I birded Leesylvania SP and the ash pond on Cockpit Pt. Rd. this morning,
looking for migrants. I saw only 2 warbler species (common yellowthroat and
northern waterthrush), but I did see a few obvious migrants. At around 6:30am
several flocks of birds dropped into the trees in the picnic area at
Leesylvania,which turned out to be orioles of both species. A large flock of
rough-winged swallows was present early on, but disappeared to the north. Many
robins were feeding the the cherry trees, and a large flock of grackles flew
into the picnic area. I also saw family groups of blue-grosbeaks, summer
tanagers, indigo buntings, and mockingbirds. Bluebirds were still bringing
food to a nest box. Other birds included yellow-billed cuckoo, eastern wood
pewee, scarlet tanager, chipping sparrow, purple martin, Caspian tern and
Forster;s tern.
At the ash pond I saw a lesser scaup, 1 pectoral sandpiper, 1 solitary
sandpiper, 2 least sandpipers, and 8 killdeer. Along Possum Point Rd. I came
across a flock of 8 turkeys close to the road, 3 hens and 5 half-size
youngsters.
Marc Ribaudo
Woodbridge, VA
