I drove down to the U.S. Capitol last night about 9:00 to look for Common
Nighthawks. This was the first time I had been there for abut 8-9 years,
since they closed the East Plaza at the Capitol for renovations and security
changes in the Fall of 2001.
It looks all finished now, and is very nice. There were lots of capitol
police around, as well as joggers, dog walkers, and other folks. No one
bothered me at all, so I guess it is OK to go there to look for birds.  In
years past, I have seen large numbers of nighthawks in the lights
illuminating the Capitol dome. Last night there were perhaps a dozen or so.
Several were "penting," which I don't often hear in the Fall.  I plan to go
back several more times in the next couple of weeks.
On the way home, I went by Tysons Corner, and the lights are still off on
the tower building. I saw no nighthawks there.
-- 
Donald Sweig
Falls Church, Va.