Today about 1:30 pm there was a Lesser Black-backed Gull standing on the 
ice (east of 121 bridge) among a  group of  7-8  Herring Gulls.  At 
first I was thinking Greater BB because one had been reported their in 
the last week or so.  But upon inspection with my scope, the bird was 
clearly not larger than the adjacent Herring Gulls and its legs were 
yellow.  Most other birds same as reported by others over past few weeks 
with the exception of 2 female Red-breasted Mergansers.  I failed to 
spot the Eared Grebes but did see them yesterday. 

Yesterday, driving to the Potomac R. from my house about 4 pm, I came 
upon a most cooperative Barred Owl sitting right in the open on a 
telephone/utility wire.  Was able to observe it through my scope from 
about 60 yards away for over 10 minutes!

Good birding,

Andy Martin
Gaithersburg