Decided to bird closer to home today, and went to Laurel Hill Park (5:30-9:15
AM). Encountered 46 species (eBird link below for list). Started at the
Barrett House and birded the loop around the south meadow, out the Cross
Country Trail to the catchment basin at north side of main Laurel Hill parking
area, then back along on the CC trail and walked the Central Green loop.
As I headed out the abandoned road, there were a pair of Blue Grosbeaks on the
road surface courting. The male spent most of the time crouched down with back
arched, tail and beak held high while fluttering his wings. Occasionally, he
would get up a prance around like a Prairie Chicken. Female did the same
display briefly, but mainly watched the male or pecked at gravel.
There was an abundance of Cedar Waxwings, mostly in small flocks of 10-20 and a
large flock of 50+. The flocks were at various locations, and were pretty much
camped out in various berry trees, mainly mulberry, or perched an adjacent
trees moving back and forth to berry trees.
At the Barrett House at around 8:30, there was a hen Turkey and three chicks
just outside the fence (NE corner). The hen was not happy I was there. Had
heard a male gobbling off towards the Nike Missile site when I first arrived.
On the Cross County trail on the way Giles Run there were three Chats singing
at each other at the box car exhibit. Found 7 Chats total.
Found two Meadowlarks on the Central Green loop trail (on the Lorton Road
side). Apparently, this field is slated for becoming a manicured meadow
maintained for festivals, kite flying, etc.
Scott D. Priebe
Springfield, VA
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S37235366
