First DC Birds for 2006

Yesterday I returned to Washington after spending two weeks out of town. So this afternoon I took some time to start off my DC birding for the new year with trips to some local waterfowl spots.

I started at the National Zoo. The ponds near the bird house held dozens of mallards, as well as a few American black ducks and wood ducks. Nothing beats an up-close look at breeding-plumaged wood ducks! I have been assured by a zoo staffer that the birds in those ponds are currently all wild; the zoo's waterfowl have been moved to other locations for the time being due to renovations. Even so, the zoo has maintained the heated ponds, and continues to leave feed at the regular feeding stations. Wintering at the zoo has to be a pretty good deal for local ducks; it offers a steady food supply, reliably unfrozen water, and no predation or hunting.

Rock Creek below the zoo had more of the same waterfowl. There was a patch of activity near the stone bridge that leads from the zoo to the bicycle path. Most of these turned out to be tufted titmice, white-breasted nuthatches, and white-throated sparrows. The activity went on despite the foreboding presence of a red-tailed hawk watching from a snag high above the creek.

Once I finished my walk through the zoo, I headed over to the Potomac since there was still plenty of light left. I walked the normal circuit, down the Washington Channel side and back along the river. Several large flocks of scaup were on both the channel and the river; most of these turned out to be lesser scaup. A few greater scaup were near the seawall on the far side of the channel. One American coot hugged the channel's boat docks.

When a passing helicopter flushed many birds from the trees, three merlins appeared. Eventually they settled on three snags along the road, perched about ten yards from each other. While all had the dark breast streaking characteristic of merlins, one of the three seemed to have have darker and colder brown streaking than the other two, which had a more reddish tone. I had two more merlin sightings on the walk, but I think these may have been some of the same birds.

As I walked back from the tip of the peninsula, I spotted a brown creeper clinging to the trunk of a tree.

SPECIES SEEN: 32

Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Mallard
American Black Duck
Greater Scaup
Lesser Scaup
Red-tailed Hawk
Merlin
American Coot
Killdeer
Ring-billed Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
American Herring Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Carolina Wren
Northern Mockingbird
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Blue Jay
European Starling
House Sparrow
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal

Most Wanted Birds - in DC

The following are birds that I would like to add to my Washington, D.C., list within the next year. Some of these I have seen before, but not in the district. All of the following appear on the species list (pdf) for the District of Columbia.

1. Cerulean Warbler

This is the bird I would most like to see but have not seen yet. My best chance for seeing it is probably on the ridge at Rock Creek Park in May or September.

2. Cape May Warbler

As with the cerulean warbler, my best chance for seeing this bird is at Rock Creek Park. If only I had the time and energy to patrol the ridge on a daily basis!

3. American Pipit

I have seen this species once before, outside of D.C. This is reported fairly frequently though, so with more birding in the right places, the chances of a sighting ought to be good.

4. Louisiana Waterthrush

This would also not be a life bird, but my first for D.C. Waterthrushes, like other skulking little brown birds, can be hard to spot.

5. Great Horned Owl

Again, not a lifer but my first for D.C. Great horned owls have been hard to find in the district in recent years. My favorite birding spot, the National Arboretum, is probably the best place to look, but closes at 5pm so that dusk and night searches are out of the question.

6. Horned Lark

Horned larks are reported here occasionally, with about the same frequency as American pipits.

7. Pine Siskin

Pine siskins are close relatives of American goldfinches and are frequently seen with flocks of goldfinches. If siskins were to show up anywhere here, the National Arboretum seems like a good bet.

8. Eastern Meadowlark

These beautiful birds are a welcome sighting on any occasion. I wish I could see them closer to home instead of only on field trips out of the district.

9. Northern Shoveler

Shovelers are relatively common but rare in the district. These colorful birds are probably my favorite of the Anas ducks, but one of several common waterfowl species that I still have not seen in D.C. The main problem is the lack of good wintering habitat. While there is enough deep water to attract diving ducks, dabbling ducks aside from mallards find little reason to stop here.

10. Connecticut Warbler

My best chance to see this elusive warbler is probably right here in DC, on the ridge or in the woods of Rock Creek Park. Unlike the cerulean and Cape May warblers, which hide in the treetops, the Connecticut warbler scurries along in the ground in the underbrush, where its plumage blends in with the foliage.

This year, I added six species to my list for D.C., so if I find half of the above in 2006 it will count as a good year.

Related posts: Life Birds from 2005, Most Wanted Birds

Most Wanted Birds

I posted a list below of the life birds I have seen within the past year. Now as one year ends and the next begins, I would like to look ahead to a new year of birding and a new set of life birds. Here are the ten birds I would most like to see within the next year.

