Howard,
Am. Woodcock can be found in various places, the peak of the species
displays are about the 3rd week of Feb through the 3rd week of Marsh,
although you can find displays from late December through May in various
places. The species has been confirmed as a breeder at Huntley Meadows.
Displays are usually 30-60 min before sunrise or after sunset, depending
upon weather. Woodcock can most likely be found in any suitable habitat
throughout Northern Virginia. From my notes, I have found the species as
the following: Woodcock as been found displaying at Bull Run Post Office Rd
(nr where the big power lines cross), Occ. Bay NWR, Mason Neck NWR, the
Lorton - Giles Run area (the fields NE of Lorton and Furnace Rd and the
fields to the E of the entrance to Giles Run - both have been disturbed
recently), Bull Run Playing Fields, the park north of Sully Woodlands along
Pleasant Valley Rd (I forget the name, also a spot for Short-eared and No.
Saw-whet Owls), the Nokesville Area (such as along Parkgate Rd), Manassas
Battlefield (try the NW corner of the intersection of Rt 29 and 234), Prince
William Forest Park Breckinridge Rd, MCB Quantico Tokyo Rd area (not easy to
get to, but displays in May), the Airlie soccer fields, Upper Thompson near
the field at the north end of Freezeland Rd, and Fort Belvoir (not easy to
get to).
Kurt Gaskill
-----Original Message-----
From: va-bird [mailto:va-bird-bounces+kurtcapt87=verizon.net@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Howard Wu
Sent: Friday, January 09, 2015 8:28 AM
To: va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [Va-bird] A few inquiries about Northern Virginia
Hi, all --
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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