Fran Zorn and I began the opening day of the Dyke Marsh (Fairfax County)
breeding bird survey today. The top bird was a SINGING Alder Flycatcher at the
end of the Haul Road peninsula. Mike Bowen and his wife also heard the bird.
Obviously, it will not stay to breed, but it was the first time in northern
Virginia that I have documented Alder Flycatcher.
We also saw one Least Bittern and heard one Marsh Wren. Marsh Wrens have been
on a steady decline since 2000, so the bird's presence gave us some
reasurrance.
Other interesting observations included a pair of Prothonotary Warblers at the
marina and a Brown Thrasher in the north picnic area. Baltimore Orioles seem to
be everywhere.
Larry Cartwright
prowarbler@xxxxxxxxxxx
