Message:

[

Previous   Next

]

By Topic:

[

Previous   Next

]

Subject:

Black-capped Chickadee in DC, Dec. 31st

From:

Michael Bowen

Reply-To:

Michael Bowen

Date:

Fri, 31 Dec 2010 13:47:44 -0500

I was out scouting this morning for the Montgomery Bid Club "Earliest 
Bird" field trip I'll be leading on New Year's Day.  Following 
information in Paul Pisano's post of the 29th, I looked 
(unsuccessfully) for the Pine Warbler near restrooms on the river 
(West) side of Hains Point.  I did find a small, active group of 
birds that contained several Tufted Titmice and 6-7 Chickadees as 
well as juncos and sparrows.  At least one of the chickadees was a 
Black-capped. It was remarkably tame, gave the slightly hoarse 
dee-dee call and almost landed on me when I pished at it.  One of the 
other chickadees also looked like a good candidate for Black-capped, 
with white covert edges, ragged bib and bright white face. I did not 
hear that one vocalize, though.

Back at home, I discovered to my surprise that this was my first-ever 
Black-capped Chickadee in the District of Columbia, where I have 
birded regularly since the late 1960's.

Despite the current warm-up, an awful lot of the Potomac in D.C. 
remains iced up.  Even the Washington Channel, which a few days ago 
was ice-free, is now skimmed over. So is the Tidal Basin.

Happy New Year to all on MDOsprey.

Mike Bowen
Montgomery Bird Club
Bethesda, MD

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/