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Subject:

Bonaparte's Gulls in DC and Redhead follow-up (w/photos)

From:

Steve Hersey

Reply-To:

Steve Hersey

Date:

Sat, 30 Jan 2010 13:41:40 -0500

Will McPhail and I hoped the weather would bring in some good birds,  
and weren't disappointed. During the heaviest part of the snow we  
found the 34 Bonaparte's Gulls (maybe 35) in a very tight grouping on  
Washington Channel.  We scanned the gulls closely hoping for a Little  
or Black-headed Gull, but no luck.  I took a few photos, but remember  
the conditions were pretty much the worst possible for telephoto  
shooting so the image is lousy.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sherseydc/4316709058/sizes/o/

Also, the Redheads were found in the DC waters of the Dalecarlia  
Reservoir, on the DC/Bethesda border.  I posted a satellite photo that  
shows the DC/MD border for any intrepid DC birders who want to take a  
chance at a look.  As you head towards MD on MacArthur Blvd, pull into  
the second half of the circular drive on the North side of the road  
and take a quick look.  There is nothing that says "no trespassing",  
but it is a government facility so take care.  The Redheads were  
pretty much straddling the border line for a bit, but were rapidly  
(and kindly for us) swimming further into DC waters.

Satellite image of the reservoir showing the border line (courtesy of  
bing.com):  http://www.flickr.com/photos/sherseydc/4316709098/

Otherwise, we had a Bufflehead off Hains Point; the two American  
Wigeons I found the other day at LBJ Grove were still present with a  
couple Hooded Mergansers; and a whole lot of snow-covered Canada Geese  
everywhere.

Cheers,
Steve Hersey
Washington, DC