I recall a few years ago, when we were trying to catch up with YCNH for our DC lists, we were told that "if you go early enough, there is a pair at Fletcher's Boat House." Well, we got there very early one morning, checked the stream and river bank, and all we coud find were lots and lots of Black-crowned Night-herons hovering over the water watching for fish and the like. Disappointed, we walked back to our car, parked at the lower lot near the picnic area, and we saw the two Yellow-crowns! -- they were walking amongst the picnic tables on the lawn, foraging for ?? in the grass. When we told the friend who had initially put us on to the birds, he said, "oh yes, I should have told you, that's where they always are..."  So maybe not so unusual...(Thought I must admit the vast majority of YCNHs I've seen have been in or by water.)

Gail Mackiernan
Colesville, MD

 -------------- Original message ----------------------
From: David Mozurkewich <>
<snip>
> The nearest water -- a concrete-lined creek bed -- is about three-
> quarters of a mile away.  The nearest real wetlands is more than a mile
> in the opposite direction.  I thought Yellow-crowned Night-Herons away
> from the bay usually fed on crayfish.  How likely are they to feed on a
> dry, upland lawn?  My guess is not very.  It's likely this bird was
> migrating north last night.  At sunrise, not knowing where to find good
> habitat, it did the best it could and put down in this yard.  After
> resting and feeding, it's probably already continuing its northbound
> journey.
> 
> Perhaps birds really do have wings and any species can show up anywhere.
> 
> David Mozurkewich
> Lynette Fullerton
> April 6, 2006
> Seabrook, PG, MD