VA BIRDers,
I started before sunrise at Harrison Rd, Fauquier Co and soon saw 2 Short-eared
Owls in the big field. The more typical locals soon woke up and showed
themselves yet I needed to make tracks. My arrival at Silver Lake, Pr William
Co, at 0755 coincided with the commotion of the first big group of Canada
Geese leaving the quarry pond with a Greater White-fronted Goose; the geese
flew north. My next stop was Sully Woodlands in Fairfax Co which did not yield
up a Shrike although Am Robins and Song Sparrows were easily found plus a
couple of Fox Sparrows, one of which was singing.
I traveled to Pohick Park in Fairfax Co but the waterfowl flock was but a
shadow of the huge numbers a week or more ago. Down the road Hallowing Pt
produced a Brown Thrasher and a large number of waterfowl were seen on the
river. I gave a quick look, yet I was unable to tarry. A brief stop at the
George Mason Conference Center after noon produced a hundred plus Tundra Swans
on the ice plus a handful of dabblers and divers at the ice free mouth of
Kane’s Creek (and impossible to reach by boat, nod and a wink!). On the
grounds, the Red-headed WP and Brown Creeper were still present.
Dangerfield Island was the next stop but it did not yield up a Nashville. So,
I traveled to Roach’s Run in Alexandria which held a few waterfowl including
Greater Scaup and Common Goldeneye. I called it a day at this point.
Kurt Gaskill
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