I hoped that yesterday's cool front would bring some migrants today. 
John Stup warned me that the Little Bennett parking lot would be closed 
today, so I went to Seneca instead.  With the exception of a cooperative 
pair of Black-throated Blue Warblers, I saw no migrants.  However, I did 
see a raven, and the biggest flock of Black Vultures I have ever 
encountered: at least 50, maybe close to 100.  There were Turkey 
Vultures around also, maybe 12-15, but they were much less active.

The raven perched briefly on the railing of the foot bridge over the 
mouth of Seneca Creek, only about 10 yards from me (until I raised my 
bins to get a better view).  At first it looked small for a raven, but 
then I realized that I was comparing it to the dozen or so Black 
Vultures that had just flown by my head.  It did have the raven bill and 
ruffled throat, and shortly thereafter, it flew over, croaking.

I have never before been that close to a raven, or to a Black Vulture. 
One thing that surprised me was the considerable wing noise that each of 
the vultures produced as it flew by.  When I left a little before 10:00, 
the vulture gathering was leaving - I counted at least 25 in the air, 
all Blacks.

Not what I expected, but an interesting morning.

	Bob Hartman
	



Double-crested Cormorant     35
Great Blue Heron             1
Great Egret                  9
Canada Goose                 4
Black Vulture                50
Turkey Vulture               12
Osprey                       2
Northern Flicker             15
Pileated Woodpecker          1
Carolina Wren                8
Carolina Chickadee           7
Tufted Titmouse              2
Blue Jay                     25
American Crow                2
Fish Crow                    1
Common Raven                 1
Black-throated Blue Warbler  2
Northern Cardinal            10