Report a Sighting

Here is the place to post your sighting of animals and of plants in the Sligo Creek watershed or in the Park itself and to peruse what others have seen and reported. It is a fascinating list, growing year by year. No need to feel shy; what is of interest to you is what is fine to post, and interesting behavior and surprising locations are useful to record. Thanks for taking part - as a reader or as a reporter - in the web of life in Sligo Creek.

Spring Migrant
Bird Sightings 		Native Plant
Inventory 		Photos by
Don Olson
What Where When Reported by Comments
Yellow Crowned Night Heron Near the intersection of Sligo Creek Parkway and Schuyler Rd - between Colesville Rd and Wayne Ave morning, Sun,
May 12, 2013 		J. Hunter
File Photo by Don Olson
Wild Turkey On right bank opposite the golf course just inside the Beltway noon, Thu,
Apr 25, 2013 		Jerry LeNoir Saw a full grown turkey walk across the street headed towards the park
Red Shouldered Hawk Behind Houston Court, in the trees on the bluff above Sligo Creek on the left bank between Piney Branch and Maple 10am-3pm, Sun, Apr 21, 2013 Timo Freeman The bird (or pair) had been a regular visitor or inhabitant in the woods behind Houston Ct., all winter long. But since April 21, I have not heard or seen it once. I used to see it perching and snacking on prey in my back yard and of course hearing its loud repeated "kee-ah"s. But on Apr 21, it was calling all day long and was quite persistent. I figured the constant calling was related to mating behavior. I am curious now because I have neither heard nor seen the hawk/s since Apr 21.
Photo by Maxine Hillary
Yellow Crowned Night Heron 100 yards upstream of the Park Valley Rd bridge 10:30pm, Sun, Apr 28, 2013 Timo Freeman Spooked the bird while walking/talking. The heron flew south following the creek, but we did not see it again.
Photo by James Anderson
Pileated Woodpeckers In the woods of section 4 by Dale Drive and the play ground noon, Sun, Apr 13, 2013 & 2pm, Mon, Apr 14 James Anderson Found both birds on downed trees. Each bird was very intent on finding grubs or other insects in the decaying wood.
Photo 1 by James Anderson
Photo 2 by James Anderson
Bed of spring beauties Just north of the Sligo Creek Golf Course and west of the creek Sun,
Apr 21, 2013 		Heather Phipps With all of the invasives I witnessed along my walk next to Sligo Creek today, I was heartened when I saw some beautiful patches of spring beauties. It truly is amazing how Mother Nature can overcome what are seemingly huge limitations.
Photo by Heather Phipps
Wild Turkey (female) On the hill behind Parkside Headquarters, near Dallas and Sligo Creek Parkway noon, Mon,
Apr 15, 2013 		Lynn Vismara The turkey was walking around the woods pecking at the ground, and one of the 5 young deer that hang out back there was following it everywhere it went...it reminded us of the book,
'Are you my mother?'
Pair of American Kestrels mating In the Pepco powerline corridor that crosses Sligo between New Hampshire Ave. and East-West Highway Sat,
Apr 13, 2013 		Michael Wilpers (following report by Rhonda Kranz) Rhonda reported seeing Kestrels in the ROW about a month ago, so I've had my eye out for them since, with a couple of sightings. This time, I saw the pair perched near each other on one of the high-tension powerlines above the meadow as it slopes toward the Creek from 16th Place. By the time I got my binocs focused, there appeared to be only one. Turned out they were in the act, which lasted only a few seconds. They then resumed their prior places, puffed their feathers, and groomed themselves a bit. Obviously, they have to do it somewhere, but this was an unexpected locale and the balancing act was impressive.
Web Photo
Black-crowned Night Heron Standing on the sewer pipe that crosses the creek, just above the footbridge near the tennis courts at Bennington Rd 6:50am, Sat,
Apr 13, 2013 		Alan Abrams and Janet Kinzer We saw it (or maybe another heron) again on a low branch hanging over the creek, near the same location, about 2 hrs later.
Photo by Miroslav Honzak
Belted Kingfisher Flying downstream over the creek, near Three Oaks Drive, about halfway between Wayne Ave and Colesville Rd 9:15am, Sat,
Apr 13, 2013 		Alan Abrams and Janet Kinzer Web Drawing of Kingfisher Pair
Black-crowned Night Heron Just downstream from the Inwood Ave bridge over Wheaton Branch of Sligo Creek 4pm, Fri,
Apr 12, 2013 		Lenore Boulet He/she was standing in the creek, and then lunged for dinner.
Photo by Lenore Boulet
Yellow Crowned Night Heron Found this on the Creek between Floral Tributary and the bridge by the soccer field between Colesville and Forest Glen Roads. Mon,
Apr 8, 2013 		Jim Anderson Several of us were walking along the Creek when the bird was spotted. It seemed to pose for us.
Photo by Jim Anderson
Red-eared Slider Turtle In Wheaton Branch by Woodman Ave Tue,
Apr 2, 2013 		Jim Anderson The turtle was swimming and then went to the bottom when it saw me, but came back up after I stood still for several minutes. It is my understanding this is not a native turtle of MD, but is a native to other states. This turtle has been naturalized and does not seem to compete with native turtles.
