I led a field trip to the National Arboretum today for ANS, along with the strong co-lead by Rob Hilton. The 15 of us had a very pleasant day with about 40 species seen. Highlights were 2 brown PURPLE FINCHES found by Lisa Shannon (the only winter finches of note), an adult male AMERICAN KESTREL perched atop a spruce tree, and an extremely cooperative EASTERN MEADOWLARK that allowed for prolonged looks at it perched in a tree by the big meadow (seen by Rob Hilton the week before, and probably one of the birds reported in the same area on the DC CBC). 3 RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES in the Grove of the State Trees were very cooperative.
Before the group gathered, Rob, Lisa & I saw an imm. NORTHERN HARRIER, along with 2 CHIPPING and 1 FIELD SPARROW. No sign of the Orange-crowned Warbler that was seen in Nov. & Dec.
On a related note, there were 3 CANVASBACKS at the mouth of the Anacostia River, scoped from the tip of Hains Pt (and hanging out with the very large flock of LESSER SCAUP (est. to be about 2,000 birds!)).
Good birding, Paul Pisano Arlington, VA
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