Date: 1/8/26 5:53 am From: james wilson <jfwilson54...> Subject: [MDBirding] Shirlington winter crow roost: another presentation and viewing, January 17
There will be another presentation and viewing of the Shirlington winter
crow roost January 17, put on by the Northern Virginia Bird Alliance and DC
Bird Alliance. It will begin at the Shirlington Library at 4:30, for more
details and to register here is a
link: https://www.nvbirdalliance.org/nvba-events/crow-watch-260117
On Sunday, December 14, 2025 at 1:28:44 PM UTC-5 james wilson wrote:
> There was also a presentation and viewing of the Shirlington winter crow
> roost, Saturday Dec. 13, sponsored by Northern Virginia Bird Alliance and
> DC Bird Alliance. As at North Bethesda, participants got an awesome crow
> show. And this show also continues nightly all winter for anyone who would
> like to see it, here are my suggestions:
> 1. I recommend viewing from parking garage just behind the Shirlington
> Library and Harris Teeter there, 4200 Campbell Ave. Arlington. Drive or
> elevator up to the top floor of the parking garage.
> 2. Dress warmly, bring binoculars and camera and tripod.
> 3. Aim to arrive about 10-15 minutes before sunset, that's about 4:30
> over the coming weeks.
> 4. At first you will not see crows anywhere. Looking south you will see
> Shirlington House apartments and a ridge of trees off to the west. This is
> the staging site, through the binoculars you will start to see crows
> accumulating along there. But in about 15-20 minutes the sky will be full
> of thousands of crows going every which way, very loudly.
> 5. The main show lasts about 20 minutes. As darkness falls the action
> and sound will decline but not end. The crows leave most of the staging
> areas and collect around Shirlington House, which is the roost site.
> 6. Another great place to see the show from up close is the Abingdon
> Elementary School parking lot.
>
> Enjoy this amazing bit of nature.
> Jim
>
> On Monday, November 24, 2025 at 7:09:15 PM UTC-5 james wilson wrote:
>
> I went down to watch the awesome staging at sunset (from the parking
> garage adjacent to the shops and restaurants). After dark I found that
> indeed, the crows roost in the trees around Shirlington House (in front,
> behind, and west end) and in the trees in the adjacent apartments to the
> west, Park Shirlington. I am interested in any additional intelligence
> anyone might have about this roost.
> Jim
>
> On Sunday, November 16, 2025 at 6:33:51 PM UTC-5 james wilson wrote:
>
> The winter crow roost near Shirlington is also happening again this year,
> I observed it on Nov. 5 and saw birds in large numbers. There was
> substantial staging around Shirlington House and along the ridge west of
> there, but I could not find the actual roost, despite interviewing various
> local residents. If anyone has insights on where these crows actually
> spend their winter nights I would love to hear it. The Reagan Airport TDWR
> weather radar captures these crows coming and going, I have a lot of
> information about where they spend their days (out past Burke to the west,
> south to Groveton and beyond), but haven't found the roost area.
>
> FYI there will be a presentation and walking tour about the North Bethesda
> roost, and winter crow roosts in general, on December 7, I will post about
> that separately.
>
> Thanks for anything anyone can share about this fascinating bit of bird
> social behavior.
> Jim
>
> On Tuesday, January 28, 2025 at 1:31:17 PM UTC-5 james wilson wrote:
>
> There is also a very substantial winter crow roost near Village at
> Shirlington (part of Arlington). Early this month I observed the crows
> arriving from the roof of the parking garage at the end of the shopping
> area, it was very dramatic.
>
> I also spend time in the Lincolnia neighborhood of Alexandria, which is
> about 4 miles southwest of Shirlington, and I have observed a stream of
> crows heading toward the Shirlington roost, roughly flying along Braddock
> Road, lasting about 40 minutes!
>
> As for the North Bethesda roost (a separate post), I'd be very interested
> in any knowledge folks have about where exactly this roost is overnight (I
> found some at Shirlington House Apts. on 31st Street, but far from the
> total) and where the crows head to during the days. If you've witnessed
> the streams in and out, where, when, roughly how many, direction would be
> appreciated.
>
> Thanks again
> Jim Wilson
>
>
>
>
>
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Date: 1/6/26 7:31 am From: james wilson <jfwilson54...> Subject: [MDBirding] Another North Bethesda winter crow roost event - January 11 4:30 PM
The Montgomery Bird Club is sponsoring another North Bethesda roost event,
January 11, 4:30 PM, at the North Bethesda Metro parking garage, 10000
Citadel Ave. North Bethesda. I'll give a very brief presentation before
the crow show begins.
