Sorry, forgot to sign the post...  :-)

Jay Keller,
Arlington, VA



>
>Hi Everyone,
>
>I decided to keep it low key this morning and bird around the Potomac to see if anything interesting was brought in by the fronts.  It was good to see several other birders out today.  I was disappointed in the waterfowl but below is a summation of the morning's rather scant findings:
>
>LBJ GROVE AREA:
>
>Mallard     3
>Double-crested Cormorant     2
>Great Egret     1
>Ring-billed Gull     5
>Rock Pigeon     10
>Mourning Dove     2
>American Robin     2
>European Starling     6
>Song Sparrow     2
>Northern Cardinal     4
>House Finch     4
>American Goldfinch     2
>House Sparrow     5
>
>ROACHES RUN WATERFOWL SANCTUARY
>
>Mallard     1
>Pied-billed Grebe     2
>Double-crested Cormorant     3
>Great Blue Heron     1
>American Coot     6
>Ring-billed Gull     8
>Herring Gull     1
>Rock Pigeon     12
>Mourning Dove     4
>Blue Jay     1
>Carolina Chickadee     1
>Carolina Wren     1
>European Starling     6
>Northern Cardinal     1
>House Sparrow     3
>
>DAINGERFIELD ISLAND (South Parking Lot)
>
>Ring-billed Gull     6
>Great Black-backed Gull     1
>Mourning Dove     32
>Red-bellied Woodpecker     1
>Downy Woodpecker     1
>Blue Jay     3
>American Crow     1
>Carolina Chickadee     3
>Tufted Titmouse     1
>Golden-crowned Kinglet     2
>American Robin     4
>Northern Mockingbird     1
>European Starling     25
>Cedar Waxwing     2
>Song Sparrow     12
>White-throated Sparrow     28
>Northern Cardinal     5
>RUSTY/BREWER'S BLACKBIRD     1 **
>Common Grackle     65
>House Finch     26
>American Goldfinch     35
>House Sparrow     12
>
>** Blackbird among Grackles was most likely a Rusty but gave me a non-Rusty impression.  It was all black with no hint of rusty coloration, yellow eye, etc.  There was very poor lighting so I could not tell the level of gloss.  I'm accustomed to seeing Rustys with at least some buffy coloration this time of year, but I realize that some may still be jet black.  Thoughts on this are welcomed.
>
>GRAVELLY POINT
>
>Mallard     12
>Double-crested Cormorant     15
>Great Blue Heron     1
>PEREGRINE FALCON     1
>American Coot     2
>Laughing Gull     1
>Ring-billed Gull     165
>Herring Gull     1
>Rock Pigeon     60
>Mourning Dove     4
>Northern Mockingbird     1
>European Starling     15
>AMERICAN PIPIT     1 (calling overhead)
>Savannah Sparrow     4 (one singing on the fenceline by the water)
>Song Sparrow     10
>Swamp Sparrow     1
>White-throated Sparrow     1
>House Sparrow     3
>