VA-Birders,
With the beautiful sunny day, we decided to get outside and enjoy the birds. We
started in Yorktown and drove up the Colonial Parkway to Jamestown Island. The
Colonial Parkway has an amazing variety of birds due to the various habitats
encountered along the way. We tallied 57 species and had some very special
experiences.
Highlights of the day:
- 50+ CEDAR WAXWINGS in the Yorktown Visitor Center parking lot. Many came very
close to us as they flew down 12-15 at a time and drank water from a puddle
left by the recent rain. Several EASTERN BLUEBIRDS and 30+ DARK-EYED JUNCOS
were also in the parking lot. (This parking lot is an excellent birding spot at
other times of the year as well).
- 1,500+ Ruddy Ducks at their usual hang-out on the York River - the Cheatam
Annex Overlook and east. There were 4 LESSER SCAUP mixed in with them. We also
saw 44 HORNED GREBES and two BROWN PELICANS from that spot.
- 5 BALD EAGLES (3 adult and 2 immature) along the Parkway
- At Jones Mill Pond we had GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET, BROWN CREEPER and great
looks at a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK flying overhead.
- At College Creek there were another 100+ RUDDY DUCKS.
Jamestown Island was really fun - lots of bird activity on the Island Drive,
and we were there in the afternoon between 12:30 and 3:00 PM! At the first
bridge there were 36 AMERICAN BLACK DUCKS. Along the drive we saw every
Woodpecker species except Hairy, including 7 RED-HEADED (1 adult and 6
immature). At one point a HERMIT THRUSH landed on a bare limb right next to us.
Immediately after that, we saw a male RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET flash his red head
at the same time that a male GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET showed his yellow streak.
Very cool! On the James River at the far end of the drive were 6 RED-BREASTED
MERGANSERS. Other treats included good looks at BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH and
EASTERN TOWHEE.
As we were leaving we counted 54 KILDEER sitting along the bank of the east
side of the island entrance! That was a record number for us. And as we
approached College Creek we spotted an AMERICAN KESTREL sitting on a bare
branch.
GREAT birding - and Merry Christmas to all!
Meredith and Lee Bell
Hayes, VA
