Made it out to the park for a short walk this morning before the heavier rain started.  The reward was a MERLIN perched at the top of the hill.  It had female/immature plumage (I am guessing Merlins take more than one year to reach adult plumage, but I don't really know that--anyone?), and if I had to hazard a guess, I would guess it was a female (it seemed on the large side).  

It remained there the entire time I was in the park, up until a few minutes ago (though as I'm writing, I suspect it may have finally decided to move out of the rain).  

No other birds of note, perhaps because of both the rain and the baleful eye of the Merlin watching everything.  A single sparrow flushed off the grass and flew away farther than usual, so I couldn't tell whether it was a Chipping or yesterday's Savannah.

Jason Waanders
jwaandersATstarpower.net
NW DC