VA Birders,
I had a flock of 10 White-winged Crossbills at Blandy Experimental Farm (Clarke
Co.) today at 12:30. A arrived at 9:20 and only managed to briefly catch these
birds (mainly in flight) after 3 hours plus of crossbill hunting.They were
first spotted south of the quarters (main buildings), through the alley of
conifers, down by the bench overlooking the small "pond". They were perched in
the top of the cone-bearing conifers across the pond. I got on them before they
took to the air relocating to another set of conifers at the edge of the road
dubbed "Cedar of Lebanon Allee". They were seen well, calling while in flight,
and again as they settled where Cedar of Lebanon Allee ends. They didn't stay
long before they took to the wing disappearing behind the cedars. Here is a map
of the property, although these birds could be anywhere in the area:
ttp://www.virginia.edu/blandy/brochures/visitor_map.pdf.
Shortly after I lost the flock, members of the Northern Virginia Bird Club
drove by on their way out. Dissapointing we could not relocte the flock... I
continued to search through the conifers where Tuleyries Lane meets Wilkins
Lane, but no luck. 10 seconds of action was all these birds would offer today.
Thanks to James Fox for his report yesterday. The Loggerhead Shrike was also
seen.
Happy Birding,
Will McPhail
Arlington, VA
