A cool, breezy but delightful day greeted the 18 birders who gathered for
today's Huntley Meadows Monday Morning Birdwalk. We experienced some
exhilaration as we spotted several warblers and thrushes to continue our
welcome to spring. There was lively Wood Thrush singing around the Visitor
Center, at one point joined by a Hermit Thrush. It was very interesting to
watch these two species rummage around the leaf litter together. We spotted 7
warbler species with a couple of Ovenbirds being the highlights. As the
central wetland water level recedes, the Park is attracting shorebirds. We all
had to quickly review the identification elements of this group as it had been
a long time since our last encounters. And finally, two very young Bald
Eagles flew overhead in a somewhat awkward manner, while 8 Cormorants did so
with military precision.
Canada Goose 15
Wood Duck 11
American Wigeon 2
Mallard 7
Northern Shoveler 2
Hooded Merganser 4
Double-crested Cormorant 8
Great Blue Heron 8 Six of these were fly-overs.
Great Egret 1
Green Heron 2
Osprey 2
Bald Eagle 2
American Coot 10
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Solitary Sandpiper 2
Lesser Yellowlegs 3
gull sp. 1
Mourning Dove 2
Barred Owl 1
Chimney Swift 20
Red-bellied Woodpecker 6
Downy Woodpecker 1
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 6
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Red-eyed Vireo 4
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 6
Fish Crow 1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 3
Tree Swallow 15
Barn Swallow 3
Carolina Chickadee 7
Tufted Titmouse 4
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
Carolina Wren 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 3
Eastern Bluebird 1
Hermit Thrush 1
Wood Thrush 4
American Robin 4
Gray Catbird 1
Northern Mockingbird 1
Ovenbird 2
Worm-eating Warbler 1
Black-and-white Warbler 1
Prothonotary Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 12
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Chipping Sparrow 3
Song Sparrow 3
Swamp Sparrow 4
White-throated Sparrow 12
Northern Cardinal 8
Red-winged Blackbird 25
Rusty Blackbird 15
Common Grackle 30
American Goldfinch 4
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 GlasgowFriends of Huntley Meadows Park
