VA BIRDers,
Nine people participated in Prince William Conservation Alliance's Field
Trip to the Route 234 Wetlands Mitigation Site, also known as the Manassas
Airport Wetlands. We started at 730am to a wonderful sunrise, blue skies,
and cool temperatures (about 50F) that warmed to 70F when we finished at
about 1030am. Highlights were a great warbler showing with 12 species
encountered and I think everyone got to see at least one of each species.
The Tennessee Warblers were a delight, the Blackburnian amazing, and the
various Black-throated Greens were bright to behold. Palm Warbler took the
high count at 14 observed. Only one flycatcher - Eastern Phoebes, but these
were present in excellent number. Song Sparrows were showing up in small
numbers, two dozen or so, and many Field Sparrows and Eastern Towhees were
present. A lone Green Heron was a surprise and 2 Wood Ducks flew over our
shoulders. Everyone was thrilled with the Cooper's Hawk show. The top
species in numbers were, naturally, Blue Jay with about 110 recorded - most
of the big movements were before 9am. Below is the list of 55 species
encountered. (and a few Monarchs were seen, too) And cross your fingers as
another trip to this wetland is being lined up for the end of October - an
announcement will be made.
After the trip I drove to Merrimac Farm to visit with various Conservation
Alliance members and the Virginia Native Plane Society (geez, I hope I got
the name right, anyway, a field trip took place in the afternoon). Notable
on the way through the Nokesville area was Common Raven on Parkgate Rd.
Kurt Gaskill
C. Goose 15
Wood Duck 2
Mallard 5
Great Blue Heron 6
Green Heron 1
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Killdeer 2
Rock Pigeon 30
Mourning Dove 10
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied WP 6
Downy WP 7
Hairy WP 1
No. Flicker 7
E. Phoebe 8
Red-eyed V 1
Blue Jay 110
Am. Crow 60
C. Chickadee 7
T. Titmouse 6
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
C. Wren 12
H. Wren 1
E. Bluebird 20
Am. Robin 12
Gray Catbird 6
No. Mocker 2
E. Starling 8
Tennessee 2
Nashville 2
No. Parula 2
Magnolia 3
Black-thr Blue 2
Yellow-rumped 2
Black-throated Green 4
Blackburnian 1
Palm 14
Black & White 1
Am. Redstart 1
Com. Yellowthroat 8
Scarlet Tanager 1
E. Towhee 7
Field Sp 10
Song Sp. 30
No. Cardinal 10
Blue Grosbeak 3
Indigo Bunting 15
Red-winged BB 2
Com Grackle 6
House Finch 2
Am. Goldfinch 20
