VA BIRDers,
I visited Huntley Meadows on the VC/Boardwalk side this morning. I missed
the Greater White-fronted Goose, but heard David Ledwith's Common
Yellowthroat in the area he reported, noted a single Common Grackle over the
pond (apparently there are about 8 Com. Grackles at Huntley this winter,
given the CBC tally) and spotted an American Tree Sparrow about 50 feet
along the first portion of the boardwalk, placidly feeding with about 14
Song Sparrows and 4 Swamp Sparrows.
After a bagel, I visited the trail north of Dyke Marsh picnic area and
finally spotted the Nashville Warbler (see prior message).
After lunch, I went to Burke Lake and saw a different mix than Phil - no
dabblers, 16 Common Mergansers. (On Friday I had seen the Cackling Goose
there and 3 Canvasbacks, lots of turn over!)
On moved on to nearby Royal Lake and tallied the Mute Swan. Plus and
unexpected 2 male Wood Ducks plus a handful of Mallards and 7 Hooded
Mergansers. A pleasant surprise.
These efforts resulted in 4 monthly notches today, a good start to the New
Year!
Kurt Gaskill
