I stopped by Green Springs Garden Park in Fairfax County after work today to
gauge migrant activity. If there are migrants there, it is a pretty good sign
that migrants are moving through in good numbers. There is a stream that runs
through the lower end of the park that has a path and two small ponds on one
side and a hill side with large rhododendrons and mature trees on the other.
This small area is uncommon around here (it reminds me of places in the
shenandoahs and further up in the mountains).
This evening I immediately ran into a female Blackburnian Warbler, then a set
of six Magnolias in a loose flock. As I watched them, a Black Throated Blue
male came down to check me out. Further down in the Rhododendrons, two Common
Yellowthroats were banging around. Finally, I spotted a Parula and a Redstart
way up in one of the trees.
Pretty good for a small area (about 1/4 mile long) and 30 minutes or so of
observation.
Tonight the radar looks interesting -- currently there is a slight wind from
the north and a good plume of activity is showing up in the DC radar. Just to
the south some clouds are come up and should move through later tonight. They
may be strong enough to interupt some of the migrants moving through.
If you are out bird watching tomorrow .. give a quick post on what you see.
Bill
