The Audubon Society of Northern Virginia hosted its American Woodcock walk
at Huntley Meadows this evening, and got skunked while Ed Eder was enjoying
a peenting woodcock at Dyke Marsh. The main meadow has not been mowed, so we
directed our efforts along the newly constructed path that leads to the new
water control system. It was a calculated risk on my part, and failed, so
those who participated in the walk and were disappointed can send your hate
mail directly to prowarbler@xxxxxxxxxxx. We found out later that people saw
birds last night, but we don't know where. Sherm Suter, who was near the
platform of the Hike-Bike Trail, stated that he heard a distant woodcock
tonight, but too far away to locate. Also, my attempt to find Fox Sparrows
in the upper main meadow came up zero as well. I am so sorry. Hopefully, the
chorus of Spring Peepers was a bit of a consolation prize. Spring is around
the corner.
For those interested in a list, I will provide one based on my best memory.
Canada Goose 25 (flyovers and birds in the marsh)
Wood Duck 2 (flyovers- vocalizing)
Mallard 15 (estimate based on vocalizing from the marsh)
Hooded Merganser 2 (flyover pair)
Mourning Dove 3
Barred Owl 2 (heard)
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Downy Woodpecker 2
crow, sp. 2
Carolina Chickadee 3
Tufted Titmouse 3
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
Carolina Wren 2
American Robin 5
Northern Mockingbird 1
Eastern Towhee 2
Song Sparrow 5
White-throated Sparrow 3
Dark-eyed Junco 1
Northern Cardinal 7
Common Grackle 600 (flyover)
Red-winged Blackbird 200 (flyover)
Brown-headed Cowbird 2 (flyover)
Larry Cartwright
prowarbler@xxxxxxxxxxx
