As we have pointed in previous November reports, winter seems to bring out
birders with funny hats. There are all sorts of knitted creations, bombardier
chapeau in bright plaids, and ear coverings of many shapes and hues. All very
festive. The nearly 30 birders who assembled for this morning's Huntley
Meadows Monday Morning Birdwalk wore them all as it was quite cold. Perhaps
they help produce great birding results, as we tallied 45 species with
highlights being all seven of the Woodpecker species found at Huntley, and a
growing duck population. We encountered a ''mystery" duck today. This bird
was mostly black with a white bib and a Mallard's beak. We think that it is
a mallard/black duck hybrid, but can't be sure. We have sought professional
help. Of extracurricular interest is the continued building of the a beaver
lodge that is gradually blocking the boardwalk near its eastern entrance. We
fear that one of these Mondays we won't be able to access the boardwalk from
this end.
Canada Goose 90
Wood Duck 2
Gadwall 3
American Black Duck 3
Mallard 51
Northern Shoveler 1
Northern Pintail 5
Green-winged Teal 17
Great Blue Heron 2
Black Vulture 6
Turkey Vulture 1
Accipiter sp. 1
Bald Eagle 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Ring-billed Gull 4
gull sp. 2
Mourning Dove 30
Barred Owl 2
Red-headed Woodpecker 4
Red-bellied Woodpecker 8
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2
Downy Woodpecker 6
Hairy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 1
Pileated Woodpecker 2
Blue Jay 9
American Crow 4
Fish Crow 5
crow sp. 10
Carolina Chickadee 10
Tufted Titmouse 3
White-breasted Nuthatch 4
Brown Creeper 1
Winter Wren 1
Carolina Wren 3
Eastern Bluebird 5
American Robin 1
Dark-eyed Junco 6
White-throated Sparrow 12
Song Sparrow 3
Swamp Sparrow 3
Northern Cardinal 4
Red-winged Blackbird 20
Rusty Blackbird 2
American Goldfinch 7
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 GlasgowFriends of Huntley Meadows Park
