GBBC Notes - Sunday
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About three years ago, Rob Fergus asked me to take over as regional reviewer for the District of Columbia, and I have been doing it ever since. DC is one of the easier assignments since relatively few checklists are submitted (only 64 last year) and the city is geographically compact. No records have been flagged so far for DC, so my job has been watching for potentially-confused species.
This year DC seems to be behind last year's pace in terms of checklists submitted and species reported. The highlight so far is Red-breasted Nuthatch, reported on the GBBC in DC for the first time since 2003. I used to enjoy seeing these northern cousins of the local White-breasted Nuthatches on my winter walks in DC's National Arboretum.
In my hometown of Highland Park, NJ, large flocks of blackbirds returned about a week prior to the GBBC. We usually see them early in the morning when they circulate around the various yards with bird feeding stations. On most mornings, Common Grackles have predominated, but this morning Brown-headed Cowbirds seemed most numerous.
Red Breasted Nuthatch
this is the first year I have seen the Red Breasted Nuthatch in my neck of the woods.. I have had numerous White Breasted over the years so I have really been delighted. My first year with GBBC! What a thrill to actually take part.. I have selfishly indulged in my bird watching for years, and it is quiet rewarding to share my findings!