Full details are here:
https://www.montgomerybirdclub.org/event/north-bethesda-winter-crow-roost/
On Sunday, December 14, 2025 at 1:18:49 PM UTC-5 james wilson wrote:
> The presentation and viewing of the North Bethesda winter crow roost
> occurred last Sunday with 40 attending for a presentation followed by an
> awesome show. This show continues nightly all winter for anyone who would
> like to see it, here are my suggestions:
> 1. I recommend viewing from the North Bethesda (formerly White Flint)
> Metro parking garage, 10000 Citadel Ave. N. Bethesda, right next to the
> roost. Drive or elevator up to the 6th floor, south side.
> 2. Dress warmly, bring binoculars and camera and tripod.
> 3. Aim to arrive about 10-15 minutes before sunset, that's about 4:30
> over the coming weeks.
> 4. At first you will not see crows anywhere. About 0.7 miles north you
> will see trees, this is the Wilkins Avenue staging site, through the
> binoculars you will start to see crows accumulating there. But in about
> 15-20 minutes the sky will be full of thousands of crows going every which
> way, very loudly.
> 5. The main show lasts about 20 minutes. As darkness falls the action
> and sound will decline but not end.
>
> Enjoy. If you are going maybe send me a message, I live quite near and
> might join you.
>
> Jim
>
>
>
>
> On Fri, Dec 5, 2025, 10:07 AM james wilson <jfwil......> wrote:
>
> This event is on, flyer and agenda attached, if anyone else wants to join
> please scan the QR code on the flyer.
>
> The roost is near its full number, it will be an awesome crow show after
> the presentations.
>
> Jim
>
> On Sunday, November 16, 2025 at 6:43:07 PM UTC-5 james wilson wrote:
>
> There will be a presentation and walking tour about the North Bethesda
> winter crow roost on December 7 at Pike and Rose (North Bethesda), see the
> attached flyer for details. We will be joined by Craig Gibson, a national
> expert on winter crow roosts, and the presentation will be followed by a
> walking tour as roughly 20,000 crows return to the roost that evening. See
> the flyer for details, and let us know (scan the QR code) to RSVP.
>
> Jim
>
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Date: 1/4/26 12:00 pm From: 'Gail Mackiernan' via Maryland & DC Birding <mdbirding...> Subject: Re: [MDBirding] Extralimital - rarity in Fairfax County
And it is $20 - thankfully I had my America the Beautiful (“Golden Age”) pass - one perk for getting old!
Gail Mackiernan
Sent from my iPad
> On Jan 4, 2026, at 1:24 PM, Robert Parsons <papaparsons...> wrote:
>
> Remember it is the Virginia side of Great Falls. They don’t take cash—only credit cards or passes.
>
> Go through the entrance booth and just head straight until you come to a gate. Park in the North River Trail parking lot—-to the right. You can ask the park ranger how to get to this parking area.
>
> Walk about 50 yards up the trail. Here are some more details from eBird reports.
>
> Comments: "Continuing rarity.
> Photo. Bird approximately here, along the western edge of the Potomac, on small area of land that runs east of the canal. (39.0039276,
> -77.2557849) Plenty of parking at N River Trail Parking lot, then hike north on N River Trail about 200 feet
>
> Probably be a group of birders there to help. About 30 this morning. Great bird.
>
>
> Robert
>
> Robert E. Parsons
>
>
>> On Jan 4, 2026, at 13:09, Mary Maxey <maximom11998...> wrote:
>>
>>
>> Hi all,
>> I am headed to Great Falls to look for the bird. I am not that familiar with the park. I have looked at some lists in ebird. Can anyone tell me where to park and go to see the bird?
>>
>>> On Fri, Jan 2, 2026 at 10:32 AM Scott Baron <baron.scott...> wrote:
>>> Hello birders and Happy New Year!
>>>
>>> If you have not yet heard, a RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL was found at Great Falls Park in Fairfax County, VA on January 1. See ebird checklists for details. If this bird darts out over the Potomac to catch an insect, it would be a Maryland record.
>>>
>>> It's been at and a little north of the north parking lot. This little songbird species is native to Eurasia, with a range that stretches from Finland east to the Pacific.
>>>
>>> Great Falls Park (Virginia) is a national park with an entrance fee.
>>>
>>> I wonder if "Mega" is an overused term in birding but this certainly rates as a Mega!
