Our apologies for the tardiness of this report.
With temperatures finally in the 40s and 50s after many sub-freezing Mondays,
more than 30 birders came out to Huntley yesterday. Birders in the parking lot
at the beginning of the walk were treated to seeing a lone starling harassing a
Cooper's hawk. Early birders saw more than 600 Canada geese scattered
throughout the wetland, but many geese departed for other parts as the sun
rose. Two rusty blackbirds were spotted at the beginning of the boardwalk with
a group of red-winged blackbirds. A major portion of the central wetland was
free of ice and several duck species were spotted after being absent for
several weeks. Once again all seven woodpecker species were present for the
count.
Canada Goose 600
Northern Shoveler 6
Mallard 86
Northern Pintail 8
Hooded Merganser 10
Double-crested Cormorant 20
Great Blue Heron 2
Cooper's Hawk 1
Bald Eagle 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Ring-billed Gull 16
Mourning Dove 20
Barred Owl 1
Red-headed Woodpecker 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2
Downy Woodpecker 7
Hairy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 4
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Blue Jay 6
American Crow 72
Fish Crow 11
crow sp. 7
Carolina Chickadee 12
Tufted Titmouse 6
White-breasted Nuthatch 6
Carolina Wren 10
Golden-crowned Kinglet 5
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Eastern Bluebird 6
Hermit Thrush 2
American Robin 22
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 4
Field Sparrow 1
Dark-eyed Junco 4
White-throated Sparrow 12
Song Sparrow 14
Swamp Sparrow 5
Northern Cardinal 12
Red-winged Blackbird 46
Rusty Blackbird 2
Common Grackle 8
American Goldfinch 25
The Monday Morning Birdwalk has been a weekly event at Huntley Meadows since
1985. It takes place every week, rain or shine (except during electrical
storms, strong winds, or icy trails), at 8AM (7AM from March through October),
is free of charge, requires no reservation, and is open to all. Birders meet in
the parking lot at the Park's entrance at 3701 Lockheed Blvd, Alexandria, VA.
Questions should be directed to Park staff during normal business hours at
(703)768-2525.
Harry Glasgow & Nancy Vehrs
Friends of Huntley Meadows Park