Photo by Jim Anderson
Canada Goose on nest Along the pond near parking lot just upstream from Forest Glen Road Tue,
Apr 2, 2013 		Jim Anderson The female was sitting on the nest, while the male was swimming in the pond.
Photo by Jim Anderson
Pileated woodpecker On a tree stump aboout 5 feet off trail about 100 yeards south of Piney Branch Road (50 yards up from first bridge) 4:30pm, Sat, Apr 6, 2013 John Shew Absolutely unfazed by the crowd of about 10 walkers who gathered to watch this beautiful bird. What a unexpected Spring treat.
2010 Photo by Don Olson
Great Blue Heron Jefferson Avenue, up the hill from Sligo Creek, slightly downstream from Maple Ave Sun, Mar 31, 2013 Melissa Great Blue Heron standing in the side yard of a house on Jefferson Avenue. My dog startled it, and it flew off into the trees toward Sligo. HUGE. Looked like a pterodactyl as it flew off. It's been a few years since we've seen a Great Blue in this neighborhood (and it ate all the fish from a neighbor's koi pond)
Past Photo by Michael Wilpers
Yellow Crowned Night Heron In a nest over the Dallas Avenue Parking Lot between Colesville and Forest Glen Roads Sat, Mar 30, 2013 Debra Benator Alas, SPRING. Hopeful that the other Night Heron friends and family will be returning.
Photo by Debra Benator
Pileated Woodpecker Pair Across the parkway from the Dallas Avenue Parking Lot between Colesville and Forest Glen Roads Sat, Mar 30, 2013 Debra Benator The pileated Woodpecker pair were exploring on the ground around the tree stump...quite a surprise.
Photo 1 by Debra Benator
Photo 2 by Debra Benator
Red-shouldered Hawk resting on a branch, digesting a meal Same location as the following sighting 10:30am, Sun, Mar 17 AND 3:30pm, Mon, Mar 18, 2013 Julie LeNoir It appeared that the hawk had just digested something with the area beneath its throat bloated with a recent kill? The hawk was resting on a tree branch, and came back to the same site the next day.
Hawk eating wood duck On the ground, in the woods just uphill from the Sligo Creek paved path (Clement and Crosby to the south, Dallas Ave to the north--roughly opposite the golf course just above Colesville Rd) 8am, Sat, Mar 16, 2013 George Zipf The hawk was a Red-shouldered and the Wood Duck was male, thanks to ID by birder Mary Singer.
Photo by George Zipf
Wood ducks, two pair Stormwater ponds N of Forest Glen Rd Wed, Mar 13, 2013 Laura Mol Two male-female pairs, gorgeous colors in the 6P (DST)sunlight, swimming in the northmost stormwater pond-cell (N of paved path connecting parking lot on Parkway with paved hiker-biker trail; E of the Creek.
2011 Photo by Don Olson
Wood ducks - pair Downstream from Piney Branch Rd near Hilltop Rd Mon, Mar 4, 2013 Susan Clark Stopped to stretch myself. Wood ducks, a pair, in the creek Surprised me with joy.
2011 Photo by Don Olson
American Wigeon University Blvd stormwater pond 4:45pm, Fri, Mar 1, 2013 Leah Haygood Lone male on the pond with some Canada Geese and a pair of mallards. Haven't seen a Wigeon here before.
Web Photo
Barred Owl On Hilltop Road, between Mississippi and Geneva, on the West side of the street - opposite the creek 5:15pm, Thu, Feb 17, 2013 Julius Kassovic A friend told me he saw this owl in a heart-shaped hole in a tree on Hilltop Rd. When I went by, I saw it sitting quietly in the tree, not moving for at least 15 minutes.
Photo by Julius Kassovic
A Great Blue Heron in the creek surrounded by reflections of apartment buildings Just upstream from the Park Valley bridge 3:30pm, Thu, Feb 14, 2013 Julius Kassovic I was crossing the Park Valley bridge and looked over to see this heron, who was very busy fishing. He looked a complete "urban bird" with the reflections of the apartment buildings in the waters around him as he waded forward and then speared a fish.
Photo by Julius Kassovic
Water Skeeter in frigid February, trudging slowly across oil sheen on Sligo backwater Upstream from where Hilltop Rd and Mississippi Ave meet the creek, on West bank there is a small backwater that is usually covered by a sheen of oil 5:30pm, Sun, Feb 10, 2013 Julius Kassovic I was walking up the creek from the point where the Comstock creek feeds into Sligo Creek, near the junction of Hilltop and Mississippi. On the West bank, there is a small backwater or puddle that is usually covered by a thin sheen of oil. I was surprised, on a cold February evening, to see a water skeeter emerge from what seemed to be its den in a small pile of leaves, and trudge rather than skeet across the water. As the skeeter trudged, it left odd parallel tracks across the oil sheen, showing it leaving, wandering around, and then returning to its shelter.
Photo by Julius Kassovic
Great blue heron Near the stone bridge at Sligo Creek Pkwy and Park Valley Rd Fri morning, Feb 4, 2013 Holly Mcclain It was standing "hunched" in creek waiting...
2009 Photo by Don Olson
Crocuses Blooming Along the wood line just as one enters the inner (muddy) path along the big field in Section 4 (between Piney Branch Rd and wayne Ave) heading towards Wayne Ave Tue, Jan 29, 2013 James Anderson A nice bunch of invasive crocuses blooming in January, instead of springtime
Photo by James Anderson