Took a lunchtime walk with Ben Jesup down to the DC WWI Memorial and the nearby area of the "National Mall" (technically this area is not in the National Mall, but everyone calls it that, so enough about that).

Best bird was a Northern Waterthrush in a flooded area near the memorial, with a close second place going to two Savannah Sparrows on the ridge north of the Reflecting Pool.  Also a Hermit Thrush on the same ridge (a rare chance to see one in full sunlight), tons of Yellow-rumps, and a Black-and-White Warbler.

We also observed an interesting behavior by a Blue Jay--it dropped down to a small depression in a bare patch of ground (actually, I think it was a pile of old mulch), spread its wings, fanned its tail, turned its head and pressed itself flat against the ground, sprawled.  After holding this position still for perhaps 15-20 seconds (and giving us a great show of its beautiful flight and tail feathers), it picked itself up and flew off.  Ben thought it might be allowing ants to clean it, but we found no ants on the ground--so while we assumed it was some sort of feather maintenance, we were scratching our heads a little.  Anyone know what this is?

Jason Waanders
NW DC
jwaandersATstarpower.net

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