Spectacular weather greeted the 23 or so birders who came out for the Huntley
Meadows Monday Morning Birdwalk. We were able to spot 45 species with the
species highlights being a Marsh Wren, a couple of juvenile Red Headed
Woodpeckers, most of the wintering ducks Huntley attracts each year, and a
flock of Cedar Waxwings - always a favorite with this group. We were treated
to a somewhat common winter phenomenon as literally thousands of blackbirds of
varying species moved across the wetlands in what seemed like an endless
procession. This parade went on for a full ten minutes if not longer.
Canada Goose 62
Gadwall 6
American Black Duck 2
Mallard 29
Northern Shoveler 6
Northern Pintail 4
Green-winged Teal 97
Great Blue Heron 1
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 1
Cooper's Hawk 1
Bald Eagle 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Ring-billed Gull 5
Mourning Dove 7
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-headed Woodpecker 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 5
Downy Woodpecker 7
Northern Flicker 3
Pileated Woodpecker 3
Eastern Phoebe 1
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 1
Carolina Chickadee 15
Tufted Titmouse 18
White-breasted Nuthatch 9
Brown Creeper 2
Marsh Wren (Eastern) 1
Carolina Wren 14
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
Eastern Bluebird 12
American Robin 1
Cedar Waxwing 9
Eastern Towhee 2
Field Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 9
Swamp Sparrow 3
White-throated Sparrow 24
Northern Cardinal 6
Red-winged Blackbird 25
Common Grackle 25
Brown-headed Cowbird 15
blackbird sp. 1000
American Goldfinch 12
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 8AM (7AM from March through
October), 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
