Hi --

Cool morning and a trip to Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens DC (side excursions to Kenilworth Park and nearby Bladensburg Waterfront Park in Maryland). The lotuses at KAG are amazing this year, these are descendents of ancient seeds found in dry lake beds in Asia, supposedly amongst the oldest seeds ever germinated. 

But enough of plants -- on to birds! There were four juvenile Yellow-crowned Night-herons in the various ponds, as well as a juvie Green Heron on the boardwalk and about six Great Egrets out on the marsh. Though the tide was low, shorebirds were few, represented by a Greater and a Lesser Yellowlegs, one Spotted and one Least Sandpiper, and three Killdeer. Few surprises as to land birds, mostly local breeders such as Eastern Phoebe, Kingbird, Baltimore Oriole, Common Yellowthroat but we also had a fly-by Cuckoo which was, alas, unidentified. The amount of Wild Rice out in the marsh might prove attractive to migrating rails later in the season.

Kenilworth Park's major interest was a singing Blue Grosbeak in the no-mow area and a few more Killdeer. Bladensburg added a pair of squabbling Osprey and a Pied-bill Grebe but little else.

Not real exciting but a pleasant morning out -- next time we will have to bring our dragonfly book as there are many out at KAG! We did see a Viceroy (butterfly) more among common species.

Gail Mackiernan and Barry Cooper
Colesville, MD