VA BIRDers,
A Tricolored Heron - juvenile plumage - was noted north of Occoquan marina
(viewing from the west side) at about 4pm this afternoon. It was in the
shallows near Fairfax County almost directly across, next to a few Canada
Geese. This bird is unusual in Fairfax Co with very few previous records
(1? 2?) in the last 10 yrs.
I also looked over the SAV mats - which appeared very nice - but these held
nothing unusual; Canada Geese and overlying gulls and terns were present.
Further out in the bay I noted 8 Lesser Scaup and near the islands off
Occoquan Bay NWR were the usual 10 American Coot - both species have been
present for 9 or 6 or 2 months (how ever you wish to count) and may be the
current record holders for Virginia. Laughing Gull, Ring-billed Gull,
Caspian Tern, and Forster's Tern were noted as well as many Osprey, 2 Bald
Eagles and a few Turkey Vultures. Over the forest canopy I could make out
Purple Martins and Tree Swallows and down closer to the water Northern
Rough-winged Swallows. DC Cormorant numbers were about 50.
Before stopping at the marina, I briefly visited Mason Neck NWR. The
highlight there was an American Redstart. Migrant or breeder? I will let
you decide.
Kurt Gaskill
