VA BIRDers,
I have always liked the Mason Neck area of southern Fairfax Co. Its
adjacent to the Potomac on the east and to the south and west is
Occoquan/Belmont Bay. Despite much housing, it retains large portions of
habitat that is still in good shape. I did point counts along Gunston Rd,
from just after the turn off east from Rt 1 continuing on to the Hallowing
Pt area, where I looped about until I crossed my path - 21 points separated
by about 0.4 to 0.6 miles and 3-5 minutes at each; I started at 0630 and
ended at 0815. Not exactly the best method, but one that helps determine
species diversity. Today I tallied 60 species of typical breeders. The
highlights are mainly those birds not easily found in Fairfax Co -
Yellow-throated Warbler (2), Pine Warbler (6), Prothonotary Warbler (1), LA
Waterthrush (1), and Summer Tanager (1). Particularly abundant were
Red-bellied WP (19), Acadian Flycatcher (11), Great Crested Flycatcher (9),
Red-eyed Vireo (11), Blue Jay (15), Carolina Chickadee (17), Tufted Titmouse
(19), Northern Parula (8), Chipping Sparrow (10), Northern Cardinal (16).
The full tally list is below.
I then visited a portion of Pohick Regional Park - I parked along Gunston Rd
near the bend and walked the red trail to Camp Wilson, then back east
working my way down to the Pohick River and then enjoyed the serenity for 20
minutes (it's a gorgeous marsh, the spadderdock is fully leafed out and the
view goes for over a mile). Then back to the car. About 2 hrs and perhaps
2 miles. The first Highlight were Worm-eating Warblers. The stronghold is
along the Camp Wilson Trail about a half mile from the car park. 2 were
singing today. The other highlight was a King Rail calling with one
sequence of "kek"s, quite loud and clearly, from the spadderdock. Other
highlights were Great Egrets, Bald Eagle (adult), YB Cuckoo, Yellow-throated
Vireo, Warbling Vireo, LA Waterthrush, Prothonotary Warbler, and many
Northern Parulas.
Lastly, as I drove this morning from home to Mason Neck, a Yellow-crowned
Night-Heron flew south over Lockheed Blvd into the eastern boundary of
Huntley Meadows. Food for thought, eh?
Kurt Gaskill
Gunston Rd 21 Pt Counts
C. Goose 1
Mallard 2
Great Blue Heron 4
Osprey 3
Cooper's Hawk 1
Mourning Dove 7
C. Swift 5
RT Hummer 2
Red-bellied WP 19
Downy WP 6
Pileated WP 2
E. Wood Pewee 4
Acadian Fly 11
E. Phoebe 2
Great Crested Fly 9
E. Kingbird 1
Red-eyed V 11
Blue Jay 11, juvs
Am. Crow 9
Fish Crow 5
Purple Martin 2
Tree Sw 1
Barn Sw 6
C. Chickadee 17, juvs
T. Titmouse 19, juvs
White-breasted Nuthatch 8, juvs
C. Wren 12
H. Wren 1
BG Gnatcatcher 6
E. Bluebird 9, juv
Wood Thrush 4
Am. Robin 12
Gray Catbird 3
No. Mocker 3
E. Starling 9, juvs
Cedar Waxwing 1
Ovenbird 3
LA Waterthrush 1
Prothonotary Warbler 1 in a backyard nr the Great Marsh of Mason Neck
Common Yellowthroat 1
No. Parula 8
Yellow-throated Warbler 2
Pine Warbler 6
Summer Tanager 1, edge of Meadowood big field
Scarlet Tanger 2
E. Towhee 5
Chipping Sp 10
Song Sp 1
No. Cardinal 16
Blue Grosbeak 2
Indigo Bunting
Red-winged BB 8
E. Meadowlark 2
Com. Grackle 12
Brown-headed Cowbird 7
Orchard O 4
Baltimore O 3
Hosue Finch 2
Am. Goldfinch 6
House Sp 2