Now the following are all birds that one might reasonably hope to see within my usual birding haunts - in other words, within the mid-Atlantic region. Some may even be found in the D.C. area. There are plenty of others that I would like to see but that would require travel over longer distances. I felt that including birds from farther afield would require more than a top ten list!

1. Cerulean Warbler

The emblem for my blog ought to be a bird I have actually seen, so finding this species will be a goal of my spring migration birding.

2. Horned Lark

This species competes with the cerulean warbler for the title of my "nemesis bird," the name birders give to species that they fail to see even when others see them in the same place at the same time. I have been on trips where a horned lark was seen by other birders on the same day, and I have chased down reports of larks. In no case have I seen one.

3. Cape May Warbler

This striking species was named for one of the best birding sites on the east coast; it gained the name when the first specimen was collected there by Alexander Wilson, who did his birding with a firearm.

4. Connecticut Warbler

The Connecticut warbler seems to be a common inhabitant of birders' lists of nemesis birds. The reason is clear: like all Oporornis warblers, this species skulks in the underbrush and is difficult to see without careful looking. The mourning warbler, also missing from my life list, would also be a welcome sighting.

5. Sora

Rails as a whole form a large gap in my life list. I have now heard a king rail, but I have not so much as heard, let alone seen, any of the others. I list the sora here because it seems to be the most likely for me to see, but it stands for rail sightings in general.

6. Bobolink

Bobolinks are a grassland species, and therefore are rare in the areas where I bird most often. Still, they do appear, and one day soon I hope to see them. Their tinkling calls are quite intriguing.

7. Rough-legged Hawk

In my area, rough-legged hawks are winter migrants, and appear mainly in open areas for short periods at a time.

8. Common Redpoll

I hope to track down a member of this species sometime this winter. They are closely related to goldfinches and siskins, but have red instead of yellow as their distinctive color.

9. Razorbill

I have few chances to bird at the shore in the winter, but when I do, I frequently hear of razorbill sightings around the same time and place. One day soon a razorbill and I will be in the same place at the same time, and I will see it.

10. Broad-winged Hawk

The broad-winged hawk is the one common eastern raptor that I have yet to see. Maybe this will be the year for it.

2006 DC Bird List

This post contains my sightings for 2006 in the District of Columbia. The table will be updated as I see new birds throughout the year, and a permanent link will be placed in the sidebar. An asterisk (*) indicates a new life bird for DC.

The list is based on the list of bird species for the District of Columbia maintained by the Maryland Ornithological Society, with some particularly unlikely species removed.

