Twenty-one birders gathered for today's Huntley Meadows Monday Morning
Birdwalk. Our species count was 46. There was much drama out there on the
central wetlands this morning, with conflicts breaking out between Green Herons
and Eastern Kingbirds, and Red-winged Blackbirds and Great Blue Herons. These
Herons land in the grassy areas of the wetland where Blackbirds and Kingbirds
build nests. Thus begins a quarrel. It has been said that the objective of
the Huntley Meadows wetland renovation project is to manage the area for
crayfish in the hopes that the charismatic Bittern and Rail species will make a
permanent return. Studies in the past few months suggest success with an
increase in crayfish. This morning we watched a Hooded Merganser quaff down a
good sized crayfish. Can the Rails and Bitterns be far behind?
Canada Goose 36
Wood Duck 14
Mallard 6
Hooded Merganser 16
Ruddy Duck 1
Great Blue Heron 6
Green Heron 4
Turkey Vulture 1
Osprey 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Mourning Dove 1
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1
Barred Owl 1
Chimney Swift 3
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2
Belted Kingfisher 2
Red-bellied
Woodpecker 3
Downy Woodpecker 6
Northern Flicker 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee 4
Acadian
Flycatcher 5
Eastern Kingbird 5
Red-eyed Vireo 5
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 2
Fish Crow 1
crow sp. 2
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 3
Tree Swallow 6
Barn Swallow 9
Carolina Chickadee 8
Tufted Titmouse 7
White-breasted Nuthatch 3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 6
Eastern Bluebird 1
Wood Thrush 4
American Robin 10
Cedar Waxwing 1
Common Yellowthroat 6
Song Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 7
Indigo Bunting 2
Red-winged Blackbird 15
Common Grackle 15
House Finch 2
American Goldfinch 3
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 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
