Mary Paul and I went on one of her weekly USGS surveys of Kingman Marsh and
Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens (KAG) this morning, July 19.

Highlights for me were two singing MARSH WRENs in the newly planted marshes
along the minor channel of the Anacostia that bisects the Langston golf
course.  This area is just north of the Benning Rd. bridge in NE
DC.  Several of the pole-mounted boxes in this area had HOUSE WRENs in
them.  It was high tide, and no mud for shorebirds was available.  We
nevertheless heard a Greater Yellowlegs and saw up to 5 Spotted
Sandpipers.  In the trees between the golf course and the main channel of
the Anacostia 2 different Blue Grosbeaks were singing.  Indigo Bunting,
Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher and Song Sparrow were all highly visible.

At KAG, the highlights were a YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO and flocks of Robins
large enough to make you think it was fall.  A large flock of Chimney
Swifts was circling the area across from the main observation
platform.  Blue-gray Gnatcatchers were active in several places.

Afterwards, I checked the Anacostia River from Anacostia Park, and found
about a dozen FORSTER'S TERNs -- adults with juveniles so young that some
had red-brown backs and scapulars.  In with these birds was a single,
first-summer COMMON TERN, with all dark bill and a strong, dark carpal
patch that could be seen at a distance.

Good Birding.

Mike Bowen
Bethesda, MD

D. H. Michael Bowen (Mike)
8609 Ewing Drive
Bethesda MD 20817-3845
Tel/Fax: (301) 530-5764
e-mail: