VA-Birders,
I surveyed the Lorton area of Fairfax County for my portion of this year's
Fairfax County Spring Count, and had some great birds totaling 102 species for
the morning.
The top bird was a singing male CERULEAN WARBLER at Occoquan Regional Park. To
reach this bird, drive toward the far end of the park until a volleyball net
appears on your right. Across the road from there is a small parking area
where steps lead uphill to a pavilion. The bird was singing from an oak tree
behind the pavilion and I got great views for several minutes. I found a total
of 16 warblers including the Cerulean, the rest being CANADA, PARULA, YELLOW,
BLACK-THROATED BLUE, BLACK-THROATED GREEN, YELLOW-RUMPED, PRAIRIE, BLACKPOLL,
BLACK-AND-WHITE, WORM-EATING, OVENBIRD, LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH, COMMON
YELLOWTHROAT, HOODED, and CHAT.
Another nice find was a PINE SISKIN associating with Goldfinches on Palmer
Road, which offshoots Rte-123 near the intersection of Hooes Rd.
Other good birds include a night-calling BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON, NORTHERN
BOBWHITE on Hampton Hunt Road, 3 CASPIAN TERNS fishing off Sandy Run Reg Pk,
SUMMER TANAGER on Mountain Valley Rd, many GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS and a few
SAVANNAH SPARROWS at the Landfill (by permission) and a total of 10 BOBOLINKS
(mostly males) in two areas.
Take Care,
Jay Keller,
Arlington
