I was able to get out for an early lunchtime walk down to the Lincoln
Monument. Here is what I found:
In the field by the Treasury building
A large mixed flock of American Robins, European Starlings and
Brown-headed Cowbirds. I would not normally make more mention of the
gathering than this, except that one of the robins was a partial
leucistic individual, with white greater coverts. That meant that when
he was on the ground, he looked like he had a white band across his
back. His banded wings were evident when he flew, as well. I'd love to
know if anyone else stumbles on this individual (before a hawk does,
obviously).
At the DC Veteran's Memorial
A small feeding flock of Golden-crowned Kinglets, a White-breasted
Nuthatch and a Downy Woodpecker.
At the Lincoln Monument
A Red-tailed Hawk being harassed by a crow. The hawk began screaming so
loudly that it could have been in a Ford truck commercial. He actually
attracted the attention of several tourists!
At the Constitution Gardens pond:
Lots of ducks: As well as the Mallards, American Coots and Canada Geese
normal all winter, there were also
Two American Black Ducks - New for my Mall list (and I have been
keeping this list informally since 1988!)
A pair of American Wigeons
A couple of dozen Ring-necked Ducks, both sexes,
A male Redhead
Also at Constitution Gardens: another Red-tailed Hawk (almost certainly
not the first one, unless he made a huge circle around the Mall) and a
Brown Creeper.
Jim
Jim Felley
Smithsonian Institution
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