VA BIRDers,
I arrived at Blandy about 930 and quickly heard flying White-winged
Crossbills behind the house with the first set of feeders near the main
parking lot. At least 2 very active birds, difficult to get a look through
the canopy of trees near the first set of feeders. They seemed to head east
and then west and I attempted to follow then. The last calls came from the
direction of the conifer grove south of the offices. When I arrived at the
conifer grove, all was quiet (crossbill-wise). Of course, the other birds
were still moving and calling - lots of RB Nuthatches, Pine Siskins, and few
House Finch and Goldfinch. I waited about 30 minutes, noting a Sharpie, but
no crossbills returned.
I headed to the Loggerhead Shrike field and the bird was perched near the
weather station. I walked the field east to the bushy area which seemed to
me to be potential Common Redpoll habitat. On the way 2 Am. Pipits flew
over and 2 Eastern Meadowlarks crossed the field. The bushy area held 3 Am.
Tree Sparrows plus other sparrows. I went back to my car (nr the weather
station) and met Wes Teets. We joined forces and birded the road and then
the area near the little wetland and boardwalk - Red-headed WPs called along
the way. Some Rusty BB were still at the wetland as well as an Eastern
Phoebe. But, no redpoll. I hope someone finds the bird(s) again and posts
the location.
Heading home, I stopped at Snickers Gap for a short time - it was late,
about 1pm, and a fourth year Bald Eagle flew over but little else in the
raptor department. At the trail entrance a Gray Catbird called out. I then
headed home.
Kurt Gaskill
