Eighteen birders showed up at the Algonkian Park walk on Saturday, September 21 to find the parking lot overrun by the participants and parents of a local high school crew race event.  To avoid the noise and throngs of student athletes, the group took a route away from the boat ramp.  Apparently this was destiny, because a few hundred yards down the path, we found a few magic trees.  We found a very large flock of migrants flitting about these magic trees (oaks, sycamores and walnut trees for tree enthusiasts).  In short order, we found multiple Blackburnian Warblers, Black-and-white Warbler, Philadelphia Vireo, Bay-breasted Warbler, Magnolia Warbler and several Northern Parulas.  It was a great way to start the walk.

Blackburnian Warbler.
Photo by Bryan Henson

As we continued the walk, we kept adding many other birds, eventually finding a total of 53 species.  One of the highlights was an Osprey that circled and touched down at the confluence of the Potomac River and Sugarland Run, providing a great view.  After we wrapped up the planned portion of the walk (along the Potomac near the boat ramp), several of us ventured over to the other side of the park near the waterpark.  Once again, we were rewarded with a nice flock of birds.  A Yellow-billed Cuckoo provided great looks, and we added several birds to our list including Chestnut-sided Warbler and Black-throated Green Warbler.  We also caught a stream of Broad-winged Hawks flying south high above us.  With perfect weather and so many birds, it was a fantastic walk.

The complete list of birds can be viewed on eBird at: https://ebird.org/checklist/S195943732 and https://ebird.org/checklist/S195943679.

Photo by Allison Gallo

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