VA BIRDers,
Although mostly cloudy, cool, and a bit breezy, the rain held off this
morning at Dyke Marsh and 6 intrepid souls had an excellent time with
migrants. Highlights were at least one Philadelphia Vireo and 2 Lincoln's
Sparrows. We started off in the picnic area going over ducks and noted the
close-by Blue-winged Teal and American Wigeon. More distant were a portion
of the Northern Shoveler group. Lots of tern action and small flyby group
of No. Rough-winged Swallows engaged us for a moment yet no sign of the
Tundra Swan this morning (hiding?). Walking through the picnic area we came
upon a Rose-breasted Grosbeak and then a few more warblers including great
looks at Magnolia Warbler. Down Haul Rd we met a good sized flock of
migrants that held most representatives of the migrants today including the
Philly Vireo. Further down the road a Yellow-billed Cuckoo picked Poison
Ivy berries. Overhead, 2 juvenile Cooper's Hawks put on a show - probably
fledged from the nest across the street. Greater Yellowlegs flew over the
main marsh and 2 Red-tailed Hawks and 4 Broad-winged Hawks flew over the
ridge of trees near the parkway. On the return trip up Haul Rd 3 Tree
Swallows flew past and we came upon our only American Goldfinch which
appeared to be hanging out with 2 Lincoln's Sparrows - excellent looks at
one which perched for about a minute at close quarters. After the trip, Bob
Beard and I walked the edge of trees to the picnic area and noted 6 American
Coots near the shoreline and pulled out a Yellow Warbler. Including these
latter, and a House Wren along the bike path as I walked to the picnic area,
the trip netted 64 species. The list is below.
Kurt Gaskill
C. Goose 50+
Am. Wigeon 2
Am. Black Duck 2
Mallard 200-ish
Blue-winged Teal 5
No. Shoveler 30
Pied-billed Grebe 3
DC Cormorant 10
Great Blue Heron 10
Great Egret 35
Black Vulture 1
Bald Eagle 3
Cooper's Hawk 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Broad-winged Hawk 4
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Am. Coot 6
Greater Yellowlegs 3
L. Gull 50+
Ring-billed Gull 40
Caspian Tern 4
Forster's Tern 15
Rock Pigeon 7
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1
Chimney Swift 250 - what a show!
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied WP 4
Downy WP 5
No. Flicker 3
E. Wood Pewee 3
E. Phoebe 3
Philadelphia V 1-2
Red-eyed V 1
Blue Jay 14
Am. Crow 5
Tree Swallow 3
C. Chickadee 7
T. Titmouse 7
No. Rough-winged Sw 7
White-br Nuthatch 2
C. Wren 8
H. Wren 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Am. Robin 7
Gray Catbird 5
No. Mocker 1
E. Starling 10
No. Parula 4
Yellow 1
Chestnut-sided 3
Magnolia 5
Black-thr Blue 2
Black-thr Green 2
Bay-breasted 2
Blackpoll 3
Black & White 2
Am. Redstart 2
Com. Yellowthroat 5
Lincoln's Sp 2
No. Cardinal 18
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1
Red-winged BB 35
Com. Grackle 12
Am. Goldfinch 1
