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Subject:

Migrants in D.C., May 1 -- Hains Point and Anacostia Park

From:

Michael Bowen

Reply-To:

Michael Bowen

Date:

Sun, 1 May 2005 15:51:30 -0400

It seemed like a good omen today when I went to pick up the newspaper from 
in front of the house (in Bethesda) and heard a Rose-breasted Grosbeak 
singing and "chinking" away in our tall maple tree.

Although Rock Creek Park near the Nature Center in NW D.C. was not overly 
swinging, as I am sure other people have reported or will do so, Hains 
Point was uncharacteristically good for land bird migrants.  Thanks to 
Barry Cooper for his tip based on his visit a day or so ago.

Clive Harris and I had the following interesting birds at Hains Point, with 
most of the land birds close to or within the NPS materials yard which is 
surrounded by a chain-link fence and is located just south of the golf course:

COMMON LOON 14 (all together in a group just off National Airport; all but 
one in breeding plumage)

OSPREY  2
CASPIAN TERN  2  (lots more along the Anacostia -- see below)
CHIMNEY SWIFT  few
WARBLING VIREO  1  along the entrance road
NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED and BARN SWALLOWS  quite a few of each
EASTERN BLUEBIRD  1

VEERY  1  perched on the chain link fence

HERMIT THRUSH 2  (and possibly more than 2)
GRAY CATBIRD  1
BROWN THRASHER  2
PRAIRIE WARBLER  (Western)  2
OVENBIRD  1
NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH  feeding in wet mulch; later singing loudly
COMMON YELLOWTHROAT
and YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, of course

CHIPPING, SAVANNAH, SONG, SWAMP and WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS, E. TOWHEES
BALTIMORE ORIOLE  1 young male

After Clive left for home, I spent the rest of the morning in Anacostia 
Park in D.C., also visiting the "Anacostia Wetlands" area accessible from 
the park.  This area is as wet as it ever gets and Wellington boots are 
required for exploration.  Highlights in Anacostia:

GREEN HERON  1
OSPREY  1  (probably one of the pair nesting on the downstream part of the 
S. Capitol bridge)
SOLITARY SANDPIPER  2
SPOTTED SANDPIPER  4
WILSON'S SNIPE  1
CASPIAN TERN  61  (most loafing with gulls on sandbars in the river; 
Anacostia Park is a wonderful place to see these birds up close and 
personal -- choose mid- to low-tide.)
EASTERN KINGBIRD  2
YELLOW WARBLER 3
ORCHARD ORIOLE  4

Mike Bowen
Bethesda, MD


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