After a lovely bird walk led by Wallace Kornack this morning, I had to run some errands and wound up in Bethesda, in the shopping center next to Walter Johnson high school. The instant I got out of my car I heard a shrill cry and looked up to see not one, but three red-shouldered hawks circling low over the shopping center and school football field. Luckily I still had my binocs with me to take a good look! One or two of them were vocalizing nonstop as they circled. One appeared to be a juvenile (very streaky breast) and at least one of the others was an adult (they kept drifting higher and lower in turns so I didn't get a close look at all three at one.) Two of them seemed to have their "landing gear" down, i.e. legs dangling, for as long as I watched. I observed them for about five minutes until they finally ascended out of binocular range. Very cool to have a good long look at them in a rather unexpected place!

Claire Nemes
Rockville, MD