Hello Everyone,
After birding around Lorton, I decided to scout as much of the count area as
possible for the fast-approaching Nokesville CBC, centered near Merrimac Farm
and set for Friday, January 4, 2008. This count is especially in need of as
many volunteers as possible. Please consider being one of at least 10 more
participants that would be needed to make this count the success it has the
potential to be. Kindly send a note to compiler Kim Hosen at this address:
kim@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
There were many birds around the count area today. Highlights included
Northern Harrier along Parkgate Rd, several American Kestrels, Winter Wrens, a
single American Pipit overflying Parkgate, White-crowned Sparrows, Eastern
Meadowlark, Purple Finches, and evidence of a Barn Owl in a silo in the
Fauquier County side of the circle.
The count circle is amazing, as it includes the landfill, Manassas Airport,
Quantico, part of Prince William Forest Park, Dove's Landing, Merrimac Farm,
Cedar Run Wetlands, and more. The Fauquier County portion of the count area
has a great deal of excellent habitat, I would suggest that is suitable for
either species of Shrike and other good birds. In fact, this is the area that
would need the most support for the count on Friday. If any of you know those
areas well and would like to help, your assistance would be extremely
appreciated. If you are unfamiliar with the area and would still like to help,
please contact me off-list with your phone number and I will discuss the area
with you. If you are reading this and you have a feeder within the circle,
your help is also needed.
Specific major roads in this area of the count are as follows: Catlett, Elk
Run, Breistersburg, Brent Town, Aquia, Sowego, etc. Included lesser roads (but
excellent habitat) would be Shenandoah Path, Cromwell, Courthouse, Burwell, and
Old Calverton. Please consider helping out for a full day, half day, or even a
couple of hours before work if you can.
Thanks so much!
Jay Keller,
Arlington
