An ANS "Fall Birding" series group I led at Huntley Meadows Park in
Fairfax County this morning, 9/20, was well entertained by a nice
variety of birdlife.
It took us a half hour to get out of the parking lot at 7-7:30 a.m.,
as there was some nice warbler action in the trees -- B-T Blue, B-T
Green, Black-and-White, and several Redstarts, both males and
females/immatures. Best warbler during the rest of the morning was
NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH; we had two just as we came onto the boardwalk,
seeing one perched and hearing the other. There were several
White-eyed Vireos around; one was taken by a Sharp-shinned Hawk as we
looked at it. Water birds were hard to come by, with 2 Great Egrets
and no other herons or egrets to be seen. We had a single female
Indigo Bunting and heard, but did not see, a RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH
(quite early for this species). Quite a large flock of Red-winged
Blackbirds was around for the earlier part of the morning; 90+% of
these birds were females. Lots of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds still
at the jewel weed. Lots of woodpeckers, too, but no Red-headed -- yet.
Mike Bowen
MBC/MOS and ANS
Bethesda, MD
D.H. Michael Bowen
8609 Ewing Drive
Bethesda, MD 20817
Telephone: (301) 530-5764
e-mail: dhmbowenATyahooDOTcom
