Hi,
After leading a butterfly walk for the Washington Area Butterfly Club I pulled
my car over at the beginning of Edmonds Lane near its intersection with Rte.
17. Soon after I exited the car I heard a familiar flycatcher type song. At
first it didn't quite register with my brain but then I realized that I was
hearing a LEAST FLYCATCHER. "Che-bek Che-bek Che-bek" etc.
I crossed busy Rte. 17 on foot and looked in vain for the bird. He was as
close
as 20' at one point but I could not see him. The bird is almost directly
across
the road from the above intersection but north by approx. 50'. Directly across
the road (west) is the park manager's property. The bird was singing from a
roadside stand of White Pine and Locust. Behind (east) the trees is a
cropfield. In between the road and the trees are tall weedy plants.
I haven't birded Sky Meadows very much this year as I stopped doing my
butterfly/bird surveys last fall. I don't know how long this guy has been
there
or if he has a mate. Besides being outside of it's breeding range this is the
first recorded instance of Least Flycatcher at/near the park.
I may not be able to visit the park until July 9. I'd be interested in further
reports if anyone can get over there sooner. Rte. 17 is quite busy so be
careful when you cross. The noise of passing vehicles will drown out the
bird's
vocalizations. It's probably OK with pulling over on Edmonds Lane and then
crossing Rte. 17 if you don't stay long. For a longer visit you would probably
be better off parking and walking 1/2 mile from the fishing pond.
The most productive butterflying that we had today was in the field along the
South Ridge Trail, the last one before you enter the woods. There were 3
singing Chats in the area, a really good count.
I visited Blandy Experimental Farm in Clarke Co. late in the day. I saw and
heard the expected stuff. The most common birds were Red-winged Blackbird
(19),
Purple Martin (15), American Robin (12).
Scott Baron
Vienna, Va.
