VA BIRDers,
With wind, drizzle, rain, snow and intermittent showers, birding was a
challenge this weekend. I tried a few locations hoping to find new migrants
and to fill out my month list. I started at Aquia Landing SP Saturday
morning which was nearly completely fogged in and yielded up only a Winter
Wren and some Rusty BBs as notables. Nearby Raven Rd had a Yellow-bellied
Sapsucker.
I drove through Prince William Forest Park and, although rainy and warm,
very few species were found but at least 7 Pine Warblers sang in the rain.
I headed to Possum Point/Cockpit Point Rds were 2 Brown Thrashers were in
the hedge near the substation - a traditional breeding area. Neabsco Creek
was better as 2 Greater and 1 Lesser Yellowlegs were present along with many
Tree Swallows, some Purple Martins and a No. Rough-winged Swallow. I went to
Dyke Marsh and picked a Barn Swallow out over the Potomac near the marina -
I needed a break so went home. As the rain started letting up at 6pm, I
made a quick walk into Huntley Meadows (visitor center side) and saw the
Blue-winged Teal plus the other waterfowl mentioned by Ben Jessup - on the
way out, a Barred Owl hooted despite the shower squalls.
Sunday started OK, with hardly a drop of rain before 9 am. The breeding
plumage Common Loon at the Dyke Marsh boat ramp was excellent, plus 15 Rusty
BB in the picnic area. Near the Stone Bridge a Barn Swallow was mixed in
with Tree Swallows - then the rain started. Several hours later I was at
Burke Lake - nothing really new on the water but in one of the grass parking
lot strip were 5 Chipping Sparrows. Nearby Lake Royal had the Mute Swan
reported by Fred Atwood 2 weeks ago plus 75 Tree Swallows. I ended at
4-mile Run Park on Commonwealth Street in the City of Alexandria noting 2
adult Black-crowned Night Herons. I quit as the rain was just too annoying!
Kurt Gaskill