Related: Sightings Wrap-up for 2005, 2006 Bird List

Species seen: 168
Last updated: 12-21-06

Species	Date Seen	Location
Ducks, Geese, & Swans
Greater White-fronted Goose
Snow Goose
Canada Goose	1-4-06	Hains Point
Brant
Mute Swan
Tundra Swan	3-12-06	National Arboretum
Wood Duck	1-4-06	National Zoo
Gadwall	7-9-06	Anacostia Park
American Wigeon	3-5-06	Constitution Gardens
American Black Duck	1-4-06	National Zoo
Mallard	1-4-06	National Zoo
Blue-winged Teal	4-26-06	Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Northern Shoveler*	4-26-06*	Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens*
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal	4-2-06	Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Canvasback*	1-8-06*	Georgetown Reservoir*
Redhead
Ring-necked Duck
Greater Scaup*	1-4-06*	Hains Point*
Lesser Scaup	1-4-06	Hains Point
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead	1-14-06	Constitution Gardens
Common Goldeneye
Hooded Merganser	1-8-06	Chain Bridge
Common Merganser	1-6-06	Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Red-breasted Merganser	1-20-06	Roosevelt Island
Ruddy Duck	1-8-06	Anacostia Park
Gamebirds
Wild Turkey
Northern Bobwhite
Loons & Grebes
Red-throated Loon
Common Loon	4-9-06	Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Pied-billed Grebe	1-8-05	Anacostia Park
Horned Grebe	3-22-06	East Potomac Park
Red-necked Grebe
Eared Grebe
Cormorants
Double-crested Cormorant	3-5-06	Hains Point
Great Cormorant
Bitterns, Herons, & Egrets
American Bittern*	1-6-06*	Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens*
Least Bittern
Great Blue Heron	1-6-06	Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Great Egret	4-9-06	Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Snowy Egret	4-9-06	Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Little Blue Heron
Cattle Egret
Green Heron	4-23-06	National Arboretum
Black-crowned Night-Heron	5-13-06	Fletcher's Boathouse
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron	5-13-06	Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Ibis & Vultures
White Ibis
Glossy Ibis
Black Vulture	1-5-06	Roosevelt Island
Turkey Vulture	1-5-06	Roosevelt Island
Kites & Hawks
Osprey	3-16-06	East Potomac Park
Bald Eagle	1-15-06	National Arboretum
Northern Harrier
Sharp-shinned Hawk	1-7-06	National Arboretum
Cooper's Hawk	1-19-06	National Zoo
Northern Goshawk
Red-shouldered Hawk	1-5-06	Roosevelt Island
Broad-winged Hawk*	4-2-06*	Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens*
Red-tailed Hawk	1-4-06	National Zoo
Rough-legged Hawk
Falcons
American Kestrel	1-19-06	Rock Creek Park
Merlin	1-4-06	Hains Point
Peregrine Falcon	1-6-06	Kenilworth Park
Rails, Moorhens, & Coot
Yellow Rail
Black Rail
Clapper Rail
King Rail
Virginia Rail
Sora
Purple Gallinule
Common Moorhen
American Coot	1-4-06	Hains Point
Plovers
Black-bellied Plover
American Golden-Plover
Semipalmated Plover
Killdeer	1-4-06	Hains Point
Sandpipers
Greater Yellowlegs	4-2-06	Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Lesser Yellowlegs	4-2-06	Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Solitary Sandpiper	5-5-06	Rock Creek Park
Willet
Spotted Sandpiper	4-24-06	Constitution Gardens
Upland Sandpiper
Ruddy Turnstone
Sanderling
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Western Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
White-rumped Sandpiper
Baird's Sandpiper
Pectoral Sandpiper
Dunlin
Stilt Sandpiper
Buff-breasted Sandpiper
Short-billed Dowitcher
Long-billed Dowitcher
Wilson's Snipe	4-2-06	Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
American Woodcock*	5-13-06*	Rock Creek Park*
Gulls & Terns
Laughing Gull	5-13-06	Anacostia Park
Franklin's Gull
Little Gull
Black-headed Gull
Bonaparte's Gull
Ring-billed Gull	1-4-06	Hains Point
California Gull
Herring Gull	1-4-06	Hains Point
Iceland Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull	1-8-06	Anacostia Park
Glaucous Gull
Great Black-backed Gull	1-4-06	Hains Point
Caspian Tern	4-9-06	Anacostia Park
Royal Tern
Common Tern
Forster's Tern
Least Tern
Black Tern
Black Skimmer
Doves & Pigeons
Rock Pigeon	1-3-06	Union Station
Mourning Dove	1-4-06	Hains Point
Cuckoos
Black-billed Cuckoo
Yellow-billed Cuckoo	5-1-06	Roosevelt Island
Owls
Barn Owl
Eastern Screech-Owl	3-12-06	National Arboretum
Great Horned Owl*	12-16-06*	National Arboretum*
Barred Owl	5-13-06	Rock Creek Park
Long-eared Owl
Short-eared Owl
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Nightjars & Swifts
Common Nighthawk	5-13-06	Rock Creek Park
Chuck-will's-widow
Whip-poor-will
Chimney Swift	4-9-06	Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Hummingbirds & Kingfisher
Ruby-throated Hummingbird	4-25-06	Rock Creek Park
Rufous Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher	1-6-06	Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Woodpeckers
Red-headed Woodpecker	2-12-06	National Arboretum
Red-bellied Woodpecker	1-4-06	National Zoo
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker	1-5-06	Roosevelt Island
Downy Woodpecker	1-4-06	National Zoo
Hairy Woodpecker	1-5-06	Roosevelt Island
Northern Flicker	1-5-06	Roosevelt Island
Pileated Woodpecker	1-5-06	Roosevelt Island
Flycatchers
Olive-sided Flycatcher
Eastern Wood-Pewee	5-6-06	National Arboretum
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Acadian Flycatcher	5-6-06	National Arboretum
Alder Flycatcher
