VA BIRDers,
Fog greatly dampened the birding at Mason Neck this morning with very few
migrants found for the 14 people who participated. Top bird was a
Connecticut Warbler, found by Peter and Molly Ross but unfortunately missed
by others (who were elsewhere in the phase 2 field area). Access was kindly
granted by Mason Neck SP and NWR through prior arrangements.
Dawn seemed to be starting out well with Gray-cheeked (1), Swainson's (4),
Wood Thrush (1) and Bobolink (3) heard by 6am. This was about when the fog
rolled in from the NW and night calls ended. We started birding near 645am
at the SP phase 2 area but nothing seemed to be moving although we found a
very bright Yellow-breasted Chat. We found a few other birds here and there
and the fog lifted at about 845am and a small flurry of activity occurred
and then subsided. Despite our efforts, little else was found. We broke
for the rookery/heronry area at about 1045 to view the nests and on the way
added a Brown Creeper and 2 Blackpolls to the list but nothing else beyond
resident species. On the way out, we were treated to a wonderful kettle of
Bald Eagles of 14 strong. The trip netted over 60 species and the list of
notables is given below.
Kurt Gaskill
Wood Duck 40
Am. Black Duck 4
Bald Eagle 17
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Caspian Tern 1
YB Cuckoo 1
Barred Owl 2
Chimney Swift 12
Belted Kingfisher 1
E. Phoebe 5
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Red-eyed V 1
Brown Creeper 1
House Wren 1
RC Kinglet 2
E. Bluebird 8
Veery 1
Gray-cheeked Thrush 1
Swainson's Thrush 4
Wood Thrush 1
Gray Catbird 7
Brown Thrasher 1
Cedar Waxwing 20
Nashville 1
Magnolia 4
Yellow-rumped 2
Palm 6
Blackpoll 2
baypoll sp 2
Black & White 1
Am. Redstart 2
Com. Yellowthroat 3
YB Chat 1
Scarlet Tanager 1
Song Sp 3
Indigo Bunting 6
Rusty Blackbird 2
