field_report from "Hughes Hollow" on 03/28/2004 - 13:00

Twenty-five participants enjoyed a fine early spring morning at one of the premiere wetland sites in the area, one that features both a large (ca. 60 acres) wooded swamp and extensive open fields, two of the harder to find habitat types in our area. Tucked out of the way between the Potomac and the far end of River Road in Montgomery County, Hughes Hollow is a lesson in the value of habitat diversity and a productive birding destination in any season. It certainly lived up to its reputation on the day of our visit, producing excellent looks at Wilson's Snipe, Blue-winged and Green-winged Teal, Ring-necked Ducks, and all seven local woodpecker species, including perhaps the most striking of them all-the Red-headed Woodpecker. Wood Ducks were frequent flyovers, but wary; they will definitely stay to breed, however. The abundant flooded woodlands offer plenty of the cavities they seek for nesting sites. Other birds included an early American Egret, feeding amidst the ducks, a lone Purple Finch singing its extended song, Brown Creeper and White-breasted Nuthatch bark gleaning, and Tree Swallows taking advantage of an early insect hatch above the impoundments-it looked as though they were beginning to claim their traditional nest boxes (this bird is another cavity nester). Recent warm days had brought out the flying insects and the birds that prey on them, each in their varied ways: Yellow-rumped Warblers actively searched the treetop buds, a Ruby-crowned Kinglet demonstrated its hyperactive hover-gleaning techniques, and Eastern Phoebes sallied out and back from treetop perches at the edges of nearby fields. Raptors were not much in evidence, but we did have a Red-shouldered Hawk fly-by. This species nests in nearby woods. The many reptiles and amphibians about are easy marks for this clever predator. Two of the swamp's more elusive inhabitants were heard only (and that's to be expected): a Barred Owl called in the distance, and an American Bittern gave its distinctive grunting, gulping call from deep in the marsh (sadly, no one accepted the leader's invitation to wade in and flush it from its hiding place). Our loop route took us west after passing the impoundments, along a path that leads to a bridge over Horsepen Branch, and then back through some brushy fields to a beaver dam crossing to return to the impoundments. This is a good sampler of the various habitats here. Another popular path continues straight ahead from the dike south toward the C & O Canal and nearby Potomac, and there are many side-trails to explore. East of the Hughes Road entrance, along Hunting Quarter Road, there are additional parking areas and paths into the fields beyond. A couple of caveats should you choose to visit on your own (and you should): the area is part of McKee-Besher's Wildlife Management Area, so hunting is permitted in season, and it is safest during those times to limit yourself to Sunday trips, when it is not allowed (at least, not yet). Secondly, visits during the heat of summer are best restricted to the early morning or evening hours.