There were many birders at Huntley Meadows this morning due to the holiday, and
I calculate that 15 joined the Huntley Meadows Monday Morning Birdwalk. We
tallied 43 species, with highlights being a passing adult Bald Eagle, a glimpse
of a brilliant Scarlet Tanager disappearing into a wooded grove, and a juvenal
Hooded Merganser, accompanied by mother and siblings, swallowing a fairly large
cray fish. He or she seemed quite proud of himself/herself after adroitly
maneuvering the prey to make the swallow happen. Rather than brave the holiday
crowds at the local Dennys for our tally breakfast, we met at the home of
Barbara and John Perry for a wonderful meal. Our thanks to the Perrys for
their delightful hospitality.
Canada Goose 18
Wood Duck 14
Mallard 6
Hooded Merganser 10
Great Blue Heron 2
Green Heron 1
Bald Eagle 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Mourning Dove 6
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1
Chimney Swift 3
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 3
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Downy Woodpecker 5
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
Pileated Woodpecker 2
Eastern Wood-Pewee 8
Acadian Flycatcher 12
Eastern Phoebe 6
Red-eyed Vireo 1
American Crow 4
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 7
Tree Swallow 8
Barn Swallow 5
Carolina Chickadee 8
Tufted Titmouse 4
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
Carolina Wren 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 9
American Robin 5
Ovenbird 2
Common Yellowthroat 6
Eastern Towhee 1
Scarlet Tanager 1
Northern Cardinal 6
Indigo Bunting 1
Red-winged Blackbird 70
Common Grackle 5
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
House Finch 3
American Goldfinch 15
The Monday Morning birdwalk has been a weekly event at Huntley Meadows since
1985. It takes place every week, rain or shine, at 7AM, 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
Friends of Huntley Meadows Park
