We followed a similar path today as Kurt Gaskill and Linda Millington,
travelling it in reverse, and a little later in the day. Although we
weren't able to identify as many species, we agree it was very birdy in Sky
Meadows. On Shearman's Mill trail it was hard to keep up with all the birds
flying about, but we did have a flock of about 30 Pine Siskins that flew
around, landing in the tall wildflowers beside the trail or in the small
trees around us, often providing close views. On the Gap Run trail we had
great views of a number of Red-headed Woodpeckers, several of which seemed
to be excavating holes in tall snags, and a relatively colorful male
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker with a very yellow belly that tolerated our close
presence while it fed on Virginia Creeper berries. Later on Harrison
Road in Fauquier County, we came across a flock of about 50 American Pipits
in a short green grass field. While driving slowly down the road, our car
caused the flock of Pipits to take off all at once from near the roadway.
We pulled over and watched as they often flew up, circled around while
calling, and landed back in the short grass as a flock. Every time another
car came down the road, or a flock of Crows flew over, or later as a
Northern Harrier hunted the fields, they would take off and circle
around. While in the relatively short grass, even when close by, they were
hard to see and they remained quiet. It was only when they took off that
you realized how many there were and could hear their calls.
