Howard/Russ:
The Huntley Meadows woodcocks I think are primarily a migration phenomenon (feb
and march). I'd be interested in knowing if there is confirmed breeding in the
park.
All of my records are from the early spring (early morning or evening). Time
of day is critical. Here are links to my e-bird reports. I think you can
click under "date" and see the checklist -- they have the actual times in the
notes. There are three fields (at least) that are good for woodcock flights
along the hike and bike trail. The first is a long narrow field on the left
hand side of the trail that opens about 1/2 a mile in. It has a couple of
scraggly pines in the middle of it; the second is a large field off to the
right side about 1 mile in it is off the main trail a ways there are a couple
of paths into it (this is the main Woodcock Field); and the third is on the
left just before the end of the trail at the observation platform -- all three
fields are easily identifiable from Google Maps..
Alphabetic Taxonomic
Location
S/P
Date
1American Woodcock Huntley
Meadows Park--Hike and Bike TrailUS-VA20 Mar 20102American Woodcock 1Huntley
Meadows Park--Hike and Bike TrailUS-VA22 Mar 20103American Woodcock 4Huntley
Meadows Park--Hike and Bike TrailUS-VA12 Mar 20114American Woodcock 8Huntley
Meadows Park--Hike and Bike TrailUS-VA26 Feb 20125American Woodcock 2Possum
Point RoadUS-VA04 Mar 20126American Woodcock 2Huntley Meadows Park--Hike and
Bike TrailUS-VA10 Mar 20127American Woodcock 8Huntley Meadows Park--Hike and
Bike TrailUS-VA02 Mar 20138American Woodcock 9Huntley Meadows Park--Hike and
Bike TrailUS-VA23 Feb 20149American Woodcock 1Mason District Park
MeadowsUS-VA21 Mar 2014
Date: Fri, 9 Jan 2015 09:21:26 -0500
From: gnatcatcher@xxxxxxxxx
To: howiewu1@xxxxxxxxx
CC: va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [Va-bird] A few inquiries about Northern Virginia
Howard -
1. This is pretty clear on their Web site. Just Friday.
http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Occoquan_Bay/Visit/DeerHunt.html
2. Last eBird report was 1/5
3. Last eBird report was 1/4. The AMWO are randy little buggers who
apparently court the females almost 12 months a year. However I
suspect the current weather has settled their hash for the moment; if
we get a patch of warmer, above freezing weather, they may start
calling. I think of the active aerial displays while migrating as more
in the March time frame.
Russ
On Fri, Jan 9, 2015 at 8:27 AM, Howard Wu <howiewu1@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Hi, all --*** You are subscribed to va-bird as elliety@xxxxxxx. If you wish to
I have a few questions:
1. Is Occoquan Bay NWR open for general visitation this weekend? I
understand today (1/9) it is closed for deer hunting, and I tried to email
them (bad address, bounced back) and call them (nobody picked up the
phone), but to no avail. I don't know if, when it is closed for deer
hunting on Fridays, does it remain so until next Monday?
2. GWFG at Belle Haven/Dyke Marsh -- is this bird still there? I have not
seen any reports on eBird since 1/5, but that could be that the birders,
rather than the birds, have hunkered down after the snow :-)
3. Woodcock viewing? I think it is about time the Woodcocks are having
their courting rituals again, in fact there were a few reports at Occoquan
Bay. I understand Huntley Meadows Park is also a good place to see them
(the hike and bike section), and sometimes even Dyke Marsh. Any other
places?
Thanks and have a nice weekend.
Howard Wu
Herndon, VA
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