I was joined by Russ Taylor, Peter Ross and Molly Ross in a survey of
some locations in and in the general vicinity of Vienna. We went to
Eakin Park, (where we birded with Phil Kenny and his father), Scott's
Run, Lake Fairfax, Wolf Trap, and Wolftrap Stream Valley Park. We
managed 73 species. Eakin Park had a Blue-winged Warbler, Redstarts,
Swainson's Thrushes and several vocal Great-crested and Acadian
Flycatchers. At Scott's Run, it was mostly an exercise in birding by
ear. We saw a few birds, but most were heard. Notables included
Worm-eating Warblers, LA Waterthrushes, YB Cuckoos, and a Scarlet
Tanager. Lake Fairfax had some Spotted Sandpipers, an Orchard Oriole,
and some Indigo Buntings which were chasing each other around a field.
At Wolf Trap there was a briefly seen YT Vireo, a Veery, and a Northern
Waterthrush. Another highlight at Wolf Trap involved a huge Snapping
Turtle which we surprised on the path. The turtle backed away from us
and proceeded to slowly slide down the bank and eventually enter the
water with a loud splash. Russ and I finished up at Wolftrap Stream
Valley Park in Vienna where we heard a Yellow Warbler and saw a pair of
Baltimore Orioles.
Complete lists of birds seen at these locations are available upon
request.
Larry Meade
Vienna, VA