I visited the Elklick woodlands (extreme western Fairfax County) this morning
from 6:20 to 7:20 AM. Including roads and trails, I saw a total of 7 turtles!!
2 big snapping turtles, 3 box turtles, and 2 slimmer (flatter) turtles. This
must be the season or something.
Avian highlight was 2 turkeys, separated by at least 1/2 mile (probably not
part of the same pair or flock). So it was a big day for species with "tur" in
the name. I did not see any black or ruddy turnstones out there in the woods,
however.
- Steve Johnson
Fairfax, VA
Canada Goose
Wild Turkey (2)
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Wood-Pewee (3)
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Barn Swallow
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Carolina Wren
Wood Thrush (2)
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird
Brown Thrasher
Field Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Indigo Bunting
Common Grackle
Total: 22 species. Location: 6002 Pleasant Valley Drive, Fairfax County.
Nearby, in Sully Woodlands: Tree Swallow, Baltimore Oriole, Eastern Kingbird,
Gray Catbird.
