The changing weather is bringing the migrants like crazy. Last night while
walking along Catoctin creek in Northern Loudoun County I spotted a very
large (est. 200 - 300 birds) kettle of Broad-winged Hawks soaring over. This
was by far the largest kettle I have ever seen. It seems to stretch for a
mile or so. A wonderful sight to see.
Further along a road, in a tree covered with way too much poison ivy
something was hidden that set off the Chickadees, Cardinals, Jays, and
Titmice. Never could I find what was in the tree. I was hoping for a Screech
Owl, but no luck. The small birds at one point were scolding at me too.
Funny how they do that and do not care about how big you are.
This morning while water plants and vegetables in the yard, I noticed that
there were a large number of birds in the trees and the pokeweed. A large
group of Cedar Waxwings will undoubtedly clean out the pokeweed forest that
we have in no time. Higher up in the trees I could see various small warbler
like birds chasing each other, preening, and feeding. Once the watering was
done I got my binos and the party started. A couple Black-throated Green
Warblers were chasing each other, a Chestnut-sided Warbler was chased by a
Red-eyed Vireo and several Blackpoll Warblers were around. At one point in
time I was looking at Bay-breasted, Blackburian (first fall male - more on
him later) and Magnolia at the same time. Other warblers such as
Black-and-White Warbler were moving about in the background. A Tennessee was
seen once again. Oh the joys of watching all these birds in the yard. It was
wonderful to see such a nice mixed group not too far away, while drinking
coffee in lazy chair. A lone Scarlet Tanager joined this show as well.
A few moments after I went back in the house we heard a bang. A bird had
flown into a window. This was rather amazing since two people were standing
in front of the window and you'd think that the bird would change direction.
But no, he flew straight into the window and likely broke his neck. By the
time is was outside he was already dead. He in this case, turned out to be a
first fall Blackburinian Warbler that I had seen a few minutes ago. Very sad
to see such a beautiful bird dead on the porch.
Gerco
Leesburg, VA
