VA Birders,
With visiting family in town I was only able to sneak out for a little less
than two hours this AM. I birded Lake Mercer in Burke (Fairfax County) which is
close to my parent's house. Highlights included BLUE-WINGED, KENTUCKY and
CANADA Warbs. 11 warblers seen in about an hour an a half. Here's the list:
Black-throated Blue- 5 birds, all females
Magnolia- 6 or 7
Redstart- 8 (along with Maggies, the most numerous of the day)
Blackpoll- 2
CANADA- 3 different birds; one male seen very well
Common Yellowthroat- 3
BLUE-WINGED (FOY)- 1; beautiful....
Louisiana Waterthrush- 1
KENTUCKY (FOY)- one male singing at close range, although I had to work for him,
Parula- 3
Ovenbird- 2; both seen and never made a sounds.I usually have this in reverse
Other birds highlights were 5 species of shorebirds on the upper end: 1
Killdeer, 2 Solitaries, 2 Spotties, 3 confirmed Least and another group of 3
peeps including one presumed to be a Semi (a scope would have been nice). 3
vireo species (RE, WE and YT), Wood Thrushes, Orchard Oriole, Wood Ducks and
Barred Owl were also encountered.
Lake Mercer is a great little spot which can be quite productive yet I have
never actually ran into another birder there. The land around the lake connects
to South Run Park as well as Burke Lake further on. The upper end seems to be
the birdiest and best reached from the Fairfax County Parkway via Huntsman
Boulevard and Wagon Trail Lane.
Will McPhail
Washington, DC
