At least it wasn't snowing! Having missed our walk last week due to the storm,
22 birders showed up for this morning's Huntley Meadows Monday Morning Birdwalk
itching for some great bird action. They spotted 49 species, with highlights
being a Savannah Sparrow, a lone, male Bufflehead, and immense skeins of Canada
Geese flying northward at very high altitudes. In one of these groups, about 4
Tundra Swans were seen scattered among the geese. Probably our greatest
highlight were the large diversity of waterfowl in the central wetlands. The
wetland restoration project has created a large increase in water surface, thus
affording more room for ducks, etc. While the numbers of individual birds is
low, the assortment of species has increased markedly.
Canada Goose 600+
Tundra Swan 4
Wood Duck 12
Gadwall 17
American Wigeon 1
American Black Duck 4
Mallard 75
Northern Shoveler 7
Northern Pintail 12
Green-winged Teal 10
Ring-necked Duck 16
Bufflehead 1
Hooded Merganser 4
Turkey Vulture 3
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
American Coot 7
Ring-billed Gull 20
Mourning Dove 4
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-headed Woodpecker 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy
Woodpecker 6
Hairy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 3
Pileated Woodpecker 5
Eastern Phoebe 2
Blue Jay 15
American Crow 12
Fish Crow 6
crow sp. 4
Carolina Chickadee 22
Tufted Titmouse 30
White-breasted Nuthatch 7
Brown Creeper 1
Carolina Wren 8
Eastern Bluebird 6
American Robin 50+
European Starling 1
Eastern Towhee 2
Savannah Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 8
Swamp Sparrow 10
White-throated Sparrow 20
Dark-eyed Junco 1
Northern Cardinal 8
Red-winged Blackbird 27
Common Grackle 6
American Goldfinch 1
The Monday Morning Birdwalk has been a weekly event at Huntley Meadows since
1985. It takes place every week, rain or shine (except during electrical
storms, strong winds, or icy trails), at 8AM (7AM from April 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
