Thanks for this report, Kurt!!
I can add that waterfowl numbers were also greatly decreased at the "UOSA"
(Occoquan) pond in Centreville, compared to a week ago; just a handful of
nearby Hooded and distant Common/Red-breasted Merganser, and fewer geese. And
much lower diversity at Lakes Fairfax and Thoreau in Reston than last week -
only geese and Mallards, at each of those.
It seems you have been dipping on the N. Shrike. If it's any consolation, I
have looked at a bazillion Canada Geese all over this area this year, and have
yet to locate my life Cackler. It's out there somewhere .. .. ..
Good birding,
Steve
On Jan 20, 2018, at 7:58 PM, Kurt via va-bird wrote:
VA BIRDers,
I started before sunrise at Harrison Rd, Fauquier Co and soon saw 2
Short-eared Owls in the big field. The more typical locals soon woke up and
showed themselves yet I needed to make tracks. My arrival at Silver Lake, Pr
William Co, at 0755 coincided with the commotion of the first big group of
Canada Geese leaving the quarry pond with a Greater White-fronted Goose; the
geese flew north. My next stop was Sully Woodlands in Fairfax Co which did
not yield up a Shrike although Am Robins and Song Sparrows were easily found
plus a couple of Fox Sparrows, one of which was singing.
I traveled to Pohick Park in Fairfax Co but the waterfowl flock was but a
shadow of the huge numbers a week or more ago. Down the road Hallowing Pt
produced a Brown Thrasher and a large number of waterfowl were seen on the
river. I gave a quick look, yet I was unable to tarry. A brief stop at the
George Mason Conference Center after noon produced a hundred plus Tundra
Swans on the ice plus a handful of dabblers and divers at the ice free mouth
of Kane’s Creek (and impossible to reach by boat, nod and a wink!). On the
grounds, the Red-headed WP and Brown Creeper were still present.
Dangerfield Island was the next stop but it did not yield up a Nashville.
So, I traveled to Roach’s Run in Alexandria which held a few waterfowl
including Greater Scaup and Common Goldeneye. I called it a day at this
point.
Kurt Gaskill
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