I spent the morning birdwatching at Aquia Landing and Crow's Nest. Things were
slow to warm up, but I ended up having a great early spring outing. Aquia
still held small numbers of waterfowl -- gadwall, lesser scaup, coots, and a
horned grebe. Northern Parulas were singing from many spots -- along with
common yellowthroats. I found three species of vireos -- blue headed, white
eyed, and red-eyed. Savannah sparrows are hanging on -- I found three, along
with towhees, song, swamp, and gobs of white-throated. Bonaparte's and
Caspian Terns are out on the water.
I then went to Crow's Nest -- the trail from the parking area now goes about
1/2 a mile along the creek and there is a nice new boardwalk/kayak launch that
goes out into the marsh. Bald Eagles, Red Tailed Hawks, and osprey circled.
Several Wood Ducks. Passerines are picking up - the best from this spot was an
early Black Throated Blue. A Yellow Throated Vireo sang from the parking area
making it a 4 vireo morning. I met Michael Lott, the Preserve Naturalist. He
and I birded the trail and had a good time with white eyed vireos,
gnatcatchers, Red eyed vireos, and a Piliated.
Mike suggested I stop by the entrance to the Preserve along Raven Road. The
entrance is not open -- but there is good birding along the road. I found
Louisiana waterthrush, ovenbird, Parula, 3 Hooded, and a beautiful, and
extremely cooperative Protonothory.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/73831614@N00/sets/72157651645310940/
