Weekend birding in my local patch - a bit of suburban Annandale, Fairfax
County, just outside the Beltway - had a few highlights:
- both days simply swamped with Ruby-throated Kinglets. One pair of males
got involved in a bit of a tussle. The amount of 'ruby' shown by both birds
was far greater than I have ever seen before. Looked as though the whole of
the top of the head was red.
- an Eastern Meadowlark, in the wet grass of Americana Park (at the NE
corner of Wakefield Park). This is the second one I have seen in my local
patch. The other one was in similar grass in a different ball-park a couple
of years ago.
- also at Americana Park,a sole Savannah Sparrow. I usually see a couple
around this time of year. This one had the brightest yellow eyebrows, as
bright as one sees on the brightest White-throats. Quite amazing.
- a male Purple Finch at my safflower feeder, in brilliant colors.
- a high day-count of Hermit Thrushes. One at my garden fountain, and three
feeding on ivy berries in Long Branch Stream Valley Park.
- and a couple of juncoes at my millet feeder, probably the last I shall see
this season?
Stephen Eccles