I arrived at the National Arboretum's Grove of State Trees at about
9:50 a.m. this morning, January 29. Bill Young of Arlington,
VA, was already there and had been looking without success for a
while. We walked around the grove for a few minutes before Bill
noticed a red bird quite low down in a pine at the NE corner. We
first thought "Purple Finch," but it soon showed bright white wing
bars and was in fact a male White-winged Crossbill.
On and off for the next hour-plus we followed a group of male and
female White-winged Crossbills moving from pine trees to sweet gums
and back again, feeding all the while and giving killer views in the
(by this time almost hot) sun. Three other birders joined us and
enjoyed the sight. The Crossbills were very quiet while engaged in
seed extraction from pine cones or sweet gum balls, but started up
their mechanical, manual typewriter chatter each time they decided to
move to another feeding site.
Bill and I estimated between 15 and 20 birds. Bill did some
digiscoping through my telescope but we don't know yet how the photos
turned out.
Thanks to those DC birders who have reported Crossbills in this
vicinity. This was the third time I have looked for them here, but
the first time I've seen any.
A DC bird for me, and a very long time coming.
Michael Bowen
Montgomery Bird Club
Bethesda. MD
D.H. Michael Bowen
8609 Ewing Drive
Bethesda, MD 20817
Telephone: (301) 530-5764
e-mail: dhmbowenATyahooDOTcom
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