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Subject:

Mall birds, 1/10

From:

"FELLEY, JAMES"

Reply-To:

FELLEY, JAMES

Date:

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 13:11:26 -0500

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