After several weekends traveling, I finally got back to the Hike/Bike Trail
Saturday morning. Given the weather, the foliage looked no more advanced
than three weeks ago. But there were some songs of note. Top of the list
were vocalizing PIED-BILLED GREBES, two pairs and a single. Love their
weird vocalizations. Will they breed again after several decades? Several
of the half dozen FOX SPARROWS I saw were singing-I never get tired of this
song, which I rarely hear. The few singing RUSTY BLACKBIRDS-well, someone
must like it. And in the Woodcock Meadow I heard the first THRASHER song of
the year.
The 48 species I encountered included a decent mix of waterfowl (including a
pair of BUFFLEHEADS, not common at the park), a couple of PHOEBES (not
surprising), and good numbers of TOWHEES and GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS. The
two burned areas attracted a lot of action (mostly sparrows, flickers, and a
few robins).
Ben Jesup
Alexandria
