Seven hardy birders gathered in the parking lot for this morning's Huntley
Meadows Monday Morning Birdwalk, all bundled up and muttering about the cold.
They spotted 38 species, and as the morning advanced, it got warmer and there
was less complaining and more birding. Our highlights included vocalization
but
no sighting of two Virginia Rails, a Winter Wren, and a very clear, close-up
of
a female Pileated Woodpecker from the interior of the Visitor Center as it fed
at the suet feeders just outside. One of the best views of this bird in a long
time. Many sparrows were flitting around the cattails, and Hooded Mergansers
were acting shamelessly in the central wetlands. Cold or no cold, it was a
wonderful morning at Huntley Meadows.
Canada Goose 25
Wood Duck 2
Mallard 4
Northern Shoveler 1
Green-winged Teal 12
Hooded Merganser 4
Great Blue Heron 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Virginia Rail 2
Wilson's Snipe 7
Mourning Dove 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 5
Downy Woodpecker 8
Northern Flicker 5
Pileated Woodpecker 4
Eastern Phoebe 2
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 1
crow Sp. 1
Tree Swallow 4
Carolina Chickadee 24
Tufted Titmouse 12
White-breasted Nuthatch 6
Brown Creeper 2
Carolina Wren 1
Winter Wren 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet 9
Eastern Bluebird 2
American Robin 24
Yellow-rumped Warbler 2
Field Sparrow 6
Song Sparrow 15
Swamp Sparrow 16
White-throated Sparrow 6
Dark-eyed Junco 1
Northern Cardinal 11
Red-winged Blackbird 42
American Goldfinch 2
The Monday Morning Birdwalk has been a weekly event at Huntley Meadows since
1985. It takes place every week, rain or shine, at 7AM (8AM during December,
January and February), 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
