Repeated my trip of 4-24, but with better results.  The recent rains 
have flooded the fields even more creating better shorebird habitat.  At the 
impoundments I found 8 SOLITARY SANDPIPERS in the swampy areas which should 
resemble in part their nesting grounds.  In the corn stubble in the field to 
the west after the 2nd hedgerow as you enter from the center parking lot 
there were another 20 solitaries and 2 LESSER YELLOWLEGS.  At the west end 
of this field which is more open than the east end I found another 5 
solitaries, 20 GREATER YELLOWLEGS, and another 10 lessers actively feeding- 
some up to their bellies in the water.  Took me back in time when shorebirds 
(and habitat) was more common here.  I think the 28 Solitary Sandpipers is 
my high count for the area.
      Among the 53 species I found were the FOY for me- Eastern Kingbird 
(3), Red-eyed Vireo (4) , a Brown Thrasher, a YELLOW WARBLER, NORTHERN 
WATERTHRUSH (6)some of which were singing, ORCHARD ORIOLE (4 adult males and 
a subadult male), and a BALTIMORE ORIOLE.
    On the nesting front I saw the female Hooded Merganser with her 10 young 
and saw 1 or 2 other females flying around.  The Canada Goose broods had 
moved more to the west.  The merged brood has lost 2 more young (down to 7 
large young since last week), but the brood of 6 was still there.  On my 
return trip I found another brood with only 2 small young.
     While watching the merged brood I saw an interesting behavior.  One of 
the adults (female?) would pull vegetation from under the water and bring it 
to the surface where the young would eat it.

Paul Woodward
Fairfax City, VA