Folks,
*Quick Notes (The Short Version)*
Hudnell / New / Williamson / Jericho Ditch Trails - 7:05 to 10:15 AM - FOY
Indigo Bunting, 2 Common Loons flyover, 5 Green Herons, loads of Prairie
and Prothonotary Warblers & Common Yellowthroats, 3 White-eyed Vireos, Wild
Turkey, American Redstart, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Red-tailed &
Red-shouldered Hawks, tons of Gray Catbirds.
Washington Ditch Trail - 10:30 AM to 12:25 PM - Black-and-White Warbler,
Ovenbird, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Great Crested Flycatcher.
*Full Species List*
*http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S23180063
<http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S23180063>*
*Outing Photographs*
*http://www.rbnature.com/galleries/we-20150503/
<http://www.rbnature.com/galleries/we-20150503/>*
*Weekly Recaps & Top Photos*
*http://www.rbnature.com/blog/ ;<http://www.rbnature.com/blog/>*
*Full Outing Details (The Long Version)*
A bit chilly to kick the weekend off, but a beautiful sunny sky was showing
at 7 AM this morning around southeastern Virginia. I headed off to the
Great Dismal Swamp for likely a final migration outing to the park,
arriving right about 7:05 to Jericho Ditch Lane. My last outing at the
swamp, I'd parked here as well, and walked the Jericho Ditch southeastward,
having a great time in the process. This time, I wanted to try a few of the
other trails that begin at this lot. As I got out of my car, I had my first
surprise of the day as a pair of *Common Loons* flew northward just to the
west of the parking area, offering a single photograph above the clear
space over the road before disappearing over the treetops. From the parking
area, I headed down the Hudnell Ditch eastward to try my luck. From reading
reports here, it seemed that a good number of Hooded Warblers were being
seen around this area, though I was unable to pick any up today. Due to the
direction of travel, and the time of day, the sun was streaming directly
into my eyes for the majority of the Hudnell Ditch Trail. However, one
doesn't necessarily need eyes in this area, as *Prairie & Prothonotary
Warbler* songs were blaring from all directions. *Gray Catbirds* as well
were joining in song, and I must have seen a hundred of them or so, easily
the most numerous birds of the day. *White-eyed Vireos* and *Common
Yellowthroats* also were seen along the trail. To my surprise though, not a
single Wood Duck was seen or heard.
As I reached the east end of the trail, where it intersects with the New
Ditch Trail, I heard a rush of tree limbs, and looked up into the trees to
see a large object rushing down a tree trunk. I couldn't get a fast enough
look, but I believe it was a Black Bear cub. If it wasn't a bear cub in the
tree, I'm open to other suggestions, but it sure seemed only a large mammal
could cause the disturbance to the tree that this did, definitely not a
Raccoon or Opossum, and likely not a Gray Fox either. I've yet to get a
good look at a bear in the park, but on the last outing I did see a good
trail of tracks along Jericho Ditch. Those were of an adult though, but I
suspect this time of year, there are a number of cubs around also. Anyway,
back to the birds. I turned to the north along New Ditch Trail, and along
its mile or so, I noted several species. A single *American Redstart* was
seen singing high up in a tree, and nearby a group of 6 *Cedar Waxwings*
had flown in and stuck to the leafy cover. While watching these, I had
a *Ruby-throated
Hummingbird* fly past, drinking from a couple flowers then zooming off
swiftly.
The next junction along this route was the intersection with Williamson
Ditch Trail, another east-west directional trail. Fortunately, I headed
westward along this trail, so the sun was at my back throughout the couple
of miles of length. The ditches along these trails are much different than
the Washington, which I hike more often. At the Washington, the ditch is
visible, and doesn't have much growth along its edges (at least right now),
but along these other trails, the ditch was essentially concealed by
foliage. This made it impossible to see any of the animals causes splashes,
though most were turtles more than likely. It also meant that when I
encountered my first *Wood Ducks*, they made me jump sky high as I had no
warning until they burst into the air right next to me. So, it made for an
exciting walk at least. *Green Herons* were the birds of the trail, and I
saw 5 of them flush from the ditches, several landing in treetops and
providing some really nice photographs. *Great Blue Herons* also were
present, with 2 flushing along the route. A single* Wild Turkey* was seen
far ahead on the trail, so far that the heatlines visible through my
binoculars made it look almost like a fox running off into the distance.
Prairie Warblers were the dominant of the singing birds along this trail.
The terrain here also differs from Washington Ditch, with far more conifer
trees here, meaning a more open sky to be able to pick birds out of.
Both *Black
& Turkey Vultures* were encountered, and also *Red-shouldered & Red-tailed
Hawks*, soaring overhead. The further west I went along the trail, the more
overgrown it began to get, which in hindsight, was a good bit of
foreshadowing. Nearing the end, I got a good look at my FOY *Indigo Bunting*,
sitting high atop a tall tree. Nearby, what I presume was a River Otter was
heard swimming around the ditch, barking at me as I passed. I've heard this
sound many times up north, but it was the first time in Virginia I've
encountered it. I reached the west end of the trail, where the maps show a
junction with the Jericho Ditch Trail, and unfortunately I found out
firsthand that this junction does not exist anymore. The final 20 feet or
so of the trail have been dug up, allowing the waters of the ditch to flow
through. Rather than walk backwards 5 miles around, I hopped a few rocks
that were laid out in the ditch and climbed up the muddy slopes to reach
the Jericho Ditch Trail again. I'm curious as to whether a new culvert is
going to be installed here, and the path reconnected, or if this is just
going to remain as is?
On Jericho Ditch, a woman walking past mentioned she had a Hooded Warbler
fly low across the trail, so I was again on the lookout, but to no avail. I
did finally spot my first *Yellow-rumped Warblers* of the day though, and a
pair of *Great Crested Flycatchers* made for some nice photographs as well.
I made it back to the parking area about 10:15, and decided to head down to
Washington Ditch just to knock off a couple mile miles of exercise, and
maybe see something new. Arriving there about 10:30, right behind another
fellow that had also just left the Jericho area, I headed down the trail.
Great Crested Flycatchers again were seen in several spots, and more
Yellow-rumps appeared here. A pair of *Black-and-White Warblers* was seen a
hundred yards or so east of the parking area on the main trail, fairly high
up in a tree south of the ditch. *Downy Woodpeckers* were also seen in a
couple of spots, and a gentleman was set up waiting for them to hopefully
return to a nest cavity he had found. Near the boardwalk, I heard what I
believe was a *Red-eyed Vireo*, but I could not get a visual to confirm.
Another hiker mentioned hearing a pair of Swainson's Warblers as you near
the Lynn Ditch Trail junction, but again I couldn't pick them out
unfortunately. I'm slowly getting better with the songs of birds, one step
at a time, but I still heavily rely on my eyes for ID confirmations
unfortunately. I made it as far as the Lynn Ditch, then headed back, taking
the boardwalk around, but not noting anything new. Nearing the parking
area, I passed a group from the Cape Henry Audubon Society, about 12-15
members that were just heading out along the boardwalk, and though it was a
bit quiet at that point, with a dozen sets of eyes searching the trees I
hope they picked something interesting out!
Rob Bielawski
Virginia Beach, VA
