Hi all,Here is a summary of everything we found on a Monticello Bird Club Field
Trip that I led to the Shenandoah Valley today. Our group of 7 had quite the
day with 63 species including 5 Goose species - my personal record (for
anywhere, let alone ONE spot i.e. the Fishersville Quarry in Augusta Co.).
We got the day off with a BANG at the Old Fishersville Quarry off of Exit 91 in
Fishersville. Here we tallied the 5 Goose species: 2 G. White-fronted, 11
Snow, 12 Ross's, 9 Cackling, and 400 Canada. As posted earlier, the "white"
geese (Snow & Ross's) took off at 8:35am but by themselves, no Canadas took
off. As posted by Brenda, they were later relocated by Allen & Brenda further
north up at the 608/796 intersection pond. Brenda reported 12 Ross's and 12
Snow (we only had 11 Snow at the quarry). Yesterday, there was a single Snow
at the 608/796 pond. Perhaps the group of 12 Ross's/11 Snow joined the single
Snow from yesterday? Other Quarry highlights included 6 Gadwall, 4 Am. Wigeon,
30 Mallard, 9 GWTeal, 20 Redhead, 14 Ring-necked Duck, 1 Greater Scaup, 3 Ruddy
Duck, 10 Am. Coot, 1 Ring-billed Gull.From the Quarry we headed down to Willow
Lake in northern Rockbridge County and our waterfowl tally consisted of: 1 G.
White-fronted Goose, 160 Canadas, 10 Gadwall, 10 Am. Black Ducks, 60 Mallard, 3
Redhead, 2 G. Scaup, 12 Ring-billed Gull. We also had a Cooper's Hawk here.
After "ice" (frozen ponds) sightings at Spottswood Rd and Bells Ln, we headed
up to Badger Rd. We quickly scored one of the resident Red-headed Woodpeckers.
Over at Mt. Solon we missed the Collared-Doves but the pond held: 25 Canadas,
1 Am. Wigeon, 2 Am. Black Ducks, 35 Mallards, 1 N. Shoveler, 2 N. Pintail, 4
GWTeal, 1 Redhead, 1 GBHeron.As we tracked north into Rockingham County, we
found 2 Common Goldeneyes along the North River at Edgebrier Park by the Rte 42
bridge in Bridgewater. Other highlights here included 5 Am. Coot, 1 GCKinglet,
1 RCKinglet. A walk around Wildwood Park yielded 60 Canadas, 1 Gadwall, 7
Mallard, 1 Redhead, 1 resident E. Screech-Owl, Woodpeckers (1 Red-bellied, 2
Downy, 1 Hairy, 1 Pileated), 1 Winter Wren, 3 GCKinglet.A drive down Limestone
Ln added a Harrier.
Silver Lake held 30 Canadas, 1 Mute Swan, 73 Gadwall, 1 Am. Wigeon, 60 Mallard,
7 Redhead.At Lake Campbell we were surprised to find a Snow Goose in addition
to 200 Canadas, 20 Gadwall, 40 Mallard, 2 Redhead, 12 RNDuck, 6 Hooded
Merganser, 2 PBGrebe, 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk.Lake Shenandoah was completely
frozen over and we found nothing on a quick check.
Thanks to my dad for driving for a very fun day, and to all who participated
and braved the cold weather! Good Birding,Gabriel MapelNew Hope, VA
