I visited Kenilworth Park and Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens this (Sat, 3/24)
morning.  A fairly typical early spring day, with singing FOX SPARROWS and
WINTER WRENS, RUSTY BLACKBIRDS squeaking from the trees, and WOOD DUCKS
pairing off.  But the best bird of the day was LONG-TAILED DUCK.  While
walking out on the boardwalk I happened to look up to see a flock of 13
long-tails flying over.  Once they realized that the marsh at low tide is
not a place to land, they continued on their way, disappearing into the fog.
Definitely a high count for DC for me.  Other birds of note were a pair of
near adult BALD EAGLES (just some brown markings near the tips of their
white tails and white flecks in the underwing - wonder if they're nesting in
the area), singing SWAMP SPARROWS, 5 HOODED MERGANSERS and 2-3 GREAT BLUE
HERONS perched on or next to the group of 4+/- nests.  Nice to see that
they're nesting there again.

Also of note was a beaver swimming down the Anacostia River.

Belatedly, on Thursday morning while riding Metro to work, I saw a loose
flock of BONAPARTE'S GULLS flying upriver.

Good birding,
Paul Pisano
Arlington, VA