Willow Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher
Eastern Phoebe	1-5-06	Roosevelt Island
Great Crested Flycatcher	4-23-06	National Arboretum
Western Kingbird
Eastern Kingbird	4-26-06	Kenilworth Park
Vireos
White-eyed Vireo	4-26-06	Kenilworth Park
Yellow-throated Vireo	5-5-06	Rock Creek Park
Blue-headed Vireo	5-13-06	Rock Creek Park
Warbling Vireo	4-26-06	Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Philadelphia Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo	4-25-06	Rock Creek Park
Jays & Crows
Blue Jay	1-4-06	National Zoo
American Crow	1-5-06	Roosevelt Island
Fish Crow	1-6-06	Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Common Raven
Lark & Swallows
Horned Lark
Purple Martin
Tree Swallow	3-18-06	National Arboretum
Northern Rough-winged Swallow	4-5-06	Roosevelt Island
Bank Swallow	4-5-06	Roosevelt Island
Cliff Swallow
Barn Swallow	4-9-06	Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Chickadees, Titmouse, Nuthatches & Creeper
Carolina Chickadee	1-5-06	Roosevelt Island
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse	1-4-06	National Zoo
Red-breasted Nuthatch	1-7-06	National Arboretum
White-breasted Nuthatch	1-4-06	National Zoo
Brown Creeper	1-4-06	Hains Point
Wrens
Carolina Wren	1-4-06	Hains Point
House Wren	5-1-06	Roosevelt Island
Winter Wren	1-5-06	Roosevelt Island
Sedge Wren*	5-5-06*	Rock Creek Park*
Marsh Wren
Kinglets & Gnatcatcher
Golden-crowned Kinglet	1-4-06	Hains Point
Ruby-crowned Kinglet	1-8-06	Anacostia Park
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher	4-23-06	National Arboretum
Thrushes
Eastern Bluebird	1-6-06	Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Veery	4-25-06	Rock Creek Park
Gray-cheeked Thrush	5-27-06	National Arboretum
Swainson's Thrush	5-4-06	Rock Creek Park
Hermit Thrush	1-7-06	National Arboretum
Wood Thrush	4-23-06	National Arboretum
American Robin	1-7-06	National Arboretum
Mimids
Gray Catbird	1-6-06	Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Northern Mockingbird	1-4-06	National Zoo
Brown Thrasher	1-6-06	Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Starling, Pipit, & Waxwing
European Starling	1-3-06	Union Station
American Pipit
Cedar Waxwing	1-7-06	National Arboretum
Wood Warblers
Blue-winged Warbler	4-25-06	Rock Creek Park
Golden-winged Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Orange-crowned Warbler
Nashville Warbler	5-4-06	Rock Creek Park
Northern Parula	4-23-06	National Arboretum
Yellow Warbler	4-29-06	National Arboretum
Chestnut-sided Warbler	5-4-06	Rock Creek Park
Magnolia Warbler	5-4-06	Rock Creek Park
Cape May Warbler*	5-3-06	Constitution Gardens
Black-throated Blue Warbler	4-29-06	National Arboretum
Yellow-rumped Warbler	1-6-06	Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Black-throated Green Warbler	4-23-06	National Arboretum
Blackburnian Warbler	4-29-06	National Arboretum
Yellow-throated Warbler
Pine Warbler	3-5-06	National Arboretum
Prairie Warbler	5-3-06	Constitution Gardens
Palm Warbler	4-9-06	Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Bay-breasted Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler	5-4-06	Rock Creek Park
Cerulean Warbler*	5-13-06*	Rock Creek Park*
Black-and-white Warbler	4-23-06	National Arboretum
American Redstart	5-13-06	Rock Creek Park
Prothonotary Warbler	5-13-06	Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Worm-eating Warbler	5-6-06	National Arboretum
Ovenbird	4-23-06	National Arboretum
Northern Waterthrush*	5-1-06*	Roosevelt Island*
Louisiana Waterthrush*	4-9-06*	Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens*
Kentucky Warbler
Connecticut Warbler
Mourning Warbler	5-27-06	National Arboretum
Common Yellowthroat	1-8-06	C&O Canal
Hooded Warbler	4-23-06	National Arboretum
Wilson's Warbler
Canada Warbler	5-5-06	Rock Creek Park
Yellow-breasted Chat
Tanagers
Summer Tanager
Scarlet Tanager	5-1-06	Roosevelt Island
Sparrows
Eastern Towhee	1-5-06	Roosevelt Island
American Tree Sparrow	1-6-06	Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Chipping Sparrow	1-7-06	National Arboretum
Clay-colored Sparrow
Field Sparrow	1-8-06	Chain Bridge
Vesper Sparrow*	4-26-06*	Kenilworth Park*
Lark Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow	1-8-06	Chain Bridge
Grasshopper Sparrow
Seaside Sparrow
Fox Sparrow	1-6-06	Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Song Sparrow	1-4-06	National Zoo
Lincoln's Sparrow	5-5-06	Rock Creek Park
Swamp Sparrow	1-5-06	Roosevelt Island
White-throated Sparrow	1-4-06	National Zoo
White-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco	1-4-06	Hains Point
Lapland Longspur
Snow Bunting
Cardinal, Grosbeaks, & Bunting
Northern Cardinal	1-4-06	National Zoo
Rose-breasted Grosbeak	4-29-06	National Arboretum
Blue Grosbeak*	4-26-06*	Kenilworth Park*
Indigo Bunting	4-25-06	Rock Creek Park
Dickcissel
Bobolink*	5-13-06*	Kenilworth Park*
Blackbirds & Orioles
Red-winged Blackbird	1-5-06	Roosevelt Island
Eastern Meadowlark*	4-26-06*	Kenilworth Park*
Rusty Blackbird
Common Grackle	1-19-06	National Zoo
Brown-headed Cowbird	3-5-06	National Arboretum
Orchard Oriole	4-29-06	National Arboretum
Baltimore Oriole	5-1-06	Roosevelt Island
Finches
Purple Finch	1-7-06	National Arboretum
House Finch	1-4-06	Hains Point
Red Crossbill
White-winged Crossbill
Common Redpoll
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch	1-4-06	National Zoo
Evening Grosbeak
Weaver Finch
House Sparrow	1-3-06	Union Station

