I spent the day at my usual birding spots in King George and Westmoreland Co
today. I found 94 species, including my first Virginia Vesper Sparrow since
2008, and my first ever in King George. It is interesting to note that 2 of my
3 other VA spring ebird sightings were on Apr 5 in two different years. The
other was Mar 26. Today's bird was along Wilmont Rd in the yard across from
the long white fence after the big bend.
My first of year (FOY) birds were:Common Yellowthroat male in Leedstown, at a
friend's farmBlack-and-White Warbler, male in Leedstown at my property along
Peedee CreekBlue-gray Gnatcatcher, same localeLouisiana Waterthrush, same locale
Yellow-throated Warbler along Wilmont Rd, King GeorgeN. Rough-winged Swallows:
King George Ponds and Leedstown
I looked carefully in bank swallow areas for them but they do not appear to be
back yet.
Other things of note:1. still 16 species of ducks around, though in much
smaller numbers, including: wood duck (20), gadwall (202), american wigeon
(18), green-winged(33) and blue-winged teal(3), mallard (6), shoveler (32),
bufflehead (109), ring-necked ducks (52), lesser scaup (7), greater scaup (4),
1 female redhead, ruddy duck(15), all 3 mergansers (hooded 7 females;
red-breasted 72, common 2). Swans are gone and the Goose total for the day was
a mere 85.
2. the 2 forsters terns I saw in Leedstown were in breeding plumage3.
Bonaparte's Gulls were at King George ponds and Leedstown in small numbers (3-7
at three sites). No laughing gulls yet.
4. Six Lesser Black-backed Gulls along LaGrange Lane, King George Ponds. This
is the most I have ever seen in Virginia in one spot.5. A total of 10 Kestrels
in 3 locations, including 9 in Leedstown along Leedstown Rd and Layton Landing
Rd. I have not seen this many kestrels in Leedstown in several years.6. Four
Rusty blackbirds and 1 hermit thrush in Leedstown7. Scattered Horned Grebes,
some in superb breeding plumage, 14 in 4 locations8. 26 bald eagles9. A
dowitcher sp at King George Ponds. Too far, in poor light, and strong
scope-shaking winds made it impossible for me to determine species, though the
very long bill and very humped back suggest it may have been a long-billed.10.
Other shorebirds: no pectorals or peeps despite lots of searching, a smattering
of scattered killdeer, both yellowlegs, and 2 snipe11. Barred and Great Horned
Owls calling in the afternoon and at dusk.12. Turtles: Spotted, Mud, Painted,
Red-bellied.
13. Frogs singing: Am Toad, Leopard, Pickerel, SPring Peeper, (saw Cricket
frogs)14 A flock of goldfinches and chickadees were eating young green Elm
seeds15. 7 white-crowned sparrows, all immatures in King George, along with a
few savannah sparrows, lots of singing meadowlarks, and singing horned larks.
16. An AMAZING orange full moon rising as I left Leedstown while listening to
frogs and owls. All the bestFred
Frederick D. Atwood
Flint Hill School, 10409 Academic Dr, Oakton, VA 22124
703-242-1675
http://www.agpix.com/fredatwood
http://www.flinthill.org
http://tea.armadaproject.org/tea_atwoodfrontpage.html
