More than 25 birders assembled for today's Huntley Meadows Monday Morning
Birdwalk. We identified 43 species. All species were normal for Huntley
Meadows at this time of year. Highlights included an unusually tame Great Blue
Heron who loitered next to a portion of the boardwalk while a large crowd of
people stood by and watched it systematically catch small fish. This show went
on for 15 or 20 minutes. Another highlight was large numbers of Barn swallows
harvesting insects from the flowers of the showy Crimson Eyed Rose Mallows
(Hibiscis moscheutos) blooming throughout the central wetlands.
Canada Goose 15
Wood Duck 8
Mallard 8
Wild Turkey 1
Great Blue Heron
5
Great Egret 4
Green Heron 5
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Killdeer 4
Mourning Dove 2
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1
Chimney Swift 2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2
Belted Kingfisher 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 5
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee 4
Acadian Flycatcher 3
Eastern Phoebe 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Eastern Kingbird 2
Red-eyed Vireo 4
Blue Jay 6
crow sp. 1
Barn Swallow 25
Carolina Chickadee 5
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
Carolina Wren 6
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Eastern Bluebird 3
Wood Thrush 2
American Robin 24
Gray Catbird 7
Common Yellowthroat 6
Eastern Towhee 1
Song Sparrow 1
Scarlet Tanager 1
Northern Cardinal 6
Red-winged
Blackbird 20
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
