After my class ended in Fairfax today I spent a little time on a first visit
to this very beautiful and birdy place. From the visitor center parking lot
I took the First Manassas Trail down out of the wind and went left on the
Hilltop Loop (?) and part of the Yellow Trail through strips of woods, open
fields and across a couple of rather dry creek beds. I also stopped at New
York Monuments before leaving, but the light was fading fast. From memory
in no particular order and probably missing a few:
Yellow-rumped warbler-most numerous bird by far
Pine warbler
Palm warbler-western
Cape may warbler
Field sparrow
Song sparrow
Swamp sparrow
White-throated sparrow
Chipping sparrow
American crow
Common raven--2 and 4 flying over
TV
BV
Red-shouldered hawk
Cooper's hawk
Red-breasted nuthatch-always a treat
Carolina chickadee-they don't sound quite like the ones at home for some
reason
E. tufted titmouse
Carolina wren
E. phoebe
RC kinglet
Blue jay--many
N. cardinal
Am. robin
Am. goldfinch
N. flicker
Red bellied WP
Downy WP
N. mockingbird
Canada goose-a flock visible from New York Monument hill
Flocks of robins, blackbirds, and starlings also
A shocking number of deer in every field as dusk approached
Brief looks at Occoquan's clay-colored sparrow (shhh! ;-) both days, but I
would not mind a longer look on the next one! Sparrows are something I
struggle with, although I have progressed from calling them all LBJs. Had
to get to class. Enjoyed the N. harrier that always seems to be there,
enjoyed a visit with Pat B., and met some new-to-me birders both days
(thanks for the tips on MNBP!). Can't think why I didn't check the
pond-Marc's sleeping snipe would have been interesting!
Jan
Richmond
