The very cold temperatures and the fact that several of our regulars are
traveling kept the number of birders on the Huntley Meadows Monday Morning
Birdwalk to 4 this morning. But we also hosted Langston and Logan, two young
men who are being homeschooled by their mother. So we introduced birding to
these young men who endured the cold for about an hour and then had to go. We
hope we might have helped imprint the love of the outdoors and nature into
these young minds, and that they will return soon. Our highlights included a
Purple Finch, the caterwauling of a couple of Barred Owls, and another enormous
mixed flock of blackbirds sweeping across the sky and settling into the forest.
Canada Goose 57
Mallard 30
Northern Shoveler 8
Northern Pintail 3
Green-winged Teal 2
Hooded Merganser 2
Great Blue Heron 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 4
Ring-billed Gull 3
Herring Gull 1
Mourning Dove 19
Barred Owl 2
Red-headed Woodpecker 3
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 5
Northern Flicker 7
Pileated Woodpecker 2
Blue Jay 7
American Crow 75
Carolina Chickadee 7
Tufted Titmouse 15
White-breasted Nuthatch 3
Carolina Wren 6
Eastern Bluebird 10
American Robin 1
European Starling 12
Field Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 9
Swamp Sparrow 2
White-throated Sparrow 15
Dark-eyed Junco 1
Northern Cardinal 5
Red-winged Blackbird 100
Common Grackle 500
Purple Finch 1
House Finch 13
American Goldfinch 7
The Monday Morning birdwalk has been a weekly event at Huntley Meadows since
1985. It takes place every week, rain or shine, at 7 AM, 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.. For questions
call the Park during normal business hours at (703) 768-2525. With the onset
of winter, be advised that trail conditions may cause the cancelling of any of
the Monday Morning walks at the last moment.
Harry Glasgow
Friends of Huntley Meadows Park
