All,
Quite the day for birding locally. Started off with the Nelson's Sparrow found
by Diane L and Greg M at Lake Shenandoah. The Nelson's Sparrow was seen near
the first wooden bench along the trail at the first big turn otherwise known
as "the point". Also on the lake were Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead, and Ruddy
Ducks.
After this several of us headed up to Reddish Knob where Vic and Gabriel had
found. I was rather surprised to find so many people up there given that the
road had some snow on it. Nonetheless we spent perhaps an hour or so up there
searching for the Snow Bunting. We managed two sightings of the bird but no
photographs as each sighting was of a bird in flight. Perhaps an early morning
trek would find less traffic. If you try for this bird be warned that the road
up to the parking lot is very narrow (single lane) with lots of switch backs
and some snow.
I stopped at the Wetlands on Nazarene road on the way home and found a single
American Pipit, 5 Gadwalls, and 12 Wilson's Snipe.
best,
William Leigh leightern@xxxxxxx
Bridgewater, Virginia
