Early on in June, while Kurt Gaskill and I were searching for Night-Herons, we
decided to do a June "big month" in Fairfax Co.
Quick run down of the checklist made it look like we might get 105 species.
Well, Kurt went off to Europe middle of June for a month and I was gone to WV
for a week, but I managed to finish the month with 98 species. As usual, some
expected species were missed (RT Hummer,?really) and some unexpected species
helped fluff up the list. I only heard one BARRED OWL but missed Screech and
GH. Kurt and I looked (unsuccessfully) for Kentucky and Hooded Warb out near
Bull Run, but I see Larry Cartwright found one Hooded along the Huntley Meadows
Hike-Bike trail in Mid June. RH Woodpeckers seem to be gone from Huntley as
well as any rails. Phil Silas and Dave Boltz picked up a King Rail at the Great
Marsh on June 30, but I missed it.
Highlights of the month included 2 HORNED GREBES on the Dyke Marsh walk on
Fathers Day - pretty much unheard of here in June - along w. one AM WIGEON that
had been present for that week as well. Warblers we did find were NO PARULA,
YELLOW, PINE, PRAIRIE, PROTHONOTARY, OVENBIRD, LAH2O, COM YELLOWTHROAT and
CHAT. On June 30, Dave, Phil and I found at least one, maybe two, singing
SUMMER TANAGERS at Meadowood, along the back edge of the Mustang Trail along
with a few BLUE GROSBEAKS. One calling WILLOW FLYCATCHER was present for some
time at Dyke Marsh in early June, but did not find a mate (?) and apparently
moved on. One BC NIGHT-HERON put in an appearance at Dyke for a few nights
running, so I lucked out on that one. Up at the new Equestrian Center in
Lorton, we discovered that many of the wires that the resident Kestrel used to
perch on have been removed. While it's probably safe to say it's still around,
we looked at a lot of perches/posts but could not find it.
Have a happy and safe 4th of July Holiday... hope y'all see some good birds.
Rich Rieger
Alexandria
