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Subject:

Spring comes to DC - almost

From:

Michael Bowen

Reply-To:

Michael Bowen

Date:

Wed, 18 Apr 2007 14:14:02 -0400

Well it wasn't warm, exactly, but the sun was out much of the time 
this morning, April 18, in Washington, DC.  And there were definitely 
some avian signs of spring:

In the muddy and fast-running Potomac at Hains Point, many of the 
sizeable logs being carried down river provided perches for indolent 
BONAPARTE'S GULLS -- maybe as many as 50 altogether.  A CASPIAN TERN 
flew over while I watched the Bonies and swarms of Tree and 
Rough-winged Swallows.

Later, in Anacostia Park. there was a group of CHIMNEY SWIFTS, at 
least 20 in all, dipping quite low, accompanied by some BARN 
SWALLOWS. The Swifts were first of the year for me.  I flushed 3 
WILSON'S SNIPE in the wetlands area of the park, where I also found 4 
FIELD SPARROWS and 6 SWAMP SPARROWS in gorgeous spring plumage.

In Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens there were 3 GREAT EGRETS.  Overhead, 
an immature BALD EAGLE, molting and missing many primary feathers, 
was unsuccessfully trying to make one of the local OSPREYS release a 
large fish it was grasping in its talons.

Happy Spring, everyone

Mike Bowen
Bethesda MD

D.H. Michael Bowen
8609 Ewing Drive
Bethesda, MD  20817
e-mail:  dhmbowenATyahooDOTcom