>>>
>>> If you go, good luck and as always, please respect the habitat and the birds.
>>> --
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Date: 1/4/26 11:52 am From: 'Gail Mackiernan' via Maryland & DC Birding <mdbirding...> Subject: Re: [MDBirding] Extralimital - rarity in Fairfax County
Also, the ranger at the entry kiosk yesterday knew all about it and gave accurate directions
Gail Mackiernan
Sent from my iPad
> On Jan 4, 2026, at 1:14 PM, 'James Tyler Bell' via Maryland & DC Birding <mdbirding...> wrote:
>
> Once you enter the park, drive north as far as you can. Almost immediately you will enter the area where it's being seen today on either side of the path. There's a small island that is solidly in Maryland but everything else is Virginia. Basically, look for people looking for the bird.
>
> Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer
>
> On Sun, Jan 4, 2026 at 1:09 PM, Mary Maxey
> <maximom11998...> wrote:
> Hi all,
> I am headed to Great Falls to look for the bird. I am not that familiar with the park. I have looked at some lists in ebird. Can anyone tell me where to park and go to see the bird?
>
> On Fri, Jan 2, 2026 at 10:32 AM Scott Baron <baron.scott...> wrote:
> Hello birders and Happy New Year!
>
> If you have not yet heard, a RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL was found at Great Falls Park in Fairfax County, VA on January 1. See ebird checklists for details. If this bird darts out over the Potomac to catch an insect, it would be a Maryland record.
>
> It's been at and a little north of the north parking lot. This little songbird species is native to Eurasia, with a range that stretches from Finland east to the Pacific.
>
> Great Falls Park (Virginia) is a national park with an entrance fee.
>
> I wonder if "Mega" is an overused term in birding but this certainly rates as a Mega!
>
> If you go, good luck and as always, please respect the habitat and the birds.
> --
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Date: 1/4/26 10:14 am From: 'James Tyler Bell' via Maryland & DC Birding <mdbirding...> Subject: Re: [MDBirding] Extralimital - rarity in Fairfax County
Once you enter the park, drive north as far as you can. Almost immediately you will enter the area where it's being seen today on either side of the path. There's a small island that is solidly in Maryland but everything else is Virginia. Basically, look for people looking for the bird.
Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer
On Sun, Jan 4, 2026 at 1:09 PM, Mary Maxey<maximom11998...> wrote: Hi all, I am headed to Great Falls to look for the bird. I am not that familiar with the park. I have looked at some lists in ebird. Can anyone tell me where to park and go to see the bird?
On Fri, Jan 2, 2026 at 10:32 AM Scott Baron <baron.scott...> wrote:
Hello birders and Happy New Year!
If you have not yet heard, a RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL was found at Great Falls Park in Fairfax County, VA on January 1. See ebird checklists for details. If this bird darts out over the Potomac to catch an insect, it would be a Maryland record.
It's been at and a little north of the north parking lot. This little songbird species is native to Eurasia, with a range that stretches from Finland east to the Pacific.
Great Falls Park (Virginia) is a national park with an entrance fee.
I wonder if "Mega" is an overused term in birding but this certainly rates as a Mega!
If you go, good luck and as always, please respect the habitat and the birds.
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Date: 1/4/26 10:10 am From: Mary Maxey <maximom11998...> Subject: Re: [MDBirding] Extralimital - rarity in Fairfax County
Hi all,
I am headed to Great Falls to look for the bird. I am not that familiar
with the park. I have looked at some lists in ebird. Can anyone tell me
where to park and go to see the bird?
On Fri, Jan 2, 2026 at 10:32 AM Scott Baron <baron.scott...> wrote:
> Hello birders and Happy New Year!
>
> If you have not yet heard, a RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL was found at Great Falls
> Park in Fairfax County, VA on January 1. See ebird checklists for details.
> If this bird darts out over the Potomac to catch an insect, it would be a
> Maryland record.
>
> It's been at and a little north of the north parking lot. This little
> songbird species is native to Eurasia, with a range that stretches from
> Finland east to the Pacific.
>
> Great Falls Park (Virginia) is a national park with an entrance fee.
>
> I wonder if "Mega" is an overused term in birding but this certainly rates
> as a Mega!
>
> If you go, good luck and as always, please respect the habitat and the
> birds.
