It's getting hotter and hotter as the Huntley Meadows Monday Morning Birdwalk
lurches into summer. But the heat didn't stop the nearly 30 birders who showed
up this morning. We identified 46 species, with highlights being the ritual of
parents feeding young. We watched a couple of Eastern Kingbird nests as
parents scoured the central wetland for food for the nestlings, while a male
Re-winged Blackbird brought food to a nestling in the grassy area of the
wetland. The Blue-grey Gnatcatcher nest we have been watching for a couple of
weeks seems empty now. As is often the case, highlights can be absences of
birds as well as their presence - we were completely unable to locate a single
species in the New World Sparrow category. Very unusual.
Canada Goose 30
Wood Duck 10
Mallard 2
Hooded Merganser 1
Great Blue Heron 4
Green Heron 4
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Mourning Dove 6
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1
Chimney Swift 1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Belted Kingfisher 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Downy Woodpecker 5
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee 7
Acadian Flycatcher 9
Eastern Kingbird 7
Red-eyed Vireo 6
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2
Tree Swallow 4
Barn Swallow 5
Carolina Chickadee 8
Tufted Titmouse 7
White-breasted Nuthatch 4
Carolina Wren 2
Blue-gray
Gnatcatcher 4
Eastern Bluebird 1
Wood Thrush 5
American Robin 20
Gray Catbird 2
European Starling 1
Prothonotary Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 6
Northern Cardinal 7
Indigo Bunting 1
Red-winged Blackbird 30
Common Grackle 30
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
House Finch 3
American Goldfinch 3
House Sparrow 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 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