With not one Santa hat or reindeer bell among them, 14 birders came out on this
cold, bright Christmas Eve morning and tallied 45 species. Unusually great
sparrow activity in the grass along side the Boardwalk, and what is becoming
routinely large numbers of waterfowl, made this morning a therapeutic relief
from the blitz of Christmas shopping, music and traffic. It was a
six-woodpecker, 3 hawk, 2 owl, and 1 Bald Eagle day. Very restful. The
Huntley Meadows Monday Morning Bird Walk group has asked me to pass on their
wishes for a happy, peaceful and loving Christmas to all our readers.
Canada Goose 350
Gadwall 5
American Black Duck 3
Mallard 60
Northern Shoveler 7
Northern Pintail 20
Green-winged Teal 100
Bald Eagle 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 3
Ring-billed Gull 40
Mourning Dove 14
Barred Owl 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 5
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2
Downy Woodpecker 8
Hairy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 6
Pileated Woodpecker 2
Blue Jay 7
American Crow 35
Fish Crow 20
Carolina Chickadee 12
Tufted Titmouse 12
Red-breasted Nuthatch 2
White-breasted Nuthatch 9
Brown Creeper 3
Carolina Wren 7
Winter Wren 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet 4
Eastern Bluebird 12
Hermit Thrush 2
American Robin 9
Northern Mockingbird 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 6
Eastern Towhee 1
Field Sparrow 5
Song Sparrow 15
Swamp Sparrow 10
White-throated Sparrow 30
Dark-eyed Junco 10
Northern Cardinal 14
Red-winged Blackbird 100
Common Grackle 2
House Finch 2
American Goldfinch 15
The Monday Morning birdwalk has been a weekly event at Huntley Meadows since
1985. It takes place every week, rain or shine, at 7 AM, is free of charge,
requires no reservation, and is open to all. Now that we are in winter, be
advised that occasional icy conditions on the trail may cause cancellation of
the walk at the last moment. Birders meet in the parking lot at the Park's
entrance at 3701 Lockheed Blvd, Alexandria, VA. For questions call the Park
during normal business hours at (703) 768-2525.
Harry Glasgow
Friends of Huntley Meadows Park
