This morning (Sat, 11/7), Matt Finer & I hit a couple of the usual spots
in DC - Columbia Island Marina, Hains Pt., Poplar Pt., & Kenilworth
Park. A nice, brisk morning, but relatively slow bird-wise. The
highlight was 8 species of raptors, with the biggest surprise being a
subadult GOLDEN EAGLE seen from Kenilworth Park as it flew over the
National Arboretum. It wasn't flying particularly high, but had a
fairly steady though somewhat leisurely flight down the Anacostia River.
In addition to that spectacular bird, we saw 2 adult BALD EAGLES, a
couple of SHARP-SHINNED & COOPER'S HAWKS, 1 of each of the falcons - a
MERLIN at Hains, a AM. KESTREL at Kenilworth, and a juv. PEREGRINE
playing with pigeons over the Navy Yard. To round out the raptor day, 1
saw 2 RED-TAILED HAWKS near the Washington Channel.
A latish CATBIRD and 10 FIELD SPARROWS at Poplar Pt., and c.140
DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS at various locations were the only other birds
of note.
Good birding,
Paul Pisano
Arlington, VA |