It has become nearly an annual spring event that one Monday on the Huntley
Meadows Monday Morning Birdwalk is an extraordinarily spectacular experience.
Today was that day for 2017. Thirty-six birders tallied 87 species. The first
hour of the walk took place in the Huntley parking lot as this large group
tallied many of the 19 warbler species seen today. Seen fliting around the
edge of the lot one easily saw Northern Parulas, Chestnut-sided Warblers,
Magnolia Warblers, Blackpoll Warblers and many more. The most dazzling find in
all of this were two Blackburnian Warblers who fluttered about in easy view for
many minutes. Such a breathtaking performance! When we finally started
towards the boardwalk, more warblers were seen - Prothonatary,
Common-yellowthroats, Oven Birds, and Redstarts were all around. As we
searched the central wetland, Hooded Merganser and Wood duck families had
little parades for us, while Red-winged Blackbirds made life unpleasant for a
Great Egret who finally left the scene. Finally, some unusual and rare
sightings such as Veerys, Swainson's Thrushes, Bank Swallows, and a Winter Wren
concluded the whole adventure. Quite a show.
Canada Goose 7
Wood Duck 16
Mallard 3
Hooded Merganser 14
Double-crested Cormorant 3
Great Blue Heron 3
Great Egret 1
Green Heron 3
Black Vulture 3
Turkey Vulture 1
Osprey 4
Cooper's Hawk 2
Bald Eagle 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 5
Red-tailed Hawk 3
Spotted Sandpiper 3
Greater Yellowlegs 1
Lesser Yellowlegs 2
Mourning Dove 7
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 2
Chimney Swift 96
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2
Red-headed Woodpecker 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Downy Woodpecker 5
Hairy Woodpecker 3
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee 3
Acadian Flycatcher 3
Eastern Phoebe 3
Great Crested Flycatcher 3
Eastern Kingbird 2
Yellow-throated Vireo 2
Red-eyed Vireo 11
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 1
Fish Crow 2
crow sp. 6
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 12
Tree Swallow 30
Bank Swallow 1
Barn Swallow 25
Carolina Chickadee 5
Tufted Titmouse 5
White-breasted Nuthatch 3
Winter Wren 1 experienced Huntley birder found in marsh area.
Carolina Wren 3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 6
Eastern Bluebird 2
Veery 1
Swainson's Thrush 2
Wood Thrush 1
American Robin 6
Gray Catbird 4
European Starling 3
Cedar Waxwing 22
Ovenbird 2
Blue-winged Warbler 1
Black-and-white Warbler 2
Prothonotary Warbler 4
Common Yellowthroat 6
Hooded Warbler 1
American Redstart 5
Northern Parula 2
Magnolia Warbler 3
Blackburnian Warbler 2
Yellow Warbler 1
Chestnut-sided Warbler 2
Blackpoll Warbler 4
Black-throated Blue Warbler 4
Yellow-rumped Warbler 12
Black-throated Green Warbler 3
Canada Warbler 1
Wilson's Warbler 1
Eastern Towhee 2
Scarlet Tanager 3
Northern Cardinal 4
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 2
Indigo Bunting 2
Red-winged Blackbird 30
Common Grackle 6
Brown-headed Cowbird 4
House Finch 2
Pine Siskin 1
American Goldfinch 12
House Sparrow 6
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
