VA BIRDers,
I signed on with Sector Leader Gerco Hoogeweg for the Manassas Count this
past Sunday. Bob Ward and I were assigned the Clifton subsector for the
count. It was gray, somewhat calm in the morning. This turned to rain later
the morning and misting events before and after. By 11 the wetness stopped.
Little wind until after 3 pm. We visited the Rust Sanctuary and then nearby
Clifton Park. We then walked the railroad tracks for 2 or more miles until
the Prince William Co line - and then turned back. (This was when the rain
hit, not fun). We counted 4 trains and one pickup riding the rails. I
would characterize this area as exburbs - significant habitat still present
but impacted by man. No fields to speak of, mainly woods and house lots
where fields were. Many streams of various sizes. I think it would be a
interesting place to live - terrible commute, though.
Anyway, to the meat. Highlights were overlying Pine Siskin at Rust, Purple
Finches here and there. Great numbers of Cedar Waxwings - 338 was our tally
making it top tally of the day. Juncos, White-throated Sparrows, Song
Sparrow and Blue Jays take the next 4 positions. We found 3 Savannah
Sparrows on a power line cut near Balmoral GC, which may be the best species
for the route.
I think the most significant thing about the count was that, despite valiant
efforts by Bob and myself, we tallied NOT ONE Canada Goose, Mourning Dove or
Hermit Thrush. Go figure.
I reproduced below our numbers so others in similar situations can compare.
The species count was 45.
Kurt Gaskill
Black Vulture 3
Turkey Vulture 5
Sharpie 2
Coops 1
Red-shouldered 3
Red-tailed 3
Ring-billed Gull 1
Red-bellied WP 21
YB Sapsucker 1
Downy WP 11
Hairy WP 8
No. Flicker 14
Pileated WP 6
Blue Jay 70
Am Crow 31
Fish Crow 17
C. Chickadee 27
T. Titmouse 33
RB Nuthatch 2
White-breasted Nuthatch 18
Brown Creeper 1
C. Wren 13
W. Wren 2
GC Kinglet 3
RC Kinglet 7
E. Bluebird 39, a fine count for this species!
Am. Robin 57
No. Mocker 4
Cedar Waxwing 338
E. Starling 34
Yellow-rumped 21
No. Cardinal 65
E. Towhee 5
Field Sp 14
Savannah Sp 3
Fox Sp 1
Song Sp. 75
Swamp Sp 1
White-throated Sp 76
Junco 95
Purple Finch 5
Pine Siskin 1
Am. Goldfinch 28
House Sp 4
