We did a little accidental birding tour of our own yesterday in Nothern
Virginia. Here are some highlights:
We started off by visiting the bird banding station at Occoquan Bay NWR
(Occoquan, VA). The first bird of the day at the station (while we were there)
was a YELLOW BREASTED CHAT - quite a sight to see up close and personal. The
station wasn't overly busy with birds (lots of great visitors though) and we
moved on eventually. Heading back slowly, we spotted two RUDDY DUCKS in the
bay, several INDIGO BUNTINGS & YELLOW WARBLERS, countless COMMON YELLOWTHROATS.
PRAIRIE WARBLERS were singing their hearts out in the meadows, but darned if
we could ever spot one. Ticks were out in force too.
By mid afternoon we made our way to Gravelly Point (Arlington, VA) for my Mom
(visiting from PA) to see a new life bird - boblinks. Despite the constant
strong winds, we weren't dissapointed. A flock of ~30 BOBOLINKS would raise up
from the grasses and circle, then land - every time a plane landed.
We ended our evening with an obligator visit to Monticello Park (Alexandria,
VA), as we were driving right past it to go home anyways. For the 2nd 4pm
visit for me in two days, it was ghostly silent. Nothing of note hear or seen,
save for *3* MALLARDS (a male/female pair, and a single female up stream from
them a bit). As mundane as it sounds, I've never seen more than the pair
there! :)
Not too exiting of a report, I realize, but it's great the the Bobolinks have
been so reliable!
Happy Sunday birding to all,
-Renee Grebe
Alexandria, VA
