I arrived late at Ben Brenman Park in the City of Alexandria this morning, at
around 9 am, and mostly birded along the railroad tracks across the channelized
stream to the south of the park. I ran into many sparrows along the tracks,
and saw a Cooper's Hawk circling over a playing field. I also saw a male
American Kestrel perching on the wires along side the tracks and opposite
Ferdinand Day Drive.
Around noon I went to Huntley Meadows Park in Fairfax County. By then the
weather was Really Gorgeous. Not too many birds were around though. One Black
Vulture high overhead was the only raptorial bird I saw, though someone told me
about a Merlin somewhere beyond the observation tower.
Rob Hilton
Silver Spring, Md.
