I set out this morning to find dickcissel around Nokesville in Prince William
Co. I found one singing along Parkgate Drive, between Brookfield and Aden Rds.
Also seen while cruising the roads were many grasshopper sparrows and
meadowlarks, kestrel, bobwhite, blue grosbeak, prairie warbler, and chat. I
also spent some time at Bristow Battlefield, which has great habitat for
grassland species. Grasshopper sparrow, field sparrow, and meadowlark were
plentiful, and a few blackpolls were in the woods. Afterwards I headed to the
eastern part of the county and hiked the Powell’s Creek trail at Leesylvania
SP, hoping for gray-cheeked thrush. No thrushes other than wood, but I did
hear black-throated blue, blackpoll, and prothonotary warblers, both tanagers
and both orioles. Next I went to Metz Wetlands where I hiked the trails with
Scott Priebe. We saw a nice Wilson’s warbler, redstart, yellow warbler, and
white-eyed vireo.
Marc Ribaudo
Woodbridge