2006 Bird List

This post contains my full year list for 2006. The full list includes sightings both in Washington, DC, and elsewhere. The table will be updated as I see new birds throughout the year, and a permanent link will be placed in the sidebar. An asterisk (*) indicates that the sighting was a new life bird.

The list is based on the list of bird species for the District of Columbia maintained by the Maryland Ornithological Society, with some particularly unlikely species removed.

Related: Sightings Wrap-up for 2005, 2006 DC Bird List

Species seen: 254
Last Updated: 12-29-06

Species	Date Seen	Location
Ducks, Geese, & Swans
Greater White-fronted Goose
Snow Goose	1-28-06	Jamaica Bay NWR
Canada Goose	1-4-06	Hains Point
Brant	1-1-06	Perth Amboy, NJ
Mute Swan	1-1-06	Perth Amboy, NJ
Tundra Swan	1-28-06	Jamaica Bay NWR
Wood Duck	1-4-06	National Zoo
Gadwall	1-28-06	Jamaica Bay NWR
American Wigeon	1-1-06	Perth Amboy, NJ
American Black Duck	1-1-06	Perth Amboy, NJ
Mallard	1-1-06	Perth Amboy, NJ
Blue-winged Teal	3-19-06	Hughes Hollow
Cinnamon Teal	6-4-06	Seattle, WA
Northern Shoveler	1-28-06	Jamaica Bay NWR
Northern Pintail	1-28-06	Jamaica Bay NWR
Green-winged Teal	3-6-06	Fort McHenry, MD
Canvasback	1-8-06	Georgetown Reservoir
Redhead	1-28-06	Jamaica Bay NWR
Ring-necked Duck	2-25-06	Assunpink WMA
Greater Scaup	1-1-06	Perth Amboy, NJ
Lesser Scaup	1-4-06	Hains Point
Common Eider	12-28-06	Barnegat Light, NJ
Harlequin Duck	2-18-06	Indian River Inlet, DE
Surf Scoter	2-18-06	Ocean City, MD
White-winged Scoter*	2-18-06*	Ocean City, MD*
Black Scoter	2-18-06	Indian River Inlet, DE
Long-tailed Duck	2-18-06	Ocean City, MD
Bufflehead	1-1-06	Perth Amboy, NJ
Common Goldeneye	1-1-06	Perth Amboy, NJ
Hooded Merganser	1-8-06	Chain Bridge
Common Merganser	1-6-06	Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Red-breasted Merganser	1-1-06	Perth Amboy, NJ
Ruddy Duck	1-8-06	Anacostia Park
Gamebirds
Ring-necked Pheasant	5-20-06	Bombay Hook NWR
Wild Turkey	4-15-06	Middlesex County, NJ
Northern Bobwhite
Loons & Grebes
Red-throated Loon	1-1-06	Perth Amboy, NJ
Common Loon	1-1-06	Perth Amboy, NJ
Pied-billed Grebe	1-8-05	Anacostia Park
Horned Grebe	1-1-06	Perth Amboy, NJ
Red-necked Grebe
Eared Grebe
Seabirds & Pelicans
Northern Gannet	2-18-06	Ocean City, MD
Brown Pelican	10-14-06	Point Lookout, MD
Cormorants
Double-crested Cormorant	1-1-06	Perth Amboy, NJ
Great Cormorant	1-30-06	Middlesex County, NJ
Bitterns, Herons, & Egrets
American Bittern	1-6-06	Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Least Bittern
Great Blue Heron	1-6-06	Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Great Egret	4-9-06	Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Snowy Egret	4-9-06	Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Little Blue Heron	8-12-06	Bombay Hook NWR
Tricolored Heron	8-12-06	Bombay Hook NWR
Cattle Egret
Green Heron	4-23-06	National Arboretum
Black-crowned Night-Heron	5-13-06	Fletcher's Boathouse
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron	5-13-06	Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Ibis & Vultures
White Ibis
Glossy Ibis	5-20-06	Bombay Hook NWR
Black Vulture	1-5-06	Roosevelt Island
Turkey Vulture	1-1-06	Perth Amboy, NJ
Kites & Hawks
Osprey	3-16-06	East Potomac Park
Bald Eagle	1-15-06	National Arboretum
Northern Harrier	2-5-06	Dulles Airport
Sharp-shinned Hawk	1-7-06	National Arboretum
Cooper's Hawk	1-19-06	National Zoo
