VA Birders,
I enjoyed a crisp, wonderful morning of birding at the hike/bike trail of
Huntley Meadows today. Highlights included: Yellow-bellied Flycatcher,
Philadelphia Vireo and 11 species of warbs including Blue-winged and Hooded.
Other than a brief morning out at Rock Creek Park, DC about a week ago, this
was my first chance to get out this fall. I spent most of the four hours (mins
before 8:00 to mins before 12:00) chasing small mixed flocks in the back meadow
areas before the observation deck where the trail ends overlooking the marsh.
48 species were observed in total.
The first mixed flock near the Woodcock Meadow contained a gorgeous
BLUE-WINGED, Black-throated Green, Parula, female HOODED (well seen at close
range but brief), Common Yellowthroat and YB Cuckoo.
The next mixed flock was seen on the edge of the large meadow on the left
headed to the observation deck. I first had a nice look at a YELLOW-BELLIED
FLYCATCHER (FOY) who was busy eating insects out of a tent caterpillar nest. It
was showing a nice yellow wash and I was able to watch it for at least 30
seconds. That is until a vireo caught my attention. I was delighted to see it
was a PHILADELPHIA VIREO (FOY)! I had nice looks at this bird as well and I had
to actually decide which fall migrant to observe. Tough choice but I'm a sucker
for vireos.... I ended up getting nice studies of both species. Also nearby
were 2 Magnolias, 2 Redstarts and a Chestnut-sided Warbler.
2 (possibly 3) Palm Warblers were in the scrubby trees near the observation
deck along with another Chestnut-sided Warb, and an Ovenbird was seen very well
along the back trail to the right of the deck (I actually took this all the way
to the swampy upper end of the marsh across from the Interpretive Trail,
boardwalk side, where Prothonotary Warbs and Red-headed Woodpeckers are
generally seen). Other birds of interest were nice numbers of RT Hummers (I
would say at least 10 zipped by), imm Cooper's Hawk awkwardly hunting, and good
numbers of E. Pewees (at least 6). On the way back, I was pleased to find
another small flock including Redstarts, Maggies and a Blackpoll Warbler. The
flock also contained a Warbling Vireo in close proximity of a Red-eyed. That
made it a 4 vireo day with the 2 White-eyed both calling and seen in two
different scrubby areas. Not bad!
This will be my last post to VA Birds for sometime as I'm moving early next
week. If anyone out there has any birding tips for Brussels (or nearby areas of
Belgium, Netherlands, France, etc.), I'm all ears. Happy birding and enjoy
migration!
Will McPhail
Washington, DC
-Nice to hear 2 Barred Owls last night in good 'ole suburban Burke, VA
