The Black-throated Gray Warbler was relocated again today (1/1/04). It was
first seen this morning at around 10:15 or so. It wasn't in it's "normal" spot.
Instead it was all the way down the hill past the Peetwood(?) Pavilion for
Environmental Education (go past the pavilion as described in other posts, and
keep going, keeping the treeline to your left. The bird was seen at the end of
that treeline after you go down a hill). When word came back uphill that it was
found, everyone walked quickly to the spot, and, when the bird flitted from one
tree to another, lifted their binoculars in unison. Unfortunately, we only got
about 15 seconds worth of viewing when it flew off, back uphill. Everyone then
proceeded back to the "normal" spot.
I had gotten a fairly decent view of the bird and didn't have all day to stick
around, so I headed back to the parking area to look for the Red-breasted
Nuthatches mentioned yesterday (but did not find them). As I was heading back
to my car, a couple of women said they saw a warbler in the company of some
kinglets. A minute later, we had relocated the Black-throated Gray Warbler just
in front of the main building by the parking lot. It was flitting around in
some red cedars. When I left, about 10 minutes later, the bird was still being
seen. Great looks at a great bird! Best of luck if you go looking.
On my way home, I stopped by the pond along Riverside Road that Joe Coleman had
mentioned a few days ago. There were 2 drake Redheads, a female Northern
Shoveler, a Harrier, a Swamp Sparrow and several Tree Sparrows. I didn't have
time to look at all the sparrows, but there was a large flock. I'll definitely
be going back there to explore it more thoroughly.
Andy Rabin
Reston, VA
andyrabin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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