Dave Boltz and I decided to go birding today. With mixed results.
Starting at Leesylvania, there was some action just after sunrise.
Unfortunately for us, it was mostly confined to the tops of the
tallest trees. We were able to tease out a few warblers, MAGNOLIA and
REDSTARTS being the most popular. We also managed CHESTNUT SIDED,B&W,
COMMON YELLOWTHROAT and one PINE.
Overhead we had small numbers of TREE SWALLOWS, w a few ROUGHWINGS
mixed in and one BARN SWALLOW as well. CHIMNEY SWIFTS were flying as
well.
When the rain started, we headed to POSSUM POINT, thinking we could do
some car birding along Cockpit Road. Rain got heavier, so that put the
kibosh on that. We did see 7 WOOD DUCKS perched on a log in one of the
inlets and a WHITE EYED VIREO sang to us there as well.
Heading to Occoquan Bay NWR, thinking we could drive the wildlife
loop, the rain stopped so we decided to do a loop on foot. As we were
getting out of the car, a RS HAWK flew in and perched on a sign by the
picnic tables... We found a BLUE GROSBEAK near the duck pond and as we
headed toward Deep Hole Point, we saw another RS HAWK perched and then
chased off the perch by a COOPERS HAWK.
As we walked toward Deep Hole Point, we found some mixed flocks that
included REDSTARTS, MAGNOLIAS, a CHESTNUT SIDED or two, and
BLACKBURNIAN warblers. Non warbers included CEDAR WAXWINGS, lots of
CATBIRDS, two THRASHERS and the usual suspects.
Most surprising bird was probably the BARRED OWL that flushed as we
reached Deep Hole Point. It was perched by the porta john and flew off
toward Belmont Bay.
All in all, a pretty good day...
Rich Rieger
Alexandria
