I spent a couple of hour at Leesylvania State Park early this morning, and an
hour or so at Metz wetlands this afternoon. At Leesylvania the word was
BLACKPOLL. These guys were everywhere. The greatest concentrations were
around the Confederate battery at Freestone Point, Brushey Pt., and around the
Powell's Creek Trail parking lot. In these three areas other migrants were
present as well. At the battery were black-throated blue, prothonotary,
yellow-throated, yellow-rumped and parula warblers, eastern kingbird, and
rose-breasted grosbeak. At Brushey Pt. were Canada, yellow, prothonotary, and
magnolia warblers, northern waterthrush, eastern kingbird, and cedar waxwing.
At Powell's Creek trail were Swainson's and gray-cheeked thrushes,
blackburnian, black-throated blue, magnolia, and parula warblers, American
redstart, rose-breasted grosbeak, and summer tanager. Other birds noted in the
park were blue grosbeak, both orioles, ovenbird, summer tanager, and indigo
bunting.
At Metz, I spent some time in the blind at the west end. Notable sightings
were 2 willow flycatchers, a calling least bittern, warbling vireo, common
yellowthroat, white-eyed vireo, and northern waterthrush. Between the two
sites I saw 71 species in all.
Marc Ribaudo
Woodbridge
