(Posted on behalf of Sean Duffy) ---
I don't subscribe to VA Birds ... Also, you could inform the folks
that I have a successful martin colony around back of my school,
Waples Mill ES in Oakton. This is year 4--Y1 ('07) I had plenty of
prospecting but no nesting, Y2 ('08) I had 1 nest and 2 young fledged
(on the same day the Smithsonian banded birds in my schyd!), Y3 ('09)
I had 6 nests and about 23 babies, and this year, Y4, I have a full
house, 12 nests and something like 30+ babies, some on the verge of
fledging.
If anyone wants to see them, they can park on the side of the school
and walk around back. I would appreciate knowing if anyone stops
by, and would be glad to show anyone around if given notice. I like
to keep track of such things because I'm turning my school into a
wildlife habitat place so attrating the public to the school grounds
is part of what I need to document.Jul
I also have current bluebirds and earlier had several TrSw and
chickadees, and usually get hummers to my cardinal flower, although I
haven't seen them yet this year. I wonder if any other school in the
area has a martin colony, I haven't heard of any...
(Steve Johnson cutting in here ---)
I have had the pleasure of visiting Sean's Martin colony twice in the
past week. Babies and adults - it's great! Walk around the back of
the school until you find the white "gourd" nest boxes. The school is
on Waples Mill Road in Oakton.
Also, today (Friday July 16th) I ran across an American Woodcock on
the edge of the parking lot. Not a normal location, nor normal
behavior (hopping along the ground next to the fence, 12 feet from me
in broad daylight). I hope the bird is well. It did take off after a
couple of minutes and flew normally, behind the tree line out of sight.
- Steve Johnson
(on behalf of Sean Duffy)
Fairfax, VA
