I birded several Northern Virginia locations over the past several days
(Leesylvania State Park, Occoquan Bay NWR, Mason Neck, Accotink Park, etc).
Some general notes on sightings-as previously reported by others, blue-gray
gnatcatchers have arrived as have yellow-throated warblers and
waterthrushes. I've seen a big push by phoebes, golden crowned kinglets
(lots!), and brown creepers (8+). Thrashers and towhees are busy pairing up
and singing. The strangest encounter I had, though, was a singing wood
thrush at Occoquan Bay NWR on 3/30-well ahead of a mid-April date when I
would expect to start hearing these wonderful birds. I guess if we could
have an overwintering northern shrike and visitors like a European
goldfinch and a prairie falcon this year, why should I be surprised by
anything at this point.
Ron Vogel
Annandale, VA
