VA BIRDers,
Wonderful autumn weather greeted the half dozen participants to today's
field trip to Dyke Marsh, sponsored by the Friends of Dyke Marsh and free to
all. And, along with the blue skies and mild temperatures there was fine
bird activity. The highlight today was undoubtedly the Cedar Waxwing show
near the end of Haul Road along the dogleg. The birds were zipping this way
and that, holding us enthralled for many minutes. Mixed in were many
American Robins, Yellow-rumped Warblers and American Goldfinch.
We started at the Potomac River's edge in the picnic area picking out Ruddy
Ducks and Pied-billed Grebes mixed in with the hundreds of American Coot.
Bob Beard pulled a male Ring-necked Duck out of the mass of waterfowl, first
of the season at Dyke. Our scans also found many Northern Shovelers, some
Gadwall and a pair of American Wigeon. We could hear the Greater Yellowlegs
on the Hunting Creek mudflats and finally got one in the scope. As we moved
through the picnic area a warbler flitted past into the tree/vine patch on
the southern end. It hover-gleaned low in the vines - 1-5 feet, and
reminded one of a kinglet. At first I thought Bay-breasted but I have come
around to Blackpoll Warbler as it lacked extensive buffy-ness on the flanks
and rear. Nearby a small noise attracted us to a young Rose-breasted
Grosbeak, and both kinglets were nearby. Near the marina we pished in Song
and Swamp Sparrows and watched the American Robins and Yellow-rumped
Warblers swoop about along the tree/cattail edge. Down Haul Rd we came
across a small group of warblers and all had great looks at Magnolia,
Blackpoll and Palm Warblers. Further down a furtive young female Common
Yellowthroat caught our eyes. Many Swamp Sparrows called from the marsh and
pishing brought up 5 fairly quickly. A nearby Winter Wren dived for cover
and was never seen nor heard from again. Then we hit the waxwing show. On
the viewing platforms we caught sight of Red-tailed and Red-shouldered
Hawks.
After the field trip I visited the Stone Bridge and found a few more Greater
Yellowlegs, spotted some Killdeer and noted a Caspian Tern. Today's list of
61 species is below.
Kurt Gaskill
C. Goose 60
Tundra Swan 1, waiting for visitors
Gadwall 16
Am. Wigeon 2
Mallard 90
No. Shoveler 20
Ring-necked Duck 1
Ruddy Duck 8
Pied-billed Grebe 8
DC Cormorant 80
Great Blue Heron 14
Great Egret 8
Bald Eagle 2
Red-shouldered 1
Red-tailed 1
Am. Coot 400
Killdeer 3
Greater Yellowlegs 4
L. Gull 500
Ring-billed Gull 200
Herring Gull 25
Great Black-backed Gull 6
Caspian Tern 1
Forster's Tern 12
Rock Pigeon 25
Mourning Dove 7
Belted Kingfisher 2
Red-bellied WP 6
Downy WP 4
Hairy WP 1
No. Flicker 4
Blue Jay 8
Am. Crow 1
Fish Crow 7
C. Chickadee 6
T. Titmouse 4
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
C. Wren 7
W. Wren 1
GC Kinglet 3
RC Kinglet 6
E. Bluebird 7, today's surprise migrant!
Am. Robin 35
No. Mocker 2
E. Starling 15
Cedar Waxwing 90, a conservative count
Magnolia Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 35
Palm Warbler 1
Blackpoll Warbler 4
Common Yellowthroat 1
Song Sp 22
Swamp Sp 15
White-thr Sp 12
No. Cardinal 12
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1
Red-winged BB 35
Common Grackle 70
House Finch 9
Am. Goldfinch 15
House Sp 13
