While birding the Wetlands of James River Park this morning, I heard a bird
give a very loud sound like, "RRRIIIID-it," very burry. It made that sound
several times, but the calls were always several seconds apart. It was in
the woods to the right as you're walking into the Wetlands, just before the
field that's also to the right, and I heard it again (and saw it, briefly)
in a couple of trees at the edge of the field, just before it becomes
woodland again (again, to the right as you're walking in). I saw it fly
around in a tree but never got a good look at it. I've gone over every bird
sound I could find on Cornell's website for birds that go through Virginia.
The only sound that was even CLOSE was Alder Flycatcher. According to
eBird, there's never been a reported sighting of one in Richmond, but after
listening to every warbler, thrush, flycatcher, vireo, wren, sparrow,
finch, grosbeak, and blackbird (and an other passerine I may have
forgotten) recording on Cornell's website, Alder Flycatcher is the only
thing I could come up with. However, I am open to suggestions as to what
else it might have been.
Other birds of note seen this morning (mostly in the Wetlands but some in
the Pony Pasture, as well) include the following warblers: Bay-breasted,
Black and White, Yellow-throated, Yellowthroat, Redstart (all
"yellowstarts," though - not a single male), Ovenbird, Prothonotary, and
Parula. Also, three vireo species - Red-eyed, White-eyed, and Warbling;
both Orioles, Acadian Flycatchers (all over), Eastern Wood-Pewee, Veery,
Swainson's Thrush, Yellow-billed Cuckoo (2 - both in the Pony Pasture), and
at least two dozen Cardinals.
Alyssa Freeman
Richmond, VA
