Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2000 11:56:06 -0500 Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: Michael Bowen Subject: DC sightings on 11/7 Comments: To: voice@capaccess.org Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed On November 17, there were at least 2 EASTERN MEADOWLARKS in Anacostia Park. One was in the "Anacostia Wetlands" area (which is very close to being totally dry,due to the long rainless period), the other in one of the large, unmowed triangular areas near the ramp to the South Capitol Bridge. This is only the second time I have found this species in DC. The National Park Service has recently mowed even in some of the "no mow" areas along the Anacostia River, so there is very little habitat around for meadowlarks. The same day a 200-bird gull flock in Anacostia Park was spooked by a low-flying adult BALD EAGLE. 100-200 LAUGHING GULLS are still present. RING-BILLS are as usual the most numerous gull species along the Anacostia, but the number of HERRING GULLS, often 1st winter birds, seems to be increasing. I checked Cormorants for presence of Great (earlier reported from the Blue Plains area) with no success. The National Arboretum, NE DC, has its usual large wintering complement of AMERICAN ROBIN and CEDAR WAXWING. There were 4 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS in the area of the Grove of State Trees (no Red-breasted Nuthatch or Crossbills yet!) and 200+ Crows (probably 70% FISH CROW) around the Capitol Columns, where the attraction was fresh water. DARK-EYED JUNCO and GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET are common in the area of the pines. Mike Bowen Bethesda, MD __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Talk to your friends online with Yahoo! Messenger. http://im.yahoo.com ======================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= =========================================================================