Northern Goshawk
Red-shouldered Hawk	1-5-06	Roosevelt Island
Broad-winged Hawk*	4-2-06*	Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens*
Red-tailed Hawk	1-4-06	National Zoo
Rough-legged Hawk
Falcons
American Kestrel	1-19-06	National Zoo
Merlin	1-4-06	Hains Point
Peregrine Falcon	1-6-06	Kenilworth Park
Rails, Moorhens, & Coot
Yellow Rail
Black Rail
Clapper Rail*	5-20-06*	Bombay Hook NWR*
King Rail	4-30-06	Julie Metz Wetlands, VA
Virginia Rail	10-14-06	Point Lookout, MD
Sora
Purple Gallinule
Common Moorhen
American Coot	1-4-06	Hains Point
Plovers
Black-bellied Plover	5-20-06	Bombay Hook NWR
American Golden-Plover
Semipalmated Plover	5-20-06	Bombay Hook NWR
Killdeer	1-4-06	Hains Point
Oystercatchers, Stilts, Avocets
American Oystercatcher	12-28-06	Barnegat Light, NJ
Black-necked Stilt	5-20-06	Bombay Hook NWR
American Avocet	8-12-06	Bombay Hook NWR
Sandpipers
Greater Yellowlegs	4-2-06	Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Lesser Yellowlegs	4-2-06	Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Solitary Sandpiper	4-30-06	Cockpit Point Road, VA
Willet	5-20-06	Bombay Hook NWR
Spotted Sandpiper	4-24-06	Constitution Gardens
Upland Sandpiper
Ruddy Turnstone	2-18-06	Ocean City, MD
Red Knot	5-20-06	Bombay Hook NWR
Sanderling	1-1-06	Perth Amboy, NJ
Semipalmated Sandpiper	5-20-06	Bombay Hook NWR
Western Sandpiper	5-20-06	Bombay Hook NWR
Least Sandpiper	5-20-06	Bombay Hook NWR
White-rumped Sandpiper
Baird's Sandpiper
Pectoral Sandpiper	5-20-06	Bombay Hook NWR
Purple Sandpiper	2-18-06	Indian River Inlet, DE
Dunlin	5-20-06	Bombay Hook NWR
Stilt Sandpiper
Buff-breasted Sandpiper
Short-billed Dowitcher	5-20-06	Bombay Hook NWR
Long-billed Dowitcher	8-12-06	Bombay Hook NWR
Wilson's Snipe	3-19-06	Hughes Hollow
American Woodcock	5-13-06	Rock Creek Park
Gulls & Terns
Laughing Gull	5-13-06	Anacostia Park
Franklin's Gull
Little Gull
Black-headed Gull
Bonaparte's Gull
Ring-billed Gull	1-1-06	Perth Amboy, NJ
California Gull*	6-1-06*	Seattle, WA*
Herring Gull	1-1-06	Perth Amboy, NJ
Iceland Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull	1-8-06	Anacostia Park
Western Gull*	6-1-06*	Seattle, WA*
Glaucous-winged Gull*	6-1-06*	Seattle, WA*
Glaucous Gull
Great Black-backed Gull	1-1-06	Perth Amboy, NJ
Caspian Tern	4-9-06	Anacostia Park
Royal Tern
Common Tern
Forster's Tern	5-20-06	Bombay Hook NWR
Least Tern	5-20-06	Bombay Hook NWR
Black Tern
Black Skimmer	5-20-06	Bombay Hook NWR
Alcids
Razorbill*	2-18-06*	Indian River Inlet, DE*
Pigeon Guillemot*	6-3-06*	Seattle, WA*
Rhinoceros Auklet*	6-3-06*	Seattle, WA*
Doves & Pigeons
Rock Pigeon	1-1-06	Perth Amboy, NJ
Mourning Dove	1-1-06	Perth Amboy, NJ
Cuckoos
Black-billed Cuckoo
Yellow-billed Cuckoo	5-1-06	Roosevelt Island
Owls
Barn Owl
Eastern Screech-Owl	3-12-06	National Arboretum
Great Horned Owl	7-5-06	Maryland
Snowy Owl*	2-5-06*	Dulles Airport*
Barred Owl	5-7-06	Pennyfield Lock
Long-eared Owl
Short-eared Owl
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Nightjars & Swifts
Common Nighthawk	5-13-06	Rock Creek Park
Chuck-will's-widow
Whip-poor-will
Chimney Swift	4-9-06	Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Vaux's Swift	6-4-06	Seattle, WA*
Hummingbirds & Kingfisher
Ruby-throated Hummingbird	4-25-06	Rock Creek Park
Anna's Hummingbird*	6-2-06*	Seattle, WA*
Rufous Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher	1-6-06	Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Woodpeckers
