Hi,
I got a late start on Sat. and didn't arrive at the Big Meadows section of the
park until after 10am. I birded the Big Meadows, part of the surrounding woods
and part of the Rapidan Fire Road until late afternoon. I also killed a lot of
time dealing w/ a flat tire, which I got because I was admiring some foliage
and while doing so I ran into a curb at the Big Meadows parking lot. Duh.
I had 2 PINE SISKINS in the area. One was heard then seen feeding on Yellow
Birch catkins w/ a couple of Goldfinches in the woods in a low, wet spot that
lies past the back left corner of the meadow. Later while changing my tire in
the parking lot I heard but couldn't find another Siskin perched nearby. I
love winter irruptives and this was made more special because Siskins seem to
be scarce in the east this year. This area also held lots of sparrows incl. a
Swamp, my first Hermit Thrushes of the year and maybe 50 Robins. There are
many bushes of at least two species that hold a lot of berries at this spot.
At the stone dump area next to the Rapidan Fire Road were lots of songbirds and
a lone male Wild Turkey.
Scott Baron
Vienna, Va.
