Since it would be one day earlier than I had seen either species in 
DC in the spring, I went into Washington this morning, March 22, to 
see if I could find a Northern Rough-winged Swallow or a Bonaparte's 
Gull.  I had no luck at either species.

However . . . .  I did have some nice Grebe sightings:  The National 
Airport side of Hains Point had 4 close HORNED GREBE, all in basic 
plumage.  Georgetown Reservoir had 14, 4 in the smaller cell and a 
further 10 in the larger cell, snoozing away with a group of LESSER 
SCAUP. 2 of these birds were quite far along towards breeding plumage.

That's the most Horned Grebes I've seen in DC since seeing 20 at 
Hains Point back in April, 2002.  DC is not usually such a great 
place to see this bird.  The most I've ever had at one time in DC was 
50 -- that was back in November, 1992, near the 14th Street Bridge.

There were 2 PIED-BILLED GREBES in the Tidal Basin, 2 in the 
Washington Channel,  and another 2 at Georgetown Reservoir.  The 
reservoir still has about a dozen BUFFLEHEAD.

The upper part of the Washington Channel also had a drake 
RED-BREASTED MERGANSER and at least half a dozen BLACK-CROWNED 
NIGHT-HERONS, in their customary tree right under the railroad bridge.

DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS were numerous in the Washington Channel and 
on the river near Fletcher's Boathouse (recently renamed Fletcher's 
Cove by the National Park Service).  Fletcher's had a bunch of Black 
Vultures sitting low down in the big trees in the picnic area and 
making some visitors visibly wary.

We are rapidly approaching the time when birders stay away from the 
Tidal Basin.  The famous cherry trees are very close to blooming and 
the number of tourists has picked up markedly.  Parking is just about 
impossible.

Enthusiasts for the statue, "The Awakening," which has amused birders 
and tourists alike at the south end of Hains Point for many years, 
may be saddened to hear that it is no longer there.  The developer of 
that monstrous development in PG County just south of the Woodrow 
Wilson Bridge bought it and presumably will display it there.  Hains 
Point will never be the same.  Sigh.

Good Birding

Mike Bowen
Bethesda, MD

D.H. Michael Bowen
8609 Ewing Drive
Bethesda, MD  20817
Telephone: (301) 530-5764
e-mail:  dhmbowenATyahooDOTcom