A quick follow-up on Rich Rieger's field post about the Bonaparte's Gull,
et. al.
Rich and I met up at Huntley Meadows (main side at 8 a.m. this morning).
Things were a bit cold, breezy, and slow on the walk to the wetland area. We
did encounter 2 adult Red-headed WP near the intersection of Heron & Cedar
Trails. We got 6 WP species, missing only YB Sapsucker. As others have noted
recently, water levels in the wetland are such that we may refer to it as
Lake Huntley from now on. The ducks like it, as we found 10 species. Best
find was a lone male Bufflehead, rarely seen there. Nice numbers of N.
Pintails and Ring-necked Ducks were present, and at least 100 Mallards.
Others were Am. Black Duck, GW Teal, No. Shoveler, Gadwall, Am. Wigeon, and
Wood Ducks.
Next we started out heading out to Pohick Bay Regional Park, looking
especially for RN Grebes. On the way I suggested that we stop at Accotink
Bay on Ft. Belvior, as it is directly across the bay from Pohick. That was a
good decision, as scoping across to Pohick Bay found very little on the
water on that side (so we never went there). However, Accotink Bay was
fairly productive. Among the highlights there were at least 10 Osprey, with
2 nest platforms already holding a pair. It was nearly low tide and there
were quite a few birds to see down by the archery range. Highlights there
were the previously reported Bonaparte's Gull, 2 Greater Yellowlegs, all 3
Mergansers, and 57 Tundra Swans. On they way up to hill to exit we found a
small flock of Savannah Sparrows.
Having dipped on attempts to find Pine Warblers at a couple of spots on the
way in, we headed across the post to Jackson Miles Abbot Wetland. However
the pines there did not hold one either.
We headed back home with 66 species for the day and glad the sun had warmed
things up a bit.
Dave Boltz
Alexandria/Fairfax Co.
-----Original Message-----
From: Appleaday
Sent: Friday, March 14, 2014 12:32 PM
To: Bird sightings in Virginia
Subject: [Va-bird] Bonaparte 's gull/Accotink bay
One only. Small black bill. Smudge behind eye. Also Yellowlegs sp. all 3
Mergansers, 57 Tundra Swans and maybe 10 Osprey.
Dave Boltz
Rich Rieger
Sent from my iPhone
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