Things continue very slow at the Occoquan Bay NWR banding station. It seems
that it has been freezing, raining or blowing, and sometimes all three,
every single day. It was windy and cold today, but at least there were
birds around, even if we didn't catch very many of them. The trees up by
our little parking lot were jumping with Palm Warblers, both Yellow and
Western, Yellow-rumps, and Gnatcatchers. Our best birds today were BROWN
CREEPER, RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET and YELLOW PALM WARBLER. There was a very
handsome BLACK-THROATED GREEN singing above our nets, and we were surprised
to see a pair on TUNDRA SWANS come floating up Marumsco creek on the
incoming tide. There is a lone male GREATER SCAUP who has been hanging out
in Marumsco Creek. He should be easily visible from the overlook.
Joanna B. Taylor
Arlington, VA
