My out-of-town birding friend and I birded Blandy Farm part of the day
Friday. We did see the Shrike, twice, from two different locations, at
two different times.
Initially, we found it in the field by RT.50, looking from RT.50, by the
private lane across the road. It was sitting on a white stake and flying
around, hunting. Later in the afternoon, we found it on a small tree/bush,
hunting, by looking down the mowed lane by the weather station in the field
from the loop road. . Nice looks both times.
We also found lots of very vocal Red-breasted nuthatches, a few female
Purple Finches, and an assortment of sparrows.
Of most interest, we had a short look at a very unusual soaring raptor (it
appeared by shape and size to probably be a Red-tailed hawk),that was
COMPLETELY WHITE. We only saw it for two or three minutes as it circled
and gained altitude. I've never seen such a completely white bird before in
my life . It was really stunning.
I will post more on it later after I do some more research.
--
Donald Sweig
Falls Church, Va.
