VA BIRDers,
Larry Cartwright lead the regular Sunday morning Field Trip to Dyke Marsh
today, sponsored by the Friends of Dyke Marsh for about the last 18 years
and open to all comers - we meet in the picnic area by the first parking
lot. About 7 people joined today under partly sunny skies, relatively
windless conditions and jacket weather (50-60F). It was an average day for
the trip, netting about 51 species.
We started off checking the ducks in the river and noted the many Ruddy
Ducks and American Coots. Mixed in were Gadwall, Mallard, No. Shoveler, and
Bufflehead. Later on a group of Lesser Scaup few past and then a smaller
second group sat down amidst the other ducks. Whilst watching the ducks,
an Osprey hovered into view.
Haul Road produced many calling, yet hidden, White-throated Sparrows. An
adult Red-shouldered Hawk was near the marina - later we spotted a first
year Red-shouldered Hawk along the dogleg. Just before the dogleg, we heard
a Winter Wren and it was reticent to show itself (typical!). As we walked,
Northern Flickers flew past. Yellow-rumped Warblers were along the dogleg
and, near the end, many more by the boardwalk; Cedar Waxwings were also at
this location. And we actually starting seeing sparrows along the dogleg!
A White-crowned Sparrow was near the end, too. We spotted a couple of
Turkey Vultures and a Sharpie over the trees to the west. On the way back,
we heard a Rusty Blackbird near the marina. The trip list is below.
Kurt Gaskill
Larry's scribe!
PS The DC CBC is 15 Dec and volunteers for the Dyke Marsh Sector are always
welcome! Lots of ground to cover and many interesting places that typically
sees few birders. Send Rich Rieger a note if you're interested -
zelig88@xxxxxxx
C. Goose 110
Gadwall 8
Mallard 40
No. Shoveler 20
Lesser Scaup 40
Bufflehead 8
Ruddy Duck 600
DC Cormorant 12
Great Blue Heron 5
Great Egret 3
Turkey Vulture 2
Osprey 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Am. Coot 700
Laughing Gull 500
Ring-billed Gull 15
Herring Gull 1
Great Black-backed Gull 8
Mourning Dove 40
Belted Kingfisher 3
Red-bellied WP 8
Downy WP 5
No. Flicker 9
Blue Jay 12
Am. Crow 1
Fish Crow 15
C. Chickadee 10
T. Titmouse 6
C. Wren 9
W. Wren 1
GC Kinglet 2
RC Kinglet 1
Am. Robin 12
No. Mocker 2
E. Starling 140
Cedar Waxwing 16
Yellow-rumped Warbler 15
E. Towhee 1
Song Sp 10
Swamp Sp 8
White-thr Sp 40
White-crowned Sp 1
No. Cardinal 6
Red-winged BB 25
Rusty BB 1
Common Grackle 12
House Finch 8
Am. Goldfinch 35
House Sparrow 20
