I've been able to work some birding in over the past few days with the
following highlights:
Surf Scoter - a young male was seen off the tip of Hains Pt this
(Sunday) morning.
Long-tailed Duck - 3 (2 males, 1 female) were also off Hains this
morning
Horned Grebe - 11 on the river this morning, many in full alt. plumage
Lesser Black-backed Gull - gorgeous adult (white head, bright yellow
legs, etc.) at the Bladensburg Marina (PG County - found by Mike
Donovan) yesterday
American Pipit - flyover at Kenilworth Park yesterday
Palm Warlber - at KAG and Colmar Manor yesterday (all yellow types)
Pine Warbler - carrying nesting material at Hickey Hill. Arborertum
yesterday
Purple Finch - 3 at the Arb yesterday
Plus lots of other FOTS/spring migrants reported by others, such as
Chimney Swift, Blue-headed Vireo, Bonaparte's Gulls (also in alt.
plumage), Caspian Tern, Blue-winged Teal (2 at KAG, 5 at Colmar Manor),
Common Loons (alt. plumage), etc.
The scoter was moving up and down the river a lot, even though there
wasn't much boat traffic. It ranged from the mouth of Roche's Run to so
far south that you couldn't see it on the water when it landed.
Generally it seemed to prefer the water south of the point. I left for
church with Rob H., Lisa S. & John H. watching it. Not sure how long
they stayed, but know that Gail M. & Barry C. were on their way to look
for it. Hope they found it.
Good birding,
Paul Pisano
Arlington, VA
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