This is a note written by the caretaker of Sycamore Island.  He's  
quite a good birder and regularly reports on the fauna sighted near  
the Island.   This is just above Little Falls on the Potomac.



"Great news! I saw two eagles in the nest yesterday.  I'm so  
relieved.  I was afraid we might not have a breeding pair this year  
after the reports last autumn of a dead or injured eagle near Turkey  
Run.  Happily, we have two birds, but one of them in a newcomer.  I  
know it's not the same bird as last year because this bird still has  
some of its immature plumage.  Now the question is whether the new  
bird is a male or female.  It would be interesting if it were the  
female and not the male that was able to stay in her territory and  
preserve her nest site.  Apparently there are plenty of male suitors  
to fill the void of one lost adult.  I also spotted five Hooded  
Mergansers near the shore of the Island yesterday."  (Dated 27 January)


Glen Echo Heights, MD