Ten birders took part in the scheduled walk at the Blue Ridge Center for
Environmental Studies in Loudoun Co. In spite of the COLD, we endured to
discover a nice list of post-Winter birds. Compared to any other March day,
one might have expected a good number of typical early-Spring birds, but it
was not exactly a Spring-type day (27F-38F). Regardless, we found 36 species
and had a good time.
Most unexpected were 2 skeins of Canada Geese, flying north overhead (Really
HIGH), that appeared to be actually migrating (about 100 in each group). A
few Tree Swallows are back, in spite of the fact that there is little bug
life to hunt. Although relatively quiet in the woods, we did come upon a few
hunting parties of typical birds. We always enjoy White-crowned Sparrows (5
or more) and since they won't be around much longer, it's just another
treat. Yellow-rumped Warblers were found, but not in the numbers we might
have expected.
'BEST BIRD' was probably the Cooper's Hawk that we saw twice in the area,
working the field edges, and more or less "hanging out" in search of a meal.
Jon & BJ Little
Winchester
