I tried, unsuccessfully, to find the Turkeys reported from Ft. Dupont a week
or two ago.  However, there were a fair number of birds about, just nothing
out of the ordinary - perhaps the most interesting were the 6 EASTERN
TOWHEES, including one in full song.
From there I went to the Arboretum, and there were good numbers of the
typically winter visitors, including lots of JUNCOS, BLUE JAYS, ROBINS, a
few FIELD SPARROWS, more TOWHEES, 4 HOODED MERGANSERS on the pond, along
with the previously reported RED-HEADED WOODPECKER near the columns.
A quick spin around Hains Pt. revealed 3 MERLINS.  No sign of the
Peregrines, but twice this past week I saw 1 bird perched near the very top
of the RR bridge structure, just above the nest box.  This box has been
there for a few years, but the birds have not yet used it.  We should keep
on the lookout to see if the bird ever actually enters the box.  One time
that I saw the bird near the box, its mate was nearby, and based on the size
difference, I'd say the bird near the box was a female. 
Somewhere along the way I picked up a Deer Tick.  It managed to get lodged
into my wrist, at the elastic band of my jacket.  At first I didn't think it
was a deer tick because it looked too big, but a visit to this website
(http://www.ent.iastate.edu/imagegal/ticks/iscap/all4.html) revealed that it
was female, which is larger than the male.  Not sure how long it was in
there, but I don't think it was more than 2-3 hours.  Anyway, just thought
I'd mention it so that others could be on the lookout even in winter.

Good birding,
Paul Pisano
Arlington, VA