Hello, birders.

A couple of birders and I went to Hains Point this afternoon, birding there from 3:30 to 6:30.  We saw 3 RED-NECKED GREBES in Washington Channel and a female MERLIN was perched in a tree at the point.  She must have flown in while we weren't looking because we didn't see her when we arrived at the point.  She was perched about 50 ft. from us.  It was great to see her so close.  We saw no other raptors.

The only ducks present during our visit were the abundant MALLARDS and Mallard hybrids.  Hundreds of RING-BILLED GULLS were present.  DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS were common.

One of the Ring-billeds that fed in a flock on the lawn was very odd.  The plumage was washed with dark gray, mostly on the lower back, upper breast, and nape.  It bobbed it's head as it walked.  With the plumage and the bobbing behavior it appeared Rock Dove-like.  The legs appeared to be a normal yellow and the bill appeared normal yellow with a black ring.  I've never seen a bird like it.  I guess it had more melanin than is normal.

The only other waterfowl-like waterbirds were a pair of CANADA GEESE, a PIED-BILLED GREBE and 3 AMERICAN COOT.

Scott Baron
Fairfax, Va.
brnpelican AT yahoo dot com





Subject: Hains Pt Dc this morning
From: "ALLPORT, Gary" <gallport AT AUDUBON.ORG>
Date: Sun, 15 Mar 2009 13:51:38 -0400

Another posting on behalf of Frank Hawkins (who continues to be blocked from 
posting to the list). 


Frank did Hains Pt this morning yielding RN Grebe in a group of Horneds, plus a 
mixed flock of diving duck including 2 Redheads, 2 Canvasbacks, 2 Lesser Scaup 
and 15 RN Ducks. 


Cheers

gary Allport

gallport at audubon.org