We arrived at Huntley Meadows around 8 this morning. It was chilly, but the
VIRGINIA RAIL was making lots of noise, and after about 20-30 minutes of
following the sound, I managed to get it in my binoculars very briefly.
Other sightings included BLUE-GREY GNATCATCHERS in several locations, both
TEAL, and a female HOODED MERGANSER around the damn near the observation
platform. TREE, BARN, and NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWS were also present.
We stopped briefly at Riverside Park, and the Potomac was full of GULLS,
both RING-BILLED and BONAPARTE'S. We got an excellent look at an OSPREY,
who hovered at eye level about 30 feet away.
Alan Handley
