Breakfast-time this morning I took a look at the eBird iGoogle 
Gadget, which some of you other MDOspreyers may also look at to alert 
you to sightings of unusual birds.  (Sightings that "trip the 
filters" at eBird, because they are unusual or unexpected, end up on 
the 'gadget.')

Here's what I saw:  "1 Great Blue Heron (White form) was observed at 
C&O Canal--Swains Lock on 27 Jun, 2010 by Art Drauglis. This sighting 
has not yet been reviewed by an eBird reviewer. "

Nothing on this sighting has, to my knowledge, been posted on 
MDOsprey.  I don't know Art or where he lives, so have been unable to 
check with him to find out just where he saw this bird.

Since I don't live too far away, I decided to take a look.  Because 
of a crash that blocked Falls Rd. in Potomac and jammed up traffic in 
all directions, I couldn't get to the C&O Canal at Swain's Lock until 
almost 9:15 a.m.  I looked in the river and the canal from about 
1/4-mile downstream of Swain's Lock (Lock 21) to about MP 17.5  -- 
upstream as far as the intake for the WSSC water treatment plant.  2 
Great Blue Herons, 1 adult Black-crowned Night-heron, but no white 
herons/egrets.  I had intended to go further upstream from Swain's 
and then to check upstream from Great Falls, but it was just too hot 
and humid to keep going.

Mike Bowen
Montgomery Bird Club
Bethesda

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

-- I use GoodSearch to benefit the American Birding Association --
http://www.goodsearch.com/