FreeLists / va-bird / [va-bird] Red-Necked Grebes and Solitary Sandpiper at Fairfax Rod and Gun Glub

["Colwell, Darby" <DColwell@xxxxxxxxx>]

 After a somewhat frustrating morning at the stone bridge area of Manasas
National Battlefield Park, where again, more birds were heard than seen,
including a glimpse of a Blackburnian and possibly a life bird (for
us)Cerulean (thus the frustration!), we went over to Fairfax Rod and Gun
Club off Signal Hill Road to do some birding followed by some target
shooting (NO LIVE-BIRD SHOOTING FROM THIS PAIR!!).  There are 435 acres of
land, largely undisturbed with a man-made lake that adjoins Bull Run.  We
took the usual birding tour through the property before shooting our rounds
and were treated to four Red-necked Grebes, resting on the fishing lake.
Three were still in majority winter plummage, but the fourth had all the
demarcations of the summer plummage but not the bright color, perhaps
because he had been dabbling in the mud around the edges of the lake.  Also
nearby on a small mud island was a full breeding plummage Solitary
Sandpiper--gorgeous!  We were treated to an Indigo Bunting, a
no-binos-needed Oven Bird, Goldfinches still in a major flock, a
Red-shouldered Hawk calling, Bluebirds, N. Parulas singing, and the usual
local denizens.

Closer to home in Falls Church--the first White-crowned Sparrow of the year
arrived Friday and has been singing his "warbleresque" buzzy little melody,
and a Woods Thrush has been singing his plaintive melodies out in the woods
since Friday night. The second Gray Catbird arrived to the delight
(anthropomorphic) of the first who has been chasing "her" around whispering
sweet nothings (again anthropomorphic). The male house wren has been singing
from various perches in the woods, including my nest box--maybe this
year....Pairs of Downies, Hairies,Red-bellies and Pileateds have been making
short work of the suet cakes and peanuts.  No Indigo Buntings nor
rose-breasted Grosbeaks--yet.  Both Cardinals and Gold Finches appear to
have established breeding territories, so there numbers are greatly reduced.
Both Carolina Wrens were foraging in my leaf litter mulch together.


You are subscribed to VA-BIRD. To post to this mailing list, simply send email 
to va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx To unsubscribe, send email to
va-bird-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field.