As is the tradition on the Huntley Meadows Monday Morning Birdwalk, beautiful
Memorial Day weather draws large crowds of birders. Today, 22 birders took
part in the walk, but with many others on the trail, it was difficult to really
count noses. We spotted 50 species on a cool, bright, breezy day. Our
absolute highlight of the day was locating two adult Virginia Rails with three
offspring in the grass clumps that dot the central wetland near the portion of
the boardwalk that exits the main loop and takes one to the observation tower.
We will check the Park's records to learn when the last breeding pair of
Virginia Rails were seen and report later. Of other note was what appeared to
be blended families of Wood Ducks. One female had at least 18 ducklings in tow
in the central wetland. Finally, the group commented on the absence of
sparrows - there were no sparrows spotted save one Eastern Towhee. One cannot
remember a day with no sparrows at Huntley Meadows.
Canada Goose 30
Wood Duck 21
Mallard 5
Hooded Merganser 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Osprey 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Virginia Rail 5
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 2
Barred Owl 2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 3
Eastern Wood-Pewee 2
Acadian Flycatcher 3
Eastern Phoebe 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Eastern Kingbird 1
Unidentified Empidonax 1
White-eyed Vireo 2
Red-eyed Vireo 6
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 6
Fish Crow 1
Purple Martin 2
Tree Swallow 10
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2
Barn Swallow 5
Carolina Chickadee 6
Tufted Titmouse 4
White-breasted Nuthatch 3
Carolina Wren 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 5
Eastern Bluebird 4
American Robin 12
Gray Catbird 1
Brown Thrasher 1
European Starling 6
Prothonotary Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 15
Eastern Towhee 1
Northern Cardinal 7
Indigo Bunting 2
Red-winged Blackbird 30
Common Grackle 6
Brown-headed Cowbird 4
Orchard Oriole 2
House Finch 1
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. 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
