VA BIRDers,
Late this afternoon I did a little exploratory research at Mason Neck SP.
The objective was to determine if migrants would stage at the field complex
at the park - this is an area of young to mature trees, 20+ acres of
meadows, lots of edge and Belmont Bay to the north and west. After
obtaining permission from management, I arrived at the area about 3 PM. As
I drove in there was not much activity - the usual Bald Eagles flying about.
Half way down the road I noted a few small brown jobs move into some brush
so I stopped and got out of the car. Thus began 90 minutes of great fun!
It was not a large group but relatively diverse in composition. No real
highlight but it was nice to see Cape May Warbler and a late-ish Prairie
Warbler. There was this really odd female Black-throated Blue with blotchy
white coloration. And a really cute Ovenbird that craned its neck to eye me
from the base of a Willow Tree near the marsh. Lots of Eastern Phoebes and
Pewees, a Trail's and Least Flycatcher. Many of the Blackpolls were just a
dozen or two feet away. Overall, it was quite nice. I list some birds of
note below.
I have made an inquiry with the SP about having a field trip at this
location in the near future and hope to hear from them soon. I will keep
you posted.
Kurt Gaskill
Bald Eagle 3
Chimney Swift 5
E. Wood Pewee 6
Trail's Flycatcher 1
Least Flycatcher 1
E. Phoebe 5
Warbling Vireo 2
Red-eyed Vireo 2
House Wren 5
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Wood Thrush 1
Gray Catbird 2
Tennessee 1
No. Parula 4
Chestnut-sided 1
Magnolia 5
Cape May 1
Black-throated Blue 2
Prairie 1
Palm 1
Blackpoll 5
Black & White 3
American Redstart 1
Ovenbird 1
Common Yellowthroat 5
Summer Tanager 1
Scarlet Tanager 3
Blue Grosbeak 1
Indigo Bunting 5
