This morning 25 Aug Lynn and I kayaked out of Belle Haven Marina to visit the
Black Terns out on the Potomac. We found 3 for sure in the early light (about
8 AM), and got good photos of two of them perched in the hydrilla mats with two
Forster's.
Also a couple of big Royal / Caspian Terns, which I have trouble
distinguishing. Big reddish-orange bills, but were they big enough and dark
enough to be Caspian? I dunno.
The kayaking approach makes a spotting scope unnecessary. However, the
spotting scope approach makes a long slog paddling through thick vegetation
unnecessary!!
I saw a report from early this morning for the Red-Necked Phalarope at the link
location below. We scanned the water from the Washington Sailing Marina (from
land, not kayak) north to National Airport. No sandpiper spp. of any kind,
along the shores or in, or over, the water.
http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=38.8342588,-77.0414543&ll=38.8342588,-77.0414543
Good birding everyone!!
Steve Johnson & Lynn Rafferty