Four members of the Northern Virginia Bird Club traveled to the King George
Ponds off of Route 3 east of Fredericksburg. The weather was chilly, but not
unbearable since there was very little wind. The birds certainly did not mind
as we tallied 41 species. First we went to Farley Vale (with permission) One of
the most productive areas was right at the entrance. Here we found an American
Kestrel hunting. Fred Atwood, who was also birding the area had earlier
alerted us to the fact that he had observed some Greater White-fronted Geese
flying around. Sure enough, I spotted three unusual looking geese flying
together fairly low over our heads. They were pale with speckled bellies and I
also spotted an orange bill. They were too slim to be farm geese. In the same
area we found Pine Warblers in the pine trees and I heard a Brown-headed
Nuthatch. On the Rappahannock River as seen from the property, we saw good
numbers of Common Mergansers in addition to some Hooded Mergansers and
Redheads. We enjoyed watching a Hermit Thrush and Golden-crowned Kinglets
bopping around. Several Bald Eagles and thousands of gulls were also present.
At Lagrange Lane we birded from the road since we did not want to get on the
bad side of whoever put up a very imposing "No Trespassing" sign. Here we found
Tundra Swans, Eastern Bluebirds and a veritable Duck-orama. There were many
Ring-necked Ducks, Mallards, Gadwall, Canvasbacks, some Redheads, Hooded
Mergansers, Northern Shovelers, Northern Pintail, Ruddy Ducks, an American
Wigeon and Bufflehead all in the same pond.
Larry Meade
Merrifield, VA
