A quick evening stop at Belle Haven Marina yesterday evening produced an
Eared Grebe just off shore from the ramp by the bathrooms. This bird was
previously reported, but I did not know that at the time. Other waterfowl
at the marina/Dyke marsh included Common Merganser, Hooded Merganser,
Bufflehead, Lesser Scaup, Ruddy Duck, Mallard, Canada Goose, DC Cormorant.
Also, I saw a pair of Rust Blackbirds atop a sweetgum on Haul Road (Dyke
Marsh Trail) where it turns sharply towards the river. Lots of fish crows
were coming into roost in the same tree as a pair of Bald Eagles. Then we
rushed over to Gravely Point arriving around 5:20pm to find about 100 other
birders there already watching the Snowy Owl on its perch at Reagan
airport. As we were pulling away to go home, a Black-crowned Night-Heron
glided in as well. All eBirded. Beautifully mild weather.
Good birding,
Daniel Lebbin
