VA BIRDers,
I started on Harrison Rd, Fauquier Co nr 0630, then met up with Linda
Millington, Sharif baha El Din, Andy Martin and Carole Miller at Upper
Thompson (completely caked in with fog, 200 to 500 yd visibility), then
Linda, Sharif and I did Leeds Manor Rd to Sky Meadows. After lunch we
continued in a section of Loudoun Co somewhat north of Upperville bounded by
Green Garden, Trappe, and Millville Roads. I went home via Rectorstown Rd.
Most of the breeders are in albeit a few are under populated (such as
Chimney Swift, Acadian Flycatcher, Willow Flycatcher, Wood Thrush, and
Grasshopper Sparrow) - admittedly the weather was also a damper. 95
species were noted in 9hrs.
Highlights along Harrison Rd were adult Bald Eagle at Belvoir Pond, Horned
Lark in the old corn field stubble, a few Bobolinks at Harrison Rd plus
Yellow-rumped Warbler, Grasshopper and Savannah Sparrows. For Upper
Thompson a Ruffed Grouse at the parking lot for the Appalachian Trail (aka
Catbird Heaven), and a fine showing of Wood Thrush (NB), Cerulean, Kentucky,
Hooded and American Redstarts plus Worm-eating Warbler NB and 3
White-throated Sparrows (I missed Blue-headed Vireo but the rest of the crew
got it). On Leeds Manor Rd and Sky Meadows highlights were Wood Duck and
Broad-winged Hawk south of Lower Thompson WMA (perhaps escaping the fog
which was still quite thick up slope), and Belted Kingfishers and Northern
Rough-winged Swallows nesting in the usual creek location north of Lower
Thompson. At Sky Meadows Bridle Trail there was a Willow Flycatcher. Our
Loop in Loudoun Co was productive for a range of species including an
excellent showing of Red-headed WPs (8), plus a pair of Wood Ducks on the
big pond near Piney Swamp Rd and Osprey nearby, Solitary Sandpiper on Green
Garden at the crossing with Panther Creek, Common Raven, E. Starling CF,
Willow Flycatcher and Blackpoll Warbler on Trappe Rd, Cedar Waxwings on
Green Garden, an incredible 100+ Bobolinks near the Piney Swamp Rd pond plus
Red-winged BB and Orchard Oriole NB. On the way home the bridge north of
Rectorstown produced the only Mallard plus a half dozen Cliff Swallows.
For comparison, I list the top 20 species in terms of numbers encountered
today (about half are mainly seasonal migrants):
Bobolink 112
Red-winged BB 76
C. Goose 44
Indigo Bunting 42
E. Starling 41
Com. Grackle 38
Gray Catbird 37
E. Meadowlark 35
Am. Robin 34
E. Towhee 32
Red-eyed V 30
Am. Redstart 26
Wood Thrush 25
Turkey Vulture 23
E. Phoebe 21
Purple Martin 18
Scarlet Tanager 18
Mourning Dove 17
Barn Swallow 17
Am. Goldfinch 17
Kurt Gaskill
