Thoreau once said that morning is the best season of the day. Today
highlighted that thought. A truly delightful morning greeted the 16 birders on
today's Huntley Meadows Monday Morning Birdwalk. We spotted 45 species, with
our favorites the Scarlet Tanager, the Wood Thrush, and our reliable
Prothonatory Warbler giving us our special treats. Of interest was a Blue-grey
Gnatcatcher struggling to feed a Brown-headed Cowbird chick it had unwittingly
adopted.
Canada Goose 25
Wood Duck 6
Mallard 1
Great Blue Heron 3
Great Egret 5
Green Heron 2
Mourning Dove 3
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 3
Chimney Swift 2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Downy Woodpecker 6
Hairy Woodpecker 2
Pileated Woodpecker 2
Eastern Wood-Pewee 5
Acadian Flycatcher 4
Eastern Phoebe 3
Great Crested Flycatcher 3
White-eyed Vireo 2
Red-eyed Vireo 3
Blue Jay 3
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 5
Tree Swallow 20
Barn Swallow 19
Carolina Chickadee 11
Tufted Titmouse 15
White-breasted Nuthatch 8
Carolina Wren 10
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 8
Eastern Bluebird 10
Wood Thrush 2
American Robin 12
European Starling 2
Cedar Waxwing 1
Prothonotary Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 13
Song Sparrow 3
Scarlet Tanager 2
Northern Cardinal 11
Indigo Bunting 3
Red-winged Blackbird 46
Common Grackle 15
Brown-headed Cowbird 2
House Finch 4
House Sparrow 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 from November
through March), 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