>
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>
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Date: 1/3/26 9:15 am From: Scott Baron <baron.scott...> Subject: [MDBirding] Fwd: Extralimital - rarity in Fairfax County
The Red-flanked Bluetail continues today at Great Falls Park in Fairfax
County, VA. For a few minutes it was on an island just off the Virginia
shoreline, in Montgomery County, Maryland!
See ebird for details.
Scott Baron
Damascus, MD
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Scott Baron <baron.scott...>
Date: Fri, Jan 2, 2026, 10:32 AM
Subject: Extralimital - rarity in Fairfax County
To: Maryland & DC Birding <mdbirding...>
Hello birders and Happy New Year!
If you have not yet heard, a RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL was found at Great Falls
Park in Fairfax County, VA on January 1. See ebird checklists for details.
If this bird darts out over the Potomac to catch an insect, it would be a
Maryland record.
It's been at and a little north of the north parking lot. This little
songbird species is native to Eurasia, with a range that stretches from
Finland east to the Pacific.
Great Falls Park (Virginia) is a national park with an entrance fee.
I wonder if "Mega" is an overused term in birding but this certainly rates
as a Mega!
If you go, good luck and as always, please respect the habitat and the
birds.
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Date: 1/2/26 7:32 am From: Scott Baron <baron.scott...> Subject: [MDBirding] Extralimital - rarity in Fairfax County
Hello birders and Happy New Year!
If you have not yet heard, a RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL was found at Great Falls Park in Fairfax County, VA on January 1. See ebird checklists for details. If this bird darts out over the Potomac to catch an insect, it would be a Maryland record.
It's been at and a little north of the north parking lot. This little songbird species is native to Eurasia, with a range that stretches from Finland east to the Pacific.
Great Falls Park (Virginia) is a national park with an entrance fee.
I wonder if "Mega" is an overused term in birding but this certainly rates as a Mega!
If you go, good luck and as always, please respect the habitat and the birds.
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Date: 12/21/25 8:42 am From: Harry Armistead <harryarmistead...> Subject: [MDBirding] Ferry Neck, December 2025.
RIGBY’S FOLLY, Talbot Co., MD: Dec. 4 - 8, 13 - 15, 2025. most of these seen by George.
sending this out is one way for me to say “Merry Christmas”.
DECEMBER 4, Thursday: George sees tundra swan 6, northern harrier 1, golden-crowned kinglet 2, hermit thrush 1, cedar waxwing 28, fox sparrow 1, and pine warbler 1 among other goodies.
DECEMBER 5, Friday. Liz sees a bald eagle from Route 301, milepost 120. An ad. male Cooper’s hawk. 15 deer at Swaine’s. George sees a red fox.
DECEMBER 6, Saturday. Here today are Liz & me, Kristin & George, Mary with Lucas and David, and Anne with Alexis. Noon at Bellevue: find 12 ring-billed gulls, 1 herring gull, 8 buffleheads, 400 Canada geese, a common loon dealing with a hogchoker, 1 deer, and 4 gray squirrels. I hear a pileated woodpecker adjacent to the Ferry Neck Chapel. Along our driveway a fox squirrel scolds me continuously; I have invaded its domain.
34 degrees F. at start, overcast but some sun at noon, nearly calm. A few birds today: an ad. red-tailed hawk over Field 2. 4 tundra swans, 1 horned grebe, a gray squirrel, 1 common loon.
DECEMBER 7, known to all as Sunday, to some as Pearl Harbor Day also. fair, calm or SW5. low 40s. The big wet area on the south side of Field 1 is frozen, doesn’t get any sun there.
from the dock 10:45 - 12:45: bald eagle 3, turkey vulture 17, black vulture 5, red-tailed hawk 1, Cooper’s hawk 1, Canada goose 570 (plus 75 more in the distance), mallard 13, ring-billed gull 2, kingfisher 1, great blue heron 1, ruddy duck 105, rock dove 5 (seldom seen here). 2 gray squirrels today. Our guests leave c. noon.
DECEMBER 8, Monday. 35, NW 15-20, mostly overcast. On the way back to PA 3 American kestrels, 2 red-tailed hawks, 2 bald eagles, mostly along Route 481.
DECEMBER 13, Saturday: ROUTE 309: groups of 60 & 370 tundra swans + 2 ad. bald eagles. d.o.r. at Royal Oak an eastern cotton-tailed bunny wabbit. Arrive at RF c. 3 P.M., Oh, “just sittin’ on a dock by the Bay”, for an hour or so at day’s end: Canada goose 1,020, great blue heron 1, bufflehead 65, ruddy duck 90, ring-billed gull 7, bald eagle 1. overcast, calm, 43 degrees F., but a spectacular, brief, sunset, bright scarlet (photographed by George). George finds a gray catbird.
