I went Blackwater Refuge with a friend on Saturday afternoon, even though
the sky was a uniform grey all day.   We saw some very nice birds in spite
of the weather.  A number of Brown-headed nuthatches near the beginning of
the wildlife drive; a total of 23 Bald Eagles (16 adults and 7 Immatures,
without trying very hard); a splendid Golden Eagle (seen from Key Wallace
Drive), which obligingly took off from the marsh and slowly circled up in
front of us for about ten minutes, offering killer views of the upper and
lower surfaces of the bird.  It appeared to be an adult, with distinct tawny
bars on the upper wing surfaces, and no discernible white banding in the
tail.  Also a number of common Mergansers, some Tundra Swans, (did NOT see
the pelicans) several Harriers (including a male that dove with the golden
eagle).  About 3 p.m., we proceeded out  Shorter's wharf Road  where we
found three Short-eared owls (two of which came within 30 to 50 FEET of us),
and another single Short-eared out on Cedar Creek Rd.  Finally, at the very
end of the day, several thousand Snow (with lots of blue geese) in the field
next to the visitor center that exploded in noisy flight just as we were
leaving.  Blackwater never disappoints.  Quite a worthwhile trip.
-- 
Donald Sweig
Falls Church, Va.