Hi Everybody:
I spent Sunday morning in various parts of Washington County. I arrived at Blairs Valley Lake (Indian Springs WMA) just before daylight and the entire lake was fogged in. I had about 50 feet of visibility so I decided to walk around the back of the lake and check out the fields and edges for sparrows, etc. I did not find anything unusual. Highlights included Wild Turkey (3) plus others calling in the distance, Cedar Waxwings (27), Blue-headed Vireo (1), Ruby-crowned Kinglet (6), There were White-throated Sparrows everywhere ( I estimated 65), about 20 song Sparrows and small numbers of Chipping, Field and Swamp. On my return to the car there was better visibility on the lake and I counted 7 Pied-billed Grbes.
I then spent some time on Hanging Rock Road (mostly the branch of the road that has the AT&Tequipment at the top of the road. My best birds here were:
Eastern Screech Owl.....2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.....3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet.....8
Blue-headed Vireo.....6
Swainsons Thrush.....6
Gray-cheeked Thrush.....1 (a county bird)
Dark-eyed Junco.....10
The 6 Swainsons and 1 Gray-cheeked were all in the same compact area of small trees with vines loaded with berries.
On Catholic Church Road:
Eastern Screech Owl.....1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.....1
Winter Wren.....1
Blue-headed Vireo.....1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet.....2
Brown Creeper.....1
Pine Warbler.....1
I stopped at the Indian Springs Fishing Pond (off of Mooresvillle Rd) and spent about an hour walking some of the trails. The only sparrows seen here were White-throated, Field, Song and Swamp. I had 1 Eastern Screech Owl respond to tape and saw both Kinglets (3 Ruby Cr. and 2 Golden Cr.). On the way back to the car I finally found my first Washington County Palm Warbler (Eastern) after many years of searching and hoping that one would pop up somewhere.
I had obligations at home and headed in that direction about noon. On the way home I checked the northern end of Big Pool but found absolutely nothing on the water.
It was a beautiful day to be out
jim Green
Gaithersburg, Md
work in moderation, BIRD IN EXCESS!!!
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