VA Birders,
Despite temperatures just above 20F and an occasional breeze the count did well
with the total currently at 109 species and only a few outstanding reports
which are not expected to affect the outcome. This is just a little below the
long term average of 112 to 113. Unusual and/or notable species were: Cackling
Goose off Mason Neck, Eurasian Wigeon in Pohick Bay, Long-tailed Duck off Occ
Bat NWR near the Potomac, Great Egret at Occ. Bay NWR, Merlin at Huntley
Meadows and Maryland, Lesser Yellowlegs at the Cole Treatment Plant in Lorton,
Glaucous Gull in the Occoquan River, Common Raven in several places, American
Pipits at Mason Neck NWR and the Lorton landfill, Yellow Warbler at Leesylvania
SP, Clay-colored Sparrow at Laurel Hill Eq. Area, Lincoln’s Sparrow in
Veteran’s Park (north side) and 2 Pine Siskin in a big goldfinch flock in the
Huntley Meadows area.
Other interesting and more common species found were: Wood Duck, Common
Goldeneye, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Wilson’s Snipe, American Woodcock, Wild
Turkey, the three typical owls, and Eastern Meadowlark.
Count Week species were: Eared Grebe in Pohick Bay, Iceland Gull in the
Occoquan River, Peregrine Falcon at Belmont Marina, House Wren at Lorton
landfill, and Pine Warbler at a feeder in the Woodbridge area.
My grateful thank yous to all the volunteers and Sector Leaders who made the
count possible. See you on the next count Sunday, Dec 30, 2018!
Kurt Gaskill, compiler
Sent from my iPad
