Date: Wed, 1 Jan 2003 20:45:51 -0500 Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding <MDOSPREY@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM> Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding <MDOSPREY@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM> From: John Hubbell <johngilhub@ATT.NET> Subject: DC Birds, New Years Day A hardy party of 6 braved the elements this morning on a Montgomery County chapter field trip to areas along the Potomac River in the District of Columbia. A total of 40 species were seen, 35 in DC and 5 more in Virginia. Raptors were the highlight of the day. A Peregrine Falcon was in its usual place on the railroad bridge below the 14th St. bridge. Hains Point hosted 2 Bald Eagles and a Merlin. A Red-tailed Hawk flew over the George Washington Parkway near National Airport. An adult Bald Eagle was also seen from the Washington Sailing Marina. It was being harassed by 2 Great Black-backed Gulls. Just when it seemed the gulls had chased it off, the eagle reversed course, grabbed a fish, and went back to its original spot to eat. It was only a modest day for water birds. The Tundra Swan was in its seemingly permanent home near Roosevelt Island (it's been there since May). Two Double-crested Cormorants were below the runway light structure at National Airport. We looked through a lot of geese, but only found Canadas. 8 species of duck included a Canvasback in Washington Channel, where 4 Black-crowned Night-herons and 1 Pied-billed Grebe were also found. After the trip ended, Paul Pisano found a good-sized group of Canvasback and Scaup, including Greater, off of Gravelly Point. I missed these as I was rushing home for hot soup, cold beer, and dry socks. Happy New Year! John Hubbell Chevy Chase, MD ======================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= =========================================================================