We arrived at Hughes Hollow/McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area around 10:30 this morning for a late morning walk.  Starting late, we weren’t expecting a lot of activity, so we were pleasantly surprised to find an Olive-sided Flycatcher perched in a dead tree in the southwest corner of the first impoundment on the right.  We sighted the bird after walking most of the way down the side levee that goes between the two western impoundments.  After passing the first group of trees on the right side of the levee, we could see the dead tree back about 50 feet away through an opening in the trees (tallest dead tree in that area).  The Olive-sided was joined by an Eastern Wood Pewee for instant comparison, as well as a Downy Woodpecker and an Eastern Bluebird.  The Olive-sided sallied forth from its perch several times to fly catch and also perched in another dead tree behind the first tree.  When we returned on the main levee to the parking area, we could see the same tree in the distance across the impoundment in the southwest corner.  But the best viewing by far was from the side levee much closer to the tree.

Otherwise, the only other birds of note were a young Indigo Bunting with a yellow gape begging from a female.  The last egg date noted in the Yellow Book is August 16, so this bird must have been from a pretty late nesting.

Jim and Ann Nelson
Bethesda

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