Quick stop at Winkler this morning. Birding somewhat confounded by
chainsaw work in the park, and mowing and blowing all around it. But
still FOS Gray Catbird, House Wren, and Orchard Oriole. Warblers
limited to Yellow-rumped (many singing and audible even over the power
equipment), Black-and-white, and Pine. I did not see a Green Heron,
but the grounds manager told me there was one present yesterday.
Last Sunday in the stream valley area near where I live in Tysons
Corner (Wolf Trap Steam Valley at one end and Raglan Rd Park at the
other), I found a Savannah Sparrow in a power line cut just south of
Rt. 7. Not exceptional, except that it is the 10th sparrow species
I've seen in this marginal habitat and probably the last I can
reasonably expect to find. Did not post then, as I went down a rabbit
hole checking my pre-eBird records for when I had last had a tree
sparrow, and then a meta-debate with myself as to whether the 20 year
master species list means anything, given that the contiguous area is
now half what it was originally. But anyway, I saw a Savannah Sparrow.
Good birding,
Russ Taylor
