VA BIRDers,
I visited Huntley Meadows this morning, starting from the backside
(Telegraph Rd) entrance at about 615. I ran into Ben Jesup about a half
hour later. We birded up to the platform and one of the meadows nearby -
Ben had to leave then and I finished up another meadow and then went to the
visitor center side and worked that platform edge (which was decidedly less
productive, probably due to the late hour as it was past 10am). Top bird
today was a Least Flycatcher repeatedly calling but unseen inside the edge
near the woodcock meadow. Very few migrants today - many were shorebirds!
The next big highlight was 6 Little Blue Herons a few hundred yards up
Barnyard Run (I was told 7 were present earlier, but I could only tally 6) -
all were hatch year (white phase). Another highlight was the fine hawk show
over the main pond near 11am - 4 Red-shouldered Hawks put up (at least 2
were hatch year) and 2 Red-tailed Hawks (adults) joined in plus distant
vultures. Along the edge an Osprey flew past. And I should not forget the
Yellow-breasted Chats that made a few noises somewhat like House Wrens in
the woodcock meadow and one briefly showed itself. As the wise man once
said, "You takes what you gets"!
Here is the total tally with a few notes - not only for you but also for the
folks at Huntley who keep these records. I tallied about 56 species in an
adjusted total of about 4 hours. A sunset visit would probably add a few
more.
Kurt Gaskill
C. Goose 2
Mallard 2
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 2
Little Blue Heron 6, white phase down a few hundred yards on Barnyard Run
Green Heron 4, at least 3 juvies
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 2
Osprey 3
Red-shouldered Hawk 4
RT Hawk 2
Semipalmated Plover 1, the shorebirds were in the main marsh, but better
viewed from the west side
Killdeer 2
Solitary Sandpiper 1
Rock Pigeon 1, not often seen at the park - over the shops
Mourning Dove 3
YB Cuckoo 5 - very vocal and one very well seen; all on the back side today
Barred Owl 1 - cleared its throat after sunrise nr the woodcock meadow
Chimney Swift 10
RT Hummer 6
Belted Kingfisher 1, nr the Little Blues down Barnyard Run
RB WP 4
Downy WP 7
Hairy WP 1
No. Flicker 2
Pileated WP 1
E. Wood Pewee 2 - a low number that seems out of place
Acadian Flycatcher 3 - a few adults singing for the 'yutes' I imagine
Least Fly 1
Great Crested Fly 2 - one was a juvie but quite independent
White-eye V 1
Red-eyed V 11
Blue Jay 8
Fish Crow 1
Purple Martin 5, including at least one very purple adult male
No. Rough-winged Sw 3
Barn Sw 10, it seems like a small group would fly past heading south every
15-20 minutes as viewed from the tower
C. Chickadee 9
T. Titmouse 19
White-breasted Nut 2
C. Wren 9
H. Wren 2
BG Gnatcatcher 7
E. Bluebird 4
Am. Robin 16
Gray Catbird 5
No. Parula 1
Black & White 1
Com. Yellowthroat 4
YB Chat 2
No. Cardinal 14
Indigo Bunting 3
RW Blackbird 3
Com. Grackle 17
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
Am. Goldfinch 17
