natural Area after work today and found a large and diverse flock of warbler species, definitely the most that I've seen this season.  Highlights included an adult male Orange-crowned Warbler, a first fall Blackburnian Warbler, and an adult male Tennessee Warbler.  The majority of the birds were in the treeline near the boat launch and the river.  The Orange-crowned Warbler was in the scrubby area near Governor Bridge Road.  I got great views of that bird as it foraged low in a juniper, even seeing the crown patch a time or two.  The total warbler list included six American Redstarts, five Common Yellowthroats, two Black-throated Green Warblers, one Orange-crowned Warbler, one Tennessee Warbler, one Blackburnian Warbler, and one Northern Parula.  Other birds included two or three calling Barred Owls, a Traill's Flycatcher (on the snag near the river), Eastern Wood Pewee, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, all three mimids, and a group of 20+ Chimney Swifts.

Schoolhouse Pond has been partially inaccessible since the floods.  The boardwalk is open, though partially blocked with debris, but the trail at the back of the pond is covered with three or four inches of mud in places.  Until it is cleared and/or dries, it will be next to impossible to walk the whole way around.  Still, on my short walk on the boardwalk, I did see two Black-throated Green Warblers today (a first fall bird and adult male).  Good birding,

Fred Shaffer
Crofton, Anne Arundel


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