It is not news to those of us in Northern Virginia that it has been very hot
the last couple of days. The 15 participants on this morning's Huntley Meadows
Monday Morning Birdwalk learned that it is much cooler at 7 in the morning, but
that it warms up quickly as the morning progresses, so that by the time we
gather at Chez Dennys for the tally, we are ready for the AC. This morning we
spotted 46 species, with the highlights being a 'flock' of Green Herons, 5
Killdeer, and the first King Birds in a long while. The Killdeer was a
reminder that ornithologicaly, Fall begins on the 1st of July, and looks
forward to shorebirds passing through soon.
Canada Goose 10
Wood Duck 5
Mallard 8
Hooded Merganser 1
Great Blue Heron 6
Great Egret 4
Green Heron 6
Osprey 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Killdeer 5
Mourning Dove 2
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 3
Chimney Swift 12
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Downy Woodpecker 2
Pileated Woodpecker 2
Eastern Wood-Pewee 5
Acadian Flycatcher 5
Eastern Phoebe 4
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Eastern Kingbird 2
White-eyed Vireo 3
Red-eyed Vireo 6
Blue Jay 2
Fish Crow 3
Tree Swallow 4
Barn Swallow 6
Carolina Chickadee 5
Tufted Titmouse 12
White-breasted Nuthatch 5
Carolina Wren 6
House Wren 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 7
Eastern Bluebird 5
American Robin 27
Gray Catbird 5
Brown Thrasher 2
Yellow Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 6
Northern Cardinal 12
Indigo Bunting 2
Red-winged Blackbird 30
Common Grackle 25
House Finch 1
American Goldfinch 5
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
