World Cup Birding

I briefly hit Blue Mash on Sunday morning mainly to take a break from excessive World Cup watching. Given that we are in the middle of breeding season, it was surprisingly birdy. Great views of Yellow-breasted Chat were to be had, just when my camera decided to run out of juice. Offspring was all around, young House Wren, Field Sparrow and Mallard fledglings. The water levels are starting to drop now, and we should have plenty of exposed mud just in time for shore bird migration in a couple of weeks. Bird of the day was a handsome Baltimore Oriole and also a year tick. Year: 97 or 70% Total: 139

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Western Maryland Specialities

As passerine migration has grinded to a hold in the coastal plain, it only made sense to head to the extreme western Maryland mountain region in search of high elevation breeders. First stop was Old Legislative Road where we got killer looks at several Henslow's Sparrows. Bonus birds were Grasshopper Sparrow, Meadowlark and singing Golden-winged Warbler. Further attempts to spot Golden-winged Warblers along the road failed, and we had to console with a Redstart and several Black-capped Chickadees. From there we swang by Finzel Swamp where we picked up Alder Flycatcher, Acadian Flycatcher, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, a drumming Ruffed Grouse and Chestnut-sided Warbler. Our final stop was the Billmeyer WMA where we got short but decent views of Cerulean and Worm-eating Warblers. A great day in great weather!

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