There was a single Horned Grebe this afternoon (Thursday) at 3:30 PM in
the lake in front of the Marriott at Dulles Airport.
Other birds included a dozen or so Ring-Billed Ducks, several Ruddies,
several Mallards, about two dozen Hooded Mergansers, one Great-Blue
Heron, and not a single gull or goose. The grebe was swimming very
consistently with a group of about 3-4 Ruddy Ducks, acting like they
were a group.
- Steve Johnson
Fairfax, VA
I don't really know how unusual this grebe is at this location, so I'll
go ahead and give a short description just to be on the safe side.
Really unmistakable ID - smaller than the nearby Ruddy Ducks; grebe-like
narrow bill; obvious black/white demarcation on the head with the eye on
the dividing line. Mottled black and white back and wings (folded as it
swam). Far too small to be a Western or Clark's Grebe, and head and
bill too small/short, as well. I observed it from the small boat launch
ramp by the K-9 facility using 8X binocs and 20X spotting scope.
Overcast but bright diffuse lighting conditions, sun behind me.
