Thanks to Todd, Laura, Jim and Andy for their recent reports on
Rough-legged Hawks at North Fork Wetlands. I was able to visit this
great place this afternoon and found two RLHA: a juvenile dark morph and
a juvenile light morph. The dark morph was perched on the top of a small
tree near the pond and the light RLHA was perched on the osprey nest
plat form. These were very cooperative birds, giving great looks perched
and in short flights.
I also saw at least four Red-tailed Hawks, including at least one
juvenile and three Northern Harriers, two juveniles and an adult female.
Other surprises included five Eastern Meadowlarks, and a pair of
American Woodcock that flew a big loop over the fields. There were also
four Hooded Mergansers, two pairs, in the ponds.
This was a very exciting day for me. The RLHA and Woodcock were lifers
for me. And, I had seen the Northern Harrier only once before, so it was
great to be able to watch them glide over the fields and dropping down
again and again, but coming up empty. It looked like the juveniles still
had a lot to learn about hunting. All of those perched Red-tails made
for easy comparison with the RLHA.
North Fork Wetlands in basically in Haymarket, Prince William Co., VA. I
took 66 west and got off on exit 40, which is route 15. Go south on
route 15 and immediately turn right onto route 55, which parallels 66.
The second right is Thoroughfare Road. There is more than one good spot
to get off the road and set up your scope.
Happy Holidays!
Phil
Phil Kenny
1731 Killarney Court
Vienna, VA 22182-2133
philkenny1@xxxxxxx
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