VA Birders,
I popped by Fort C.F. Smith park in Arlington this afternoon to check on the
Red-breasted Nuthatches who have been frequenting the feeders for the last
several weeks. They did not dissapoint. I was also pleased to find 2 Purple
Finches (brownies) hanging out on the feeders allowing close study. There were
conveniently 3 House Finches mixed in for the sake of comparison. A nice little
mix of winter variety for those in the area.
I then checked out LBJ Grove on Columbia Island (technically in DC) in hopes of
adding RB Nuthatch to my DC list. That didn't happen but I was surprised to
find a lovely Blue-headed Vireo and a single Pine Warbler in a mixed flock
containging Kinglets, Chickadees and a few Yellow-rumps. If I recall, Pine
Warbler occasiaonlly overwinters in the grove. Also seen were a Winter Wren, 4
Hooded Mergs and Ruddy Duck.
Will McPhail
Arlington, VA
