Date: Sun, 26 Oct 2003 17:23:42 -0500 Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: "Paul P." Subject: falcons in DC MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I didn't get out birding much this weekend, but today (Sun, 10/26) I was able to see a PEREGRINE toying with pigeons (of the Rock variety) over the high rises in SW DC (nearest the 14th St Bridge). One or two Peregrines (though usually just 1) have been perching on the RR Bridge over the Potomac this fall, though I don't seem to see them as frequently as I have in past years. But my guess is that they will hang out here throughout the winter and into spring. Adding to the falcon show, I saw 3 MERLINS on the loop around Hains Point. The first was in the "traditional" tree (the dead one at the south end just before the end of the golf course on the channel side), and then 2 more in the bare trees at the north end (seen from the road on the river side). Don't know if they prefer these bare trees over those that are still leafed out, or if there are more sitting in the leafy trees that I'm just not seeing (ie, I'm only seeing the ones that happen to perch in the bare trees, which is not the same as saying that they always perch in the bare trees, if that makes sense). A decent mix of gulls (4 sp.) on the river near the point, including numerous LAUGHING GULLS, but nothing out of the ordinary. Also, about a dozen AM. COOTS in with the Mallards in the channel - no other waterfowl of note. Good birding, Paul Pisano Arlington, VA cheepATerols.com ======================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= =========================================================================