Hi Va Birders - this is a message directed more toward Fairfax Co. and NoVa
birders and I apologize in advance if it is slightly off the "business" of the
listserv. It does concern birds. Please read and feel free to comment to me
directly offline or take some action on your own -
There is a large, mostly grassy field behind the historic Barrett House (where
Workhouse Rd. meets Lorton Rd) that is now owned by Fairfax Co. After a few
inquiries, Sherman Suter and I were able to ask the Resource Mgr if that field
could be left to grow up in hopes of attracting grassland birds, specifically
Bobolinks, which used to nest in the area when Lorton prison was still in
existence. The grass is growing and Bobolinks have been present in the field
since at least April 29. We recently confirmed E. Meadowlark nesting (carrying
nesting material) and Bobwhites have been heard on the Lorton Golf Course ,
just to the north. There is also a chance that Grasshopper Sparrows may drop
in, as they are present on the Lorton landfill cap (not too far away).
Encouraged by the presence of Bobolinks, I wrote Ed Richardson, the Resource
Manager of that area, to thank him and let him know what was going on. I'm
pasting in part of his reply -
"Coincidently, we are looking for other flying sites and had a meeting about
the topic yesterday. Because of the space requirements, additional flying sites
will likely be limited to small drones and small model aircraft. One site being
considered is the field behind the Barrett House. Keeping people not involved
in flying out of the flight zone is a big concern, and staff feel that
non-participants aren’t likely to enter a field that is mowed only once a year."
It is my humble opinion that drones and planes buzzing the field would NOT be
good for the birds - currently that field is off limits to flying.
The Fairfax Co. Supervisor in charge of this area is Dan Storck - his office #
is 703-780-7518. He is out of the office for the rest of today (Wed) but will
be back Friday.
Please call and register a vote for the birds! (If you have any other
connections to Fairfax Co. Resource Mgmt, please call them.) I think our
united voices may outnumber the voices of RC plane and drone owners - I don't
know. I do know we won't know until we make a stink -
Spoiler alert - as per the "Master Plan" - this field is destined to become
soccer fields at some point, but not in the near future. Let's see if we can
give the grassland birds a boost in the meantime.
Thanks
Rich Rieger
Alexandria