Red-headed Woodpecker	2-12-06	National Arboretum
Red-bellied Woodpecker	1-4-06	National Zoo
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker	1-5-06	Roosevelt Island
Downy Woodpecker	1-4-06	National Zoo
Hairy Woodpecker	1-5-06	Roosevelt Island
Northern Flicker	1-5-06	Roosevelt Island
Pileated Woodpecker	1-5-06	Roosevelt Island
Flycatchers
Olive-sided Flycatcher
Eastern Wood-Pewee	5-6-06	National Arboretum
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Acadian Flycatcher	5-6-06	National Arboretum
Alder Flycatcher
Willow Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher	7-1-06	Scherman-Hoffman Refuge, NJ
Pacific-slope Flycatcher*	6-5-06*	Cascades, WA*
Eastern Phoebe	1-5-06	Roosevelt Island
Great Crested Flycatcher	4-23-06	National Arboretum
Western Kingbird*	6-4-06*	Seattle, WA*
Eastern Kingbird	4-26-06	Kenilworth Park
Shrikes
Northern Shrike*	11-25-06*	Great Swamp NWR*
Vireos
White-eyed Vireo	4-26-06	Kenilworth Park
Yellow-throated Vireo	4-30-06	Julie Metz Wetlands, VA
Blue-headed Vireo	5-13-06	Rock Creek Park
Warbling Vireo	4-26-06	Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Philadelphia Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo	4-25-06	Rock Creek Park
Jays & Crows
Steller's Jay*	6-2-06*	Seattle, WA*
Blue Jay	1-4-06	National Zoo
American Crow	1-5-06	Roosevelt Island
Northwestern Crow*	6-1-06*	Seattle, WA*
Fish Crow	1-6-06	Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Common Raven	6-5-06	Cascades, WA
Lark & Swallows
Horned Lark
Purple Martin	5-20-06	Bombay Hook NWR
Tree Swallow	3-18-06	National Arboretum
Violet-green Swallow*	6-3-06*	Seattle, WA*
Northern Rough-winged Swallow	4-5-06	Roosevelt Island
Bank Swallow	4-5-06	Roosevelt Island
Cliff Swallow	6-4-06	Seattle, WA
Barn Swallow	4-9-06	Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Chickadees, Titmouse, Nuthatches & Creeper
Carolina Chickadee	1-5-06	Roosevelt Island
Black-capped Chickadee	1-21-06	C&O Canal, Mile 135, MD
Chestnut-backed Chickadee*	6-2-06*	Seattle, WA*
Tufted Titmouse	1-4-06	National Zoo
Bushtit*	6-2-06*	Seattle, WA*
Red-breasted Nuthatch	1-7-06	National Arboretum
White-breasted Nuthatch	1-4-06	National Zoo
Brown-headed Nuthatch	11-18-06	Blackwater NWR
Brown Creeper	1-4-06	Hains Point
Wrens
Carolina Wren	1-4-06	Hains Point
House Wren	5-1-06	Roosevelt Island
Winter Wren	1-5-06	Roosevelt Island
Sedge Wren	5-5-06	Rock Creek Park
Marsh Wren	5-20-06	Bombay Hook NWR
Kinglets & Gnatcatcher
Golden-crowned Kinglet	1-4-06	Hains Point
Ruby-crowned Kinglet	1-8-06	Anacostia Park
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher	4-15-06	Great Swamp NWR
Thrushes
Eastern Bluebird	1-6-06	Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Veery	4-25-06	Rock Creek Park
Gray-cheeked Thrush	5-27-06	National Arboretum
Swainson's Thrush	5-4-06	Rock Creek Park
Hermit Thrush	1-7-06	National Arboretum
Wood Thrush	4-23-06	National Arboretum
American Robin	1-7-06	National Arboretum
Mimids
Gray Catbird	1-6-06	Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Northern Mockingbird	1-1-06	Perth Amboy, NJ
Brown Thrasher	1-6-06	Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Starling, Pipit, & Waxwing
European Starling	1-1-06	NJ
American Pipit	6-4-06	Seattle, WA
Cedar Waxwing	1-7-06	National Arboretum
Wood Warblers
Blue-winged Warbler	4-25-06	Rock Creek Park
Golden-winged Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Orange-crowned Warbler	6-3-06	Seattle, WA
