The FAS-sponsored duck and gull trip to Mason Neck, Neabsco Creek, and the
Prince William Landfill today (31 Jan) turned out to be a big success.
The water at Belmont Bay, Mason Neck, was frozen over with minimal activity, so
off we went to Occoquan to catch the Rough-legged Hawk reported by Paula
Sullivan. We found the bird hovering within a minute and a half after our 9:10
AM arrival time. The bird spends a lot of time hunting in the field after the
first left along the Wildlife Car loop. Stay in your car so as not to spook
the bird. At one point the bird came within 15 feet of the car and perched
directly in front of us.
We also spotted 2 Common Ravens that decided the Rough-legged was not welcome
and began to harrass it. Paula Sullivan also reported that a Red-tail mixed it
up a bit with the Rough-legged and that the birds put on quite an aerial
display. We also saw at least 6 American Pipits as well.
Neabsco Creek held the three regular gull species, but also hosted Green-winged
Teal, a Pintail, Black Ducks, and Mallards. The target birds at the landfill
were Lesser-blacked Gull and Iceland Gull. The Lesser was spotted within 5
minutes of our arrival and the first of 2 young Iceland Gulls were located
within 10 minutes after that.
A lot of fun for a cold winter day!
Larry Cartwright
prowarbler@xxxxxxxxx
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