I spent the morning block-mopping & block-busting in several blocks along the far eastern edge of section 68.  The area is dominated by the high flat 'plateau' of Bloom township, but the best birding is in the forested ravines, ridges, and knobs that radiate west, north, and east from the heavily-farmed uplands.  yesterday and today, I focused on areas in the north and east, running from Chesnut Ridge MetroPark to Rockmill down to Westafll and Sandhill Knob.  The area had a lot of the expected forest and field birds, but I had some pleasant surprises, including:

Kestrel - a rare breeder here, 1 just west of Carroll was noteworthy

Yellow-throated Vireo - surprisingly common here, with singing birds at most locations.

Parula Warbler - 1 was singing at Rockmill Wildlife Area

Redstart - 1 was singing at Chesnut Ridge, but none were at Rockmill Wildlife Area where they have nested recently

Yellow-br.Chat - 1 was singing near the Rockmill gorge bridge upstream from the old Rock Mill; another was expected and found at Chesnut Ridge

Hooded Warblers - 4 singing at Chesnut Ridge was a good # for there

Blue Grosbeak - 1 was singing just southwest of the old Rock Mill covered bridge, a very unusual location for them.

Savannah Sparrow - 1 was singing in a weedfield off Bellhorn Rd.

Vesper Sparrows - had singing birds in several fields around Carroll, Rockmill, and Westfall

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