Dyke Marsh Report

KurtCapt87@aol.com
Sun, 10 Jan 1999 21:09:52 EST


Dyke Marsh regular Sunday Bird Walk, 0800-1100, 20-30 F, sunny skies, light
wind when near the Potomac

What a great day!  With sunny skies we began our walk watching ducks, eagles,
and gulls on the river.  Several Gadwall were mixed in with the 500 or so
Canada Geese and a small group of Am. Widgeons took up the rear flank of the
big raft.  Soon, these fowl were joined by a lone Canvasback out for a nice
swim.  In the river channel both Bufflehead and Pied-billed Grebe were diving.
An adult Bald Eagle perched on the icy mudflats and a first year bird flew
over our heads at the picnic area, perching in a big sycamore.  We moved down
the marina, encountering first Rusty Blackbirds (a male and female pair) and
then a single Tree Sparrow perched with House Sparrows near the boats!  At the
end of the marina drive we spied over a dozen Common Mergansers, several
Hooded Mergansers and a single female/imm. Red-breasted Merg all actively
diving.  As we walked down Haul Road, we heard a Kingfisher nearby.  At the
"dogleg", many Song Sparrows and at least one Fox Sparrow delighted us.
Nearby, many Swamp Sparrows were heard calling in the frozen marsh.  As we
turned the corner, pishing brought a few Swamps to light and one Winter Wren
bounced about in the cattails.  Watching this wren, I came across another wren
which threw me - untill I noted the pale breast and lined pattern on the rear
half - a House Wren!  Soon, another Winter Wren joined in and everyone got
great looks.  At the end of the trail we chanced upon 5 Wood Ducks and saw
Horned Grebe nearby with some more Common Mergs.  With that we ended the day
and tallied 46 species for a fine January winter day at the Dyke.

Kurt Gaskill, kurtcapt87@aol.com