Made a brief stop at Ragged Island WMA
http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/vbwt/site.asp?trail=1&loop=CTW&site=CTW0
yesterday for some late afternoon birding. Sparrows were abundant to
say the least, for the most part very furtive and staying hidden in the
abundant cover. Most were seen in the grassy area just off the parking
area. Of those that I could identify 12 - Song Sparrows, 5 Swamp
Sparrows and a possible Lincoln's Sparrow (very brief look). While the
groundsel tree and grasses are heavy with fruit this seems to be a hot
spot for sparrows.
Other birds:
200+ Red-winged Blackbirds
6- Clapper Rails (very noisy)
1- Downy Woodpecker (other woodpecker species surprisingly absent)
1- Kingfisher
3- American Goldfinch
25- Yellow-rumped Warblers
1- Northern Harrier (Juvenile)
2- Great Blue Heron
100's of cormorant winging towards their roosts on the James River power
line pylons
1- Northern Mockingbird
6- Starlings
5- Fish Crow
3- Greater Black Back Gull
2- Herring Gull
Lots of common birds not seen, but then again this was a quick hit. I
was surprised not to have any brown-headed nuthatch, Ragged Island is
usually a lock for them. Was disappointed (but not surprised) by the
complete lack of any waterfowl on that portion of the James, hopefully
cooler weather up north will bring more our way.
Happy Birding
Stephen Living
Watchable Wildlife Biologist
Virginia Dept. of Game & Inland Fisheries
