12 birders met for the regular 4th Saturday of the month Blue Ridge Center
for Environmental Stewardship (BRCES) walk. After gathering at the
visitors center, the group drove down to the Sawmill Road/Butterfly Alley
area. At the start of the walk, a light drizzle and overcast skies
threatened, but the rain stopped and the skies cleared slightly.
Highlights at the Visitor’s Center included Red-breasted Nuthatches and a
murmuration of several hundred starlings.
Highlights from the Sawmill And Butterfly Alley included decent looks at
Yellow-billed Cuckoos, Black-throated Blue Warblers (including a hanky-less
female that we spent quite a bit of time trying to ID), an early Sapsucker,
a cooperative set of Ovenbirds and a group of Rose-breasted Grosbeaks.
In total between the two locations, the group saw 45 species. The eBird
checklists can be found here:
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S48669335
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S48672559
Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy sponsors two regular (free and open to anyone)
monthly walks in addition to other planned events. The event calendar can
be found at:
https://loudounwildlife.org/events/list/
The Banshee Reeks walk is held on the 2nd Saturday of the month at 8am.
The BRCES walk is held the 4th Saturday of the month also at 8am.
Thanks to all the leaders and participants.
Thanks,
Bryan Henson
