VA BIRDers,
A somewhat coolish start to the morning for the Friends of Dyke Marsh Sunday
morning field trip, ending near 11 am at 86F. Top bird was a Least Bittern
over the Southside marsh seen from the dogleg. Other highlights were
Acadian Flycatcher, staging Purple Martins, Marsh Wrens, southbound
Louisiana Waterthrush, Prothonotary Warbler, Yellow Warbler, and Orchard
Oriole family group. The morning netted 48 species, list below.
We started, as usual, in the picnic area and heard and briefly saw an
Eastern Kingbird. 40-ish Canada Geese and Mallards floated just offshore in
the high tide. At the southern end of the picnic area we saw many Common
Grackles, heard an Indigo Bunting and noted a male Orchard Oriole with 2
hatch year birds. All Ospreys appeared to be fledged and learning fishing
skills. A flyby of a half dozen Great Egrets near the boat launch was
wonderful. The ramp road area held a calling Prothonotary Warbler which
came in and posed to the delight of the group. Near the beginning of Haul Rd
was an Acadian Flycatcher and 2 Northern Parulas. Nearby, a Louisiana
Waterthrush posed on a log which was wonderful; this appears to be my
earliest migrating LA Waterthrush in Northern VA as this species does not
breed at Dyke.
Sightings along the dogleg and nearby platforms were also good - staging
Purple Martins, a Least Bittern flying low over the reeds in the northern
marsh, Marsh Wrens, many Eastern Kingbirds, 2 Gray Catbirds, a couple of
singing Common Yellowthroats, and more Orchard Orioles. On the way back, a
tree held an insect eruption as 2 dozen Chimney Swifts were congregating
near it.
The mornings list is below. After the big football game, I went to the Stone
Bridge at about 6 pm and tallied 7 more species for the day: Wood Duck (7,
all hatch year), more Great Blue Herons, Bald Eagles (2 hatch year and 1
adult), Killdeer, Least Sandpiper (adult), Laughing Gull (3), Ring-billed
Gull (110), and 4 Rock Pigeons. In the wetland NW of the bridge an Indigo
Bunting was singing.
Kurt Gaskill
C. Goose 40
Mallard 40
DC Cormorant 3
Least Bittern 1
Great Blue Heron 3
Great Egret 8
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 1
Mourning Dove 2
C. Swift 30
RB Woodpecker 3
Downy WP 2
No. Flicker 2
Acadian FC 1
Great Crested FC 1, at the parking lot upon return
E. Kingbird 7
Warbling V 1, brief song
Blue Jay 2
Am. Crow 2
Fish Crow 4
Purple Martin 12
Tree Sw 3
Barn Sw 6
C. Chickadee 5
T. Titmouse 3
White-br Nuthatch 2
C. Wren 8
M. Wren 3
BG Gnatcatcher 3
Am. Robing 6
Gray Catbird 2
E. Starling 7
No. Parula 2
Yellow 1
Prothonotary 1
LA Waterthrush 1
Com. Yellowthroat 2
Song Sp 1
No. Cardinal 8
Indigo Bunting 2
RW Blackbird 12
Com. Grackle 12
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
Orchard O 5
House Finch 5
Am. Goldfinch 5
House Sparrow 4