DECEMBER 14. PROPERTY LIST, Sun., 42 species, a segment of the Ferry Neck/Deep Neck sector, in turn that is part of the St. Michaels Christmas Bird Count. George, Liz, and me. 1-2” fresh snow ending c. 8 A.M., then overcast, winds NW 15-20, temps in the 30s. The snow dappled the loblolly pines and the branches of the deciduous trees, all the way to their tops, very lovely. The wind made detecting waterfowl difficult. 3 gray squirrels, all of them fussy.
Canada goose 1,150 (probably some duplication), scoter, either black or surf 22, Bufflehead 111, ruddy duck 60, long-tailed duck 4, Cooper’s hawk 1, northern harrier 2, bald eagle 4, ring-billed gull 7, herring gull 3, gull unIDd 4, eastern screech-owl 1,
blue jay 13, American crow 4, Carolina chickadee 10, tufted titmouse 4, brown-headed nuthatch 4, Carolina wren 1 (?!; apparently that was it, sports fans), ruby-crowned kinglet 3, golden-crowned kinglet 6, brown thrasher 1, northern mockingbird 3,
European starling 65, hermit thrush 9, American robin 215, cedar waxwing 110, Amercian pipit 25, slate-colored junco 45, white-throated sparrow 121, song sparrow 11, fox sparrow 1, myrtle warbler 5, American goldfinch 1, red-winged blackbird 5, brown-headed cowbird 51, common grackle 56, northern cardinal 14.
We didn’t do much in the afternoon. But perhaps we should have. But Peterson expressed this very well: “New birds come very slowly on a winter afternoon.” (Peterson, 1948, p. 41)
The convivial compilation is again held at the Methodist church in Royal Oak. I like to think Christmas Bird Counts comprise 3 equally important components: recreation, science, and socializing. ** [go to last page]
I’ve participated in c. 325 Christmas Bird Counts. Usually 6 (sometimes even 7) a year for decades. The current falloff due to what I refer to as my “recessional and diminuendo”. Today, as in the past few years, St. Michaels is my only CBC. My first one here, 70 years ago, before I could drive, was with Gladys and Dick Cole. Dick was then head of the Bird Banding Laboratory. Gladys would later help mentor me when I first began bird banding.
DECEMBER 15, MONDAY. c. 4/5 of cove froze last night last night. 27, NW 15+, fair. George is out 79 mins. this morning and of most interest in his list of 23 species: cackling goose 1, sharp-shinned hawk 1, bald eagle 3, golden-crowned kinglet 3, brown-headed nuthatch 2, eastern bluebird 5, hermit thrush 3, waxwing 55, and white-throated sparrow 75 plus a fox squirrel in the yard next to the tire swing.
Visits today of Reliable Pest Control, C. Albert Matthew$, and those associated with our entry into the Conservation Reserve Program, the latter takes impressive drone photographs of the fields they will be involved with once the program gets going. eastern towhee 1, northern harrier 1 (ad. male).
A fox squirrel with some dark markings near the Ferry Neck Chapel. On the way back to Philadelphia we see 5 groups of horned larks totaling c. 125, concentrated near the shoulders of Route 481 by the snows of Sunday morning. From Route 309 just north of Route 404 in a field are a few 100 Canada Geese being joined by a couple of hundred snow geese (including a few blues) dropping in from above. Later a red fox off in a snowy field to the east of Route 301.
HOME IMPROVEMENTS in the offing include having George’s U. of MD friend Rob Berg build an outdoor shower. Also, make the little downstairs room adjacent to the kitchen into a fully operational bedroom. Rob will also install a rail on the high, brick area on the backside of the house, a spot that gives me the willies whenever I climb or descend from it. In all cases these are good ideas anyway, but we’re also doing this with an eye to the increasing challenges of aging.
Rob has already installed railings on the dock, back porch steps, and in 2 areas of the front porch. Inside Scott Cronshaw has installed grab rails, 3+” diameter dowels, along the steps of the 2 stairs, a Godsend.
CANADA GEESE AND POPLAR COVE. That’s the cove seen from our house. For 4 straight winters big numbers of Canada geese have foraged here, tipping up to reach widgeon grass (Ruppia maritima). One wonders there is any grass left, but for 4 summers it has grown back. Sometimes more than a thousand geese at a time feed on this SAV. Perhaps they help spread the seeds. Sometimes a few tundra swans join them.
OUR FIELDS were recently harvested: sorghum. But the stubble still remains, knee-high.
BLACKWATER NWR recent counts of interest: These have been bruited about elsewhere, but my notes reach some who may not have yet received this news. On Dec. 16 as part of Ron Ketter’s regular waterfowl surveys: 100 bald eagles were seen simultaneously from the Route 335 Bridge, a grand total of 139 for the day, plus 128 American white pelicans. These counts are not unprecedented, but they still blow my mind. When there is a lot of ice, frozen Blackwater River, etc., it seems to bring the eagles out. Then they’re often seen sitting on the ice.
Best regards to all. - Harry Armistead, Bellevue and Philadelphia.
** …But even though there are many nuggets that ornithologists can mine from this rich lode of bird information [Christmas Bird Count results], to me and my friends it is our way of celebrating the holidays, an ornithological ritual that has come to represent Yuletide more than Santa Claus or the Christmas tree.” !!!
from Birds Over America, the chapter “Census at Christmas”, by Roger Tory Peterson (Dodd, Mead & Co., 1948, p. 47)
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Date: 12/15/25 1:31 pm From: Alex Rose <alexrosela...> Subject: Re: [MDBirding] Help the birds - Comment on DC Rock Creek Park Golf Course Rehab
Sharing this article regarding the current administration potentially
seeking to gain greater control of the three golf courses in DC in
recognition of potential impact on bird habitats
https://wapo.st/44o6U9u
On Thu, Nov 2, 2023 at 5:55 PM Denise Ryan <screechowl...> wrote:
> If you have ever birded in Rock Creek Park please consider adding your
> comments to the Rock Creek Park Golf Course Environmental Assessment due
> Saturday, Nov. 4.
>
> Most of you know what a great bird magnet the park is during migration,
> and home to many breeding birds. I've been a CBC volunteer and organizer in
> the park for over 20 years, and a volunteer on the Breeding Bird atlases.
> The golf course always contains great numbers of birds during the CBC.
> Occasionally we get an amazing year of bird diversity with a Northern
> Harrier, or a kestrel, bald eagle, Savannah sparrow or a woodcock. Finding
> wild turkeys in the past decade has become more common. In the past few
> years Great Horned owls have begun nesting at the edge of the golf course.
> Just check out eBird to know it is a treasure.
>
> My life as a 10-year resident of DC was greatly enhanced by my access to
> this park and volunteering for the birds and the breeding bird atlas.
>
> I am concerned about the long-term impacts to birds, bats and endangered
> species if the selected Preferred Alternative moves forward. The National
> Links Trust, a new nonprofit stacked with well-heeled Blue Chip company
> folks, was awarded a 50-year lease of the Golf Courses of Rock Creek Park,
> Langston Golf Course, and East Potomac (Hains Point).
>
> As a part of the lease, they are going to rehab the Rock Creek Course. You
> may have seen press on their plans to remove 1200 trees to clear the greens
> to their historic size. Including dead or dying trees, which we know
> provides important habitat for birds, bats, and flying squirrels.
>
> They plan to change the course and add a driving range that will be lit up
> until 10 pm. I suspect they will also want to light up in the early
> morning as well, which I fear will have an impact on migrating species and
> collisions with glass in the new clubhouse planned to stretch the length of
> the southern end of the driving range. To their credit, they do note some
> of the windows in the new clubhouse will have bird decals on them. Why not
> every single window of new construction on the golf course? A disoriented
> bird blinded by the stadium-like lights of a driving range won't know which
> side of the building they are on when they try to fly at the window
> reflection. How will that light effect birds that might otherwise fly into
> the grasses in Military field (dog run) or the Maintenance yard?
>
> There is at least one endangered species found only in the park, the Hay's
> Spring amphipod.
>
> They are considering a groundwater well to supplement the irrigation from
> the city water, without prior testing to the effects of groundwater
> connections to these springs and seeps, and how it might effect this
> endangered species.
>
> They plan to change the course and add a driving range that will be lit up
> until 10 pm. I suspect they will also want to light up in the early
> morning as well, which I fear will have an impact on migrating species and
> collisions with glass in the new clubhouse planned to stretch the length of
> the southern end of the driving range. To their credit, they do note some
> of the windows in the new clubhouse will have bird decals on them. Why not
> every single window of new construction on the golf course? A disoriented
> bird blinded by the stadium-like lights of a driving range won't know which
> side of the building they are on when they try to fly at the window
> reflection.
>
> Your help is needed, especially if you have birded in the park. Please
> take a few minutes to provide your thoughts on this EA.
>
> There are two choices in this Environmental Assessment - No change or give
> the National Links Trust what they want.
>
> There has to be some other choices between the two. The National Park
> Service needs to develop more alternatives.
>
> They do want to remove invasive trees, vines and plants. Of the 1200
> trees, 700 are invasive. That is great. But they don’t address how they
> will preserve and keep DC heritage trees. Those are trees with a
> circumference of more than 100 inches.
>
> The links below are to local press about the issue. I have also included a
> link to the Rock Creek Conservancy’s comments, which are helpful if you
> don’t have the time to dig in. Thank you for reading this far and please
> consider making your voice heard.
>
> Rock Creek Park is a NATIONAL Park. Let’s not treat is like a city park.
> It is due the same respect and managed by the same laws as the Grand Tetons
> and Yellowstone. Rehabbing the golf course is a good thing, but not at the
> expense of the biological resources they must protect. Let’s remind them of
> that.
>
>
> https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2023/11/01/rock-creek-park-golf-course-delay-trees >
>
> https://caseytrees.org/2023/10/update-rock-creek-golf-course-save-trees-in-rock-creek-park/ >
>
> https://www.popville.com/2023/10/rock-creek-park-golf-course-trees-advocacy/ >
> *https://www.rockcreekconservancy.org/eagolfcourse > <https://www.rockcreekconservancy.org/eagolfcourse>* >
> With my sincere appreciation,
>
> Denise Ryan
>
> Screechowl at gmail.com
>
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Date: 12/14/25 10:28 am From: james wilson <jfwilson54...> Subject: [MDBirding] The Shirlington winter crow roost amazing crow show -- also nightly through February!
There was also a presentation and viewing of the Shirlington winter crow
roost, Saturday Dec. 13, sponsored by Northern Virginia Bird Alliance and
DC Bird Alliance. As at North Bethesda, participants got an awesome crow
show. And this show also continues nightly all winter for anyone who would
like to see it, here are my suggestions:
1. I recommend viewing from parking garage just behind the Shirlington
Library and Harris Teeter there, 4200 Campbell Ave. Arlington. Drive or
elevator up to the top floor of the parking garage.
2. Dress warmly, bring binoculars and camera and tripod.
3. Aim to arrive about 10-15 minutes before sunset, that's about 4:30 over
the coming weeks.
4. At first you will not see crows anywhere. Looking south you will see
Shirlington House apartments and a ridge of trees off to the west. This is
the staging site, through the binoculars you will start to see crows
accumulating along there. But in about 15-20 minutes the sky will be full
of thousands of crows going every which way, very loudly.
5. The main show lasts about 20 minutes. As darkness falls the action and
sound will decline but not end. The crows leave most of the staging areas
and collect around Shirlington House, which is the roost site.
6. Another great place to see the show from up close is the Abingdon
Elementary School parking lot.
Enjoy this amazing bit of nature.
Jim
On Monday, November 24, 2025 at 7:09:15 PM UTC-5 james wilson wrote:
I went down to watch the awesome staging at sunset (from the parking garage
adjacent to the shops and restaurants). After dark I found that indeed,
the crows roost in the trees around Shirlington House (in front, behind,
and west end) and in the trees in the adjacent apartments to the west, Park
Shirlington. I am interested in any additional intelligence anyone might
have about this roost.
Jim
On Sunday, November 16, 2025 at 6:33:51 PM UTC-5 james wilson wrote:
The winter crow roost near Shirlington is also happening again this year, I
observed it on Nov. 5 and saw birds in large numbers. There was
substantial staging around Shirlington House and along the ridge west of
there, but I could not find the actual roost, despite interviewing various
local residents. If anyone has insights on where these crows actually
spend their winter nights I would love to hear it. The Reagan Airport TDWR
weather radar captures these crows coming and going, I have a lot of
information about where they spend their days (out past Burke to the west,
south to Groveton and beyond), but haven't found the roost area.
FYI there will be a presentation and walking tour about the North Bethesda
roost, and winter crow roosts in general, on December 7, I will post about
that separately.
Thanks for anything anyone can share about this fascinating bit of bird
social behavior.
Jim
On Tuesday, January 28, 2025 at 1:31:17 PM UTC-5 james wilson wrote:
There is also a very substantial winter crow roost near Village at
Shirlington (part of Arlington). Early this month I observed the crows
arriving from the roof of the parking garage at the end of the shopping
area, it was very dramatic.
I also spend time in the Lincolnia neighborhood of Alexandria, which is
about 4 miles southwest of Shirlington, and I have observed a stream of
crows heading toward the Shirlington roost, roughly flying along Braddock
Road, lasting about 40 minutes!
As for the North Bethesda roost (a separate post), I'd be very interested
in any knowledge folks have about where exactly this roost is overnight (I
found some at Shirlington House Apts. on 31st Street, but far from the
total) and where the crows head to during the days. If you've witnessed
the streams in and out, where, when, roughly how many, direction would be
appreciated.
Thanks again
Jim Wilson
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Date: 12/14/25 10:19 am From: james wilson <jfwilson54...> Subject: [MDBirding] The North Bethesda winter crow roost amazing crow show -- nightly through February!
The presentation and viewing of the North Bethesda winter crow roost
occurred last Sunday with 40 attending for a presentation followed by an
awesome show. This show continues nightly all winter for anyone who would
like to see it, here are my suggestions:
1. I recommend viewing from the North Bethesda (formerly White Flint)
Metro parking garage, 10000 Citadel Ave. N. Bethesda, right next to the
roost. Drive or elevator up to the 6th floor, south side.
2. Dress warmly, bring binoculars and camera and tripod.
3. Aim to arrive about 10-15 minutes before sunset, that's about 4:30 over
the coming weeks.
4. At first you will not see crows anywhere. About 0.7 miles north you
will see trees, this is the Wilkins Avenue staging site, through the
binoculars you will start to see crows accumulating there. But in about
15-20 minutes the sky will be full of thousands of crows going every which
way, very loudly.
5. The main show lasts about 20 minutes. As darkness falls the action and
sound will decline but not end.
Enjoy. If you are going maybe send me a message, I live quite near and
might join you.
Jim
On Fri, Dec 5, 2025, 10:07 AM james wilson <jfwil......> wrote:
This event is on, flyer and agenda attached, if anyone else wants to join
please scan the QR code on the flyer.
The roost is near its full number, it will be an awesome crow show after
the presentations.
Jim
On Sunday, November 16, 2025 at 6:43:07 PM UTC-5 james wilson wrote:
There will be a presentation and walking tour about the North Bethesda
winter crow roost on December 7 at Pike and Rose (North Bethesda), see the
attached flyer for details. We will be joined by Craig Gibson, a national
expert on winter crow roosts, and the presentation will be followed by a
walking tour as roughly 20,000 crows return to the roost that evening. See
the flyer for details, and let us know (scan the QR code) to RSVP.
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Date: 12/12/25 6:12 am From: Haninah Levine <haninah...> Subject: [MDBirding] Coopers hawk drama
This morning, while biking down 20th Street NW, I heard a squawk and looked
up in time to see two Coopers hawks appear over the edge of a building,
with one bird apparently chasing the other. They went into a steep dive,
and the rear bird pulled up sharply, veering off to land on a light post. I
didn’t see the lead bird pull up. A moment later, I passed the spot, and
saw the other bird lying dead on the sidewalk. It must have miscalculated
its flight and flown headfirst into the pavement, dying on contact.
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Date: 12/11/25 7:23 pm From: Paul Woodford <pwoodford68...> Subject: [MDBirding] Red-headed woodpecker, Ellicott City
Seeing the eBird reports of a red-headed woodpecker on Yellowstone Court, which is near me, I decided to walk in the woods behind the court and look for it. I found it easily both Sunday and today. It is frequenting dead trees along the Little Patuxent between Yellowstone Court and Garand Road. On Sunday I saw it caching food in one of the trees, so hopefully it will be around for a while.
Paul Ellicott City
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Date: 12/10/25 11:39 am From: 'Marcia Watson' via Maryland & DC Birding <mdbirding...> Subject: [MDBirding] Hunting Closure at Blackwater - January 9th
A majority of the Wildlife Drive, as well as all refuge trails, will be CLOSED on the following date for deer management hunts:
Friday, January 9, 2026
The Pool 5 loop on the west end of the Wildlife Drive will remain open free-of-charge. Visitors can enter the Drive about ¼ mile west of the Visitor Center and exit at Route 335. In addition to the Visitor Center, this will be the only section of the refuge open to the general public on this date.
For a full list of hunt-related closures during the 2025-26 season, please see this document.
Marcia
_____________
Marcia Watson
Phoenix, MD
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