VA Birders,
I spent yesterday morning trolling about Fauquier County and found some fun
birds. I started early at CF Phelps WMA off Summerduck Road, hitting both the
Resident Manager's House and the Sighting-In Range. On the gravel road going
to the Resident Manager's House I had two Eastern Whip-Poor-Wills singing from
the road. My headlights reflected off their eyes in a devilish red glow. This
was my first experience actually seeing the little buggers; it was pretty darn
neat.
At the Sighting-In Range I had approximately 40 species, including: Baltimore
and Orchard Orioles, Barred Owl, White-eyed Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo,
Yellow-throated Vireo, Northern Parula, Chat, Swainson's and Wood Thrushes,
Acadian Flycatcher, Ovenbird, Prairie Warbler, and Black-and-White Warbler,
among others.
After Phelps, I went in search of the Dickcissels that were reported by the
NVBC on Thursday. I found several singing from the wires on Grassdale Road. I
also heard a Northern Bobwhite fairly close to the road, but I am not convinced
that a resident of Grassdale Road isn't raising Bobwhite, so I am reluctant to
consider it wild. The next time I'm down there I plan to ask the homeowner if
they are indeed raising Bobwhite.
I found three more Dickcissels in Culpeper County near the Woodward Turf Farm
on that side of the river.
My checklists are below.
-Perri
Phelps- Resident Manager's House:
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S10903012
Phelps- Sighting-In Range:
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S10903321
Savannah Branch Mudflat:
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S10903459
Grassdale Road:
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S10903649
Norman's Ford Road (Woodward Turf Farm, Fauquier County):
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S10903741
Newbys Shop Road (leading to Woodward Turf Farm, Culpeper County):
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S10903901
State Route 653 off Savannah Branch Road, Fauquier County:
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S10904107
