On Thursday I checked the Potomac River above the water intake and dam at
Little Falls, Montgomery Co. At 10:58 AM a group of about 15 Phalaropes plunged
from the sky and raced downriver. They were in sight for about 20 seconds, and
disappeared down the gorge, headed towards DC. Most were Red-necked
Phalaropes, but a few appeared to be Red Phalaropes, larger with more extensively white
underwings. The weather was not particularly wild. The wind was out of the
south, perhaps 20mph. It had rained a few minutes previously, but not too hard.
It was amazing to see how fast they flew downriver into the headwind.

Between 3 and 5PM, about 25 Common and Forster's Terns, and 3 juv Black
Terns, were feeding at Violette's Lock, Montgomery Co MD. A flock of 7 Stilt
Sandpipers flew past at one point.

At 5:30 one Buff-breasted Sandpiper, 15 Pectorals, and Semis and Leasts, were
at the Patton Turf Farm.

At 6PM all was quiet at Little Seneca Reservoir, no fallout birds at all. It
seems like quite a few birds might have been missed this morning.

Dave Czaplak