Participants in an ANS trip to the Hughes Hollow area of Montgomery 
County I led this morning, Sunday, August 24, were treated to fine 
views of the immature WHITE IBIS that has been seen on and off for 
the last few days.  It was first seen at about 7:30 a.m. in the 
larger (more easterly) impoundment (thanks to Dave Czaplak for 
telling me where he had just seen it) in the company of a large 
number of Great Egrets -- I counted 38 of them.  There were also many 
Great Blue and Green Herons and quite a few Mallard and Wood Duck, 
all in drab eclipse plumage.

The White Ibis then flew over to the smaller impoundment and started 
to feed in excellent light, close enough to be adequately 
digiscoped.  It was still in the same location at 12 noon Sunday, 
although fairly difficult to spot unless actively moving around, as 
its dark back blends in well with the aquatic vegetation.

Other interesting birds at Hughes Hollow were KILLDEER (9-10), 
SOLITARY SANDPIPER (2), and LEAST SANDPIPER (7-8).  The impoundments 
are drying up fast and will provide good shorebird habitat for weeks yet.

Passerine migrants were extremely scarce and we did not spot a single 
warbler. Most of the rather few swallows flying around were Northern 
Rough-winged.

Mike Bowen
ANS and MOS
Bethesda, MD



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