I hadn't birded in the District of Columbia since February 19, but it 
seemed today -- March 26 -- that February weather was still with us, damp 
and in the low 40's.

However, the birds seen show definite evidence of the advance of the seasons.

Some highlights:

At Georgetown Reservoir

Lesser Scaup  5
Ring-necked Duck  4
COMMON MERGANSER 1 female

At Fletcher's Boathouse:

adult BALD EAGLE                (but no sign yet of returning Rough-winged 
Swallows)

In the Washington Channel:

RED-BREASTED MERGANSER  30
BUFFLEHEAD  5
HORNED GREBE  1 (in gorgeous breeding finery)

At Hains Point:

BONAPARTE'S GULL  14   (with Ring-billed Gulls right at the point, feeding 
daintily with feet pattering on the surface of the Potomac, which looked 
filthy!)  all birds adults; only one showed transition to breeding plumage

Anacostia Park:

SNOW GOOSE  2  (same birds reported at intervals over the winter and seen 
by Paul Pisano a couple days ago)
OSPREY

Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens:

WOOD DUCK  2
COMMON MERGANSER   4
BROWN THRASHER    1
YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER  1
Fox Sparrow   1    singing loud and free

National Arboretum:

CHIPPING SPARROW    1   singing
Hermit Thrush

Good Birding!

Mike Bowen
Bethesda, MD


D. H. Michael Bowen (Mike)
8609 Ewing Drive
Bethesda MD 20817-3845
Tel/Fax: (301) 530-5764
e-mail: