SINCE 1976 THE FRIENDS OF DYKE MARSH WINTER 2008 Woodrow Bridge Project Wetland mitigation and other environmental aspects discussed

oin the Friends on March 5 as we wel- J come Alexander E. Lee, AICP Com- munity Relations Manager, Bridge Project and URS Corpora- tion, and Patrick DiNicola, Environmental Mitigation Manager of the Woodrow Wil- The Friends of Dyke Marsh son Bridge Project and RK&K Engineers. Alex will introduce the scope of the environmental aspects of this enormous FODM Quarterly Meeting project, which encompasses many differ- Wednesday, March 5, 2008 ent activities, from the moving of 340,000 7:30 p.m., Huntley Meadows cubic yards of dredged material to the Park, 3701 Lockheed Boule- creation, enhancement and restoration of View of a Woodrow Wilson Bridge Project wetland mitigation site (Prince William County, wetlands. Pat will discuss specifics of the vard, Alexandria, 22306. 703- ) on the Silver property. This site has 768-2525. Free to all. mitigation process: how do you create a been completed and is in the five-year moni- wetland? He will also talk about the shore- toring phase. 2008 Annual Cleanup line strategy program and show what has April 5 - Annual Potomac been accomplished at a few of the in- environmental management. Patrick DiNi- process wetlands projects, for example, cola is a Project Scientist for RK&K Engi- Watershed Cleanup. 9 a.m. - , Hunting Point and the west neers in Baltimore, . In his cur- 12 noon. Meet at Belle Haven side of Washington Street, as well as the rent capacity, he serves as Environmental restrooms. Details on page 5. inclusion of threatened or endangered Mitigation Manager for the $2.4 billion wildlife in the planning process. Woodrow Wilson Bridge replacement Alex Lee had 14 years of consulting project. He is responsible for construction experience, including transportation plan- oversight on mitigation contracts in both CONTENTS ning, project development, mega-project Maryland and Virginia, and is also tasked design team management, all aspects of with managing post-construction monitor- The Marsh Wren’s Look 2 NEPA documentation, engineering alter- ing for over 50 completed mitigation sites. nate studies and extensive pro-active pub- Patrick began his career at the Maryland lic involvement. Prior to his work on the Department of the Environment and has President’s Message 3 Wilson Bridge Project he consulted for the been working in the environmental field Departments of Defense and Energy in for over 10 years. 2007 Fort Belvoir CBC 4

NPS Supt.’s Message 5 Senator, Congressman Support Dyke Marsh U. S. Senator Jim Webb wrote to National protect this extraordinary resource, we are New NPS Trail Patroller 6 Park Service Director Mary Bomar this undertaking an environmental impact past fall urging collaboration “in protect- statement (EIS) process . . . Internal ing this important natural treasure.” He agency funding requests have been sub- Get Involved - Be Active 6 said, “With our greater understanding of mitted for $500,000 in order to fund the the importance of wetland ecosystems, it EIS.” Washington, D.C. CBC 8 is important to preserve this national treas- Congressman urged NPS ure and the biodiversity it promotes.” She to designate Dyke Marsh’s restoration as a responded: “In order to appropriately (Continued on page 2) Centennial Challenge project. He wrote, “A restored A New Look for The Marsh Wren Dyke Marsh would support extraordinary biodiversity, provide more ecological services in a heavily-developed After many years of printing our newsletter with the same urban area and increase aesthetic, educational and recrea- format and in one color, we have given The Marsh Wren a tional opportunities for the nation.” Ms. Bomar responded new look. This change is in keeping with FODM’s goal that designating restoration of the marsh as a Centennial of more effectively communicating with our members and Challenge project is premature until the EIS is completed. the public. She wrote, “To protect this extraordinary resource appro- In 2006, FODM commissioned On the Edge, a docu- priately, we are undertaking an Environmental Impact mentary film about the marsh and need for its restoration. Statement (EIS) process . . . The EIS will enable the Na- In 2007, with the contributions of Dale Photo in Belle tional Park Service to develop a restoration plan for Haven, we redesigned and printed on a new surface our dredged areas at Dyke Marsh and a management plan for display panel, which is used at all functions where FODM future care.” is present. Thank you Senator Webb and Congressman Moran The Marsh Wren editor Dorothy McManus worked to for your support of Dyke Marsh. update the newsletter as well, asking FODM’s web page designer Duncan Hobart for assistance. We are using readily available software for the project. Our printer, Minuteman Press in S. Pickett Street, has offered to print a "When there is a conflict between full color newsletter costing only modestly more than pre- conserving resources unimpaired for sent costs. As FODM is a friend of the environment, the future generations and the use of newsletter is printed on recycled paper. The new design those resources, conservation will be makes more efficient use of the space available. More predominant." importantly, the new process of submitting a computer file Dirk Kempthorne, Secretary, to the printer will improve the print quality of the photo- U. S. Department of Interior, graphs, many of which are beautiful nature shots submit- June 19, 2006 proclamation. ted by FODM members. And finally, we want to bring to our readers in the best way possible the news and issues important to Dyke Marsh. As always, we welcome your comments.

Friends of Dyke Marsh Board of Directors

Editor: President - Glenda Booth .…………………………………703-765-5233, [email protected] Dorothy McManus Vice-President - Tony Morris ..……………………….571-431-9711, [email protected] Secretary - Dorothy McManus (The Marsh Wren)...703-960-3643, [email protected] Assistant Editor: Treasurer - Robert Smith .………………………………..703-684-7041, [email protected] T. D. Hobart Ed Eder (Past President) .……………………………...……..703-360-7994, [email protected] Kurt Gaskill (Field Trips) ……………………………... 703-768-2172, [email protected] Editorial address: Frank McKenna ………………………...…...…. 703-768-6083, [email protected] Friends of Dyke Marsh Barbara Perry (Membership) ……………………….. 703-765-8159, [email protected] John Perry …………………………………………...………. 703-329-1646, [email protected] P.O. Box 7183 Walter Bulmer (Research) ………………………………. 703-323-3226, [email protected] Alexandria, VA 22307 Barry Murphy ……………………………………………. 703-836-0888, [email protected] [email protected] Advisory Board: Jeb Byrne (At-Large) …………………………...………. 703-768-8224, [email protected] Visit our website at Larry Cartwright (Breeding Bird Survey) ……….…….. 703-941-3142, [email protected] www.fodm.org David W. Johnston (Environmental Biology Consultant) 703-425-2530, [email protected] Ed Risley (Founding Member, Chair Emeritus) ……………………………..……. 703-379-1159 for more information about Sandy Spencer (Research) ……………………………. 804-333-1470, [email protected] us, our programs and how

you can join the FODM. The Marsh Wren is a quarterly publication of the Friends of Dyke Marsh, Inc., a nonprofit 501(c)

(3) organization. Letters and submissions to The Marsh Wren are welcome. Send them to the Copyright © 2008, The editor at the address on the left. Board members can receive mail at this address as well. Special Friends of Dyke Marsh, thanks to Duncan Hobart for his assistance with our web page (www.fodm.org), and to Paula Inc. All rights reserved. Sullivan and Ed Eder for their photography contributions to The Marsh Wren and the website.

Printed on recycled paper

2 The Marsh Wren ☼ Winter 2008 President’s Message

BY GLENDA C. BOOTH MOU: On December 12, we sent comments and pro- posed extending our memorandum of understanding s Vice President Al Gore accepted the Nobel prize in (MOU) with the U. S. National Park Service and hope to A Oslo for his work to curb global warming, closer to be meeting with officials soon to discuss the details. home, both the and the Chesapeake Bay got Reaching Out: I have reached out and allied with a grade of D for their health. This rating reinforces the several groups in an effort to spread the word about “our” worries that many of us have had about our environment wetland. I made presentations to the Environment and Rec- for some time and is further ammunition for preserving, reation Committee of the Mount Vernon Council of Citi- protecting and restoring Dyke Marsh. (For a restoration zen Associations and to the Mount Vernon Presbyterian update, be sure to read Superintendent David Vela’s mes- Church. With help from many others, I have prepared a sage on page 6. We thank NPS for their initiative.) power point presentation on Dyke Marsh. If you know of Here is a brief rundown on some of our recent efforts: groups that might like to hear it, let me know. Wren, Bittern Trends: In our fall newsletter, we re- Thank You: We send a big thank you to Mary Car- ported Larry Cartwright’s concerns about what may be a roll Potter, who is leaving us, for her years of work as decline in the Marsh Wren and Least Bittern populations in FODM's Program Coordinator. Mary Carroll has given Dyke Marsh. We have asked the National Park Service to many hours to arrangements, assistance and attention to devote some resources to this and to help us determine if in detail to bring us timely, interesting and inspiring lec- fact there are declines, and if so, the causes and solutions. tures. If you have suggestions for programs, contact us at Our research chairman, Walter Bulmer, is also proposing a FODM. And again, a big thank you to Mary Carroll for research project to better understand the birds’ status. her good work. WPHS Crew at the Marina? The West Potomac Nominate and Preserve Trees: The Fairfax County High School Crew Team Boosters has asked the National Board of Supervisors on October 15 approved a new ordi- Park Service for a permit to operate out of the Belle Haven nance that creates a way to preserve certain trees. Under Marina from February to late May. They propose to build a the new law, a citizen, group or the county’s urban forester new floating dock, a ramp, a storage rack for shells (35 can recommend to the Board of Supervisors that a tree be feet by 65 feet), a storage shed for equipment and a storage designated as a heritage, specimen, memorial or street tree bin for gas cans. FODM will provide comments. As we go (each is defined in the law). If the Board agrees, the tree to press, we do not know what NPS will do. can only be removed with permission of the Board and the New Waysides: We could have four new wayside Board may require replacement of trees approved for re- signs installed along the Haul Road and boardwalk by Me- moval. All supervisors voted for it except former Spring- morial Day 2008, according to Erik Oberg, the George field Supervisor Elaine McConnell. For more information Washington Memorial Parkway’s Acting Natural Resource and application forms for nominating trees, contact the Management Specialist. Production is now underway. county’s Urban Forestry Division at 703-324-1770. FODM provided suggestions to NPS. Watershed Plans: Fairfax County will soon begin Don’t Flush Meds! We are helping Fairfax County work on watershed plans for the Belle Haven, Dogue prepare some options for properly disposing of unused Creek and Four Mile Run watersheds. For each plan, the pharmaceuticals, personal care products and pesticides, to county will form a citizens advisory committee. Supervisor keep them out of our waters. The U. S. Geological Survey Gerry Hyland has committed to appointing at least one has linked certain endocrine disrupting compounds to sex- representative from FODM to the Belle Haven committee. ual abnormalities in fish in the Potomac River. Some com- If you want to help, let me know. These plans can recom- munities have “take back” programs for unwanted medica- mend policies and conservation and restoration projects. tions. Flushing them down the toilet is probably the worst Speak Out and Vote for Sound Conservation Poli- disposal option. For now, county officials suggest securing cies: The Virginia General Assembly (http:// them in a can, making them unfit for use by mixing in cof- legis.state.va.us/) will meet until March 8. To find your fee grounds or kitty litter, sealing the can and putting it in legislators, go to http://conview.state.va.us/whosmy.nsf/ the regular trash. You might also ask your pharmacist and main?openform. To learn about conservation issues in doctor to incinerate them with medical wastes. Richmond, visit the Virginia Conservation Network at Duck Hunting: Several residents of Southdown Road, www.vcnva.org . . . Virginia will hold its Presidential Pri- near the south end of Dyke Marsh, have asked us to help mary on February 12, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Check the candi- address waterfowl hunting from blinds built on the perime- dates’ websites for their environmental platforms. ter of Dyke Marsh. Hunting in Dyke Marsh and shooting into the marsh are prohibited. We will try to address this Glenda C. Booth is President of the Friends of Dyke with state and federal officials. Marsh and active in environmental issues in Virginia.

The Marsh Wren ☼ Winter 2008 3 2007 Fort Belvoir Christmas Bird Count Summary

BY KURT GASKILL legs (Mason Neck), Laughing Gull (100+, high count, Ne- absco Creek), Common Yellowthroat (Jackson Abbott aving gotten over 90 percent of the reports on species’ Wildlife Refuge and Huntley Meadows), Chipping Sparrow H presence for the Fort Belvoir Christmas Bird Count (near Burke Lake) and Pine Siskin (several locations; it’s an (CBC), I can make the following summary: irruption year). A cool, overcast morning met the field counters; this Other species of interest that were found: Common turned to drizzle by mid-afternoon and outright rain near Loon (off Leesylvania State Park), Northern Bobwhite (in a 3:30 p.m. Although I will not know the final participant power line cut near Henderson Road, this is a 17 out of 20 total until the final lists are given to me by the 10 Sector year species), American Woodcock (present in a few loca- Leaders, initial reports indicate a less than average turnout tions such as Mason Neck State Park), Red-headed Wood- of volunteers. Yet the count tallied 117 species and one pecker (Hallowing Point at Mason Neck and in Mason Neck Count Week species. This is above the 20-year average, National Wildlife Refuge), Red-breasted Nuthatch (nearly after discounting the “inflation years” period. Many ob- all sectors, significant irruption year), Gray Catbird servers reported above-average diversity of species, al- (Leesylvania State Park), Brown Thrasher (Lorton area), though absolute numbers of Fox Sparrow (various loca- many species were down tions), White-crowned from last year. For example, Sparrow (Lorton, Burke and I am sure the total scaup Fort Belvoir areas), and count will be half or less of Rusty Blackbird (only at last year’s 28,000! Jackson Abbott Wildlife The highlights were Refuge). dominated by eight unusual Initial reports suggest that species tallied in the count. Red-breasted Nuthatch, Unusual means these species Purple Finch and Pine have been tallied in the circle Siskin were in several 1 to 5 years in the last 20 places in the count circle in years. These were Forster’s historical significant num- Terns (2 diving in Pohick bers. Bay, 1 record in 20 years), Many, many thank yous to Long-eared Owl (Sandy Run the observers who came out Park, 1 in 20), Northern and counted the birds! I Saw-whet Owl don’t have all your names (Fountainhead Park, 2 in 20), but you are the heart and Common Raven (2 in the soul of the count. And Lorton area, 2 in 20), Blue- heart-felt gratitude to the Red-headed Woodpeckers were sighted in two areas in gray Gnatcatcher (Accotink sector leaders who organ- Bay area, 3 in 20), Yellow- Mason Neck. Photo by Paula Sullivan. ized their respective territo- throated Warbler (coming to ries: Mary-Carroll Potter, a feeder in Maryland, 2 in 20), Lincoln’s Sparrows (Huntley Georg Morduch, Larry Meade, Sherman Suter, Greg Flem- Meadows and Accotink Refuge, 1 in 20), and Baltimore ing, Bart Hutchinson, Rich Rieger, Larry Brindza, Bob Oriole (3 to a Maryland feeder, 3 in 20). Klarquist, Marc Ribaudo, Carol Ghebelian and Carmine The rare, but regular species found (in 6-10 counts out Bishop. Also, special thank yous to Larry Cartwright, Ben of 20) were: Great Egret (8 in 20, Little Hunting Creek), Jesup and Jay Keller for various strategic and logistical help Merlin (9, Huntley Meadows and near Belmont Bay), and in the count. And additional thank yous to Larry Meade, Marsh Wren (6, Great Marsh of Mason Neck). Rich Rieger and Carmen Bishop for volunteering to lead Species that are rare to uncommon and often local in their areas just a few weeks before the count. late December in (found 11-15 counts out And lastly, let me acknowledge the sponsorship of the of 20) were: Horned Grebe (15, finally after a long Fort Belvoir CBC by Charles Studholme of One Good Tern. drought), Double-crested Cormorant (increasing in the last After receiving all the reports, I will post a more com- 15 yrs), Blue-winged Teal (12, Jackson Abbott Refuge), plete summary. Black Vulture (increasing in the last 15 years), King Rail Wishing Everyone A Very Birdy New Year! (Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge), Greater Yellow- Kurt Gaskill, compiler, Fort Belvoir Christmas Bird Count.

4 The Marsh Wren ☼ Winter 2008 Message From the Superintendent, GWMP, National Park Service

BY DAVID VELA lyze a range of alternatives involving the restoration of previously dredged Greetings and Happy New Year from portions of the marsh, as well as man- Dyke Marsh Cleanups the employees of the George Wash- agement options to address factors ington Memorial Parkway. This year currently impacting the existing February 16 …10 am - 12 noon marks the 75th Anniversary of both marsh. A Notice of Intent, which the George Washington Memorial begins the process of an EIS by in- March 15……10 am - 12 noon Parkway and Theodore Roosevelt forming the public of what the project Island as National Park Service sites. is and why it needs to be performed, April 5………. 9 am - 12 noon (Last year, you may recall, 2007 is currently being prepared. It will be (The Annual Potomac Water- marked the 75th Anniversary of the published in the Federal Register, the shed Cleanup) Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, official daily publication for rules, the precursor to what is now known proposed rules, and notices of federal May 10………10 am - 12 noon as the George Washington Memorial agencies and organizations, as well as Parkway.) As a result, 2008 will be executive orders and other presiden- Parental Approval Forms must filled with a wide variety of exciting tial documents. Once this has been be signed for minors (under 18 activities, including a photo contest done, the project is expected to move yrs.) in advance of work. Stu- and an anniversary park newsletter forward with a public meeting and dents may obtain community filled with visitor programs and comment period in 2008. service credit. Dyke Marsh events. We had a very productive 2007. cleanups are cosponsored by In addition, the Dyke Marsh We look forward to working with the National Park Service and Wetland Restoration Plan and Envi- each of you in this new year in ad- ronmental Impact Statement (EIS) dressing the needs and interests of the Retired & Senior Volunteer process are underway. We held an Dyke Marsh and in celebrating the Program. Call 703-289-2556. internal scoping meeting on Novem- 75th Anniversary of the George ber 14-15, 2007. The plan will ana- Washington Memorial Parkway.

NPS Rules at Dyke Marsh a refuse can or carrying it out of the One Of Our Own In the parkway. Pet owners are prohibited News The National Park Service’s George from allowing their pets to enter the Washington Memorial Parkway unit Potomac River within the boundaries Veteran bird surveyor and FODM maintains a compendium of rules of the GW Memorial Parkway. member Larry Cartwright was fea- and policies for managing its proper- Bicycling – Bicycling is prohib- tured in a January 4, 2008 Examiner ties. Here are a few that relate to ited in the following area: Dyke newspaper interview by reporter Dyke Marsh (this is not intended to Marsh Wildlife Preserve Haul Road. Scott McCabe that addressed the be all-inclusive): Memorialization – The scatter- Christmas Bird Count. Larry re- Boats – Vessels with internal ing of human ashes from cremation ported that many birds “that took a combustion engines are prohibited in is prohibited without a permit under huge beating with the West Nile the waters of Dyke Marsh Wildlife conditions set by the Superintendent. virus have adapted to the virus and Preserve without an official permit. their numbers are coming back.” Permits are issued only for research, Let’s Attack Invasives When asked why bird counts are maintenance, or other official gov- important, he said, “It depends on ernment purposes. The National Park Service your perspective. If you value the Waterskiing – Waterskiing and will conduct a training ses- existence of wildlife, and want jet skiing are prohibited in the waters sion this spring for volun- something other than concrete, it’s of Dyke Marsh. teers to learn how to reduce important. If wildlife is not impor- Pets – All pets must be re- invasive plants in Dyke tant to you, then this has no value. strained on a leash, which shall not Marsh. This is a great oppor- The count helps people get into exceed six feet, or otherwise be tunity to partner with NPS nature, walk the meadows, walk the physically confined at all times. An and restore Dyke Marsh. To streambeds and see birds living invisible electronic leash is not con- volunteer, e-mail Glenda their lives. You see the wilderness sidered restraint within the parkway. of it. The beauty attracts people. It’s Visitors with pets in the parkway are Booth at [email protected]. Check www.fodm.org for the not a hobby for control freaks be- required to remove and dispose of cause you have to do it on the birds’ date. Step up, FODMers! their pets’ excrement by placing it in time, not yours.”

The Marsh Wren ☼ Winter 2008 5 New NPS Trail Patroller Named (continued from back page)

BY NED STONE several years, while Peregrine Falcons and Merlins seem to be steadily in- Blame it on United Community Min- creasing. Small songbirds like Caro- istries. I retired from the government lina Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, in mid-2006, and for a year, UCM White-breasted Nuthatches and East- kept me busy as a volunteer teacher of ern Bluebirds apparently have recov- computer courses. But this year I have ered from the effects of the West Nile no teaching requests, so when I saw virus. The most interesting birds re- the item in the FODM newsletter that ported were a Rufous Hummingbird the National Park Service was inter- observed at the feeders at Potomac ested in volunteer trail patrollers, I Overlook Park in Arlington and an saw an opportunity for boots-on-the- This removal-resistant car tire was apparent family group of Pine War- ground (or tush-in-the-water) involve- on the shore of the island opposite blers consisting of an adult male, ment with Dyke Marsh. the viewing platform at the end of adult female and three youngsters at No Oscar the Grouch, I hate trash the footpath. Photo by Ned Stone. the LBJ Grove. Now that’s odd that and like cleanups. I have also recently they would be together so late in the started to enjoy kayaking. With the wear the NPS vest and hat, ta da! The year! Belle Haven Marina right there, it has patrol activity consists in large part of And what about Sector 4? Al- been easy to rent a kayak or canoe and rendering assistance and providing though waterfowl numbers were low go out around the Dyke Marsh periph- information to trail users and being consistent with the rest of the count ery and grab up floating and beached alert to situations that require inter- circle, the participants tallied an im- trash. I get up close and personal with ventions by first responders and main- pressive 1,209 American Coots. Num- hydrilla, but that's often where the tenance personnel. Much of the patrol bers for this species haven’t been that trash is. A paddle stroke that will get activity is something that can be done high in years. Red-bellied Wood- me 10 feet of progress in open water by any responsible trail user, but the peckers are doing well, with a total of gets about two inches in the weeds! vest and hat serve to convey an im- 68 observed, and we added a Red- Being an official Trail Patroller pression of official presence. I expect headed Woodpecker to the sector requires two sessions of training. NPS to concentrate my patrolling on the tally. Other highlight birds include a Ranger Georgeanne Smale conducts Dyke Marsh trail and vicinity. And of Peregrine Falcon, a Purple Finch and the training. Eventually, I will get to course, I'll have my binoculars. a Pine Siskin.

Get Involved - Three Ways You Can Be Active Dyke Marsh Study Harvard biologist Dr. Edmund O. in conserving natural resources. Wilson wrote in his book, The Crea- Restore Huntley Meadows: Reprints of The Dyke Marsh tion, that "living Nature is in deep Want to learn about efforts to restore Preserve Ecosystem, a study of trouble" and that at the present rate of Huntley Meadows Park’s wetland? Dyke Marsh by Dr. David human activity, "half the species of Park staff are having a meeting on Johnston, are on sale. The 50- plants and animals on Earth could be March 27, 7 p.m., Groveton Elemen- page study was published in the either gone or at least fated for early tary School, 6900 Harrison Lane, Al- Virginia Journal of Science in extinction by the end of the century." exandria, VA 22306 to present the winter 2000 and describes Dyke Here are three ways you can be envi- latest plans. Huntley’s wetland, unlike Marsh in depth. $10.00 ronmentally active in your area: “ours,” is inland or non-tidal. Info: Speak Out on Parks: The Fair- http://fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/ Documentary DVD fax County Park Authority is having huntley/restorationproject.htm. Purchase a DVD copy of the 10 meetings across the county, includ- Your Refund Can Help Nature: 2006 Dyke Marsh documentary ing one on March 27, 7 p.m., at Walt If you are getting a Virginia tax re- film "On the Edge." $25.00 Whitman Intermediate School, to re- fund this year, you can donate it to the ceive views on parks needs and Virginia Non-game Wildlife Program changes “to balance the park system by marking a place on your state in- Send payment along with your and accommodate future needs and come tax form. This program sup- name and address to FODM, growth.” See www.fairfaxcounty.gov/ ports research and management of P.O. Box 7183, Alexandria, VA parks/plandeve/greatparks.htm. FOD- Virginia’s native birds, fish and other 22307. We’ll send you a copy. Mers may want to attend and stress non-game animals. Of course, you the importance of parks and their role can donate it to FODM too.

6 The Marsh Wren ☼ Winter 2008 Membership Up July - December 2007 Sunday Morning Bird Walks at Dyke Marsh

Please welcome the following new life members: Valerie Gregg Sandra Hoffman L.T. Simarski Frances Zorn

And the following new FODM members:

John and Katy Anderson, Arneta Austin, J.A. Boyer, Scott and Mary Carpenter, Terry Chandler, Jeanne and Ceci Collier, Tom Depasquale, Rex Edwards, Minor Elson, Deborah Hammer, Herb Harris, Robert Linnen- berg, Mark Moran, Jim Pravel, Dieter and Nina Ru- dolph, Jeffrey and Linda Samuels, Paula Tosini, Erika Vogel, Mark Warner, Ken and Pam Williams.

Cleanup Coordinator Needed Bird walks are held every Sunday morning, all year. Meet at 8 a.m. in the south parking lot of the Belle Ha- Daniel Leubecker has agreed to be the FODM ven picnic area. Walks are led by experienced birders coordinator for Dyke Marsh cleanups. Thank and all are welcome. Photo by Paula Sullivan. you, Daniel! We’d like to line up a second person to help and back him up. Coordinators FODM Meeting Schedule for 2008 need to be on site on the day of the cleanup and help organize volunteers, pass out sup- The FODM Board of Directors has established the schedule of plies and recycle collected items. Several membership meetings for calendar year 2008. A change in groups sponsor cleanups of Dyke Marsh and the Potomac River each year. If you can help, the meeting start time was also approved. The meetings will please contact Glenda Booth at be held at 7:30 p.m. at the Huntley Meadows Park Visitors [email protected] or 703-765-5233. Center, 3701 Lockheed Boulevard, Alexandria, VA 22306. They are scheduled for March 5, May 14, September 17 and November 19. The meetings are free and all are welcome.

FODM Membership - Dues and Contributions

Support the Friends of Dyke Marsh by becoming a mem- ber or renewing your membership. Benefits include the DUES AMOUNT..…………………….… $ ______Friends’ quarterly publication, The Marsh Wren; quarterly membership meetings with knowledgeable speakers; Sun- ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTION..…….. $ ______day morning bird walks and notification of activities in TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED.………. $ ______and around the marsh. Most importantly, your member- ship lends your voice in support of Dyke Marsh, our local NAME ______natural treasure. To renew your membership, please send ADDRESS ______your tax-deductible contribution, payable to FODM, P.O. CITY______STATE ____ ZIP_____ Box 7183, Alexandria, Virginia 22307. The annual dues TELEPHONE NUMBER ______are $10.00 per household; $250.00 for life membership for EMAIL ADDRESS ______an individual. Additional contributions are most welcome. These help defray FODM’s operating costs and support Please address any questions or comments about The special programs and research. The mailing label on this Marsh Wren to Dorothy McManus and about mem- Marsh Wren indicates membership status. Next to your bership to Barbara Perry. You may contact them by name, one of the following will be indicated: LM — life member; *— complimentary copy; 07, 08, etc. — the year mail at FODM, P.O. Box 7183, Alexandria, Virginia your membership expires. If the date indicated is 07 or 22307-7183, by telephone or by email (see page 2). earlier, please renew right away to keep The Marsh Wren coming and to continue your support of Dyke Marsh.

The Marsh Wren ☼ Winter 2008 7 Preliminary Results of the 2007 D.C. Christmas Bird Count

BY LARRY CARTWRIGHT

The Washington, D.C. Christmas Bird Count (CBC), which kicked off the CBC season in our area, was conducted on December 15, 2007. The survey area is a circle that in- cludes Dyke Marsh in the south, Arlington County and Fair- fax County east of 495 in the west, the C&O Canal and Rock Creek Park in the north and Kenilworth Gardens and the National Arboretum in the east. The count circle con- sists of seven sectors. I was asked to lead the sector that includes Dyke Marsh in 1999 and then was “promoted” to count compiler in 2004. As compiler, I am responsible for the entire count circle and am trying to bird in a different sector every year. It will help me develop a familiarity with the circle and the person- Peregrine falcons, like this one near the Wilson Bridge, alities in all seven sectors. Alas, it precludes my participa- seem to be increasing in the area. Photo by Ed Eder. tion at Dyke Marsh. But Paula Sullivan, Dorothy McManus and Ed Eder all have participated in the count almost on a Dyke Marsh sector, aka Sector 4. The CBC would not be a yearly basis for the past decade. And of, course there is Kurt success without their help. Gaskill, who leads the team that covers the area north of Although I have not completely analyzed the data, I can Dyke Marsh from Hunting Creek to Dangerfield Island. make a few preliminary statements about the results. Water- Also, I have to give credit to Larry Meade and Rich Rieger fowl numbers still are low, a trend that has been evident for who recruited the volunteers and organized the count for the (continued on page 6)

The Friends of Dyke Marsh Dorothy McManus, Editor P.O. Box 7183 Alexandria, VA 22307-7183