I was at Jericho Ditch at 7:30 yesterday (I'd thought the walk was there,
d'oh! Always read carefully, people!). Results were good, with many
personal FOS birds. I was surprised to hear both Prairie Warblers and Grey
Catbirds singing from many locations along the loop. Isn't this quite early
for both species? Anyway, Pine Warblers, Common Yellowthroats, and
White-Eyed Vireos were also making noise, and there seemed to be a Wood
Duck flying up every 50 ft.
Butterflies were sparse, unsurprisingly, during my first loop, but things
warmed up after a snack back at the car. Species seen: American Lady, Zebra
Swallowtail (many many many), Pearl Crescent, Eastern Tiger-Swallowtail,
Palamedes Swallowtail, Henry's Elfin, Great Purple Hairstreak, Duskywing
sp. (Probably a Horace's, I suppose, but I am so far from being able to
tell them apart).
Overall, an excellent day, despite my goof about the location!
Alan Handley
Arlington County