Nashville Warbler	5-4-06	Rock Creek Park
Northern Parula	4-23-06	National Arboretum
Yellow Warbler	4-29-06	National Arboretum
Chestnut-sided Warbler	5-4-06	Rock Creek Park
Magnolia Warbler	5-4-06	Rock Creek Park
Cape May Warbler*	5-3-06*	Constitution Gardens*
Black-throated Blue Warbler	4-29-06	National Arboretum
Yellow-rumped Warbler	1-6-06	Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Black-throated Gray Warbler*	6-5-06*	Cascades, WA*
Black-throated Green Warbler	4-23-06	National Arboretum
Townsend's Warbler*	6-5-06*	Cascades, WA*
Blackburnian Warbler	4-29-06	National Arboretum
Yellow-throated Warbler*	4-30-06*	Cockpit Point Road, VA*
Pine Warbler	3-5-06	National Arboretum
Prairie Warbler	4-30-06	Cockpit Point Road, VA
Palm Warbler	4-9-06	Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Bay-breasted Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler	5-4-06	Rock Creek Park
Cerulean Warbler*	5-7-06*	Pennyfield Lock*
Black-and-white Warbler	4-23-06	National Arboretum
American Redstart	4-30-06	Julie Metz Wetlands, VA
Prothonotary Warbler	5-7-06	Pennyfield Lock
Worm-eating Warbler	4-30-06	Cockpit Point Road, VA
Ovenbird	4-23-06	National Arboretum
Northern Waterthrush	5-1-06	Roosevelt Island
Louisiana Waterthrush	3-26-06	Central Park, NY
Kentucky Warbler
Connecticut Warbler
Mourning Warbler*	5-27-06*	National Arboretum*
Common Yellowthroat	1-8-06	C&O Canal
Hooded Warbler	4-23-06	National Arboretum
Wilson's Warbler
Canada Warbler	5-5-06	Rock Creek Park
Yellow-breasted Chat	4-30-06	Cockpit Point Road, VA
Tanagers
Summer Tanager	4-30-06	Cockpit Point Road, VA
Scarlet Tanager	4-30-06	Cockpit Point Road, VA
Sparrows
Spotted Towhee*	6-2-06*	Seattle, WA*
Eastern Towhee	1-5-06	Roosevelt Island
American Tree Sparrow	1-6-06	Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Chipping Sparrow	1-7-06	National Arboretum
Clay-colored Sparrow
Field Sparrow	1-8-06	Chain Bridge
Vesper Sparrow	4-26-06	Kenilworth Park
Lark Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow	1-8-06	Chain Bridge
Grasshopper Sparrow
Seaside Sparrow	5-20-06	Bombay Hook NWR
Fox Sparrow	1-6-06	Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Song Sparrow	1-1-06	Perth Amboy, NJ
Lincoln's Sparrow	5-5-06	Rock Creek Park
Swamp Sparrow	1-5-06	Roosevelt Island
White-throated Sparrow	1-4-06	National Zoo
White-crowned Sparrow	5-20-06	Bombay Hook NWR
Dark-eyed Junco	1-1-06	Perth Amboy, NJ
Lapland Longspur
Snow Bunting	12-28-06	Barnegat Light, NJ
Cardinal, Grosbeaks, & Bunting
Northern Cardinal	1-4-06	National Zoo
Rose-breasted Grosbeak	4-29-06	National Arboretum
Black-headed Grosbeak*	6-3-06*	Seattle, WA*
Blue Grosbeak	4-26-06	Kenilworth Park
Indigo Bunting	4-25-06	Rock Creek Park
Dickcissel
Bobolink*	5-13-06*	Kenilworth Park*
Blackbirds & Orioles
Red-winged Blackbird	1-5-06	Roosevelt Island
Eastern Meadowlark	4-26-06	Kenilworth Park
Rusty Blackbird	3-19-06	Hughes Hollow
Brewer's Blackbird*	6-2-06*	Seattle, WA*
Common Grackle	1-19-06	National Zoo
Boat-tailed Grackle	2-18-06	Indian River Inlet, DE
Brown-headed Cowbird	3-5-06	National Arboretum
Orchard Oriole	4-29-06	National Arboretum
Baltimore Oriole	4-30-06	Cockpit Point Road, VA
Finches
Purple Finch	1-7-06	National Arboretum
House Finch	1-4-06	NJ
Red Crossbill
White-winged Crossbill
Common Redpoll
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch	1-4-06	National Zoo
Evening Grosbeak
Weaver Finch
House Sparrow	1-1-06	NJ